Legacy Of Kings by Eleanor Herman | Audiobook Review

I received this book for free from Borrowed, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Weaving fantasy with the shocking details of real history, New York Times bestselling author Eleanor Herman enthralls readers in the first book of the Blood of Gods and Royals series.

Alexander might one day be fated to conquer the known world, but at sixteen his kingly duties aren't exactly top of mind. Preoccupied with a strange power he doesn't yet understand and the news that his fiancée is sailing across the sea to meet him for the first time, Alexander finds the newcomer in court, Katerina, is a welcome distraction. As they grow closer, Kat struggles to keep a dark secret: her mission to assassinate the queen.

Kat isn't the only one close to Alexander plotting something bloody. Rumors have been circulating about forbidden rituals being performed in the night, awakening an old magic long thought dormant and with it the Sprit Eaters. Roused by their cravings for magic and blood, the Spirit Eaters will hunt those with power to the ends of the earth and slaughter any who stand in their way.

With the gods turning a blind eye, and devastation stirring at the borders of his land and within his very court, Alexander will learn that sometimes cities must turn to ash for an empire to rise.

Praise for Legacy of Kings:

"An engrossing combination of fantasy and history--readers who love myth and magic will devour it!" --Alex Flinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Beastly and Mirrored

"Fantasy just the way I like it: a mingling of history, intrigue, romance, murder, and magic." --Cinda Williams Chima, New York Times bestselling author of the Seven Realms series

"A richly detailed world full of romance, magic, and intrigue."--Amy Ewing, New York Times bestselling author of The White Rose

"Herman mixes real history with magic, mystery and intrigue, putting the 'epic' in epic fantasy." --Maria V. Snyder, New York Times bestselling author of the Poison Study series

Why Did I Listen to Legacy Of Kings by Eleanor Herman?

Legacy Of Kings by Eleanor Herman is a book I initially tried to read via eARC. I should preface by saying that I really feel no big difficulty or difference between reading via my Kindle and reading a physical book. Both are valid ways to get the story across and both are formats I enjoy reading. Anyways, I was having SUCH A DIFFICULT time getting through this. Not that it was bad, per se, just my attention kept wandering and I couldn’t stay focused. So, I put it on hold for… years… until I came across Legacy Of Kings on Scribd via audiobook and decided — hey this would be a good chance to FINALLY finish this book.

What’s The Story Here?

Eleanor Herman’s foray into young adult fiction, Legacy Of Kings, is an exploration of the origins of Alexander the Great. Of course, there are four point of view characters. There’s Alexander, obviously. There is this girl named Katerina who started from the bottom now she here. Well, actually, she’s now at court, Alexander has the hots for her, and she has the hots for ANOTHER point of view character. Jacob is that other character and he will have to compete for Katerina’s heart. Meanwhile across the sea in Persia, is Zofia, this princess who is betrothed to Alexander. Given that this is Ancient times, of course they have not met, LOL. Zofia is all about changing her destiny and searching out the Spirit Eaters. So, yeah, there’s a lot going on. Also, Katerina wants to Alexander’s mom because she has something negative to do with Katerina’s mom. And well, that about covers the plot.

How Did I Like Legacy Of Kings?

Okay, so this book D R A G S. I mean, I wanted to like it more. I’ve read adult non fiction by Herman and enjoyed it. She wrote Sex With Kings and Sex With Queens which are basically all about the real life affairs of royal figures from the past. So, you know, here for it. Alas, this book kind of lacked that salaciousness. Yes, I know it is written for young adults and not adults. Still, I don’t know. I was bored in both forms. There were some parts that were intriguing. I liked reading the point of view of Katerina — she’s very interesting and the secrets she uncovers, whoo boy. Otherwise, eh, so bored. Although there’s a scene with Zofia that is very difficult to listen to. Talk about heart rending.

How’s The Narration?

Ya know, I really can’t tell if it was the narration or the book that was off putting. I mean, I liked the narration fine. There was not a part where I was like please just pluck my ears off, I cannot take this anymore. Anyways, the audiobook is narrated by Graham Halstead and Jennifer Grace. It’s 16 hour and 34 minutes long. Ultimately, there is nothing all that wrong with Legacy Of Kings, it just was not really the book for me in any sort of format — but hey I gave it the old college try! You might be more into it than I was, however.

Other reviews of Legacy Of Kings by Eleanor Herman:

• The Midnight Garden – “I found this one a chore to get through“
• Pure Imagination – “a fabulous new YA fantasy“
• Pages Unbound Blog – “I found much of the book predictable“

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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