Reviewed by Quirky Cat on
Catalina Baylor is secretly the deputy to the Warden of Texas. What does that mean, exactly? It means that she keeps the balance, keeping those with and without magic safe, by ensuring that a line is never crossed. It also means that she has one of the biggest secrets possible to keep from her family.
Now a new threat is on the horizon, and Catalina has to shut it down quickly. She won't be doing it alone though, as Alessandro has found his way back into her life. Realistically, she's going to need every bit of help she can get, even if she doesn't want it.
“They attacked me and Linus simultaneously. The thought burned a trail through my mind like a comet.”
Can I go back in time? Just one day. Just enough to I can sit down and read Emerald Blaze all over again for the first time. Is that too much to ask? Seriously though, I'm completely in love with this book. It was worth every minute I had to wait for, and then some.
It's amazing how quickly Catalina and her story have grown on me, leaving me eagerly seeking the next novel in her series. Actually, I take that back. I adore the entire house Baylor, and will take any story that springs from their world.
The whole family is full of charismatic and interesting characters. Plus the Baylor family as a unit is seriously amazing, and maybe just a little bit envy-inducing. I mean, who wouldn't want a grandmother that retrofits tanks?
I'm always amazed at how the authors are able to up the ante for each novel. The stakes always feel real and desperate, without ever getting out of control (we've all seen series that get too meta to enjoy). It's impressive, and more than enough reason to have continued investment in the world.
Honestly, I could go on and on about all of the things I loved about this book. The world-building, the characters, the action, the romance, it's all there, and in the right balance. I also adored the smaller details and moments strewn into the series. Like background characters getting moments, and things like that. It brings it all full circle, all while further fleshing out the world.
I do feel like a lot of my questions, both from Catalina's story, and from Nevada's series, were answered in this novel. If I'm being honest, it makes me all the more excited to see what House Andrews will do with Arabella's series (please let that be something that happens!).
One of my favorite parts about the entire novel is Catalina's character. She's gone from being a younger sister that was hard to take seriously, to a confident woman fully capable of taking care of herself – and her family. It was wonderfully done, and I loved being able to watch her grow into that character.
In case it wasn't obvious, I highly recommend Emerald Blaze, as well as the entire Hidden Legacy series. It is so much more than it looks at first glance, and really is a series that will steal your heart. It stole mine.
The Cool Aunt
Bonus Review! I pre-ordered Emerald Blaze through Bank Square Books, and thus got access to the Arabella short story. I'm pretty sure the short is going to be released to everyone later, so no worries!
The Cool Aunt is a quick short story from Arabella's perspective. Really, it's the first time we're getting a chance to see through her eyes, and that alone is excitement enough. I don't want to describe it too much, because spoilers. But I will say that it fits in nicely at the end of Emerald Blaze, and fleshes out a scene or two that Catalina missed out on. It's a perfect little snippet, and I love it.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 26 August, 2020: Finished reading
- 26 August, 2020: Reviewed