Diamond Fire – Ilona Andrews

I’ve been waiting for this novella - and it was worth the wait. If you enjoyed the first (and so far only - but be patient) Hidden Legacy trilogy, you’ll enjoy “Diamond Fire’.

In the first trilogy, the main character was Nevada Baylor, whose family members were excellent support characters, but were never intended themselves to themselves be main characters. In particular, her sisters had abilities which made them excellent supporting characters. Need to get past an army? Ask Catalina. Need to go through an army? Ask Arabella. In both cases, the abilities were the moral equivalent of a kiloton of TNT: Not much room for nuance. So if Catalina is going to take center stage in a second trilogy, she requires repair work.

Diamond Fire provides that. She will go into her own trilogy with a more-flexible, intimations of additional abilities, a mentor who will help her walk the Prime minefield - and the foundations of a potential romance.

On its own merits, DF was fun to read, but not as good as the authors’ best work. It is nominally about Catalina solving a robbery, but the problem is somewhat contrived and the solution is foreshadowed in the first couple of chapters. It was still fun to read, and to watch as it succeeds in its purpose of growing Catalina from a supporting character to someone who can carry a large story.

Should you read Diamond Fire? If you enjoyed the trilogy, then absolutely yes. If you haven’t read the trilogy, and you would enjoy excellent fantasy/sf/romance, start with Burn for Me. If you don’t enjoy this kind of fiction, this novella probably wouldn’t change your mind.