REVIEW: Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews

In Emerald Blaze (Hidden Legacy #5) by Ilona Andrews, The Baylor family has begun to make a name for themselves in their world of magic and power since creating their own House and naming a Prime. Even though things have recently changed within the House, the Baylor sisters are still every bit as strong magically as ever. And now is Catalina’s time to shine. With a new position as a Texas Deputy Warden–something she has to keep from just about everyone–she digs deep to uncover secrets and dole out justice. But Catalina didn’t realize just how corrupt people truly can be.

‘Did I have to become Victoria for us to survive? …I didn’t want to turn into my grandmother. I wanted to go back to the time when my lack of experience gave me blinders.’

As Catalina struggles to find her footing, helping the Warden, dodging her volatile grandmother Victoria’s manipulations, and running House Baylor, she becomes the target of some kind of magical monster with unknown origins. Being in danger is second nature to her now. It’s when Catalina’s family is threatened that she gets ready to fight anyone or anything in her way. Including Prime Alessandro–the man who broke her heart not all that long ago. But when she realizes there might be more to Alessandro’s actions than she first thought, Catalina is forced to accept that things are not always as they seem. Something she should be used to by now in her complicated life.

‘He looked at me like I was everything that anchored him to life.’

100%. Epic. I seriously don’t know how to correctly explain how intense and yet sweet Emerald Blaze truly was. From the extraordinary battle scenes to the tender romance I didn’t expect to happen, authors Ilona Andrews outdid themselves with book five.

‘Molten metal ran… Debris flew. Concrete exploded. Bug was right. This was Armageddon.’

Author duo Ilona Andrews hinted about the vast amount of time and work that went into Emerald Blaze and as a fan of their work–as well as Fantasy–it was SO worth it! I do think readers would probably be better off having read at least the previous installment, Sapphire Flames, as that was the first part of what is slated to be a three book arc for Catalina. But there were a lot of details from book four included here so you could probably eek by if you want to jump in with Emerald Blaze.

There is so much I want to discuss but there’s really no way to do so without giving spoilers. I can say that this story started off with a bang, with high action and drama between Houses, leaving Catalina & crew not always knowing who could be trusted. Her new job as deputy Warden–on top of now being the Prime of House Baylor–made her a target. Even knowing that her family had her back, it still surprised me when Alessandro reappeared and to learn more about his abilities, his background, and his reason for being back in Catalina’s life. There were definitely hidden depths to Alessandro. And what he and Catalina were able to accomplish by the ending? Incredible.

A thrill-a-minute ride with a cast to die for, Emerald Blaze was a stunning new installment in the already thrilling Hidden Legacy series. I think fans will be held spellbound from page one and will likely gasp with surprise at the final scene. Definitely a Top Pick!

Book Info:

Publication: Expected publication: August 25th 2020 | Avon | Hidden Legacy #5

Ilona Andrews, #1 New York Times bestselling author, continues her spellbinding series set in the Hidden Legacy world where magic controls everything…except the hearts of those who wield it.

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.

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.