Burn for Me

"Don't judge a book by it's cover" - TRUE!!!

I have to start of by saying that I have passed over this book multiple times in the last couple of years because of the cover. Don't make the same mistake I did.

Ilona Andrews is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. If you have listened to at least one of her Kate Daniels books then you know what I am talking about.

This series is delicious and I am a bit sad that she only has this one book out so far!

The story starts off by explaining how the world works. In short, the more magic, the more powerful and wealthy.

The heroine Nevada is a small time private detective, handling small time cases like fraud or cheating spouse situations. It is a family-run business with a mom, grandma, and a couple to teenage kids. It is not a "normal" family..hint, grandma does not knit or bake cookies like a normal grandma. While the business is run by the family, it is owned by a corporation.

Nevada is forced into a bounty-hunter gig that eventually leads her to meeting Rogan. Rogan, is as dangerous as they come. He has some scary powers and is the last person Nevada would want to tangle with. Their first encounter is memorable.... it ends with Nevada getting kidnapped, chained to the floor and her brain almost being crushed. As the story develops, they learn that they need each other. Rogan offer Nevada the possibility of surviving this case and saving her family from complete destruction, while, Rogan needs Nevada for her rare gift, her skills that coming in handy as a partner and also to be the voice of reason.

There is not a dull moment that I can point out. The book is engaging. It has humor, action, suspense and slow burning romance. I love Renee Raudman, so I am biased when it comes to her narration. I think she does a wonderful job in this book and I hope she narrates all three books in this series!

Worth a credit: Yes! Let's just say that had I known this book was going to this good, I would have bought it even if I did not have a credit to use!

33 of 35 people found this review helpful

LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS BOOK

What did you love best about Burn for Me?

I'm very picky about the audiobooks I purchase, I borrowed this from the library, listened to it, borrowed it again 2 months later, listened to it and then just recently borrowed it AGAIN then decided to purchase it.

What did you like best about this story?

The world building is spectacular

Have you listened to any of Renee Raudman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes I've listened to Renee's other work and this one is amazing as well

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed out loud and I LOVE Nevada's grandmother!

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Cover aside, this audiobook rocked!

I loved this first glimpse into Ilona Andrews' HIDDEN LEGACY world; the magic was fascinating, the characters were insta-hits, and the plot just didn't quit. Mad Rogan was everything I wanted in a bad boy—a powerful, borderline sociopath with mega sex appeal—and, Nevada was an absolute delight. Renée Raudman's narration was flawless, the family dynamics of the Baylor clan leaped off the pages, and the romantic elements left me anxious to listen to the next installment. 4.5 stars.

26 of 28 people found this review helpful

One of the my favorite books of all time

I've listened to this book now 5 times- yep FIVE. Words cannot express how much I love this book- I love the heroine who is smart, loyal and very capable. I love the hero, I love the secondary characters and the witty dialogue. The world building is fantastic and very interesting. Renee Raudman does a stellar job of making all voices distinct - you never have to wonder who is speaking or what they're feeling. The book
Blurb gives a good summary of the actual story. As with any first book of a series the first couple of chapters is a bit slow as the world is explored and explained but boy does it pick up after that.

Highly recommend this audio book.

13 of 14 people found this review helpful

My New Favorite Ilona Andrews Must Read Series

I've been a fan of Ilona Andrews since the first time I read a Kate Daniels book five years ago. I have also read all of the Edge series, which I loved, but not quite as much as Kate Daniels.

I expected phenomenal world building, eccentric characters, and an intriguing story. Andrews delivered, and then some. I was pulled into Nevada and Rogan's world and the twist at the end gives me high hopes for the continuation of the series.

Burn for Me is my new favorite Ilona Andrews novel, and the Hidden Legacy series has gone to the top of my "Must Read" series list. I can't wait for #2!!!!

13 of 14 people found this review helpful

Great Story Made NEarly Unbearable by Narrator

What made the experience of listening to Burn for Me the most enjoyable?

It's a great story and the world building is so immersive.

What did you like best about this story?

The team behind Ilona Andrews are responsible for some of my favorite stories. Burn for Me is a fascinating turn for the urban fantasy genre, which tends to cling to the unwritten rules of Noir: no family or permanent personal attachments need apply. Nevada loves her family and they love her back. Nobody gets fridged for the sake of drama.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Renee Raudman?

Probably almost anyone else. Her style doesn't really fit for this particular style of story. Nevada's snark sounds incredibly weird when read in Raudman's persistently tremulous voice. She sounds like she is about to cry even when the character is explicitly angry. Most of her character voices have a bizarre country accent that sounds closer to a Midwestern corn farmer than the urban Texans she's supposed to portray.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Enjoyed it!!!

I really enjoyed the story. There was only one thing wrong. I wished I have read it instead of listening to it. Renee Raudman does an excellent job. But, it sounded too much like Kate and Curan to be anyone else. And since the storyline has to do with magic which is a huge part of Kate's life, I kept getting confused between the set of books. The voice Renee uses for Nevada, the main character, is the same voice she uses for Kate. And so as with Kate and Nevada, it is true for Mad and Curan. I would like to have distinction between the sets of characters since they are to different series. Just my two cents worth. I do love the new series and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

15 of 18 people found this review helpful

Say It Ain't So....

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Possibly someone who has never read/heard the amazing writing that is Ilona Andrews. I think someone who is just getting their feet wet in the Fantasy genre could start here.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I am currently listening to Desire's Prize by M. S. Laurens. This isn't an author I have ever read before but I got in on a sale and am hoping I get pleasantly surprised.

What aspect of Renee Raudman’s performance would you have changed?

I have to first give the disclaimer that Renee Raudman is my favorite narrator but I have to be honest. Just like another reviewer said, she was not spot on with her performance this time. Her voices were not consistent. There was one time that Nevada sounded like Adam Pierce and I had to rewind cause I found it odd that Adam would be having the conversation. Also, some of the voices drove me crazy. Early on Adam sounded masculine at least, but towards the end he sounded like a whiny 11 year old.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Honestly I was sad and disappointed, especially because I pre-ordered this with keen anticipation. Ilona Andrews is my favorite author and I was expecting so much more. This book is definitely NOT a romance novel. I had a hard time understanding when the romance supposedly started. It just seemed to be all about Rogan's hotness, arrogance and crassness. Nevada appeared to be strong originally but then just let Rogan's looks completely distract her. It just seemed like she was in lust with him and I didn't feel that the affection or relationship was built up well.

Any additional comments?

This book does not sound original to the author at all. It seems like they tried to step outside of their urban fantasy genre into romance but did not land soundly. This book let me down. But please do not let this one work throw you off of this author. The Kate Daniels series is totally amazing, and I understand that may be a hard thing to beat.

24 of 30 people found this review helpful

I couldn't even finish it because of Narration

I really liked the idea of this book, but after listening to it for almost 2 hours I had to stop. The romance never really picked up for me, though the premise of the story was interesting enough that I might have kept listening. Unfortunately the chosen narrator had a voice that I could not handle. She has a slight lisp that really ruins the characters for me. And her voice seems much too old for the characters described. I cringed at the thought of listening to a romantic scene with her grandmotherly voice. I might pick up the book on Kindle, but I'll have to wait a long time for her voice impersonation of the characters to leave my mind. I have no idea why they picked her since the character does not have a list in the story as far as I can tell, but what an unfortunate choice.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Meh

Would you try another book from Ilona Andrews and/or Renee Raudman?

I love Ilona Andrews, but not Renee Raudman.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was kind of out of nowhere, but added an interesting twist.

What three words best describe Renee Raudman’s performance?

Overwhelming Michigan accent.

Do you think Burn for Me needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes. I feel unresolved!

10 of 13 people found this review helpful