Review: Legacy by Cayla Kluver
Legacy by Cayla Kluver
publisher: HarlequinTEEN
release date: June 28, 2011 (first published in 2008)
book info: amazon author site
from amazon: Now, as seventeen-year-old Princess Alera of Hytanica is besieged from all sides by suitors vying for the Throne, a teenage Cokyrian boy, Narian, is encountered within the walls of her Kingdom, a boy who will show Alera a world where women serve a purpose and not just a husband. As Narian helps Alera find her voice, she struggles against an arranged marriage that will shatter the life she has scarcely begun to live. And when Narian’s shocking past is uncovered, and war with Cokyri looms once more, he must fight to defy a fate ordained at his birth.
my take: I like to call this book a non-fantasy fantasy with historical elements. Why? Well, Kluver seems to have created her own historical world where she has written her own rules and mixed in a very modest amount (almost none) of black magic. Think vernacular. Think names (Cokyri? Hytanica?) Think plot points that don’t mesh together.
The heart of this book is about Princess Alera and her search for a suitor that will ascend the throne as king. As important as it is for Alera to find a suitable partner that will soon be king, her quest at times seems trite, especially with the looming war with the Cokyri. It’s at these times she seems selfish, willful and childish. My biggest complaint though, her rash decision making and her willingness to throw a long trusted guard under the bus, yet wholeheartedly trust a young man she knows nothing about.
Let’s talk about Narian. He is a thief, disrespectful thief who is super shady. Though I will concede the shadiness, I think he was written that way on purpose to give him an allure of mystery. To me, his mystery seems, well, shady. Oh, but he is hot.
My pick for Alera; London. He may have been almost twice her age, but he is exactly the man she is searching for. He is trustworthy, a natural leader, and intelligent.
There are other points that I questions, but since they are spoilery I will omit them here. (I will share though if you send me an email)
What are some things that I liked? The story was interesting, and given the age of the author when she wrote it (14) she did a fantastic job. Though like other reviewers have said, I think if she had more years to marinate on this story, gain life experience, it could have been stellar. I also liked London. And Steldor.
I give this book 3 STACKS
Stacy
