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The Caein Legacy #4
Legend
War has come to Novania as brothers fight brother for control of the throne. Colin is an unyielding and ruthless ruler without remorse for the atrocities he has committed. He has disowned his half-brother, for Andrew is dragon-kind. He has exiled Alexander for bearing the Mark of the Magi. He forced Thomas to flee under vague threats of assassination.
Now his brothers have gathered allies in order to oppose him. Oppressed Novanians have rallied to their cause, the Corodan have gathered, and even magi from the Southlands have offered their unique talents in the fight. The kingdom burns and the blood of thousands is spilled.
Under Colin’s command is a man as ruthless and cold as his Robert Claybourne, whose sole motivation is to annihilate the magi – and any who choose to support them. After seeing the power Andrew is capable of, Claybourne makes it his secondary objective to slay the last of the dragon-kind as well.
Now his brothers have gathered allies in order to oppose him. Oppressed Novanians have rallied to their cause, the Corodan have gathered, and even magi from the Southlands have offered their unique talents in the fight. The kingdom burns and the blood of thousands is spilled.
Under Colin’s command is a man as ruthless and cold as his Robert Claybourne, whose sole motivation is to annihilate the magi – and any who choose to support them. After seeing the power Andrew is capable of, Claybourne makes it his secondary objective to slay the last of the dragon-kind as well.
- GenresFantasy
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2024
8 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Calvin
13 books54 followersA.J. Calvin is a science fiction/fantasy novelist from Loveland, Colorado known best for The Caein Legacy series and The Relics of War series. By day, she works as a microbiologist, but in her free time she writes. She lives with her husband, a turtle, and a salt water aquarium.
When she is not working or writing, she enjoys scuba diving, hiking, and playing video games.
Be sure to follow A.J. on BookBub for new release alerts and more! https://www.bookbub.com/authors/a-j-c...
For more information on the author and news about her writing, please visit her website at www.ajcalvin.net.
When she is not working or writing, she enjoys scuba diving, hiking, and playing video games.
Be sure to follow A.J. on BookBub for new release alerts and more! https://www.bookbub.com/authors/a-j-c...
For more information on the author and news about her writing, please visit her website at www.ajcalvin.net.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 23, 2024
And done! First half built it up and second half crushed it with battles, twists, and all out carnage. The legacy is now complete! Please read this series as it will stay with you for a long time.
November 4, 2024
With each review in a series, I can reveal less and less without giving away spoilers. I won’t spoil major plot points in Legend, but I will mention some of the things that have happened up until this book. Since this is the final entry in the Caein Legacy, I felt it worth reflecting on the series as a whole.
Andrew’s story started with a lot of heartache. After Exile, you might think this epic series will be distinguished by devastation, and while death and violence are features of the Caein Legacy, it is really about healing. From Guardian onwards, Andrew has to learn to open his heart again, knowing the pain of loss and seeing potential for more.
Everything in Legend is well balanced.
I was happy that the terrible cliffhanger from the end of Harbinger was not drawn out too long. Andrew, Alexander and Thomas are reunited for a time, and it is exciting to watch the shuffle in sibling dynamics. Calvin is wonderful at making us comfortable, then following up with something unexpected. Still, there are far more resolutions here than surprising twists, which is what I like in a finale. Legend elegantly gathers all the threads that have been introduced in the series and weaves them into something as beautiful as one of Claire’s embroidered banners.
“‘Your tale will become Legend,’ the scribe said during the final day of our work. I didn’t argue but I was skeptical. Legends were the stories of heroes, and I didn’t feel particularly heroic…”
Much like Andrew, it is easy for the reader to imagine worst case scenarios at every turn. While there is tension in Legend, there is also a lot going for the three good brothers. Hardship and new allies have forged each of them into something stronger. Colin, by contrast is self-sabotaging in his arrogance.
I liked that the story left a few lingering questions about the surviving characters. We get a nice long wrap up akin to the last chapters of Return of the King; it never feels like too much. I could follow this family decades into the future.
Andrew’s story started with a lot of heartache. After Exile, you might think this epic series will be distinguished by devastation, and while death and violence are features of the Caein Legacy, it is really about healing. From Guardian onwards, Andrew has to learn to open his heart again, knowing the pain of loss and seeing potential for more.
Everything in Legend is well balanced.
I was happy that the terrible cliffhanger from the end of Harbinger was not drawn out too long. Andrew, Alexander and Thomas are reunited for a time, and it is exciting to watch the shuffle in sibling dynamics. Calvin is wonderful at making us comfortable, then following up with something unexpected. Still, there are far more resolutions here than surprising twists, which is what I like in a finale. Legend elegantly gathers all the threads that have been introduced in the series and weaves them into something as beautiful as one of Claire’s embroidered banners.
“‘Your tale will become Legend,’ the scribe said during the final day of our work. I didn’t argue but I was skeptical. Legends were the stories of heroes, and I didn’t feel particularly heroic…”
Much like Andrew, it is easy for the reader to imagine worst case scenarios at every turn. While there is tension in Legend, there is also a lot going for the three good brothers. Hardship and new allies have forged each of them into something stronger. Colin, by contrast is self-sabotaging in his arrogance.
I liked that the story left a few lingering questions about the surviving characters. We get a nice long wrap up akin to the last chapters of Return of the King; it never feels like too much. I could follow this family decades into the future.
December 24, 2024
Wasn’t sure how to review this without spoilers so a warning this review is spoiler heavy.
This is one of my favorite series. Andrew is such a great character and following his journey through 4 books was incredibly enjoyable. This was the first series I’ve read by AJ and I was pretty nervous about how bitter sweet the ending would be. If anything happened to Rynn I would’ve been super mad lol
My only gripes were the stakes fell off after Andrew was rescued. I honestly thought that would be a major plot point but it resolved very quickly. Still, I can’t complain. Colin is PERFECT as a hated villain and I was okay with the idea of justice instead of an epic battle. It’s pretty incredible how effective Colin is written despite having very few actual pages. I assumed Colin had something up his sleeve but he really just got rolled in the end lol by the time Andrew’s father showed up, it never felt like Colin had a chance at all.
Overall a wonderful series. I definitely need to check out Serpentus when I have the time
This is one of my favorite series. Andrew is such a great character and following his journey through 4 books was incredibly enjoyable. This was the first series I’ve read by AJ and I was pretty nervous about how bitter sweet the ending would be. If anything happened to Rynn I would’ve been super mad lol
My only gripes were the stakes fell off after Andrew was rescued. I honestly thought that would be a major plot point but it resolved very quickly. Still, I can’t complain. Colin is PERFECT as a hated villain and I was okay with the idea of justice instead of an epic battle. It’s pretty incredible how effective Colin is written despite having very few actual pages. I assumed Colin had something up his sleeve but he really just got rolled in the end lol by the time Andrew’s father showed up, it never felt like Colin had a chance at all.
Overall a wonderful series. I definitely need to check out Serpentus when I have the time
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2024
Argh! Although this is an excellent end to the Caein Legacy series, it still left me wanting more in the incredible world AJ Calvin has built. Some truly beautiful moments in this book served to balance out the horrors of war. A satisfying end to the story arc, but bittersweet nonetheless.
Highly recommend this series. One of the absolute best I've ever read.
Highly recommend this series. One of the absolute best I've ever read.
September 4, 2024
I received an ARC for this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Wow. And that, everyone, is how you end a series with a 5 star streak. I have loved every book up to this point and the author absolutely nailed this ending. I was so satisfied at how everything wrapped up.
So, how to leave a review without spoiling anything?! I shall do my best.
First, the brotherhood in here continues the shining star of this series. The way Alexander, Andrew and Thomas love and care about each other is a thing of beauty. I don’t see brothers very much in fiction and almost never are they given the proper emotional weight these boys are. They are precious and I love them, Your Honor.
And Colin…oh, fun, horrific and despicable Colin. Allow me to quote Lady Olenna from GOT in regard to this character: “…has done things I wasn’t capable of imagining.” It gets dark, folks. And I loved every moment of it.
The thing I love that the author does is how they manage stakes. While there’s certainly increase in physical stakes, the rawness of the story is in the emotional ones. The author attacks our heart, not our body, and it works
exceptionally well.
I dare not say too much on the ending because I don’t want to ruin even a tiny detail. Just suffice to say, it’s satisfying as it can be. “Practically perfect in every way.”
Thank you, dear author, for the utter privilege of experiencing this story.
Wow. And that, everyone, is how you end a series with a 5 star streak. I have loved every book up to this point and the author absolutely nailed this ending. I was so satisfied at how everything wrapped up.
So, how to leave a review without spoiling anything?! I shall do my best.
First, the brotherhood in here continues the shining star of this series. The way Alexander, Andrew and Thomas love and care about each other is a thing of beauty. I don’t see brothers very much in fiction and almost never are they given the proper emotional weight these boys are. They are precious and I love them, Your Honor.
And Colin…oh, fun, horrific and despicable Colin. Allow me to quote Lady Olenna from GOT in regard to this character: “…has done things I wasn’t capable of imagining.” It gets dark, folks. And I loved every moment of it.
The thing I love that the author does is how they manage stakes. While there’s certainly increase in physical stakes, the rawness of the story is in the emotional ones. The author attacks our heart, not our body, and it works
exceptionally well.
I dare not say too much on the ending because I don’t want to ruin even a tiny detail. Just suffice to say, it’s satisfying as it can be. “Practically perfect in every way.”
Thank you, dear author, for the utter privilege of experiencing this story.
October 2, 2024
Wow what a thriller. What can you say about Legend without spoiling it for others. This conclusion will have you sitting on the edge of your seat the whole time. Who will join the fight for Novania and where will they come from? With each new battle new allies will be found, some from the most unlikely places. We learn the depth of some of the true horrors that Colin has inflicted on his people during his time as king. Does he really think that all his actions are just? Who will be victorious? And if the trio of brothers are not successful in their plan to overthrow Colin what will happen to them and those closest to them? The final chapter in this series will leave you wanting more each time. What Secrets has Colin found in his research into Dragon kind and the Magi? What traps will he have when his brothers arrive. Who will survive and will they all be in one piece? You have to be ready for anything.
December 24, 2024
I have loved the Caein Legacy series from start to finish. What could be better than a fantasy series written by the immensely talented AJ Calvin that focuses on dragons, and the complicated relationships between four brothers, three of whom must set out to kill the fourth when he turns evil?
It is hard to choose my favorite part of this series, but if I had to, it would be the characters, who stay with me long after the book is done. I loved the brothers, of course, the banter and ribbing in this book as they are close together, Lydia and Rynn. I love that we have gotten to see Alexander and Thomas come into their best and strongest versions of themselves, under Andrew’s guidance. And of course I loved all the dragons! This series has been a delight and I can’t wait to read Calvin’s next book! 5/5 stars.
It is hard to choose my favorite part of this series, but if I had to, it would be the characters, who stay with me long after the book is done. I loved the brothers, of course, the banter and ribbing in this book as they are close together, Lydia and Rynn. I love that we have gotten to see Alexander and Thomas come into their best and strongest versions of themselves, under Andrew’s guidance. And of course I loved all the dragons! This series has been a delight and I can’t wait to read Calvin’s next book! 5/5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews