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rachelbooks's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! I thought it was gonna be trashy romance but it was actually a highly entertaining urban fantasy with slow burn romance. And it was funny at times!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Classism, Confinement, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Drug use, Gun violence, Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Police brutality
Minor: Addiction
agw622's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It's a fun read. It's gotta superhero vibes that are cool. I could see something similar in a DC comic. The romance is interesting, and I'm curious to see where it goes in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Blood, Classism, Death of parent, Gun violence, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Minor: War and Grief
arkwen452's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I WILL STRUCTURE THIS IN A MORE COHESIVE FORMAT FOR CLARITY LATER. I LIKED ELEMENTS OF THIS BOOK BUT STRUGGLED WITH A LOT OF IT🫤
I have a lot of thoughts about this book. While I'm happy that Nevada gains a more understanding of her magic and powers I did not like her character overall. I didn't like how objective she was against Rogan and she was all follow. The rules follow the law we can't do this we can't do that. You're in the line or the business of being a private investigator. You're not a cop and sometimes to get the job done those lines get blurred. I didn't find Rogan to be out of line or as wild and crazy as she thought he was.
I think she was more motivated or had this idea of him just based off of what that old video said about him and files. She never actually took the time to actually get to know him as a person despite them working together. She was always clear on her point of view and her morals and her hard limits and things like that which is fine it's fine to have hard limits about yourself and those around you, but she never afforded Rogan the same courtesy. They come from different worlds and as different and perhaps annoying and obscure the way she wanted to handle the case was he abided to every rule in every promise she sent his way. the book has action and it's fairly an even paste. However, I felt like I was reading a book most of the time just based off of Nevada's character vibe and how young and naĂŻve she came across. I think the book is saved by Nevada's Grandmother the character bugs and her cousins. I do like Rogan and I would have liked to seeing things from his perspective more.
At this time I cannot say that I will continue the series; there were a lot of stereotypes appropriations from other cultures, glorification of other religions, glorification of the military, and the justice department, and the police which I just could not stomach or swallow really. It very much felt like a book written by someone who has either been a cop or in the military and I know that that is the case for half of the writing duo for this book and to me it just felt like a swan song and not a very good swan song a very stereotypical swan song for soldiers in the military or the police force. This was just a book about magic, and our world wasn't a blend of the real world and this different world where magic exist. I would've had a stronger liking for the store as a whole.
To really expand upon this point, I have to say that I don't think it's fair to use soldiers who have been in conflict, Attles or war as a story, trope in any way, shape or form, unless it's relevant to the story as a whole being based about a full military group of characters, etc.
I think that this most of the time generalizes a lot of soldiers, and to be set categories; not all of their stories are the same. And Nevada has this beacon of righteousness. It really knows at the reader because it's from the very beginning of the book, that's how we are introduced to her as she wraps up her first case, and her wanting not to be Arrested or questioned by the cops. I mean if she had her cousin Bernard, who is this programmer and Taki kid also has his connection to bugs isn't it more feasible to have this security back up system in place for when you're in public places to cover your back when it comes to surveillances or to tap into set surveillances so that you don't go into things blind? Yes, she's usually on her own when in the field, but being able to have access to information is always beneficial in my opinion.
I have a lot of thoughts about this book. While I'm happy that Nevada gains a more understanding of her magic and powers I did not like her character overall. I didn't like how objective she was against Rogan and she was all follow. The rules follow the law we can't do this we can't do that. You're in the line or the business of being a private investigator. You're not a cop and sometimes to get the job done those lines get blurred. I didn't find Rogan to be out of line or as wild and crazy as she thought he was.
I think she was more motivated or had this idea of him just based off of what that old video said about him and files. She never actually took the time to actually get to know him as a person despite them working together. She was always clear on her point of view and her morals and her hard limits and things like that which is fine it's fine to have hard limits about yourself and those around you, but she never afforded Rogan the same courtesy. They come from different worlds and as different and perhaps annoying and obscure the way she wanted to handle the case was he abided to every rule in every promise she sent his way. the book has action and it's fairly an even paste. However, I felt like I was reading a book most of the time just based off of Nevada's character vibe and how young and naĂŻve she came across. I think the book is saved by Nevada's Grandmother the character bugs and her cousins. I do like Rogan and I would have liked to seeing things from his perspective more.
At this time I cannot say that I will continue the series; there were a lot of stereotypes appropriations from other cultures, glorification of other religions, glorification of the military, and the justice department, and the police which I just could not stomach or swallow really. It very much felt like a book written by someone who has either been a cop or in the military and I know that that is the case for half of the writing duo for this book and to me it just felt like a swan song and not a very good swan song a very stereotypical swan song for soldiers in the military or the police force. This was just a book about magic, and our world wasn't a blend of the real world and this different world where magic exist. I would've had a stronger liking for the store as a whole.
To really expand upon this point, I have to say that I don't think it's fair to use soldiers who have been in conflict, Attles or war as a story, trope in any way, shape or form, unless it's relevant to the story as a whole being based about a full military group of characters, etc.
I think that this most of the time generalizes a lot of soldiers, and to be set categories; not all of their stories are the same. And Nevada has this beacon of righteousness. It really knows at the reader because it's from the very beginning of the book, that's how we are introduced to her as she wraps up her first case, and her wanting not to be Arrested or questioned by the cops. I mean if she had her cousin Bernard, who is this programmer and Taki kid also has his connection to bugs isn't it more feasible to have this security back up system in place for when you're in public places to cover your back when it comes to surveillances or to tap into set surveillances so that you don't go into things blind? Yes, she's usually on her own when in the field, but being able to have access to information is always beneficial in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Death, Violence, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Racism, Torture, and Misogyny
dreamerfreak's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Kidnapping, Blood, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Death of parent, Cancer, and Terminal illness
kissszonjab's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Car accident, Violence, Torture, Sexual content, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
threeundertwopnw's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The prose doesn't always flow well, and character descriptions are odd at times. It takes a while for the plot to start moving.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Mental illness, Murder, Torture, Blood, Confinement, Gore, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Terminal illness, and Violence
cluckieduck's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rogan, Rogan, Rogan. They don't call him Mad Rogan for nothing - I'm really going to enjoy getting to know this psychopath further. And Nevada? What a fantastically headstrong female lead - I want to be her when I grow up.
Now, I must say - this cover is truly awful. I thought I'd read that this was supposed to be PNR, but it's much more in line with Urban Fantasy, fraught with sexual tension but very little spice. There are some parallels & similar tropes to the Kate Daniels series but, dare I say I think I may enjoy Nevada more?? Only time will tell. It's everything I want to kick off a new series.
Now, I must say - this cover is truly awful. I thought I'd read that this was supposed to be PNR, but it's much more in line with Urban Fantasy, fraught with sexual tension but very little spice. There are some parallels & similar tropes to the Kate Daniels series but, dare I say I think I may enjoy Nevada more?? Only time will tell. It's everything I want to kick off a new series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Violence, Drug use, War, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Torture, Classism, Murder, and Confinement
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Body shaming, and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual content
brennaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Confinement, and Classism
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, War, and Sexual content
sydapel's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Easily consumed in less than 24 hours, much to the disappointment of the pile of laundry in my room. Everything about this urban fantasy feels so unique and real, with a delicious slow burn and a "not like other girls" heroine who is actually really likable. Immediately compelled to pick up the second one
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death of parent and Terminal illness
overflowingshelf's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
CW: Murder; violence; fire/fire injury; gun violence; cancer; death of a parent
No one does urban fantasy romance quite like Ilona Andrews. When I first read Burn for Me back in 2019, I was immediately hooked. I’ve since reread the series multiple times, so pardon me if I get a bit gushy.
The Hidden Legacy series is one of my absolute favorites series and does not get talked about enough. The cover of this book does not do the story justice. Not only does this book have a swoon-worthy romance, but you also get fantastic world-building, a unique magic system, an action-packed plot and unforgettable secondary characters all in one book.
Nevada Baylor is in way over her head with her latest case. As the head of a small private investigation firm, she’s forced to take on what is essentially a suicide mission to bring in Adam Pierce, the highest rank of magic user, who can and will set anything and everything on fire. Her search for Pierce forces her to have a run-in with Connor “Mad” Rogan – another billionaire Prime with a deadly reputation and incredibly strong telekinetic powers. They strike an uneasy bargain to work together for the duration of the case. While he thinks he can use Nevada to help reel in Pierce, it seems like he’d much rather protect her than put her in danger in the end as they fight a strong attraction. However, when the city of Houston and the lives of thousands are people are on the line, Nevada and Mad Rogan have to put themselves in harm’s way to save the city.
I love Nevada Baylor and Mad Rogan so much. These two characters. Ugh, they own a special piece of my heart. Nevada is such a strong female protagonist, and I love how she’ll do anything to protect her family. She’s driven by a strong moral compass – she has to be able to look herself in the mirror at the end of the day – and when she gets thrust into the world of Primes, she’s challenged beyond belief to stay true to herself. I love watching the journey she goes on as this book really sets her on a different course than she planned for her life. She’s sarcastic, funny, loyal and doesn’t back down from a challenge.
And then we have Mad Rogan. My love for him grows on each reread. He should not be a character I find loveable – he’s a bit of an antihero as he has no qualms about killing others if they’re in his way and sometimes takes issue with the word ” no. ” However, there is so much more to him than meets the eye. He’s a by-product of the world he grew up in and shaped by his experiences in the military. He’s not always the good guy, but I love him so much as he’s such a complex character, and we just start to scratch the surface of who he is in this book. He’s also deeply loyal to those on his team and his own set of values he lives by – you do not mess with those he cares about without suffering the consequences. On this read, I also noticed how freaking funny and sarcastic he is! He’s got a dry humor and a sharp wit that I truly adore.
Mad Rogan and Nevada are the perfect match for each other. While the romance does take a little bit of a backseat in this book, the chemistry between these two is burning hot. There is an electric current that runs between every interaction. As much as Nevada insists she does not like Mad Rogan and would never be with him for a multitude of reasons, she cannot help but be attracted to him. I also have to say, these two have one of the BEST first meetings between a romantic couple – it really sets the tone for their relationship. Even though the romance isn’t always center stage, Andrews teases you with it and gives you enough of a feel for where Nevada and Rogan’s story will be going.
Ilona Andrews knocks it out of the park when it comes to world-building and the plot. There is no info-dumping in this book as they perfectly weave in the relevant information about this alternative version of Houston when you need to know it. And the magic system is perfect. It’s pretty complicated, what with the various House, Primes and different types of abilities, yet they somehow make it so easy to understand, and you get to know as it you get immersed in the action of the story. When it comes to the plot of this book, Ilona Andrews perfectly balances the action with the exposition and romance. There are so many layers to the main story of this book that then also play into the broader series plot, and I loved watching all the pieces unfold. Despite having read this book multiple times, I still found myself on the edge of my seat, wondering what would come next as Nevada and Rogan work to apprehend Adam Pierce, even though I knew how it would get resolved. That takes some talent!
Rounding out my list of favorite things about this book is the secondary characters. The Baylor family plays such a massive role in this book. Nevada is incredibly close with her family, and they play such an important role in her life that it makes sense that they’re stand-out characters. From Grandma Frida with her love of tanks, to Nevada’s mom a former sniper, to Bern and his Hut of Evil, to Leon and her sister Catalina and Arabella’s teenage angst, I adore each and every one of them. We also get a fantastic villain with Adam Pierce, a cocky, entitled, and deranged pyrokinetic who wants to see the world burn. All the secondary characters feel three-dimensional and so well-written that you end up getting to know them.
Honestly, I could keep going on and on about this book as it’s truly one of my favorites. You cannot go wrong if you pick up the entire Hidden Legacy series. If you like action-packed romances with an engaging plot and fantastic characters, look no further than these books. Also, can I just say I’m always amazed that Ilona Andrews is a husband and wife writing duo? They truly are the gold standard for modern urban fantasy romances. Definitely pick this one up if you haven’t already – you won’t be disappointed.
Original review 9/10/19
Wow. This was so good, though what a terrible cover that does not capture anything about the story at all!!! Great urban fantasy with a well built world and fun cast of characters. I’m grabbing book 2 asap.
Wow. This was so good, though what a terrible cover that does not capture anything about the story at all!!! Great urban fantasy with a well built world and fun cast of characters. I’m grabbing book 2 asap.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Cancer