Legacy

by Cayla Kluver

Book Overview

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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373210345
• ISBN13: 9780373210343
• Release Date: June 2011
• Publisher: Harlequin Teen
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 0.87 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.4" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

An Amazing First Novel

LEGACY, by 16 year old author Cayla Kluver, is a beautifully written, captivating YA fantasy. Cayla's words flow off the page, creating a medieval world and fascinating characters that come alive and envelop the reader. I truly found LEGACY to be a surprisingly imaginative read. In LEGACY we meet Alera, the crown princess of Hytanica. As Alera approaches her 18th birthday, she finds that she must marry the man that her father has chosen to succeed him as King. Unfortunately, Steldor is not the man who has stolen Alera's heart. Narian was kidnapped from Hytanica as a small child, and raised in Cokyri, Hytanica's bitter enemy. But now he has escaped captivity and returned to the land of his birth. He and the princess care deeply for each other, but Cokyri wants him back. Somehow, he is the key to the downfall of Hytanica. Will Alera bend to her father's will? Will Hytanica and Cokyri resume their war? Or will Alera follow her heart? LEGACY is a delicious blend of fantasy, romance, and mystery. And refreshingly, all the romance is rated PG-13; I would have no problems recommending this to my 13 year old daughter. The plot is captivating, with intricate, vivid details that add depth and dimention to this fairytale world. LEGACY is a fast paced, easy read that compels the reader to keep turning the pages. I also love how this young author tackles more adult issues, such as women's rights. Her characters are realistic, well developed, and multidimensional; everyone has strengths and weaknesses, charms and foibles. I really enjoyed these people and needed to know what would happen next. I must say that LEGACY is one of the best, age appropriate YA novels that I have read in quite awhile. I am really looking forward to the sequel. Congratulations, Calya, on your amazing achievement. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

who cares if its a 16 year old writing it?

i think some people were making a fuss over the authors age positive or not. i personally don't care about her age because if a book is good, it is good. I loved this book and gave it 5 stars because it engrossed me from the start to the finish. Sure the writing was not always perfect but i couldnt put this book down once i started reading. now i am waiting impatiently for the next book! narian is definitely my favorite character.

A Beautiful Legacy

An epic adventure, this debut novel by Young Adult author Cayla Kluver, takes the reader to the land of Hytanica where the vibrant and independent Princess Alera is rapidly approaching eighteen and the age at which she is to ascend the throne. This is a coming-of-age story about a young woman coming into her own and trying to determine her own destiny while caught between duty to her Father, her land and her role as Queen and her own desires. In 2008, Legacy won a Bronze Medal in Young Adult Fiction and was a finalist for the National Best Books Award. This reader feels these accolades were well warranted. The writing style is fluid, lyrical yet consistent, the characters are enchanting and the plot is solid and well-paced. Kluver seems to forget that she's sixteen and supposedly shouldn't have the life experience to write about the complex and delicate subjects she tackles. Thank goodness she does as hers is a voice that young women, especially, will be glad to hear. What woman won't be able to relate to Alera and her struggle to balance her obligations by birth, by family, by gender with her hearts desire and longing to fulfill a greater potential than what was assumed when she was born a princess. This is a timeless tale. I know I will want my daughters to read this someday, and hopefully they will be as entertained as I was. I think this will be a new classic, scoot over Bronte Sisters and make room for Kluver. What I found immensely enjoyable was the wit with which Kluver's characters are drawn so three-dimensionally. Alera's frustration with trying to convince those around her that a woman is worth more than her society would have her be is almost palpable. Steldor, Alera's hot-winded, arrogant suitor would be almost laughable if the poor girl wasn't bound by honor to marry him. Ah, the taste of freedom that comes as Narian, a possible suitor from a neighboring land, shows Alera another life that could be hers. Social hierarchy, sexism, the struggle between self and family, between duty and desire... everything is there, putting this book up to rival some of the great classic romances. If you enjoy historical fiction, especially that set in medieval times, you will love this book. If you enjoy a good romance, you will love this book. If you enjoy a sharp wit with a taste of satire, you will love this book. If you just like a good book now and then, pick this up and you'll find yourself immersed in a lovely story all the better for the telling.

A CROSS-GENERATIONAL JOY

This book was a joy to read - I couldn't put it down! With interesting characters, a multi-faceted plot, and a romance that focuses on the relationship and not on sex, I would recommend this book to any one 12 and older. And I still have a hard time believing the author is just sixteen years old. She has such a command of the English language and did a great job of researching Medieval times. Every one of my friends who has read Legacy has enjoyed it, and we are well beyond our teenage years. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel, but in the meantime can brainstorm myself on how things will turn out for Alera and her Kingdom of Hytanica. I also have a great Christmas gift for daughters, grandchildren and friends!

THIS BOOK WILL HAVE YOU WANTING MORE

I purchased this book by chance without really knowing much about the story except that it revolved around a princess in medieval times where women wore beautiful gowns and had to exercise proper etiquette. Having read and loved The Luxe Series by Anna Godbersen and the Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray (both series I highly recommend), I picked up Legacy knowing I would at least enjoy the world created for the book. I can honestly say that it took me a while to get into the book although I loved London's character from the very beginning. But once the story picked up I couldn't put it down!! This book makes you fall in love with every single character including Steldor, an arrogantly annoying man. Princess Alera also steals your heart as you feel her dilemma between her duty as a princess and her heart's desire. Halfway through Legacy I tried to find out when the next book, Allegiance, will be released. It was then that I found out that the Author had just turned 16 years old and was 15 when she wrote Legacy!!! 15 YEARS OLD!! I couldn't believe it because the world Kluver created in this book is so elaborate and you can't imagine a 15 year old creating Hytanica. There is only one drawback to this book. Kluver's writing, although good, is descriptive to the point where you know every single character's clothing in every scene right down to the shoes on their feet. I found myself at times skimming through those paragraphs because it was a bit too elaborate and some words were just too big for me. I understand that Kluver is trying to provide every detail for the reader to be able to see what they're reading but I think it may deter some readers. Despite that, this book is absolutely amazing! I love the story. I love the characters and I'm so disappointed that I have to wait until next year for the second book. Some people have expressed a dislike of the ending as a cliffhanger but I think a good cliffhanger would have been Narian showing up and taking Alera away. Now that would have been great!