Book Review: Legacy

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 701 KB
• Print Length: 464 pages
• Publisher: AmazonEncore (4 Aug 2009)
• Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
• Language English
• ASIN: B0028Y5O7U

I noticed his eyes. They were blue, sharp and intense. Despite the youthful glows of his suntanned face, his eyes were cold and unfriendly, suggesting he had great experience in the world and was now expecting the worst.

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

When the palace guard captures and intruder—a boy her age with steel-blue eyes, hailing from her kingdom's greatest enemy—Alera is alarmed…and intrigued. But she could not have guessed that their clandestine meetings would unveil the dark legacy shadowing both their lands.

In this mystical world of court conspiracies and blood magic, loyalties will be tested. Courage won't be enough. And as the battle begins for everything Alera holds dear, love may be the downfall of a kingdom.

Legacy is told through the eyes of the Crown Princess Alera as she faces the most difficult decision she will ever have to make. She must choose the man she is to marry and who will inherit the crown of the King. Alera’s father makes his opinions on who he would like this to be very clear…but unfortunately Alera cannot abide his choice.

When Alera encounters an intruder in the castle – a Cokryi her age with mesmerising steel grey eyes, her decision is made even harder. Especially when she starts to fall for him. But their love could destroy her kingdom. For both share a dark destiny that could bring about the end of her world as she knows it.

Legacy has the promise to be an amazing book. It has an intriguing storyline, interesting characters and tension and action to keep the pace up. Unfortunately the story drowns under the weight of overly-described scenes, constant clothing descriptions, very contradictory behaviour from the main character and the mix of old and modern speech.

I feel if the characters had been more defined they could have carried the story better, but as they are now they feel too one dimensional. The character of Princess Alera put the final nail in the coffin for me. She was very up and down with her decisions, wanting to be a strong woman and be taken seriously, then acting like the classic damsel in distress. She has a betraying nature that does not make her a sympathetic character. Often as I read I thought her sister would have made a better main character.

Legacy would be enjoyed by historical and YA lovers, perhaps the older end of the spectrum due to the length of the book. We end on a cliffhanger that will ensure plenty of readers come back for the sequel.