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ILONA ANDREWS

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Happy Book Birthday!

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SAPPHIRE FLAMES is finally out. Happy book birthday to everyone. We hope you’ll like it, we are sorry if you don’t. Thank you for giving our work a chance. 🙂

We had a great time in Houston. Your next chance to see us in person is in Austin with Jessie Mihalik. 8/29 Barnes & Noble, Austin , 7:00 pm. More information here.

This is your place to post comments and theories. The comments will be SPOILERY, so if you haven’t read the book, please be aware. We probably won’t respond to most of the comments on this post because we still have FAQs coming up, but if a particular question is very interesting, please +1 so we will know to address it in the chats.

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Comments

  2. I’m so suspicious of Linus. He’s definitely got a connection with Victoria and thus the family, but HOW specifically? I feel like he’s going to become a villain but if he didn’t, I wouldn’t be surprised either. I think his affection for Catalina seems genuine. What did everyone else think?

      • I don’t know. I’m on the fence now. On the one hand, he used the same phrase when talking with Nevada that Caesar used when talking to Victoria and I’m pretty sure House Andrew’s said they have enough clues or something like that to point to Caesar, and there just weren’t that many people in the first 3 books that it could be.

        On the other hand, it is Ilona and Gordon and what we thought were the clues were in fact not the correct clues.

        So I’m up in the air as to whether or not Linus is Caesar. I did have the thought that it could be the Records Keeper. He would be well respected, which was how Caesar was described.

    • Well, if it turns out that Linus is Caesar, then it seems affection for someone doesn’t pose an obstacle for dealing mayhem and/or death. Linus expressed genuine sympathy to Cornelius about his wife Nari dying (Nevada sensed the genuineness); if he’s Caesar, it was his plans for a new Rome that led to events causing her death, as well as the murders of Rogan’s team and several other people, and the near-destruction of Nevada, her family, and her home.

      • He is Caesar and he is also probably a dual Prime with a Siren secondary power. Either the girls’ grandfather or a relative of the sperm donor Victoria used. Every single person who has talked about what Caesar stands for gave a different version of his goal- he is Sirening his followers!

        • I disagree on the Siren thing. he’s just like any charismatic leader who draws people in. He just uses what they already want to get what he really wants. The difference seems to be that he genuinely cares about the damage he cause although he clearly doesn’t stop.

        • Eh. Interesting and makes sense. Will have to wait until I get my copy this coming week to find out.

      • This is an excellent point. I’m very curious about the moment where Alessandro looks back and forth between their faces and nearly says something, and then later states “He really does have your best interests at heart… he’s invested in your survival.” Specifically, I was wondering if Alessandro saw some sort of family resemblance. Though how that would be possible, I have no idea. Nothing like Linus’s magic shows up in the Baylor family, except possibly in Grandma Frida. Moreover, I imagine that if he were invested in them because they were his descendants–even as a grand-uncle or something more distant–he wouldn’t have endorsed his followers attempting to kill all of them.

        • That’s the part that gets me. Since attempts to murder Nevada continued to occur after it was revealed that she’s Victoria’s granddaughter then how evil/cold is Linus that he would still order/sanction her murder (if they’re his grandchildren)? It’s possible but I think if Linus ends up being Caesar it’ll be helpful once/if we understand more in-depth reasons/explanations — a flashback or two scenes of how it started (or something like that) would be helpful. (It’s early in the trilogy so I get why this book didn’t link the conflict yet to Caesar or his revolution attempt.)

        • I also found Alessandro’s surety Linus has Catalina’s best interest at heart after looking at both of them interesting. ????

          Although how he could be related is something I don’t think any of us has theorised convincingly enough yet for me… But I don’t think him being Ceasar is an argument against this, look at Victoria… In a twisted way she is concerned about her grandchildren, and I suppose putting them in danger of death might seem diffent to actually killing them, to one such as her and Ceasar?

          I think a different interpretation of the “look-look-realization”-scene might simply be that Alessandro trusts his reading of Linus’ facial expressions, and deemed him beningn… But how likely would that be? Alessandro is experienced and won’t by anyone’s public immage, even if he had no hint that Linus is more dangerous than he seems. And he’s clearly invested in Catalina, so even less likely to “go whith his gut”, even if he HAD felt Linus seemed trustworthy, which I doubt he did, since he’s an experienced Prime and has survived in those shark-infested waters of house-politics to reach maturity (we’ve been told over and over that loyalty from any but your house is unexpected, and even that expectation is often foolish… Lonely life… ????).

          So I’m banking on a third explanation. If by the look he concluded Linus was a guardian maybe? He seems to know what that is, and that might convince him of Linus bona-fida, despite well-trained mistrust? The trust in authority that badges often inspire, misplaced though they may be (and Linus being a guardian as well as Ceasar would prove here as well that no level is really safe from corruption). But I can’t really see Alesandro trusting authority just because it’s authority, even if it’s the most honourable, uncorruptable authority in the world (if there is one! But Leonora maybe, in the Legacy universe at least?).

          But since Alessandro probablyhas loads of rational reasons (and probably lots of bad experiences, it’s not paranoia if everyone IS out to get you…) to be suspicious of people and motives, when you think of it , why would ANYTHING make him vouch for Linus??? Now that we are analyzing this in depth, would mere familial relations be enough to convince him? Especially if his own family has somehow disapointed him (betrayal?), since he does not want Catslina near them (we’re all agreed that is judgment on his family right? Although he seems to be on speaking terms with his sister, but all is not right with his family, right? Everyone agrees?)…

          No, I think we have to go with an as yet unknown third reason… ????

      • I think you’re right about Linus being Caesar (…you know how I dislike being bored..). I’m also guessing that he is the Prime that Victoria used for her in vitro. Which would make him grandfather to the Baylor girls and explains how he has ingratiated himself with the family. As IA have repeatedly said, most Primes will have a secondary magic and I am guessing his is Siren magic because of the repeated remarks about how charismatic he is.

        All that being said, I stayed up until 2:30 in the morning reading the book. Soooo good!

    • I’ve had major suspicions that Linus is Cesar since the end of Wildfire. I also suspect that he might be the Baylor girls’ paternal grandfather. Alessandro had an interesting line where he said that Linus is invested in her survival. I found that entire scene very interesting. I can’t wait for the next book!

      • Ilona and Gorden flat out said they made it as obvious as possible he was Cesar. It was part of the AMA they did before.

      • I’m 80% sure Augustine is Caesar. I’m also 80% sure Linus is their grandfather and part of their cause.

    • I was 99% sure Linus was Caesar at the end of Wildfire and then I read Sapphire Flames and I’m doubting myself. BUT Ilona and Gordon are great at complex characters. No one is painted all good/all bad. Heros make decisions I don’t agree with (I wanted to scream at Catalina for not waiting since it seems Linus figured it where the compound was right after she did and she wouldn’t have had to owe Victoria) and villains are not all bad (was able to start a whole trilogy redeeming Hugh) and they are willing to show what drove a character to a particular choice. I am very interested to see where this all leads. I will now be heartbroken for the Baylors if Linus ends up being Caesar but this kind of masterful storytelling is why I love everything the Andrews write.
      Note – I loved the scene with Victoria and the story/character development that happened. I just really felt bad for Catalina that it could be interpreted as a “mistake” in hind sight since other than buying some goodwill from Augustine (he knows she can deliver), her trade didn’t really get her anything she wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.

    • I just think it was too obvious for Linus to be Ceasar & it really doesn’t fit with this book. But I loved the scene with Catalina, Alessandro & Linus. It was great. I seriously loved tge whole book though ????

    • Yeah, there were indications of this WAY back when – which I’ve just picked up on recently since I’ve done a total second read-through of the Hidden Legacy series (in anticipation of Sapphire coming out this weekend).
      So kudos to I-A on getting those early indications out … requires a lot of advance thinking through the overarching story arc!

    • But WHY did Alessandro say “I am an idiot” (in Italian) after looking at Catalina and Linus, and WHY did Linus shake his head at Alessandro? He can’t be her grandfather, because he’s not a Siren (and he wasn’t kicked out of his family, either). WHY?

      • We don’t know that he isn’t a Siren. We just know that on Record, he is a Prime Hephaestus.
        Hephaestus in Greek mythology is married to Aphrodite, goddess of Love. So a Greek House like Molpe claiming both powers would make complete sense.
        He can easily be a Siren as a secondary power- considering how difficult it is for Catalina as a Prime to hold her power in check, being a lesser level Siren would actually be a way easier life.
        We also don’t know that he wasn’t kicked out of his House. He could have married into House Duncan or in fact Sirened everyone into adopting him.

        • Thank you for this, which comes closer than I’ve been able to to reconciling what we already know about Catalina (and Nevada and Arabella)’s paternal grandfather with the hints in this newest book that Linus is related to them. One remaining question I have, though, is whether Victoria Tremaine would have settled for a sperm donor whose Prime ability wasn’t compatible with hers (no evidence that the Hephaestus magic is will-based, is there?).

          • Victoria probably took what was available after so many tries, and even a dual will based power was enough given the strength of the magic she has. Much like the Rogans trusting their blood enough to arrange for Connor to marry Rynda Charles with her NC17 gene.

        • Pretty sure Linus is not the Siren sperm donor. Mainly because Victoria found him hiding out scared of using his powers and needing cash. Does any of that sound like Linus?

          He could just be a really likable nice guy who’s also a ruthless Prime bent on world domination. Or not.

          • We are speaking about things which happened almost 50 years ago. People change, status and wealth and influence changes. To say that Linus couldn’t have had vulnerable periods in his early youth because he is strong and influential now…

    • I don’t see how he can be Caesar and the Warden. Wouldn’t Caesar want that serum and warped mages?

  3. Just finished it! I love it! I’m dying for more, especially to learn more about Alessandro’s back story and how the deal with Linus will change everything. Now I will just sit here, eagerly awaiting the next book!

  5. I loved it and I am in awe of Catalina!
    How does Alessandro’s summoning weapon power work with his Antistasi? Is he a dual or is it the same power?

  6. I loved it! I wish Nevada and Rogan had been in it but I get that they probably wanted Catalina to shine on her own. I can’t wait until the next one!

  7. I need more. I would really like to read Nevada and Conner’s point of view, on the split and baby! Bonus scene, unless they are going to be in future books.

    • +1 getting pregnant is scary even if you want it. Imagine the upgrade in their respective paranoia. 😀

  8. Excellent!
    Just finished. Now I’m going to read it again.
    Waiting with baited breath for the next one!

  9. Read it, nay, devoured it!! Loved it soooooo muuuuuuuch!!! GAH, THE WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE?!?!? I CANNOT!!!

  13. LOVED it!
    Not gonna lie, I was nervous about the change in main characters but I really enjoyed Catalina and Alessandro.
    You never disappoint!

  14. Just finished! It was amazing and now I’m sad it’s the end and I have to wait for the next one

  15. I really enjoyed reading the book! Thank you so much! Now I tend to think Linus isn’t really the Caesar previously. His Warden occupation sounded too… too conflicting with the Caesar?

    And Alessandro… Alessandro is what I want and more in the book. He is not just an Antistasi Prime. His hidden job, other magic, and behavior towards the angel he loves… AAAAAAAAA

    • I don’t think him being a Warden conflicts. It makes it more likely he would be willing to go to extreme lengths to make a better world.

      • I’m going to reread before making my mind fully but why preserve the Osiris serum unless you have (world domination?) plans for it? Why didn’t it get destroyed if it were wrecked the world so badly when it was first discovered and used? Maybe Warden and Ceasar aren’t mutually exclusive at all.

  17. Hello I loved it (& left a copy of review so you can have a read!)

    I have a couple of specifics that you prob can’t answer but will ask anyway!

    1) does Arabella’s tech going down have anything to do with Michael being around?

    2) no question – that back story with how Catalina became head of the house, literally gave me shivers. Wow.

    3) you prob can’t say much about Augustine’s history with his little sister and dad (????) but what colour are his real eyes at least? Anything about his real features that Catalina glimpses? And any more about his backstory or future story?

    Will stop now as all I want to know is what happens next but here is my review, waiting on amazon uk to approve it!

    “I genuinely believe this is one House Andrew’s best books. I was sceptical as I do adore Nevada and Rogan, but wow. Catalina was amazing. She is young, makes mistakes and is honourable in what she tries to do. I absolutely adored her humour and self deprecation, she absolutely shone and stood out in this book. And maybe even surpassed my love for Nevada (on my god is that possible?!) or maybe I should say I love Catalina for who she is just as much as I love Nevada for who she is.

    Alessandro completely came in as his own character, the story was exciting and so many hints (or what you think are hints of what to to come!) #conspiracytheories

    Lastly, everyone else. It was so great to catch up with the family, their dynamics, their love and everyone else Bug, Heart, Matilda, etc…

    I absolutely loved this book and have such a book handover right now…! Thank you House Andrews.”

    • Excellent read! After having read Nevada multiple times it took me a few pages to get comfortable with Catalina’s voice. After three years and mentoring by Rogan’s mom Catalina’s growth and maturity are enormous along with the growth of the other family members. Looking forward to the next book, so many enormous changes on the horizon!

  19. Never fear, we like it, we like it! Please pour yourselves a celebratory glass of Prosecco or the bubbly of your choice and relax. You have another winner. We never doubted.
    Anne in Virginia

  20. I’ve just read it and I’m sooo in love with it, I can’t stop thinking about it !!! How can you write couples that outdone the chemistry of the past one each time ?? You’re definitely gifted and amazing authors… Love you and your work ????

    Pd: I don’t know why it came to me lately, since I read the post of the last deleted scene, that Linus may be their grandfather ….?? But how…? I mean it make sense about people worshipping the Caesar if he was a siren too but … I don’t know I’m probably wrong jejeje There are so many new theories now!!!! Love it ????

    • Certainly there seemed to be a hint that there might be a family resemblance- the scene with Alessandro and Catalina at the ranch – Alessandro suddenly stopped talking

      But I’m not sure it’s on the Tremaine side – part of me is actually wondering whether Grandma Frida might be the connection – sister perhaps (whether from the right side of the blankets or not) – her talent might be in the same group as Linus’s smithing magic – not her husband though – isn’t that where the marksmanship comes from? (Magus Saggetarius)

      Loved the book though – a smooth wonderful read!

  22. I adore this book! It was perfection and I have absolutely no theories which is a first but I do think that (hopeful thinking) that there is going to be a resigned bride making a strategic alliance because she can’t have what she wants and someone is going to interrupt.
    Only thing, Nevada’s news was awkwardly placed – which I get because of the timing but I kinda wish there was a short chapter or something featuring Nevada and Rogan.
    And I might be the only one, but I want either a chapter, a short or a novella featuring Montgomery and his search coming to an end.

    Love this and can’t wait for the next!

    • Everything you write leaves me hungry for more. Much like the bad guy in this book. … you’ve made me a bad guy…

  23. I just “happened” to be awake at 12:01 when the book downloaded to my phone. ???????????????? i then proceeded to read it straight through, finished at 3:45— gah! I can’t get enough.

    I will probably reread again this week & have downloaded “Burn for Me” audible just because I’m not ready to leave this fabulous world yet.

    Thank you House Andrews!!

  24. I greatly enjoyed the book! I always enjoy when you expand your universes with familiar characters (I’m not exaggerating when I say o have read everything you have written at least three times, I always reread my favorite books!). You always do an amazing job when writing family members. They clearly have the same upbringing but the way they react to problems and view the world are individual and fit the character building we have seen so far. I’m already excited for the next installment and as with everything you publish I will preorder! Thank you!

  25. Woohoo! I’m so excited! I’m sorry this part is so nerve wracking, but the heart you guys bring to your writing and the clarity of your work wins me over every time.

    I love being one of your fans! Its a wonderful ride!

  26. I can’t describe just how awesome this book was! Huge double thumbs up from me! I hope the release was everything you guys hoped for and more!

    Have fun at the signings (someday I’ll be at one lol), and I hope you guys get some time to relax!

  27. I usually wake up in the middle of the night. I read for a bit then go back to sleep. When I woke up at 0230, the book was on my tablet…guess who has been up since 0230??
    Read and reviewed.
    What’s next? 🙂

  28. Omg Linus’ prime magic!!! Better than I ever imagined!

    Started last night and couldn’t but it down finished at 2am – whoops where did the time go!

    Thank you to house Andrews for another great read.

  29. I really enjoyed the book. I especially enjoyed the badass that is Linus Duncan. His magic is way cool.

    I would like Catalina’s salsa recipe.

  30. ***** Loved it! Had me laughing out loud at 3 AM. Excellent effort. IA managed to very naturally paint the aftermath of their involvement in the Conspiracy against the establishment, House Baylor’s separation from House Rogan, and Catalina’s commitment leading House Baylor independently. Loved seeing Arabella, Leon, Bern, Grandma, and Mom in the field. Really interesting developing in tying House Baylor to Linus Duncan and to Victoria Tremaine. I see a great deal of potential for future books, especially in light of Nevada’s “debt” to the Keeper and Michael. Loved seeing House Baylor in action. And loved the bonus news from Nevada. An excellent effort all around. *****

  31. I have to finish working before I can allow myself near it; otherwise, I can guarantee that I will have a fabulous day reading while making everyone else impatient with me.

  32. Loved the book!!! So many loose ends. When will book 2 come out. Are we supposed to trust Linus now? Is Catalina doomed to become Grandma T? I’m so hooked. Going back to re-reading all the HL books.

  33. Wonderful loved it and what a great ending. Keep them coming as every book is fantastic, I love them all????

  35. I loved it! Thanks for another great book. I appreciate all the work you guys do in spite of any daily and/or life struggles.

  36. Read it.. LOVED the book. It is a great story but I also like that it gives you peeks…a little more about Linus, a little more about Augustine and I can’t wait for what comes next. I liked learning about Catalina’s development also. I have the audio version and saved that for last.

  40. Read it! Loved it! Catalina is such an engaging character, her voice somehow draws you deeper into the story than as just a reader. As if you were alongside her as things happened. If that makes sense. Nevada is pregnant, coming back in four days. Will Hidden Legacy 5 settle the big bad battle about to come? Or is it set in a time before Sapphire flames. Hopefully at the time when Nevada finally works through her emotions and needed to disconnect from House Baylor for a bit.

  41. I am responsible for my sleepless night, but you are a contributing factor. I started the book shortly after midnight, when it became available, and finished it around 630 in the morning. I did not want to put it down and wanted to see what happened. GREAT BOOK. Thank you

  43. I’m literally cackling with laughter on some of these Catalina/ Alessandro interactions. I’m loving this book!

  44. Happy book birthday!!! not finished but loving what i have read so far!! cant wait to finish the book!

  45. Just finished – this blew my mind in all the best ways and I literally cannot contain my excitement but also anticipation for the next book in the series! Loved Catalina so much in this – Nevada and her are clearly different people but they both carry the novels well as strong and spectacular heroines. The character development between Diamond Fire and Sapphire Flames was incredible to read, and we’re still not even getting all the pieces with Nevada and Connor’s story and how that has impacted the family. The cliffhanger epilogue and the promises of a backstory with Alessandro are going to eat me alive!

    PS: That one fight scene in Sephora was absolutely epic and captured so much of Catalina’s character in a few short pages. A+++++++++++++, 100% will reread.

  46. I loved the book but the hard part for me was why Catalina is the head of house. It was true to the personality but sad at the same time. I like the way 3 years were bridged and that it was not all rainbows. One certainly does wonder about Linus. I am enjoying that Arabella has become responsible especially after seeing others who morph. A tribute to the love of her family. Leon is interesting. I so enjoyed when everyone did their thing and slammed the door in Montgomery’s face. The pace was beautiful. Look forward to the next one.

  47. Loved it. ♡♡♡

    So dear @IA in regards to Alessander’s weapons ability, why do I get the feeling that’s a @Gordon fantasy?

    And I loved learning about backpafeifengesicht.

  48. SO good. So, so good! I had forgotten the mix of elation and frustration after reading Burn For Me for the first time–elation because it was amazing, frustration because I wanted MORE and there was no release date for the second book. It’s exactly the same now, except that at least there are 4.5 books in the series now that can be reread over and over until the next book is out.

    I love how Catalina is a very different person than Nevada, and that shows. Yes, they’re both mental mages who can make people tell them the truth, but their powers and attitudes are very different. I love that Catalina delegates, she’s logical yet sensitive, she is honest with herself about her strengths and weaknesses, and she’s stronger for it. Love the Baylor family like nobody’s business, and love that every bit of the plot and all the characters’ actions MAKE SENSE–no sloppy writing here (nor is there ever with IA). Just a delight to read from beginning to end. Now listening to the audiobook, to pick up on the subtleties that I might have read too quickly to catch the first time. Thank you, thank you, thank you for continuing this series!

  49. Loved it! Your story crafting is so lovely. Thanks for all the snippets leading up, and if there are any more deleted tidbits laying around – well you know how we would grovel for them. Thanks as always for your superb storytelling!

  50. Omg. House Andrews is CRAZY. Crazy good. Loved it so much. You make me miss a world I’ve never been in.
    Firstly, it seems we’ve been hinted an Arabella POV? Yes? No? Maybe? The couple scenes that Catalina misses but Arabella is in seem like prime (hah get it) material for a POV… pretty please? And by that I mean, would you like one of my kidneys or both in exchange, please? Haha but of course, give yourself time to depressurize first. You deserve it!!
    Also, well, there was a snippet posted here that.. I don’t remember in the book? Maybe it’s something similar to how when you binge on delicious food, you forget chunks of it, food amnesia. Who knows.

    • Rita, I will also add one of my kidneys and even half of liver to get an Arabella series happening. She is my absolute favourite!

        • House Andrews has said that Augustine will not end up as love interest of any of the Baylor girls. Besides, he is too old for Arabella. But he does have a little brother if I remember right… And a little sister if Arabella swinged that way. But I sadly doubt that Avon would accept a F/F romance even from the madly talented House Andews 🙁

          I do hope that Augustine will get his own story, though. I’d love to see him gobsmacked by love.

          • There have been hints that Arabella’s ship will be Michael from the Record Keeper’s Office. Maybe (and he is much younger than he looks, only 19 in Wildfire)

          • Augustine is totally a bad guy in the very top levels of Caesar’s org, if not Caesar himself. Blatantly, obviously a bad guy. I’m reasonably certain that’s at least part of the reason not to ship him with any Baylors.

  51. Woman, how could you think we wouldn’t adore this wonderful book? I’ve missed the Baylors so much! Fantastic read. Diving back in for first reread.

    • +1 Amazing, as always. And that first big shock at the morgue? Wow, talk about coming out of left field.

      • Happy book release!!! Catalina’s story is far different from Nevada’s especially her character development and the pace of the story. Her romance with Alessandro in her first book story is bittersweet in the end thus I hope the next one is coming real soon because the suspense is killing me. Will Arabella also have her own trilogy? What about Augustine? Will Rina and Bern have their own story or is it just me imagining it? Will the secondary characters have a spin off story of their own like Heart and Penelope? Do you already know the endgame of catalina’s story? How and Will she handle her grandmother and Linus? Or just her grandmother? Thank you so much for writing this book because I’m really a big fan of the hidden legacy series.

        • Sapphire Flames is magnificent! Catalina’s character development particularly works well. I live how she’s grown but you can see where she came from and how she has progressed. The humor in this book is also great. I especially LOLed at “Runa’s emotions had clubbed her rational thinking over the head, dumped its body on the side of the road, and took my friend for a joy ride.”
          I am curious about Arabella in beast mode. In Wildfire, they mention that she can’t talk when she is the Beast. But she roars and laughs, presumably with sounds? Is it just that she can’t make words? Are her paws dexterous enough to learn sign language?

    • +1 to infinity and beyond! And now diving in for reread! And OMG, grandma V is something else!

    • Usually I have words, but this is just … wow. House Andrews, with each book your writing gets richer and deeper. I look forward to someday, many years from now, looking back on your entire oeuvre and understanding what you two will have become.

      But until then, Sapphire Flames will do very nicely indeed. Thank you for keeping going, despite all that life has thrown at you.

      Happy Book Birthday!

  52. OMG!!!! I can’t believe I get to ask this first! What is the DATE of the release of the next book? LMAO ..

    This story rocked! Well worth the wait. Hard to wait for a week or so, to be courteous to those who didn’t speed read the entirety today, so that we can really dissect it.

    Thank you, thank you, thank you for the wonderful writing you do 🙂

    • Warning– squeeing about spoilers ahead.

      Oh god, LINUS. The whole thing with her becoming his deputy, I about died at the thought of the terrible consequences this choice will unleash. And then for his power to be so… Badass. My word.

      And Alessandro. His power is HILARIOUS. Particularly the chainsaws. He and Arabella make a great battle couple. I totally fell for them as they fled the mall and he stuck his arm out to protect her in the car just before she started shooting through the roof.

      I love how Catalina has grown. I’m gobsmacked by Arabella’s evolution– and so glad you posted that snippet about rescuing Baby from the panic room. I can’t wait to see how they evolve!

      I almost cried over the warehouse. Definitely the end of an era. But Shadow has me hopeful that the new era will be just as good. Though I will miss Napoleon.

      And HEART AND PENELOPE! New OTP, be still my heart.

      I cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment. As always, this was superb. You managed to strike the perfect balance between comfortably familiar and fresh and exciting. Thank you for this gift of a boom!

  54. This isn’t fair!!! Your writing is so addictive I can’t enjoy the afterglow of reading a great book, all I can think is I NEED MORE! Oh well, I guess I can just read it again. When will the next ine will be published? And can it be sooner?

  55. I have just reread the series so I could start the new title this morning. Loving it! You never fail to deliver!! Thank you so much.

  56. Thank you, House Andrews, for an awesome read. And thank you especially for Heart and Mrs. Baylor – a big Awwwww for their conversation.
    I loved the whole book, and fervently hope that you guys stay whole and healthy so we get Books 2 and 3 in jig time.

  57. Got the book at five past midnight finished it at 4.30am ???? get up for work at 7am ???????????? well worth it tho. Loved the book. ????????????????

    • Kath, I did the same thing!!!! And I am so paying for it right now; my energy is past the fumes only level and now in evaporation phase.
      BUT IT WAS SO WORTH IT AND I WOULD ABSOLUTELY DO IT AGAIN!!!!!! Signed, happily exhausted zombie in NC!
      p.s. also listened to Audible version during day since I worked from home—such a greedy glutton! *giggle-snort*

  58. So, a bad thing with pre-ordering on Kindle is when you are about to go to bed and your email goes off that the new book has been downloaded at midnight.

    Maybe I’ll just read the first chapter.

    Maybe I’ll just read until 1 AM. A little loss of sleep is fine for a series I love so much.

    …

    Damn it, it’s 2 AM now. But it’s a cliffhanger.

    …

    3 AM. Well, I’m already *%#~’d for the morning, might as well finish the last couple chapters.

    So much caffeine at work today, but it was worth it.

    • Lol, thank God for living on the West Coast because I got the book at 9 pm, still slept late tho.????

    • No kidding.

      I got mine at 10 pm and thought “I’ll just read til 11″…

      Then 3 hours later I realized I really needed to get some sleep because I have to be able to function the next morning. I shouldn’t have bothered because it took me forever to let go of the book enough to get to sleep.

      So highly caffeinated today, and barely functional.

      Worth it? Yes. But definitely will be rereading starting tomorrow.

  59. Just finished it. Another amazing book by my favorite writing duo. Thank you guys so much for always giving your work your all. I love you both!

  60. Amazing. Just when I think there’s no way this book could be as good as Nevada’s story….never so happy to be proven wrong. Loved so many things in it which raise so many more questions. Seriously. When is the next one coming out? 🙂 thank you!!

    • Being sick ???? is horrible. Reading Sapphire Flames made it bearable. Thankful to you for the timeliness!

  61. Okay, had the first read through – now going to read again to get the subtle answers…ps when is the next books!?

    • Thought of a question. SPOILER Why did Alessandro kill AME Conway? I mean, he was a jerk, but why kill him? Since he wanted to find Sigourney’s murderer, why kill the ME? He would have info, maybe, that would have helped him. Im the mean time he just strolls in, kills him, then strolls out. Why? Other than to make an entrance….

      • @ Laurie: Technically the A.M.E was already killed (the moment Runa poisoned him) Alessandro “just” accelerated his death.
        I think Linus is more interested in his relation with Catalina than Alessandro, so he did the binding to her and proposed the tradicional “House arrangement” to Alessandro: a temporal contract to save face. Linus said that Catalina’s had had more Prime options at her disposal. So I assume, if the decision was up to Linus, he’ll prefer to pair Catalina with a Prime but-no-Alessandro alternative. And the henchpeople from “Guardians” didn’t attack after Celia because, if I remember the scene correctly, they were alteady death or dying.

    • Oh, and how does Alessandro fall in with Duncan? Why didn’t he have to pledge anything, but Catalina basically was forced into a new job? Thanks!

      • Although I am not the author, my personal assumption is that Alessandro was doing it to be gallant. The dashing prince comes in to take out the enemy his damsel is stalking with a knife. I would say he probably knew the AME was compromised and that was why he entered the building in the first place after Catalina did. However, all he saw was an injured man he knew was an enemy running from Catalina who was chasing with a knife. It would be too much if he had hacked all the security cameras and knew exactly what was going on. Same thing with all the guards in the mall. He probably believed Catalina really was captured and being taken off to the degenerate rapist.

      • Alessandri was signed up as her bodyguard not as an enforcer at the same rank as Catalina. (I just love her name)

      • When I read all the stuff about Alessandro and Duncan, all I could see was that Alessandro didn’t realize Catalina didn’t know Duncan was Caesar. If you read the epilogue, he even tells his sister that she wasn’t at all what he thought and that she would love Catalina. I think Alessandro is on opposite sides from Duncan and that is why Duncan kept him on the outskirts as much as possible. Catalina, she is useful to Duncan because of her grandmother and Rogan. The only two people that Duncan is actively afraid of.

    • Another one. Why didn’t the people from the Guardian attack Alessandro and Catalina after the finished off Celia?

      • Or is Duncan also one of the sperm donors for Catalina’s dad? Alessandro looked back and forth between them and seemed to see a resemblance. He’s been like a scary uncle to the family. And Duncan danced with the grandma…

        • +1. I did wonder if there was some sort of unknown family link that he had picked up on. I hadn’t thought of our would be Caesar related for that particular moment. Also the way the situation was described by Duncan re the serum, i wonder if the role of warden, and the importance of it, might be something that he would put above his ambitions re Caesar- will have to re-read the other books again too get a feel for that thought more.

        • I don’t think so. Victoria told Nevada the sperm donor was a siren prime excised by his house. And that the Nevada got her power from V, Catalina got hers from the siren prime and Arabella apparently got hers from the surrogate, tho no one had an explanation there. Linus is a completely different and unrelated prime from any one in the Baylor family.

          • Linus could be a dual prime, like that hurricane guy (Strum) from the previous book.

            His weapon related talent is mental. There were also many scenes where Catalina felt “compelled” to answer him. Could be siren talent is multifaceted, we already know you can learn to disengage.

            Maybe Cat can also compel people to do her bidding without using love; perhaps she can tap into other emotions too like fear or (the opposite of love) or anxiety
            or earnestness.

            Maybe he is actually using Siren talents on the Baylors but they are immune because, family or that Linus has their best interests at heart. Can one siren recognise another?

            If Cat has learnt so much more about her talent in 3 years, an older Linus has a greater advantage.

            In this scenario, Therefore, it is possible Linus is the sperm donor, a dual prime who is a prime siren and the prime meta-weapons thing, and also the Caesar .

            From his (possibly twisted) perspective, Caesar was just trying to improve Houston Prime society ( by
            taking drastic action) and wanted to reimagine the national assembly and bring utopia to its people. The role of Caesar would therefore align with the role of the Warden.

            OR

            Linus is the older brother of the sperm donor, followed the donor to Texas from Greece and set up a new house to hide their legacy, feels terrible that the family excised the brother/ sperm donor and wants to make amends and therefore wants to help Victoria/ Baylors. Perhaps he feels he cannot reveal himself to the baylor girls because he is ashamed/ worried they will reject him for excising his brother or their grandfather. In this case he needn’t be a dual prime, he could just me a prime with a mental talent. it does seem like the Siren talent doesn’t manifest uniformly within the family. Maybe it shows up in one family member once every generation.

            But Linus is def Caesar because IA made it very obvious in the previous books (unless IA have changed their mind…) And Gordon mentioned it I think at some reddit event? And Caesar does seem compatible with being a warden cos both claim to be custodians.

            • Still say Linus is gay. Which would explain why he loves the Baylors (because he loved their grandfather), why their grandfather hated his talent, AND why he doesn’t live with anyone.

              • Oh, this is very possible. Though how would you explain Alessandro seemingly finding familial resemblance between Linus and Catalina?

                On the other hand, one does begin to resemble their spouse after a few years together 🙂

          • SO much faith in something Victoria said being the strict truth…as if her whole game isn’t to hold as much information over your head and keep all the cards in her deck.
            We see what a hard time Catalina has with being a Prime Siren, it’s about NOT using her power rather than using it, a dual Siren of a lesser degree would still be insanely strong.

  63. Absolutely wonderful! At least we know there will be another. That is enough. Just keep on doing what you do.

  64. Finished it in one day so quite clear that I loved it. Thank you! Can’t wait to find out what happens next.

  65. I’m just going to let you know that this book has come out on my second day classes for this semester and I’m trying to decide if I have enough free time to fully dive into the book or if I should put it off till the weekend because and soon as I start it everything else will become secondary……
    But also I’ve been waiting all summer so I probably won’t last longer than my last class for the day.

  66. I really loved it. Congratulations to House Andrews on this new book.
    Catalina and Alessandro are great, I cannot wait for them to overcome these obstacles and be together. Why oh why do you make choices that keep you apart, dear characters, why?
    It is torture….when is the appropriate time for me to ask for the release date of the second book in this trilogy? Now? Please, please, include it in the Q&A.
    I enjoyed Catalinas growth as she assumes more responsibility, but I also loved how she stayed herself in some of the most important ways. She is an incredible and interesting woman, not despite but because she has her flaws and insecurities. No perfect powerhouse who does all on her own but great nonetheless.
    BTW, I love the little romances developing on the sidelines, Heart and Penelope. And is this Bern and Runa sharing something….? We will probably find out in the future but I hate to be patient….T.T
    I kept on wondering if Linus isn’t the unknown Baylors grandfather, but it does not seem to to fit with his talents and what we learned about that man from Victoria. But then what did Alessandro realise when they were speaking together?
    Who is Alessandro hunting and how is is sister involved? Arghhh. I shall have to wait and see.
    But I can wait a little longer 😉 so please do take the time now that this book was released and celebrate. Relax and recharge. We will be here when you invite us back into the amazing world you created!!!

    • So my theory is that Linus is a dual Prime. In Greek mythology Hephaestus was married to Aphrodite, goddess of love.
      If House Molpe, as a Greek House have the talents for Love and Blacksmithing it would make sense!

        • What if Linus is gay? What if he was in love with the Baylor’s grandfather? And that’s why he cares for them? Because they remind him of his lost love?

          • Victoria told Nevada that the sperm donor Prime couldn’t handle his power and refused to use it. He sounded like a broken man who sold his sperm for money. Also, Linus is a 4th generation Prime. Sounds like he’s got deep Texas roots. James’ father was European. So, I highly doubt that Linus is a blood relative. The jury’s still out on his connection with Caesar. I’m certain there’s a connection of some sort, just not sure what it is.

            • I was thinking Linus might be the Baylor’s grandfather – Victoria’s sperm donor. Given your description of his lack of accent, maybe he’s their grand-uncle. Still a relation, but more indirect. I’m almost positive he’s a dual talent, with some persuasion power, which would fit with the siren Molpe that are the Baylor’s grandfather. I’m 99.9% he’s Caesar (with IA’s confirmation from signings).

      • +1 to this theory. I still believe that Linus is both, the grandfather and Caesar. He is very likely a Dual Prime.

      • Nice argumentation and the mystical background fits with IA’s MO.
        But i always thought such dual Primes were rare/non-existent. The only person we know with Prime certification in both fields was Alexander Sturm (Wind/Lightning), the secondary power is said to be weaker in most, Connor, Nevada, David Howling, ….
        But that might just be nitpicking. 🙂
        +100 That Linus is Ceasar who is playing the loooooong game. In one part of the book he even says that “there are many things, I would like to change” – I think he really believes he will create a better world in Rome 2.0 … but it will be an authoritarian, magic-focused opression of all that are perceived as less. Sadly, that is the beginning of many dictatorships and cruel regimes, they started out with a specific goal in mind to better the world but how they did it…well, hindsight is 20/20
        Another thing I am curious about is the Sagredo family and what they try to do. Have they used Alessandro since his teenage years? 🙁 He seems to hold some of them in contempt (not his sister), since he doesn’t want them to meet Catalina.
        Alessandro is a mystery with his powers and his familial relationships. His sister refered to him as her only brother and I think Catalina once said he is the heir in this book, but he was introduced in Wildfire as the second son of House Sagredo (but the strongest prime) – did his brother die in the line of duty for his House or was his sister the firstborn? I am not an English native speaker so I might have just interpreted the “second son” a bit to far, but I assumed there was a first son, because it did not say second child.
        Anyway, still no reason not to abandon his family and be head of House Baylor with Catalina. 😉
        Catalina might disagree but I got the feeling that the huge focus on Power/Magic makes it a bit easier for strong women to head their families (cp. Harrison, the botanist family Rio in Wildfire), so it might not be so unusual for non-head-of-house, male Primes to marry into another family – yeah for Feminism/Equality.
        But if Alessandro is the heir it really might mean trouble 🙁 Nooo, where is this brother I tought about earlier, come here and rescue my HEA
        …so many possibilities, maybe I missed something, I shall go back and read the whole series again. It is a good thing I have the week off, otherwise I might not be able to process this re-appearing obsession with Hidden Legacy until I have to get back to work ^^° and freaking out about fictional characters in an urban fantasy series tends to undermine my tough work persona 😀

        …I am rambling….
        Memo to future self: Take off days for future publication of IA books

    • My theory is that Alessandro knows that Linus is Caesar. I also think he believed the Baylors were part of the whole plot. That is why his whole attitude toward Catalina changed after that. He realized when Linus told him to keep his mouth shut that Catalina really was the pure-hearted person she seemed. I would also wager that Linus knows the only person that is more dangerous than he is, Victoria, would only work with him if her family was on the same side. Also the Rogan angle. Alessandro didn’t change much, it was just he wasn’t showing her any of his “faces” and being himself after he learned about the relationship.

    • Hmmm. So I’m trying to piece together hints on who Alessandro might be hunting and have it work out where he can join House Baylor later on. In Wildfire, it said that he is the 2nd son of House Sagredo. Then in Sapphire flames his sister says “You are my only brother.” I haven’t found anything else on the family members. I don’t think that Alessandro’s father had a 2nd family because if his sister claims him then it would seem like she would claim the older brother too. If they had the same mother and father and the older brother had died I would think she would say “You are my only brother now or left, etc.” I’m wondering if she disowned the older brother and that’s who Alessandro is hunting. Anyway, can’t wait for the next book to see where this goes.

      • I feel you, and wondered about the other brother as well!
        Whoever he is hunting is crafty, escaping for years and years.

  67. Laughed so hard at this one. But the ending. Arggggggg. I know it’s a trilogy but I NEED books 2 and 3 RIGHT NOW.

  68. This latest installment of Hidden Legacy is just fantastic. Characters are likable and there are tonnes of character developments happened in the 3 years gap. I was surprised when I read Catalina becoming the head of house, then as I went through the book, I understood the reason. Man, you can’t but love this family.
    And…………. Alessandro is exceeding my expectation. Now he is my number 1 Italian dude. LOL good luck with the future books!

  70. +1 – Is Matilda a Prime? I’ve been re-reading the series and everything in my says she is. Can you confirm?

  74. I loooove it. I’m supposed to be putting Ikea bed together so I don’t sleep on the mattress again, but I can’t. The book is here and it’s so awesome I have to finish it. You are totally the best.

  75. I got my e-book about 10:00 pm last night. I have about 3 hours of reading left; but
    I’m really enjoying it.

  76. Loved it! Was curious about Catalina as Head of a House because we had previously met her as shy and trying to be invisible and starting to show some claws helping her sister have a great wedding.

    The character development was on point. I feel like Catalina will be one of those characters who is leaving her comfort zone the most, so it will be a hell of a journey to go through as a reader as well. Can’t wait for more.

    Congratulations on your work. Enjoy your well earned success

    • I especially enjoyed how she is shown entering the Opera thingie. “I might not like all this fake stuff and avoid it, but I earned my place here and will not be disrespected when I do attend.”

    • Thank you for another fantastic book. The timing couldn’t have been better as it’s been a rough week. Thoughts….(I read the book really fast)…..I haven’t worked out why Leon was so hostile towards Alessandro. Perhaps the confusion comes with his puppy love for Rogan and other males with cool skills and this is a completely opposite reaction. The smooching scene didn’t work for me considering the dire circumstances. Mostly it felt rushed whereas with Nevada / Rogan and Kate / Curran I was like kiss already dammit!! Also I think I expected Catalina to be more hesitant because of lack of experience? Lastly, the reason for Nevada leaving was heartbreaking. It seemed to workout for her as she’s healthy now but hard to swallow that’s how it went down. I’ll read it again and see how I feel. 🙂 Thank you!

  77. I enjoyed it very much but I feel bad for Catalina. It doesn’t seem very fair to our heroine to leave her so distressed!

  78. Loved this book. Reading during lunch break. Alessandro and the big wacker. I laughed so hard. I can’t even!

  81. LOVED IT!!!!! Fantastic offshoot for the series in. Looking forward to reading the rest of this trilogy. Thanks so much!!

  83. ❤️❤️❤️
    Raise your hand if you frntically searched the archives for the pithivier recipe after that epic dinner like I did!!! The “proposal” chicken strikes true hahaha

    • If you Google pithivier you should find the IA link to the recipe. Odd way to get there but …
      Love the book. Started a slower re-read.

  85. Ahh wah Catalina is definite quite different and so is Alessandro in his very many masks and faces.
    Her story seemes to paved with more heartbreak than Nevada would ever have between her and Alessandro. Its like they are star crossed lovers, so much in love yet so many obstacles. I can’t, I just can’t.

    And Leon the psycho dark horse is so much fun. Gash I super love all characters bu he really just takes over some of the scenes for me.
    As for theory, he and Alessandro have their one on one gunslinging fight. That would be awesome and scary cause Leon shoots to kill, while Alessandro is more capable but will never harm anyone that would hurt Catalina.

    And Nevada is pregnant. Oh my goodness, I am so over the moon. Congrats to her and Rogan. Hopung and praying for her to deliver the baby safely and healthy. Crossing my fingers for Prime telekinetic baby boy.

  86. Only thing I am curious about is Nevada’s story arc. It kinda fits, but after everything that happened in her trilogy it just doesn’t feel right unless the arc will continue. It is bothering me so asking if it will be further resolved or if I am going to have to just stomach the sour?

    • I agree. The arc just doesn’t fit for me either. I also felt so sorry for her after the coup. She gave up so much and then she was pushed aside.

      • +1 Would love to have that question answered. I hope Nevada’s arc continues, it doesn’t set right for me either.

  87. Happy Book birthday! Got it last night and finished it this am. Have already started the
    first re-read. Loved Catalina’s growth, she is definitely coming into her own. Reading the scenes with Linus, who I’m certain is Caesar, was really enlightening. All I can think of is that there are wheels within wheels!

  88. Just one question, really, is Nevada’s story arc done? It feels wrong to me and is souring my stomach badly. I could understand if she decided to leave her house and change to Rogan’s house. But it just left a really nasty aftertaste. I understand what the girls did in the situation so this isn’t an attack on Catalina or Arabella. Just hoping Nevada’s arc isn’t done.

    • Yes, also it feels like Nevada has fitted herself into the mould of a House wife – doing charity work (pro bono cases) and producing a child and of course supoorting her husband by going to Spain (although in this case more for Arrosa). Hope she doesn’t lose herself in the process. She was such a bad ass before.

    • I agree. I can see what her sisters were trying to do but the way they did it feels like a betrayal. It also felt symbobolic- Catalina got her old room and now she gets her job as head of house as well.I can see that Catalina had to develop but can’t say I enjoyed this part of the book. Also, Nevada seems to be making herself into a House wife – charity work (pro bono cases), supporting her husband with a trip to Spain, producing a child… I hope she isn’t losing her identity as she was such a bad ass.

      • Setting aside how offensive that is to all the badass homemakers and housewives, Nevada isn’t doing “charity work” – she gets payed, just cannot pour the money back into House Baylor. And she is making a tremendous difference to people’s lives either way.

        • No not housewife as in homemaker , House Wife as in a woman in the HL universe who marries into another House as Rynda did and then tries to live up to their expectations. I was expressing concern she might be a bit lost after walking away from something she had dedicated her life to for so long. Homemakers are badass – I am one!

      • Rose, I was a housewife while Gordon was in the Army. My time was rationed down to the minute between my husband, my children, the charitable work with the battalion, and our writing. If I was off by more than 15 minutes, my schedule collapsed. I am proud of my charitable work, because I was able to raise money for the unit and to increase ASFAB scores for several service members, which enabled them to re-enlist with better MOS. None of them ever questioned my badassness.

        • Ilona, I am also a HW and do charitable work with the homeless where I live. I do this because I want to, it makes me happy and the poverty where I live breaks my heart. I was just expressing concern that Nevada had made a huge change in her life (after all she had worked tirelessly for so long to help her family) and might possibly be doing something because it was expected rather than because it made her happy, as it does me. Thanks for the clarification. It helped.

    • Per earlier posts by House Andrews, Nevada and Rogan’s arc is done – they are now living their Happily Ever After. It isn’t smooth sailing, of course, as life in the Hidden Legacy universe will always be dangerous and complicated, but they are not intended to be the protagonists of future HL books. We have the rest of House Baylor to get to know now.

      • Can’t wait to learn more about Leon and Arabella. They are both maturing into really interesting characters. The small glimpse into grandma Victoria was also interesting. I liked the way the authors made her more human in just a few words even if she is still totally ruthless.

    • Well now I shall murder her in a horrible way, Travis. 🙂

      Nevada needed to be unchained from the burden of House Baylor. She sacrificed ten years to it and she needs to live her own life, solving murders and cases without having to choose the ones where she must make a profit. Catching child molesters also doesn’t pay well, but I think we can all agree it would be a worthy pursuit.

  89. I also found Alessandro’s surety Linus has Catalina’s best interest at heart after looking at both of them interesting. ????

    Although how he could be related is something I don’t think any of us has theorised convincingly enough yet for me… But I don’t think him being Ceasar is an argument against this, look at Victoria… In a twisted way she is concerned about her grandchildren, and I suppose putting them in danger of death might seem diffent to actually killing them, to one such as her and Ceasar?

    I think a different interpretation of the “look-look-realization”-scene might simply be that Alessandro trusts his reading of Linus’ facial expressions, and deemed him beningn… But how likely would that be? Alessandro is experienced and won’t by anyone’s public immage, even if he had no hint that Linus is more dangerous than he seems. And he’s clearly invested in Catalina, so even less likely to “go whith his gut”, even if he HAD felt Linus seemed trustworthy, which I doubt he did, since he’s an experienced Prime and has survived in those shark-infested waters of house-politics to reach maturity (we’ve been told over and over that loyalty from any but your house is unexpected, and even that expectation is often foolish… Lonely life… ????).

    So I’m banking on a third explanation. If by the look he concluded Linus was a guardian maybe? He seems to know what that is, and that might convince him of Linus bona-fida, despite well-trained mistrust? The trust in authority that badges often inspire, misplaced though they may be (and Linus being a guardian as well as Ceasar would prove here as well that no level is really safe from corruption). But I can’t really see Alesandro trusting authority just because it’s authority, even if it’s the most honourable, uncorruptable authority in the world (if there is one! But Leonora maybe, in the Legacy universe at least?).

    But since Alessandro probablyhas loads of rational reasons (and probably lots of bad experiences, it’s not paranoia if everyone IS out to get you…) to be suspicious of people and motives, when you think of it , why would ANYTHING make him vouch for Linus??? Now that we are analyzing this in depth, would mere familial relations be enough to convince him? Especially if his own family has somehow disapointed him (betrayal?), since he does not want Catslina near them (we’re all agreed that is judgment on his family right? Although he seems to be on speaking terms with his sister, but all is not right with his family, right? Everyone agrees?)…

    No, I think we have to go with an as yet unknown third reason… ????

  91. I adored your book! Thank you so much! Loved it! I know y’all work so hard and I am totally appreciative!

  92. Pretty sure y’all are the Sirens because y’all make us fall in love with everything y’all write! Don’t worry it is amazing!

    Oh how my heart breaks for Catalina and Alessandro. I wanted to cry at the end when he was leaving because of how much it hurt Catalina but then he called her his angel and I know it will all work out.

    Yay!! Nevada and Connor are having a baby ( happy dance). Oh that baby is going to be spoiled! I wonder what type of magic it will have?

    Leon kills me lol. I want to know what he was whispering to himself as he killed the assassins because his kill commentary is hilarious!

  94. Five stars. Everyone has grown up so much, giving them all more texture and depth which is what I love about your books. Given all the stress and dreck you’ve had to deal with please take a break, work a craft read all the fabulous ratings and comments and let the BDH chill. Asking for more on debut day is edging into gluttony. By the by, couldn’t you give the wolf a superpower like walking above the ice so no tracking and if it’s that icy why wouldn’t the Archer slip n skid? Thanks again for a terrific addition to the family.

    • Kit, did I miss something in the book? I don’t understand why you have commented about a wolf, ice, and archer. Is this a different book or series you are referring to?

    • People in the game can wear footwear with added nails that resist slipping on ice. The wolf cannot wear boots and so cannot be slip resistant in that fashion.

  95. Sooooooo great.
    I loved the book, laughed out loud many times, you guys are truly brilliant with an amazing sense of humor!!
    The family dynamic is so great and I loved the sad and complicated way Catalina had to take over as head of the Baylor House, it makes the Baylors so human and flawed like the rest of us.
    Sooo many great new misterys, hints and insinuations.
    Loooooooved it! 😀

  96. Happy book birthday! My home internet went down this morning and hasn’t come back yet. However, I was able to download the book before it happened. This book answered a lot of questions, especially why Nevada is no longer Head of House Baylor.
    I loved the pie stealing scene with Alessandro, and Leon’s response. Another part I really liked is when Nevada called after the house blew up and said she’s pregnant. I loved the “gotta go bye” response from Catalina when Nevada asked all those questions. ????
    Loved the book. So when’s the next one coming out?

  97. Oooooh ….. I think I know what that foreboding, foreshadowing comment, “He’s invested in you means!”

    I am going to sit on my brainstorm for a week or until a snerker blog opens up.

    Quivering in delightful anticipation ….

  98. Loved it! Thanks for a great book once again! I’m looking forward to the second, third, and probably fourth read, as I find out all the details I missed from the first time when I just gulped it down!!

  99. House Andrews, congratulations on another fabulous book.

    How could you think the BDH wouldn’t love it? It was so interesting to see the HL world from Caterina’s point of view. I thoroughly enjoyed Sapphire Flames and of course I’m desperate for more, although I’ll patiently wait and go back and reread every snippet and deleted scene. And relevant passages in the previous HL books. Or perhaps just reread all the HL content again.

    Once again, thank you so much for creating this wonderful story and sharing it with the world.

  101. Happy book day!!!! Oh my gosh, I loved this so much!!!! Though that ending just broke my heart!! I have to keep telling myself, “Self, this is a romance story, it will be ok in the end!” Even with the heartache, this newest addition to the Hidden Legacy series is wonderful! And I’m so happy for Nevada and Rogan!!! Thank you House Andrews for all of your wonderful work! Bask in the glory of your book birthday, and celebrate your accomplishments!!

  102. Reading it but thought I’d better say Thank you very much for the novel.
    As always House Andrews rocks my literary world.

    • Happy Book Birthday!
      Thank you for our wonderful present. I loved it & will read it again soon. What a great family the Baylor’s are.
      You rock! X

    • SAME! So happy with the book but so sad I’m done reading it! Yet so so happy I was able to read it AH THE AGONY

      • Yes I agree but so happy we got shorts about the Leon and Arabella. Bernard to, because he seems to be attracted to Runa? Anyway you said earlier that you didn’t know if fans would take 5o a new lead character. To me the main story line is what is going on in Texas. The lead character is the Baylor family. You might need to flesh out Bern more before he could head a book. But I think any of the girls or Leon could do it.

  104. I loved it so much! I didn’t sleep at all just to read it. My problem was that I hated Alessandro, and that makes me mad, because I also loved him so bad! I’m just upset that he left Catalina. I don’t know. Maybe I’ll forgive him in the next book.

    • Wonderful book, thank you!
      I loved Catalina so much better now, all grown up and using her power, rather than being an emo teenager.
      Looking forward to her tangling with Evil Grandma and Linus and of cause developing of her love story.
      You guys worked so hard, I hope you will get a chance to take a well deserved vacation before starting on your next project:)

  105. Completely shook by the ending also by the fact that I may have realized why Linus likes the Baylors so much. Moral of the story this was so a better 4th book than I could ever imagine. Time to purge myself of the magic so I can reread this book and cry as I wait for the 5th.

      • I got the genetic link vibe. Perhaps great-grandparent. Was it ever mentioned if Duncan had kids?

        • It’s not been mentioned if he has kids, and it would be cool if it were true, but I don’t see how. The Magus Sagittarius gene comes from Grandpa Leon, who was black. Penelope, Nevada, Catalina and Leon all have MS talent, which means that both Penelope and Leon’s mother Gisele carry the MS gene from their dad. Even if Grandma Frida had a fling with Linus (she did know him, remember!), both her daughters have Grandpa Leon’s magic.

          I did wonder if maybe Linus was young Leon’s father, but Gisele does not sound like the caliber of person that Linus would have anything to do with, especially intimately, so that’s out.

          I do agree that there’s SOMETHING there, because Alessandro clearly saw some connection. It’s possible that Linus is a cousin to Victoria Tremaine (not a sibling, when children were so rare for Tremaines, and losing them was such an issue), but their magic is so very different. Linus can’t be the sperm donor, because that Siren ability came from the donor, and that’s not Linus. I actually wondered if there was some connection between Linus and Alessandro, since their magics are more similar, and Alessandro’s weapons ability is probably unrelated to his Anistazi magic. And let’s think about House Sagredo–there are some seriously funky dynamics hinted at there.

          It’s a mystery! This is one of the reasons that I love House Andrews books so much. Ilona and Gordon play the long game with their writing, and there are plots within plots. I just trust that whatever connection Linus has, it’s going to make complete sense when it’s finally revealed, and it’s going to weave beautifully into the story.

          • We don’t know that Linus is not a Siren. Just that he is on RECORD as a Hephaestus Prime.
            He could easily be a dual Siren mage. As for knowing that the sperm donor was a Siren and nothing else- this is from Victoria as a source. She is not the most reliable information giver, if she has something that she can hold over your head, she will.
            I will leave you with this- in Greek mythology, Hephaestus was married to the Goddess of Love, and Molpe are a Greek House.

            • No he can’t be the donor Victoria bribed or coerced the donor. Neither fit Linus. But he could have loved Victoria. I like the idea of him being an estranged relation of Grams. There must be some physical similarity between him and Catalina that Alessandro saw

          • First I was quite sure Linus was Caesar because of this comment about being bored and his link to Victoria…But now it seems he could be their grandfather/Victoria’ mysterious sperm donor ! Wich would mean he is dual prime (since he has to be a siren and all), if that’s even possible ! There are 2 problems with this theory though…First of all, none of his grand-children have inherited his powers with metal. Te biggest hole is that Nevada and the whole Baylor family was repeatedly targeted by Caesar and the conspiracy. Also, how could he seem so decent (even to truthseeker Nevada) and end up being the bad guy ? Anyways, at this point I’m begining to wonder if we will ever know Caesar identity so maybe Linus is their grandfather and Caesar is just some mysterious other person.

            • I think Linus is the Ceaser. First the Baylor’s were not deliberately targeted by Caesar. At first they were expendable later they became useful and earned respect. It wasn’t till the third book that they really ended up on Linus’s radar. If he is related and I think he is that is when he realized who and what they were and developed an emotional investment them

            • Also. I think Linus can be a Ceaser and still have many good qualities. He feels stymied by the bad things he can not fix. Many tyrants start out for the right reasons, and even if he were a good monarch thise that follow may not be not to mention those that would serve him not having the best of intents

  106. Can thenext book be released on a Friday or Saturday so I can Gobble it down with out stopping for work?

    • The Tuesday thing is actually an industry standard relic, from the days before the internet and e-books. It’s tied to bestseller lists and unfortunately is probably not something IA can influence. It took a major action on the part of the entire music industry to change it there, for instance.

  108. Took the day off in anticipation for the book release and to decadently indulge myself as a member of the Book Devouring Hoard! Nomnomnom…Loved it so much. Also dying for the next book. I’m a Montrealer ;D. Hope you have to visit one day 😀 xox Now I’m going to re-read *sigh*

  109. I feel super-terrible today and this FABULOUS book is the only thing that made it bearable. Here’s to getting well very soon and a nice re-read while I’m not ready to throw up and my head isn’t splitting.

    Thank God for audio books. I don’t think I could focus to read. Even typing this isn’t pleasant, but I just had to say: THANK YOU!

  110. I was super confused when my kid walked into the kitchen and asked “Why did you buy another book, mom?” Because he’d come home earlier today with his scholastic order of 3643743643677 books. I was also preoccupied af, frosting my husband’s birthday cake and prepping dinner. It wasn’t until hours later that I saw THE book. Guess who’s staying up all night reading?

    Congrats on your book birthday guys! I have nothing to gift you other than this https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/115781399.html but you guys, hard core gamers that you are, probably heard already.

  111. Can we analyze grandmother Victoria, Linus (who is almost certainly Ceasar) and their interest in the Baylor legacy?

    Setting aside the dichotomy between their seemingly genuin concern for the sisters’ survival and their involvment (and masterplanning) of intruiges that indirectly or directly threatened the Bailey’s safety (but I will say I’m starting to lean more and more towards the explanation that it is not a dichotomy in their minds, because they didn’t actively try to kill Nevada or Catalina or Arrabella), what can we surmise from their words and actions about their interest in the legacy? We are aware Victoria would have liked her hand on her three grandchildren, and her interest in her genetic legacy was a big plot point of the backstory to the first trilogy.

    So we all (characters in the books included) realize she will be very interested in her grandchildrens CHILDREN, right? But I find it interesting this part has not been brought up or discussed by the charcters (as far as we know)… Is it because they think she cannot have any effect on this part of their lives (because they think they are safe or has guarded against this, maybe because she is incarcerated?), or have they not thought of it (maybe becuase Arabella is so young, and Catalina’s powers makes relationships hard)? Because I think there are signs that say they SHOULD worry more about this…

    We’ve been told that according to the science of the world, Nevada and Connor’s magic being from different branches means the probability of them producing strong magic users is lowered. Still Victoria offered up Nevada as reward if Connor gave her to her grandmother, which is illogical if she wanted both Nevada for her house, AND Nevada’s childre!. But maybe she expected to write a contract where Connor had to let Victoria breed Nevada for truth-seeker children that would belong to House Tremaine? That might explain why Victoria would make an offer that would otherwise be cross-purpose to her aim of securing her house’s survival… Because I remember Ilona answering that children belong to their father’s house, which would mean one of those exceptions like a husband going to his wife’s House because she was more powerful in magic or socially, if Nevada’s children were expected to stay with House Tremaine, which must have been Victoria’s plan when she thought to subjugate her grandchildren… Magic or not, still a patriarchy, so she must have had a plan to keep her great-grandchildren despite the materilinear heritage, right?

    But then she lost and couldn’t get her way through force, so Nevada went and married Connor, and her children will be House Rogan, even if they are truth-seekers (right? That is what I’ve infered from the books and the authors’ comments, although I did notice they made room for exceptions, so I would be delighted if I’m wrong, especially if it leads to a longer exposition about the way magic has influences or changed the social norms…).

    So I found it logical from her point of view to try and influence Catalina’s choice of genetical donor, especially the part where she made sure Catalina (and har offspring, since her husband will have to renounce his name and take hers) is now bound to stay in House Baylor. I think she’s smart enough to accept that her dreams of House Tremaine surviving are dead in the water, and that she’s adaptable enough to change her purpose to the survival of her genetic legacy in its own House, even of it bears the name Baylor. I think an independant House bearing her son’s name (fake last name, unless grandma Frida, who is an Afram, DIDN’T take her husband’s name, BUT their kid’s got their dad’s AND James took Penelope’s. The more logical thing would have been for James to take Penelope’s last name, since he was in hiding and his last name must be fake, but patriarchy again…) is just enough that Victoria can lick her wounded ego with the fact that everyone knows House Baylor takes its roots in hers, because if it was just genetic legacy, she wouldn’t mind if the girls’ children belonged to other Houses, so long as they reproduced.

    But she made Catalina promise not to marry anyone but a prime (to make sure of a high chance of high-gradient magic, assuming she assumes Catalina would never have children outside of marriage), AND that that prime had to go to House Baylor, not the other way around (which according to the social rules related in the books is uncommon but not forbidden, thus ensuring Catalina’s children will belong to the maternal line).

    When she made that demand I thought, hmm, neither she or Linus approves of Alessandro for Catalina. Why not? Wouldn’t their magic mesh most excellently (AND produce stunning children, nudge nudge Matilda…)?

    So I was a bit smug, since I have high hopes for a happy Catalina-Alesandro ending (I will be most crushed if I do not get it, and please don’t hold it against me for wanting to know the destination, it is the road travelled etc right?), and said to my two trusty Norwieigian Forrest Cats (who I talk to, just call me crazy cat lady) “Haha, won’t she be suprised!!!” Because I think and hope Alessandro will be man enough to ditch tradition if heloves Catalina enough, and if he has a beedf with his own house, even easier for him to make the decision, no duty to hold him back!

    But after finishing the book I started thinking, hmmm, that Victoria is a crafty, coniving, manipulative old thing. And Linus must be a master of subtly steering people, being Ceasar AND seemingly the paragon of honour.
    SO! Does anyone else suspect those two of a VERY long game? Machiavellian, and it would be awfully risky, but basicly reverse psychology?

    “No Catalina, I, a trusted if somewhat awe-inspiring almost-uncle do not aprove of this young man and think you can do better! That means you will not be suspicious if/when I do throw you together…”.

    And then “No Catalina, I, your paternal grandmother who you don’t trust one whit, do not approve of this young man you say you love! I will not help him, in fact I will make demands of you that SEEMS to ensure you can NEVER be together!!! Because what is more romantic than beating the disaproval of others? And the fact that I, or more likely my co-conspirer Ceasar after he found out the boy was back, probably could have found out the boy has family trouble and that maybe those troubles meant he might be persuaded to break from his family, because we are all-knowing spiders in the web of information of this world after all, that is manipulation on such a long and tenious time-table that you will never suspect we WANTED you to geneticly mix with the beautiful boy and create little mind-magic primes bearing the Baylor name…”

    ????

    Now I rather think maybe Linus and Victoria is promoting an Alessandro/Catalina match… And maybe they’ve been plotting far longer than this book? Alessandro isn’t american, but was brought in to be Catalina’s test! The date for the test was even based on his time-table! Even if Antistasi primes are rare, if they had to wait for his calendar to clear, why not wait for one of the other primes, from one of the other 4 european, 3 continental american, 2 african or 3 russian Antistasi Houses? Could really NONE of these 12 Houses produce a prime in time (hehe????)? Instead Catalina got the “italian-stalion-virgin-girl-crush”, who is unmarried and close to her age? And Linus had NOTHING to do with that???

    I call “hmmmm” ????????????????????

  112. Got the ebook last night, should be getting the paperback tomorrow (re Amazon), and can’t wait for the next one, but no pressure! I thought I knew who Caesar was, now I’m not sure. And I liked the new beginning with Runa and the surprise about Augustine’s abilities. Sorry – I’m trying not to write spoilers, but it’s really, really hard! You two are so talented, and you never disappoint. Thanks so much for doing what you do.

    • Yes to all this! I love when I think I know something but then it’s like new info makes me doubt my theory.
      And am I the only one who likes Augustine? He needs a hot mess love interest to shake him up ha

      • No, you are not alone — I quite agree! He needs someone (I love your idea of a hot mess!) to rumple his unnaturally perfect hair and completely disrupt his obsessively ordered world.

        There’s good in him — his priorities just need to be expanded. Look how stung he was when Nevada told him he was a terrible person!

        • House of Andrews have repeatedly said Augustine will not be paired with any of the Baylors. Arabella is 15 when he meets her, being twice her age and in control of her financially. There’s so much wrong with that situation.

  113. Finally had time to finish the book and it was worth the wait..only wish the deleted scenes could have been included, especially Arabella’s. Ah well. Thank you House Andrews for so much fun and I can hardly wait for the next one. I really want to know what’s up with Alessandro.

    I do still wonder why Nevada stepped down. Trying your best to make sure your sister/cousin/daughter doesn’t work herself to death is not a vote of no confidence in my book. Seems to me Nevada is more blaming her family for what she really wanted to do if she was honest with herself…quit and join husband’s family.

    • We don’t know Neva’s side of things, only what Lina perceived through her guilt.
      If we ever become privy to Neva’s train of thought it would probably be something like “I have lived for keeping them safe since I was 17, I either let go of my control now and learn to experience my own life, or I mess up my relationship with both them and Connor”

  115. I figured i would read this book over lunch, then I would just read the next chapter right before going back home. Suddenly i’m done with the book both elated and devasted and realized that I missed the bus and now its 8pm and I need to call someone to get a ride to my car. I also realized that we probably have to wait another year for the next book. Its just so good, its going to be really hard. Such an amazing book

  116. Loved the book and read it twice already! Had some mental disconnect between the destruction Linus instigated in the first trilogy and his role as a protective Warden now despite argument about greater good and why he might be so invested in Catalina’s survival even before he swears her in as Deputy but perhaps all will be revealed in time?

  117. Funniest line ever:”A dump truck had thoughtfully broken my fall.”
    Emerald or Ruby next?
    A third of the way through, have to save the rest for tomorrow. Only because I don’t have vacation days yet. (But it is good to have a job!)
    Happy Book Birthday! ????????

  118. Bravo, Bravo, Bravissimo!
    What a wonderful roller-coaster ride. Really, you should not have worried this book would not be the smash hit it is. (I know why you were worried – you just didn’t need to be.)

    Spoilers ahead. Stop here if you want the surprises.
    I’m going to reread the book tonight and tomorrow. However, after one reading, these are my thoughts on the theories I’ve been reading in the comments:
    A) Linus may very well be Caesar.
    I don’t believe that he is Victoria’s sperm donor.
    I do wonder about Gramma Frieda and Grandpa Leon and the possibility that Linus could be related to one of them, particularly Frieda…
    B) Nevada handed over the house to Catalina because she saw herself obsessing over it. It was killing her.
    She left so Catalina could make her decisions without the “What would Nevada have done?” questions.
    Nevada will work with House Baylor / the Baylor Agency, but stick closer to Rogan – for a while anyway.
    C) I need to shut up the little voice that tells me “Naah!” when I think I see a plot development hint. I thought I saw hints of Sgt. Heart’s interest in the aftermath of the big battle…
    (I definitely saw the possibility of redeeming Hugh D’Ambray. I just gave up on him too soon.)
    D) Alessandro is likely to happily leave his family and join House Baylor, if he ends up with Catalina. He likes his sister and seemingly holds the majority of the family in contempt.
    E) I am looking forward to what you do with Arabella. She’s going to be so different from her sisters.

    Sorry this is so long winded. Feel free to cut it down if it’s too much.

    • Thank you! Love it. Fascinating how you imagine the next stage of the story. So obvious once you’ve written it but I had no idea where it might go before.

      • I was wondering if anyone was talking about Linus being Cesar. I hate that I like his character so much. I feel conflicted every time he makes an appearance. I have never wanted and dreaded the conclusion of a series so much!

        • I too was wondering about Linus but would a Warden be Ceasar?
          So I changed my mind. 🙂

          I am so sad I finished this book. And I read it slooooowwwlllyyyy.
          🙂 Looking forward to the next book.
          Love Catalina. And Alessandro. And Arabella, Leon and Bern. Grandma Frida is the best!
          How about Bern and Runa?? What’s going on there 0_ o ???

          • The first Ceaser was a dedicated servant of the state. A great general so what difference does being a Warden make?

    • I loved this book.

      I think Linus is the Ceasar.
      I also don’t believe he is Catalina grandfather but there is some connection for sure, maybe someone from his family is?
      Alessandro doesn’t like his family so I guess he might stay in the Baylor House but it would not be simple. He has a sister but I think he is “the future” of his House, so….

      • What I don’t understand is that the Baylors didn’t even want to become a House to start with…And now the future of the House, it’s reputation, seems to be Catalina n°1 priority and I’m not convinced it’s a question of life and death…

        • I don’t think that’s quite true. Their mom was super hesitant, but everyone else thought that it was the best way to deal with the situation at the moment, and once that decision is made, there isn’t really a way to turn back. Therefore, the House must be established in order to avoid death or loss of independence.

  119. Reads more like a YA book. Story was fun & interesting, but character development was a little choppy. Still one of my favorite authors.

  120. Delicious and oh so much fun! That was a treat to take me through a day of calls, emails, and dire paperwork. And doctor appointments.

    I am enamoured with how you write about the Baylor family. Looking forward to their family growing in all kinds of exciting ways. Already looking forward to the next two books. And if you are still looking for suggestions from fans, a Rogan-Alessandro tete-a-tete about the Baylor women would be fascinating.

  121. Just finished. Loved it and honestly cannot wait to read it again. the cliff hanger was so perfect that it left me wanting but not feeling unfulfilled. Thank you for all you do.

  122. Clicked refresh on Amazon last until the book finally downloaded at 12:13 a.m. then read til who knows how late. I didn’t look because I knew I had to get up because DH had made an appointment with the cabinet salesman to measure our kitchen for new cabinets at 9 a.m. Ugh. Loved this book, absolutely loved it. Action, character growth – just fabulous. Now I’ll go back and re-read all the series and pick up on what I missed in my first furiously fast read so I could find out What Happened. Another winner.

  123. Loved it! Thank you for creating another great female protagonist. This made my week, and bless you for it. Your writing keeps me going. Thank you really is all I can say, but I mean it in every possible way.

  124. Great book and will reread in the next days ????. After I reread the first three books over the weekend I realized I had messed something up, Linus is not the sperm donor that was the male Siren from Greece. But I still think he could be Cesar …or he was talking warden business at the end of book 3 or both. Is he related to them , hmm not sure.

        • He still could be. When he told them when they came to eat Fajitas and he was talking more like a Texan and that his “little ranch” was the definition of a Texas hill country home, that, that was expected and then he started talking normal. Even Alessandro could change they way he spoke.

  125. It was awesome. I read the “welcome to Texas” bit to my husband and he choked on his coffee laughing. Thank you for another keeper

    • Was that the Texas accent line? I read that over and over but as a Scot, I just can’t get it!!

      Can anyone phonetically spell it for me? Teak-su-sss??

    • My comment vanished so sorry if this double posts…..

      Are you talking about the Texas accent line? I’ve tried and tried but can’t do it – Teak-su-sss?? ! Can anyone put a phonetic spelling and help a Scot out? ????

      • Teh k sus. Stretch the first teh quite a bit. Normally it’s not pronounced this way, unless someone is really trying to play up being “country.”

        PS. Ecclefechan, Auchtermuchty, Findochty… Half of Scotland seems to be named by some drunk guy with a blender and a random collections of letters. 🙂 Texas is easy.

        • Milngavie is another one….. You say it as Mhul-guy!

          Sort of breathe out on the mh and extend the guy slightly. Posh Glasgow accent!

  126. Love the Book and am Loopings forward to the next one. … and the Word in German is Backpfeifengesicht… ????

    • I was slightly confused when I read “Backpafeifengesicht” , till I realized it was spelled wrong XD

      I loved the book – Your character and world building is always awesome.
      Only Nevada overworking herself feld a bit out of character (for me)

      I hope you’ll get a well deserved vacation.
      And now I will wait for another great creation of yours (and hate myself a little bit for devoring HL4 in just a few hours)

  127. I LOVED IT SO MUCH! I devoured it in 5 hours. I kept trying to slow down and savour it but I couldn’t stop reading!! I loved the mystery, I loved Catalina’s voice and I ADORED Alessandro. His entrance was the definition of supercool badassery! I love the way you guys write action – it’s so cinematic, I could see it all unfolding in my head!
    I can’t wait to see where the next book takes me – I love spending my time in this world and with these characters. Thank you!!!

  130. No worries – the book was amazing as always. I love Catalina as the head of the House. But I’ve said it before and will say it again – Arabella is my sprit animal.

    I was also surprised – I thought I had figured out who Cesare was but maybe it is like the Dread Pirate Roberts…it can be handed down to another…

  131. Happy book birthday! I finished reading it late last night and it was amazing! I can barely wait for the next one, that ending was such a tugger of heart strings.

  132. Thank you for another great book . I’ve been off sick for a couple of days and this was the perfect pick me up. I am intrigued how Linus could be related to the Baylor’s. Alessandro obviously has an inkling of their relationship. Congratulations again on a great book. Enjoy some time off before the next one which I’m sure will be as great. Happy Book Birthday House Andrew

  134. Thank you so much, I Love it!
    It had everything action, magic, romance….but now I cant wait for the next book….I need to know what happens…
    I love all you books, thanks for all your hard work! If I’m not sure what I want to read Kate Daniels and Hidden Legacy are my go to books to re-read or re-listen to as I like both audible and kindle…thanks again I’m now off to re-read Sapphire Flames to see what I missed the first time and just because I love the world you created xx

  135. So, does next book in the series have a release date yet?
    Cause You are writting next right now right?

  136. Another year till we have the next book and I am so happy that I read it but so distraught that I don’t know what happens next. Loved it but now all other books are going to be so bland for a while after that ending. Well done this has been a real tour de force.

  138. Love – love-love-loved it! I had a day at home (second week of nasty virus) yesterday and had to pace myself to make it last the day… Congratulations on a fantastic book, took things in a totally unexpected direction (warped mages! Linus! Mysterious family quest!) that was entertaining throughout. Also I would love to know what Arabella says when she wears Armani to go get paid… Thank you for your work, the entertainment value is outstanding (habanero!!!)

  139. Loved it. I was so sure Linus was Cesar. Now I just wait. Can’t wait till Cornelius meets Shadow.

  141. The deal she made with her Grandmother and the ending destroyed me. Seriously.

    I can’t wait to see how it all plays out. ????

  142. Great book! I have so many emotions going through me right now.
    I was sad for Bug losing Napoleon and Cherry dying. Then heart broken because Nevada and her family had that break up. But then I got hit with Penelope and Benjiro having a thing ????????⛴????. And Nevada and Connor are having a baby.
    But most of all I am scared for Catalina, so many deals with so many devils. She’s heartbroken and so is Alessandro. But I am trying to remind myself that IA believes in HEAs….it will all work out, it did for Nevada and Connor…it will happen for Catalina too.
    Thank you guys for writing an awesome book once again!! Now for my slower reread.

  143. It’s my birthday, and I am going to spend it reading Sapphire Flames, and ignoring the wreck that UK politics has gifted me with, so thank you very much for providing me with what I KNOW will distract me.

  144. I enjoyed the book so much! Have to do some additional re-reads. Was it just me or did the phone call of the epilogue make anyone think of Grosse Pointe Blank (just for the brother/sister relationship)?

  145. This book is WONDERFUL! Don’t let doubts spoil your book birthday celebration! 😀

    And my favorite quote from the book: ““Follow me,” Linus ordered. “And cheer up. We’re about to embark on a killing spree accompanied by massive property damage. Try to have fun.””

    I loved all of it (including the new relationships) and can’t wait for more, but take a well-deserved break for as long as you two can.

  146. Hey guys, the book is #25 on Amazon’s best seller list – the overall one – on Day 2! House Andrews, you’ve got another winner here, as the BDH foretold. You are magic.

  147. I’m so scared for Catalina: I know she can handle it because everyone in the Baylor family is a bad*ss and scary competent but grandma has been the bogeyman for three books now and I’m shook! And tying herself to Linus Duncan – this book had me biting my fingers. I loved it so much and the stakes are so high, it felt like a James Bond movie without the misogyny. Can’t wait for book 2. Thank you so much for sharing your writing with us, you guys are amazing. Also, loved that you put the Oksana makeup line in there.

  148. Whew! What a ride! Great book, guys!! My adrenaline hasn’t come down yet. I have a few theories I haven’t seen posted yet. 1) As a Warden, Linus cannot be Caesar. He knows the National Assembly would be all over that. 2) Linus is a relative of the Baylors, but on their father’s maternal side, not his paternal side. Maybe a younger brother or cousin of their grandmother? 3) Wardens can only be blood relatives. That is why Linus waited so long for a successor. He was waiting for the Baylors to be found. And Alessandro knows this. Just my guesses!

    • If your 3 is true, than Duncan would not have been able to recruit Rogan as a Warden, as he tried to do.

      • Also, The Caesar conspiracy was not done in full knowledge of the Assembly, so I don’t see the conflict there. It’s his side hustle.

        • Yeah, but if he has some sort of familial connection to the Baylors and cares about them, why was Nevada and her familly repeatedly targeted by the conspiracy ?

            • He only found out when Victoria did- and from then on had kept close eye on them (ingratiating herself as their House Witness etc). Blood link or not, he also sees that the pairing of Neva and Rogan is a real threat to his plans, and much like Roland with Kate, is prepared to put them out of commission. (Plus the only real threat to them in Wildfire was Strum and Vincent, who were both insane and hard to keep in check).
              With Catalina, he is trying a different type of control and influencing her to be on his leash.

  149. Oh no! It’s like an addiction! I get a hit and just want another one. – so bad at waiting.

  150. Loved it. Was a bit confused by the new powers described. Mind cutting (puncture mental shield, induce pain, inability to think) and mind ripping (penetrate mental defences, scramble the mind) – isn’t that what Nevada/Victoria Tremaine can do? Since Victoria Tremaine’s abilities are so feared, then that means people know that truth seekers can also do mind cutting and ripping.

  151. Just finished the audio book, and I thought it might be weird without Renee Raudman. However Emily Rankin is absolutely wonderful.
    Her performance was flawless. The story is amazing as always (I don’t want to give anything away) and now I will be listening to the whole series again to console my heart.
    Thanks again to Ilona and Gordon for the excellent escape.

  152. Thank you for another “”””lots of superlatives”””””book! I tried really hard not to devour it in one sitting! Even went to bed just as we were closing in on Augustine to ****never mind spoiler**** so here it is 6:30 am and I’m up and grabbing it t o finish! Have to re-read of course and it is maybe a good idea to go back to the beginning and read them all again! Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!

  153. I do have a question concerning the reason why Nevada left her role as Head of House: Catalina explains to Alessandro that they were able to “take away her ability to financially contribute to the business” because “when our father died [..] he split his shares equally between the three of us”, so she and Arabella were able to outvote Nevada. But in Burn for me, chapter 10, Nevada talking to Rogan said: “by that point (i.e. when we morgaged the business) control of the agency had passed to me and my mother as hoint owners with me owning 75 percent and my mother holding a 25 percent stake”. If Nevada is the major shareholder, how could Catlina and Arabella outvote her??? And if they could not take away her avility to financially contribute to the business, why did Nevada leave House Baylor??

    • That’s not exactly accurately written on our part. Their father owned 75% of the agency, while Penelope owned 25%. He was the one mostly working on the agency, while she was gone in the service. He put his shares into a trust and when each of the girls turned 18, they inherited 1/3 of his holdings, or 25% of the total shares. But until their maturity, Nevada, who turned 18 first, held the voting rights over her sisters’ shares. He did it this way, because he knew that someone had to be in charge and since Nevada was the main investigator, there would be times when she had to make decisions involving the entire business. Penelope didn’t get involved in the conflict with Nevada. She is very careful about butting into the children’s lives.

      • My copy is coming today! Can’t wait to read it!!!
        Congratulations on another book that I’m sure I will love just as much as all the other books!!!

      • Thank you very much for clarifying this point! 🙂 Your world building is usually so precise that this detail kept nagging me ????

      • Sorry to bother you again, I thought about your answer and there is another problem: if Penelope didn’t get involved in the decision to stop Nevada, than Catalina (25% shares) and Arabella (25% shares) together would only have reached a 50% and isn’t the majority (at least 51%) necessary to reach a binding decision? ????

        • I think that if the sisters voted against her, Nevada would have submitted, rather than force her mother to make a decision.

        • @Elena G~ I am certainly not legally trained but arrived at what I consider a “logical” approach to your second question based on what Ilona shared in answer to your first one. We know that Penelope basically “abstains” from interfering ( or in this case, voting) in conflicts like this. In light of this, 51% is not necessary because Arabella and Catalina with a combined 50% outvoted Nevada’s 25%. The core issue here is not voting power though, it’s allegiance to more than one house combined with Nevada’s physical, emotional and mental health. An additional clarifier in the book states that with marriage you cannot adequately serve two houses “equally.” That makes tremendous sense. With the aging past 18 of more than just Nevada as a Prime in House Baylor it’s logical that Catalina step up. Nevada was struggling with letting go and the voting took some of that struggle out of the picture, even though Nevada at first interpreted it only as a No Confidence vote. Her reaction served to reinforce, to me at least, how truly overwhelmed she was. Couldn’t see the forest for the trees, emotionally or intellectually, at that point. So, this was my thinking that made sense of the overall resolution. I thought it was truly logical and made great business and common sense. 🙂

          • Very true! ???? Thank you guys and Ilona for helping me understand.. as they say in Italy, “math is not an opinion”! ????‍♀️

    • Keep in mind that Catalina and Arabella were underage when their dad died. Since Nevada had become the lead investigator he could have given her his 75% with the caveat that she give 25% each to her sisters when they turned 18.

  154. You know how people feel utterly devastated when Catalina pulls her magic back and leaves after she’s beguiled them? That’s how I felt when I reached the end of the book. It beguiled me and when the book ended, I wasn’t yet ready to be released from its magic. Cannot wait for HL5

      • Crazy about it!! What a superb addition to the HL universe. I’m sure you’d be multi-millionaires if you had a nickel for every time someone marvels over how you keep the continued story lines so fresh and relevant, but I’m still marveling over it. I LOVE that I continue to despise and distrust Linus, even though he fascinates me intellectually. I LOVE what Victoria provided as a bargaining chip for Catalina with Augustine, AND that her character remains in “play”. I LOVE the “next level” of evil with the “warped”, who also fascinate and horrify me. I was SO happy to visit secondary. It beloved characters like Bern, Leon, Matilda, Zeus and more. And Heart, for Pete’s sake!! I LOVED the new characters!! And, PLEASE, Allesandro??? I can’t even!!!! Settling in for the audio book -now in hand – and listening to the entire series, again.

    • +1
      I felt this also! I was actually depressed for a little while, because it was over and there wasn’t another comparable book to read (but I got over it after re-reading Burn For Me…) 🙂

  155. The story was nice and tight and fast moving. When it was over I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe how long I was lost in the book. I am so ready for the next. I’m not worried about small inconsistencies because you can write your way around them. Or not. Don’t care. Nothing major in there. Loved the characters. I especially loved the expansion on Linus’ character. He’s much more interesting now. Catalina is interesting for her struggle with the role of head of house. Her grandmother is more interesting, but feel she is still more manipulative than anything else. I’ll be using some of this in my review on Amazon. Great job!

  157. Could my Tuesday get any better? Yes, as well as having Sapphire Flames to read it was also the first night of a new season of Great British Bake Off. I was left with the delicious dilemma of breaking off my reading or watch on catch up tv later. I decided to lengthen the time of my first read of Sapphire Flames. Love it so far!

    • Loved the book, especially getting to know Linus better. I literally laughed out loud when Frank said “rematch!” My question is the relationship/love between Catalina and Alessandro. We does she love him? Because he is good looking? Because he protects her? I think that part should have been more developed. Catalina clearly thinks about things. I didn’t really understand what she saw in Allesandro other than looks.

      • +1 my issue with the book was along the same lines. We know she’s had a crush on him for years but when and how did it develop into love? That was kinda rushed. And his side wasn’t explained either. Apart from the he’s so dreamy… when would they have time for her to get to know him?

        • I also had problems with not knowing Allessandro’s back story. I’m hoping that we get that information in the next book. Also, any idea how many more books will be in this series?

        • She spelled it out, he was kind to Ragnar , an unknown teenager, he brought her dog treats, he was kind to her family., The mystery behind his assassin-ness meant his wounded soul needed help . (who is not a sucker for a wounded soul) Add in he made her feel beautiful, desirable and protected and passionate and wham- first love.

        • Great Book! Thank you both sooooooo much

          I know two couples each happily married 30+ years who met and married in a week.

          The first time I met my husband I knew he was special and worth my time. I did take time to trust but verify, but my first impression never changed!

      • Catalina spent her entire life thinking she could never have romantic love or genuine relationships with anyone who isn’t family.
        In comes the object of her fantasies, who doesn’t just prove her wrong about that, but entirely dismisses the effects of her “curse”, who understands her and her inner motivations, cares about her, works with her as a team, navigates her family- and yes, is super handsome. Of course she falls inlove with him.

  158. Amazing!!! Stayed up late last night to read and then dived back in this morning. Just finished it and MIND BLOWN!! You guys did it again – awesome book that kept me on the edge of my seat and laughing and cheering for Catalina (and Alessandro). I thought I wouldn’t like Catalina as much as Nevada, but you proved me wrong and now I can’t wait to see what happens next for her. The only drawback is how are we going to wait for the next one without going crazy? But it’s the best kind of problem to have 🙂 Thank you infinite!

  159. I loved it. I felt of all Hidden Legacy, this one was the most scary. The villain was pretty capital E Evil …. shivers. And the fact that he’s like stuff of nightmares he’s also a businessman… made it all the more chilling. I was all with Allessansdro “get the hell out of there!” … loved it. I wonder about Nevada saying “vote if no confidence” … because that’s such a misunderstanding of what her sisters motive was. I mean I guess essentially yes, but really they were trying to wake her up from killing her self … anyway, I love it, fantastic read and wish you and yours all the best!!! Thanks for crafting such a scary elegant story!!!!! It’s going to be fantastic to read more as Catalina’s confidence grows even more…

    • That’s the absolute only thing that didn’t fit, but I wonder if that was Nevada’s own guilt. After what Catalina said about “not helping her commit slow suicide,” she was actually relieved, felt guilty about being relieved, and since guilt makes us angry, lashed out with the “no confidence thing.”

      • I thought it did fit with the state Nevada was in. I think given how sick and how exhausted Nevada was, physically and mentally, that she wasn’t in a good headspace to process what was going on. Her sisters did it out of love for Nevada. I’d say the three weeks allowed Nevada to get well from her flu and take some time to rest, recover, and replenish herself mentally and physically. I’d say at that point she was well enough to talk to her sisters again.

        • I think what you said here makes sense. My first reaction was that Nevada had a really juvenile reaction to the situation, couldn’t she see her sisters were helping her? But it’s likely that she couldn’t read the situation clearly through the fog of exhaustion.

          • I think Catalina and Arabella had an over the top emotional response to Nevada’s illness because of their Dad’s cancer. Nevada was doing the same thing she always did since her dad was diagnosed — she got up, took care of her family and tried to make sure they could enjoy their life. The two of them panicked when she got so ill, and rather than showing how to split the load with Nevada ( rather than just talking to her) they did the dramatic vote to save her from herself. You can tell they are really young.

            It had to be a shock to Nevada. For three books she said her family would always be there for her. In this case Nevada was really surprised that their “being there” was to throw her out of the financial side with the highly emotional argument that “we are doing it to save you! “ I would never trust them again. I would still love them, but that was a pretty permanent shot to the trust.

            The Authors are really great aren’t they? So many fun interpretations if the same book!

  160. It’s Aug. 27th! I am not in the U.S. so I am not able to get the actual paper edition, but I checked my Kindle multiple times to see if it was available. Then, there it was. I circled my phone, trying to decide do I read it now? Do I wait and torture myself with the anticipation of reading it? As a matter of fact, I had to do some work today so I waited to read it. And, having just finished it, I find it was amazing as your books always are. They transport me to another place. I can’t believe how many worlds you build with full bodied characters that fit into each one. So many authors end up with one major place they populate again and again. That doesn’t make them bad, but it makes your accomplishment even more awesome with all the things you manage to create. Thanks so much for all your hard work! Now relax for a little bit and enjoy the acclaim.

  161. I am still absolutely unforgiving of those who got the book on Saturday. But. It was everything I could have hoped for. I read it twice, tried to finish the book I had been reading Monday night (set aside PROMPTLY at 00:11 EST/6:11 CET) and couldn’t pay enough attention. Had to read a third time. Then came here.

    And like all the others, my only thoughts are “NEXT!” *whimper*

  162. Brilliant as expected – the breadth of your imagination and storytelling is unparalleled and I can’t wait for the next one – I’ll just have to start at the beginning and reread them all – such a chore!
    Thanks for all your hard work

  163. I’ve read it twice already. I can’t wait for the next installment and where the story goes. This was so funny and heartwarming and heartwrenching

  164. This is what I want to ask at the Twitch, but it may be too spoilery. How much do the authors take reader feedback? Two big examples: the BDH was shipping Penelope and Heart BIGTIME, and when the original (at the time discarded) opening was posted, several of us pushed back on Nevada voluntarily giving up the House leadership (I wasn’t one of the ones shipping, but I was pushing back on how a control freak so completely devoted to her family would just step back right when they’d be in the most danger).

    Ilona said that since we (BDH) liked the discarded opening so much, they rewrote it into the current opening. Did these other examples also come out of BDH wishes/feedback?

  165. Loved, loved, loved it. On the Linus = Caesar front, I actually think this is what Alessandro figured out. If Caesar is going to attempt another coup, getting the ones who stopped it originally on his side would be smart thinking.

    Interesting that Possible Deputy Warden #1 was the focus of Caesar attempt #1’s blame game. And now Actual Deputy Warden is under the wing of alleged Caesar and must take his orders.

    Cannot wait for Alessandro to formally leave his family – I’m going to guess he already basically has left his family, and only his sister is connected to him. Or that his family isn’t really his family? I’m curious who he’s on the hunt for, and why it’s taken most of his life to get as far as he has.

    Is Leon still intending to be a Dark Horse? Because he’s also using his magic very openly.

    • I think Alessandro figured out or suspect Linus is blood related to Catalina. He kept looking between Linus and Catalina and then Linus noticed and signaled to Alessandro with a small shake of his head. It will be interesting to see if Alessandro’s European background gives him access to information about that mysterious Greek family with the siren magic line and put Linus in that family/bloodline.

      • I got the same feeling. Alessandro definitely figured something out. Thing is Linus isn’t a siren. Isn’t their grandfather supposed to be one? It would also make sense the Caesar was a siren too for all the loyalty ppl feel for him

        • Isn’t it mentioned in an earlier book that the siren house doesn’t have any females and that it suggested that this was deliberate? Perhaps it manifests differently in the males? In a manner that isn’t fatal, as it is for the females if they aren’t appropriately protected when they use their powers.

        • Really, I no longer think of Linus as Caeser,I think he is bigger picture guy, not a romaine and croutons guy .I do think the strong link to the Baylors is a mystery which will hopefully unfold in the next 2 books. So when does the next one come out?

  166. Wonderful! Such a great book. House Andrews never disappoints. Also, thank you for the deleted snippets – they added to the book when I read the parts that connected to those scenes.

    I’d gladly preorder any books the Andrews were even considered writing. Looking forward to seeing this series evolve.

    • I love house Baylor! Saffire Flames was awesome; so many amazing stories eluded to in this one! It was a delicious chocolatey Turduckin! Thank you ❤

  169. Is anyone else but me having problems with their comments showing up? Mine only seem to post half the time, if that, and it’s super frustrating. I don’t know if this one will post.

  170. Dear House Andrews,

    Congratulations on another wonderful book. I finished it with *so* many questions (Linus!) and a Argh! No-one to talk to about it.

    I’m on the third reading because now I have time to slow down and take in all the details I missed the first time.

    Spoiler ahead (Maybe):

    When Nevada searches for Alessandro when Catalina freaks out and deletes her instagram account in Wildfire he is described as the second son of House Sagredo – so am hoping this leaves wiggle room for the Baylors to Baylor nap him into their house. Unless of course something terrible happened to the first son which is the reason for the secret mission he’s on.

    Looking forward to reading other’s theories.

    Have a well deserved break House Andrews!

  171. Thank you, Ilona Andrews. Nice story. Will wait patiently on next book. Sigh. Sigh. This one was worth the wait. Thank you.

  172. OMG OMG OMG!
    Wow. Just wow. I was thrilled with this book – the character and backstory development, and all the new world building is phenomenal.
    But… is Linus evil or not?? Is he 007 or SPECTRE?

    • What I love about these authors is that the characters they create can be complicated enough for the answer to be “yes.”

  173. I completely enjoyed this book! I had to force myself to put it down. Now i will re-read the whole series! I am looking forward to the next book! Thank you for all your stories and for your writing!

  174. I finished reading the book in one sitting. I did not sleep until I finished the last part
    It was plot after plot after plot.
    So many possibilities of other stories. Like, who really is Augustine.. what’s his story? Are we going to see his real face in the next installment? What really happened to his family?
    Then there’s Alessandro. What’s his story? Why is he called the artisan?
    The story is fast pacing. Though sometimes during the time I was reading I really wondered what’s the extent of Catalina’s power. Is there another level to her power?
    I miss Nevada and Rogan. What kind of power will their child have… possibilities..so much of it.

  175. This was worth the wait. Look forward to next book in series. So glad for more Grandma Freida and the rest of the Baylor’s.

  177. The only thing I did not like about the book was that it ended. I wanted it to keep going ….. Fabulous read. Thank you House Andrews for another thrilling adventure.

  178. I loved it. I read it over the day, tried not to binge, and then was so sad when it was over, yet happy that I could read it, then sad again because now I have to wait for the next one. Aaaaahhhhh!!! You do this to me every time…

  179. I’m dying here. How is Catalina’s deal with Duncan going to factor into the battle with Caeser? This is NOT going to go well for people…Also, happy hunting, Alessandro! Get your stuff done so you can get back to your girl~

    -Tiffany

  180. I absolutely loved it!! Can’t wait for the next one, but until then, can we pleaaaase have a short story about Nevada and Connor finding out they’re having a baby?

  181. Looking forward to the new book! I am saving it for my vacation next month. Curious to see where the series will go next.

    Thanks,
    Pamela

  182. I pre-ordered it on Amazon as an ebook. Got it first thing yesterday. I read about 43% of it(my Fire tablet tells me) and fell asleep on the couch with the tablet on my stomach! I can’t wait to finish it! I think Catalina nails it as head of House Baylor!! Having read that deleted scene that became a short story, I could laugh out loud about Leon and Grandma Freida and her Brick! Especially when Leon says it was nothing referring to his bleeding head. Love it so far.

  184. Really liked the book. My first thought after finishing, thank goodness House Andrews is working on the next book in the serious! Also, slightly bummed because the ending was sad. Going to be re-reading it and listening to it to find any nuances that I likely missed in the rapid first read.

    Can’t wait to find out the answers to all the puzzling questions!

    Will try to wait patiently for the next installment, but it will be really really tough. Love your books. Thank you very much!

  185. I’ve got every version of this book and they are all with it! Screamed through it in e book and now slowly working through the audio. I like your reader (I miss Renee’s version of Bug’s voice, but I’m sure I’ll get over it). If I had to pick one word to say at the end (besides OMG, your amazing) it would be chains. Chains that bind Catalina and Allesandro to who and what they are and their chosen responsibilities. I look forward, very much, to how things will play out.
    Still love Leon beyond measure. Watching Bern to see how that goes.
    This was fun, thank you!

  186. Nom, nom, nom … the sound of the BDH doing what BDH’s do best – devouring books! And I certainly devoured this one! Now I have to slow down and re-read it to see it in its full glory in light of the various revelations throughout the book. My perceptions of each of the characters (except the evilest baddie of the bunch) kept undergoing revisions as little pieces here and there kept falling into place. All I can say is … WOW! Please keep it up! Now, take a few days and rest on your laurels, and recharge for the next one. We are patient, and your books are well worth the wait!

  187. I love everything you write and I had to read this one in one sitting as well. After the last book I was convinced that Linus was Caesar, so I am happy to find that he is serving a greater good. I have also enjoyed getting to know you through your blog, and I am so grateful that you seem to have many writing years ahead of you! Ann

  188. Loved the book, but can’t believe it came out same day as new series of the Great British Bake Off!!!

  190. Another great book. The only downside is that it only lasted about 1.25 days!! I lost about a day of work ????

    Thank you. Waiting for the next one already.

    I really like Catalina, heart with depth. The rest of the family is getting more fleshed out as well. I may go reread them all as suggested above.

  191. Just finished!!
    The highlights of the book were Leon and Bug. Even Catalina’s thoughts about Bug were so funny, I was laughing out loud! I can’t wait to read future Leon and Bug books. 😉

    I really like Catalina, but I do wish that we had gotten more of Alessandro’s POVs. It was hard to really like him, I guess because he comes into the book so quickly and then we don’t learn much about him. I thought his Antistasi gift helped him repel mental attacks. But I guess he can also nullify them as well?

    Also, Augustine was super confusing to me in this book as well. Why did he pick up Matilda? So many unanswered questions! Maybe I just need to read the book again! 🙂

    • I’m glad someone else found it hard to like Alessandro. At times I found it difficult to see them as a couple.

      • I am not good at understanding relationships (Asperger’s diagnosed by doctor not me) and I found their relationship confusing. He kept deflecting her questions with sex which would seem to indicate a lack of respect for her. They don’t actually know each other just have a strong attraction. As the book revealed that the Instagram prince is just a cover for his vengeance quest. There were hints of good guy. The BDH take is positive. Could the BDH explain what they are seeing that I don’t so I can wrap my head around this. Don’t assume that I understand anything about relationships. Thanks.

  192. Quickly scrolling past the comments to avoid spoilers but so jelly of your appearance with Jessie – I absolutely love her books too! But very glad you’ll be appearing in London for Rare soon. Tickets to that were the first thing I bought with my first proper pay check. Like Halloween sweets, I’m guessing home baked goods won’t be appreciated, but if you could get any random good off a fan (even coffee) what would best help you?

  194. Loved it! I really liked that Catalina showed her fear and embarrassement, that made her seem more real to me.
    What bugged me was that the german word Backpfeifengesicht was spelled wrong, but hey that’s the german Korinthenkackerei speaking… You did great!

  195. In the encounter with Benedict at the gala, he is protected by an Aegis. In previous books we are informed that an Aegis protects against mental and physical attacks, yet Catalina seems to be able to bypass this to take control of him. How can that be unless Catalina’s magic is sight based and not magic based?

    • You need to go back and re-read that scene. When you do , you will see that the aegis was the target of Catalina’s attack.

      • Correct, but supposedly being in an Aegis shield (which the Aegis would be) makes them immune to her magic, but she is able to control the Aegis through the shield.

    • You need to go back and re-read that scene. Catalina targets the Aegis first , not Benedict. Once the Aegis was hers then she went after Benedict.

  196. Actually, I’d like a short story from Cornelius’s perspective on the boxer hunt and coming back to a blown-out warehouse. It would be hilarious.

  197. Thankyou so much for including Sgt. Teddy, and Matilda . Even though their appearances were brief they were really appreciated. More Cornelius please. Surprised at how sad the demise of the Warehouse made me. It was their home for 4 books and I grew attached to it almost like it was a character. Also, I don’t want Caesar to be Linus OR Montgomery! But who else could it be ?

    • +1 on the Warehouse. It was my shelter and my place where I kept the Baylors. I bawled when it came down. I get the symbolism, not the same Baylors and definitely not the same Catalina, she will be strong and honed and have a home to match…but my heart still broke.

  199. Really, I no longer think of Linus as Caeser,I think he is bigger picture guy, not a romaine and croutons guy .I do think the strong link to the Baylors is a mystery which will hopefully unfold in the next 2 books. So when does the next one come out?

  200. Almost done and I would like to wail and scream but I’m currently inside Starbucks waiting for labs and doctors so I’m making like Aggretsuko on the inside. Yes, I love it.

  201. I loved it – once again you knocked it out of the park! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Thanks for another great story.

  202. LOVED THE BOOK! I loved the chainsaw, shovel, safety goggles, purring cat … and so much more! House Andrews is brilliant! Thank you

  203. I loved the book cannot wait for more. Than you for all the hard work I know you both put into it. Give it a 5 star rating!

    • I finished the book after much struggle since I had to work, but I LOVED it!!!!! Can’t wait for the next one.

      I do have a question though, did I miss the explanation on why Linus Duncan has Catalina’s best interest at heart and why Alessandro was calling himself an idiot or are we still in the dark on that until next book?

          • I think he’s their grandfather! Catalina mentions he danced with Victoria and it seems like Alessandro looks at him like he notices a familial resemblance.

            • I thought the grandfather was a siren prime?
              Also I thought Linus was Cesar……I do so hate to be bored.

              • Victoria SAID the grandfather was a Siren Prime, and Nevada didn’t flag it as a lie, BUT Victoria is a Prime Truther Seeker with a mastery Nevada doesn’t possess. She could know how to deceive Nevada without being caught.

                Yes, Linus is Caesar, which is actually is further evidence of the relationship. One of the things mentioned about Caesar was how odd it was, the level of devotion he inspired in his followers. That always smelled like Siren power to me (remember Primes are often dual magic wielders).

                Consider Caesar’s behavior toward the Baylors in the 2nd book vs the 3rd book. In the 2nd book he hires a hit squad, and later arranges Nevada’s and Conner’s murder in the cistern. In the 3rd book, that level of aggression stops. He does attempt to abduct Nevada, but even she notes he wants her alive. Even after his own plan is destroyed by them, he never in the intervening three years seeks vengeance. He didn’t know the Baylor’s were Victoria’s grandchildren until the start of book three. I think that’s what motivated the change.

                In this book there are many clues pointing to the familial relationship. 1) He’s stayed very involved in their lives 2)He says he considers the Baylors “family” 3) He’s very dialed into to how Siren power works, 4) The thing Alessandro notices, given the fact he keeps looks back and forth between Catalina and Linus, must be a resemblance, and 5) There is clearly something to Alessandro’s guess because Linus silences him with a shake of his head, and 6) Alessandro’s comment about Linus being invested in her survival. She’s part of Linus’ legacy.

                • Wow, you really thought this through!
                  For me Linus was Cesar too, so I was really wondering why this change of behaviour. Thank you for the explanation.
                  And I loved the book. Finished yesterday night.

              • Wow Jen, that’s brilliant! It wasn’t until I read the series for the 3rd time that I finally noticed ‘I do so hate to be bored’, (my mind was freakin blown) but I never even considered that Ceasar suddenly didn’t retaliate.

                What if Victoria didn’t lie? If there are dark horses who register in their secondary power as Significants, there would have to be double Primes. They’d be incredibly rare, but maybe just rare and powerful enough to end up as Speaker of the Assembly?

                At the opera, Catalina learns that there’s always a table reserved for Linus, whether he attends or not. ‘For some reason’, that scares her more than all his weapons and exo-suits combined… Could this be a hint that Linus possesses a talent more powerful and terrifying than his registered talent? If he really is a secret double Prime and a Siren he would definitely be No.1 on Victoria’s genetics wish list. She’d never mix her genes with magic that would be inferior (House Shaffer) or incompatible. Also, old Vic deals in secrets, so if it’s true, she could have stumbled upon the information about Linus and kept it to herself. We don’t know if Linus has any children, do we?

                There’s also a Ceasar hint in SF when Catalina is appalled that a sadistic molester of women has been allowed to operate. Linus Duncan: “There are a great many things I would like to change.”

                I wonder if Duncan is friend or foe.

        • Maybe the family resemblence is in their magic not their faces so most others dont recognize it.

          • That’s an interesting point, especially since Alessandro is an Antistasi (sp) prime who is able to resist mental magic stuff, so maybe Duncan’s possible secondary siren magic doesn’t affect him as it does others (although I’m on the fence about Linus having some sort of siren magic, though I do believe that he is Caesar).

    • +1! I can’t wait for the next book, the next trilogy with Arabella, the next Iron Covenant! I just love y’all.

  204. LOVED it! Cannot wait to see what happens with Lina and Alessandro. I especially love her more cerebral take on things–not only does it show a growth in character development but growth from the authors as they develop their craft. KUDOS!! I hope it is a smashing success!!

  205. LOVED this. Really nice “First Book” since I’m dying to know what Alessandro’s deal is. I hope the sequel is planned for early 2020. 😉

  206. Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, I went into a movie theater to see this show called “Star Wars”.

    I came out saying “When is the next one out ????!!!!”

    Just finished Sapphire Flames … when is the next one out ????!!!!

    Congratulations on a great book !!!

  207. I wasn’t planning on staying up the whole night and day to finish it, but I couldn’t sleep anyway…
    If you are taking requests for short stories, I would love to see the side trip to Spain. Besides the reaction (of Rogan and his mom) to Nevada’s news, I’d like a catch up to Arrosa’s relatives. Are half of them still awful?

    • Wednesday is “make your own dinner” night at our house. I was so intent on finding out what happened next that I completely failed to eat dinner tonight. I loved it. I want more. How long must we wait? (Same goes for Innkeeper, Hugh, and Derek/Julie, but Hidden Legacy tops the list.)

      Deputy Catalina! You shot down a favorite theory of mine in the book but that’s all right.
      Ok, time for food.

  209. It’s such a shame that you two are human and can’t write a new book every week. There are no authors I enjoy more. This book is another winner and I am already impatient for more. When I’m reading Hidden Legacy they’re my favorites – when I’m reading Inn Keeper I switch. I look forward to EVERYTHING you write. Hope this is as successful as you deserve.

  210. Happy book birthday!! Waited impatiently until it was available (I’m in Australia, so that was 2:00pm my time!) and then devoured it in one. straight. hit. It was *that* good!
    Hope you get every award and all the recognition you deserve for this one! Thank you!!

  213. I had to put it down because, well, you know… work, bills, groceries. But I rushed back to it as soon as I got home again. I love seeing Catalina’s growth into a powerful young woman, but also her neuroses over relationships…. and Nevada’s revenge with the sparkly picture frame ????.

    Eagerly awaiting the next one.

  215. The book was absolutely fantastic. I’m so glad to find no major spoilers, here. I am one of those people who reads it all in a gulp. But I was out of internet range on Tuesday! I’m about to dive into my first re-read as well. You guys are so incredibly creative. I’m thankful for you every day I find joy in one of your books. And I re-read them often!

  216. I know it just came out yesterday, but… when will the next one be out? ???? I’ve already read it twice, and I need more. Please and thank you.

  217. I loved the book! But it made me hungry because of all the food included in the scenes! Fried Chicken, Tacos, Pithivier, Fajitas! Oh, that was torture while reading a book I can’t drop at 1AM in the morning. Devious, really devious Ilona and Gordon. I had FUN! ????????

  218. Loved it of course! So many unanswered questions-so many possibilities! Can’t to see where you take us next!

  219. So you totally surprised me with Linus, but in a good way! Very strong character and I look forward to the big reveal. It’s hard to believe I read the book already after waiting for it to come out. (I’m not complaining. I’m getting better at patience when it comes to waiting for your books. They are always so good, they deserve my patience!). Now I will order the Audible version and listen to it. I have to read it first before I can sit through the performance. You are both Prime Authors! Thank you!

  220. I liked it. Not as much as SOTB or I&M though. Catalina isn’t as compelling to me yet, but Alessandro was more interesting than I expected. Why did he kill the ame though? Just to stymie catal? Didn’t sig hire him to kill benedikt ? Was he just waiting to get a shot at Ben? Did sig think he could save her? A couple scenes were too similar to Nevada’s stories, like runa agreeing to work with aless just as Cornelius had with Rogan. I wished for more Runa, bugg (love his dialogue) and bern. It also Seemed too coincidental that aless & cat happened to be investigating the same woman and he’s also her lifelong crush (unless Linus somehow orchestrated all that?). Also the Marshall thing didn’t really go anywhere (….yet?) -I wanted her to whip out her tattoo badge! Also wth with aless not even saying ‘hey thanks for saving me’? She sacrificed a lot to get him out. I also wish Nevada had left the firm in a different way. Seriously though, I love these authors, I get so into their worlds, I hate leaving them. Thank you for another hit!

  221. Is Linus their Grandfather?
    I cannot remember where the grandmother got the sperm. I need to go reread.

    I thought he was Cesar but now not sure.

    • I remember thinking that Linus was Caesar but if he is he is playing a different game now. Also wondered if he is their grandfather. I seem to recall grandma Frida saying something about him having a dark eyed Scottish thing going, which suggests that he may have claimed Scottish ancestry before possibly settling in the States, but with enough money that sort of thing could possibly be falsified. Victoria said the grandfather was a Molpe but changed his name. You also have to wonder about something else. Their grandfather was a siren but Linus has different magic. However as Warden Linus had access to the Osiris serum and various varieties. Could he have used some variety of it on himself to give him a stronger magic? Loved the book. Can’t wait to see what happens next.

      • I agreed, Linus is Caesar, the “I do so hate to be bored line” AND the Nevada’s, Catalina, and Arabella’s grandfather. I believe the things Victoria told Nevada about their grandfather were lies. Yes Nevada is a truth seeker, but she’s not at Victoria level experience wise. If anyone could lie to Nevada and get away with it, it would be Victoria. Now Linus’ registered magic isn’t siren, but Primes of his level are usually dual magic users. The Siren genes might have passed down through a parent or grandparent. Primes typically like to keep people in the dark as much as possible about their abilities, so it would make sense Linus hid it. They discuss in the earlier book how fanatically devoted all those conspirators were to Caesar. To me that always sounded like an more advance expression of Siren ability.

        There would also be a parallel to the Nevada books, should Linus be their grandfather. The series is called Hidden Legacy. Nevada with her truth seeking deals with being Victoria’s legacy. Catalina with her Siren powers handles being Linus’, and if Arabella with her metamorphosis gets her own story maybe there would be some connection to the surrogate to handle.

  222. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
    Only on chapter 4
    How have I survived till now!
    Your writing is THE BEST
    (Scrolled swiftly & avoided reading any spoilers…)
    ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  223. I finished the book after much struggle since I had to work, but I LOVED it!!!!! Can’t wait for the next one.

    I do have a question though, did I miss the explanation on why Linus Duncan has Catalina’s best interest at heart and why Alessandro was calling himself an idiot or are we still in the dark on that until next book?

    • Linus appears to have no family himself and likes Victoria Tremaine, so maybe the Baylors are the closest he can come to passing down his legacy.

      • Perhaps Linus has carried a torch for Victoria for years.

        The Warden business sounds grueling.

        Linus and Victoria are probably not “compatible” magic wise.

        We know Victoria still pines for her lost love so Linus would be competing with a ghost.

        Now I want a Linus POV where a young Linus and young Victoria meet for the first time.

    • The implication is Linus is Catalina’s grandfather. Alessandro is looking back and forth between Linus and Catalina when he has his suspicion. He sees a physical resemblance and he’s and idiot for not seeing it sooner. He seems to be on the right track, because right after Linus notices Alessandro’s looks and shakes his head to silence him. Linus is invested in Catalina’s survival because she’s his…HIDDEN LEGACY. Linus almost certainly has Siren abilities as his secondary power, which is why he knows so much about how it works (something which perplexes Catalina).

  224. I loved it!!! I especially loved that you included the word “gigil” since it is in my language.
    When is the next one out please? LOL! We of the book reading horde are a demanding lot it seems! But seriously, will be patiently waiting for the next one to come out.

    Mabuhay po kayo! (loosely translated LIVE LONG and PROSPER).

  227. If Alessando is the “second son” in Wild Fire, than why did the “familiar feminine voice” call him her “only brother”??? Hmmm….. Is that who he is avenging?

  228. That ending…. completely, fully, utterly so classic Chinese drama…….while the heart-wrenching feels is lovely please binge on lots and lots of kdramas now. Bubbly, cute, and extremely happily ever after kdramas. Please and thank you very muchly!

  229. Wow! What a setup. I loved the book. I am really going to enjoy he next book. Thank you for the deleted scene explaining what Arabella, Leon & Grandma Frida were up to. I appreciated knowing when it came up in the book. I like that Catalina is very observant and knows when something is off. I also appreciate knowing what Linis’s ability is. So cool! Thanks

  230. Quick clarification. When Catalina refers to her wings, are they like a mental thing or does she literally sprout wings? And if yes, can we get some artwork for it!!
    LOVED THE BOOK. Finished reading it in hours and gonna start my first( of many) re-read soon!

    • +1
      I would love it if Doris of Disanthus.com would create the Catalina wings artwork.
      I bet it would look amazing. ????✨????

  231. I love that she rescued and named the dog Shadow. We had a rescue dog named Shadow many years ago. We rescued her from a school yard where the kids were throwing stones at her. She was all matted, thin and a mess. Lovely mixed terrier, she followed my mom and me everywhere, hence the name.

  232. I liked the subversiveness of calling people white instead of assuming they were. The story went in different directions than I had imagined, but that made it more interesting. The use of the word “prone” in this book did not slap me out of the story the way it has in other books. This is a major setup for the coming installments. Having the Yarrow episode already explained helped a lot!!

    Looking forward!!!!!!!!

  233. Does anyone think Alessandro has a bit of siren in him? I can’t tell if Catalina is just besotted/in love or if he was actually beguiling her (on purpose or not).

    Also, what are the limits of Linus’s magic? Does he have to know how to construct the weapons? Or just have touched it? Seen it? It just has to exist? Does he have to train to use his power?

    I have so many questions!

    • I think Catalina’s just besotted, because I believe Alessandro’s secondary power has to do with his jumping off high things and disappearing all the time.

      • YES! How is he always jumping from high places with impunity??? Also, Jen, you’ve convinced me that Linus may well be Victoria’s sperm donor, and the whole “sperm for money” story was a red herring that she threw out to keep the Baylors off the scent. Can’t wait to find out!

  234. I really liked Sapphire Fire.

    The Baylor family are one of my favorite blood-related families by House Andrews. They are a lot of fun.

    On the first reading Sapphire Flames was a little rough because Burn For Me has the genius Rogan prologue. Absolute genius that gets better every time I read it.

    But Sapphire Flames does not have a Alessandro prologue, so for part of the book I thought Alessandro was a hallucination/ illusion/ shape shifter.

    As a fellow writer, I loved the transition between the two Baylor Detective Agencies. As a reader, it feels really rushed. I would have loved a short storyline between.

  236. Amazing, as always! I love your kick-@$$ female characters and Catalina is no exception. Best wishes for a very prosperous happy book birthday!

  237. I really enjoyed the book and lost a lot of sleep over it, like many others in the BDH. Catalina grew up in the same household as Nevada and has the same values, but her voice is totally different from Nevada’s. Catalina has definitely matured, but her voice still “sounded” young, and like she didn’t have it all together YET, which is fitting for her age and personality. Alessandro annoyed me when he kept getting rid of folks that Catalina was trying to question, but otherwise, he was great and different from Rogan. I can’t wait to find out why he couldn’t stay with his “angel.”

    There were also many things I loved about the story outside of the main characters. I liked reading about the issues the Baylors were having with their security team and how they realized what the problem was and tried to fix it. I liked witnessing the possible budding relationships between Runa and Bern and between Penelope and Benjiro. I felt sad to hear the news about Napoleon, but I loved the addition of Shadow. The scenes with Arabella, Grandma Frida, Bug, and Leon were hilarious, and the part with Matilda and the purring/growling Zeus had me laughing out loud! Also, I sooo need to know just what it is that Alessandro appeared to figure out about Linus Duncan and Catalina/ the Baylor family!!!

    Thank you, House Andrews for another great addition to my library! I can’t wait for the next book! 🙂

    • My assumption for the Linus/Catalina “discovery” was their similarity in looks. Alessandro realized they were related, but Linus had him be quiet.

      I also loved the scenes between Penelope and Heart. I hope we get to read a short story of their romance, since I see them getting together before Catalina and Alessandro do.

  238. It was awesome! Thank you for another great read. I’m going to try to wait a full week until I read it again. Is the next one almost done? LOL (NO, that was definitely NOT a serious question.)

    I hope you’ll take a little vacation from writing and enjoy basking in the glory of another success. You deserve it.

  239. I had a lot of fun reading this book.
    Linus is definitely Caesar, and Catalina bears a familial resemblance to him. As to what Caesar wants beyond the interesting ??? Maybe he just wants the power hungry sadists like Adam Pierce to take the blame and die/be incapacitated. Or maybe he does want to head New Rome after killing off all the parts of current society that he despises (and/or opposes him).
    I’m so happy to know Linus’s official designation. Perhaps he’s a Dual Prime with a Charisma based secondary power.

    Questions:
    -In regards to Victoria (and the paternal grandfather of the Baylors), can an experienced truthseeker Prime successfully lie to another less experienced truthseeker Prime (Nevada)?
    Or give a partial truth? Considering it was in vitro fertilization, genetic manipulation could be on the table, including adding in Linus’s genes as a third donor (I’ve read Sci-Fi where there were more than 2 bio-parents). After all Linus is cozy with gene experts Scroll.
    But would magic still be passed on with genetic manipulation?

    – What are the rules for who has to reveal their power designation? Nevada’s Truthseeker status was broadcast in the Assembly newsletter, so is it only the first head of a hopeful house that has to disclose during the application process (and if so does everyone in the Assembly then assume that House Baylor will be predominantly a truthseeker house)? Would the Assembly speaker have to disclose? Or would it be assumed due to his House designation?
    And what about Nevada’s Dual status? The Magus Sagittarius wasn’t tested during the trials, so is that still a secret? Or is it known to be in the House because the mom & maternal grandfather would be in the military databases?
    Yep, I’m a bit unclear as to what is public knowledge (like on Herald), what seems like an open secret (military databases – or maybe this just seems like an open secret given Baylor P.I. access) or House gossip, and what is truly secret (dark horses and extent of known powers).

    -Was Scroll present during the Baylor trials? I’m curious as to if the non-Baylor participants had to be authenticated beforehand (i.e. do Alessandro’s genes match up with the official Sagredo bloodline?)

    -I’m not sure what to think about Victoria’s stated disappointment in Nevada (“failed me”). If Victoria was going to give Nevada to Rogan, wouldn’t Catalina had to have been Victoria’s heir and future head of House Tremaine anyway? After all, she tells Catalina that “You can’t belong to two Houses at once; you have to choose. If you marry into a powerful House, you’ll choose your husband over your House the way Nevada did.” So is Victoria just trying to establish a relationship/rapport by saying this?

    • I fully agree on the Linus is Caesar. As to what he wants…I think he honestly wants to change the word for the better. I believe Cornelius once said something along those lines, “he was honest and he tried to change the Assembly for the better.” Prime society is petty, violence, and selfish. All these incredible powers and very few mages use those abilities for the public good. Finding himself unable to effect change in a democratic system of government, he sought to impose one that would given him the abilities to achieve what he wanted. This may or may not be fueled by personal tragedy, possibly the woman he mentioned to Nevada.

      I also think Victoria, experienced truth seeker about able to lie about their grandfather, which is why I think Linus’ dual ability is Siren, like Catalina, hence the devotion of his followers.

      Good questions about disclosure. Maybe it’s just head of house upon formation? I don’t think anyone discloses secondary, since they don’t need it for status. I believe it was stated that people reveal just enough to qualify for the Prime perks and that’s it.

      Alessandro may not use scroll, and I don’t think they’d check his bloodline for the testing, just his qualifying exam results. I was thinking something similar in regards to Alessandro’s secret, though I might be leaning toward bastard child of the mother’s (not technically a biological Sagredo and a count).

      • I mostly agree. But I don’t hink Linus’s aspirations are so pure. His siren’s power may provide him the option to lie and sound sincere while doing it. (In example, Catalina’s magic minions love her unconditionally. Independently of the veracity of her statements). Would Victoria consider this possibility beforehand? I think so. But she wouldn’t care. Both seem to consider the end justify the means, so they’ll think their bad deeds (if they retain the capacity to identify them as such) are a “necessary evil”. After all, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”.

    • Interesting questions!

      – I don’t think Truthseekers would necessarily be better liars. Both Victoria and Nevada are Primes, which means their magic never misfires. It doesn’t seem likely that one would be able to lie (or half-lie) to the other undetected.

      – There could have been DNA-tampering, but what would be the point? Using the Beast of Cologne as a surrogate meant 3 different magical influences already and it’s suggested in the series that Victoria Tremaine suspected as much. Why manipulate the genes and risk a magic-warped child? However, it’s very likely that Catalina’s Siren-talents stem from the sperm donor and SF hints that Linus Duncan is that donor.

      – I thought it might have been a combination of age and the fact that they didn’t need register more than 2 Primes for the formation of House Baylor? I remember both Nevada’s and Bern’s talents were accessible in the database. If Catalina’s and Arabella’s records remained sealed because they were minors (as in, under 21) then Catalina’s talent should soon be accessible in the database too? Except that nobody would know what it meant because only the designation is published. So it would say ‘Siren’ and nothing else. Like how ‘Truthseeker’ reads like ‘lie-detector’ even though a true Prime could lobotomize a person on sight.

      – No, one would typically only register in their strongest magical designation. Secondary powers don’t have to be revealed in the trials, that’s how Houses hide their Dark Horses. They register as Average or Significant in their secondary talent but are really Primes working as assassins, for instance.

      – I was curious about this too. After Nevada’s trials and displays of power (think of her circle that was instantly recognized as a Tremaine pattern and then the family of Alexander Sturm begged Nevada to keep their father’s/husband’s mind intact), it should be common knowledge amongst the Houston houses that Nevada, Catalina and Arabella are Tremaine granddaughters and that Nevada is just as powerful as her grandmother. That alone should be enough to give anyone pause. But on Herald, according to Arabella, House Baylor was seen as some hillbilly poor new house, to be looked down upon. And at the Opera, a girl derisively asks Alessandro: ‘What are you doing here with Catalina Baylor’? Clearly she thought he was slumming it with some trash nobody, while her dumped niece came from perfect breeding. Old money still trumps talent in the eyes of many a society.

      – I thought that if you wanted to partake in a trial, you had to be registered at a DNA database, either Scroll or one of their competitors.

      – Victoria was just stating the facts the way she sees them. Nevada doesn’t care for status or politics. Tremaine is disappointed in Nevada because Nevada could have built a new Truthseeker dynasty, but instead chose to marry into House Rogan, meaning her children won’t be members of House Baylor, and might not even be Primes. Giving up the position as Head of a House would be inconceivable for Tremaine too. Of her 3 granddaughters, Catalina is most likely able to carry on the Tremaine genes as Head of a House, seeing as how Arabella has more surrogate-DNA and she probably wouldn’t care for the position anyway.

      I’m guessing here that houses with only Prime daughters die out UNLESS those daughters manage to have children that aren’t claimed by the house(s) of their father(s) and one of their (grand-)kids is a Prime. This would be complicated because magically gifted fathers tend to claim their progeny for their own House, so that leaves either sperm donation or a marriage contract stating beforehand that the children will belong to the house of the mother. The only other way for a House with only Prime daughters to survive would be if Average/Significant male members of the House manage to breed ‘up’ and create a new Prime within 2 generations that way. Basically, if Catalina and Arabella married a member of another House just like Nevada did, the next generation of House Baylor could only consist of Bern’s and Leon’s children. If their children weren’t Primes who also didn’t produce Primes, House Baylor would be a failed vector and die out, no matter how many Prime kids and grandbabies Nevada, Catalina and Arabella had. Those (grand-)kids would simply be the future of the Houses they married into and not the future of House Baylor.

      Which is why it would be very impractical for one of the Baylor girls to still be Head of House Baylor after marriage. Why stay on as Head of your maiden House when you’re going to be raising the next generation for another House? It could easily become a conflict of interest as well. Bern would most likely become Head of House Baylor instead and that would be perfectly fine. But Bern doesn’t have Tremaine blood and he might not care at all for the political and genetic future of House Baylor, which does make it problematic in Victoria’s eyes.

      So when Catalina asks Victoria for help, Victoria asks why she should care. Catalina tells her that Victoria doesn’t want to see House Baylor fail because everyone knows that the Baylor girls are really Tremaine granddaughters. To which Victoria basically replies: ‘if you’re going to play countess somewhere in Italy in a few years, House Baylor will fail anyway. If you want me to care for House Baylor, then so should you. Promise me that you’re committed to birthing 2-3 Prime House Baylor members in the future, no matter the personal cost, and I’ll help you.’

      It’s just brutal logic on Tremaine’s part. I LOVED that part of the book, incidentally.

      My questions are: would Alessandro renounce his family and his title for Arabella in favor of House Baylor (probably), would they be genetically compatible for making Prime babies (maybe?), is Victoria Tremaine scouring the DNA databases for possible marriage candidates for Catalina as we speak and would she care for age or appearance at all in possible candidates? Could she expect Catalina to marry a 60-year old bastard Prime / former Dark Horse who can be bought from his house for a lot of money or a divorced Prime who didn’t have Prime children in his first marriage who wouldn’t mind leaving his House for another go at it in House Baylor? Would it be common for sole Prime daughters to pull a classical porn-star move in loveless contract marriage situations, meaning: find an ancient Prime willing to renounce ties to his House and hope he dies after 2-3 kids are conceived? Would Alessandro have to fight a battle over the quality of his sperm with an old guy or some dipshit loser as well as winning over Catalina’s bruised heart? Awesome, delicious, medieval stuff. I so can’t wait for the next books. 🙂 🙂 🙂

      • Wait, I forgot! Bern is a Significant and Leon doesn’t want to register, so in that case one of the Baylor girls really has to be Head of House and for the future survival of House Baylor, one of the girls would really need a sperm donor, or a marriage contract in which the partner agrees that the children will belong to House Baylor and not to the father’s House. OK, aaaand we’re back.

        • I don’t think they’d need a marriage contract or anything, the husband would just have to join House Baylor instead of the girl joining the husband’s house.

      • I don’t think houses with Prime daughters die out, I think they have to find husband willing to marrying into their house, like a Prime son. I don’t think men automatically get to stay with their own house and women go. I believe Nevada married into House Rogan because they needed the numbers. A heir or head of house might will marry a second or third son depending on what’s being negotiated in the marriage contract. Of course in House Baylor’s case, because they are a young House with limited resources, they are in a tough negotiating position. While I can certainly imagine a fair few would be interested in acquiring them, especially since Penelope’s family seems to be rising vectors(Leon and Berns magic in addition to the sisters all seem to have more magic than their parents), I doubt they want to surrender their sons into a statistically likely to fail. Not to mention the Baylor can’t afford to compensate them for the loss of a Prime, like Rogan’s father did with his mother’s family.

        • Thank you, that makes sense! I forgot about Rogan’s father.

          You’re right, families would simply choose the child who’s a Prime in their specialty as the Heir and sell one or both other kids to other Houses. If the youngest of three kids is a girl, but she’s a Prime and she alone inherited the lucrative family talent, then she’d be the Heir regardless of age or gender.

          I was confused in Sapphire Flames because Nevada stays on as head of House Baylor after she marries Rogan. But she would have been part of House Rogan since her wedding day, wouldn’t she? Catalina feels guilty about the way Nevada passed on the title to her, but Alessandro tells her that ‘it had to happen’, which I took to mean that Nevada would have simply been too busy to serve both houses. It wasn’t clear to me that Nevada couldn’t have been Head of House Baylor in an official capacity anyway, because 2 heads of houses can’t be married to each other.

      • Reading your very thoroughly written theories made me think of something with regards to the whole Catalina promising Victoria to prioritize House Baylor over Alessandro. So the first 3 books were all about this huge overarching plot about essentially throwing over the status quo; getting rid of the toxic and overwhelming influences of “Houses.” I don’t think that’s just going away. I think at some point in the series, Linus is going to die (just a wild guess), but I also think that the “Houses” won’t matter as much as they do anymore, or it’ll be destabilized enough somehow that Catalina and Alessandro will be able to be together. So why would Victoria force Catalina to make a promise that essentially holds up the idea of a powerful House when she’s been involved in a conspiracy against all Houses? I wonder if she’s (Victoria’s) more sensitive than she appears (she does call herself sensitive) and wouldn’t actually want to seriously prevent Catalina from being with someone she loves.

        This might not make sense, or maybe I totally misunderstood the point of the first 3 books/am way off, but I’m trying to loophole my way out of the angst of Catalina and Alessandro not being together…

  240. Loved this book so much! Both whimpered in excitement and laughed out loud at regular intervals. You are such brilliant writers!
    Unsure about Linus though… Think he is the grandfather but not sure about Caesar? Maybe Caesar but with more complex goals/reasons than we thought from Nevada’s series?
    Love Alessandro as her hero – such a beautiful tortured bad boy. And an excellent damsel in distress to be rescued!

  241. I adjusted my work schedule to be able to read Sapphire Flames. I’m glad that I did. It was worthy and I’ll do it again. But (please consider I’ve just finished, so I’m just writing to get these feelings out of my system) I was a bit uncomfortable reading this infatuated-and-in-love rollercoaster because some behavioural patterns could be protocolized into a To-Avoid-In-Dating-Guidelines-book in the real world. Alessandro and Catalina aren’t experts, and I don’t consider myself one either, but… I guess I felt out of my comfort zone [Once upon a time I had similar feelings about Curran’s invasion of Kate’s personal space (but the I’m just not a man but-also-a-lion-and-this-is-part-of-my-courting-dance justification I couldn’t apply to Alessandro) and Rogan & Nevada’s relationship development after he kidnapped her (Back then, if “Burn For Me” weren’t written by IA I’m not sure I would have finished the book). Maybe I felt uncomfortable due to their youth too]. Perhaps, like Karat said, “I’m entirely too sane for that nonsense”. I hope to be able to emphasize differently in the future. Nowadays I love all books in the Hidden Legacy Series, but I liked the romantic-relationship-aspect of Rogan & Nevada’s trilogy more after the first book. So it’s likely I’ll change my mind about Catalina and Alessandro as well. A little food for thought: Catalina has idolized Alessandro for years, so I can understand why she focus so much on his appearance… But when even Bug made a comment about how good he looks, I thought: Not you too, please! I’m sorry, but I felt praise and worship to Alessandro was repetitive. So far, those are the only less-possitive-things that come to mind. Besides that, I loved the “easter eggs” and “the balanced news” (Shadow was introduced but Napoleon died a year ago, the warehouse was totaled but Nevada’s pregnant, and so on). Overall, this is my favourite background of all your Series. If there was a master’s-in-book-crafting award, I would have already nominated you for it.
    P.S: For additional therapy I’m going to write a chapter’s recap. Could I share it on Goodreads and/or in here, or would you consider it too much? Thank you.

    • This is partly why I think Alessandro is also a siren of some sort or something similar. People are drawn to him. His most distinguishing feature is that he’s attractive. The only other person described that way is Augustine, except in his case we know it’s because of his illusions.

    • I agree on the praise, it emphasized the superficial attraction and that grated on me because I didn’t see what made Catalina love the person inside the pretty shell.

      However, I LOVE the kidnapping-scene from Burn For Me, thought the Kate Daniels glue to chair thing was funny as heck and when I read Twilight as a teenager, it never occurred to me to think it creepy that Edward was watching Bella sleep even though it clearly should have. I guess Alessandro is doing the same thing. Dropping by, saying hi… I thought it was funny and romantic, actually. I have no clue why and that’s probably not the healthiest response, but there you have it.

      • Alessandro defender here! *grin*
        I totally loved Alessandro. He does keep pushing and teasing, but (unlike Rogan when he first met Nevada) he never threatens Catalina in the slightest. At the mall, he talked her into getting in his car instead of picking her up and putting her into it, even though he was very exasperated by her resistance and they didn´t have much time. In her bedroom, when he told him to leave, he eventually did. He lets her make her own choices and he never forces her to do anything or tries to manipulate her in a sneaky way (remember Rogan trying to trap Nevada in a circle right after their disastrous first meeting/kidnap? Alessandro never did anything remotely like that).
        Also, he is much that she admires. He can be the cold killer, but also sensitive and caring (two sides Catalina struggles to reconcile for herself). Plus, he is a social chameleon, able to seem confident and comfortable in very different situations. And he´s honest with Catalina, he lets her see all those different sides to him (Instagram Alessandro, assassin Alessandro and so on) and as far as I can tell, he never lied to her. He´s never judgemental of her, even though he is perceptive enough to realise she isn´t your typical Prime. He can also take a joke that totally destroys the image of cool badass (habanero!).
        And he´s an intriguing mystery.

        • Overall I like Alessandro’s character as well. But I’m sure that I’ll probably like him more in future books, that’all 😉
          In my previous comment I described my feelings mostly from chapter 9.
          P.S: I laughed out loud at Kate’s chair scene. The bedroom scenes are the problematic ones for me (I guess because the bedroom is like a sanctuary to me, a place to be invited into and never to be intruded).
          Other P.S: I didn’t feel praise and worship to Alessandro was undeserved. More like it was repetitive without necessity. I tried to translate my “Ok, I get it he’s hot but I don’t need to be reminded of it in every chapter” feeling translated into other words. I’m not sure I was able to, so there you have it 🙂

          • I totally get what you mean! I think it was emphasized like this because his looks are a weapon that he uses on a regular basis – he flirts, teases and dazzles his way out of having to answer questions. And of course they do help maintaining that playboy image. His hotness is much more central to his character than to Rogan or Curran, neither of whom seems to care much for his looks.
            That said, it feels like Rogan´s hotness is pretty much mentioned in every chapter of White Hot and Wildfire too, only it`s more in term of how much Nevada wants to have sex with him. Catalina is a bit more romantic as character, she keeps trying to tell herself it´s just a dream.
            (And Grandma Frida always loves taking pictures!)

            I totally understand about the bedroom, I´d also be creeped out as hell. However, different world and all that, so I think it was mostly a tactic to unbalance her and get a chance to talk to her in private.

            PS Kate´s chair scene was hilarious!

            • @ Emerald:
              “However, different world and all that, so I think it was mostly a tactic to unbalance her ”

              Perhaps that’s part of my problem with SF. We are reading an urban fantasy by definition, so “the bending” of real world’s rules are no just expected but welcome. Nevertheless, social interactions (look at the lovable Baylors i.e) remain realistic (despite the magical elements) So… even if Alessandro’s body is weaponized (I agree and I loved that you pointed it out) I still think it was emphasized too much (By the way, I also think Rogan’s body has been praised too much. It’s why I usually avoid his descriptions and jump directly to verbal quotes) Furthermore, I think (and I believe Alessandro was more curious about Catalina than trying to disbalance her) that the lack of respect for the bedroom’s privacy is one of the very little consistent flaws in IA’s writing (and not a flaw per se, because the scenes are well written and the dialogues are funny. A flaw in the sense that, for me, the idea that the characters decide to trespass is unrealistic. I repeat to avoid missunderstandings: A flaw in the sense that it’s too unrealistic for my personal taste. Nothing else and nothing more).
              Probably, in regards to this point, it will be easier to agree to disagree 😉

              • Cristina, I get your point. I really do. UF is still about people and the general framework of norms for social interactions in the Hidden Legacy world isn´t too far from ours. (Though I would add, the world of Primes is another than that of Baylor family – but you`re right, strictly speaking Primes should generally respect each other´s privacy to avoid a confrontation from which they can´t come back. Simply because their talents are so often lethal, there ought to be an understanding of the term “privacy”.) So yes, I agree it´s unrealistic for Alessandro to trespass so nonchalantly and violate Catalina´s privacy in that manner. It`s the “I do whatever I please and if you don`t push back hard I assume you want me to” mentality. Seriously annoying.

                I think here it´s done because of Catalina´s character – physical attraction and sex is something she seems to have very little experience with, which is why it flusters her so and offers such comic potential which was wonderfully realized in that scene – and also partly because of the genre. Unfortunately, UF romance seems to be populated with extremely dominant alpha males who don´t know the meaning of the terms privacy and respect. Compared to Rogan´s kidnapping of Nevada, Alessandro is actually toned down quite a bit on that stereotype (thank you, IA, thank you ever so much for that!!). Maybe that makes the bedroom scene stand out even more, though, especially since it led to Alessandro getting his way (the agreement to work together, which gave him a way to keep an eye on Catalina and interact more with her).

                • I also think IA is very talented. I’ve checked out different authors and genres looking for “book scapism” and they are between the few whose books I blindly buy. They have earnt my admiration ♡ So, like you have helped me understand, perhaps I’m being too harsh with them this time 🙁

  242. When Natasha said “He isn’t who he says he is. His family is—”, that means Alessandro is not actually a Sagredo, right?

    We know they will end up together. Catalina has to stay with her house. Sagredo would never let go of someone like Alessandro… Unless he wasn’t a Sagredo in the first place.

    There are 2 Antistasi Houses in the US, 5 in the EU. (Presumably, the ones in Africa and Asia don’t look Italian.) So does he come from a different house? Was he the result of some unexpected pairing?

    That combined with his “certain reputation” that he had since he was a teen. Hmm…

    • But if he’s not a Sagredo but so famous, wouldn’t the Sagredo family have said something? Maybe he’s a bastard child, like in the fanfic.

    • My current theory is that Alessandro is the illegitimate child of a woman with powerful magic who married into the family. I think he’s the result of an affair. There’s a line in the book about the fanfiction about secret children running around the world having adventures, that reminded me about the dark horse line from White Hot. They dismiss it as far fetched and uncommon, yet it does occur in the book first with David, then Leon.

      Since the Sagredo family is described as being super elitist they probably did not treat him well. I thought Catalina misinterpreted Alessandro’s comment about his family not understanding and not deserving to meet Catalina. They don’t deserve it, because they aren’t worthy of meeting her, not the reverse. They wouldn’t understand because to them Alessandro isn’t a relative they want to find happiness, he’s just a tool they’re using for their own ends. The exception to this rule is likely his half sister. I think what Alessandro is searching for is his legitimate older brother’s killer/what happened to him.

      As for his potentially having Siren’s powers, I don’t think so because we’ve already seen he has the ability to jump off of high place and disappear. That doesn’t seem related to the rest of his powers, so I think that is his secondary ability.

      • Yes to one of your last observations. I interpreted the bit about Catalina meeting Alessandro’s family as “they’re not worthy to meet you; they’re not good people and you are”. I’m surprised some readers saw it as the opposite. We must have read everything from a different perspective.

    • What if Alessandro is a Sagredo, but the family isn´t what everyone thinks? I find it very strange that in a world where family is everything, obsessed Catalina gives us next to no details about his family!! Now this may be cliché, but I`m thinking organized crime here. Imagine a House running the mafia!
      Plus, the overarching story for the Catalina trilogy seems to center on the Osiris serum theft and resulting experiments. What if Alessandro´s family is mixed up in this – and he knows it? His hunt is something deeply personal and the Diatheke files apparently helped him track his target. His father, maybe? Or the older brother?
      And then there´s Alessandro´s versatile range of talents and his secrecy about them. Antistasi Prime, able to materialize copies of weapons from a fairly far radius, able to disappear/jump from heights without harm (short-range teleport, maybe?). And when he stabbed Conway, Catalina´s magic spark and she wasn´t sure if she could take him despite her own Sagittarius talent and her training.
      So, loony theory: Alessandro´s family has one Osiris serum sample and used it to enhance his abilities or give him some more. He found out, resents them for it, and is hunting down the guilty family members. In fact he might even be acting as an Italian Warden.

  244. OMG. Your books are addictive. Book purchased and devoured in the same evening. Loved it. Had me laughing a lot. But I am still chortling over grandma frida’s comment about wanting to use the tank because it doesn’t leave much behind. Grandma frida is awesome. Thanks for writing. Your books keep getting better every publication.

  245. Hello, this might not be the right place but for weeks now I have problems with downloading e-book version of Sweep Of The Blade from the seller Bol.com in the Netherlands, and they let me hang with it. I bought other e-books before and after, and downloading to ADE 4.5 was never a problem, so I think something is wrong with the ebook of Sweep Of The Blade that they are distributing.
    I cannot be the only one with this problem, so for your sake too: Who can I contact to correct this?

    • I too got SotB from that source, and I have zero problems with the file. So it may not be a problem with the file, sorry to say. In any case, this is not something the authors can help you with at all, I’m afraid, they have absolutely no influence on this. Bol needs to step up. Have you tried opening the file on any other platform? A different tablet, reader or desktop?
      Good luck, I hope you’ll get it to work!

  247. @ Laurie: Technically the A.M.E was already killed (the moment Runa poisoned him) Alessandro “just” accelerated his death.
    I think Linus is more interested in his relation with Catalina than Alessandro, so he did the binding to her and proposed the tradicional “House arrangement” to Alessandro: a temporal contract to save face. Linus said that Catalina’s had had more Prime options at her disposal. So I assume, if the decision was up to Linus, he’ll prefer to pair Catalina with a Prime but-no-Alessandro alternative. And the henchpeople from “Guardians” didn’t attack after Celia because, if I remember the scene correctly, they were alteady death or dying.

  248. A very gud book. But I don’t feel a connection to Catalonia or Alessandro. Maybe their characters will develop further in the next 2 books. Also I feel there is a lack of emotional bond between them. I remember Nevada’s first thought of Rogan….when she watched dat video n she thought abt the look in his eyes n the expression on his face. When u think of Rogan-fierce comes to mind. Alessandro – handsome…..but what kind of handsome…it’s 2 general.
    I have always loved ur wrk n will continue to do so. But I think dat ur editors r interfering too much with ur style. What u gave us on the blogs n what is written in the book….blogs scenes r warm…books scenes r dry….clinical
    I could be wrong.

  249. I have really enjoyed the book and was just wondering about some things maybe the Horde could give their opinions on:
    1. the serum. Linus said that 20 years ago a sample was stolen from China and used by a lab run by an alliance of French Houses. He also said it took the international assemblies to stop them. Alessandro would have been a child at the time but could a member of his family have been involved, either as a victim or perhaps harmed in the process of stopping it? Could this be why he went to Texas? Perhaps to stop someone who is experimenting with the serum? I also wondered if he could have been adopted following the incident.
    2. Caesar. He didn’t have any concerns about unleashing some really nasty people on the city. How did he plan to keep control afterwards?
    3.Finally, at the end of Wildfire Victoria tells him there is nothing he can offer her to gain her support. He says we’ll see and now Catalina is visiting her and giving her exactly what she wants – a family and a House to work with. Makes you wonder.

  250. Vunderbar! I really can’t wait for the sequel already!!! I loved how you really put a great background in the book, I remember you saying a while back that y’all didn’t know what the book was about yet. Well, you sure figured it out! Fabulous 🙂

  251. Is it weird that I am secretly hoping Alessandro dies in a tragic fight to save Catalina, but Cornelius is a constant presence in her life to help pick up the pieces? And that they end up being together?

    Ok, maybe that is just me.

    • No, it’s kind of me too. I loved the plot line, I loved Linus, Penelope, Heart, Leon, arabella, matilda, Zeus, Bug (the list goes on) and I really liked Catalina. And I can see the journey the family is on, particularly without Nevada. In short I liked it a lot but alessandro just wouldn’t come into focus for me. It was a great book, I still ignored the kids for hours to read it, but I didn’t love him, except for his ability to materialise any weapon nearby!! Now that was cool.

  252. Happy book birthday! I loved it just as I love all your work. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. Also, thank you for describing white men as white men. It means so much to me that you’re making the conscious choice to break the assumption that all characters are white until or unless described otherwise. I believe it’s those little choices that will make all the difference in the world I want to live in. Thank you and bless you. I wish you happiness and continued success. Much love.

  253. Thank you very much for “tartled” I have tartled my whole life, and never knew there was a word for it. Now I do.

    (Oh, by the way, thank you for the rest of the book.)

  255. I reread all the Hidden Legacy books to prepare. That was fun. And I just finished Sapphire Flames. My jaw is on the floor. What? What happened?! The good news is there has to be another book at some point. The bad news: he walked away because he had to and Catalina is being noble…again. I want to slap both of them. I’m going to have to reread Innkeeper again. I love you guys but this was mean…. Hope you’re having fun with all the gallivanting.

  256. You used sororicide! Awesome!

    Wonderful as always. Really enjoying Catalina as a protagonist, though I do hope we get a bit more Nevada next go around.

    I hope Penelope is able to find some happiness with Heart, she deserves it after all she’s been through. Her life isn’t over yet l.

    Definitely see the influence Cdramas are having on your writing in the ending. Oh Alessandro.

    Can’t wait for more of the Linus/Ceasar storyline (he does so hate to be bored).

  257. Awesome book, just finished second reading.

    Just figured out only one of the five missing serums was found at the lab. Four to go.

    I also thought Grama Frida was just being cheeky by wiggling her fingers at Linus, now I am wondering if they are related by blood or old combat buddies.

    • I finished the book on Saturday morning and have been germinating on it since. I have not read anyone’s post about the books except the 4-5 before mine. I loved the book overall. Thought there were a few times when it didn’t flow well or jive but it’s hard to put my finger on that. However, I loved it overall and love how you have built this world . You have put such thought into creating their world. It’s a hard world and it reminds me of the medieval times when the smartest, strongest and baddest survived. The family characters have developed and matured and thought it great that Arabella drives a Mercedes ????. I thought you handled Catalina’s feelings for Alessandro and how she viewed herself as things went along and when it didn’t work out how she had hoped they would go well. To me it was very realistic for a young woman who had lived such a sheltered life. I’m glad things did not tie up with a neat bow at the end of the book too. I like that Alessandro has some family issue going on which we will see develop in the next installment. I expect though he will be surprised with the next version of Catalina that he meets. I think he will be very surprised. He first thought of her as nice and shy. Now she is beautiful, conniving, and confident. Next he may meet a a very direct and maybe pissed off woman who has a few new things to surprise him with. Ha! Parts of me wants them to bump into each other somewhere that’s not in Houston. Thank you!

  258. Nevada had to save Houston; Catalina has to save the world. I think Arabella should have to save the universe. In all honesty though, this was amazing. I just finished my first re-read and caught a lot of things I missed the first go around.
    I absolutely adore Alessandro. I am so interested to know what’s really going on with him. As for Ms. Catalina? She is, quite literally, the most savage of the sisters. They say power rests best with those who don’t really want it, and she is the perfect example of that.
    House Andrews, you’ve outdone yourselves once again. Thanks so much for the fantastic book. I can’t wait to see where the rest of this Epicness goes.

  260. Excellent start for Catalina, congratulations!

    I have to respectfully question the premise that Linus is Caesar. It’s a little too overt and Linus has been very much in power before, and now with the Warden revelation, we see he’s still very much in the power structure. With that much scrutiny, it would be tough to be under the radar as much as Caesar has shown himself to be.

    When Nevada saves Victoria at Takara, Victoria tells her to “not take” the deal with the Keeper. Also, Michael states, “A mistake”. We can infer he means Nevada saving Victoria, but also it could be that Michael thinks Nevada’s choice to owe the Keeper a favor is a mistake.

    I believe that Caesar’s final identity reveal will be a bit of a surprise. We got the reason why Rogan doesn’t trust Linus fully, which is the proposal for him to be the deputy Warden of Texas. The National Assembly is portrayed as the ultimate power, so I see Rogan’s motivation to be that he doesn’t want to answer to anyone else’s authority.

    I don’t think enough information was given for Alessandro’s revelation about Linus’ attachment to the Baylor family. I think there’s more to come there, and it may not be about relation as much as resemblance. Linus’ history is still fairly open and blank at this point, so hopefully we can shade in a few more pages in the upcoming books.

  261. I’m really curious if I’m alone in this one big issue I had: Am I the only one who had problems with how Nevada was moved to the background? If this was the first Hidden Legacy book I had read, I would have had no problem with it at all. But the explanation for Nevada no longer being head of House bothered me. Catalina used emotional blackmail on her to get her to back down (for her own good true, but it was still a shit thing to do to her). Nevada had literally carried the entire family since she was 17. It was all on her and she handled it even when she literally expected to die (Burn For Me, she makes a deal with Augustine to sell the name back for $1 in the event of her death which she fully expects to occur, she keeps an insane life insurance policy not linked to the business to protect her family), it is totally unrealistic to expect her to suddenly be able to delegate, especially to her younger sisters who she helped raise and who have been perfectly happy letting her handle everything up to that point. The other problem is that while I do understand her response (it would have been mine too, both the walking out and the 3 week silent treatment), I can’t see her refocusing so totally onto House Rogan. She’s lived and breathed 25+ years just for the Baylor family, always putting them first above her own happiness and health and suddenly she’s now hands off and I’m going to focus on my hot hubbie and his problems?

    If it was absolutely necessary for Catalina to be head of house (really, was it? wouldn’t the deputy warden thing be enough for her?, was it necessary to just negate all the pain and effort from the first trilogy?), I just would have liked to see a smoother transition. Obviously Catalina feels guilt because a random comment upset her so much. Maybe Nevada and Catalina will have a huge sister blow-out argument in the next book and clear the air and bring some closure (even it it’s just for readers like me, I literally could not sleep the night I finished reading because my brain would not stop twisting this point around and I had no one to talk it out with). Heck maybe part of the issue is they literally gave away Nevada’s room the second she hooked up with Rogan (thanks for all the sacrifices now that you found happiness get the hell out and we won’t tell you anything that goes on in our lives from now on).

    • You’re not the only one. I was similarly bothered, although for slightly different reasons. Everything about how being a Baylor was everything to Nevada is true, and I found the way that Catalina became Head of the House to be jarring and inconsistent with what we had understood about the Baylor dynamic up to this point. Perhaps extreme situations call for extreme measures, as Nevada was clearly not going to stop working on her own, but it really did not sit well with me.

      I think it is in part because I had assumed the transition would be obvious. There are Baylors who could take over the House in Nevada’s stead, but there was no one other than Connor in House Rogan other than his mother, so it made sense that Nevada would move into House Rogan. Not only that, but she would make clear that her split was clear, because a big part of the conflict over deciding if they would become a House was whether or not they’d be seen as vassals of House Rogan, and while she would obviously no longer be involved with House Baylor business, she would always be a part of the agency. In other words, I assumed it was obvious that everything that did end up happening would just happen, and I am very confused and very curious about why such extreme measures were taken. I hope, like you, that all of this is addressed in a major sister blow-up of some kind, because they otherwise really did discard Nevada in a way that felt very much like betrayal, and it really needs to be addressed.

      • My interpertation was that Nevada could not let go even if she probably knew she was supposed to and the only way to stop her from working herslf to death and move on was for them to force her to the sideline. Nevada probably understands this deep down but as of this book wasn’t ready to accept it so we’re still seeing the fallout.

        I think this feels jaring because the previous books were from Nevada’s perspective so you always had her side and her internal feelings rationalizing that this is what she ‘had’ to do. Her sisters were young and you only saw glimpses of their personalities which I think both reflects their age and the way Nevada sees them as her’s to look after. In this book we’re seeing Catalina as her own person and how she’s growing into a capibale head of house. From her perspective Nevada isn’t perfect even if she is doing what she thinks is best. It’s also possible Nevada doesn’t quite see the other kids as quite grown up yet since she was acting as a provider and guardian in a lot of ways before.

        I do agree though that hopefully they will have a chance to finally work through it together, but I think it’s ok to have this issue span across a book as Catalina is still figuring out how to live her life in this new roll and Nevada needs time to adjust to her own changing life.

  262. Thank you so much for Sapphire Flames. Well done.
    Neglected my family til the end. Good thing made cabbage roll soup and bread yesterday…left overs today.

  263. LOVED LOVED LOVED the book!
    I reckon Linus is Caesar and Alessandro’s family is involved too, I kind of got estranged/not happy with them vibes from Alessandro.. buuut I devoured the book so may have that completely wrong, will have to check when I reread it slower..

  264. Oh, the book hangover. I love Catalina and my heart is breaking for her and Alessandro. Can’t wait for the next book!

    I love how Catalina forced Nevada out. It’s a beautiful sacrifice. Catalina doesn’t want to be head of house, but she does it to keep her sister alive and healthy.

    I’m so invested with all these characters. Just want to put it out in the universe that I really, really want major storylines for everyone!

    Last, is it just me or is there some chemistry with Bern and Runa?

  265. I have not yet finished the book but am past 90%. I just read and laughed slightly evily and very loudly awoke my entire household to this small Easter egg:
    ““I love your makeup.” “Thank you!” The receptionist’s voice warmed by at least ten degrees. “It’s the new Oksana palette.” “The limited edition one?”

    Do you remember the IG handle of Ilona and Gordon’s daughter that models? Its Ms.Oksanaa

  266. So many questions!!! But they all need spoilery answers so I’ll just wait until the next books.

    I’m re-reading the whole series and I’ve found a few interesting tidbits. Alessandro’s reaction to Linus’ relationship to the Baylors was very very interesting. If they are able to pretend that only the women in House Molpe are sirens, what is the second prime talent they use as a cover?

    The habanero? Best ever!

  267. Hey! Great book! I have just one little complaint – They forgot to bring Zeus back from their “Mr Moody reconnaissance mission”! I know they were kind of occupied, being under attack and all, but they should have thought to collect him afterwards.
    Anyway, he was meant to be backup when things got dicey ( – and wow, did they ever!) – so why didn’t he show up? What happened to him?
    He was never mentioned again during the rest of the book, so I am kind of worried now.
    This creature always adds such lot of panache to already absurd situations and I would really hate to do without that.
    I hope he finds his way back on his own!

  268. What sort of magic lets Alessandro jump out of windows? Does he have three kinds of magic, or is antigravity magic part of being an antistasi?

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