Highland Legend by Kathryn Le Veque Pages: 384
Series: Scots and Swords #3
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Goodreads
Gladiator meets Fight Club in the Scottish Highlands in this gripping series from USA Today bestselling author Kathryn Le Veque
As the bastard son of a duke, Magnus Stewart's royal blood has been a curse. Lured by the mystique and riches of the legendary fight club, Ludus Caledonia, Magnus uses his anger and bitterness to battle his way to the status of a prized gladiator known as The Eagle.
Diantha de Mora has heard of The Eagle, and in desperation, she seeks his help to escape the men pursuing her. Magnus comes to her aid, and in one night, his fate is changed forever. Mutual attraction is instant, but with enemies at every turn, it'll take muscle and a miracle for them to make it to the Highlands alive. There, Magnus can reclaim his destiny, as Diantha guides his heart home.
Highland Legend was my first Kathryn Le Veque and what a ride! This book is PACKED with action! I really enjoyed the setting (medieval times) and Le Veque does such a great job of describing everything.
Magnus, the hero, is a gladiator of sorts and I loved it! He is the bastard son, so he has to find a way to make a living and such, so he jumps on the chance Ludus Caledonia offers. I enjoyed reading about the other members in the fight club-it is an odd sort of bonding happening that really worked for me. This is good, since it really felt like the story was about Magnus and the club, and not so much a romance.
I loved Diantha because she took charge of her fate in a time when that just didn’t happen. But, I felt like she was just a side character to Magnus, which was a bummer. She is GREAT! She almost feels relegated to the role of supportive, standby wife instead of a partner in a relationship. This did give me the old school romance vibes though and while sometimes problematic, still hold a special place in my heart.
Highland Legend is a combination of fight club and fake relationship trope that really keeps the story moving at a quick pace. Obviously, there is tons of action from the fights, but there is a romance here as well. I will say I had some trouble keeping up at parts because I haven’t read the previous books (I didn’t realize it was a series), so I do think it would help to read them in order, even though its not directly necessary. Fans of historical romance who want something not written in the regency period will really enjoy Highland Legend! Le Veque really has a great writing style that I look forward to reading more of!
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Trope: fake relationship
- Series/Standalone: series
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
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some of old school stories like A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught, The Black Lyon by Jude Deveraux, or even some of the more recent medieval stories like those written by Lyndsay Sands, Amy Jarecki…then you will probably like Highland Legend!
Highland Legend
This looks like an exciting book. I have not read anything by Kathryn Le Veque either. Thanks.