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The Harlequin's Legacy
Dare to dream. Dare to believe. Dare to embrace your legacy.
In the land of The Vale, the grand city of Pivot shines as a beacon of innovation, where science has eclipsed the old ways of magic.
Seventeen-year-old Pascal, with unanswered questions about his past, has grown up within the warm embrace of The Skystead Home for Orphaned Children. But being shielded from the world's harsh realities has left him yearning to explore—to take in, to feel, to see all that lies undiscovered.
Not even whispers of disappearing children can keep Pascal from wandering beyond the orphanage walls.
Joined by Paloma, a street-savvy former gang leader haunted by tragedy, and Pierrot, a silent, enigmatic companion, the three sneak away to Pivot's vibrant carnival, a place where magic still feels alive.
Among acrobats, performers, and a puppet theater weaving tales of the legendary Harlequin, the three friends find a place where they finally belong.
Their secret outings soon unveil truths that will change everything. As darkness closes in, the fate of the missing children becomes profoundly intertwined with their own.
The world around them begins to unravel, forcing Pascal, Paloma, and Pierrot to face demons both within and without—and uncover the truth behind a sinister plot that threatens the very fabric of their world.
The Harlequin's Legacy celebrates three unlikely friends woven by trust, facing darkness, and bound by courage—who refuse to let shadows define their story.
Are you ready to discover what happens when the stories we tell become the dangers we face?
In the land of The Vale, the grand city of Pivot shines as a beacon of innovation, where science has eclipsed the old ways of magic.
Seventeen-year-old Pascal, with unanswered questions about his past, has grown up within the warm embrace of The Skystead Home for Orphaned Children. But being shielded from the world's harsh realities has left him yearning to explore—to take in, to feel, to see all that lies undiscovered.
Not even whispers of disappearing children can keep Pascal from wandering beyond the orphanage walls.
Joined by Paloma, a street-savvy former gang leader haunted by tragedy, and Pierrot, a silent, enigmatic companion, the three sneak away to Pivot's vibrant carnival, a place where magic still feels alive.
Among acrobats, performers, and a puppet theater weaving tales of the legendary Harlequin, the three friends find a place where they finally belong.
Their secret outings soon unveil truths that will change everything. As darkness closes in, the fate of the missing children becomes profoundly intertwined with their own.
The world around them begins to unravel, forcing Pascal, Paloma, and Pierrot to face demons both within and without—and uncover the truth behind a sinister plot that threatens the very fabric of their world.
The Harlequin's Legacy celebrates three unlikely friends woven by trust, facing darkness, and bound by courage—who refuse to let shadows define their story.
Are you ready to discover what happens when the stories we tell become the dangers we face?
- GenresFantasy
338 pages, Paperback
Published October 17, 2024
3 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Andrés Rosas Hott
1 book10 followersMeet Andrés Rosas Hott, a fresh voice in the literary scene whose debut novel is a vibrant tapestry woven from diverse experiences. With a master's degree in Graphic Design and Illustration from Konstfack - University of Arts, Crafts and Design, and a background as a commercial director focused on creating animated and live-action commercials, Andrés emerges not only as an author but as a passionate storyteller devoted to whisking readers away on captivating journeys.
In his much-anticipated first book, "The Harlequin's Legacy," Andrés draws inspiration from his favorite character, The Harlequin, crafting a unique mythology around this enigmatic figure. The evocative tagline, "Dare to dream, Dare to believe, Dare to embrace your Legacy," sets the stage for a transformative adventure that resonates deeply with readers.
Beyond the fantastical, Andrés artfully blends conceptual storytelling with profound insights into personal growth, relationships, and the emotional landscape of life. Themes of courage, identity, and self-discovery are intricately woven into the narrative, making his work more than just an escape into fantasy.
Grounded in diverse creative experiences, Andrés cherishes his role as a family man. Living in the heart of Stockholm, Sweden, he skillfully balances the worlds of fantasy and family life, carving out precious moments with his wife and two sons. His narrative reflects the truth that creativity flourishes not only in imagination but also within the embrace of loved ones.
As readers embark on a remarkable journey into YA fantasy literature with Andrés, they can expect not only an adventure filled with wonder but also an exploration of self-discovery. "The Harlequin's Legacy" marks the beginning of an exciting series, and Andrés warmly invites readers to join him on this extraordinary literary expedition.
In his much-anticipated first book, "The Harlequin's Legacy," Andrés draws inspiration from his favorite character, The Harlequin, crafting a unique mythology around this enigmatic figure. The evocative tagline, "Dare to dream, Dare to believe, Dare to embrace your Legacy," sets the stage for a transformative adventure that resonates deeply with readers.
Beyond the fantastical, Andrés artfully blends conceptual storytelling with profound insights into personal growth, relationships, and the emotional landscape of life. Themes of courage, identity, and self-discovery are intricately woven into the narrative, making his work more than just an escape into fantasy.
Grounded in diverse creative experiences, Andrés cherishes his role as a family man. Living in the heart of Stockholm, Sweden, he skillfully balances the worlds of fantasy and family life, carving out precious moments with his wife and two sons. His narrative reflects the truth that creativity flourishes not only in imagination but also within the embrace of loved ones.
As readers embark on a remarkable journey into YA fantasy literature with Andrés, they can expect not only an adventure filled with wonder but also an exploration of self-discovery. "The Harlequin's Legacy" marks the beginning of an exciting series, and Andrés warmly invites readers to join him on this extraordinary literary expedition.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
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May 11, 2025I read this book as part of a challenge to take my reading a bit out of my comfort zone. I don't usually read YA and this one definitely falls in that category, and ultimately that was the main reason I feel I didn't get on well with it. I wasn't invested in either the story or the characters, and felt that I wanted a bit more depth to both, and certainly a bit more movement in the earlier stages of the story. There was a noticeable shift somewhere beyond the 50% mark where all the excitement was contained, while I personally found much of the earlier part of the book to be a little boring.
The writing was technically pretty good, and the pacing decent, so even though the book wasn't for me, I was still able to get through it pretty easily and quickly. If you like YA and coming-of-age fantasy and stories filled with heroes and carnivals, I'd definitely say to take a look at The Harlequin's Legacy and see if it sounds like your thing. As it's not my usual thing, in the interests of fairness, I am not providing a star rating for this book.
The writing was technically pretty good, and the pacing decent, so even though the book wasn't for me, I was still able to get through it pretty easily and quickly. If you like YA and coming-of-age fantasy and stories filled with heroes and carnivals, I'd definitely say to take a look at The Harlequin's Legacy and see if it sounds like your thing. As it's not my usual thing, in the interests of fairness, I am not providing a star rating for this book.
October 30, 2024
Aimed at a YA audience, The Harlequin’s Legacy is an engaging coming-of-age story surrounding three children: Pascal the dreamer, Paloma the leader, and Pierrot the ever-silent reader. Throughout the first installment of the series, the group must unveil the strange events happening in their orphanage and the growing number of children disappearing in their city, Pivot.
There is a lot to love in this book - a vibrant carnival aesthetic, interesting magical enemies to fight our heroes on their quest, a heartwarming found-family dynamic between the main cast, and an overarching plot that promises an exciting sequel. As well, the mini illustrations at the start of each chapter are beautifully drawn and incredibly useful for envisioning different settings and backdrops.
While the plot can sometimes steer into predictable situations and twists, I believe it suits the YA audience and did not diminish my reading experience. My biggest gripe with this book is a lack of focus on Paloma and Pierrot as main characters; Pascal’s backstory is largely intertwined with the overarching plot, but Paloma and Pierrot’s felt largely ignored (other than the occasional mention or use to justify their actions without substantial development). I hope to see their characters become more fleshed out in the coming installments.
I will absolutely be keeping tabs on this series as it continues to come out! Thank you to Netgalley and Red Moon Publishing for a copy of the book!
There is a lot to love in this book - a vibrant carnival aesthetic, interesting magical enemies to fight our heroes on their quest, a heartwarming found-family dynamic between the main cast, and an overarching plot that promises an exciting sequel. As well, the mini illustrations at the start of each chapter are beautifully drawn and incredibly useful for envisioning different settings and backdrops.
While the plot can sometimes steer into predictable situations and twists, I believe it suits the YA audience and did not diminish my reading experience. My biggest gripe with this book is a lack of focus on Paloma and Pierrot as main characters; Pascal’s backstory is largely intertwined with the overarching plot, but Paloma and Pierrot’s felt largely ignored (other than the occasional mention or use to justify their actions without substantial development). I hope to see their characters become more fleshed out in the coming installments.
I will absolutely be keeping tabs on this series as it continues to come out! Thank you to Netgalley and Red Moon Publishing for a copy of the book!
May 8, 2025
“The best heroes learn to remain true to their hearts. They stand on their convictions even when times get tough, and they never give up on themselves or their friends.”
This is a lovely fantasy novel by a first time author.
There is found family, loyalty, friendship, and perseverance. Although this is for a YA reader, any age can enjoy this entertaining book.
There’s wonderful imagery and the characters are so likable. There are a couple of good twists in the story too.
This is a lovely fantasy novel by a first time author.
There is found family, loyalty, friendship, and perseverance. Although this is for a YA reader, any age can enjoy this entertaining book.
There’s wonderful imagery and the characters are so likable. There are a couple of good twists in the story too.
October 23, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
4.5 rounded up
A trio of teenagers embark on a quest of self-discovery: the acrobatic orphan Pascal, the petty criminal Paloma, and the ever-silent juggler Pierrot.
The land of Vale once believed in the wonders of magic, but now has fallen under the sway of logic and reason. Or triad of leads escape the bounds of their orphange in pursuit of adventure at the nearby carnival, a place where they can discover both where they came from and who they can become. Throw in a mystery revolving missing children, and we have quite the adventure on our hands!!
This is a really sweet tale that pulls imagery from Commedia dell'Arte theatre productions. Whimsy and magic and wonder fill the pages, as our leads set out to find a place to belong. Each has their own pains and traumas to overcome and unique experiences that color their reactions. Even when their similarities are at the forefront, each character still felt like themselves.
This story is a tribute to youth and the shift into adulthood, that tumultuous and exciting time when one discovers who they want to be. The writing is delightfully descriptive and whimsical, perfectly matching the tone of wonder this novel sets out to create.
Readers of all ages would get something out of this story, be it validation of present aging or a nostalgic reminiscing to one's own youth. While darker things do pop up in the book—like extreme poverty, -- and all manner of violence—younger audiences wouldn't be put off or alarmed. Horrible things happen to people of all ages, pretending that isn't the case causes far more harm than good.
Additionally, if you enjoyed the book Inkheart or the film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnasus, I think you'd have a lovely time here.
4.5 rounded up
A trio of teenagers embark on a quest of self-discovery: the acrobatic orphan Pascal, the petty criminal Paloma, and the ever-silent juggler Pierrot.
The land of Vale once believed in the wonders of magic, but now has fallen under the sway of logic and reason. Or triad of leads escape the bounds of their orphange in pursuit of adventure at the nearby carnival, a place where they can discover both where they came from and who they can become. Throw in a mystery revolving missing children, and we have quite the adventure on our hands!!
This is a really sweet tale that pulls imagery from Commedia dell'Arte theatre productions. Whimsy and magic and wonder fill the pages, as our leads set out to find a place to belong. Each has their own pains and traumas to overcome and unique experiences that color their reactions. Even when their similarities are at the forefront, each character still felt like themselves.
This story is a tribute to youth and the shift into adulthood, that tumultuous and exciting time when one discovers who they want to be. The writing is delightfully descriptive and whimsical, perfectly matching the tone of wonder this novel sets out to create.
Readers of all ages would get something out of this story, be it validation of present aging or a nostalgic reminiscing to one's own youth. While darker things do pop up in the book—like extreme poverty, -- and all manner of violence—younger audiences wouldn't be put off or alarmed. Horrible things happen to people of all ages, pretending that isn't the case causes far more harm than good.
Additionally, if you enjoyed the book Inkheart or the film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnasus, I think you'd have a lovely time here.
October 25, 2024
The Harlequin's Legacy is a good-versus-evil adventure story with a heavy dollop of found-family goodness, but despite my overly simplified description, Andrés Rosas Hott adds a level of depth that surpassed my expectations.
The story revolves around three main characters: the friendly, positive and athletic dreamer Pascal; the streetwise but untrusting leader of a gang, Paloma; and the silent and sensitive, yet wise and instinctive Pierrot. The trio begin the book trying to navigate the social dynamics of life in an orphanage, trying to avoid trouble and handle the resident bullies, and ends with them fighting to save the world they know from the powers of darkness. I enjoyed both halves of the book, the slower-paced character study to build the world, and the rollercoaster ride after the proverbial "s" hit the fan throwing that meticulously-built world into chaos.
Andrés has a descriptive writing style that really helps to breathe life into the Orphanage and the town of Pivot, making them feel vibrant and lived in, instead of just a mere backdrop for the story. This level of description also extends to the characters, rounding them out into three dimensions, strengthening the connection that we as readers feel to not only the main protagonists, but also the supporting cast.
For me personally, this would be a four-star review because I enjoyed it a lot and was invested in the characters, but there were a few tropes and clichés that made some points a little too predictable. However, I'm not the target audience for this YA & Teen book, and taking that into consideration, I think this book solidly delivers for that market, and I've given it five-stars.
Will I read future books in this series to see how it progresses? You bet!
The story revolves around three main characters: the friendly, positive and athletic dreamer Pascal; the streetwise but untrusting leader of a gang, Paloma; and the silent and sensitive, yet wise and instinctive Pierrot. The trio begin the book trying to navigate the social dynamics of life in an orphanage, trying to avoid trouble and handle the resident bullies, and ends with them fighting to save the world they know from the powers of darkness. I enjoyed both halves of the book, the slower-paced character study to build the world, and the rollercoaster ride after the proverbial "s" hit the fan throwing that meticulously-built world into chaos.
Andrés has a descriptive writing style that really helps to breathe life into the Orphanage and the town of Pivot, making them feel vibrant and lived in, instead of just a mere backdrop for the story. This level of description also extends to the characters, rounding them out into three dimensions, strengthening the connection that we as readers feel to not only the main protagonists, but also the supporting cast.
For me personally, this would be a four-star review because I enjoyed it a lot and was invested in the characters, but there were a few tropes and clichés that made some points a little too predictable. However, I'm not the target audience for this YA & Teen book, and taking that into consideration, I think this book solidly delivers for that market, and I've given it five-stars.
Will I read future books in this series to see how it progresses? You bet!
October 26, 2024
This story is full of adventure. The kids in the book are wanting to move on with their lives and find out what is out in the big wide world; and they can't wait to get out in the world and find their place. The book begins with Pascal and a orphanage full of kids led by Mistress Alma. Pascal routinely treks around the forest just outside the orphanage imagining what his life will be like outside the forest someday. Pierrot and Paloma enter the orphanage on different days but Pascal, Paloma, and Pierrot become the trio that do everything together. The orphanage is part of the town of Pivot and the trio are granted access to go to the Carnival and perform. But kids in Pivot are not safe alone so they must be accompanied at all times. Children in Pivot are disappearing at an alarming rate.
This story is full of love, courage, good versus evil, bravery, and loyalty. Our trio of friends do everything in their power to extinguish the evil that has come to the town of Pivot and learn a lot about themselves and the power within themselves. They also learn a bit about their pasts too. I think all ages will enjoy reading about the adventures of Pascal, Paloma, and Pierrot.
I received an advance copy from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story is full of love, courage, good versus evil, bravery, and loyalty. Our trio of friends do everything in their power to extinguish the evil that has come to the town of Pivot and learn a lot about themselves and the power within themselves. They also learn a bit about their pasts too. I think all ages will enjoy reading about the adventures of Pascal, Paloma, and Pierrot.
I received an advance copy from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 17, 2024
Thank you, Red Moon Publishing & NetGalley for the arc of this book!
Below is my honest opinion!
3.5 stars
I think lovers of Guillermo del toro films & the cult childhood classics like 'The secret of Moonacre" and "Inkheart' will find a deep love for this book.
This book reads much younger in my opinion than is mentioned.
Our main character is 17 but I could not picture him more than 12-13 at most, the story holds more of a whimsy charm to it than anything, which is not bad at all. I think it would have fit better to make him younger, working better with the story ideas and themes.
I did thoroughly enjoy this book, and besides the age not fitting, I would say my other other qualm is the pacing of the writing and story flow.
However, I do think this is a gem!
Below is my honest opinion!
3.5 stars
I think lovers of Guillermo del toro films & the cult childhood classics like 'The secret of Moonacre" and "Inkheart' will find a deep love for this book.
This book reads much younger in my opinion than is mentioned.
Our main character is 17 but I could not picture him more than 12-13 at most, the story holds more of a whimsy charm to it than anything, which is not bad at all. I think it would have fit better to make him younger, working better with the story ideas and themes.
I did thoroughly enjoy this book, and besides the age not fitting, I would say my other other qualm is the pacing of the writing and story flow.
However, I do think this is a gem!
October 9, 2024
Although I’d say this story is aimed at middle school age, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and finished it over a couple of days. There was so much about it to enjoy. It’s a great adventure story with plenty of themes to explore: friendship, loyalty, ruthlessness, bullying, good and evil, deception, fear and anxiety, abandonment, finding your own tribe. I highly recommend it.
October 31, 2024
The Harlequin's Legacy by Andrés Rosas Holt is a compelling novel about identity and love, exploring how the past shapes our present. The characters especially Paloma are so rich and have an emotional depth that make it an engagingly rich read. Highly recommend!
October 20, 2024
In the city of Pivot children aren’t safe going out alone. There is something out there that is taking children. So the town guards are strict with rules and the governor is enforcing children be with a chaperone. We have an orphanage that is in the country side and Mistress Alma is the house mother. All the children love her and they are treated well. But there are some for instance Pascal, who is an older boy who dreams of what it is like to be outside the Forrest that surrounds the estate, what it is like to fly in an airship or travel to far away places.
In the city of Pivot we have Paloma who is the leader of the Rejects. It is her own crew of orphans, runaways and rule breakers that live on the street.
Go on the adventures of Pascal and Paloma as they both try to survive in a world that is against them. Where their friends are their family and they will do anything to protect them. Where bullies are dealt with immediately and no child different or not is left feeling alone.
The book does touch on childhood trauma from parent abandonment, or death, government abuse and facilities housing children abuse those that live there. Torture, fight scenes with magical creatures of the night, spirits and demons walking the land or hiding in the shadows. Story is full of adventure and you teenage love and spirit to be free or anywhere else then where they aer right now.
Get lost this int city of Pivot and go with Pascal and his friend on an adventure that just may change their lives forever and answer questions and bring to light some secrets.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In the city of Pivot we have Paloma who is the leader of the Rejects. It is her own crew of orphans, runaways and rule breakers that live on the street.
Go on the adventures of Pascal and Paloma as they both try to survive in a world that is against them. Where their friends are their family and they will do anything to protect them. Where bullies are dealt with immediately and no child different or not is left feeling alone.
The book does touch on childhood trauma from parent abandonment, or death, government abuse and facilities housing children abuse those that live there. Torture, fight scenes with magical creatures of the night, spirits and demons walking the land or hiding in the shadows. Story is full of adventure and you teenage love and spirit to be free or anywhere else then where they aer right now.
Get lost this int city of Pivot and go with Pascal and his friend on an adventure that just may change their lives forever and answer questions and bring to light some secrets.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews