#160 Book Review: Sacrifice [ARC]

Sacrifice (Legacy #3) [ARC]
Release Date: November 2012
Author: Cayla Kluver
Publisher: Harlequin Teen Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads:

This is not the time for the fight to end. Now is when the fight will begin. This is the time to regain what has been lost.Alera

Queen of a fallen kingdom, secretly in love with the enemy.

Shaselle

Daughter of a murdered father, rebel with a cause.

One lives behind the former Hytanican palace walls and walks the razor's edge to keep the fragile peace in her beloved homeland. The other slips through the war-torn streets, seeking retribution for her family's tragedy, following whispers of insurgency.

Both face choices that will separate them from those they cannot help but love. As their stories intertwine, a conspiracy ignites that may end in slavery or death—or lead to freedom anew, if only each can face what must be sacrificed.

Cover:
I like how the red colour of the girl's dress stands out from the background. Although, I think I prefer the US cover because it reflects the story more, compared to the Aussie cover.

Story:

In war, for peace, sacrifice is always necessary...

If you remember reading my review of Legacy and Allegiance, then you'll know how much I enjoyed Cayla's books. This historical series, combined with a touch of fantasy is really entrancing and fascinating. I was really anxious to read the last book in the series and I'm glad it did not disappoint. Sacrifice is a satisfying conclusion to the whole series.

Unlike the previous two books in the series, Sacrfice is written from two POVs; Alera's and Shaselle's. Alera is now no longer the Queen of Hytanica. She has a new title; Grand Provost after Cokyri took over Hytanica. This book ventures the story of Alera as she tries to maintain the peace between Hytanica and Cokyri even though she is in love with 'the enemy'. The story also ventures Shaselle, the nice of the Captain of the Guards, Cannan as she deals with her changes in life. The new addition of Shaselle's POV adds to the depth of the story and gives a new insight into the life of a girl in Hytanica since Shaselle is not of royalty. The story plot is enjoyable, although like the previous two books, I still feel that the story could have been wrapped up in a 200-300 pages book instead of 400 pages. The romance is sweet and the ending satisfied me. It gives new hopes for the characters and also the readers!

Characters:
Alera truly has changed within the 3 books. She has grown from a spoiled girl who lives in luxury, to a Queen and a leader of her kingdom. She becomes more resolute, making strong decisions for the sake of her kingdom and is trying her best to be a good leader. Her love for Narian is as strong as ever and I really enjoyed her relationship with Narian. Narian is charming, sweet and really kind to Alera and I'm really glad that things are working out really well for both of them in this book.

As for Shaselle, sadly, I didn't actually liked her character. I found her annoying and quite selfish although luckily, she does get better as the book progressed. Cannan, Steldor, London and most of the characters from the first 2 books also appear constantly in this book and they are very enjoyable to read about!

Overall:
Is sacrifice necessary to end war and to create peace? In the last book of the Legacy series, Alera must try and maintain the peace between her kingdom and the 'enemy', proving herself as a good leader for her kingdom. Sacrifice is the enthralling conclusion to the series, one you definitely don't want to miss if you enjoyed the books in the series!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Sacrifice!

Thank you Harlequin Teen Australia for the review copy!

#97 Book Review: Allegiance

Allegiance (Legacy #2)
Release Date: Out now!
Author: Cayla Kluver
Publisher: Harlequin Teen Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy: Harlequin Books | Amazon | The Book Depository
More Info: Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads:

Only I saw Narian for who he truly was: a young man with courage and an independent mind, and made to pay for what was outside his control. He couldn't help his past any more than he could help the way those intense, deep-blue eyes pierced me and held me captive.

An eighteen-year-old queen in love with the enemy as their countries pass the point of no return...

Bound to a man she cannot love, Queen Alera of Hytanica must forget Narian, the young man who holds her heart. For Narian is destined to conquer Hytanica at the behest of his master, the powerful magic-user known as the Overlord. Alera doesn't truly believe Narian will fight against Hytanica-until Cokyrian troops attack with Narian commanding the charge.

Faced with the greatest betrayal a heart can know, Alera must set aside personal feelings and lead her kingdom through its darkest time. And when all hope, will and courage seem lost, she must find strength and remember that even the blackest night must have a dawn....

My review:

Cover:
I loved Allegiance's cover more than Legacy's cover. I love the soothing night feel of the cover, the background and how the girl is staring at the moon as if something is going to happen and it will change everything.

Story:


Even the blackest night must have a dawn...

Allegiance once again really impressed me! I read Legacy just recently which I really enjoyed and I'm really glad that the second book is as good as the first one or yet, even better! I was amazed at how Cayla was able to sweep us into this historical world of the Hytanicans and Cokyrians and how she can describe everything without leaving any details behind. Allegiance no longer tells the story of the peaceful kingdom of Hytanica. It is a story of war between the kingdom of Hytanica and Cokyria. Alera was no longer a Princess in this book. She now carries a responsibility of becoming a Queen for her kingdom after her marriage with Steldor. I loved how things are further explained and Cayla's details of everything happening in the book was amazing. Her detailed descriptions and writing makes me able to imagine living in her stories and world. There were lots of action scenes in this book and the ending left me absolutely content. I loved how the book ends but I still can't wait for the last book, Sacrifice!

Characters:
I love how Alera has developed as a character in Allegiance. In Legacy, she is a Princess who is pretty much just a 'pretty figure' in the kingdom who does not have a say in anything and pretty much can't do anything. In Allegiance, she is no longer just a princess. She is a Queen and she succeeds being one. She can rule her Kingdom, deal with the Cokyrians such as striking a bargain with them, she is brave and does not hesitate to risk herself if it means saving her family and kingdom. I feel sad for her because even though she is married to Steldor, her heart is still bound to Narian. Steldor also improved as a character. His arrogance is still there, yet he becomes more gentle and kind towards Alera. By the end of the book, I feel sad for Steldor but adore his understanding for Alera. Narian is barely in the book yet whenever he appears, I rejoice the moments because I think he is perfect for Alera. I love how he still tries to protect her even though he is no longer by his side. My other favourite character is London, one of the Elite guards. I really loved discovering more about who he was in this book and how he is willing to sacrifice himself for his loyalty to the kingdom.


Overall:
Allegiance is a stunning and enthralling sequel to Legacy. If you loved Legacy, you will definitely want to read this book! The story continues as the kingdom of Hytanica and Cokyria is finally at war against each other. Alera must lead her kingdom as their Queen and amidst all the troubles she faces in the story, Alera must remember that even the blackest night must have a dawn...

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Allegiance!

Thank you Harlequin Teen Australia for the review copy!

#88 Book Review: Legacy

Legacy
Release Date: March 1st 2012
Author: Cayla Kluver
Publisher: Harlequin Teen Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy: Amazon & The Book Depository
More Info: Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads:
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 an 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.

My review:

Cover:
The Australian cover is quite gorgeous although I prefer the US cover because it portrays the story more. I like the background though, it's dark with red colours. I also like how the cream coloured dress stands out from the background.

3 Forget-Me-Not flowers for the cover!

Story:

A dark legacy...

Alera is a 17 years old Hytanican Princess. When she reaches 18, she will have to marry one of her suitors and her father wants her to marry Steldor. The King thinks that Steldor will be the right man to replace him but Alera dislikes Steldor. One day, a Cokyrian boy called Narian is captured and Alera is intrigued by him. He turns out to be a long lost family member of one of the lords in her kingdom. As Alera spends her time knowing Narian, she is faced with a choice. She can choose to marry Steldor and forfeit her happiness, or forfeit her throne as a Queen to marry Narian...

I'm really impressed with Cayla Kluver's writing. If I'm not mistaken, she wrote Legacy when she was 16! Her writing style is absolutely mature and she voices her characters really well. Her detailed descriptions of the kingdom's life makes me able to imagine life as a Hytanican Princess and what it feels like to be living in wealth while being pressured to marry at a very young age. The kingdom of Hytanica's enemy, Cokyria, is also very interesting. I'm really curious of what their kingdom is like and how its people live their lives. The ending made me want to read Allegiance, the sequel ASAP. I wanted to know what's going to happen with the characters after the ending. One thing I didn't quite like about this book was how the story felt repetitive throughout the 500 pages. When I first saw this book, I was surprised at how thick it was. I am not judging a book by its thickness because if it's really good, I might not even realize that I've read 500 pages. This book made me anxious as to what other things can happen within the 500 pages? I think the book could have been summed up in a 300 pages book better than a 500 pages book. There were too many details about the life of Kingdom while the facts about Cokyrian kingdom were barely addressed in the book. Although, I definitely am looking forward to the sequel to see how Cayla develops the story!

Characters:
Alera is a very enjoyable character to read about. I can completely connect with her and understand how it feels like to be pressured in marrying someone when you are not in love with any of them. I can feel her connection and attraction to Narian and even though some of her actions annoy me, she is quite a strong-willed and stubborn character. Narian is such a mysterious and intriguing character who I really want to know more about. He is not discussed a lot in this book, particularly near the end of the book and I kept on searching for scenes in the book with him. Alera's sister, mother, father are also great side characters who plays a big role in Alera's life. I definitely hated Steldor. Even though he is suit to be King, I dislike his behaviour, his arrogance, even his looks (although he is described as handsome) and I can imagine why Alera does not want to marry him.

Overall:
Legacy introduced me to a new of world with 2 Kingdoms in the brink of war and the life of a Hytanican Princess. Even though I think that some of the parts in the story felt repetitive, it was still an enjoyable read and I can't wait to read Allegiance!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Legacy!

Thank you Harlequin Teen Australia for the review copy!