Sapphire Flames
Hidden Legacy, Book #4
By Ilona Andrews
ISBN # 9780062878335
Author’s Website: ilona-andrews(.)com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Omar
Summary
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews comes an enthralling new trilogy set in the Hidden Legacy world, where magic means power, and family bloodlines are the new currency of society…
In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.
But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.
To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House–and her heart.
Review
I loved Sapphire’s Flame. It is not a secret that I am a fan of the writer couple Ilona Andrews, but their Hidden Legacy series with its magic styles and characters continues to be a favorite of mine. In this new book, the reader starts following Catalina Baylor as she takes the reins of the Head of House Baylor, while Nevada makes her new life with Rogan.
But after the events of Wildfire, not all was a happy ending for the Baylor Family. After 3 years the grace period of the house registration has ended, and the first case as full house has landed on Catalina’s lap. This is the make it or break it case that would show the other Houston Houses what they are made of.
Like any other elite society, poison and secrecy fills the air at every corner, and it’s up to Catalina and her family to help those in need and try to stop the new imbalance of power that’s brewing up.
I liked the continuation of the series with Catalina taking the lead. Her brand of magic and with a different personality than Nevada makes the story more interesting for the reader. Sure, we all like to continue seeing the relationship of Nevada and Rogan grow, but sometimes looking through the eyes of another character is more entertaining. Catalina was already a mature character in the previous books, but in these 3 years she has grown into her new skin and increased even more her magical abilities. In this new story, we are able to see the payoff to both elite house persona and magical training given to her by Mrs. Rogan.
In Sapphire Flame, we get new types of magic users and learn more about the origin of all the powers the people of using. While we have seen the Baylor family use their magic before, some time has passed and the younger members have learned to use their skills. I liked that we are able to see the Baylor family navigate the world of Elite Houses, and solve new issues as a registered house, their security force part was a storyline that I liked a lot. This book also brings back some creatures that we saw in the first book and enhance others. The villain has a very interesting power and the way the authors describe it makes it even more sinister and evil.
“My wings snapped open, every feather visible, glowing, radiant with power. Emerald fire danced across their width, flowing into dazzling gold at tips. My magic erupted and soared, free from being constrained for so long.”
Alessandro Sagredo. Everyone’s crush. We finally get to see Alessandro and we learn a lot and not many things about him. What we learned about him in the past books wasn’t all true and his magic is much more different than we thought we knew. He’s a handsome mystery with secrets for Catalina to learn. Alessandro had great scenes in this book, and like always the interaction between a suiter of the Baylor girls and the family is a great opportunity for laughs.
While there is a new villain in this story, I still feel that the treat of “Caesar” from the last book is still present and is moving the strings in the whole series. Catalina, in order to protect her family and the city, has to make the decision of doing bargains with power people, one which is family, even though the price might take away her happiness. I loved that we were able to get to see Grandma Tremaine again.
“My deal is this: I’ll give you information to trade to Augustine. And I’ll help you in the future with advice, knowledge, and influence. In return, you’ll dedicate yourself you House Baylor. You won’t dilute your bloodline…”
If you are a fan of Ilona Andrews and their work, then I recommend you, Sapphire Flame. In this new story, Catalina takes the mantle of the Head of House Baylor and her first big case that would break or make their name as a powerhouse in Houston, while trying to figure out who really is Alessandro Sagredo.
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