LIVE LIKE LEGENDS is an absolutely fantastic YA fantasy romance. We follow Kalista, who is a princess born to be a peace baby, married off to another country's prince to keep peace. She has been raised and trained specifically for that purpose. However, she is suddenly surprised when she is instead wed to a different prince from a different land, owing to a prophecy that she may be able to save them from their monster.

Kalista goes to this land with her new husband, not speaking the language or knowing any of the customs. Estral is plagued by a monster who kills so many. Kalista believes this to be a legend until she barely escapes a terrifying encounter. She now has a new purpose to her life- to defend herself and those she cares about from this monster.

What I loved: I was completely engrossed in this story very quickly- it's an excellent page-turner and the pacing is absolutely perfect. Kalista is someone you can care about very quickly, and even though she does not speak the language, the romance is really well built, slow and beautiful. There is also the portrayal of PTSD from her encounter and the consequences of that, which add to the dimensionality of her experience.

There is also a really big twist towards the end that totally surprised me, and I absolutely love to be surprised. This is also a stand-alone read, and so it was really nice to have a contained novel. And what a read this is! I loved every second of it, and absolutely devoured it in a few hours- the mystery, the romance, the danger, the characters! Beyond Kalista, the other main characters, like her husband Carson, his cousin Luke, and her religious teacher, Emmett, are all also really compelling and easy to fall in love with.

There are also some interesting background themes about what is love/what makes a marriage, religion and its role in society, and politics/culture.

Final verdict: Highly devourable and compelling, LIVE LIKE LEGENDS is a fantastic romantic YA fantasy. I would recommend this for fans of THE SHADOWS BETWEEN US, THE WINTER DUKE, and GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS.

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book! I have to say that the title doesn't really match with a YA fantasy (it feels more like contemporary or maybe even sci-fi, but not straight up fantasy) or the cover, but I'm glad I read the synopsis and requested this! I couldn't put it down, literally read in one day. The MC's Kallista and Carson are both great- they both want their last minute arranged marriage to work. Though they don't have a common language, they both make the effort to communicate and work together. I had a few minor problems with the plot, but it was still very enjoyable. I liked how the author stroked a balance between pointing out the cultural differences without overdoing it. And I loved Emmett! He was probably my favorite character and I would've loved to know more about him. I'll definitely be recommending this to everyone and getting a finished copy for myself.

Posting on Goodreads today and adding reminders on my calendar to post on Amazon and B&N on release day.

The marriage between Carson and Kalista is a marriage of convenience. At the last minute she is forced to wed a different prince from the one she had been groomed to marry.

The marriage is based on a prophesy that Kalista is meant to save the Estralian people.She is meant to destroy an immortal beast that has cursed Carson’s kingdom. Easy enough right? Well, no. Kalista is the most incompetent heroine I’ve read lately. Even at her best, she was ridiculous.

I didn’t care much for her or really, anyone in this book.The characters were shallow and unmemorable. None of them lived up to my expectations. I can’t even describe Kalista to you, to me she was just some princess.

The story itself dragged on and on. It’s reasonable for us to know about Kalista’s insecurities and fears, but surely not in every chapter. Reading from her point of view was so tedious I wished the author would have switched it up and included Carson’s POV.

Most of the action happened towards the end. The big “reveal” was anticlimactic and simplistic. At this point I was just glad to be done with the book. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone since the only reason I completed it was because it was an ARC.

This novel was an enjoyable read about a princess whose purpose was to be the wife of a prince, but becomes completely upended when a prophecy is revealed. Kalista had to follow "rules" trained into her from birth, even if she was better or more intelligent. Upon her marriage to Carson, much changes. for one thing, a rather challenging language barrier and years of her upbringing have her questioning what she can do as a woman. We see from Kalista's point of view, her struggles and intelligence, as well as her growing love for Carson. The monster that plagues the land still has a thirst for blood and Kalista needs to be the savior the people think she is. As Kalista gets closer to the truth, there are those who will do whatever is necessary to prevent the exposure. Kalista will not only need to prove herself, but find a way to explain what is happening before all is lost.
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book had its good points and some not so good points for me. The book is a quick, fast paced read that I did enjoy. I liked that the main characters had this language barrier struggle because it felt real, and something that isn't usually addressed in the "Princess marries a prince of a different country" trope. The two main problems were the lack of any and all transitions. The MC would be doing something and thinking, and then the very next sentence she's completely somewhere else with other people. It got to be a bit jarring and took me out of the story a few times. The other complaint is that I just really wanted more. More background on the countries and the cultures and the world. More development with the love story and even the monster element. I think there's tons of potential here and with just a little more it would work much better for me. Overall it was a fast read that had a lot of good things going for it.

Live Like Legends by Kate Cornell is not your typical young adult fantasy epic. Certainly there are some familiar elements like the Princess trained from infancy to be the bride of a neighbouring prince or the terrifying monster in the forest but once I got over my initial frustration, which I will explain in a moment, I found myself caught up in the story of Princess Kalista. It is clear that things will not go to plan for her from the very first chapter when she finds herself married, as planned, but not to the bridegroom she was expecting. Instead of the peaceful Kingdom she thought she was headed for, she finds herself en route to a land that has been ravaged by monsters for generations , the wife of Carston, a prince she knows nothing about,and does not even share a common language with. This was the source of my initial frustration, since the two main characters could not communicate effectively with each other, there were pages of choppy dialogue in translation that felt not just repetitive but exasperating. Its a funny thing because by the end of the book I really came to appreciate the focus on communication and its importance, but it did make for a very slow start to the book. The whole story is told from Kalista's perspective, and as a reader I felt like I was missing the other side of the story, I wish there had been some chapters from Carston's perspective. I will say that I was impressed by the author's ability to describe body language , an important skill in the context of this book, and also by the way that Kalista's character grew and developed over the course of the book. I found the world building interesting, particularly the emphasis on religion and contracts, and I wish there had been more information to help me more fully understand it.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The novel revolves around Kalista, a princess who marries into a royal family to fulfill a prophecy. According to the prophecy, only she can take down a monster that plagues the kingdom. The only problem? She can’t speak the same language as her husband, Carson, and she has no idea how to defeat a blood-thirsty monster.

Before I started this book, I was stuck between wanting to read a YA Fantasy novel or a romance novel, and this book definitely felt like it hit both marks. The story itself is entertaining. I especially liked the banter between Kalista and her teacher, Emmett. I laughed out loud a couple of times. I think the plot also plays out nicely, and there’s definitely not a slow start to the book.

At some points, I got a bit confused (such as at the very beginning - I wasn't sure how she found out about the prophecy), but it all eventually made sense and some of it might be because it’s an ARC. Overall, it’s a nice, easy read that has both action and romance. It’s entertaining, fun, and also has a hint of mystery to it. Honestly, I didn’t foresee the ending at all.

Overall I’d recommend this to a friend. It is a pretty typical fantasy/romance book, but it doesn’t fall into the trap of shallow characters that I find in a lot of those books.

**Amazon and B&N do not currently allow reviews, but I will post there upon publication.**

The synopsis for this book sounded so good and I was so excited to read it, but that all changed when I actually started reading it.

It started out a little slow and without much backstory (which is fine) so I was hopeful. There was a spot of action towards the beginning of the book that I so wanted to love, but I still wasn't exactly sure what was happening and who the main characters were. Things did clear up the more I read, but it took much longer to receive clarity than I would have liked.

Unfortunately, this was all. I soon became bored and felt like the book was hinting towards more action to come so I waited. More action did come, but not before I was on the brink of calling it quits and cutting my loses. There was even a big plot twist at the end that seemed to change everything, but I found I wasn't as invested in it anymore.

The love story wasn't there for me either. The two characters that were supposed to be falling in love couldn't even speak the same language. As frustrating as this was for the main character, I think it was even more frustrating for me. I'm pretty sure I learned more about the tutor than about her love interest.

The idea was great and Cornell seemed to have a great world in her hands, but it just didn't meet the mark for me.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Personal blog review will go live June 1, 2020.

DNF @ 20% (Chp 11)

I had high expectations for this one. The cover looks gorgeous. The title sounds badass. And after reading the synopsis? I was sold. Unfortunately, my enjoyment of the book didn't last long.

I was bored. I just wasn't invested in the story. I tried to give the book a chance that's why I lasted 'til Chapter 11. But I'm waving the white flag on this one. I'm currently in the midst of three more books and I figured I should just devote all my time on those.

Princess Kalista spent her entire life preparing to become the wife of a prince in a neighboring kingdom. However, her predictable and controlled life changes when she is forced to marry a warrior prince instead. Prince Calder’s kingdom suffers under the wrath of a vicious monster, and a prophecy names Kalista as the kingdom’s savior.

Kalista is not a warrior, nor is she prepared to live in a cursed and cold kingdom surrounded by strangers. She doesn’t understand the language and customs of Estral, she can’t communicate with anyone save her monk companion Emmett, and she never expected to rule. However, as she grows closer to Calder, she learns that their feelings might just be worth fighting for. Can Kalista defeat the monster? Things are not what they seem in the kingdom of Estral, and Kalista must figure out the mystery of her new home before time runs out.

This is a coming-of-age story with a strong and independent young woman who is destined for greatness. Kalista has heavy burdens to bear, and she does all she can to fulfill them. However, she is so used to obeying and living by the rules that she doesn’t know what to do without them.

Kalista has never had any freedoms, and she likes to have control. She feels unnerved without it. It doesn’t help that she is dealing with major language barriers, she must take on responsibilities as the future queen, she is expected to slay a murderous monster, and she needs to conceive as soon a possible (at least, according to the King). This young woman has an awful lot on her plate!

The characters are interesting and Kalista’s character, in particular, is exceptionally well-developed. The author’s skill in developing dynamic characters without the benefit of dialogue is amazing. Often, when Carson speaks, we don’t know what he’s saying, much like Kalista doesn’t understand him. However, his facial expressions, gestures, and actions show his kind, warm-hearted, sometimes quick-tempered, and thoughtful nature.

One aspect of Kalista’s character that I like is her perseverance. Used to being alone and often ignored, she is daunted by the attention she receives as the new princess, and she fears looking foolish. She is often frustrated with her inability to communicate and her ignorance of propriety. However, determined to succeed, she never gives up. This part of the story highlights the difficulties in acclimating to a new, and very different, world as well as the benefits of hard work and determination.

I also like the fun and witty banter between Kalista and Emmett. His guidance and unusual teaching tactics bring some levity to the story, and their sarcastic camaraderie is one of the highlights of the novel.

Emmett is not a typical religious man. He teaches Kalista the customs and language of Estral, and he acts as a translator and chaperone when needed. Sure, he is wise and pious, but he is also acerbic, sharp, and lethal. Skilled in fighting, he trains Kalista to fulfill her role in the prophecy.

There some unexpected twists and surprises, but the majority of the story focuses on Kalista trying to understand the language and customs of her new husband, training to defeat the monster, and questioning her role and ability as the future queen of an unfamiliar kingdom. Though I expected more action throughout the piece, the enigma of the monster, the slow-burning romance, and Kalista’s personal journey made for an interesting read.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Entangled Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this E-ARC. Note: I will be posting this review on my blog (abookishstar.blogspot.com), Instagram (@abookishstar) and Amazon nearer to (or on) the release date.

Live Like Legends was an enjoyable read by Kate Cornell. I manage to read this book in less than 12 hours. Normally, it takes me a week to read a book. Cornell drew me into the story from the very first chapter. I found the story flowed seamlessly together from one chapter to the next.

I enjoyed Kalista's character and her narration of the story. The romance was sweet between her and Carson. I also appreciated the banter between her and Emmett.

Cornell does a unique take on world-building. The author focuses a lot on building the world, plot and characters through cultural exploration. The cultural differences (language, customs, foods, etc.) between Kalista and Carson are heavily focused on in Live Like Legends. The language barrier, between Carson and Kalista, was a unique touch to the story. In the beginning, I was a bit against it because it made it hard for me to understand and appreciate Carson's character. The language barrier, I felt, distracted me from seeing Carson's character development. I couldn't understand him or really get to know him. However, this technique could be seen as reciprocating how Kalista is feeling throughout the book. The language barrier makes it hard for her to communicate and fully understand each other. When I was 18, I lived in Taiwan for a year as an exchange student. I remember the fear of potentially being mocked for mispronouncing words in Mandarin and feeling lost in certain situations. I think Cornell does an excellent job of portraying what it is like to live in a place that is different from your own both culturally and linguistically. Towards the end, I was more appreciated of the language barrier because it was a plot device that fits well with the development of the storyline.

However, that being said, I think it would have been more interesting if this story was told from two point of views (both Kalista's and Carson's POV).

I enjoyed the overall storyline in this book. It was a bit predictable but, it was still a good read. I do wish there were a bit more descriptions of the characters and of Estral itself.

I also found the first few chapters to be a bit confusing to read. I would have preferred the story to start a bit earlier than when it did in the first chapter. I also wish the key points of why she was betrothed to Carson were better explained (aka: the prophecy).

Overall, Live Like Legends was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the storyline and how smoothly the novel flowed. I stayed awake all night to finish it. If you are into romance and fantasy, then I would check out this book.

Enjoyed very much reading this book. It was easy to read and never had a boring moment. It was so funny and sweet ❤️

Kalista is a princess born to marry a prince with no actual chance to get the throne. But nevertheless she performed her duties and learned for her entire life his language, customs, never to perform better than him in anything and always staying a few steps behind him.
Suddenly everything changes and she has to marry another prince - Carson, from a cursed land in the mountains, Estral. She knows nothing about him, his kingdom, the language and customs.
During her travel to her new home she meets the monk Emmet who begins to teach her few words and tells her the story about the immortal monster that attacks the people of Estral and especially the ones with royal blood. This representing also the reason why she was to marry Carson. She was part of a prophecy that claims she will kill the monster.

About Carson we learn that he is a good fighter, has a short temper but a very big heart. He is handsome, blond with blue eyes and has broad shoulders. He is her shadowbear 💞

“You think them ignorant?”
“You don’t have to be able to read, as long as you’re pretty.”
“You think Carson is pretty?”
My face burned. It was dark and I was veiled, so he was unlikely to see my blush.

About Kalista we know only that she almost as tall as Carson. I was hoping that along the way we will get some other hintsabout her looks but there was nothing else (or maybe it escaped me..).
Setting aside her physical appearance she is intelligent, quick-witted, strong, courageous and very very funny 🤣

She has the most enlightening and spiritual conversations with Carson:

By the time we reached my chambers, I was on the verge of collapse.
“Babble babble babble,” he said as I offloaded him onto my bed.
I attempted to remove his boot.
“Babble babble babble.”
“I’m sure what you’re saying is terribly important, but I’d like to remind you I have no idea what that might be,” I said as I finally twisted it off his foot.
He splayed his toes for inspection. “Babble, babble? BABBLE!” It had the cadence of a joke.
He let out a long, hearty laugh after that. “Babble?”
No, darling, I didn’t get it, but save it for later.

I learned that gesture usually meant nervousness, but now it seemed an affectation of his rage.
“Growl bark bark!” He threw out his arms. He paced the room, continuing his unintelligible rant, punctuating his list of gibberish by smacking the edge of one hand into the palm of the other. “Grunt clack rumble, hiss father croak.”
I caught one word, at least.
Family issues.

They are so funny when they are trying to talk to each other 🤣 But even with the language barrier they fall in love and are soo sweet together ❤️

Kalista has a special relationship with Emmet also. They understand each other so well:

“Do they kiss?”
“Of course.”
“In public?”
“Sometimes. Everyone kisses.”
I never had. Then again, I wasn’t a veteran of hand-holding, either. Most people kept their distance from royalty.
We sat in silence, bouncing and rocking with the carriage sway.
“Does that feel nice?” I asked.
“I wouldn’t know.”
At least I wasn’t the only one.

“Why are you here?” I asked Carson in Estralian.
He’d left us to our lessons. I hadn’t realized he even knew where we were.
Emmett glared at me.
“Follow,” Carson said. He turned without further comment.
“You two are the picture of romance. It warms my heart to see you bark at one another,” Emmett muttered in High Aris.
“Come,” Carson ordered and started off down the hall.
“He is quite the charmer,” Emmett remarked under his breath.

At some point Kalista overhears a private conversation which leads her to the way of finally killing the monster. Through out the book there are some clues related to this monster but not many. But, if you pay attention in chapter seven is something that will make you question everything in the future 🙄🤔😜

“Would it be so bad to live like a legend?” Emmett shrugged. “Monster slayer.” He smiled at me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I know I’ve been calling a lot of the books I’ve read recently unique but Live Like Legends was so unique so now you get to hear me say it again! I’ve read countless stories about Princesses being married off to complete strangers and the types of bond they form but I’ve never seen one examine the cultural and language barriers that can form like Live Like Legends does. Most of the time there’s a universal language everyone speaks or some kind of magic fix to cover language barriers and I absolutely adored how Live Like Legends refuses to lean away from communication barriers that would realistically exist in the story because it meant all connections formed felt unique and new and it was really fun to watch characters be able to form mutual respects and relationships that transcended past language.

I either missed it or almost all the clues about the nature of the book’s evil were revealed rather heavy handedly towards the end of the book which kind of bugged the mystery-loving part of me but the absents of scattered clues didn’t really bother me until they started actually being dropped so I don’t think it really hurts the reading experience as a whole.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a quick little read with an intriguing mystery. I found myself enjoying the characters despite the language barriers between them -- Kalista, Carson, Luke, and Emmett made for a pretty decent team. The plot was fairly twisty, which I appreciated, and I really liked how all the details came together at the end to reveal the overarching plot.

I do wish the mystery was expanded upon, as I feel there are some details that could still be fleshed out or better linked back to the plot, but on the whole it was good and I liked it. I also found myself really enjoying the worldbuilding. Cornell does a fantastic job explaining the difference between Kalista and Carson's cultures and how these cultural clashes, combined with the language barrier, make it harder for both these characters to truly understand each other. I also appreciated all the little details wound into the cultures of both kingdoms, such as food, stories, and religion.

The romance is a fairly large part of the book, but I don't really have much comment to make here. It was all right. Some parts were sweet.

Overall, this is a quick fantasy read that I would recommend to readers who like romance, good worldbuilding, and a solid mystery.

Rating: 3.0 stars