Wildfire: A Hidden Legacy Novel

This series may be Ilona Andrews' best yet--yes, even better than the truly excellent Kate Daniels series or Innkeeper. Both the main and secondary characters are vital, interesting, and mostly likable people that deserve many, many more books. Heck, even the tertiary characters like Heart, Kurt and Officer Munoz are well-developed PEOPLE in the able hands of Ilona and Gordon Andrews. The world-building is stellar, the plots are tight and interesting, the romance is exciting and believable, and the editing is excellent.Urban fantasy is a genre flooded with mediocre writing and poor editing, and books from Ilona Andrews (and the fantastic Patricia Briggs) are shining examples of what really, really good writing and editing can create. As an analogy, most urban fantasy is like regular food. Some of it is McDonalds--satisfies at the time but isn't really good. Some of it is like Applebees--actually pretty good food, and a better experience. Enjoyable, but still formulaic, predictable and not terribly exciting. This series (and Kate Daniels) are like an exquisite, Michelin-starred chef-created meal that is truly a work of art. Yes, you might have beef at all three places, but at the fancy restaurant it's going to be perfectly prepared, with tastes that both please and challenge your palate, and will be beautifully presented. THAT'S what reading this series is like--eating a gourmet meal. Luckily for us, this book costs no more than most, although I would have bought it in hardcover without hesitation. In a fading genre, books like this will always sell, because they are so very good.I won't recap the book, as others have already done that and I want to keep this spoiler-free, but here are my likes and dislikes of this book:LIKES/LOVES:1. The characters. Not only do you root for them, but these are people that you would really want to know and hang out with in real life. They try to be the best people they can be, they learn and grow, they don't make stupid, dramatic mistakes to further the plot, and never once do you want to yell, "You idiot, what are you thinking?!?" Instead, you'll find yourself cheering them on. Even more, no one is black and white. Characters are painted in myriad shades of gray, making them more complex and interesting.2. The sense of family and loyalty that makes the Baylor clan who they are. They aren't perfect by a long shot, but they are awesome, and they love and support one another. Hatred, jealousy and backstabbing have their place in stories, but thankfully the authors didn't infect this family with any of that. They are a family you love to love, and that love and support extends to others--Cornelius and Matilda, for example. Others care for and fight for them because of this, too.3.. The infinite potential for more books in this world. I would be thrilled if Avon is smart enough to renew Hidden Legacy for at least another three books. This world has so much more to explore, and there are so many secondary characters who deserve their own stories--Cornelius, Augustine, each of the Baylors (I would LOVE to see how Leon turns out!), and even unrelated characters simply set in the Hidden Legacy world. MOAR BOOKS PLZ!4. The selfless but possessive love between Nevada and Rogan. There's no artificial romantic angst between them, but they do have issues and bumps in the road. They handle them like real, mature people who want the best for the other person, yet whom are not saints or martyrs.5. Love wins in the end in this book. Romantic love, family love, parental love, platonic love. Love wins, goodness wins, but there's nothing syrupy or cheesy about it.DISLIKES:1. The covers and titles of the series. The authors had little to no input on either, and Avon really dropped the ball on these. Thank goodness for Kindle, because I wouldn't want to be seen reading any of the three with a visible cover. Not only do they not represent the type or quality of story, but they're dated and incredibly cheesy. And the titles sound as if they let a bunch of sixth-grade fangirls name them. Do better, Avon, these stories deserve it. You can make covers and titles that will pull in new readers without making the books seem like modern bodicerippers. I suppose we should be grateful that they didn't come up with titles like, "The Prime's Plaything" or "Loved by a Hurricane". Barf.2. The fact that this is the end of the series contract. The authors have said that if Avon doesn't renew, they will self-publish at least one more book. That's great, but not enough! As I said before, this world and its characters can support (and deserve) a whole, long series. Get to it, Avon! You've got another Kate Daniels on your hands.Buy this book, and the two before it. You won't be disappointed. I promise.

This review was originally posted on the Goldilox and the Three Weres blog.I'm an avid Ilona Andrews fangirl and any novel they write goes immediately on my auto-buy list so it shouldn't be a surprise that I absolutely adored this book! Wildfire starts off a few hours after the conclusion of White Hot and it was a ride from that point on. My advice for when you start this book is to not start it until you have enough time to read it in one go. I started it before bed one night thinking I'd read a bit and then finish it the next day. That's not what happened. I just kept reading until I finished the book at 4am. I should know better than to start an Ilona Andrews book before bed by now.I know I said it in my review of White Hot but I completely adore the Baylor family! I love their dynamic together and that each member is so different from the others except for the deep love they feel for each other. Both of those things lead to some hilarious and tender moments in the book. I loved finding out more about Leo, Catalina, and Arabella's magic. Honestly, I did not see Arabella's brand of magic coming but it added so much to the story! I also adore how big the Baylor's hearts are. Matilda and Cornelius have kind of been integrated into the family along with Rogan and it was everything! Also, can I say I want to find someone who loves me as much as Grandma Frida loves Romeo?Nevada has come a long way since the start of the series. She was always self-assured and very self-aware with a deep devotion to her family but in this book, she is more open and accepting of letting others into her tight circle, especially of Rogan and the feelings she's developed for him. She’s used to being the one taking care of problems for her family but not so used to someone helping her take care of her problems. The fact that she doesn’t keep fighting it, while working to maintain her own need for hard-won independence, was a very nice development.The same can be said for Rogan. He isn’t used to anyone restraining him or putting restrictions on how far he is allowed to go for his goals. Nevada makes him a little more human, which means a little more vulnerable. He's never resentful for that. In fact, he seems to be mostly grateful that she doesn't let him toe the line. He's adapting and trying to bridge the gap between his possessiveness and Nevada’s needs to make their relationship work. Like Nevada, he isn’t used to anyone taking care of him, so Nevada’s care is new, surprising, and very much welcome.What I loved most about this book is that it had so many opportunities for there to be angsty drama between Nevada and Rogan, but every time it went in the complete opposite direction of the angst. There was communication and trust between them and it was so refreshing to read! A lot of authors feel like they have to keep the pot of misery stirred to make magic happen. Nevada and Rogan are constantly in situations filled with mortal danger, why would they need more issues? The relationship between them really pushed the book forward and made me believe in them more. I love them together so much!Wildfire is supposed to be the third and last book in the Hidden Legacy trilogy, but the authors have mentioned that they plan to write at least one more book with Nevada and Rogan and maybe more in the universe. And that is very much how the novel reads. Plot lines that need to be wrapped up to satisfy the reader are wrapped up, but some larger plot lines are left open.COME ON, AVON! GET ON THAT! I NEED MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES! Thankfully, the authors announced on their blog that if the next book isn't picked up by the publisher that they'd self-publish it which is wonderful news! Because I need at least one more Nevada and Rogan book! I would like to note here that I also want a book about Catalina and a certain Italian mage. And an Arabella book! And a Bern book! And a Leo book! And hell, I want a Matilda when she's older book. And before I can start listing books for each member of Rogan's team, let's just say I need more books set in this universe period.ARC was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.

This is another of those series that just gets better with each book, which considering the exceptional story in the last book is quite an accomplishment.The multiple interlacing plots make this another "can't put it down" novel that I tore through in 1 day, we have the kidnapping, the ex-fiancee you want to hate but really can't, the grandmother who seems to be Lucifer personified, a few thugs, a romance that is really starting to heat up and throw in some other suitors to mess with everything and you have a book so good you hate to see it end, especially since we got these 2 new ones so close together I fear the rest will be coming in the horrible 1-book-a-year mode.This book hardly ever slowed down, it was action, or some new power/secret revealed, a major move forward in the romance or some bit of strategy that you never saw coming that just boggles the mind. Trust me, you will never get bored. I will probably re-read some of my favorite parts after I write this review (I never re-read parts).Bottom line: Another in a chain of exceptional book from this pair of writers that seems almost impossible to have this many exceptional books. One of the things that make all of their books so addicting is that you have a whole host of secondary characters and you are interesting in all of them, throw in the humor that pervades even the Kate Daniels books and you have a mix that can never miss. 5 Stars and hope I don't have to wait a year for the next one but I won't miss it in any case but problem is this sentence on the Amazon page bothers me a bit "the thrilling conclusion to her Hidden Legacy series". The ending does allow for a protracted amount of time to pass before the next book but I hardly saw it as a "conclusion", we shall have to see.

I love that this Hidden Legacy series is paced a little faster than the Kate Daniels series, what I mean is that the longer storylines are happening over less books. Its not that I don’t appreciate all ten books and novellas of the KD series, but I was ready for a little less commitment. WILDFIRE moved Nevada into a new position in this book, secure in her relationship and becoming the leader of her family in a more formal way. Both these elements made me love this book.First and foremost for me in this series, is the Nevgan (awful ‘ship’ name alert). These two continued to dig through who they were together and where their boundaries sat. What I love about Connor (Rogan) is how he was selfless and both selfish in his love, that said, he had the balance just right as situations presented. These two got to have a date in this book and I lived for that experience. I think I am possibly too hung up on these two…“I’m starving. I haven’t had anything to eat since I stole a bear claw from your kitchen this morning.”“You didn’t steal it. All my bear claws are yours.”The whole storyline about the becoming of a House was fascinating and the reveals about the youngest Baylor sister and Leon were pretty wow. The baddies were fierce and I definitely saw parallels between Grandma Tremaine and Kate Daniels father – the strong, evil patriach/matriach but with a dose of they might care a bit.I am hugely excited for where the next book goes. I need more of this family but more importantly more of ‘Nevgan’ (sorry). They’re not quite Kate and Curran but probably only because I don’t know them quite as well. Ilona Andrews know how to create a story, a couple to last and cheer for.

This series is full of magic. Dangerous ones at that. The scenes are vividly portrayed and some of them are pretty scary, but the witty banters and the humour take the weight off.It's the third and final part of Rogan and Nevada's journey. And wow, it's an adventure to remember. The pace and actions make for a real page turner. The romance blossoms, but the differences in their abilities could put a damper on any foreseeable union. Will they throw caution to the wind and follow their hearts or will they adhere to society's expectations?This series is thrilling. The danger and greed for power are cringe worthy, but the family interactions and the romance make it all worthwhile. Nevada becomes a force to be reckoned with and there is so much more to "mad" Rogan. He is my hero.It's taken me a while to read this series, but I was rewarded by being able to read the whole trilogy without having to wait for the next book to be released. Great series.

Wildfire is the third book in the Hidden Legacy series, an urban fantasy romance set in Houston by husband and wife co-authors, Ilona Andrews. The series takes place in an alternate version of Houston, where magic exists and the more you have the wealthier and more prosperous you are. After falling in love with the first two books I finally decided it was time to return. Sometimes when it's been a while between books you find that you feel differently about the series. However, I am ecstatic to report that it was not the case here. I loved Wildfire just as much as the previous two books. It did take me longer to read, but only because I had to ration the chapters out or I would just have read it in a single sitting and ignored everything else I had to do. The series has just been so much fun, and Andrews is really clever in the way that they keep it interesting. There is an overarching plot, and it is very relevant in each book as we learn more about what is happening and who is involved. By linking it to individual cases which Nevada takes on as part of her PI business you find yourself very invested in both the large picture and the smaller picture. The relationship between Nevada and Connor is still one of my favourites. Ordinarily, I would lose interest as the angst dissipates, but in their case, this has not happened. There was an opportunity for angst in this book with Connor's ex playing a big part, but the author steered away from that in favour of showing the stability of their relationship, and I loved it. It is the sort of book which I enjoy while reading, and can't stop thinking about once I've finished. I can't wait to continue with the series, and I am already looking forward to rereading it in the future.

Nevada has come to accept that she loves Rogan and that he loves her. However, they both know there will be a lot to face in the future if they want to stay together, both external and internal forces.It especially gets hard for Nevada when Rogan’s ex-finance shows up asking for Nevada’s help in finding her missing husband.Even more troubling is Nevada’s grandmother Victoria turning up like a bad penny, trying to force Nevada into to joining her house, no matter the cost.Amongst all the personal problems there is the urgent need to find out who is behind the conspiracy that has plagued Houston since Book 1!I really like that Nevada and Rogan have a grown up relationship. It’s not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but they both really try to do what’s best for each other and themselves. They will always have misunderstandings and miscommunications because they are human (despite the magic) but they try, which is more than can be said for a lot of characters in these types of books.The author’s don’t rely on relationship problems to drive the plot, the plot does very nicely on it’s own. The relationship part of the story is a bonus.A lot happens plot-wise in this book, so once again I was gripped and couldn’t put the book down. What is it about a really good book that makes you want to carry on reading as though you are going to miss something by picking it up again later?I can’t wait for the next book, thankfully it just came out, so no waiting for me - YAY!

Book 3 of the Hidden Legacy series and it was definitely worth waiting for!For those who haven't read Burn for Me and White Hot, stop. Purchase these books, read said books in order and then get your mitts on Wildfire - You are in for one 'magical' ride!Wildfire is a fantastic payoff for those who have invested in the series; it is filled with action, humour and suspense and genuinely had me on the edge of my seat. The world building throughout this series has been fantastic. The world, it's laws and politics are imparted to the reader with such ease and clarity that it is easy frighteningly easy to imagine oneself in that world. Characters are so richly drawn and the dialogue is, in my opinion, second to none but it is the flaws and vulnerability that have been endowed within each character that make for such a rich tapestry.As any fan knows, this is supposedly the final book. I say 'supposedly' because the epilogue leaves it open enough for the series to continue whilst still giving a satisfying payoff. I for one urge Avon Romance, publishers, to invest in this series for the foreseeable future to let it 'finish' would be ludicrous and remarkably shortsighted. I strongly believe that if IA were willing, that Hidden Legacy has the bones for a TV series.