Legacy of Kings

June 1, 2015
In a magic-tinged reimagining of Alexander the Great’s formative years, the 16-year-old heir to the throne of Macedon becomes intrigued by a young woman, Kat, an orphaned peasant who meets the prince after the Blood Tournament, a brutal fighting competition. The sprawling cast in this opening book in the Blood of Gods and Royals series (adult nonfiction author Herman’s first novel) includes Kat’s love interest/adopted brother, Jacob; Alex’s deceptive sister, Cyn; and his mother, the conniving Queen Olympias, who has an unsettlingly erotic relationship with her snakes. The book is steeped in sorcery and historical detail, and—as might be expected from the author of Sex with Kings and Sex with the Queen—has its share of steamy liaisons. However, it is also let down by some cliché descriptions (“his name trembling on her lips”) and banter. Kat and Alex share an intriguing ability to read thoughts and feelings in people and animals, but repetitive hints diminish the impact of the eventual revelation behind their connection. A Paper Lantern Lit Property. Ages 14–up. Agent: Stephen Barbara, InkWell Management.

June 15, 2015
Herman, best known for nonfiction about what royalty get up to in (and out of) the bedroom (Sex with Kings, 2004, etc.), changes direction to enter the teen-crossover field with straight-up historical fantasy. Drawing on Alexander of Macedon and throwing in some additional magic and mayhem, Herman has created an ensemble cast of teens poised to conquer or be conquered: historical figures Alexander, Hephaestion, and Cynane, original characters Katerina, Jacob, and Zofia. Unsurprisingly, things start slowly, with a large number of people to put in place and a world to build, but once most characters are in Alexander's Pella (other than Persian Zofia), the plot starts crackling: Alexander's mother, Queen Olympias, is evil; his half sister Cynane is not much better, seducing Heph to break up a friendship and cast a spell of power. Country girl Katerina has unexpected power and strength, and country boy Jacob finds himself allied with the egalitarian, zealous, and thoroughly unpleasant Aesarian lords, Macedon's most immediate enemy. Mixed with the plot and counterplot are genuinely sexy (although graphically tame) scenes, plenty of historical-fact-dropping (only occasionally obvious), and hints that magic is waking up in the world after a long dormancy. Both thoroughly researched and absolutely modern, this harkens back to the slightly soapy but still reasonably intelligent mass-market historicals of an earlier era, updated just right for today's audience. (author's note, author Q-and-A, discussion questions) (Historical fantasy. 14 & up)

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June 1, 2015

Gr 9 Up-Multiple characters share the limelight in a fast-paced historical fantasy chronicling the rise of Alexander the Great. Sixteen-year-old Alexander wants to leave the kingdom with his best friend Hephaestion to find the Fountain of Youth and prove himself a man and capable leader. Kat seeks to kill Queen Olympias to avenge her mother, but stumbles upon a revelation about her own birth and the magical abilities she keeps secret. Jacob will do anything to win Kat's love, even if it means siding with the enemy. Zofia, Alexander's Persian fiancee, steals away from her father's palace and risks her life to find the Spirit Eaters, who can change her destiny and give her the life, and love, she desires. So many points of view may leave readers confused about what exactly is happening in the narrative, but most likely won't mind in the face of liberal amounts of action, romance, and conspiracy. Kat is a smart, tough heroine, Heph a loyal friend, and Alexander a likable young leader intent on proving himself. These well-developed characters make up for the other relatively flat, two-dimensional ones, and as their stories intertwine and the action ramps up, teens will eagerly continue turning pages. VERDICT While those looking for deeper, more complete work and characters may feel unsatisfied, action and fantasy lovers will gobble it up.-Kelsey Johnson-Kaiser, La Crosse Public Library, WI

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