Far, far away, hidden on Insula Sacra—Island of the Accursed— lives a forgotten world of man and beast.Damned by the Gods, and forced to live in everlasting darkness, they continue to fight a war that has long since been buried in time.With each rise and fall of the cursed moon, they are reminded of all they’ve lost.Desperate for freedom, they await the night the one true king will rise to power … true king will rise to power and free them from the curse.
The King, however, cannot rise without his Queen—both blessed with the mark of the Gods, they must end the war to save them all.
Or so the legend says…
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Rating:
A dark and steamy take on the Legend of Tarzan and Jane!
When I first saw the pictures of Alexander Skarsgard and his new abs in the early trailers for the latest Tarzan movie and heard that Margot Robbie was playing Jane I was excited to see it. I was very disappointed in the result. Though, I must say they do make the perfect characters for this book. Karzan has Long blonde hair and lots of muscles like Skarsgards’s Tarzan and Janey has red hair similar to Robbi’s strawberry blonde as Jane in the movie.
The biggest mistake that most of these Tarzan movies make is having too many “civilized characters” and taking Tarzan back to England to be “Civilized”. He is the King of the Jungle for a reason and that is where he belongs. That is one of the many things this book does right. It keeps Karzan and Janey in the Jungle. Also it is quite steamy which I like in books, and it also has a dark curse.
Rather than Karzan’s parents dying in the Jungle as missionaries leaving him as a baby to be raised by jungle animals. In this retelling, Karzan’s father’s people are shifters and the shifters are at war with the humans who are his Mother’s people. The King (Karzan’s Father) gets a prophecy from the Gods on what will end the war and bring peace. It is told to him that they are not better than humans because they can shift into beasts. He is to go find his mate who is a human and their child will bring about peace along with a chosen one.
However, the King’s evil brother will never believe that they are not better than humans and overthrows and kills the King. Though the Queen gets away and raises Karzan in her old village with humans, while the Gods put a curse on the Island for many years it remains in darkness and the beasts cannot shift from their human forms. Some of them start going crazy.
I was very surprised when Janey and Karzan dreamed about each other at the beginning that his beast was a wolf. I figured he would be a gorilla since Tarzan has always been known for being raised by Gorillas. I was a bit disappointed at first. But it gets explained later in the story and I liked the way it is explained. I hope that does count as a spoiler. Overall I really enjoyed the book and will definitely read more of the sinister fairy tale collection and more by M. R. Leahy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
There wasn’t anything wrong with the technical writing, plot or pace, but this just didn’t engage me emotionally. It’s quite a short read and felt more Lion King than Sinister Fairy Tale but it’s still a decent read and well worth trying for yourself.
It took too long, in my opinion, for the H and h to meet and I know they are fated mates and I know they had dreamed of one another BUT there was no attempt to develop any other type of connection between them. It was all just very instant (as in next second instant) and I’m just one of those PITA readers who needs convincing of a bond.
The story was nicely written and easy to follow, the world building was decent, though I didn’t care for the overuse of the F word – it didn’t fit the low technology setting. I expect the word in Mafia, MC and even contemporary romance but it felt jarring here. However it’s a fairly minor thing and I’m sure many of you would disagree on that .
Whilst it isn’t a dark read, it is steaming hot (when Karzan and Janey do eventually meet) and entertaining.
Legend was such an interesting and unique twist on one of my favorite stories, Tarzan. Jealousy and evil drove brother against brother, invoking a curse upon everyone in the jungle. Hatred of people who were different led to centuries of needless war. Centuries of unnecessary death. The bad guy sat on the throne, ruling with an iron fist, feeding the hatred and wickedness, determined to break the curse and continue his reign. But the prophecy could not be denied and so when the chosen one finally arrives and finds her way to the rightful king, nothing, not even the blind ambitions of the false king, could stop fate. The gods had spoken and it shall be done!
I’m always up for a retelling and from my first read ever of M.R. Leahy, she definitely found a new fan in me with this story. I would have loved more relationship development between Karzan and Janey. Much of their story was lead up and it took a while for them to even meet. Once together, it was either hot sex or rescuing her from the bad guys. Not a lot of time for them to get to know one another. But I guess small talk isn’t really necessary when you’ve been dreaming about each other for so long. With underlying themes full of horror, immorality and ignorance, Legend is an easy book recommendation to make.
Another retelling fairy tale, this time Tarzan, not my all favorite one but I do enjoy the story. I liked as always the dark theme this series gives the stories. The hot scenes and romance that makes it way better than the children’s version. Can’t wait to see what story comes up next, I am liking these so much.
I love reading collections like these, where many authors come together with a general theme but I get full length novels or novellas that showcase their strengths, cause I get to find new authors that I can’t wait to dig deeper into. For example, M.R. Leahy! I’ve not read her before, but after Legend you can bet good money on me hitting up her backlist!
This retelling of Tarzan sucked me from the very first page, and the way the story is told was AMAZING! I loved the “storytelling” aspect, sticking with the fairytale theme. You feel like it’s being told to you before being transported into the “legend” of Karzan and Janey.
In general I am a sucker for a dominating alpha, and Karzan completely hit all the checkmarks in my head. The beast inside making him crazy for his mate, an all encompassing need and desire, and the loincloth… *PHEW* HOT! Now add in Janey, the way she whole heartedly sticks to her beliefs in the legend, I think, makes it more enjoyable for me. She allows herself to get swept up in the journey and all the bumps that come with it, so that when she is finally with her mate… she can become entirely consumed by their connection.
My only sadness with reading this, is I wish there had been more. More of the plot, more of the story, more of all of it. By the time I was fully immersed within the tale, it was over! So it is on the shorter side. Don’t let that deter you! If you are looking for a yummy read to squeeze in over lunch or maybe with a glass of wine in the tub… THIS IS FOR YOU! I look forward to reading more from M.R. Leahy.
This was definitely an interesting and new take on the Tarzan fairytale. Not a personal favorite of mine but well written. Still on the darkish side of romance it had rough but sweet edges definitely very hot steamy sex. I love the mating bond and being with that chosen person forever. I love that the epilogue tied in with the begining perfectly and made it come full circle. Four stars. By Tiffany
*First time reading this author
Legend is a retelling of Lion King and Tarzan and what a telling it is. M.R. brings two worlds together and brings the light back to a world that hasn’t seen it for generations. Mates are forever but even when your mate is in another “world” they will feel you or dream of you. That is what happens in this book. Would you save your mate if you could? Even if you didn’t know exactly where they were?
A great addition to The Sinister Fairy Tales Collection!
Who would have guessed that a retelling of Tarzan could be so “sinister”!! I knew nothing about this book before I started reading it and while I wasn’t immediately hooked, it didn’t take long before I was so engrossed in the story and characters. I’ve enjoyed all of the books in this collection and Legend was the perfect addition.
4.5 stars
This is another addition to the Sinister Fairy Tale Collection that retells the story of Tarzan while bringing to mind The Princess Bride where Peter Falk is reading a book to his sick grandson and it is rolled up to be one dark read. For a shorter work, there is quite a bit of content that sucks one in from the get go. Karzan is the son of the king who was taken away by his mother to live in hiding after the death of his father and the rise of his uncle to the throne. Janey is a woman who was raised with stories of the Insula Sacra (Island of the Accursed) which told about the forgotten world of man and beast. Karzan and Janey have been dreaming of each other for years as they are destined to be together as mates. There are many dangers that they each have to face separately and together to bring about the prophecy. Will they succeed? This is the first book I have read by the author and it is one dark and twisted storyline that will enchant readers. I volunteered to read an advance copy of this book.
A retelling of Tarzan and Jane is beyond amazing!!!
I wasn’t sure what to expect and honestly never really like the Tarzan movie but if it was anything like this I think I would have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
Karzan is more than what he knows himself to be. He the rightful King of all humans and shapeshifters. Will he be able to get his people to support him against his uncle King Kircheck?
Janey is a human that has always believed that she was meant for more. Will she ever be able to figure out the dreams she has had since she was a young girl? Oh and will she ever find the mystery island of Insula Sacra–Island of the Accursed?
Even though this was a shapeshifter book, which I usually don’t read I devoured this book. I can’t wait to read more of the Sinister Fairy Tales series.
I feel like a broken record when it comes to this collection, I swear each book is better than the last and Legend is no different. Leachy does an absolute brilliant retelling of Tarzan, it’s definitely my favorite version! Legend is my first book from M.R. Leahy but it will not be my last.
“When the time is right, he will not just be king of the beast… He will be king of the jungle.”
I love, love, love this book! I’m surprised by how much since it was the least dark of all the ones I’ve read so far. But Karzan and Janey are amazing! I was hooked from start to finish, I read in one sitting.
Leachy’s retelling was such a unique take on the story.
This collection just keeps getting better and better. Legend was the perfect introduction to M.R. Leahy! I can’t wait to see what else she has. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the books in this collection have for us!
***4 Stars***
This was a quick and fun retelling of the Tarzan legend with a paranormal twist that was well thought out and executed.But while I loved the backstory and the world building, I will admit that I could have used a little more time on the romance part of the story. I totally understood why the whole ‘fated mates’ thing moved things along quickly, and in general have no issue with it, but I needed just a little more Karzan/Janey together time (smexy time was HAWT) to feel truly invested in them.
Regardless. This was a good read, one where I wouldn’t mind revisiting this world and delving deeper into it and watching it evolve.
~ Copy provided by EJBP & voluntarily reviewed ~
Sigh
This read did just as it was intended
Offered an adult version of a childhood favorite
A simple fairy tale
A princess who broke a curse
A prince who saved a kingdom
Love that beat the odds
Karzan was raised by humans to protect him to hide him from the evil that had plunged their world into darkness-
He was their hope for the future
Jayne was the miracle child
The missing piece that would trigger the beginning of the end
The other half of his destiny
I wanted more, would have enjoyed more –
But that was presented as a bedtime story
Short –
Engaging –
Moments of tension –
Moments of romance and most definitely a HEA
Another wonderful addition to the Sinister Collection
Legend by M.R. Leahy was mystery, suspense, sensuality and action all packed into one. An unbelievably explosive retelling of the legend of Tarzan and the Lion King, this story kept me at the edge all the time. The magical and mythical journey took me through a roller coaster of emotions.
The story is set in a fantasy world where humans and beasts with shifting abilities used to coexist. But they start fighting and wars ensue. The creators aka gods make a prophecy that King of The Beasts will mate with a human and their son will bring peace to everyone. But greed, power hunger and betrayal destroyed everything. Now centuries later both sides are suffering and now it’s time for Karzan to fulfill the prophecy. And someone with pure innocence is waiting for him somewhere. And Janey knows that she has some bigger destiny to fulfill from her terrifying dreams. Can they find each other? Can they beat the corrupt and cruel Kircheck to break the curse and bring sunshine to everyone?
Legend was a feast of intense feelings. You would invaribly get lost in the engrossing story. The bond and attraction between Karzan and Janey is something primal, something intoxicating and something life altering. This chemistry gave me goosebumps and shivers. The author successfully kept me glued to the pages with the twists and turns and secrets. I loved this story for it’s originality and amazing writing. Sinful. Deviant. Dangerous. Legend by M.R.Leahy set my kindle on fire.
Received ARC for honest review
Legend (Sinister Fairy Tales series) by M.R. Leahy is a shifter twist on the Legend of Tarzan story. There is a land of beast and humans. They have been constantly at war. A prophecy states that a couple once united and mated would break the curse and bring peace to the land. Once the curse is lifted the land will see peace between humans and beast, the sun will return and the beast can shift again. Tarzan and Janey are that couple. They have dreamed about each other since they were 5 years old. A cute couple with a supernatural twist. Their journey to each other and peace was difficult and met with many obstacles especially from Karzan’s uncle. Kircheck wants to be king. Killing his brother was no problem and in order to keep his crown he will have to make sure the prophecy is not fulfilled. A 3 star read for me
This standalone story of the Sinister Fairytales collection is written wonderfully and has lots of heated moments that will leave you satisfied. It is a quick story that retells the story of Tarzan but in this version you are surrounded by shifters and dark beings. There is a prophecy at play here and that is one of a great leader, a prince, to lift the curse. To do this Karzan and Janey must meet and fall in love. They both have envisioned each other and it’s instantaneous when they meet. They were destined for one another to bring forth a prince to save them all. Excellent story and writing. Another great read to add to this wonderfully compiled collection.
3.5 stars
Legend is a part of the Sinister Fairy Tale Collection. It is a dark retelling of Tarzan. It is similar to Tarzan but Meghan puts her own unique spin on it. She creates a totally different world that involves shifters and humans. It is dark at times and there is no shortage of action, suspense, and passion. The main characters are Karzan and Janey. When they come together, the passion burns bright. I love their instant connection and the way they “feel” each other. The other characters only serve to enhance the story. The plot was a little slow starting off but definitely picks up. Overall, this is a good, quick read with a HEA and I enjoyed it.
***ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.***
I’m not sure why it took me so long to realise but it clicked that the story is a Tarzan retelling. I think I just wanted to come to the story with an open mind and I think that’s why the realisation took so long. In any case, I did enjoy this tale. It was engaging and different. It has some elements of the original story but also M.R. Leahy’s own personal touch. There were some great messages like people having their own choice in how their lives play out and not having it simply mapped out by fate. They are still in control of their lives. The characters are good and there’s a future king who is most definitely a beast 😉 It’s a fast and furious paced story with action, adventure and love. I loved the connection between soulmates and how they were able to feel each other. It’s endearing and magical. I enjoyed this tale and couldn’t believe how quickly I read through it. I think I would have loved the story to be longer but that’s just me.
°* Powerful writing, powerful story *°
These are not the fairytales of our childhood!!! Oh no, these are filled with a twisted darkness, and of the books I have read within this alternative fairy tale universe, I have enjoyed every single one. I am a lightweight when it comes to dark reads, and every author has been new to me, but, they have unerringly captured my interest.
MR Leahy’s book, Legend, is no different. Her re-telling of this sinister fairytale is powerful. The belief Karzan’s and Janey’s family had in each of them was inspiring. Their journey was foretold by the gods, and their parents knew the heart-breaking cost it would bring to them personally, yet they believed and loved their children with all their hearts. I found the emotion awe inspiring and was moved almost to tears.
Like the characters surrounding Karzan and Janey, my hopeful heart believed in the legend, and in their internal strengths. Their journey wasn’t so much sad as fraught with emotion that kept unshed tears in the backs of my eyes.
While this was a shorter length story, and a lot of story was packed into it, and my only complaint was that the ‘together time’ of our main characters was limited, and I found the chemistry lacking for the two who were ‘pre-ordained by the gods’ to be soul-mates. They were both strong and intense characters, but together, I found the sex was more about action and less about passion. Still, this was an entertaining read, and is a valuable addition this dark fairytale collection. 4 Stars.
So this a short tale in the sinister fairy tales collection.
This one is influenced by The Tarzan and Jane Legend and while it didn’t wow me I certainly enjoyed it.
The writing itself is good but I just never fully connected on any deeper level.
So this story is set in the jungle and it’s all about a cursed island full of shapeshifters and humans who live in the trees. a prophecy, fated mates and a chosen one.
It’s short and sweet and lacks depth but it was still somewhat interesting with some hot and heavy
scenes.
We have a half shifter/human Prince Karzan the son of the former king and his human mate.
He has been hidden away all his life among the humans to protect him from his crazed uncle the king.
Janey is the chosen one destined to break the curse and unlock his beast.
This is insta-love and insta-lust and the finale easily arrived it.
I also felt I never really got a real sense of Karzan and Janey beyond the superficial.
This was an easy quick read that didn’t tax me and my first Tarzan retelling.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Legend.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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