Rating: 4.5⭐️
‘“You seem to be under the impression I work for you and you can give me orders. Let me fix that.” I hung up.’
Finished one Andrew’s series and immediately dive into two more simply because I can’t get enough of what these authors turn out in terms of worlds, characters and just fantastic storytelling.
Although on a current hiatus with one new release (and series) and another soon to come, luckily the married writer couple known as Ilona Andrews has a huge group of published books to explore.
Burn For Me establishes the universe in which this complicated urban fantasy story begins. In the 1800’s a chemical known as the Osiris formula was developed/found and used by humans to change their genetic composition magically. For some it was good, some great, and some horrific. It varied by individuals and family lines. And that changed the world.
Before anyone could control who got the formula, governments fell , and over time, power and control organized themselves by genetic Houses of Magical Power. It’s a deeply complex and well thought out system Andrews has created for the Hidden Legacy series. Both magical and political.
The foundation is the Baylor family and those who are connected to it, genetically and by relationships. The first trilogy is focused on Nevada Baylor and her relationship with “Mad Rogan”, Connor Rogan.
I’m actually close to completing all the novels and love this series and universe. The development and design of the growth of the Baylor family is incredible.
Nevada Baylor is a detective here in a transformed Houston. Her family is a small detective agency that scrambling to get by after the bills and debts that the long term care and eventual death of her father left them in. By their choice.
The Baylor family are outstanding characters, disabled sniper mother, vet mechanic Gran, two cousins and two sisters who are among those who will develop/reveal their own skills and powers as the storylines continue. Each one so perfectly defined and unique that they jump vividly off the page.
Connor “Mad” Rogan had to grow on me. His background was slowly revealed by the plot which helped to turn him into a more connectable character. In fact, his becomes more of a horror story than upbringing.
But Nevada is a powerhouse from the beginning. Relatable, stressed, trying to make the right choices for the family and keep the tenants that her father set down for her and the family.
I found the action sequences amazing, the magical battles suspenseful, and the plots full of political scheming and layering for future storylines.
Live for these stories! And highly recommend them!
Cover art by Gene Mollica
Hidden Legacy series : complete as of now
Divided into 2 sections, each with a different sibling as main character and her own trilogy.
Nevada Baylor and Connor’s arc, beginning trilogy:
Burn for Me #1
White Hot #2
Wildfire #3
Diamond Fire (wedding novella)
2nd Trilogy arc: sister Catalina Baylor and Alessandro Sagredo
Sapphire Flames #4
Emerald Blaze #5
Ruby Fever #6
Buy link
Blurb
In this spellbinding first novel in #1 New York Timesbestselling author Ilona Andrews’s urban fantasy Hidden Legacy series, private detective Nevada Baylor navigates her way through an alternate world where dynasties, built on inherited wealth and magic, guide the course of humanity.
Nevada Baylor runs a small-time detective agency in Houston, Texas, busting scammers, exposing cheaters, and dealing with petty criminals. She’s very good at her job—helped by a magical ability to sense when someone tells the truth or lies. But when she’s forced into accepting a case to find a radical pyrotechnic who can conjure heat and fire at will, Nevada knows she’s out of her league. To bring him to justice, she’ll have to join forces with someone who wields an even more dangerous power.
Connor “Mad” Rogan is a former combat mage, a telekinetic singularly responsible for mass destruction in war-torn countries, and a member of one of the most powerful magic families in the world. His nephew has been kidnapped by the fugitive pyromaniac, and Nevada is his best chance at finding them both. But unlike Nevada, Connor could care less about societal law and order, and has no qualms about extinguishing his family’s enemy.
Bound by their mission, Nevada and Connor clash over their tactics and moral beliefs, even as things undeniably heat up between them. But the man they’re chasing is involved in a darker conspiracy that threatens to destroy the city—and destabilize the balance of power the elite magical families use to influence every nation on Earth
- Publisher: Avon
- Accessibility: Learn more
- Publication date: October 28, 2014
- Edition: Reissue
- Language: English
- Print length: 366 pages
- Book 1 of 6: Hidden Legacy
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 