Legacy (Legacy, #1) in Nothing But Reading Challenges

May 24, 2011 Lisarenee rated it it was amazing

Two Kingdoms at war...
Hytanica and Cokyri have been at war for years. The last attack took place almost 16 years ago. The fighting ended abruptly, and that is when the kidnappings began. infant sons born during the Bleeding moon suddenly began disappearing from Hytanica. When the kidnappings finally ended, all but the last child was found dead.

A Legend....
The legend of the Bleeding Moon claims "that the Kingdom of Hytanica was built on sacred ground, and that because of this, she would forever ...more

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Jun 21, 2011 Logan rated it it was ok

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy

First impressions: The rich detail of this world is captivating. I started reading thinking I'd just get through the first few pages, and ended up reading for a half hour.

Lasting impressions: This book stuck with me longer than I expected. Whether it was the level of detail or just good storytelling, I thought about this book whenever I wasn't reading it.

Conflicting impressions: The attention to detail also became tiresome. It slowed down the pace a lot, and felt unnecessary.

Overall impressions: First impressions: The rich detail of this world is captivating. I started reading thinking I'd just get through the first few pages, and ended up reading for a half hour.

Lasting impressions: This book stuck with me longer than I expected. Whether it was the level of detail or just good storytelling, I thought about this book whenever I wasn't reading it.

Conflicting impressions: The attention to detail also became tiresome. It slowed down the pace a lot, and felt unnecessary.

Overall impressions: This is one of those books when I wish I used half stars. The world here is complex and well developed, reading more like a historical than a fantasy. Other than the setting, there wasn't much I would characterize as fantasy. I mean, it's a made-up world, but there's no magic or unique creatures or abilities to be found. I couldn't tell if the author intended to create a unique political or social structure and just didn't succeed, or if she didn't have the energy to research an actual historical setting in which to place her story.

I didn't mind the setting - don't get me wrong. I wish it had contained some more unique elements other than names and a few social customs. I think that could have given this fantasy some more teeth. Instead it became a story about a princess who can't decide whether to marry for duty or love.

There is a lot of description in this book, which bogged down the narrative. For a reader like me, who tends to skim over descriptions anyway (I like to picture characters as their voices come to me), this wasn't overly bothersome. I did notice, though, that I was skimming through multiple pages of narrative just to get past the dry bits.

Alera holds the distinction of being the first character I can think of that I came to like less as the book went on. She starts out being a friendly, likeable girl, but starts to make some questionable choices that strained her credibility in my mind. She betrays friends, acts selfishly, and is determinedly mean to her suitor. Despite all this, I enjoyed being in her head and following her journey. She's acting out against a society that shows little regard for women, so I forgave some of her flaws.

All of the characters in the book are complex, though sometimes confusing. I loved London, Alera's bodyguard, whose loyalty also comes into question, but is by far the most enjoyable character to read. He's funny, snarky, and gruff. Alera's suitor and soon-to-be betrothed, Steldor, is an egotistical ladies man who starts off being hated and ended up growing on me. The fact that Alera despises him is enough for me not to like him, but I did find myself agreeing with him when he told her she made it worse by making herself miserable. She wallows in self-pity every time she's forced to be in his presence, when really he could be worse. Finally there's Narian, Alera's true love interest, who had dual ties to Alera's home country and the warring neighbor to the north.

For all of the complexities in the characterization, there is very little in the plot. Two countries are at war, the heir of one falls in love with a boy destined to lead the other, and heartache ensues. Alera is supposed to have some semblance of a choice here, but by the end she actually is not given much of a choice at all. The entire book leads us to think that something interesting is going to come up, or that Alera will realize her potential as a ruler, or that her love of Narian will incite some kind of action. Instead, it ends with one of the most miserable scenes I've ever read.

Huh. I think I've just convinced myself I don't like this book much after all. ...more

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Jun 04, 2011 Lacey rated it it was amazing

First Thoughts:

I loved this book, I about loved everything about it. It gives you suspense, great character development, likeable characters and a great plot and storyline. I was utterly suprised to learn that the author was very young when she wrote this; still in high school. To have written such a complex and well structured book at such a young age is a rare talent indeed. This book sure drew me in with its hyptnotizing aura and soon left me breathless and stunned.

Summary:

Princess Alera is t First Thoughts:

I loved this book, I about loved everything about it. It gives you suspense, great character development, likeable characters and a great plot and storyline. I was utterly suprised to learn that the author was very young when she wrote this; still in high school. To have written such a complex and well structured book at such a young age is a rare talent indeed. This book sure drew me in with its hyptnotizing aura and soon left me breathless and stunned.

Summary:

Princess Alera is the eldest of two, her sister Princess Miranna is the youngest at the age of 15 where Alera is 17. This book takes place just before Alera's 17th birthday where in a matter of year she is expected to marry a man of whom the King her father approves. Of course to make matters more complicated her father has his eyes set on one man and that's the son of the captain of his guard who's son's name is Seldor. Alera has no likes to this man, claiming he is foolish and egotistic. So, she tries to find another man to her liking before its too late. But just years earlier before Alera was born 49 babies were taken by their enemy the Cokyrians who later returned the dead babies all but one returned.

16 years after the return of the dead babies a Cokyrian is found and brought to the palace for questioning where by accident they discover his Hythanican heritage, he's the missing baby that wasn't return. Narian is mysterious and won't reveal anything of himself and what he went through with Cokyrians but soon he sets his eyes on Aria and it is she who bounds him to stay with the Hythanicans.

But Narian is hiding something, a legacy he is a part of and could very well bring down Hythica. Aria will soon be faced with a decision that could affect her life forever and she must choose her husband so that she can be married on her 18th birthday and her father is too none kind to allowing Narian to be the choice. Alera will be faced with hardship and choices, would she stay with her kingdom or give it up for love?

Last Thoughts:

A definate favorite of mine, I'll will be reading the rest of the series in anticipation of whats to become of my darest characters. I advise anyone to read this, there is no foul language and is suitable for a variety of audience. I took a chance with this book, I advise you to do the same. It is indeed a fast and exciting read. I give this book 5 stars!! ...more

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Jun 02, 2015 Cora rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, fantasy, young-adult, princesses, 1st-in-series, arranged-marriage, series

Legacy is a story about a teenage princess. The princess, Alera, must marry before her next birthday and her husband will become king. Because of the role her future husband will play, her father the current king has chosen the best candidate for the job and Alera has little choice unless she can find another man that meets all of her father's criteria. And because this is a young adult novel about a teenage girl, she falls in love with the most unsuitable boy in the kingdom. She can not stand t Legacy is a story about a teenage princess. The princess, Alera, must marry before her next birthday and her husband will become king. Because of the role her future husband will play, her father the current king has chosen the best candidate for the job and Alera has little choice unless she can find another man that meets all of her father's criteria. And because this is a young adult novel about a teenage girl, she falls in love with the most unsuitable boy in the kingdom. She can not stand the man her father has chosen, but the boy she does love might be an enemy spy that will pull the country into war and prophecy says he will destroy the kingdom. This novel had a lot of potential. I liked some of the characters and most of the world building, but since the story is told from Alera's point of view only, the reader is getting all of the good parts of the story second hand, if that (since Alera is a woman and the details of running the country are the province of men). The reader is often stuck with Alera confined to her room worrying about all the action that is going on rather than seeing the action itself. The author, who wrote the story at age 15, does a good job of capturing teenage angst; however I doubt that she has enough life experience for her to develop Alera into a deeper character later on. The book end abruptly before any of the foreshadowed action occurs. It is less of a cliff hanger as much as just ending it after about 1/3 of the story is presented. There was absolutely no resolution of anything. The setting and story did have potential, although I was brought out of the fantasy world when the characters began to celebrate Christmas. I am so used to fantasy worlds having their own religions, even if they are loosely based on real world religions that the references to Christianity really pulled me out of the story. Overall, it was impressive given the age of the author, but did not rise above the teenage angst enough to give it more than three stars. ...more

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