Sacrifice (Legacy #3)
    by: Cayla Kluver

Publication Date: Oct. 23, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Borrowed from Library
Page Count: 438 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

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.

             -goodreads.com description



At first when I saw this was a dual POV between Alera and Shaselle (Steldor's cousin) I was like......

But after reading it, I discovered I really liked Shaselle's story and I was glad Cayla included it.

This story had a few important plot twists. The first came with Shaselle and Saadi, a Cokyrian solider. I couldn't believe his outcome and was a bit disappointed with Cayla for setting him up and then.... nothing.

The one towards the end involving the High Priestess and Narian, well that pissed me off. Luckily, it was resolved, but I was like... seriously?!

I liked Narian alot more in this story. He and Alera are really in love with each other and it really shines in this book.

The trilogy wrapped up nicely and I was not disappointed.

Allegiance (Legacy #2)
    by: Cayla Kluver

Publication Date: Feb. 28, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Borrowed from Library
Page Count: 490 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

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...

                       -goodreads.com description



Out of all 3 books, this was by far my favorite. Finally, some character development! Even though I was swayed by Narian, I really felt for Steldor in this book. In fact, in some scenes I just wanted to yell at Alera and tell her to quit being stupid, because Steldor is actually a decent guy. He really is in love with Alera, but her heart already belongs to Narian.

I really felt for Alera's sister, Miranna, in this book. She was kidnapped by Cokyrians and has come back clearly distraught and traumatized at her imprisonment there. I loved how sweet Temerson (Miranna's betrothed) is to her. We met him in Legacy as this shy, awkward character, but he really is perfect for Miranna and they fit together beautifully.

After Narian's disappearance towards the end of Legacy, he is not in this book very much at all. We see alot more of him in the conclusion, Sacrifice.

Legacy (Legacy #1)
    By: Cayla Kluver

Publication Date: June 28, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Borrowed from Library
Page Count: 496 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3/5 stars

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.

                 -goodreads.com description



After reading countless books about vampires, werewolves, shifters, faeries, I must admit this was a welcome change of pace. Cayla Kluver did a great job creating a new world and everything that went with it. Out of the trilogy, this one was probably my least favorite, however. Cayla is very detailed and descriptive and this book sets the stage, introduces you to the characters, explains their daily life and routine. The second and third books are where the action really comes in and keeps you reading.

This was also the first book where I really didn't like either male lead. Steldor was your typical arrogant, cocky, jackass and Narian was a bit immature and aloof for my tastes. I don't feel like his character showed any kind of depth... until you got more towards the end.

Alera, the book's protagonist, was ok for me. Again, I like her better in the other 2 books, where she really has to come into her own.