Burn for Me
Hidden Legacy, #1
Ilona Andrews
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Avon
Date of Publication: October 28, 2014
Number of pages: 400
Excerpt:#1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews launches a brand new Hidden Legacy series, in which one woman must place her trust in a seductive, dangerous man who sets off an even more dangerous desire…
Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile case. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.
Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run or surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.
Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world.
In 1863, in a world much like our own, European scientists discovered Osiris serum, a concoction which brought out one’s magic talents. These talents were many and varied. Some people gained ability to command animals, some learned to sense water from miles away, and others suddenly realized they could kill their enemies by generating a burst of lightning between their hands. The serum spread through the world. It was given to soldiers in hopes of making the military forces more deadly. It was obtained by members of fading aristocracy, desperate to hold on to power. It was bought by the rich, who desired to get richer.Review:
Eventually the world realized the consequences of awakening godlike powers in ordinary people. The serum was locked away, but it was too late. The magic talents passed on from parents to their children and changed the course of human history forever. The future of entire nations changed in the span of a few short decades. Those who previously married for status, money, and power now married for magic, because strong magic would give them everything.
Now, a century and a half later, families with strong hereditary magic have evolved into dynasties. These families—Houses, as they call themselves—own corporations, have their own territories within the cities, and influence politics. They employ private armies, they feud with each other, and their disputes are deadly. It is a world where the more magic you have, the more powerful, the wealthier, and the more prominent you are. Some magic talents are destructive. Some are subtle. But no magic user should be taken lightly.
I have to be honest and state that I have been highly anticipating this book ever since the authors mentioned it on their blog. I have been following along from the first mention and the short teasers right up to the cover reveal. To say that to get a chance to read this first was exciting is an understatement. If you have been following my blog at all, you should know that I adore Ilona Andrews world building skills and their characterizations. This book doesn't disappoint.
The story is told primarily form Nevada's POV. Nevada Baylor is a female private investigator. She runs her family's PI firm. It is literally a family firm; she is the lead investigator, but her sisters, cousins, even her mother are all employed by the firm. All of their assets are tied to the firm. And since another House "bought" the firm when they were in desperate need of funds to help fund the treatment for her father's fatal cancer, Nevada makes sure that she takes on cases that A) they can accomplish and B) won't get her killed. Neither one of these are even likely when the House that owns them insists that she take on this case, or forfeit everything they own.
Nevada is the heart of this story. There are some romantic elements between herself and 'Mad' Rogan, the male lead in the story. But it's the slow burn kind that will stretch out over the series. It's that age old tale of Boy kidnaps Girl, Boy tries to torture Girl, Girl Skunks Boy. These two characters remind me of the interaction between Pierce Brosnon and Rene Russo in The Thomas Crown Affair. They start out working at cross purposes, then work towards the same goal, but from different directions, creating sparks whenever they are together, and always keeping things hidden.
This was an awesome story and my biggest complaint is that I read it too fast. I will definitely be purchasing this in dead tree to go on my keeper shelf so that I can reread my favorite sections over and over again. Is it too soon to wonder when the sequel will be out? Wait, What? This one hasn't actually released yet? Well, what are you waiting for? Go pre-order this 5 star read. NOW!
Giveaway:
1 print copy of BURN FOR ME along with some BURN FOR ME swag (Open to US Shipping)
Book Tour Info:
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Author Bio:
Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him.
They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.) They have co-authored two New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, the urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and the romantic urban fantasy of The Edge and are working on the next volumes for both.
They live in Texas with their two children and many dogs and cats.
To connect with the author online:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
I love these authors. I have the audio preordered. It has one of my all-time favorite narrators in Renee Raudman, who does all of Ilona Andrews books on audio. Can't wait. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI love them too. I will try to get a copy of the audiobook from the library eventually. Renee has done an awesome job with all their other works, so I expect that she will continue on with this one as well.
DeleteOh I just love their books. I've got this one on my tbr pile. I can't wait for the free time to dig into it
ReplyDeleteI was so psyched to get a chance to read this before the release date... As soon as I can, I will get it in paperback and then reread it again.
Deletelol I felt the same way. As soon as I finished the book, I wanted to take a look when book 2 would be out. This is the worst part of getting an ARC, the wait is longer. I loved it!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!! But, on the plus side the cover for Magic Shifts was just released so I can start the count down for it and continue the weekly updates on the Clean Sweep serial. Plus there is the reread when the book actually comes out to check for any changes... Or at least that's the story I am going with. *wink*
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