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. đ
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.
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.
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!!!!
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 âtake away her ability to financially contribute to the businessâ because âwhen our father died [..] he split his shares equally between the three of usâ, so she and Arabella were able to outvote Nevada. But in Burn for me, chapter 10, Nevada talking to Rogan said: âby 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 stakeâ. 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! Canât wait to read it!!!
Congratulations on another book that Iâm sure I will love just as much as all the other books!!!
Thank you very much for clarifying this point! đ 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 didnât get involved in the decision to stop Nevada, than Catalina (25% shares) and Arabella (25% shares) together would only have reached a 50% and isnât 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 âlogicalâ approach to your second question based on what Ilona shared in answer to your first one. We know that Penelope basically âabstainsâ 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 Nevadaâs 25%. The core issue here is not voting power though, itâs allegiance to more than one house combined with Nevadaâs physical, emotional and mental health. An additional clarifier in the book states that with marriage you cannot adequately serve two houses âequally.â That makes tremendous sense. With the aging past 18 of more than just Nevada as a Prime in House Baylor itâs 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. Couldnât 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. đ
50%>25%. đ
Very true! ???? Thank you guys and Ilona for helping me understand.. as they say in Italy, âmath is not an opinionâ! ????ââïž
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.
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
+1!
+1!
Crazy about it!! What a superb addition to the HL universe. Iâm sure youâd 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 Iâm 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 âplayâ. I LOVE the ânext levelâ of evil with the âwarpedâ, 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 Peteâs sake!! I LOVED the new characters!! And, PLEASE, Allesandro??? I canât even!!!! Settling in for the audio book -now in hand – and listening to the entire series, again.
+1
+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…) đ
The story was nice and tight and fast moving. When it was over I couldnât believe it. I couldnât believe how long I was lost in the book. I am so ready for the next. Iâm not worried about small inconsistencies because you can write your way around them. Or not. Donât care. Nothing major in there. Loved the characters. I especially loved the expansion on Linusâ character. Heâs 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. Iâll be using some of this in my review on Amazon. Great job!
Loved it! Some many different ways the next book could go.
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 sheâs had a crush on him for years but when and how did it develop into love? That was kinda rushed. And his side wasnât explained either. Apart from the heâs 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 isnât family.
In comes the object of her fantasies, who doesnât just prove her wrong about that, but entirely dismisses the effects of her âcurseâ, 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.
+1
+1
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 đ Thank you infinite!
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 heâs like stuff of nightmares heâs also a businessman… made it all the more chilling. I was all with Allessansdro âget the hell out of there!â … loved it. I wonder about Nevada saying âvote if no confidenceâ … because thatâs 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!!!!! Itâs going to be fantastic to read more as Catalinaâs confidence grows even more…
Thatâs the absolute only thing that didnât fit, but I wonder if that was Nevadaâs own guilt. After what Catalina said about ânot helping her commit slow suicide,â she was actually relieved, felt guilty about being relieved, and since guilt makes us angry, lashed out with the âno confidence thing.â
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 wasnât in a good headspace to process what was going on. Her sisters did it out of love for Nevada. Iâd 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. Iâd 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 Nevadaâs illness because of their Dadâs cancer. Nevada was doing the same thing she always did since her dad was diagnosed â 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 âbeing thereâ was to throw her out of the financial side with the highly emotional argument that âwe are doing it to save you! â 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 arenât they? So many fun interpretations if the same book!
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.
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 couldnât pay enough attention. Had to read a third time. Then came here.
And like all the others, my only thoughts are âNEXT!â *whimper*
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
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
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 wasnât 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 theyâd 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?
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 isnât a siren. Isnât 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
Isnât it mentioned in an earlier book that the siren house doesnât have any females and that it suggested that this was deliberate? Perhaps it manifests differently in the males? In a manner that isnât fatal, as it is for the females if they arenât appropriately protected when they use their powers.
Iâm pretty convinced that Linus is their grandfather and was or is in love with Victoria
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?
+1 On the Leon question
I think he’s hunting his dad.
just a feeling/guess.
can’t wait for the next book
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.
Iâd gladly preorder any books the Andrews were even considered writing. Looking forward to seeing this series evolve.
I have to wait until September 19, because my copy will be shipped to Germany. -.-
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 â€
Half way through and loving it!! Thank you!
Is anyone else but me having problems with their comments showing up? Mine only seem to post half the time, if that, and itâs super frustrating. I donât know if this one will post.
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!
But… Alessandro’s sister calls him her *only* brother?
Thank you, Ilona Andrews. Nice story. Will wait patiently on next book. Sigh. Sigh. This one was worth the wait. Thank you.
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 âyes.â
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!
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.
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.
Steve
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.
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…
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
I absolutely loved it!! Canât wait for the next one, but until then, can we pleaaaase have a short story about Nevada and Connor finding out theyâre having a baby?
+1
+1!!!
+20!
+1! I want to know Rogan’s reaction!
+1
+1 PLEASE…….
Dawn
+1
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
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.
Devoured it.
Now going back to pager 1 to savour it…..
YUM.
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!
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!
Worth it, although with it works as well.
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!
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
Loved the book, but can’t believe it came out same day as new series of the Great British Bake Off!!!
Liked the book. Looking forward to the entire trilogy. Nice!
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.
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. đ
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! đ
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.
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?
More book now pls. Need more book.
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!
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.
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.
+1
1+
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.
I got my yay. I have finished NOTHING since I got it yesterday.
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?
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.