Book Blurb:
Live Like Legends
by Kate Cornell
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: June 1st 2020
Entangled Teen
Princess Kalista has known her role from birth. She’s spent her entire life preparing to be the socialite wife of a prince from a peaceful kingdom. But on her big day, she is shocked when she is instead forced to marry the warrior prince of a cursed land, who is as cold as the wintry kingdom he’ll one day rule.
Carson has a throne no princess wants to share with him. An immortal beast ravages their land, and he’ll do anything to stop it, even marry a complete stranger on the day she was supposed to wed her betrothed. Let her hate him for it, but Kalista is his only hope for peace.
Kalista knows she’s just a pawn on the chessboard of politics, but now she’s expected to kill an unstoppable creature because of some legend about her bloodline that Carson believes as truth. He trains her how to fight, and when lessons in swordplay lead to lessons in love, her destiny puts more than just her life at risk.
How far is she willing to go to save the prince she never wanted…but can’t imagine living without?
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My Review:
5 Out Of 5 Stars
Genre: Another-World, Historical, Romance, Royal-Court, Supernatural, Suspense--
What a super awkward love story! And that is what this is. An arranged marriage between two kingdoms that turned into a great, sweet romance- and there just happens to be a touch of action, danger and monsters. This is seriously like my favorite kind of historical romance novels- this one just so happens to have a monster to battle (and the sex scenes take place off the page even though you know they are happening) I don't even think I would call this YA, it very much felt like an adult novel due to the concept, it was just pretty pg and the characters were younger. I actually pretty much adore this book, just for your knowledge. I blew through the story in one day (I was up until 3am finishing the story, but that is basically the same day since I hadn't slept yet) since I had to know what happened and I was surprised to find I reached the end.
I can't remember reading a romance story (or really any book, to be honest) where there was a complete language barrier between the two characters. They do not share any words, or culture, have basically nothing in common, yet they are marriage at first sight and expected to make a go of it. It created so much conflict and uncertainty- but on the same hand, I loved how body language and tone came into play so much to help with intention. You could basically feel the frustration coming off Kalista at her lack of understanding, her desire to communicate freely, to understand what was going on around her. Yet, even with such a huge obstacle, a sweet love blossomed.
“You need to wear a bell,” I said.
His head cocked.
Right.
Language. He spared a glance at his father, then drew me aside.
Strange time for advice, especially in a foreign language.
“Kalista,” he said. I nodded and made my eyes wide to show I was paying attention.
“Uh…” he said.
Sounds good. We should do that.
This story was just as much character driven as court intrigue/monster hunting driven. The author does a fantastic job developing her character, Kalista may be the only narrator, but there were so many fleshed out side characters that I appreciated. I really loved Emmett, the snarky assassin monk that is sent to be the interpreter/teacher for Kalista, who enjoyed his lessons through the trial and fail approach. He became the best friend needed in this scary situation and I loved the moments of levity that he brought to the dark story. Carson, the foreign prince turned husband was adorable- he approved of all Kalista was in his silent and steady way. As a side note, the villains in the story were so despicable and evil, they two were really well done and made me hate them.
“The staff thinks it’s good he found a wife.”
“Even if she’s foreign?”
“It doesn’t seem to bother them much. They say they like to see him happy.”
“That’s him happy?”
Emmett laughed. “I told you that you make him nervous.”
“For the love of Aris, he hunts monsters.”
“I’ve had to deal with you for a few days. I get it.”
“You’re an ass.”
Overall this was a fantastic debut novel that I love and recommend to anyone who loves historical romances- with a little bit of monsters and curses on the side. I can't wait to see what the author creates next.
Author Bio:
Kate Cornell is the author of Live Like Legends published on June 1st, 2020.
She is currently writing a novel. This statement is always true. At any given time, she is writing a novel. She has contributed to After Dark with Julian Clark, TMI Hollywood and Top Story! Weekly at iO West.
She likes dogs, cats, and watching television shows about conspiracy theories.
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