lolasreviews's review
4.0
This series is so good and this book was no exception. Although I am sad that now the wait starts for the next book in the series. Legends was filled with all the things I've come to expect from this series, great characters, awesome magic, the snarky cat Sir Kipling and a good solid story. It also brings something new to this series. In this book they travel to the UK and they get to visit the Fae realm! And there's an exciting battle at the end and a bit of sadness as well. Some things get resolved, there are some interesting developments and at the end of the book I can't help but be curious what the next book will bring.
Throughout this series Lily is really growing into her own and she makes some important steps in that regard in this book as well. It's really great to see her change a bit and stand up for what she believes in. She is not compromising on some of her points, like how she wants to be both fashionable and wear adventure clothes, which was a fun touch of showing her personality. She acts so realistic and I liked how she hesitated to harm others even though they probably deserved.
On the topic of realism I was quite impressed by how the author wrote the battle scene towards the end, it all was over pretty quickly, but still you were able to follow what went on. It seemed realistic that battles with magic in this universe wouldn't drag on for long as that's basically not possible with the way magic works here.
The change in setting in this book was interesting. Instead of in the familiar setting in the US and the city and locations we already know there, the story took place in the UK in this book. It was fun seeing Lily her excitement about visiting the UK and Oxford and I thought it was interesting how she noted the differences between the two countries. Although for me it just illustrated how different the US is as the UK is a lot more similar to the Netherlands.
There is a bit of romance as a side plot line and I love seeing it develop and grow a bit in each book. The same is the case in this book and I liked were it left them at the end of this book and am curious to see it change even more in the next book. It was nice reading about both characters and how they slowly realize their feelings for the other. While the main part of the book is told from Lily's point fo view, there's an interlude in the middle from Sebastian's point of view, which is always one of my favorite parts of the books.
The reader meets some new characters and places in this book. There are some interesting new side characters, but mostly they serve to fill a bit of a role and they do play their part, but we don't get to know them as much as I would've liked. I did like the manservant in this book. I didn't really care for Yuki and her poking fun at Sir Kipling. I also didn't really care for the plot line with a certain legend being real, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the book. The main characters are still great to read about and we learn more about them in this book and Sir Kipling goes with them everywhere they go, so we see a lot more of the snarky cat, which was fun.
I especially liked how we learned a bit more about the Fae realm in this book. It's something the author only touched upon so far and in this book we get a nice chunk of information about the Fae. I still have a lot of questions and want to know more, but it was great to learn more about them here. I also really liked the scene where they visit the Fae realm. I loved how the realm was described, it looked so pretty in my head.
To summarize: I really enjoyed this book! It's just as good as the previous books and I liked how we get to read more about the characters I've grown fond of. The setting change was interesting too as they travel to the UK in this book. Lily develops more in this book again and I love seeing her grow into her own and finding her way. And she acts so realistically as well. The magic system is another thing that felt very realistic. Another part I really liked is how we learned more about the Fae and their realm in this book. And ofcourse seeing the romance develop was awesome too! I can't wait for the next book in this series as these books are just so fun!
Throughout this series Lily is really growing into her own and she makes some important steps in that regard in this book as well. It's really great to see her change a bit and stand up for what she believes in. She is not compromising on some of her points, like how she wants to be both fashionable and wear adventure clothes, which was a fun touch of showing her personality. She acts so realistic and I liked how she hesitated to harm others even though they probably deserved.
On the topic of realism I was quite impressed by how the author wrote the battle scene towards the end, it all was over pretty quickly, but still you were able to follow what went on. It seemed realistic that battles with magic in this universe wouldn't drag on for long as that's basically not possible with the way magic works here.
The change in setting in this book was interesting. Instead of in the familiar setting in the US and the city and locations we already know there, the story took place in the UK in this book. It was fun seeing Lily her excitement about visiting the UK and Oxford and I thought it was interesting how she noted the differences between the two countries. Although for me it just illustrated how different the US is as the UK is a lot more similar to the Netherlands.
There is a bit of romance as a side plot line and I love seeing it develop and grow a bit in each book. The same is the case in this book and I liked were it left them at the end of this book and am curious to see it change even more in the next book. It was nice reading about both characters and how they slowly realize their feelings for the other. While the main part of the book is told from Lily's point fo view, there's an interlude in the middle from Sebastian's point of view, which is always one of my favorite parts of the books.
The reader meets some new characters and places in this book. There are some interesting new side characters, but mostly they serve to fill a bit of a role and they do play their part, but we don't get to know them as much as I would've liked. I did like the manservant in this book. I didn't really care for Yuki and her poking fun at Sir Kipling. I also didn't really care for the plot line with a certain legend being real, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the book. The main characters are still great to read about and we learn more about them in this book and Sir Kipling goes with them everywhere they go, so we see a lot more of the snarky cat, which was fun.
I especially liked how we learned a bit more about the Fae realm in this book. It's something the author only touched upon so far and in this book we get a nice chunk of information about the Fae. I still have a lot of questions and want to know more, but it was great to learn more about them here. I also really liked the scene where they visit the Fae realm. I loved how the realm was described, it looked so pretty in my head.
To summarize: I really enjoyed this book! It's just as good as the previous books and I liked how we get to read more about the characters I've grown fond of. The setting change was interesting too as they travel to the UK in this book. Lily develops more in this book again and I love seeing her grow into her own and finding her way. And she acts so realistically as well. The magic system is another thing that felt very realistic. Another part I really liked is how we learned more about the Fae and their realm in this book. And ofcourse seeing the romance develop was awesome too! I can't wait for the next book in this series as these books are just so fun!
lolasreviews's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook review
I've been re-reading these books in audio format and it's a lot of fun experiencing the story anew. While book 4 isn't my favorite book of the series, it's an important one in terms in story. My original review for this one sums up my thoughts pretty well I still didn't really care for Yuki, although the narration for him was spot on. And I liked the manservant and again forgot his name as soon as I sit down to write this review.
I liked the visit to the fae realm, the narrator did the fae voices so well, especially of Therriel (not sure if I write that correctly). She sounded regal and otherworldly, it was really impressive. On the topic of the narration, I really love the narrators style and how well she brought this series to live. She adds personality to the characters in the way she narrates them and I really liked how everyone had their own voice and I could recognize who's speaking just by voice.
I definitely would recommend this series and the audio versions are awesome.
I've been re-reading these books in audio format and it's a lot of fun experiencing the story anew. While book 4 isn't my favorite book of the series, it's an important one in terms in story. My original review for this one sums up my thoughts pretty well I still didn't really care for Yuki, although the narration for him was spot on. And I liked the manservant and again forgot his name as soon as I sit down to write this review.
I liked the visit to the fae realm, the narrator did the fae voices so well, especially of Therriel (not sure if I write that correctly). She sounded regal and otherworldly, it was really impressive. On the topic of the narration, I really love the narrators style and how well she brought this series to live. She adds personality to the characters in the way she narrates them and I really liked how everyone had their own voice and I could recognize who's speaking just by voice.
I definitely would recommend this series and the audio versions are awesome.
shai3d's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
esprague2510's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Need to read the series in order.
melodrama44's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
slc333's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed Lily & Seb’s adventures in England as they race Lil's evil dad to find & awaken Morgan Le Fey in an attempt to stop him using her to gain power for his nefarious plots. I was pleased there is much less bickering as both Lil & Seb are coming to terms with their feelings for each other even they haven’t admitted it to one another yet. Good finally find out a bit more about Sebs’ past and deal with the fae too.
briarrose1021's review against another edition
5.0
Um, Morgan le Fey as an actual person! Yes, please! Of course, we definitely need Lily and her allies to get to her first, before Faust can turn her to his terrible plot. This book takes place in England, where Lily and Sebastian travel to meet with some of Mrs. B's family who will hopefully be able to help Lily and Sebastian track down the location of Morgan le Fay before Faust.
Unfortunately, while Lily and Faust are in a race to find Morgan, Sebastian's mysterious past is going to throw some kinks in the process. Of course, I'm not going to tell you what or how, since it's part of the mystery of the book, but it is nice to finally start getting some more backstory on Sebastian.
With the way this book ended, I am definitely looking forward to reading the next in the series. Things are really heating up, and I need to know what's going to happen.
Unfortunately, while Lily and Faust are in a race to find Morgan, Sebastian's mysterious past is going to throw some kinks in the process. Of course, I'm not going to tell you what or how, since it's part of the mystery of the book, but it is nice to finally start getting some more backstory on Sebastian.
With the way this book ended, I am definitely looking forward to reading the next in the series. Things are really heating up, and I need to know what's going to happen.
stephbookshine's review
5.0
The stakes are up in this, the fourth installment of the adventures of Lily Singer (librarian wizard), Sebastian (rogue witch) and Sir Edgar Allen Kipling (talking cat and sarcastic supremo). Fans of previous novels will have seen the peril gradually increasing from localised hauntings and time slips, to the current full-on saving humanity from wizardly death or enslavement.
As the title suggests the enemy has also escalated, from generic curses and artefacts, through evil family members, to one of the most famous magic-users of legend. I was interested to see how Lydia Sherrer would handle Morgan le Fay in this series and this first introduction did not disappoint in terms of threat level or distinct personality.
Of course one of the main strengths in this series is the bonds between our main characters, and here also there is some nice development, along with even more lovable and/or unique side characters to add to the ever-growing cast of goodies (and even baddies) that I need to see more of.
I loved the development of the Fae side of the plot, with a bit more backstory about Sebastian and his magic. There is a lot of potential for further story in this enmeshment with the other realm, which I am quite excited about. Lily in England was fun too, as she was simultaneously out of her comfort zone, yet firmly amongst 'her people'!
To sum up, this is another great book for fans of light-hearted magical derring-do in a series that keeps getting better. Bring on Book 5!
Sebastian shrugged, giving her a silly grin. "Just excited, I suppose. I mean, come on, we're having an adventure. Anything could happen! Daring escapes from dastardly villains, life-and-death struggles with monstrous creatures, intrepid explorations of wild landscapes never before seen by the eyes of men__"
"You do realise we're going to England, right?" Lily asked dryly, smiling in spite of herself.
- Lydia Sherrer, Legends
As the title suggests the enemy has also escalated, from generic curses and artefacts, through evil family members, to one of the most famous magic-users of legend. I was interested to see how Lydia Sherrer would handle Morgan le Fay in this series and this first introduction did not disappoint in terms of threat level or distinct personality.
Of course one of the main strengths in this series is the bonds between our main characters, and here also there is some nice development, along with even more lovable and/or unique side characters to add to the ever-growing cast of goodies (and even baddies) that I need to see more of.
I loved the development of the Fae side of the plot, with a bit more backstory about Sebastian and his magic. There is a lot of potential for further story in this enmeshment with the other realm, which I am quite excited about. Lily in England was fun too, as she was simultaneously out of her comfort zone, yet firmly amongst 'her people'!
To sum up, this is another great book for fans of light-hearted magical derring-do in a series that keeps getting better. Bring on Book 5!
Sebastian shrugged, giving her a silly grin. "Just excited, I suppose. I mean, come on, we're having an adventure. Anything could happen! Daring escapes from dastardly villains, life-and-death struggles with monstrous creatures, intrepid explorations of wild landscapes never before seen by the eyes of men__"
"You do realise we're going to England, right?" Lily asked dryly, smiling in spite of herself.
- Lydia Sherrer, Legends
daffzcookie's review
4.0
These books are always fun. I really grew to like Lily and Sebastian and felt myself very invested in them and the relationship between them, which developed in this book. The world also expanded a lot in this book, which was very interesting. We learned more about the fae, which added a whole new element to the world. I loved that we got some more information about Sebastian's past as well.
All in all, it was a very satisfying book, much like the others have been. There are still some questions left unanswered, but not too many. I look forward to finding out the answers in the future! This series is a lot of fun, and I really like how unique the magic is in it. I'll definitely keep an eye out for news of future installments.
All in all, it was a very satisfying book, much like the others have been. There are still some questions left unanswered, but not too many. I look forward to finding out the answers in the future! This series is a lot of fun, and I really like how unique the magic is in it. I'll definitely keep an eye out for news of future installments.