Veena’s review of Born of Legend (The League: Nemesis Rising, Book 11) by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Futuristic Fantasy Romance published by St. Martin’s Press 24 Jun 16
I love space opera and lament the fact that there are so few stories in that genre. The League series is by far my favorite with its tortured heroes, dysfunctional families, and strong bonds of friendship that let the hero overcome his horrific past against all odds to find his happily ever after. I have seen Ms. Kenyon tell two sides of a story before that turn a villain into a hero, but Jullien En Anatole, the most hated character in the League who has committed crimes against most of the characters we’ve met so far, had to be beyond even her masterful touch. And the verdict is…
The story starts with a down-and-out Jullien on his last leg, who can barely keep himself upright and yet has no qualms about jumping into certain death by saving a young boy from slavery. This one selfless act is the start of his redemption by introducing him to the woman who becomes his “darling star.” Before one could say Jack Rabbit, I was off the fence, hooked, and ready for this ride. Alas, this is one ARC I had in print, and I had twenty-four hours before I jumped on a plane to Europe, and with the best will in the world and a sleepless night, I had to leave behind this heavy weight book. I believe I was in physical pain – and not just from the sleepless night.
Ushara is a Tavali commander. For those of you not familiar with the series, the Tavali are an outlaw race that has a strong code of conduct and always fights on the side that they feel is right. Ushara’s son means the world to her and for saving him he has a safe haven in their stronghold. She’s unable to resist him, even after she finds out that he’s from a lineage that is her family’s most hated enemies and will fracture the love and unity of her family.
This is a deeply emotional story as the author reveals the other side of all the horrific episodes that we’re familiar with from the other books in the series. Jullien is definitely not perfect as he deals with the remnants of an abusive childhood, both physical and emotional. He was neglected by the people who should have cared for him, drugged and forced to perform heinous acts that made him hated throughout the League universe. Exiled, stripped of everything he knows, he still retains a core of honor that causes him to attempt to save a young child at the risk of his own life. Most importantly, Ushara believes in him and that allows him to face and overcome his demons.
In the midst of all the gloom and doom, there are some seriously great moments, like when his parents understand the true depths of abuse that they’ve intentionally or unintentionally heaped on their son and get slapped down for it. Perhaps Nykerian and his merry band will never be friends with Jullien, but they’ve definitely forgiven and forgotten some of the nasty and can appreciate some of the nice that Jullien has done in his Tavali guise.
So I might have started out a doubting Thomas, but this is hands-down my favorite book in the series. It’s a story of redemption, of friendship, and, most importantly, living one’s dreams to be the person one wants to be.
Grade: A
Summary:
“It’s official Take a Psycho to Work Day. Why else would I be here?”Hunted. Hated. Betrayed. Outcast Dagger Ixur is on the run for his life. As one of the most recognizable members of his royal house, he has a bounty on his head that guarantees him no quarter from any friend or even family. But surrender isn’t in him. He will fight to the bitter end. A resolve that is sorely tested when he narrowly escapes a trap that leaves him severely wounded. With what he believes is his dying breath, he saves a boy born to an extinct race from a group out to enslave the kid for his legendary abilities.
Ushara Altaan has spent her entire life hating the Andarion royal house that drove her entire species into virtual extinction. As a rare Andarion Fyreblood, she is sworn to end the existence of any royal she finds. But when Dagger saves her son’s life, she is torn between her people and a debt that can never be repaid.
Yet worse than Dagger’s family that’s still out to end hers and him, are the League assassins after him who will stop at nothing to claim the lives of her Tavali family. The only hope she has to save them all is to put their future and her faith into the hands of the very enemy whose grandmother personally extinguished Ushara’s legendary lineage. But how can she ever trust Dagger when he is a disinherited outlaw whose real name is synonymous with betrayal?
Other books in this series:
