This was the bonkers finale I expected from this series. First things first, this book doesn't pick up from where Emerald Blaze left off. I really hope I'm not the last reader on earth to know that the cliffhanger in the last book was resolved in a short story published in IA's blog 🫣 if you haven't read that this will make zero sense at the beginning. I spend almost half the book wondering wtf was happening since nothing of the cliffhanger was mentioned. It was highly anticlimactic tbh.

Anyway, Catalina is back bitches! And she's more powerful than ever. One of the things that kept me reading this series was her character arc. She went from quiet and unsure of her ability to a badass who burns down the world for her family and her love. Alessandro was less of a presence in this book which was tragic. But it was so good to see their relationship evolve although the romance lacked tension since they are together now. The side stories and numerous plot points were tied up nicely while more questions popped up. Like what's up with Arabella? I need this book please and thank you!

This is not a standalone. The series must be read in order. This is also very plot driven amd the romance is secondary to all the hijinks. But the world building and the character development is so amazing that it makes up for the lack of heat and feels.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥/5

Thanks to the publisher for the review ARC all opinions are my own

My wife has enjoyed Ilona Andrews’s books for years, so when I saw a new book from them on NetGalley, I requested a copy from the publisher. Thanks for the eARC! Let’s see what my wife has to say:


The end of Catalina‘s story was less satisfying than I hoped. There was something a bit awkward about the way this book was written, almost as if the authors were simply tired of this portion of the series. Nevada’s story ended much stronger, and this is actually quite a bit weaker than the previous book in Catalina’s series. However, it was still enjoyable, it left me looking forward to when they kick off the next series.

I love the Hidden Legacy series so much!!! This is the 6th book in the series and you’ll definitely want to read them in order. Don’t be sad if you haven’t read the others yet - I’m so excited for you to be able to binge all 6 in a row!

The premise for the series is that magic is real. In the Houston area, the Baylor family resides including three sisters - Nevada, Catalina and Arabella. Each has their own magical specialty. And so far Nevada and Catalina each have a 3 book arc - with Ruby Fever finishing up Catalina’s story. I don’t see Arabella books yet but hope they are coming!

I will say that the romance feels secondary in these stories - but I’m absolutely still here for them. Within the first few pages of starting this and getting back into their world it felt like reuniting with old friends. There’s something so comforting in returning to a series where you already know the characters. I won’t say more about the plot of this one since each book builds on the others - but I highly recommend this series!! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance reading copy. I also highly recommend the audiobooks!

First Impressions
Ruby Fever is the most recent release from the Hidden Legacy series and I had such a fun time with this book. I was gifted the ARC in exchange for an honest review and I am so happy that I could get a copy of this one. I do feel bad though because I just was never in the mood for this one (darn my mood reading) but this week I was able to read it just in time for the release week of it. I have to say that I stayed up pretty late reading this one. I just love how this series can easily so sweep you away into the story. I also adored the way in which this story was developed and to be able to get back to Alessandro and Catalina. I have to say that they are my favorite couple from this couple. And yes I know I know, how can they beat the infamous Curran and Kate, well honestly, this heroine I like way more than Kate. There is something so relatable and open and honest with Catalina. From their first book “Sapphire Flames” I was stunned by their instant chemistry and what a perfect pair they make together.

Summary
The gist of this story is that Catalina mentor and friend, has been incapacitated and her friend was murdered, her family is being attacked, and we have a Russian prince getting involved where his intentions are blurry, and this all happens in one day. And it’s up to Catalina to protect her family and her fiancee and get to the bottom of who is after her family and bring them to justice. She is also having the burden of fully coming into her abilities, there are some secrets that Alessandro is being burdened with and they have an enemy that is out for her family and there are some political and government connections that are coming into play. But Catalina and Alessandro are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and bring justice to those who have harmed those that they love.

What I Loved
There is so much that I loved about this one here, I was stunned by what happens so quickly within the story. It was such a delight to get back to the Baylor family again, and most especially Alessandro and Catalina. This is the finale to their story, and it was also bittersweet because I believe this might be the last book that this couple writing team will be with a traditional publisher, as I believe they are planning on going self-published. In typical fashion, Ilona Andrews is so talentally able to capitalize on the magical abilities, intrigue, and mystery but also deliver on a powerful romantic intimacy that is so deeply entrenched upon its pages. I just love how well-balanced they are able to write a story that can deliver a UF with a strong focus on the romance (I NEED more of this haha). It’s actually rare to see a book in a UF world with such romance being focused, and they do this so brilliantly. I honestly think part of it is, is that we get the male and female writing styles that are blended together so harmoniously. I just adore Alessandro and Catalina together. Alessandro has SO much mystery behind him, but what I adore about him is his faith in Catalina and always standing by her no matter his relationship with his family and how it torments him. He knows exactly what needs to be done and what she needs and they have this almost psychic bond that has such a natural way about it. Then we have Catalina, who has her weaknesses and vulnerabilities, but she doesn’t deny them. She is open and honest about her capabilities. She is willing to express her fears and reservations while also not being afraid of embracing her talents that almost terrify her of what she is becoming. But another quality I became most endeared to is her FAITH in Alessandro. Even when it becomes evident that Alessandro is keeping something from her, she knows how deeply he loves her and she trusts in him so completely that it will leave you breathless. They are the perfect pair because of how intertwined they are, and how well they have a trust in each other and can work so well together no matter the danger.

What I Struggled With
There wasn’t much I struggled with, as this was a finale, I wanted a little bit more in the epilogue that we were given though.

Overall View
Ruby Fever is a breathless finale that delivers on every front of a powerfully enhanced Urban Fantasy. It’s a book that will tug at your heartstring, keep you on the edge of your seat and stun you in its simple perfection. UTTERLY BRILLIANT!

i can not be unbiased in my feelings towards this series sorry xx

but this was so satisfying and answered so many questions we still had hanging, as well as taking care of some loose end antagonists. Literally one event had me probably the most tense I was in the entire series so far.

another review said it too, but this really does feel like a series closer with how tight everything is. But if it isn't: Arabella better not have a romance with that Russian guy... i am not a fan.

can't wait for more <3

The Baylors are back in the latest Hidden Legacy volume from the Ilona Andrews writing duo. Ruby Fever has all the trademark snark, adrenaline-fueled action and humor these novels are known and loved for.

This is book six of the series, and my review necessarily contains spoilers for those that come before. Ruby Fever is not a stand-alone story, and readers are advised to begin with Burn for Me, which introduces the saga and the magical world it takes place in.

Houston is under attack. The Speaker of the Texas State Assembly, the political body that governs the influential magical houses of the state, has been murdered in the city. Arkan, an extremely successful mercenary guild, has placed a base in the area, and given how the Speaker was killed, they are likely responsible. The Warden of Texas, Linus Duncan, the man typically in charge of investigating such crimes, has been assaulted and is in a coma. That makes Catalina Baylor, Deputy Warden, responsible for cleaning up the mess and making sure justice is done – and she has absolutely no idea how she’s going to pull that off. It doesn’t help that her fiancé, Alessandro Sagredo – who is currently in a silent and deadly conflict with the Arkan agency – winds up proposing to her over the corpse of one of that corrupt entity’s agents.

Complicating the issue is Konstantin Leonidovich Berezin of Blood Imperial, an illusion mage and Russian prince. He shows up amid the mess to tell Catalina he’s there to destroy Arkan, and he expects her to fully comply with whatever agenda he hands her. But the Baylor Family isn’t exactly known for responding to thinly veiled threats, despite the powerful magic Berezin can bring to bear against them. Adding to all the fun is the fact that Catalina is starting to develop some strange, frightening and deadly new skills.

This is the fourth of the Catalina tales (three novels, one short story), and almost all the important relationship building between Alessandro and Catalina takes place in the earlier publications. Here, we see them move their affair to the next level and watch them deepen their emotional bonds. A lot of that growth centers around the concern they have for each other. Catalina is worried about her burgeoning powers. Her magic was formidable already and an increase in the dark, destructive side of it is most definitely not what she wants. She fears what she can do with it while Alessandro fears what using it might do to her. Catalina is also concerned that the feud between Alessandro and the leader of Arkan (conveniently named Arkan) will result in mutual destruction in the final showdown. Their last encounter almost killed her beloved and she’s frantic to see the next inevitable conflict end definitively in Alessandro’s favor.

Speaking of love, it looks like we’ve received an introduction to Arabella’s coming beau. I’d shipped her with a guy from the last book so I was a bit bummed at that, but the introduction of this character does open up a lot of possibilities for her coming trilogy.

Of course, we get updates on all the members of the beloved Baylor family. Arabella continues to mature, control her powers and display a healthy amount of development in her role as the CFO. We see less of Leon here than we did in Emerald Blaze but he, too, shows that he has mellowed and become more adult. Runa and Bern move their relationship forward as House Etterson is gently and carefully absorbed into House Baylor. For all intents and purposes by this point, they are one big clan. Matilda and Cornelius make appearances and it is pretty much spelled out that House Harrison considers itself united by strong affection as well as contractual ties with House Baylor. I liked that the book shows Cornelius being more active in the conflicts; his fate is linked to the Baylors and sidelining him to ensure his safety doesn’t protect him so much as hamper his participation in his own defense. The biological link between Catalina’s family and Linus Duncan is confirmed, we learn some interesting background information on him and the Caeser question is addressed. The reasoning used to describe the latter doesn’t really mesh with what we learned about this figure in the first three books, especially regarding the fanatical loyalty of his followers, but by this point, who cares? Grandma Tremaine aka Evil Grandma is more thoroughly integrated into the kinship circle. Alessandro’s mother, sisters, and grandfather also make an appearance.

I have to admit all this familial togetherness was a touch too saccharine for my taste. Evil Grandma has the nickname for a reason and to see so much tolerance and understanding toward her in this tale was a bit too twee. Most of Alessandro’s folks receive pretty much the same treatment, although in both these cases typical humans would need years of therapy to move beyond the past. I get that one of the selling points of this series is that deep tribal connection but sometimes you can take that too far. Good families can include bad apples/relationships.

Ruby Fever is exactly the tale fans want and expect from this series. It’s a tad too pat, and predictable to make DIK level but it is an enjoyable story and a nice ending to this portion of the saga. I’m already looking forward to the Arabella collection.

This book was WILD! W-I-L-D!!! I kept thinking "Wow, the first 25% of this book starts off so strong out the gate. Wait, the first 50%. No, wait, the first 75%. Wait... It's the whole damn book!"

Ruby Fever is a conclusion to just about every storyline we've seen so far in the Hidden Legacy series and features cameos from pretty much every single still living character (and I mean that, I was shook at quite a few people that popped in). It's action-packed, it drops huge bombshells on our characters and reveals big secrets. It also does kinda skimp out on the romance. It's still there! But, I'd def classify Ruby Fever in particular as Fantasy with romance in it, rather than Fantasy Romance. I was fine with it, I'm a big Fantasy reader, but I could foresee primarily Romance readers not loving the never slowing down action as it overshadows the romance aspects of the series. But the good thing for those readers is it looks like we will be getting our Arabella books and restarting the Romance train and I, for one, am EXTREMELY excited about it!

If I'm being critical here, there were some storylines that seemed rushed to their conclusions and I'm fairly sure there was a little bit of backtracking by the authors to make the story they wrote for Ruby Fever fit what happened in previous books... butttt this book was just so fun and if you're a Hidden Legacy fan, I can't imagine you'll walk away from this book disappointed.

This is the sixth book in the Hidden Legacy series, and the conclusion to Catalina and Alessandro's story, where we get a fast pace story, full of twists and action. This is a full on rollercoaster ride, I didn't want it to end, hopefully this could get to the screen in the future, this urban fantasy definitely would make a great screenplay, the world-building is so good, the characters are well developed and simply lovable, the ending was a bit rushed as it had to cover all loose ends. Hoping for more in the future.

Husband and wife writing duo, Ilona Andrews, delivers a satisfying conclusion to Catalina and Alessandro’s trilogy within the exciting Hidden Legacy paranormal romance series.

Catalina, now head of House Baylor and the Deputy Warden of the state of Texas, faces one disaster after another in this fast-paced, action-packed adventure. Thankfully, her handsome and formidable fiancé Alessandro, a powerful antistasi Prime is right there with her, fighting not only for their family’s survival but their happiness as well.

Waiting for the next book in a series can be awful, annoying, soul-destroying—but Ruby Fever was worth the wait. I loved jumping back into the Hidden Legacy world, reuniting with my favorite characters, and enjoying all the small references only Texans would understand.

Five stars. If you love magic, and family, and sexy Italian counts, you’ll love these books. They’re the perfect paranormal escape.

Catalina Baylor is the secret deputy warden of the the state of Texas and head of House Baylor. When the Warden of Texas is attacked and an imperial Russian Prince shows up claiming to know important things, her job is to figure out who is responsible before all hell breaks loose. For Catalina the threat against her family has never been higher and something about her magic is feeling a little off but with Alessandro, they just might be able to survive.

This book hit the ground running and it did not stop. The tension is super high and just kept rising. This hits all the major points of the last 5 books and does tie up the loose ends. It is as fun and fresh as Ilona Andrews always delivers.

Some of my favorite things about Ruby Fever, because there are too many of them to talk about in depth. A warning for any arachnophobes, there is a giant spider. We get to see with Catalina and Alessandro's relationship is explored some more, with family backstory. Matilda and Cornelius are phenomenal and if a short story about them ever showed up I would be stoked. Evil Grandma is back... and that's all I'm going to say. Leon and Arabella are so much fun.

I just adored this whole book and am thrilled with the way this series wrapped up. I am also down for any continuation about Arabella.

What a conclusion to Catalina's story. I was truly riveted from beginning to end. So Much Happens in this book, and so many questions get answered. It's been wonderful reading the character development and the maturing that Catalina goes through, in not only her books, but throughout the whole series. She really comes into her own skin here and realizes her full potential as the Head of House Baylor and as a Prime Siren. I loved reading her series.

I also loved getting a little more of Nevada and Conor here too. Even from the small appearances they make, you can also see how much Nevada has really settled into her roles and powers as well.

This final book was action packed and full of revelations. I'm so happy for how it turned out and I'm sad to see it end already. This series is one of my all time favorites. It has everything I look for in books: Great plot, Great characters, Great world building, Great writing, and Strong female protagonists that feel real, flawed, and relatable.
And I can't forget to mention what great counterparts the men are to their leading ladies! Conor and Alessandro are so supportive and really helped Nevada and Catalina settle into the world of Primes where they belonged.

I know there are no promises to write an Arabella book, but I truly hope Ilona and Gordon feel the inspiration to jump back into this world and give us an Arabella series eventually. She is someone I would love to read about. Her powers alone are fascinating, but her personality would make for another intriguing and unique trilogy.

In conclusion, the Hidden Legacy series is a win in all categories for me, and this finale to Catalina's trilogy just adds another win. I'm seriously going to miss everyone in the Baylor family! ...But at least there's always rereads : )

This is basically a non-stop action book from the first page to the end though it does mellow out a bit in the Epilogue. A lot of loose threads are wrapped up in this book which was nice especially as Andrews have said on their blog that they are not sure whether there will be more books in this series. I'm not sure I loved all of the threads but it was mainly a grand trip. Definitely need to have read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one fully; lots of history and a whole lot of people.
It's time for a final confrontation with Arkan and Catalina is not ready... but it needs to be done. And an illusion mage named Konstantin (who is both related to Alessandro and part of the Russian Imperium) brings everything to a head but Catalina is also dealing with a lost spider that is worth a quarter million dollars, the loss of her mentor Linus (he's not dead but someone sure tried to make him that way), becoming the Acting Warden of Texas, buying new property, her fiance's family coming to visit, and just trying to stay alive as an early-twenties head of her House.

Four and a half stars
This book comes out August 23, 2022
Follows Emerald Blaze
ARC kindly provided by Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

While I recently read that the Hidden Legacy series was not one of Ilona Andrews’ favorite series to write, I have to say that it has been one of my favorite ones to read with its fast-paced action, snarky characters, and punchy dialogue. As a series finisher (hopefully not, I think there are more stories to tell about the other characters), Ruby Fever did not let me down.

Beginning with the murder of a high profile government official, followed immediately on its heels by the attack on Linus who has been a mentor to the Baylor girls, Ruby Fever is non-stop action except when relevant and interesting backstory about the Baylor-Tremaine family and Alessandro’s family is given or, of course, when Catalina and Alessandro get their romance on. And, like my recent vacation, the pages fled by too soon.

A lot of surprises pop out and what seemed to be a possible future romance for Arabella was hinted at. Again, hopefully.

So sad to see “The End” but cling to: never say never.

A beyond satisfying conclusion to a fun, exhilarating series.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ilona Andrews is one of my favorite authors and I have been waiting for the third book in Catalina’s trilogy to come out. I cannot emphasize how much I loved the conclusion of Catalina and Alessandro’s trilogy.

If you love complex world building and following characters through books, Ilona Andrews does such a great job in the Hidden Legacy books!

I recommend reading the other two books in Catalina’s trilogy “Sapphire Flame” and "Emerald Blaze". These two books do give better context to "Ruby Fever”.

I'm glad that we continue to see more of grandma Tremaine despite her manipulations and we get to see more of Linus Duncan and understand his quest to have Catalina as the deputy warden of Texas.

Run, don’t walk, to your nearest bookseller to get your copy today!

4.5/5 ⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for giving me a copy. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

It's been two years since Emerald Blaze, but we finally have the last book in Catalina's trilogy! I think we might get Arabella's story eventually, but Ruby Fever functions as a conclusion (for now) for the Hidden Legacy series.

There is a lot of action here, as Catalina and family face off against Arkan, the Big Bad of the previous two books. Catalina and Alessandro are progressing in their relationship, and the only bumps here are some communication issues. Nevada and Connor appear, sometimes right in the nick of time, but they're also dealing with their own problems separate from Catalina's story. Unlike the previous two books, Ruby Fever is not open-ended but instead wraps a huge number of things up. And there's further worldbuilding here, with the Office of Records and the Russian Empire.

The pacing felt really rushed at times, though. There are so many plot threads to be resolved, and so much information to be conveyed, that it felt like we whipped from revelation to revelation. Besides getting answers to the remaining mysteries of the Baylor family genealogy, we also get resolution with Alessandro's family and a more complete picture of Catalina's powers. We even learn the identity of Caesar, which ties into the conspiracy from Nevada's trilogy. That's a lot to cover in one book!

As a result, I felt like some characters fell by the wayside in the rush to tie up all loose ends. I liked the progression in Bern and Runa's relationship, but we didn't see much of Leon or Grandma Frida or even Arabella for that matter. If the book were just 100 pages longer, maybe we could have checked in on my faves and slowed the pace?

In short: I enjoyed Ruby Fever, but I felt like everything was tied up a bit too neatly for my taste.

I dove into this book the second I got it. Then at about 90% I didn’t want to finish it-I couldn’t handle this being over. I needed to live in this world they’ve built just a bit longer. Obviously I finished it, but I immediately re-read it, just to stay in this story a while longer.

In Ruby Fever, the final book featuring Alessandro and Catalina, but hopefully not the end of House Baylor, the reader is immersed in this magical world where monsters are all too human. The Baylor family has just moved into a new house, and while they are trying to settle in, they know that their current peace has an expiration date. Arkan is still out there, and he will come for them. (Quick background: Arkan is an assassin who as we found out in the previous books, killed Alessandro’s father, and is now aiming to kill Alessandro).

But when Linus Duncan, Catalina’s boss, mentor, and pretty much as close as her family will get to a godfather, suddenly can’t be reached, Catalina and Alessandro know their time is up. Arkan is close. And he just made a move.

While Catalina is trying to figure out what is going on, wrench after wrench keeps being thrown into the workings of her case. Add to that, a Russian prince is now involved, and that spells bad news. Worse news, in fact. Why is the Russian Imperium sniffing around her case? Or is Konstantin there for Catalina, and not Arkan? And through it all, Catalina’s powers are becoming unpredictable. It isn’t like her; she is always in control. But she has Alessandro by her side, and her entire family to back her up. She will figure out what happened to Linus, and she will take Arkan down.

This series is my all time favorite and I think I’ve re-read it more than any other series. Ilona Andrews creates incredibly complex worlds and characters. Within that world, the couples that pair up are the kind that make amazing partners, even if they don’t think so at first. I’m such a sucker for competent characters! I always have such a hard time reviewing Ilona Andrews books, because all I hear in my head as I try to write is “Squee, OMG epic! Amazing! Fantastic! OMG OMG OMG!” This makes it hard to get coherent thoughts out of my brain! But seriously, there is so much going on, and the authors are able to pull the reader in, keep you suspended in their web, and hold you there until long after the last word is read. Their books are my comfort reads, my most re-read series, and absolutely some of my all time favorites. I highly encourage everyone who loves romance, action, adventure, magic, or a well-written book to start this series ASAP. Start at the beginning with Burn For Me. You’re in for quite a treat when you start! But set aside a week to just binge the whole series. You can thank me later.

With their usual magic and mayhem, Ilona Andrews creates a world full of magic, full of monsters, and full of excitement. They keep the reader immersed in their world long after the last page is turned. Nothing could keep me from reading the next Ilona Andrews book. In fact, I’ve already pre-ordered the paperback.

***ARC courtesy of Avon Books

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and House Andrews for the opportunity to read an ARC of Ruby Fever. An honest review was requested but not required.

I am an unabashed and unapologetic House Andrews superfan. I have enjoyed every book that they have authored that I have read, so far. In my opinion, the quality of writing, plotting, characterization, dialogue, everything, in their work is superlative. It is so difficult to pick: Hidden Legacy? Kate Daniels? Innkeeper? Kinsmen? The Edge? You literally cannot go wrong. It seems that each series, while I’m reading it, is my favorite.

I found myself the fortunate recipient of permission to read an ARC of Ruby Fever, although I had already happily pre-ordered my copy. I am looking forward very much to reading the “final” copy and discovering what, if anything, is new. It’s unclear now if HA intends to continue the Baylors’ series with Arabella’s story (or Bern’s, or Leon’s, or anyone else’s for that matter). I would 100% be first in line, with bells on, if they choose to, just as I will clamor to read anything else they write. If they do NOT choose to continue with the Baylors, rest assured that things here are left [more than] satisfactorily. You can walk away a happy reader even if it is bittersweet to part with characters we’ve all grown to love.

This book is the culmination of Catalina’s character growth. Catalina started this series in Nevada’s books as an insecure teen, not yet grown into her full maturity, powers, or strengths. (And yes: those ARE different things.) In Ruby Fever we have the Catalina who has been polished and sanded by being proverbially tumbled with rocks for quite some time: she is confident; she is prepared; she is strategic; she is secure; she is EMPOWERED. I love it. I love her relationships with her family and her friends and her fiancée. I love her ownership of the position of Head of House. I love her hard-won business acumen and her martial skills; I love the way she seeks to fully understand her strengths and her limitations. Catalina is a kick-butt character and I almost feel proud of her growth and accomplishments. Wow, I am lame. LOL.

And yes, Alessandro has also matured, as has Arabella. We are treated to the return (or cameo) of practically everyone in the Baylor world who has made an appearance at some point in the series. The stakes are higher than ever before (as they ought to be, in the climax of a series). Revelations are made (NO SPOILERS!) and new relationships are forged. I must say, I will be very sad if Arabella isn’t treated to her own story, but I will understand. We’re left with plenty of tidbits to fire up the old imaginations, regardless.

You should definitely NOT, repeat, NOT, start with this book if you are new to the series. It is not in any way a standalone. But the Baylors (Hidden Legacy) series is well worth your time as a reader, as all of the HA books are, and I can’t recommend them highly enough. Each new surprise and tidbit in this story is a gift and I wouldn’t want to ruin a single one. Coincidentally, I finished this on my birthday and it was the best present ever! 😊

Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I absolutely love this series, and while I think I'll always love Nevada and Connor's story best, this final book focused on Catalina and Alessandro did not disappoint - in fact, I think it's my favorite of Catalina's trilogy.

There's action, romance, magic, family, humor, suspense - and it's all done well!

Catalina and Alessandro (along with the family) are gearing up for a big confrontation with Arkan, and of course face off with his people along the way. The characters have all grown up so much and have found their places in the family. They have really found their place as a House, and as a combat House at that.

We meet some new characters that I hope to get to know more about in upcoming books (please let Arabella's story be next!!), and so many questions that had been left unanswered in the other books are finally filled in during this book. I am very hopeful for Arabella's story next, especially since we have some hot Russians around and we still have a lost spider - it didn't seem hugely important in this story, so surely it has something to do with Arabella's?

Anyways, loved this story and it left me with a smile on my face at the end. I am so happy I discovered Ilona Andrews and this series a few years ago!

Thank you to #netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A woman has come into her own in the nick of time because a powerful set of enemies have gone on the offensive and will strike when she’s at her most vulnerable. The third and final Catalina Baylor story has arrived and with it the confrontation that has been brewing through two books, but wait, there’s more- stunning family legacy will bring a whispery wow to many reader lips.

Ruby Fever is not a good candidate for standalone as the third leg in a trilogy and the sixth in the overall Hidden Legacy series.

Catalina and her family lost their previous home, but House Baylor has started afresh in a new home and are not so precariously situated so can breathe a little easier. But, that is when the usual series of disasters strike beginning with a two-pronged attack on two leaders in the Houston magic hierarchy. Catalina isn’t left in doubt for long who is ultimately behind it all. Arkan is determined to take her and Alessandro out and everyone they care about are hostages to fate in the battle. Precision attacks against her family and House are just the start A dangerous Russian prince shows up and escalates their troubles even as Connor and Nevada are forced to fight their own enemy and can’t help as much. Catalina learns there is more to her magic than her siren abilities and she must accept and control it if she is to take on her enemies.

Ruby Fever had several moving parts, but I loved the way the authors kept it from tangling up or bogging down the plot or the pacing. Catalina is at the center, but there is a huge cast of characters at this point and her family and Alessandro are tight relationships for her that get some good page time. Not sure what I make of Konstantin, the prince, but I didn’t hate his appearance in the story. What was interesting is Catalina finally getting the last piece to her family history puzzle on her paternal side and I didn’t see that coming. Alessandro got his own big wow moment about his family. My heart went out to both of them as they had to tuck all that away and keep focused on the business at hand. Their relationship was solid and they partnered well. Not that things were perfect because there is a little situation that causes them to address not hiding things to protect the other person.

The book ended in a way that could end the whole series or leave room for the start of a new central character and a new season story arc. Do I want there to be an Arabella trilogy? You betcha britches!

Urban Fantasy fans who haven’t picked up this series really need to get it on their nightstand stack soon.

I was in a bit of a reading slump when I picked up Ruby Fever and it immediately broke me out. I do wish I had reread at least Catalina’s books before this one though. However, after a few pauses to rack my brain about some of the side-characters, I quickly got pulled into the story. There’s a lot of action and battles in this book, and at times, they felt a little predictable. That didn’t dim my enjoyment though. The mystery around the attack on the warden and the new character of the Russian prince made the storyline intriguing and yet allowed for a wrap up of things introduced in the very first book. Ruby Fever definitely felt like the end of the series with little threads hinting at a story for Arabella one day. Because there was so much action, and that Catalina and Alessandro are engaged, the romance did feel a little light. But when they did get romantic scenes, they packed a punch. This book was exactly what I wanted for the series and I enjoyed every second of reading it!