I finished this book in one sitting! Awkward arranged marriage - check. Monsters to battle - check! Historical concepts and danger - check and check! Spice is hinted at but not on page (boo, but then this is YA even if the concept sounds more like an adult book but with younger characters). I found it intriguing that there was a complete language barrier between the couple - it reminds me of real life arranged marriages like Anna of Kleve and Henry VIII where Anna did not speak any English (or very little) when she arrived to marry him. (Sorry for the side track, I’ve really been into the Tudor era this year.) in this book the barrier creates so much conflict and uncertainty that makes for an exciting reading experience. I also really liked the monster/monster hunting part of the plot. It both reminds me of other books I’ve loved and is wholly original on its own. I couldn’t believe this was a debut, it was just fantastic and we definitely need more by this author!

Having healthbissues really puts a downer on being able to read. Ad sadly I was unable to truly appreciate this book for that reason.

Ehat I did read I enjoyed. I just wished I could have gotten farther into it and really been Abel to experience the world that was being created on the pages. The characters were well written and I liked them as well form ehat I saw

Not a big fan of arranged marriage tropes to begin with and this one really didn't stand out for me at all

It wasn’t wow, but it was a fun and entertaining read. Perfect for fans of the arranged marriage trope.

This was a great fantasy romance and I loved the little twists on the typical arranged marriage trope.

Ahhhh this was just such a great book. I just was entranced by this story and these characters. I look forward to seeing what happens next.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I am a little mixed on this book. I got it to review since I had seen it everywhere and so many people were talking about it and I had to see if the hype was real. I love the cover of the book it is one of the things that drew me in. The storyline was something I had read before, but all the things that Kalista goes to her get her ending. It was not what I expected it to be at all. There were parts that I enjoyed. There were times when I got to some spots I was a little confused. I would have liked it it had been more then one point of view. I believe it would have made the story even stronger.

I kept hearing and seeing this book around on blogs, bookstagram, and even Upcoming Release ads. I'm so glad I read it!

There's a lot to unpack with this one, but I think it's one of my standouts from this year. The intrigue, the realistic fantasy, and the romance were all tangled together so well and I'm still a little hype from finishing it. The language barrier helps push the fact that this is someone being forced to a new land, something you rarely see in any kind of fantasy (are we supposed to believe there's a Common like in D&D, guys?) and it's used so well here. The arranged marriage trope actually totally works, in a way I haven't seen in a while. The ending is also succinct enough that I wouldn't mind a sequel but it works on its own.

Kalista and Carson are both awesome, definitely a battle couple if I've ever seen one. Kalista, despite being a main character out if her element, doesn't end up feeling whiney or annoying unlike some I've seen in these kinds of stories. I wanted more context on Carson, but bearing that the book is first person with a language barrier I'm not surprised. The other characters are also sick, too. Luke and Emmett make for good foils, and there is definitely work put into their characters.

Again, though, I'm left wanting more, the entire thing wrapping up a little too neatly for my liking with the impression this is all. I'll be on the lookout for more of Cornell's writing, she's definitely on my list now!

Usually with books that I feel are 2-3 stars, I feel are great, but they don’t necessarily wow me, I say it isn’t my cup of tea. While I adored the trope in this novel, an arranged marriage which I adore and am overjoyed is a trope in 2020, I can’t shake the feeling that this “tea” isn’t right for me.

It wasn’t a full bodied enough tea for me.

The components were there for sure, but it was missing something that I can’t quite place.

That being said, I did enjoy this book, and do plan on recommending it.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Live Like Legends was one book that was way too easy to devour. At least for me. I mean how could you not want to dive into a princess with a prophecy and legend? Heck yeah, sign me up!

In it, you will meet Kalista. Now she has been training to be the perfect bride since birth. If you give her a culture or a new language, she wont hesitate to practice until she was practically perfect in all things. Well, that was until the day a prophecy was set in stone and then... everything she knew was worthless and useless. Like poof! - nothing matters anymore.

Now she is to be married to a prince that lives in a land full of monsters. Of course they had an instant connection once the met one another. It was pretty cute to see them adapting to a language that they could both understand. I will admit that Carson and Kalista were just adorable throughout the book and fiercely protective as well.

In the end, the only thing I would change is the ending. I just felt like so much was happening throughout the book that the actual ending just underwhelmed me.

Received in exchange for a honest review.

I liked and didn’t like. I loved that Kalista and Carson found a way to communicate and learn about one each other even though they did not speak the same language. I adored Carson. He was kind and caring even though he was rough around the edges. He was so earnest and eager to learn about Kalista and get her to see him. He was an amazing man and prince. I didn’t like Kalista at first. I didn’t like her selfishness. I didn’t like how she only saw herself as one way and didn’t see what Carson saw. I did like how she slowly opened her eyes and realized her situation.

I loved how her and carson found their way to one another. Not through words but actions and emotions. THey found ways to communicate and understand one another. Ways to see who the other is and learn about one another. I love how they fell in love but it wasn’t instant and the respect Carson gave her was wonderful.

THe plot with the magic and monster needed fleshing. The story would have been stronger if more was built into that. We knew there was a monster and how bad he was. there was some background into the monster but not alot. She didn’t take advantage of her skills completely when it came to this area. We got some twists and turns but not to where you were overwhelmed. The magic aspect was not really told. It was there but that was it. Nothing came of it. Neither was there a lot of world building. We got that from Kalista but only on the worlds she knew about and that was because she was wallowing in how she was educated to please one way and is not thrown into an unknown. So more could be brought forth there.

My favorite character is Carson. He allowed Kalista to shine and grow. He respected her and supported her. IT was so amazing to see this gentle prince even if he didn’t seem that way when the story began. He protected those he loved fiercely and his family and kingdom he loved with all he was. He grew to love Kalista too as he saw her and got to know her. They didn’t start out so wonderfully but ended grandly.

This was not what I expected at all, and I loved it! I was expecting a standard woman is stolen to save a land she hates, she hates her new husband, all is grim until she falls in love and all becomes sunshine and unicorns. Nope. Well, there is a hapy ending, mostly, but the route to get there will leave you breathless.

I have received an arc of this book from the publisher and Netgalley. I have really like this book and love the language barrier between the characters.

Princess Kalista knows her role. She have been prepared to marry a prince from a peaceful kingdom. But instead of this she's gonna be force to marry a prince from a curse and cold kingdom thats being ravages by a beast. Prince Carson will do anything to stop this monster. And according to some legend, Kalista bloodline will help to be an end to this beast.

Although, I really wanted to love this one. I found it confusing and kind of weird. I did enjoy that these two MCs didn't know the same language. As that is not the norm within these stories. The plot was kind of loose if you ask me and I think that it all could have been better plotted. Ive read hundreds of fantasy/romance stories and this one just didn't work for me.

Spectacular book! I loved all the relationships and barriers and interworking of the relationships. What a beautifully intricate web ! I like how motives are hidden and loyalties are tested. You never know who is good and who is bad. I can't wait to read more from this author.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. These opinions are my own.

I think the title is not suited to the content. It does reflect the content after you have read it, but it sets up expectations of another type of story. It was a good story, but there are large periods of discovery without any action and the story drags. The reader is also equally as frustrated as the protagonist Kalista that she cannot communicate with the majority of the characters. I found her husband, Carson, mildly irritating as it seems he could be more involved in Kalista's integration into court life. At the same time, Kalista's isolation and inability to communicate were probably the most significant contribution of the story, as there are many young women who must leave their family and they are marginalized in the family structure/hierarchy. This has happened throughout history. She does fulfill her prophesy and become a stronger woman exhibiting resilience in the face some grim circumstances finding her placed purpose. The story is ultimately about this journey.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a YA fantasy novel that kind of reminded me of the heart of darkness series with an arranged marriage, strong female lead, etc. I think having both main characters be the voice in different chapters would have worked well here. Great read in the fantasy world.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book!

I loved this book. The atmosphere was everything I wanted it to be. I loved the plot and storyline in the book. I loved the characters in this story. It gave me all the feels I was looking for when I started reading this. I highly recommend this author. I loved the writing. I will be looking for other works in the future from this author.

This is not a very original book. It is a cliche ya fantasy with a feminist undertone. This genre has been overdone for some time now. That being said I love stories about people thrown into a marriage and discovering who they are whether that be happily married or not so. I won’t be buying it for the library as money is tight but this goes on my personal TBR for those days I’m looking for a little brain candy.