I apologize for the deluge of reviews. I read but didn’t review during my holiday. Reviewing is work while reading is a delight. You can quote me on that. 😉
Emerald Blaze
A Hidden Legacy Novel
Ilona Andrews
August 25, 2020
Avon
Blurb: As Prime magic users, Catalina Baylor and her sisters have extraordinary powers—powers their ruthless grandmother would love to control. Catalina can earn her family some protection working as deputy to the Warden of Texas, overseeing breaches of magic law in the state, but that has risks as well. When House Baylor is under attack and monsters haunt her every step, Catalina is forced to rely on handsome, dangerous Alessandro Sagredo, the Prime who crushed her heart.Â
The nightmare that Alessandro has fought since childhood has come roaring back to life, but now Catalina is under threat. Not even his lifelong quest for revenge will stop him from keeping her safe, even if every battle could be his last. Because Catalina won’t rest until she stops the use of the illicit, power-granting serum that’s tearing their world apart.Â
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When you say that a 400 page book was a quick read when you’re not a speed reader, it’s because the book was just too good to put down. Such is the case with Ilona Andrews’ Emerald Blaze, the fifth novel in the Hidden Legacy series. I loved every moment of reading this book, except for one thing that gave me pause.
While I loved the first books with Nevada and Rogan, it’s been the later books with Catalina that have captivated me. Catalina is a far more nuanced and layered character than Nevada, which I find more appealing. And, while I don’t always understand what Alessandro is, I do like his character for being equally multi-faceted. (BTW, I don’t always like the men on covers, but isn’t Alessandro sexy and smoldering on this one?) I would love to see this series continue with these two characters at the helm, but we all know what happens to a series (TV or book) when the couple finally gets together—doldrums. I so want this series to avoid doldrums.
Anyway, Emerald Blaze starts out with a bang and pretty much continues that way throughout, which is why it’s such a quick read. I was literally swishing pages as quickly as my eyes and mind could take it all in.
In trying to determine who killed the son of her client, Catalina ends up facing the worst possible creature. One who has intelligence, magic, can rebuild itself, and wants her any way it can get her. Of course, she also has to deal with another awful creature in the form of her cunning, manipulative grandmother, Victoria, who seems omniscient and almost omnipotent.
Emerald Blaze also brings together the family for the first time for any length since Catalina became the heroine. The family dynamics are always fun and interesting.
If you love Ilona Andrews and have not yet read this series, stop everything (as if everything hasn’t already stopped) and read it! If you’re waiting with bated breath for the release of Emerald Blaze, let me tell you it’s worth it! I just hope there are many more to come.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
rating:
5 out of 5 butterflies