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Legend of Me #1
Legend of Me
No one should ever go into the woods alone. Brielle has grown up listening to tales of a beast that attacks humans, leaving behind only a scattering of bones and limbs. It's probably the elders' way of keeping little children in line, but it doesn't explain her grisly premonitions of blood, claws, and severed heads.But when Brielle finds a mangled body in the woods, she begins to wonder if the grim stories may actually be true. Soon, Lord Kenrick, Knight of the Crowhurst Order, arrives asking questions about the legendary monster. Brielle's attraction to him is immediate and undeniable. She volunteers to help him search for clues to the creature's existence, despite her suspicions about his timing.As her seventeenth birthday approaches, Brielle's nightmares worsen and more villagers go missing. If Brielle doesn't figure out the connection between Kenrick, the beast, and her visions, more people will die. As Brielle falls deeper in love with Kenrick and deeper into the snares of the abominable beast, she'll become part of a legend so great, no one will ever question its validity again.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2018
8 people are currently reading
3241 people want to read
About the author
Rebekah L. Purdy
20 books499 followersI was born and raised in Michigan (just look for the giant mitten on the map—it’ll likely throw a snowball at you). I spent most of my time in Michigan, but while in the army got to call KS, SC, MO, and CA home for awhile as well.
As a kid my family moved around a lot. Try spending both your freshman and senior years at new schools (yeah, loads of fun). I could’ve changed my name to “new girl”.
I love writing for teens because those are the years I remember falling in love with most of my favorite books. Some of the authors I couldn’t put down were L.J. Smith, Christopher Pike, R.L. Stine, Richie Tankersley Cusick, Joan Lowery Nixon, Lois Duncan, amongst several others.
My husband and I have a large family. There are six kids total! So we have LOTS of fun on vacations (although hours on the road, cooped up in the Expedition is kind of stressful—although we pass the time with MAD LIBS and hoping no one gets carsick).
Some fun facts about me:
My first real crush was on Luke Skywalker (LOL—hey, I was like 8 years old and it came out before I was born).
I’m obsessed with several TV shows/Movies: The Vampire Diaries, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Sean of the Dead, The Sing Off, Ghost Hunters, Destination Truth, True Blood, Being Human, Fact or Fake, and all the cake designing ones! Oh and all the spoof movies!
I still own all the books I bought as a kid/teen.
I have a hankering for chocolate (like all the time, seriously. If my arm was made of it I’d chew it off).
Celebrity crushes: Johnny Depp (woohoo), Taylor Lautner (okay, I know he’s kind of young for me), Ian Somerhalder (ooh, he’s just right. We’re the same age). Wow, this was like a Goldie Locks and the Three Bears moment. Johnny Depp too old, Taylor Lautner too young, Ian Somerhalder—JUST RIGHT.
In my spare time I like to write (obviously), read, sing, hang out with my kids, play with my animals, camp, play soccer, check my email (hehehe), watch football (go LIONS). I also love hanging out with my sister and hubby!
Look forward to chatting with everyone! And if you’re lucky, I’ll break out the opera voice and chase you around singing!
As a kid my family moved around a lot. Try spending both your freshman and senior years at new schools (yeah, loads of fun). I could’ve changed my name to “new girl”.
I love writing for teens because those are the years I remember falling in love with most of my favorite books. Some of the authors I couldn’t put down were L.J. Smith, Christopher Pike, R.L. Stine, Richie Tankersley Cusick, Joan Lowery Nixon, Lois Duncan, amongst several others.
My husband and I have a large family. There are six kids total! So we have LOTS of fun on vacations (although hours on the road, cooped up in the Expedition is kind of stressful—although we pass the time with MAD LIBS and hoping no one gets carsick).
Some fun facts about me:
My first real crush was on Luke Skywalker (LOL—hey, I was like 8 years old and it came out before I was born).
I’m obsessed with several TV shows/Movies: The Vampire Diaries, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Sean of the Dead, The Sing Off, Ghost Hunters, Destination Truth, True Blood, Being Human, Fact or Fake, and all the cake designing ones! Oh and all the spoof movies!
I still own all the books I bought as a kid/teen.
I have a hankering for chocolate (like all the time, seriously. If my arm was made of it I’d chew it off).
Celebrity crushes: Johnny Depp (woohoo), Taylor Lautner (okay, I know he’s kind of young for me), Ian Somerhalder (ooh, he’s just right. We’re the same age). Wow, this was like a Goldie Locks and the Three Bears moment. Johnny Depp too old, Taylor Lautner too young, Ian Somerhalder—JUST RIGHT.
In my spare time I like to write (obviously), read, sing, hang out with my kids, play with my animals, camp, play soccer, check my email (hehehe), watch football (go LIONS). I also love hanging out with my sister and hubby!
Look forward to chatting with everyone! And if you’re lucky, I’ll break out the opera voice and chase you around singing!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 19, 2018
Legend of me is an original fairytale. It has the magic, the legend, the fantasy and the romance to awaken the inner beast. I loved every minute of this story. Some books you can tell are going to be good from the first page and I was addicted to every word. I didn't want to put this down.
Brielle lives with her Gram in a desolate cottage. They have always lived on the outside of town and Brielle struggles to fit in. She's a kind, sweet girl, but finds it hard to follow the conventional rules. Her best friend, Rhyne has gypsy blood in his veins. He is accepted by the town but is expected to ignore his roots. Unfortunately, there has never been a spark between the two friends but they love each other as family.
The woods are known to hold a dark secret. One that should be avoided in the dark of night. Legend has it there is a monstrous beast lurking in the mist. Nobody has ever survived long enough to confirm the tale but there are many stories.
Brielle has always been infatuated by Rhynes cousin, Raul. He's a travelling gypsy and Bri always looks forward to his visits. Raul is haunted by his own dark secrets. He is a hard man and has a questionable past. He cares for Bri but it isn't that simple.
Kenrick is new in town and has come in search of the beast. He cannot deny Bri to be the most beautiful women he has ever seen. He is drawn to her and can't stay away. Lucky for him Bri wants to help him with his research. A love triangle is formed but Bri is warned to protect her heart. Kenrick's main goal is to find the beast and Raul travels a lot. Her Gram wants to protect her and keep her safe. Unfortunately, her heart isn't the only problem. The beast is on a killing spree and Bri is having visions of the attacks. Her Gram is a healer and magic is in her bloodline, but the town folk are mundane. The truth must be guarded. The nightmares are beginning and the clocks ticking.
5 out of 5.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Brielle lives with her Gram in a desolate cottage. They have always lived on the outside of town and Brielle struggles to fit in. She's a kind, sweet girl, but finds it hard to follow the conventional rules. Her best friend, Rhyne has gypsy blood in his veins. He is accepted by the town but is expected to ignore his roots. Unfortunately, there has never been a spark between the two friends but they love each other as family.
The woods are known to hold a dark secret. One that should be avoided in the dark of night. Legend has it there is a monstrous beast lurking in the mist. Nobody has ever survived long enough to confirm the tale but there are many stories.
Brielle has always been infatuated by Rhynes cousin, Raul. He's a travelling gypsy and Bri always looks forward to his visits. Raul is haunted by his own dark secrets. He is a hard man and has a questionable past. He cares for Bri but it isn't that simple.
Kenrick is new in town and has come in search of the beast. He cannot deny Bri to be the most beautiful women he has ever seen. He is drawn to her and can't stay away. Lucky for him Bri wants to help him with his research. A love triangle is formed but Bri is warned to protect her heart. Kenrick's main goal is to find the beast and Raul travels a lot. Her Gram wants to protect her and keep her safe. Unfortunately, her heart isn't the only problem. The beast is on a killing spree and Bri is having visions of the attacks. Her Gram is a healer and magic is in her bloodline, but the town folk are mundane. The truth must be guarded. The nightmares are beginning and the clocks ticking.
5 out of 5.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2018
I enjoyed this fantasy! I was immediately drawn to Brielle, and thought this book was entertaining and well written.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
October 8, 2018
This was a decent story that incorporated darkness with innocence. A few things were off with the story and I did find myself skimming ahead when things slowed down but then finding the story too fast in other parts.
November 6, 2018
My Thoughts - 4 out of 5 Unicorns - I really liked it!!!
***I choose what I read and review based on what intrigues me!! Yes, I got a review copy of this book, but no one tells me what to think, feel, or write about any book!
The cover is pretty, but it doesn’t really let you know that this is a paranormal book.
This is a labeled as a YA book, but I would recommend that caution is used and that readers should be aware that there is blood and gore with people being ripped apart by the beast. I’d say at least 16 and be mature enough to handle scenes. This is a new to me author and a new series.
Rebekah does a great job with making the scenes come alive with vivid descriptions. The mystery and intrigue kept me going until the end. There are murders, a beast, knights, wanderers, best friends, a nemesis, magic, and more! It is an intriguing story line. I’m intrigued to see where this series goes next!
I recommend to readers who like mystery, murder, mayhem, and a little romance! I will be looking for the next book to see where the series goes!
***I choose what I read and review based on what intrigues me!! Yes, I got a review copy of this book, but no one tells me what to think, feel, or write about any book!
The cover is pretty, but it doesn’t really let you know that this is a paranormal book.
This is a labeled as a YA book, but I would recommend that caution is used and that readers should be aware that there is blood and gore with people being ripped apart by the beast. I’d say at least 16 and be mature enough to handle scenes. This is a new to me author and a new series.
Rebekah does a great job with making the scenes come alive with vivid descriptions. The mystery and intrigue kept me going until the end. There are murders, a beast, knights, wanderers, best friends, a nemesis, magic, and more! It is an intriguing story line. I’m intrigued to see where this series goes next!
I recommend to readers who like mystery, murder, mayhem, and a little romance! I will be looking for the next book to see where the series goes!
August 2, 2018
You can find my review of this book on Happy Indulgence, over here!
Legend of Me and I had a rocky start. The writing was easy enough to get into and I ended up getting into the story, but there were small details that really hindered my enjoyment of the book. All in all, it was a decent fantasy that, although predictable, provided a nice escape from reality. It has a pretty dark atmosphere though, I would warn, and deals with intense subjects such as death and torture. Brielle is a pretty straightforward and curious character who is determined to outwit the Beast that may or may not be plaguing her village, all the while seeing mysterious, bloody dreams of the people disappearing.
Likes
- The main twist of the book is pretty fun, although readers are given pretty good hints as to what it is.
- I enjoyed Brielle’s friendship with Rhyne, a butcher boy in the village she lives in, and her grandmother, a healer.
- The atmosphere is really a winner. We’re in dark times at a village where one false move can have someone accused of being a witch and burned at the stake. The village is old-fashioned and full of gossipers, which is always a fun obstacle when the courageous heroine is trying to uncover clues.
- The ending was resolute and satisfying, wrapping the story up neatly to make a lovely stand-alone length. I do so love stand-alones.
Dislikes
(A lot of these are small details but they do add up!)
- Although I appreciate the dark atmosphere, the actual setting is a very generic historical village/forest. A lot of the magic/abilities are left unexplained.
- Use of the word G*psy to describe Roma.
- Extreme girl on girl hate. Brielle is the only girl in the village worth page time and a good ending.
- One of the main antagonists is fat, and the writing connects his evilness with descriptions of being fat. For example, his actions would be exacerbated with descriptions of his “sausage-like lips [curving] up at the corners” and “thick, evil mouth” which really casts a stigma for fat people that I don’t appreciate.
- While there is a love triangle that is set up pretty well, the execution left much to be desired. There is a weak foundation for both of the attractions that sprang up, and I read them more for plot than enjoyment. I think I would have appreciated the main love interest if we explored his character more, but for the most part the attraction was too strong and too fast.
- I wish Brielle were more assertive at times. Half of the book, she’s led by actions rather than leading the actions herself. Despite events still happening and the plot still rolling, it frustrated me as a reader to see her passiveness.
If quietly haunting, dark tales like The Beast is an Animal by Peternelle van Arsdale and The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins is up your alley, then Legend of Me would be perfect. (All of the books listed above also have mysterious beasts surrounding the main plot.) If you’re looking for something with more depth, then this one might not be for you. The storyline was the stellar point of this book for me, but other than that, I had a disconnect with the characters and many small details that just added up. It honestly depends on what you’re in the mood for, and how involved you want to get into the story. Legend of Me’s intense and ominous atmosphere, coupled with its tantalizing storyline but lackluster characters, would probably be best if you’re here for a fairy-tale story with minimal world-building and maximized storytelling and action.
Content/Trigger Warnings: blood and gore, torture, use of G*psy word, mild violence
Thank you Month9Books for the review copy!
Legend of Me and I had a rocky start. The writing was easy enough to get into and I ended up getting into the story, but there were small details that really hindered my enjoyment of the book. All in all, it was a decent fantasy that, although predictable, provided a nice escape from reality. It has a pretty dark atmosphere though, I would warn, and deals with intense subjects such as death and torture. Brielle is a pretty straightforward and curious character who is determined to outwit the Beast that may or may not be plaguing her village, all the while seeing mysterious, bloody dreams of the people disappearing.
Likes
- The main twist of the book is pretty fun, although readers are given pretty good hints as to what it is.
- I enjoyed Brielle’s friendship with Rhyne, a butcher boy in the village she lives in, and her grandmother, a healer.
- The atmosphere is really a winner. We’re in dark times at a village where one false move can have someone accused of being a witch and burned at the stake. The village is old-fashioned and full of gossipers, which is always a fun obstacle when the courageous heroine is trying to uncover clues.
- The ending was resolute and satisfying, wrapping the story up neatly to make a lovely stand-alone length. I do so love stand-alones.
Dislikes
(A lot of these are small details but they do add up!)
- Although I appreciate the dark atmosphere, the actual setting is a very generic historical village/forest. A lot of the magic/abilities are left unexplained.
- Use of the word G*psy to describe Roma.
- Extreme girl on girl hate. Brielle is the only girl in the village worth page time and a good ending.
- One of the main antagonists is fat, and the writing connects his evilness with descriptions of being fat. For example, his actions would be exacerbated with descriptions of his “sausage-like lips [curving] up at the corners” and “thick, evil mouth” which really casts a stigma for fat people that I don’t appreciate.
- While there is a love triangle that is set up pretty well, the execution left much to be desired. There is a weak foundation for both of the attractions that sprang up, and I read them more for plot than enjoyment. I think I would have appreciated the main love interest if we explored his character more, but for the most part the attraction was too strong and too fast.
- I wish Brielle were more assertive at times. Half of the book, she’s led by actions rather than leading the actions herself. Despite events still happening and the plot still rolling, it frustrated me as a reader to see her passiveness.
If quietly haunting, dark tales like The Beast is an Animal by Peternelle van Arsdale and The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins is up your alley, then Legend of Me would be perfect. (All of the books listed above also have mysterious beasts surrounding the main plot.) If you’re looking for something with more depth, then this one might not be for you. The storyline was the stellar point of this book for me, but other than that, I had a disconnect with the characters and many small details that just added up. It honestly depends on what you’re in the mood for, and how involved you want to get into the story. Legend of Me’s intense and ominous atmosphere, coupled with its tantalizing storyline but lackluster characters, would probably be best if you’re here for a fairy-tale story with minimal world-building and maximized storytelling and action.
Content/Trigger Warnings: blood and gore, torture, use of G*psy word, mild violence
Thank you Month9Books for the review copy!
September 8, 2018
I was so annoyed by the main character. She ruined it for me. I hated that she was made into the nice and virtuous one but was just as selfish as her "enemy", Sarah. And why was she the center of THREE men’s world?? It was so annoying and infuriating to witness her playing with those poor men and making stupid decisions.
Also, there was some kind of problem with the execution...some things happened way too fast and it didn’t make any sense... Overall, I liked the "dark wood" setting, but the main character was the stupidest and most annoying girl ever and the execution was poor, so....don’t bother with this one.
Also, there was some kind of problem with the execution...some things happened way too fast and it didn’t make any sense... Overall, I liked the "dark wood" setting, but the main character was the stupidest and most annoying girl ever and the execution was poor, so....don’t bother with this one.
July 22, 2019
Actual rating: 4.5
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did! I felt some retelling vibes but not to the core. It was a little bit on the red riding hood side with maybe what could be perceived as beauty and the beast. Fast paced but not to the point where I felt lost and couldn’t get into the plot enough. I love the MC, she’s witty, sassy, and full of energy. The dynamic between the characters were pretty good as well! The plot flowed in a perfect pace, I enjoyed the unraveling of the storyline and the wrap up towards the end. Can’t wait to see more of this story!
Disclaimer: I was provided this ebook in exchange for an honest review by Month9Books
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did! I felt some retelling vibes but not to the core. It was a little bit on the red riding hood side with maybe what could be perceived as beauty and the beast. Fast paced but not to the point where I felt lost and couldn’t get into the plot enough. I love the MC, she’s witty, sassy, and full of energy. The dynamic between the characters were pretty good as well! The plot flowed in a perfect pace, I enjoyed the unraveling of the storyline and the wrap up towards the end. Can’t wait to see more of this story!
Disclaimer: I was provided this ebook in exchange for an honest review by Month9Books
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2018
I had such high hopes for this story. The cover is gorgeous, I generally enjoy books from this publisher, and the premise sounded really good. It's kind of a paranormal twist on Little Red Riding Hood. However, as I read I found it to be trite in places where I felt it should be more serious, things were glossed over, explanations were stretched out, the characters didn't feel realistic or consistent, and the dialogue felt forced. It just didn't work for me. I read all the way through 60% and then just skimmed to the end to find out what happened. An overall disappointing read for me.
Want to read
January 15, 2014I cannot wait to read this.
December 27, 2023
2,5 ⭐️ mainly because of the weird love triangle and because she chose the one I didn’t like at all.
Want to read
January 16, 2014What a title.
July 23, 2018
Legend of Me was a great read. I was drawn into Brielle’s world quickly and read the book in less than a day. It was impossible to put down! I had never read anything like it, and the visions gave a new perspective to the story.
When I first read the description for Legend of Me, I thought it would be somewhat of a Little Red Riding Hood retelling. It wasn’t so much of a retelling, as it was a story with the inspiration of the fairytale. And I loved how it was done! Gram’s house was still in the woods, Brielle had her cape, and there’s a beast in the woods that is violently killing the townspeople, the similarities end there.
The world building was okay. I didn't need to know too much about the world except for the fact that the town was by the woods and a strange beast has been the subject of scary campfire stories. I do wish that there was more of a background of the Beast, maybe like one of the tales that is told to young children, as I didn't know a lot about the history of the beast.
I loved the characters so much. They were distinct, and I just loved how bratty and mean Sarah Weaver was, and of course, Brielle's reaction to her. Brielle's friendship with Rhyne is so golden, and I absolutely loved it!! I enjoyed how supportive they were of each other and just how relaxed it was between them. The only character that I didn't understand was Lucia, I won't go into too much, but she confused me, and her character was just off.
Pretty much all of the relationships that Purdy writes are just done flawlessly, and I can't get enough of them. The only relationship type part that I didn't enjoy was the love triangle. It felt forced and sometimes very awkward and uncomfortable at parts. It was hard for me to see why there was a conflict in whom to choose, but that might just be me.
This book had many twists and turns to it; I was regularly at the edge of my seat! As I mentioned before, Purdy does a fantastic job of taking the story of Little Red Riding Hood and making it her own. In certain moments, the retelling aspect shows through, but besides that, it's pure utter genius. I am a fan of dark turns, cause that's just how life goes, and I think it was executed well. In some parts, it got more violent than I expected it to get (gruesome and about a chapter of torture). However, it did add to the realness and almost the authenticity of the story.
The writing was done wonderfully. I got the feels at all the right moments, I gasped out loud at moments, and I could feel the fear and sadness of the characters at all the crucial moments. Some moments were a bit fast paced, but they didn't bother me all that much. The parts of the writing that bothered me was how some lines were pretty much repeated later on. I feel like some of the phrasing was awkward and there was one part where I audibly sighed because it made me cringe so hard (and not in the best way). One of my favorite pieces of the writing were the visions that Brielle has. They are told in the third person and provide a great insight into what the Beast is doing. Typically, there is only the talk about the Beast and we never really encounter the Beast, but these visions help to give more life and character (if that makes sense) to the Beast.
To summarize, Legend of Me by Rebekah L. Purdy is a great read. The story draws from Little Red Riding Hood but quickly takes on its own unique and somewhat creepy feel. The character relationships are fantastic, and I get all the feels from them! Some parts were written kind of awkwardly, and it made me almost feel uncomfortable. I would recommend this book to people who love retellings and a good scare!
*Thank you to Month9 Books for providing me with an ARC. Please note that all of my thoughts are my honest opinions and that some parts that I mentioned may have been changed as I did read the ARC.
When I first read the description for Legend of Me, I thought it would be somewhat of a Little Red Riding Hood retelling. It wasn’t so much of a retelling, as it was a story with the inspiration of the fairytale. And I loved how it was done! Gram’s house was still in the woods, Brielle had her cape, and there’s a beast in the woods that is violently killing the townspeople, the similarities end there.
The world building was okay. I didn't need to know too much about the world except for the fact that the town was by the woods and a strange beast has been the subject of scary campfire stories. I do wish that there was more of a background of the Beast, maybe like one of the tales that is told to young children, as I didn't know a lot about the history of the beast.
I loved the characters so much. They were distinct, and I just loved how bratty and mean Sarah Weaver was, and of course, Brielle's reaction to her. Brielle's friendship with Rhyne is so golden, and I absolutely loved it!! I enjoyed how supportive they were of each other and just how relaxed it was between them. The only character that I didn't understand was Lucia, I won't go into too much, but she confused me, and her character was just off.
Pretty much all of the relationships that Purdy writes are just done flawlessly, and I can't get enough of them. The only relationship type part that I didn't enjoy was the love triangle. It felt forced and sometimes very awkward and uncomfortable at parts. It was hard for me to see why there was a conflict in whom to choose, but that might just be me.
This book had many twists and turns to it; I was regularly at the edge of my seat! As I mentioned before, Purdy does a fantastic job of taking the story of Little Red Riding Hood and making it her own. In certain moments, the retelling aspect shows through, but besides that, it's pure utter genius. I am a fan of dark turns, cause that's just how life goes, and I think it was executed well. In some parts, it got more violent than I expected it to get (gruesome and about a chapter of torture). However, it did add to the realness and almost the authenticity of the story.
The writing was done wonderfully. I got the feels at all the right moments, I gasped out loud at moments, and I could feel the fear and sadness of the characters at all the crucial moments. Some moments were a bit fast paced, but they didn't bother me all that much. The parts of the writing that bothered me was how some lines were pretty much repeated later on. I feel like some of the phrasing was awkward and there was one part where I audibly sighed because it made me cringe so hard (and not in the best way). One of my favorite pieces of the writing were the visions that Brielle has. They are told in the third person and provide a great insight into what the Beast is doing. Typically, there is only the talk about the Beast and we never really encounter the Beast, but these visions help to give more life and character (if that makes sense) to the Beast.
To summarize, Legend of Me by Rebekah L. Purdy is a great read. The story draws from Little Red Riding Hood but quickly takes on its own unique and somewhat creepy feel. The character relationships are fantastic, and I get all the feels from them! Some parts were written kind of awkwardly, and it made me almost feel uncomfortable. I would recommend this book to people who love retellings and a good scare!
*Thank you to Month9 Books for providing me with an ARC. Please note that all of my thoughts are my honest opinions and that some parts that I mentioned may have been changed as I did read the ARC.
July 26, 2018
4.5 Stars
'Legend of Me' is a fantastic new young adult fantasy novel that will leave readers breathless and wanting more. I'm happy to say that I ended up loving this book a lot more than I had anticipated. Pretty much every aspect of the story is great - just one little detail had me yelling at the characters. But that's all me and doesn't reflect on the book itself.
This is a well known fairy tale/fantasy and one that I love. The author took the basic story and gave it a breath of fresh air with some great twists, wonderful characters, and a serious love triangle. The story was told with such attention to detail and vivid imagery that it came to life in my mind with ease. I felt like I was there beside Brielle throughout the entire book. Speaking of characters - I thought they were all complex and rounded, especially our main character, Brielle. She's a great heroine - kind, a loving friend and granddaughter, determined, and very brave. She has her flaws though, like all of us, which made her very realistic and easy to connect with right from the beginning. We get to know Brielle on a deeply personal level throughout the book - her fears, hopes, dreams, nightmares, and everything in between. The author used the first person point of view to tell the story from Brielle's perspective, which I thought was the perfect choice. It wouldn't have been as good if it had been done in another way.
The plot was familiar with some differences that I really loved. I can't say too much without giving anything away, but there's magic at work and a handful of people trapped in the nightmare that is the Beast. There's also a pretty intense love triangle, which I normally don't like at all, but I didn't mind it with this story. It made the plot more complicated and interesting - not knowing who will win Brielle's heart. The romance plays a pretty big part in the book and I think the author did a great job mixing the different aspects of the plot so it didn't overwhelm the main plot of the Beast. I highly recommend this book for fans of YA fantasy, fairy tales, retellings, paranormal fiction, and romance. Give this one a shot - I don't think you'll regret it.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
'Legend of Me' is a fantastic new young adult fantasy novel that will leave readers breathless and wanting more. I'm happy to say that I ended up loving this book a lot more than I had anticipated. Pretty much every aspect of the story is great - just one little detail had me yelling at the characters. But that's all me and doesn't reflect on the book itself.
This is a well known fairy tale/fantasy and one that I love. The author took the basic story and gave it a breath of fresh air with some great twists, wonderful characters, and a serious love triangle. The story was told with such attention to detail and vivid imagery that it came to life in my mind with ease. I felt like I was there beside Brielle throughout the entire book. Speaking of characters - I thought they were all complex and rounded, especially our main character, Brielle. She's a great heroine - kind, a loving friend and granddaughter, determined, and very brave. She has her flaws though, like all of us, which made her very realistic and easy to connect with right from the beginning. We get to know Brielle on a deeply personal level throughout the book - her fears, hopes, dreams, nightmares, and everything in between. The author used the first person point of view to tell the story from Brielle's perspective, which I thought was the perfect choice. It wouldn't have been as good if it had been done in another way.
The plot was familiar with some differences that I really loved. I can't say too much without giving anything away, but there's magic at work and a handful of people trapped in the nightmare that is the Beast. There's also a pretty intense love triangle, which I normally don't like at all, but I didn't mind it with this story. It made the plot more complicated and interesting - not knowing who will win Brielle's heart. The romance plays a pretty big part in the book and I think the author did a great job mixing the different aspects of the plot so it didn't overwhelm the main plot of the Beast. I highly recommend this book for fans of YA fantasy, fairy tales, retellings, paranormal fiction, and romance. Give this one a shot - I don't think you'll regret it.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2018
As I Started Reading This Beautiful Prosed Story I Honestly Had No Idea What To Expect As I Had Never Read Any Of Miss Purdy's Previous Books.
Without Giving Much Away, This Is The Story Of Brielle Heale, She Is An Apprentice And The Granddaughter Of A Good Witch. She Suffers From Gore Filled Premonitions As An Ancient Beast Returns To Terrorize Dark Pines, The Little Town She's From.
Soon After They Start, Lord Kenrick Of Crowhurst Arrives To Dark Pines Asking About The So Called Monster That's Terrorizing And Killing People In Dark Pines. Brielle Is Instantly Enthralled With Him And Soon Volunteers To Help Find The Beast.
About The Characters I Loved The Relationship Between Brielle And Her Grandmother And How She Enforces Her To Believe And Stay True To Herself.
"There Might Come A Time When You Change Your Mind About Romance. If That Day Comes, Just Remember What I Taught You. You Don’t Need A Man To Take Care Of You, Brielle. You’re Strong Enough On Your Own".
Also The Relationship Between Her Best Friend Rhyne Butcher And Her Is Completely Believable And A Great Addition To The Storyline.
"Maybe That Was Why Rhyne And I Were Such Good Friends. We Both Knew What It Was Like To Be Different".
Is There A Love Interest In The Story For You Y.A Romance Fanatics? Yes Indeed. Lord Kenrick Of Crowhurst Has Brielle's Interest.
Although It Is NOT A Retelling It Does Hold Certain Similarities With The Red Riding Hood Story!! Any Reader Who Is Interested In Romance And Supernatural Fairy Tale Like Stories This One Is DEFINITELY One To Read Or Add To Your TBR Pile.
Plot 4/5
Writing 5/5
Characters 5/5
Overall Book Experience 5/5 I Enjoyed It A Lot!! 💙🔥
Without Giving Much Away, This Is The Story Of Brielle Heale, She Is An Apprentice And The Granddaughter Of A Good Witch. She Suffers From Gore Filled Premonitions As An Ancient Beast Returns To Terrorize Dark Pines, The Little Town She's From.
Soon After They Start, Lord Kenrick Of Crowhurst Arrives To Dark Pines Asking About The So Called Monster That's Terrorizing And Killing People In Dark Pines. Brielle Is Instantly Enthralled With Him And Soon Volunteers To Help Find The Beast.
About The Characters I Loved The Relationship Between Brielle And Her Grandmother And How She Enforces Her To Believe And Stay True To Herself.
"There Might Come A Time When You Change Your Mind About Romance. If That Day Comes, Just Remember What I Taught You. You Don’t Need A Man To Take Care Of You, Brielle. You’re Strong Enough On Your Own".
Also The Relationship Between Her Best Friend Rhyne Butcher And Her Is Completely Believable And A Great Addition To The Storyline.
"Maybe That Was Why Rhyne And I Were Such Good Friends. We Both Knew What It Was Like To Be Different".
Is There A Love Interest In The Story For You Y.A Romance Fanatics? Yes Indeed. Lord Kenrick Of Crowhurst Has Brielle's Interest.
Although It Is NOT A Retelling It Does Hold Certain Similarities With The Red Riding Hood Story!! Any Reader Who Is Interested In Romance And Supernatural Fairy Tale Like Stories This One Is DEFINITELY One To Read Or Add To Your TBR Pile.
Plot 4/5
Writing 5/5
Characters 5/5
Overall Book Experience 5/5 I Enjoyed It A Lot!! 💙🔥
July 27, 2018
Legend of Me by Rebekah L. Purdy is a twist on a beloved fairy tale.
The prologue grabbed me with shock and fright and built my interest in the book, even more than the synopsis already had. Brielle lives with her grandmother, who’s a healer and is training Brielle to be a healer also. A few deaths have occurred and the victims have been horribly mutilated. Brielle has been having dreams about gruesome murders and when she discovers that those same victims actually have been killed, she begins to suspect that her dreams are visions. Knights have come to capture the beast that’s been killing people and the villagers are sure that the knights can rid them of this horrible beast. In the meantime, Raul (a wanderer) and Kenrick (a knight) show their feelings for Brielle and she reciprocates their feelings without even realizing and then she wonders how she can care for both of them. The tale twists and turns and grows as everything comes to light. An interesting play on a beauty and the beast type story, 4 stars!
The prologue grabbed me with shock and fright and built my interest in the book, even more than the synopsis already had. Brielle lives with her grandmother, who’s a healer and is training Brielle to be a healer also. A few deaths have occurred and the victims have been horribly mutilated. Brielle has been having dreams about gruesome murders and when she discovers that those same victims actually have been killed, she begins to suspect that her dreams are visions. Knights have come to capture the beast that’s been killing people and the villagers are sure that the knights can rid them of this horrible beast. In the meantime, Raul (a wanderer) and Kenrick (a knight) show their feelings for Brielle and she reciprocates their feelings without even realizing and then she wonders how she can care for both of them. The tale twists and turns and grows as everything comes to light. An interesting play on a beauty and the beast type story, 4 stars!
July 24, 2018
From the very beginning of this story, I was hooked!
It starts off with this mysterious Beast that is tragically targeting villagers who venture off into the woods. The writing immediately captures you in and creates a world that reminds me of Red Riding Hood spun into an awesome fairytale.
The characters are well built and make you either want to cheer for them or kick them in the shins. The sassy grandmother was one of my favorite additions to the story. There are pockets of romantic elements in the story that don't overpower the grim legend of the village. We get a mix between the light and dark moments which I thoroughly enjoyed.
This is such an original fairytale that also touches on the seclusion of the main character who is victim to the harsh judgements from the other villagers. But I loved how the bestfriend sticks to her side and helps keep her sane.
Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. It is definitely a contender as one of my favorite YA fairytales.
July 26, 2018
This was a very good read. I felt attached the main character and the story, from very early on, which kept me really intrigued in the book, from start to finish. The author truly wrote and original story of fairytale magic, that brings to life all those magical feelings and intrigue we had growing up, but for a slightly older audience.
The book is written very well, and targets both the YA stage and adults alike, with lots of detail, twists, engaging characters and action. I love the blend of fast and slower pace, to really give you that feel for what is taking place in the world.
I loved the variety of characters, and found that Purdy really did well, not only to create such variety, but also to ensure that each character had a great level of depth and personality, to bring their persona to life.
Overall, this was an excellent read and one i struggled to put down. It is really lovely and one that should not be missed.
The book is written very well, and targets both the YA stage and adults alike, with lots of detail, twists, engaging characters and action. I love the blend of fast and slower pace, to really give you that feel for what is taking place in the world.
I loved the variety of characters, and found that Purdy really did well, not only to create such variety, but also to ensure that each character had a great level of depth and personality, to bring their persona to life.
Overall, this was an excellent read and one i struggled to put down. It is really lovely and one that should not be missed.
August 11, 2018
At the start of reading this, I got the little red riding hood vibe. A young girl living with her grandmother in a cabin, out in the woods. And then let's throw in some murders of people having been ripped to shreds. There's the girl and her best friend, a handsome wanderer, an evil twisted liar of a girl in town, a handsome knight, a little magic thrown into the mix, a curse, and most importantly....the beast. Who is the beast? Where did this monster come from? Who will it kill next? I thoroughly enjoyed reading every single part of this story, even though some made me cringe WHY!!! It was magical, it was gory. I LOVED it!! The twists kept me on the edge of my seat. I never saw it coming. No part of this was your predictable fairytale story. Absolutely enjoyable, as I finished reading this in 3 days. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys fantasy, romance, and mystery. 5 stars ★★★★★
June 22, 2018
For those that love the classic fairy-tales but are tired of predictable plot twists, here is your next read! This twisted tale is familiar enough to be cozy, but different enough that you won't get bored or have that "I've read this same book a thousand times" sense of deja-vu.
Purdy did a great job of balancing a bunch of potential romantic interests with actual plot points and a great air of mystery, while still maintaining the classic fairy-tale vibe. There were several twists I didn't see coming!
I can't say I'd read it over and over again, but I'm glad I read it this once. Interested to see what else Purdy has to offer in the future!
Purdy did a great job of balancing a bunch of potential romantic interests with actual plot points and a great air of mystery, while still maintaining the classic fairy-tale vibe. There were several twists I didn't see coming!
I can't say I'd read it over and over again, but I'm glad I read it this once. Interested to see what else Purdy has to offer in the future!
July 23, 2018
I was drawn into this book immediately! Rebekah Purdy's talent with words is magical. The story moved quickly with wonderful characters and scenes that came alive in my imagination. She didn't waste words over-describing (truly appreciated!) but gave just enough to let my mind create the scenes etc. There is some very disturbing subject matter but nothing that wasn't necessary or relative to the story. This is a book about the power of love - both good and bad. I look forward to more stories from Rebekah Purdy!!
December 27, 2019
I just couldn't put this book down!!!!!!!!!
I really enjoyed reading every part of it, and now I can't stop thinking about it .It has the perfect plot twist that completely shocked me .Great romance and mysterious events that perfectly fit together. The scenes and characters are so vividly described that I really felt part of the book, I laughed and cried along with the events, I would definitely recommend this one.
I really enjoyed reading every part of it, and now I can't stop thinking about it .It has the perfect plot twist that completely shocked me .Great romance and mysterious events that perfectly fit together. The scenes and characters are so vividly described that I really felt part of the book, I laughed and cried along with the events, I would definitely recommend this one.
July 24, 2018
I really enjoyed this retelling of a classic fairytale! The twists and brutality of the story gave it so much life. My only issues were that some parts did not make sense and there were obvious grammatical issues. I received an ARC for my honest review
August 6, 2018
Whoops forgot to update, my stop on the tour and review is here! http://karinysteenbooxfrenz.blogspot....
June 9, 2018
Star Rating: 3.5 out of 5
The only reason that this book did not get a solid 4 stars is because the first half of the book took a little long to really get going. Honestly, it almost seemed like the first half and the second half could have had been two different books. The book revolves around a 16 year old girl by the name of Brielle who lives in a town where a beast is killing people.
A knight by the name of Kendrik comes in to town and everything begins to change. Brielle meets the knight and starts having visions of the two of them together and in love, which confuses her because the visions are so realistic and yet she knows that she has never met him before. To make situations even more confusing for her, she is in love with Raul a gypsy, and yet she cannot stop the way she feels whenever she is near Kendrik. She tries helping the knight find information on this beast so that he could slay it and protect the town, and during this time he began to have strong feelings for her. At the same time Raul is also finally revealing to her that he is in love with her as well, but her grandmother of course does not approve.
As this portion of the story plays out you also find that there is more going on than you thought at first. It turns out that Brielle is not just a love sick girl, she is actually having visions of each of the victims being murdered by the beast. She decides that she has to do something in order to help stop this beast. Unfortunately, the truth about this beast and Kendrik is far more than she could have ever imagined. That is the part of the story that really grabbed my attention, it was seriously the turning point for me. The story suddenly starts moving at a much quicker pace and you are left there in awe after every revelation. Brielle seems to go from a love sick girl to a strong woman who is trying to figure out a major secret in order to save the lives of future victims. You are then brought into a world where magic, curses, and evil is real. It really just became a much better book.
Pros:
Once you learn more about this beast the story really picks up. It moves the focus away from a girl and her two crushes and moves to a story with a bit more substance.
I loved the way the characters were written. I loved the grandmother, Rhyne, and Raul. They were written in such a way that I would really like to hang out with them. They added a nice element to the story that help balance out Brielle.
The actual lore of the beast was done very well! I loved that portion of the story, it really explained why the first portion of the book was the way it was.
Cons:
The romance portion was a bit over the top. Every time either Raul or Kendrik would make contact with her you were given a description of how their touch would pretty much set her body on fire and made her knees buckle. I understand why the relationship were extremely important but holy cow. I felt like it was a bit much.
The beginning seemed a little slow moving. The ending was fantastic but I feel like if they would have taken a little less time talking about Brielle's knees buckling with every touch we could have delved more into the lore behind the beast.
Overall:
While the beginning of the book was slow I still really enjoyed it and would definitely read other books by this author. As a YA I think it does hit the mark, but I would not recommend it for younger tween/teens. After all the A in YA does mean adult. There are some situations in the book that might not be appropriate for a younger audience.
The book itself is slow paced in the beginning. It seemed like it was just going to be a romance novel with a beast in the background, but thankfully it was not. It showed Brielle become a stronger young woman. It showed her becoming her own person and not caring what anyone had to say, I found that wonderful. But to be honest, if it weren't for the second half of the book I would not have rated it so high. The second half of this book really makes it worth reading. While there was a small continuity error (Brielle asking a character how he was alive.....and then a couple of pages later the same thing happening but with more information this time) it really was a good book. I would read this book any time over the book Beautiful Creatures. And if you did enjoy Beautiful Creatures, I think you would enjoy this for sure
The only reason that this book did not get a solid 4 stars is because the first half of the book took a little long to really get going. Honestly, it almost seemed like the first half and the second half could have had been two different books. The book revolves around a 16 year old girl by the name of Brielle who lives in a town where a beast is killing people.
A knight by the name of Kendrik comes in to town and everything begins to change. Brielle meets the knight and starts having visions of the two of them together and in love, which confuses her because the visions are so realistic and yet she knows that she has never met him before. To make situations even more confusing for her, she is in love with Raul a gypsy, and yet she cannot stop the way she feels whenever she is near Kendrik. She tries helping the knight find information on this beast so that he could slay it and protect the town, and during this time he began to have strong feelings for her. At the same time Raul is also finally revealing to her that he is in love with her as well, but her grandmother of course does not approve.
As this portion of the story plays out you also find that there is more going on than you thought at first. It turns out that Brielle is not just a love sick girl, she is actually having visions of each of the victims being murdered by the beast. She decides that she has to do something in order to help stop this beast. Unfortunately, the truth about this beast and Kendrik is far more than she could have ever imagined. That is the part of the story that really grabbed my attention, it was seriously the turning point for me. The story suddenly starts moving at a much quicker pace and you are left there in awe after every revelation. Brielle seems to go from a love sick girl to a strong woman who is trying to figure out a major secret in order to save the lives of future victims. You are then brought into a world where magic, curses, and evil is real. It really just became a much better book.
Pros:
Once you learn more about this beast the story really picks up. It moves the focus away from a girl and her two crushes and moves to a story with a bit more substance.
I loved the way the characters were written. I loved the grandmother, Rhyne, and Raul. They were written in such a way that I would really like to hang out with them. They added a nice element to the story that help balance out Brielle.
The actual lore of the beast was done very well! I loved that portion of the story, it really explained why the first portion of the book was the way it was.
Cons:
The romance portion was a bit over the top. Every time either Raul or Kendrik would make contact with her you were given a description of how their touch would pretty much set her body on fire and made her knees buckle. I understand why the relationship were extremely important but holy cow. I felt like it was a bit much.
The beginning seemed a little slow moving. The ending was fantastic but I feel like if they would have taken a little less time talking about Brielle's knees buckling with every touch we could have delved more into the lore behind the beast.
Overall:
While the beginning of the book was slow I still really enjoyed it and would definitely read other books by this author. As a YA I think it does hit the mark, but I would not recommend it for younger tween/teens. After all the A in YA does mean adult. There are some situations in the book that might not be appropriate for a younger audience.
The book itself is slow paced in the beginning. It seemed like it was just going to be a romance novel with a beast in the background, but thankfully it was not. It showed Brielle become a stronger young woman. It showed her becoming her own person and not caring what anyone had to say, I found that wonderful. But to be honest, if it weren't for the second half of the book I would not have rated it so high. The second half of this book really makes it worth reading. While there was a small continuity error (Brielle asking a character how he was alive.....and then a couple of pages later the same thing happening but with more information this time) it really was a good book. I would read this book any time over the book Beautiful Creatures. And if you did enjoy Beautiful Creatures, I think you would enjoy this for sure
November 11, 2018
Legend of Me is a novel that puts a twist to the classic tale, Little Red Riding Hood. The secrets are deep and the beast is real.
The story follows a girl by the name of Brielle, who lives with her grandmother on the outskirts of a small village. A village that is getting stalked by a vicious creature known as the beast. Brielle starts having visions of her dead cousin and images of who’s going to show up dead next. She shares a connection to the beast that she doesn’t understand.
More and more people die and the trail is bloody. This rumored beast gets the attention of some royal knights who are raised to hunt it down. And with the arrival of Lord Kendrick the murders increase.
Brielle immediately has strange uncalled for feelings for the knight and she’s torn between him and another man that holds her attention. The start of a love triangle emerges.
Things get messy and feelings get torn as the beast gets up close and personal with Brielle. No one is no longer safe. The only way to end it is a curse, but there are forces that are against her.
The one thing that deterred me was the fact that the first several chapters referred to the people within the village by their first and last names. Villagers last names were their occupation. I can see doing it the first chapter or for newly introduced characters, but it kept going with characters that the reader should already be familiarized with. Otherwise the plot held my attention. It had just enough romance and just enough secrecy that was gradually revealed throughout the novel. Most of the characters were well written. However there was a stereotypical set of characters. The girl that multiple boys adore, the male best friend, the girl that’s jealous of said girl.
Overall, it was a fun read. I love retellings and this one didn’t disappoint. If you love happy endings then this one’s for you.
*Thank you to Month9Books for providing me a copy.
The story follows a girl by the name of Brielle, who lives with her grandmother on the outskirts of a small village. A village that is getting stalked by a vicious creature known as the beast. Brielle starts having visions of her dead cousin and images of who’s going to show up dead next. She shares a connection to the beast that she doesn’t understand.
More and more people die and the trail is bloody. This rumored beast gets the attention of some royal knights who are raised to hunt it down. And with the arrival of Lord Kendrick the murders increase.
Brielle immediately has strange uncalled for feelings for the knight and she’s torn between him and another man that holds her attention. The start of a love triangle emerges.
Things get messy and feelings get torn as the beast gets up close and personal with Brielle. No one is no longer safe. The only way to end it is a curse, but there are forces that are against her.
The one thing that deterred me was the fact that the first several chapters referred to the people within the village by their first and last names. Villagers last names were their occupation. I can see doing it the first chapter or for newly introduced characters, but it kept going with characters that the reader should already be familiarized with. Otherwise the plot held my attention. It had just enough romance and just enough secrecy that was gradually revealed throughout the novel. Most of the characters were well written. However there was a stereotypical set of characters. The girl that multiple boys adore, the male best friend, the girl that’s jealous of said girl.
Overall, it was a fun read. I love retellings and this one didn’t disappoint. If you love happy endings then this one’s for you.
*Thank you to Month9Books for providing me a copy.
June 13, 2021
This book had an interesting premise (a different take on Beauty and the Beast mixed with a werewolf-like creature) and quite a pronounced curse. The magic sections were good but the coming of age portion dragged a bit for me.
I liked the plot but not all of the writing style. The fantasy portion wasn’t bad but the human portion wasn’t as well done.
I enjoyed the creativity and the main character’s relationship with her Grandma (reminiscent of other fairy tales). Bri was complex but a bit monotonous. Her light hearted best friend who accompanied her on the big journey was better written in my opinion.
I liked the plot but not all of the writing style. The fantasy portion wasn’t bad but the human portion wasn’t as well done.
I enjoyed the creativity and the main character’s relationship with her Grandma (reminiscent of other fairy tales). Bri was complex but a bit monotonous. Her light hearted best friend who accompanied her on the big journey was better written in my opinion.
February 17, 2020
Book one checked all my boxes, and had me falling in love with Raul right alongside our leading lady. It's awfully hard to fight his flirtatious ways, especially when they are obviously guided by a heart that truly adores her...but the course of love never did run smooth, and the bumps in their road, let alone her first love's (dun dun DUNNN!) have more pitfalls to overcome than a New York City street has potholes! When all is said and done, we're left with what we think will suffice for a happily-ever-after...
**ebook received for review; opinions are my own
**ebook received for review; opinions are my own
October 27, 2020
Caution: very gruesome depictions of the beast’s murders. The opening scene is revealing of the rest of the book
Pet peeve: chick on the cover in a gorgeous dress that looks like its from a 90s prom....and yet the entire book takes place in the Middle Ages.
Kudos that it took me near 48% of the book before I figured out the curse. But once I did, I got annoyed with the characters as they continued on with the plot while I waited very impatiently to get to the big reveal- which ultimately was a bit disappointing just because I had to wait so dang long to get to it.
I was glad of the happy endings and the self-worth spin on the MCs love story. But there were a few characters that I would have traded deaths for.
The story is very creative and the curse is an interesting one, though I feel like the amount of deaths is absolutely horrific and though that is addressed I feel like the curser didn’t quite get enough pain to justify what she did.
Pet peeve: chick on the cover in a gorgeous dress that looks like its from a 90s prom....and yet the entire book takes place in the Middle Ages.
Kudos that it took me near 48% of the book before I figured out the curse. But once I did, I got annoyed with the characters as they continued on with the plot while I waited very impatiently to get to the big reveal- which ultimately was a bit disappointing just because I had to wait so dang long to get to it.
I was glad of the happy endings and the self-worth spin on the MCs love story. But there were a few characters that I would have traded deaths for.
The story is very creative and the curse is an interesting one, though I feel like the amount of deaths is absolutely horrific and though that is addressed I feel like the curser didn’t quite get enough pain to justify what she did.
February 14, 2019
Although this book grabbed my attention right at the start, about halfway through it started to feel clunky and forced. It was almost like the writer started off strong and then rushed to complete the second half.
October 15, 2018
It was okay. A bit too dramatic, not very realistic and reminded me of a really, really long fairy tale.
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