Burn for Me

Burn for Me (2014) Ilona Andrews

I STILL DESPISE THIS COVER.

Avon? THIS COVER IS HORRIBLE.

No, really. It’s been what, three years, and I STILL HATE THIS COVER.

Especially considering the proposed cover.

But this review is not for me to rant. Well, not completely anyway.

Nevada Baylor is owned by MII, the investigative agency of House Montgomery. And when MII is told to bring in Adam Pierce, a Prime fire mage–alive–the case is foisted off on Nevada, whose own agency looks good on paper, and is expendable.

“How are you involved with him?”

“I’ve been tasked by my parent company to convince Adam Pierce to surrender himself to his House.”

(Her) eyebrows rose.

“MII,” (he) said.

“What are your qualifications for this job?” she asked.

“I’m expendable,” I said.

Mad Rogan is also a Prime–one who was damaged by his time in the army, and whose powers seem to be unmatched–he can level a city if let loose unchecked. He is also looking for Adam Pierce, but not to bring him in but to save his cousin, who was involved in Adam’s latest escapades.

I think what I like best about this story is the world building. It’s our world, except with mages.

They spent a month setting up their spells and finally activated their complicated magic. The water left the area. Without it, the weight of the town proved to be too much, and Jersey Village, which sat atop an empty oil field, promptly sank into the ground. An hour later the water came back with a vengeance, aided by nearby bayous and underground streams. In twenty-four hours, Jersey Village turned into a swamp.

And magic and screw things up just as badly as technology.

The part I like least is the hot and heavy romance. They don’t boink, but it’s still pretty heavy on the sex. Personally, I think the book would be better without having all the constant thoughts about boinking and how handsome Rogan is, but I know I’m in the minority here, so I’ll just let it go.

Do I recommend this? Yes, it’s a very good story, even with all the romance and sexy bits.

But that cover? I still HATE it.
Rating: 8/10

Published by Avon

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