tanjagnz's review against another edition
4.0
This was my second "wedding novella" in as many weeks, and while I didn't think it was *quite* up to the standard of the previous three Hidden Legacy books in terms of awesome world-building and character complexity for anyone other than Catalina (but then again, it's just a novella, so the authors had far less space to tell the story), I still enjoyed it quite a lot really.
In particular, I enjoyed getting to learn more about Catalina - I'm guessing in preparation for Book 4 - Sapphire Flames, which hits in August - and how SHE feels about her powers, which were introduced earlier in the series from Nevada's viewpiont.
Speaking of which, I initially wasn't sure about having the story told from Nevada's viewpoint for the first bit, then quickly switching to Catalina's for the rest of the novella. But the more I think about it, the more it works on a meta level. It's almost as though Nevada's coming onscreen just long enough to set the scene and then she hands the reader over to Catalina for rest of the book (although I'd be lying if I didn't acknowledge how much I enjoyed the glimpses of Rogan through Catalina's eyes too) And learning more about Mrs Rogan was a treat too.
And yeah, I didn't love Nevada turning into Bridezilla, but I'm going to be generous and put it down to earthquake-level nerves around the horrors of house politics and the fact that all she really wanted to do was elope, but if she was going to HAVE to have the damn wedding then it would be the way SHE wanted it.
Mostly though, what I love about this book is Catalina's sheer down-to-earth competence. She has enough flaws enough to avoid any hint of being a Mary Sue (then again, I'd be hugely surprised if that were ever an issue for the Andrews team), but she's never stupid, and she has precisely ZERO patience for anyone who is.
And any other criticism I have of it pales next to that.
Nice work, Team Andrews - I can't wait to dive into Sapphire Flames when it arrives.
In particular, I enjoyed getting to learn more about Catalina - I'm guessing in preparation for Book 4 - Sapphire Flames, which hits in August - and how SHE feels about her powers, which were introduced earlier in the series from Nevada's viewpiont.
Speaking of which, I initially wasn't sure about having the story told from Nevada's viewpoint for the first bit, then quickly switching to Catalina's for the rest of the novella. But the more I think about it, the more it works on a meta level. It's almost as though Nevada's coming onscreen just long enough to set the scene and then she hands the reader over to Catalina for rest of the book (although I'd be lying if I didn't acknowledge how much I enjoyed the glimpses of Rogan through Catalina's eyes too) And learning more about Mrs Rogan was a treat too.
And yeah, I didn't love Nevada turning into Bridezilla, but I'm going to be generous and put it down to earthquake-level nerves around the horrors of house politics and the fact that all she really wanted to do was elope, but if she was going to HAVE to have the damn wedding then it would be the way SHE wanted it.
Mostly though, what I love about this book is Catalina's sheer down-to-earth competence. She has enough flaws enough to avoid any hint of being a Mary Sue (then again, I'd be hugely surprised if that were ever an issue for the Andrews team), but she's never stupid, and she has precisely ZERO patience for anyone who is.
And any other criticism I have of it pales next to that.
Nice work, Team Andrews - I can't wait to dive into Sapphire Flames when it arrives.
rclz's review against another edition
5.0
This was a 5 no doubt but I so wish it was longer. Can't wait for more of Catalina's story. I have a hunch the kid with the null magic will be back.
mj_onthe_moon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
ificouldreadallday's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
reclusivereader's review against another edition
4.0
Treated myself to this little delight because I deserve nice things. And also I feel like the last time I liked a book was during my Kate Daniels reread. This isn't that series but that doesn't matter. Hidden Legacy is great too.
"[give him a] Hard pass, Catalina. Hard pass."
"Stay out of my life, Bug."
"His Instagram is called Boss Moves."
"Stay out!"
DIAMOND FIRE felt almost like a crash course introduction to this world. I think, if you didn't want to bother with the first three books, this is a pretty perfect stepping off point. It wraps Nevada and Rogan's story with a pretty lilac (hahah) bow and lets Catalina, her younger sister, step into the limelight. And oh I'm so excited for more of this sibling.
"I found out some things about your family which you probably should know. They're unpleasant."
"I've known that for years."
"No, I meant the things I found out were unpleasant."
"I knew what you meant."
As an added bonus this novella has family dynamics that reach soap opera or, perhaps a more relevant reference, Kardashian levels of squabbling and also comes with a mystery to solve. It was pretty much excellent. Can't wait for more of this, more of Hugh, more of anything Andrews. I'm here for it.
** I received an ARC from Edelweiss and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
"[give him a] Hard pass, Catalina. Hard pass."
"Stay out of my life, Bug."
"His Instagram is called Boss Moves."
"Stay out!"
DIAMOND FIRE felt almost like a crash course introduction to this world. I think, if you didn't want to bother with the first three books, this is a pretty perfect stepping off point. It wraps Nevada and Rogan's story with a pretty lilac (hahah) bow and lets Catalina, her younger sister, step into the limelight. And oh I'm so excited for more of this sibling.
"I found out some things about your family which you probably should know. They're unpleasant."
"I've known that for years."
"No, I meant the things I found out were unpleasant."
"I knew what you meant."
As an added bonus this novella has family dynamics that reach soap opera or, perhaps a more relevant reference, Kardashian levels of squabbling and also comes with a mystery to solve. It was pretty much excellent. Can't wait for more of this, more of Hugh, more of anything Andrews. I'm here for it.
** I received an ARC from Edelweiss and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
sonni89's review against another edition
4.0
This was really great and fun, but oh too short! I can't wait for more of Catalina, she's such an interesting, compelling character. I'll miss Nevada as a narrator, but I think Catalina is going to fill her shoes just fine.
straystarlight's review against another edition
4.0
Standard Ilona Andrews -- which is to say, a lot of fun to read. Stayed home from work today because I was sick, and it really helped take my mind off the nausea and dizziness.
melindamoor's review against another edition
4.0
It was lovely and great fun, but as I am an IA-FAN with an APPETITE, of course I found it waaay to short. I would have loved and extra 200 pages or so. :)
morriganlefaye's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0