Review: Legacy of Kings by Eleanor Herman
What: Legacy of Kings (Blood of Gods and Royals #1) by Eleanor Herman
Who: Harlequin Teen Australia
When: September 1st 2015
How: A copy of this novel was provided by Harlequin Teen Australia for review via Net Galley.
Weaving the fantasy appeal of Game of Thrones with the shocking details of real history, New York Times bestselling author of Sex with Kings Eleanor Herman reimagines the greatest emperor the world has ever known, Alexander the Great, in book one of the Blood of Gods and Royals series.
Imagine a time when the gods turn a blind eye to the agony of men, when the last of the hellions roam the plains and evil stirs beyond the edges of the map. A time when cities burn and, in their ashes, empires rise.
Alexander, Macedon’s sixteen-year-old heir, is on the brink of discovering his fated role in conquering the known world, but finds himself drawn to a newcomer…
Katerina must navigate the dark secrets of court life while keeping her own mission hidden: kill the queen. But she doesn’t account for her first love…
Jacob will go to unthinkable lengths to win Katerina, even if it means competing with Hephaestion, a murderer sheltered by the prince. And far across the sea, Zofia, a Persian princess and Alexander’s unmet fiancée, wants to alter her destiny by seeking the famed and deadly Spirit Eaters.
I’m going to start off this review by saying that I did, in fact, like Legacy of Kings.
The writing style is incredibly engaging, and I always found that whenever I picked up my Kindle I wanted to keep reading this book.
I also liked almost all of the characters. Alexander was by far my favourite, as I felt that he has such unutilised ability and intelligence, and I cannot wait until he actually has the opportunity to use them.
Hephaestion was pretty likeable, as well. Although I felt that his suspicions regarding Alex were a little ridiculous. Why would the guy who has cared for you for years suddenly not want you around? Stupid, if you ask me.
Cynane was a badass bitch that I couldn’t help but like, and I am really interested in seeing where her story goes in the future books.
Katerina was an interesting inclusion because she’s a made up character, and brings the whole fantasy/magic element into this book. I was quite fond of her, to be honest, even though I felt like she was a little stupid at times.
Jacob wasn’t my favourite character, and the decisions he made were eye-rolling-ly uninformed. I kind of felt like he didn’t really know Kat at all, even though he claimed that everything he was doing he was doing for her. But if he knew her … he’d know that she doesn’t want all of that stuff. So to include the fact that they’ve known each other since infancy was more than a little unbelievable.
I’m not entirely sure as to why the character of Zofia was introduced, even if I was quite interested whenever her chapters arose. I just don’t really know how she fits into the storyline yet, but I guess I’ll see in the future books.
The storyline was pretty intricate and fast moving, and I appreciated that everything that was written in each chapter seemed (for the most part) to be included for a reason. I am not a particular fan of books with scenes and chapters that have no place, and for such a long book, Legacy of Kings did really well in that aspect.
Now, if I am being entirely honest, Legacy of Kings could have been a favourite book of mine (or at least a four star read) if it hadn’t been completely heterosexualised. For the novel to be marketed so heavily as written “by an historian”, I was expecting a little more accuracy – mainly in regards to Alexander’s sexuality.
It is pretty much widely accepted that Alexander the Great and Hephaestion were lovers. There is evidence to prove it – for example, when the two go to the graves of Achilles and Patroclus and proclaim that they identify with the pair (who are, historically, lovers in some ancient texts).
To find reference to Alexander’s and Hephaestion’s attraction to women, and no one else in the first chapter from Alex’s point of view was terribly disappointing. Heph has a sexual relationship with Cyn, and develops romantic feelings for Kat, and Alex mentions how he’d like some princess with a hot body in his arms. There is no mention of any kind of romantic or sexual attraction or relationship between the two, which is incredibly disheartening.
Alexander the Great hardly ever showed sexual interest in women, and only procreated late in his life. He’s often accepted as bisexual, especially in regards to his relationship with Hephaestion. Homosexual relationships between guys were extremely common in ancient Greece, which is when this book is set. So to have all of this erased was both offensive and disappointing to me. I mainly wanted to read this book because I anticipated a relationship between Alexander and Hephaestion, and instead I got a book that screamed “THESE CHARACTERS AREN’T ATTRACTED TO EACH OTHER – LOOK, THEY LIKE WOMEN”. I don’t need that kind of heterosexual washing in my novels, thanks.
I am interested in reading the rest of this series, just to see how far the author takes this erasure.
© 2015, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity. All rights reserved.
Very interesting and disappointing that an historian didn’t include something so important as those people’s sexuality. This is white-washing of facts (or at least very strong assumptions with lots of historical info backing it up) and while I don’t hate it, knowing this about the book hasn’t won it any favors from me. I’m still very curious to read Legacy of Kings despite that it’s not 100% historically accurate, even when there been such a big deal made about the author being an historian.
Yup. I was incredibly disappointed that such a massive faux pas was made, especially when there’s been such talk and buzz about the author being an historian, as well. *sigh*
I hope you like it better than I did, if you do get around to reading it, Mallory!
Yeah I don’t like it when historical fiction writers write their books inaccurately. Although the whole Alexander the Great being bisexual is a surprise to me (perhaps because all I’ve heard of him, really, is that he’d conquered many lands).
SAME. It irked me to no end.
You learn something new every day, right? ;D
So first off, I kind of had to DNF this book for now because unlike you, I had a very hard time with the writing style.
Second, I had NO IDEA that Alexander and Heph were supposed to be attracted to each other based on real history (I know nothing about this era), so it’s kind of cool to find that out. But now I’m sad that that doesn’t happen in the book. I feel like Heph’s constant worrying over whether Alex wanted him around kind of implied Heph liked Alex, but then the novel also mentioned his attraction to Cynanne (LIKE ALL THE TIME), so that was just completely shut down. Blah.
I think I am maybe 1/4 of the way through the book, but I don’t know. I can’t seem to get into it :(
Though you know what your review makes me wanna read? The Song of Achilles.
Yeah, I know a lot of people who have had trouble with the writing style! It was practically the only thing that kept me going, haha.
Heph’s constant attraction to both Cynane and Kat were ridiculous, and I was seething every time that his heterosexuality was SCREAMED at me. Surely, it could have been a little more subtle. I did have my questions when Heph was constantly worrying about Alex, and my hopes were raised, but then like you said: it was completely shut down.
I can’t really say that it is 100% worth the read, so if you DNFd it, don’t feel too bad, Valerie!
AHHH, I need to read that book! I have heard SO many good things about it.
I loved this book! I adored the characters, the writing and all the surprising elements that Herman throws at us frequently. This has easily become one of my favourite books!
I understand what you say about Alex and Heph, I didn’t know of this until I saw the movie with Colin Farrell and Jared Leto, and woah, dude, what a chemistry they had! *fans self* I adored the relationship they had together, and tbh, would’ve liked it if Eleanor included it in the book.
Wonderful review Chiara!:)
I’m glad you liked it, Mishma! :)
I was more than disappointed that the relationship between Hepaestion and Alexander wasn’t included. I only hope that perhaps it might be in the later books.
Thanks, lovely <3
I didn’t know that Alexander was bixesual. I’m not surprised that the book didn’t acknowledge that fact. It’s YA, the author probably wanted to keep it tame. I’m glad you liked this book, I have such high hopes for it! Hopefully, I wont disappointed. Historical fiction + magic+ romance are one of my favorite mix.
Ooh. If I had read this and knew anything at all about Alexander the Great prior to it, the sexuality fact would have really annoyed me, too. As it is I haven’t read this, and I know nothing about Alexander the Great, but I comiserate none the less! I can imagine how frustrating this would have been to witness, especially if it was a major draw card for you, Chiara. It’s so interesting that the relationship between those two characters is widely accepted, and yet a historian chose to keep it from her telling of the story- I wonder if that’s supposed to be one of the fantasy elements? Or maybe people just thought it wouldn’t sell if there was homosexuality in it, which is horrible to imagine but possible. I’m really perplexed as to why this choice was made! And oh. Characters who affirm their heterosexuality again and again in unmistakable terms? That is so annoying to me.
Sorry this wasn’t good for you, in the end. The sheer amount of POVs was a turn off for me (I hardly ever like the POVs of any but the main character, but eh- Cress. That has about 12 POVs.). I hope there’s a better story in the second book, if you end up reading it. xx
I don’t actually know all that much about Alexander the Great, but I did know that he and Hephaestion were romantically/sexually involved, so I was beyond pissed when that was erased entirely in this book. What annoys me most is that this is kind of being marketed as an historically accurate YA, and I’m sitting here fuming over the fact that IT IS NOT.
Yeah, the POVs didn’t actually annoy me too much. Sometimes they can, but I was pretty much okay with them in this book, which is surprising.
Thanks, lovely. I hope there is, too!
I cannot wait to get my hands on this book. Great review.
-Jordan
I hope you enjoy it, Jordan! Thank you :)
I was so annoyed at this book for its portrayal of Alexander and Hephaestion’s relationship! If my Classical Studies teacher in Year 10 was OK with teaching us that the two were considered lover, I would have hoped a book set in the same time period to do the same thing. I had to go reread Song of Achilles (and cried another couple of bucket of tears) to erase my mind of this book. Sadly, I did not enjoy the writing like you did, either XD Too many choppy PoV changes for me.
RIIIIGHT? I was beyond pissed that the author completely erased their relationship beyond that of two friends. I really need to read Song of Achilles, don’t I? I do have a copy, though, which is good! :D
Oh no, I’m sorry that the rest of the book didn’t work out for you, either, Aentee!