Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Courtesy of Teens Read Too, 20 May 2008
Seventeen years ago, a bloody war waged by the Kingdom of Cokyri on the Hytanicans ended abruptly when the Cokyri stole away forty-nine newborn males...and only returned the bodies of forty-eight. Hytanica has managed to rebuild from the war, but the anger felt towards the warriors of the mountains--not to mention anxiety that the war could resume at any time--has never completely ceased.
Alera, crowned princess of Hytanica, now celebrates her seventeenth birthday, and must prepare to wed in exactly one year. In a land where men hold complete dominion over women, Alera may not take her father's place as ruler, but must seek a husband who will fulfill the role as king. Unfortunately, no suitor matches her father's strict qualifications aside from Lord Steldor, the egotistical son of the Captain of the Guard whose very breathing manages to annoy Alera.
All of this grows less important to Alera once the Cokyrians manage to infiltrate the palace, and word is whispered that there is a traitor among the Elite Guard. Even Alera's beloved bodyguard begins behaving strangely, and Alera finds herself having to make a difficult choice. Her budding interest in the political affairs of her kingdom come to head when another Cokyrian, a young man named Narian, is captured, and Alera finds herself probing him for information that she, as a woman, is not allowed to know.
As she grows closer with Narian, who was raised in a society where woman often hold power over men, Alera learns that she is capable of much she would never have imagined...even of finding love. But the intriguing circumstances surrounding Narian's life will throw everything into jeopardy, for Alera as well as for the entire kingdom of Hytanica.
This brilliant story by a young new author captured my heart, and I am eager to read the tale's conclusion in the following book.
Reviewed by: Allison Fraclose
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
., 13 May 2008
"Legacy" is a charming and enjoyable romantic fantasy novel. The author combines deep character development and vivid descriptions to really draw the reader into the story and identify with the characters. By the end of the book the reader becomes delightfully well acquainted with the thoughts, emotions and love-life of Princess Alera, and the dramatic tensions between the nation of Hytanica and the brutal nation of Corkyri. Not only does this novel provide an enjoyable story to read, but it also addresses issues such as prejudice and the balance between duty and ambition.
Overall, I would say to anyone who wishes to read a good and memorable book that they will certainly not be disappointed with "Legacy", and will wait eagerly for the sequel.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.0 out of 5 stars
Strictly Teenage Romance, 18 Oct 2009
The presentation of this edition is fabulous. The cover and medieval style presentation of the book are outstanding. The jewel effect cover and deckle edge pages(roughcut) really set the scene for the story.
The story is worth reading if you are a teenager fond of chaste romances and long family sagas. It's a lengthy tale of Princess Alera and her choice of two suitors, Steldor and Narian, in the Medieval type country of Hytanica. Except in this patriarchal world it's not really her choice so there is much wailing, crying and teenage foot stamping. There are some excellent parts of the story. One suitor returns, after being stolen as a baby, from a neighbouring country and creates havoc with the conventions of Hytanica. He has been trained as a soldier since infanthood and raised in a culture where women are in charge. This creates a few great scenes where fathers' are disobeyed, Princess Alera is clandestinely trained in self defence skill and a prophecy is introduced. Most of the good plot points are dropped far too soon though or not expanded or carried through successfully. Instead we are treatd to a lot of flowery language about dresses and outfits every time a scene is introduced. A lot of the scene changes had me going Eh? as they seemed totally out of place e.g. early on one minute Princess Alera is confined to Castle ground with attacks being made on her life and the next minute she is wandering around markets with little chance of protection. Her realtionship with her father figure bodyguard is also bizarre. She forgets to tell anyone including her father. the King, some pivotol astounding piece of information but later brings it up as a plot point. I put the book down several times and left it for weeks out of a mixture of boredom and incredulity. I also got very tired of the fact that every time Suitor Steldor wis introduced to a scene (with his outfit) he was described as egotistical and or cruel and then proceeded to do something egotistical and or cruel. I kept wanting to shout "enough already, I get the point". This carries on right to the end. Literally.
This book is the equivalent of Strictly Come Dancing. Fantastic packaging but lots to criticise. The story stops at a cliffhanger point and a sequel is planned. I think I'll leave Princess Alera here though. If I was describing this book to a friend I'd say it was a love story with main characters like a young Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret (one serious princess, one flighty) but imagine them with a modern teenagers outlook and values but by the way, the story is set in Medieval times. Nothing quite fits or rings true but overall it's ok for entertainment value.
I would advise only buying it if you are a great fan of historical teenage romance. If you enjoyed the Bloodline Rising series you might enjoy this.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
