Legacy (Legacy, #1)

Jan 09, 2013 Wendy Darling rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: skimmed-or-unfinished, young-adult, fantasy

Could not get through this one--needed a lot more editing.

Aug 03, 2011 Krystle rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I’ll admit it, when I was fourteen my writing sucked and when I read it over I cringe in embarrassment. And this book produced the same reaction. After reading this book I understand how awesome editors are and damn, did this book need it.

I love me some description, beautiful, lyrical stuff that’ll make you turn green in fits of raging jealousy but shit, man, when they fail, oh boy do they fail. Frick, if I wanted to read paragraphs and paragraphs of technical descriptions about the color of som...more

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Jul 27, 2011 Katie rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When I found out a young author in my state -- near the city in which I live -- had succeeded in writing and publishing a book, I was ecstatic. I wanted to like it, I /really/ wanted to like it. I read it the whole way through, hoping I'd find a redeeming star hidden in the pages... And all I found was a shining example of why so few teenagers get their works published. A dragging plotline (was there a plot?), endless descriptions of what people are wearing (I about died after the fifth time --...more

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Nov 14, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com

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 sev...more

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Apr 27, 2012 Cindy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, very-favorite, chemistry-a-plenty, fantasy, swoon-worthy-heroes, tortured-heroes, unforgettable-heroines, wish-it-would-never-end, book-club-read

WOW! This book was amazing! I loved everything about it, the characters were well developed, the storyline was intriguing, the romance was great, descriptions of surroundings were wonderful. It was the perfect book for me. I love fairy tales and fantasy books and this just became my favorite. I am trying to think were to begin it was all so good,and I don't want to give anything away. Princess Alera of Hytanica Kingdom is coming of age to marry. Her father is ready to relinquish his title to who...more WOW! This book was amazing! I loved everything about it, the characters were well developed, the storyline was intriguing, the romance was great, descriptions of surroundings were wonderful. It was the perfect book for me. I love fairy tales and fantasy books and this just became my favorite. I am trying to think were to begin it was all so good,and I don't want to give anything away. Princess Alera of Hytanica Kingdom is coming of age to marry. Her father is ready to relinquish his title to whom ever Alera marries. However who ever Alera chooses to marry must be approved by her father, and their is thus far only one man that he feels can take his place, Steldor. Steldor is handsome and full of chivalry but.... he is also full of himself and rightly so. Steldor is amazing he is the best of the best. Best Knight, best in his class,he is charming, all the women adore him, and he drives Alera crazy with his arrogance. Then enters Narian a handsome and mysteries young man. He has arrived from a rival kingdom, many questions are raised about him, is he a threat, why is he their, what does he want? On top of all of this there are secrets of ancient origins that threaten to tear Hytanica apart and bring her to war. This book is a wonderful romantic, intriguing, adventures, mysterious gem of a book.

I loved Alera, she was the perfect 17 year old, she was strong, witty, knew what she wanted but wasn't sure how to get it. I liked this aspect of Alera, to often books of this kind the lead woman character is so strong and things just happen because they can. With Alera we see her coming of age and trying to over come some of her immaturity, and naivety. Her father is king and she shows him the respect he deserves, even when she doesn't want too. At times this frustrated me, but if I looked at it from a 17 year old living in her time period, it was very real her emotions and reactions. I really appreciated that Ms. Kluver kept Alera true to who she was. Alera wasn't wimpy she stood up to her father and others, but she was respectful of protocol,and her kingdom. Steldor is gorgeous and swoon worthy, and utterly irritating. Yet at the same time he does try to be good to Alera and win her over. so I do have respect for the guy. I developed a love hate relationship with Steldor. Narian is handsome to but not quite as much as Steldor. He is smart and witty full of chivalry and good to Alera. Another of my favorite characters was London, he is Alera's bodyguard and he is tuff, sensitive, and just amazing with Alera, he was one of my favorites. There are many other wonderful characters in this story that I will save for you to explore. The ending of this book was just unbelievable, I am in aw, I don't even know what to say, with out giving to much a way. I am still shaking my head and have re-read the ending over a few times already wow! As you can tell I really loved and enjoyed this book. If you haven't read it go get it! I can hardly wait for book two and three, please hurry and release them!!

Clean language
Clean romance

Audio version fun to listen to. Still my favorite ever series:D
(less)

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Jul 08, 2011 Amber added it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, netgalley, ebooks, 2011

The cover is gorgeous and the story was most interesting. The protagonist as well as the other characters in this story are very original and interesting. It is a long book, and at times you may feel it drag on a little but as you move along you get pulled in.

In her seventeenth year, Princess Alera of Hytanica faces one duty: to marry the man who will be king. But her father's choice of suitor fills her with despair.

When the palace guard captures and intruder—a boy her age with steel-blue eyes,...more

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Apr 07, 2012 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, clean, ya, own, swoon-worthy-heroes, tortured-hero, historical-romance, love-triangle, marriage-of-convenience, medieval, favorites, special-favorites, to-read-again

5 STARS!!! This is definetly my new TOP FAVORITE!!!! I ADORED this story and felt like I knew and loved SOMETHING about every single character! The characters' descriptions and depth was everything I love in a story! There was never a moment where I felt like skimming. I don't have a single complaint about this book! It has the love-triangle aspect that I love, but even if you hate love-triangles, this is done in a way that makes total sense without being annoying, because one man she MUST love/...more

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Oct 29, 2012 Kristen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, historical-romance, clean-read

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 19, 2011 joy *the clean-reader extraordinaire* rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: high-fantasy, pg13-green, ya-fiction

*4.5 stars* rounded up because the author was in her early teens when writing -- that definitely deserves a brownie point or two.

i loved this world and did not want to leave it!
the writing was pompous at times, the characterization only moderate,
but the setting, pacing, and plot twists were fantastic.

can't wait for the sequels to be available in english

pg13 green
mild kissing, mild violence

may 2012 re-read :)

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Jun 08, 2011 Julia rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: craptastic

Wow. Ha ha!
Up to now the Twilight series held their place on the top of my "worst books ever written" list. Congratulations, Meyer, you were actually better than this.

Seriously, though - I spent 20€ on this crap and I couldn't even finish it. The writing, the forced dialog. First time I had to look up the meaning of words in a novel. Jesus ...

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Jul 28, 2009 Eleni ( La Femme Readers ) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First let me just say wow. I am in love with this book and with Cayla's beautiful writing. Cayla wrote this book when she was only 14 years old! I know, can you believe it? I am so impressed with the storyline, it kept me at the edge of my seat. I loved the descriptive details which helped me imagine the life of Princess Alera. I enjoyed most of the characters, with the exception of one, Steldor, which was her father's choice for suitor, he was an arrogant son of a gun. I don't want to say a lot...more

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Sep 01, 2009 Tara Chevrestt rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya, arc

I had to read this when I found out the author was 14 years old at the time of writing it. I do not regret my decision. Whereas it is not the best book I have ever read, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the writing style. I liked the clothing and scenery descriptions. Most authors will go on and on about the sky or the trees and yet give very little details as to what the characters are wearing. Cayla did an excellent job.

The story takes place in medieval times in a fictional kingdom called H...more I had to read this when I found out the author was 14 years old at the time of writing it. I do not regret my decision. Whereas it is not the best book I have ever read, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the writing style. I liked the clothing and scenery descriptions. Most authors will go on and on about the sky or the trees and yet give very little details as to what the characters are wearing. Cayla did an excellent job.

The story takes place in medieval times in a fictional kingdom called Hytanica. Hytanica has been fighting for a hundred years with another kingdom called Cokyri. Hytanica is ruled by the men and the men consider women to be mere window ornaments and/or party planners. Cokyri is ruled by women. I found myself rooting for Cokyri, despite the fact that the heroine of the story, Princess Alera is a born and bred Hytanican. In Princess Alera's society, the women are spineless. Princess Alera is spineless. She is rendered speechless most of the time or scrambling for something to say in most of the serious discussions she finds herself in. She is always aiming to please all around her and never herself. Well, very rarely. Her father, the king, desires her to court and marry an incredibly pompous boy and despite her feelings for another young man, Narian, she pretty much does her father's bidding. She rarely even speaks up to her bodyguards even when they annoy her. This irksome trait of Alera's is the only thing preventing this from being a 5 star book in my eyes. I mean, she is a princess!! Put the bodyguards in their place! Have someone's head cut off or something.

While the kingdoms are fighting on and off, a long lost Hytanican boy, the Narian I mentioned above, suddenly reappears in Hytanica after many years of living with the Cokyri. A mystery surrounds him. Who is he? What are his intentions? Does he love Alera?

I am not all that fond of the ending...but my interest is certainly picqued enought to read the sequel. I am dying to know what happened next. Does it really end as badly as this one has us thinking? Or does love conquer all?

Again, love the writing style. This author is extremely talented and I am seriously impressed. Do not be put off by her age. She writes like an adult. This was a surprisingly light, entertaining read, if a bit slow at times. Well worth it. (less)

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Jan 09, 2013 Jennavier rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-debut-authors

I'm trying to think of how to talk about this book without being mean. I'll try for blunt and hope it doesn't come across to badly.
Here's the story: Alera is stuck with the likelihood of marrying a guy she actively dislikes. She's muffled by rules that keep woman from holding power. But out there is something watching...... The country over holds a possibility of love but a huge possibility of her entire country getting wiped off the map.
The tone of this book was impossible to get through. It w...more I'm trying to think of how to talk about this book without being mean. I'll try for blunt and hope it doesn't come across to badly.
Here's the story: Alera is stuck with the likelihood of marrying a guy she actively dislikes. She's muffled by rules that keep woman from holding power. But out there is something watching...... The country over holds a possibility of love but a huge possibility of her entire country getting wiped off the map.
The tone of this book was impossible to get through. It was stilted and, well, inane. I didn't come across any perceivable plot. Some of the character descriptions made me want to fork myself in the eye. Not everyone old can have "silver hair"!
On a more technical note, I used to be a slavish lover of eastern european history specifically in the late medieval through renaissance eras. I was going to major in it in college until I realized that it was just a one way ticket to being that bitter high school teacher that everyone rolls there eyes at. I'm giving you this background to make some sense of the upcoming rant.
If the fantasy Alera is going to be even remotely accurate it needs some HUGE adjustments. Her dad is hooking her up with a young, handsome guy that won't let her speak her mind and she's having kittens over it. In a medieval based culture she would just be relieved she's not marrying twice her age who has no teeth. She would be expecting an arranged marriage. That was the price that girls of the nobility paid for not being peasants. It was a social contract over land rights, power structures, and military alliances. Nothing else. Certainly not an exploration of feelings. Liking your spouse was a bonus, not a goal. Next Alera challenges her father over his decisions on how to handle and enemy captive. Yeah, no. Medieval woman had a lot more power then we gave them credit for, but the point of a nobleman wasn't to look pretty in those days. It was to be a military leader and protector. If any daughter got into a public throw down with her father she would have to lose, because she would be making her father look like a fool in front of the lesser nobility who owed him. In that case he would be ripe for being deposed. Life was harder in those days and no one could afford to be superfluous. Alera's country is a lifetime special masquerading as a fantasy world.
I've read over countless friends MS's that have reminded me of this book. I'm just surprised someone published it.(less)

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Jan 29, 2013 Andrea Hussey rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I had never realized it was possible to become claustrophobic while reading a book, but Kluver managed to make me go through the symptoms of claustrophobia as if I were stuck in a small enclosed room with no windows. I desperately needed a change of scenery like I needed a breath of air.

Alera would go out somewhere, and then she’d come back to the castle and the guards would lead her to her chambers.
She’d be somewhere in the castle and something would happen, and she’d go back to her sitting roo...more

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Feb 09, 2013 Sarah Maddaford rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, fantasy, historical, mythology-misc, political, romance, young-adult, war

I was really surprised by all the negative reviews on this one. It wasn't mind blowing, but it was a pretty good quick read. I enjoy fantasy, especially fantasy that has a historical bend to it. This didn't have a lot of fantastical elements in it. It was more political/historical, but it was still interesting for the most part. It was frustrating to have the main female character so restricted, but it was also partially understandable due to the way the world had been constructed. (view spoiler ...more

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Jun 28, 2011 A Canadian Girl rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, harlequin-teen, 3-stars

I have a weakness for princess stories and with a gorgeous cover like that on Cayla Kluver’s Legacy; I knew I had to read the book. The writing was nicely paced and with elements of action, duty, betrayal, love and family, the story kept me engaged until the end.

One of the things I noted though was that there is a lot of description about the food, setting, clothes, etc. As someone who is bad at visualization, this made it easier for me to imagine stuff, but at times even I found all the descrip...more

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Mar 06, 2013 Bon Bon rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

- Annoyingly detailed
- weak and selfish heroine
- talking just about anyone and everything
- weak minded
- like Steldor... :) I just don't see whats wrong with him.
- why must be all women in this novel be weak?

- selfish protagonist. Thinking about her happiness rather than think about her responsibility and what's good for her land.
- not my kind of book. The writing style is not to my liking.at all.
- I would have preferred if the story is about Narian. He has way more interesting life than Aler...more

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May 08, 2011 Debora rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fisicamente_posseduto, ebook

Legacy è uno di quei fantasy cosiddetti “classici”. Senza draghi, vampiri e lupi mannari ci affascina e ci narra la “vita” di principesse e principi in un epoca diversa e un regno “lontano”.

Innegabilmente diretto a un pubblico piuttosto giovane (diciamo fino ai 15 anni), Legacy è, però, un fantasy piuttosto piacevole anche per un pubblico più adulto. Purché consapevole di “cosa” intenda leggere e soprattutto che non si avvicini alla lettura con grandi pretese. Data la grande pubblicità, soprattu...more Legacy è uno di quei fantasy cosiddetti “classici”. Senza draghi, vampiri e lupi mannari ci affascina e ci narra la “vita” di principesse e principi in un epoca diversa e un regno “lontano”.

Innegabilmente diretto a un pubblico piuttosto giovane (diciamo fino ai 15 anni), Legacy è, però, un fantasy piuttosto piacevole anche per un pubblico più adulto. Purché consapevole di “cosa” intenda leggere e soprattutto che non si avvicini alla lettura con grandi pretese. Data la grande pubblicità, soprattutto per il web, verrebbe da pensare di aver di fronte un nuovo caso letterario, invece no. E’ un libro carino, tiepido e dall’atmosfera “favoleggiante”. Abbiamo una principessa, un matrimonio combinato, un “prescelto” spocchioso e insopportabile e “l’altro” . Sì, perché Alera dovrebbe proprio sposare Steldor; suo pradre sembra aver deciso pur lasciandole l’illusione di una scelta. Lei non l’ama, non lo ritiene un buon erede al trono e prende tempo fra un un pasticcio e l’altro che, assieme alla sorella, la porteranno ad imbattersi nel misterioso e sicuro Narian, tornato in patria dopo essere stato rapito in fasce dal popolo dei Cokyri.

Potrebbe sembrare la classica favola sull’amore “plebeo” della principessa che, sdegnando il principe di turno, finisce per unirsi in matrimonio con il plebeo. Quasi, ma non del tutto. A metà libro avevo dato già per scontato il finale, demoralizzandomi un po’. Invece l’autrice mi ha sorpresa! Non c’è un finale “positivo” per Alera, non c’è “fuga” dalle responsabilità, né una scappatoia facile.

C’è una principessa che, nonostante i picchi di ingenuità (reduci soprattutto dalla giovane età dell’autrice, presumo), alla fine si sobbrarca i propri oneri e non lio scarica sulle spalle del primo venuto pur di “coronare il suo sogno” . Questo mi piace, è un tocco di amara realtà, di maturità. Molto probabilmente con i prossimi libri, il risultato, sarà comunque un amore fra Alera e Narian, non lo escludo ma credo che sarà piacevole leggere come si evolverà questa trilogia.

L’autrice scrivere bene ed ha un bello stile tranquillo e un po’ ingenuo. Francamente mi aspettavo di peggio, visto altri “colleghi”. Probabilmente la trama pecca, in alcuni punti, di ingenuità però si regge in piedi e non crolla sullo scetticismo assoluto del lettore che, nonostante in più punti si ritrova a sorridere indulgente, è comunque persuaso a continuare la lettura.

La parte grafica è assolutamente curata! Una delle cose che, l’ammetto, mi ha colpita enormemente è stata proprio la parte “fisica” del libro. La casa editrice ha curato l’editing (anche se in alcuni punti, ammettiamolo, avrebbe potuto fare di meglio! Ci sono alcune frasi che proprio non tornano in italiano) e ha creato un effetto “libro antico” frastagliando leggermente le pagine del romanzo e pubblicando un prodotto finito davvero convincente. Complimenti alla Sperling & Kupfer.

Riassumendo un bel libro, una lettura tranquilla e senza troppe pretese che, però, ci accompagna alla fine riuscendo comunque a mantenere viva la curiosità.(less)

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Aug 19, 2009 Kat Bryan added it · review of another edition

First, I have to say, all the time I was reading the book, one thought kept going through my mind, “A girl wrote this when she was just 14!” I find that amazing as the story line, characters, and dialogue are well developed and would rival any other book I’ve read. The heroine in only 17 so I’m sure that helped give the author an edge even though the story takes place at a much earlier, medieval time. Her descriptions of people, places, customs, foods, and clothing are very complete.

I think this...more

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May 19, 2013 Charles rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-challenge, epic-fantasy

Welcome back to another review of an outstanding five star book. Now Legacy by Cayla Kluver started out what a normal reader would consider a three star book, but as you continue to read the novel the characters, setting, and even the eventual love pairing develop the book into what I consider a five star book. The book in itself lean towards the fairy tale setting of princesses, knights, kingdoms and feuds. As the reader you will be transported to a fantastic world all from the mind of a young...more

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May 07, 2013 Déborah Muñoz rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, young, romantic

Reseña completa y más en www.escriboleeo.blogspot.com
Me ha encantado. Ya he dicho que las expectativas que tenía eran muy bajas, pero es que ha sido cogerlo y no parar hasta terminarlo. Estoy deseando leerme la continuación (que también me tocó en el sorteo).
El argumento es original y no tiene nada que ver con el resto de cosas del género juvenil. Está ambientada en un mundo distinto, con ciertos tintes de fantasy casi insignificantes. La historia de amor tampoco es típica, ni mucho menos. Para...more

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Mar 10, 2013 Zakiyyah Mandisa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Legacy Amazon Encore, 2009 462 pp., $9.99

Cayla Kluver ISBN: 978-1-59591-055-4

Hytanicans and Cokyrians were in a war 16 years ago. The war was never settled,

and they’re still enemies. Sixteen years ago 49 babies were abducted and all babies were

returned dead, except for one who wasn’t returned at all. So when that one comes back can the

Hytanicans trust him? Princess Alera the Crown Princess is at the age where she needs to choose

her husband, the one who will be the next king.

Narian has just retur...more

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Dec 23, 2012 Meena rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There were many things wrong with this book as well as many aspects that made it work. To make this a quick review though, Im just going to list some of my major issues with this book as well a paragraph on what I liked about it at the end.

1. The overly descriptive writing. I mean its great that the author can put so much detail into her work, and as a practicing writer I can appreciate her writing style - meaning the way her words immediately fill my head with a scene and time, interiors with a...more There were many things wrong with this book as well as many aspects that made it work. To make this a quick review though, Im just going to list some of my major issues with this book as well a paragraph on what I liked about it at the end.

1. The overly descriptive writing. I mean its great that the author can put so much detail into her work, and as a practicing writer I can appreciate her writing style - meaning the way her words immediately fill my head with a scene and time, interiors with a color and material palette, characters with clothing descriptions, etc. But there are times in a book when its better to leave it up to the imagination of the reader. The constant description of what everyone is wearing, what everything looks like in the room and what everyones expression is at every moment (with a lot of weird smirking done by a lot of people) dominates my choices as a reader. I feel that I cant think or expand about anything in the book by myself because its all been taken care of, which isnt a good thing since a book is supposed to allow the reader to let their mind wander.

2. The repetition of information in the book. There are a LOT of times in the book where Alera repeats facts that were mention two or three chapters before. We're not idiots with short term memory loss. I think something like Steldors mannerisms (his playboy nature for example) which were stated in this first chapter, doesn't need to be retold every time Alera sees him and describes him again. Also true with London's dismissal.

3. Alera's double sided personality. This girl is honestly the most contradictive character I have ever encountered. On one page she doesnt mind Steldor and even enjoys his company and kiss and on the next she shuns him a being arrogant. Not only that but her views towards London's dismissal, Narian's loyalty and most aggravatingly her marriage talks with her father make the lead character a person with serious personality disorder. To elaborate, her talks with her father about marriage. The author dedicates one paragraph to why Alera cant marry Steldor and how she feels trapped, but two paragraphs down, after the King talking to her about Steldor, she mutely sits there and decides that she has a duty to fulfill and to talk to her father another time about it (This happens about a billion times in the book)

4. I seriously thought it stupid for Narian to run away. Granted the captain learned the threat he posed but it would have been good to see him face that struggle then make his decision.

5. Loved the whole party seen with Steldor and Alera dancing and irking eachother.

6. The cover. Completely against the cover for one reason alone. The clothing does not go with the authors overly descriptive garments in the book. When opening the book and reading the first chapter I expected the setting and timeline to be way more advanced.

To conclude, the two things that I really enjoyed in this book are the political/war element that advances the story perfectly and effortlessly and the relationship between Steldor-Alera-Narian. Love triangles always irk me a bit and this one does to the same extent in the later novels. Legacy however has a good love story behind it. Overall a good start to the series with an ending that makes you want to read the second book.(less)

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Dec 13, 2012 Dawn Jackson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

Written as though it is historical fiction, although in a place that never existed. There are two warring countries, one ruled by men and the other by women. Fundamental differences arise as a result. At one point many years ago, the one country stole 26 (or 28?) male babies, killing and returning all but one of them before they vacated the war. Many years later, the crown princess coming of age and must marry. In this same time, the long missing male child, now a teen as well, is discovered and...more

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Dec 07, 2012 Dark Faerie Tales rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed-by-michelle

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Legacy of a nation filled with duty and honor plays an important role in this fantastic tale.

Opening Sentence: The first boy disappeared on the day of his birth, on a night when the pale yellow moon that ruled the sky turned red and bathed the heavens in the ghastly color of blood, the same night the Empire of Cokyri abruptly ceased its merciless attack.

The Review:

Legacy was on my short list of books that I wanted to read when I visited the...more

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Dec 03, 2012 Rebecca rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: scifi-fantasy, childrens-teens, spanish

If I had been reading this book in English, I'm pretty sure that I would have disliked it, but it was good (up until the last quarter of the book) when read in Spanish. Why?

a) Thinking back - there really wasn't any central plot or series of events leading to a specific climax. Without the suspension of a main plot to keep me engaged - I focused on (and enjoyed after awhile) the overabundance of "vosotros" in all its' splendid forms.

B) There are a few emotional conflicts in the book, but the re...more If I had been reading this book in English, I'm pretty sure that I would have disliked it, but it was good (up until the last quarter of the book) when read in Spanish. Why?

a) Thinking back - there really wasn't any central plot or series of events leading to a specific climax. Without the suspension of a main plot to keep me engaged - I focused on (and enjoyed after awhile) the overabundance of "vosotros" in all its' splendid forms.

B) There are a few emotional conflicts in the book, but the resolutions are either ridiculous or appear to have no effect at all. It's hard to argue this point without spoilers, so I'll write the next few sentences in Spanish (without vosotros and probably bad grammar ˆ.ˆ) Por ejemplo, hay un conflicto con la lealtad de su guardaespaldas, pero casi al medio del libro, él aparecia otra vez y resume a su posición. Entonces, me pregunté - ¿Por qué fuera necesario ese conflicto? No tiene nada que ver con la "trama," lo que sea, del libro (pienso que la trama es la necesidad de Alera a encontrar alguien con quien puede casar en lugar de Steldor, pero todavía no estoy segura). Pude aceptar que algunas cosas que la autora incluye no fueron importantes, pero el fin del libro vuelve a los mismos temas del principio -- como ella odia a Steldor pero no hay otro pretendiente que su padre aceptará, etcétera etcétera. Cuando sólo tenía diez páginas más, casi no lo terminé porque me sentí que NADA que ha ocurrido dentro del libro que había importante.

In the book's description, it says "When the attractive and mysterious Narian arrives from enemy lands with secrets and different ideas about the role of women in the world, Alera becomes fascinated. . ." --- Narian doesn't even show up until 100 pages into the 300 page book.

I felt like I wasted my time by the last pages (except for the glowing knowledge that I had read a book covered in "vosotros" --- that made me happy :P)

Overall, this book had potential -- and was entertaining to a point - but it needed a lot more editing and focus. (less)

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Oct 15, 2012 Melissa Parsons rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: an editor

Legacy by Cayla Kluver is the first in the Legacy trilogy. Seventeen year old Princess Alera of Hytanica is supposed to marry a man who will become king and her father's choice is not one she wants. What does catch her eye, though, is an intruder with steel-blue eyes and her kingdom's greatest enemy.

The cover was pretty and it drew me in, which should have been a sign. Whenever there's a pretty cover, chances are, it's a horrible book. But, Cayla was only fifteen when she wrote this, so I figure...more Legacy by Cayla Kluver is the first in the Legacy trilogy. Seventeen year old Princess Alera of Hytanica is supposed to marry a man who will become king and her father's choice is not one she wants. What does catch her eye, though, is an intruder with steel-blue eyes and her kingdom's greatest enemy.

The cover was pretty and it drew me in, which should have been a sign. Whenever there's a pretty cover, chances are, it's a horrible book. But, Cayla was only fifteen when she wrote this, so I figured, why not? But the thing is, I'm still wondering how this book was published.

So, it starts out with a prologue, which pretty much tells everything you need to know about the book. In fact, you can read that and not have to read more because you know what's going to happen. A bunch of boys were taken from the enemy, all but one were returned dead. Guess where that one is? Yeah, if you guess he's with the enemy and suddenly comes back and is the intruder mentioned in the description, you guessed right. If you didn't guess that... there's something wrong with you, like missing common sense.

Once you get past the prologue, you have to deal with the encyclopedia, I mean the story. Which consists of Alera telling the reader everything about everything. I don't mean explaining it or showing it, like you know, good writers do, but telling the story. TELLING it. Which makes it drag on even more. Honestly, it felt like I was reading an encyclopedia with random conversations in the middle.

One of the big plot points for this story is just so ridiculously stupid that it would never ever happen. Once Alera turns eighteen, she has to marry and her husband will take over the kingdom as King right away and her father will step away. What kingdom EVER has EVER done that? What kingdom that you can think of has ever done that? NONE. Why? Because it's stupid and no King would ever be good enough because they wouldn't have any training whatsoever. It takes time to learn. If you just get some random guy off the street to be King once he's married, the kingdom is going to go downhill within a year or two.

Add in the fact that Alera's kingdom is on the brink of war and you're really screwed. Why in the world would any king step down as soon as his daughter married when there's a war brewing? Does that make any sense whatsoever? In Cayla's world it does. -_-

So, the guy that Alera's dad chooses is this stuck up guy who Alera doesn't want to marry. And instead of actually saying anything to her father, she'd rather whine and complain about the fact that she has to spend time with him. By that, I mean whine and complain to the reader or her guard who can do nothing about it.

And why is it that he's the ONLY guy in the kingdom that's eligible to marry? Is this kingdom so small and tiny that there's only a few people? Or so overpopulated with women, that there's not many guys there? WHY? Why is this creep the only one there?

Then... there's the adverbs. The horrible, horrible adverbs. Adverbs are the tool of the lazy writer. Adverbs tell the story when you want to show your story. Cayla doesn't show a thing. All she does is tell us boring information after boring information. That's why this book is so thick - it's filled with boring encyclopedia information that no one cares about, like how a room is so splendidly decorated or what fine details are in someone's outfit. And adverbs. Tons of adverbs. I think there's one, if not more, in every sentence. Too many adverbs!!

After so much of this, I had to call it quits. I couldn't finish it. There is only so much encyclopedia reading, bad writing, horrible flat characters I can take before I want to knock someone out with the book. I honestly wanted to burn this book, but I got it from the library and I was not paying the fine for not returning it.

I have always said it doesn't matter how old you are - be it sixteen or sixty - when you write and/or publish a book. I won't judge on that, I judge on the writing and the writing in this book was horrible. It's not even "good for fifteen". It's obvious Cayla doesn't know much about writing or what she's talking about. Maybe if this was a MG book or for younger audiences and Cayla had a different plot, or she waited until she knew more about writing to write this, it wouldn't have been so bad. But as it stands, it's horrible. I didn't finish and I'm not reading more of this series or from this author ever. I'm not recommending this book to anyone. Unless you want to fall asleep, that is. (less)

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Sep 19, 2012 Alexis rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: beautiful-writing, fantasy, just-loved-it, romance, begging-for-a-sequel

I loved this book. Yes, I know people rant about hating the descriptions and hating Alera and hating her family and hating Narian and Steldor, but you know? I didn't really mind. The writing was lovely, and the characters were subtle, but deep. You need to be a nuance-reader, I think, to truly appreciate everything Cayla's telling you. Read between the lines. Muse about the abundant hints. If you like neon colors and flashing lights, this book isn't for you; but if you like gentler tones, read i...more

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Sep 18, 2012 Mercy Dragonslayer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: seriously-good, fantasy, dazzling

Okay, I get that Cayla's being 14 was a shocker, but I don't understand why so many people knock her for it! Didn't you ever feel a glow in your middle when you realized that "said" was spelled so? Didn't you ever go sit down and scribble a 4-paragraph story at top speed, then proudly show your parents that you could spell one word of it? Add about a decade to that, plus polish, depth, and eloquence, and you get Legacy.

This book is really beautiful. Ignore the fact that she was young--she doesn'...more

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Aug 22, 2012 Giota Papadimakopoulou rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Όταν στα χέρια σου πέφτει ένα μυθιστόρημα το οποίο ξέρεις πως υπογράφει στην πρώτη του έκδοση μια 16χρονη συγγραφέας, ας είμαστε ειλικρινείς, το πρώτο πράγμα που αισθάνεσαι είναι δυσπιστία. Δεν μου αρέσει να κρίνω τους ανθρώπους, πόσο μάλλον το ταλέντο τους, από την ηλικία τους αλλά όπως και να το κάνουμε, όσο και να θες να το αποφύγεις, έστω και φευγαλέα, η σκέψη αυτή θα σου περάσει από το μυαλό. Κάπως έτσι λοιπόν ξεκίνησα να διαβάζω την "Κληρονομία" της Cayla Kluver, με καλή πίστη απέναντι στο...more Όταν στα χέρια σου πέφτει ένα μυθιστόρημα το οποίο ξέρεις πως υπογράφει στην πρώτη του έκδοση μια 16χρονη συγγραφέας, ας είμαστε ειλικρινείς, το πρώτο πράγμα που αισθάνεσαι είναι δυσπιστία. Δεν μου αρέσει να κρίνω τους ανθρώπους, πόσο μάλλον το ταλέντο τους, από την ηλικία τους αλλά όπως και να το κάνουμε, όσο και να θες να το αποφύγεις, έστω και φευγαλέα, η σκέψη αυτή θα σου περάσει από το μυαλό. Κάπως έτσι λοιπόν ξεκίνησα να διαβάζω την "Κληρονομία" της Cayla Kluver, με καλή πίστη απέναντι στο όνειρο μιας νεαρής κοπέλας ωστόσο, με κάποιες επιφυλάξεις, κατά πόσο θα μπορούσε το θέμα του να είναι διαμορφωμένο με τέτοιον τρόπο που να μην απευθύνεται αποκλειστικά και μόνο σε κορίτσια της ηλικίας της αλλά σε ένα ευρύτερο target group, στο οποίο συμπεριλαμβάνομαι και η ίδια. Τελικά, "Η Κληρονομιά" ήταν μια ευχάριστη, και πολλά υποσχόμενα ως προς την μελλοντική της εξέλιξη, έκπληξη.

Η Αλίρα είναι η 17χρονη πριγκίπισσα της Υτάνικα και μελλοντική βασίλισσα αφού, με την συμπλήρωση των 18 χρόνων της, είναι υποχρεωμένη να διαλέξει και να παντρευτεί αυτόν που θα γίνει βασιλιάς της χώρας της στην θέση καθώς αυτή, ως γυναίκα κληρονόμος, δεν έχει το δικαίωμα να διοικήσει. Όμως υπάρχουν κάποια όρια και περιορισμοί! Η Αλίρα δεν μπορεί να διαλέξει τον μέλλοντα σύζυγό της από αγάπη αλλά, με αποκλειστικό γνώμονα τα κριτήρια που θέτει ο πατέρας της ως προς την εύρεση του ιδανικού διαδόχου. Και αν και θεωρητικά οι επιλογές είναι πολλές, ξέρει πως ο Βασιλιάς έχει ήδη επιλέξει τον Στέλντορ, τον εγωπαθή μεν, εξαιρετικής ομορφιάς και στρατιωτικών προσόντων δε, γιο του Στρατηγού του και πως κανένας άλλος υποψήφιος, όσο καλός κι αν είναι, δεν μπορεί να τον φτάσει σε προτερήματα, πόσο μάλλον να τον συναγωνιστεί. Όμως η Αλίρα, όχι μόνο δεν αισθάνεται για τον Στέλντορ το σκίρτημα που κάθε κορίτσι στο βασίλειο νιώθει όταν τον κοιτάζει αλλά αντίθετα, τρέφει ως προς το πρόσωπό του μια βαθιά και ειλικρινή αντιπάθεια. Τα πράγματα στη ζωή της περιπλέκονται ακόμα περισσότερο όταν η Κοκυρία, το εδώ και αιώνες αντίπαλο βασίλειο, φαίνεται να αναζωπυρώνει το πολεμικό κλίμα ενώ την ίδια στιγμή ο Νάριαν, ένα μυστηριώδες αγόρι με πολύ πιο περίπλοκο παρελθόν απ' όσο θα μπορούσε να φανταστεί κανείς, θα παίξει σημαντικό ρόλο, τόσο για το μέλλον του βασιλείου της όσο και της ίδιας της καρδιάς της.

Αρχικά οφείλω να δώσω συγχαρητήρια στην Cayla Kluver που παρά το νεαρό της ηλικίας της, απέδειξε πως όταν έχεις φαντασία μπορείς να χτίσεις ολότελα δικούς σου κόσμους και πως όσο πιο μεγάλα όνειρα κάνεις, τόσο πιο μεγάλους στόχους έχεις και τόσο πιο ψηλά μπορείς να φτάσεις. Ο κόσμος της Υτάνικα, αν και τόσο οικείος, καθώς παραπέμπει σε Μεσαιωνικά παραμύθια, τόσο ως προς τον σχεδιασμό όσο και ως προς τον τρόπο ζωής των κατοίκων της, διακρίνεται από κάτι ιδιαίτερό και ξεχωριστό, τον αέρα των ονείρων της συγγραφέως που παίρνει μια κλασσική και πολυχρησιμοποιημένη ιδέα για να την διαπλάσει εκ νέου, αναδημιουργώντας επί της ουσίας το περιβάλλον που την ενέπνευσε, στολίζοντάς το με έρωτες, πάθη, προδοσίες και μια προφητεία που αν και δεν την γνωρίζουν πολλοί, είναι εκείνη που μπορεί να αποτελέσει την σωτηρία ή την καταδίκη της Υτάνικα αλλά, και του κόσμου που απλώνεται γύρω της καθώς, ένα κακό, ακολουθείται από μύρια άλλα. Από ΄κει κι έπειτα, και αφήνοντας στην άκρη το κόσμο στον οποίον εξελίσσεται η ιστορία, όπου φροντίζει να τονίσει την διαφορετικότητα ανάμεσα στην Υτάνικα και την Κοκυρία, ηθικά, κοινωνικά και πολιτισμικά, οι χαρακτήρες που πλάθει η Kluver είναι εξαιρετικά ενδιαφέροντες στο σύνολό τους και ο λόγος είναι η διαφορετικότητά τους η οποία και επιτρέπει στον καθέναν τους να διατηρεί τον δικό του, ξεχωριστό ρόλο στην πορεία των γεγονότων, αλληλοσυμπληρώνοντας ωστόσο ο ένας το κενά του άλλου, τόσο στα καλά, όσο και στα άσχημα.

Η ιστορία της Kluver ουσιαστικά, μπορεί να πει κανείς, πως χωρίζεται σε δύο ενότητες. Το πρώτο μέρος του βιβλίου έχει σαφές σκοπό να μας συστήσει τον κόσμο της Υτάνικα, τα ήθη, τα έθιμα και τις συνήθειες του τόπου αλλά, και τους χαρακτήρες των προσώπων τα οποία παίζουν πρωταγωνιστικό ρόλο. Το δεύτερο μέρος έχει να κάνει με το καταδικασμένο ρομάντζο ανάμεσα στην Αλίρα και τον Νάριαν, έναν έρωτα που για να ευδοκιμήσει και οι δύο θα πρέπει να απαρνηθούν το πεπρωμένο τους, η Αλίρα την κληρονομιά του θρόνου της Υτάνικα, ένα βάρος που θα πέσει στις πλάτες τις αδερφής της αναγκάζοντας εκείνη να θυσιάσει την ευτυχία της στη θέση της, και ο Νάριαν την κληρονομιά μιας προφητείας που το εκ γενετής σημάδι του τον καταδίκασε να ακολουθήσει γιατί, ότι γράψει η μοίρα δεν ξεγράφεται. Υπάρχει ωστόσο ένα μειονέκτημα σε όλο αυτό και ποιο είναι αυτό; Το ότι τα δύο μέρη είναι άνισα μεταξύ τους αλλά, και ως προς το ίδιο τους τον εαυτό. Τι εννοώ με αυτό; Ότι ενώ συνολικά το μυθιστόρημα είναι πολύ δυνατό, με γρήγορη πλοκή και συνεχείς ροή πληροφοριών, υπάρχουν ορισμένες στιγμές όπου η Kluver είτε επαναλαμβάνεται, είτε κατεβάζει ταχύτητες φρενάροντας απότομα για να πατήσει ξανά το γκάζι λίγο αργότερα, κάνοντας το μυθιστόρημα περισσότερο εφηβικό απ' όσο θα θέλαμε. Φυσικά, η ηλικία και η απειρία της το δικαιολογούν αυτό ως έναν βαθμό.

Συνολικά, το βιβλίο της Cayla Kluver, έχει ότι απαιτεί κάθε μυθιστόρημα του είδους που σέβεται τον εαυτό του και έχει σκοπό να κατακτήσει το κοινό του. Ίντριγκες, σκοτεινές συνωμοσίες, μια αιώνια έχθρα που οδηγεί σε μια αιματηρή αντιπαλότητα και σε έναν πόλεμο με αμέτρητα θύματα, οικογενειακούς δεσμούς, αίσθημα καθήκοντος, επιλογή του να ταχτείς υπέρ του πεπρωμένου σου ή να το πολεμήσεις, μυστικά και θρύλους, μια προφητεία που εσωκλείνει την καταστροφή και την λύτρωση την ίδια στιγμή και ένας έρωτας που κανείς δεν ξέρει αν μπορεί να αντέξει την πίεση και που θα καταλήξει. Αυτό που εμένα μου έλειψε, είναι λίγη περισσότερη ισορροπία ανάμεσα στις διαφορετικές προεκτάσεις του βιβλίου και μια πιο παθιασμένη οπτική της σχέσης Αλίρα-Νάριαν, αν και το τελευταίο μπορώ επίσης να το δικαιολογήσω αναλογιζόμενη τα 16 μόλις χρόνια της συγγραφέως και τις λειψές, υποθέτω, εμπειρίες της. Παρ' όλα ταύτα είμαι σίγουρη ότι "Η Πίστη" θα έχει ακόμα περισσότερα να μου δώσει και πως η συνέχεια θα είναι πιο επική και ακόμα λιγότερο εφηβική.(less)

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Help Please!!	1	18	Nov 24, 2012 07:15pm
Alera: Book 1, Legacy	5	9	Nov 03, 2012 06:24am

title link	preview: Legacy
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Legacy (Legacy #1)

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