Lara: Book One Of The World Of Hetar
by Bertrice Small
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Book Summary Information
Author: Bertrice SmallEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-05-01
ISBN: 0373771541
Number of pages: 544
Publisher: HQN Books
Book Reviews of Lara: Book One Of The World Of Hetar
Book Review: Not going to win any awards...
Summary: 3 Stars
Lara has been sold into slavery by her father. For most young women in the world of Hetar, this is a disaster that brings about nothing but fear and sorrow. For Lara however it is but the very beginning of her adventure.
Half human, half faerie, Lara is stunningly beautiful and willful as well. Her faerie protector guides her in finding her destiny which involves a series of great adventures and great lovers. Finally reaching the Outlands, Lara comes to realize her destiny is to aid the people she finds there in their war against her homeland Hatar. But when the battle comes will she be ready to face her fears?
Ok, I searched my mind long and hard to find a word that would describe "Lara." The only word I can come up with that would seem to fit would be: kitsch.
The plot of "Lara" is pretty simple, and it is very obvious that it is Small's first leap from romance novels into fantasy novels. The writing as I said before can only be described as kitsch. It is obvious that Small is a non confrontational person. Everything comes so easy to Lara. She's beautiful, so everyone wants to sleep with her. She has a natural skill with weapons, she super smart, she has magic to help her when her brains can't, the list goes on and on and the main character has no faults.
Not only was the fact that the main character has no faults sort of sickening, I also wanted to barf when all of the obstacles in Lara's way bowed down to her. She had to only fight in one battle at the very end where her side one a total victory slaying all of the adversary and only taking about 20 deaths on the "good" side, and none of them significant in the least to the plotline.
Small's writing style leaves something to be desired as well. Take a line from page 405 where she is describing a battle.
"...soon the battlefield ran red with blood, and it was difficult not to slip or fall..."
Huh? In the heat of battle when she could have swords clashing, men screaming, heroics going on all around she decides to say that it's hard to stand up? The dialogue between the characters is also rather on the pathetic side. It reminded me of "The Boxcar Children." Do you remember that book? You read it when you were maybe like 8 and the characters said: "Good!" to everything and didn't speak like normal people would? At times Small got almost Shakespearian on the reader and added in a lot of `nays' and `ayes' and `thous.' It was quite tedious at times.
Now that I'm done destroying this book, I do have to admit that despite this large laundry list of problems with the plot, characters, dialogue, etc...I actually kind of liked "Lara." Despite all its shortcomings "Lara" did keep me entertained. I'm not running out to get the sequel as the ending is in no way a cliffhanger, but I'll put it on my book swapping list and if I have a bunch of credits built up when it comes along I'd consider getting it and reading it.
I'm giving this book an exceptionally generous 3 stars. "Lara" is not going to win any awards anytime soon, but the theme can appeal to those who enjoy romance stories with a touch of fantasy, and is easy enough to read and get through quickly. A good starter book for those new to fantasy...just don't have super-high expectations going in.
Summary of Lara: Book One Of The World Of Hetar
Welcome, dear reader, to the world of Hetar, a realm of Forest Lords, of Shadow Princes and Coastal Kings. A land of passions, both civilized and savage. Where the social classes know their place, but where anyone can, under the right conditions, advance to the highest pinnacle. This is a place where pleasure is never censured, but encouraged, and where deception and desire may be intertwined. The orderly, elegant veneer of refined Hetar can no longer ignore the rebellion brewing in the Outlands, a dangerous place of both magic and mystery.From the city that is the very center of Hetar, Lara, the beautiful half-faerie daughter of John Swiftsword, ventures forth on a journey that will awaken her, both body and soul, as she learns the true meaning of love that will last an eternity -- and a searing passion that will change the destiny of Hetar forever.
Creating Hetar and its many characters has been a great challenge for me, but a wonderful and creative endeavor. I hope you will enjoy Lara's tale.
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