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Early Review: Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews (Hidden Legacy #4)

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Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews // VBC Review

Sapphire Flames (Hidden Legacy #4)
Ilona Andrews
Published: August 27, 2019 (Avon)
Purchase at: Amazon
Review Source: Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for and honest review

Reviewed by: Amy

Rating (out of 5): 5 stars

Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it may mention previous events in the series. If you haven’t yet started, check out VBC’s review of Burn for Me.

It’s nearing the three-year mark that House Baylor was given after they declared themselves an official House—kind of a neutral time period as they establish themselves without threat of being challenged by other Houses. Once they pass that point, however, all bets are off and since Catalina has stepped up as Head of House, she’s feeling the pressure to ensure everyone’s survival.

But when a friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina cannot help but step in to find the motive and murderer despite being a surefire way to paint a target on all their backs. It seems like there are some secrets the Houses have been keeping close to the chest and with the mysterious appearance of Alessandro Sagredo wading into the mix, we’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg of a conspiracy that could completely upend the House system as we know it.

So Sapphire Flames takes place roughly three years from the end of Wildfire. Nevada and Rogan are off living in wedded bliss visiting relatives in Spain with his mother. It’s a good choice as it moves them out of the narrative, leaving room for Catalina to take center stage, but they’re not completely forgotten either.  

Sapphire Flames takes the world Ilona Andrews started in Burn for Me and expands it. We get glimpses of more varied powers and, especially, we get some insight into the history of those powers and the House system in general.

You could really feel the change in Catalina’s character from Diamond Fire to this book. In the intervening years she’s been working with Rogan’s mother on her confidence, not being afraid to take charge, and growing comfortable in using her power. I wish we could have seen a little more of this development on the page, but we do get a pretty good idea of how far Catalina has come just in the fact that there are still moments where she’s not sure she’s up to the job at hand.

Nowhere else do you see her second-guessing herself moreso than when it comes to her interactions with Alessandro. But what fabulous interactions they were. Mixing the best parts of all iterations of Ilona Andrews’ heroes and heroines, but still standing out from the crowd. Honestly, I liked how, dare I say, besotted Catalina is with Alessandro. It’s the classic girl crushes on hot seemingly unobtainable boy, except in all her attraction to Alessandro, Catalina never loses sight of what she has set out to do in exposing a murder and ensuring her family’s protection along the way.

Alessandro also has quite the mystery surrounding him that of course we’re only given hints at by the end. I honestly cannot wait to see how everything we learn with Sapphire Flames—as well as things we have yet to learn—ties into that intriguing open ending of Wildfire.

You’ll want to go ahead and schedule that vacation day now.

Sexual Content: Kissing, scenes of sensuality

One Response to “Early Review: Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews (Hidden Legacy #4)”

  1. Joanna says:

    I haven’t read a bad book by Ilona Andrews, and the dynamic duo did not disappoint me this time. Could have finished it in a day but, you know, work. Loved it and already itching for the next one.

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