Imagine a time when the gods turn a blind eye to the agony of men, when the last of the hellions roam the plains, and evil stirs beyond the edges of the map. A time when cities burn, and in their ashes, empires rise. Alexander , Macedon's sixteen-year-old heir, is on the brink of discovering his fated role in conquering the known world, but finds himself drawn to a newcomer… Katerina must navigate the dark secrets of court life while keeping hidden her own mission: kill the queen. But she doesn't account for her first love… Jacob will go to unthinkable lengths to win Katerina, even if it means having to compete with Hephaestion , a murderer sheltered by the prince. And far across the sea, Zofia, a Persian princess and Alexander's unmet betrothed, wants to alter her destiny by seeking the famed and deadly Spirit Eaters. Weaving fantasy with the shocking details of real history, New York Times bestselling author of Sex with Kings Eleanor Herman reimagines the greatest emperor the world has ever known, Alexander the Great, in the first book of the Blood of Gods and Royals series. Gr 9 Up—Multiple characters share the limelight in a fast-paced historical fantasy chronicling the rise of Alexander the Great. Sixteen-year-old Alexander wants to leave the kingdom with his best friend Hephaestion to find the Fountain of Youth and prove himself a man and capable leader. Kat seeks to kill Queen Olympias to avenge her mother, but stumbles upon a revelation about her own birth and the magical abilities she keeps secret. Jacob will do anything to win Kat's love, even if it means siding with the enemy. Zofia, Alexander's Persian fiancée, steals away from her father's palace and risks her life to find the Spirit Eaters, who can change her destiny and give her the life, and love, she desires. So many points of view may leave readers confused about what exactly is happening in the narrative, but most likely won't mind in the face of liberal amounts of action, romance, and conspiracy. Kat is a smart, tough heroine, Heph a loyal friend, and Alexander a likable young leader intent on proving himself. These well-developed characters make up for the other relatively flat, two-dimensional ones, and as their stories intertwine and the action ramps up, teens will eagerly continue turning pages. VERDICT While those looking for deeper, more complete work and characters may feel unsatisfied, action and fantasy lovers will gobble it up.—Kelsey Johnson-Kaiser, La Crosse Public Library, WI "Legacy of Kings is fantasy just the way I like it: A mingling of history, intrigue, romance, murder, and magic." -Cinda Williams Chima, New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Realms series "An engrossing combination of fantasy and history-readers who love myth and magic will devour it!" -Alex Flinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Beastly and Mirrored "Action and fantasy lovers will gobble it up." -School Library Journal "Thoroughly researched and absolutely modern." -Kirkus "The writing of historical figures such as Alexander the Great in a new way in this story was brilliant. The plot will keep readers interested throughout the whole book and the unique writing style is entertaining." -VOYA "Legacy of Kings is wow! History buffs and fantasy fans won't want to miss out on this mind-blowing new series that's bound to be a huge hit." -San Francisco Book Review "Herman mixes real history with magic, mystery and intrigue, putting the 'epic' in epic fantasy." -Maria V. Snyder, New York Times bestselling author of the Study series "A richly detailed world full of romance, magic, and intrigue. Eleanor Herman blends the historical and fantastical seamlessly in this thrilling YA debut." -Amy Ewing, New York Times bestselling author of The White Rose "A terrific reimagining of one of history's greatest tales. Alexander and his companions and rivals are brought to life in vibrant detail. This is a rich world full of peril and plots and world-shaking adventure."-Arwen Elys Dayton, author of Seeker "Power dynamics abound in Legacy of Kings...rich in court intrigue." -RT Book Reviews Eleanor Herman is the New York Times Bestselling author of Sex with Kings, as well as three other works of nonfiction: Sex with the Queen, Mistress of the Vatican, and King Peggy. Obsessed by all things royal and historical, she lives in McLean, Virginia with her husband and four extremely dignified cats. Legacy is her first novel. Katerina races across the meadow, scanning for any roots or rocks in her way. Her heart thumps wildly in her chest. Her legs ache. The gazelle leaps slightly ahead of her, its hooves barely touching the grass. It is a blur of tan and white, with long, black-ringed horns; a creature not fully of the earth, but also of the sky. Ahead of them, the forest looms, and far beyond it, she knows, lie all the villages and woods between Erissa and the capital. A sudden breeze rushes through her tangled brown hair. Her lungs burn. I