Lara: Book One Of The World Of Hetar [Paperback]

Bertrice Small (Author)

Book Description

Series: The World of Hetar | Publication Date: June 1, 2005

Welcome, dear reader, to the world of Hetar. A land of Forest Lords, of Shadow Princes and Coastal Kings. A place that is 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 not censured but encouraged; where the ends are justified by the means. And yet all is not as perfect as it may seem. The orderly, elegant veneer of refined Hetar cannot prevent 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 take her into the heart of darkness and the depths of desire, as she learns the true meaning of love that will last an eternity -- a love 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.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

For Lara, the half-faerie daughter of John Swiftsword, her beauty is a blessing and curse. To raise money for her father, she agrees to be sold to a Pleasure House, but it turns out that no one, either because they fear her faerie heritage or her unnatural beauty, is willing to bid on her. Instead, Lara is put on a trading caravan heading to the coastal kingdoms of Hetar. First sold to the Forest Lords, who sexually abuse her, Lara escapes to the Desert Kingdom, where a Shadow Prince introduces her to the arts of seduction and desire. When Lara finally reaches the Outlands and meets one of its leaders, Lord Vartan, she discovers her true destiny. Best--selling Small begins a new fantasy romance that does have a few of her signature elements--including a heroine whose sexual experiences involve other men beside the hero--but some readers may miss the vibrant, richly detailed settings and wonderful period flavor of Small's beloved historicals. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Beatrice Small creates cover-to-cover passion." -- Publishers Weekly

"The name Beatrice Small is synonymous with passionate historical romance." -- Literary Times

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: HQN Books (June 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 037377026X
• ISBN-13: 978-0373770267
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #992,717 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bertrice Small is a New York Times bestselling author with more than 34 novels in print. She lives in the oldest English-speaking town in New York state. Her website is bertricesmall.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A new type of adventure for Ms Small, June 20, 2005

By 

titianfire (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lara: Book One Of The World Of Hetar (Paperback)

Although very much different from the usual stories, I enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one in the series. This story shows the different beliefs and cultures of a fantasy world not so different from the people in the world today. The moral message is that we are all different, are not able to truly understand a different belief until we are introduced to it and that we can learn if we keep an open mind.

The erotica is less than the usual in Ms Small's books and there is abuse of Lara but definatly not S&M. Lara does at times seem a bit perfect and believes what she should do, however, she does learn from others and the mistakes she makes. She shows what personal growth can be gained by an open mind and the search for what she is destined to do.

I look forward to the release of the further adventures and personal growth of Lara.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars let me clear something up., June 11, 2005

By 

S. Reed "qikntree" (Stacy, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lara: Book One Of The World Of Hetar (Paperback)

First of all this was not anything even remotely like an S&M book. I have read real S&M books and this is not even close. This was more of a personal discovery book written in Small's distinct style. I really enjoyed this book, more so than some of Small's recent books. I won't go over what the book is about since others have, but I will say that if you enjoy a good fantasy you will like this.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read, June 28, 2005

By 

Stephanie L. Miller (Albuquerque, New Mexico USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lara: Book One Of The World Of Hetar (Paperback)

I gave this book 4 stars because I missed the references to royalty that are usually in Bertrice's books. That said, this is a VERY good read. Fantasy, faeries, magic and romance, this book has it all! Reviewers that say this story is full of S&M, obviously did not read the book.
I enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one, to see where Lara's adventures take her (& me) next!

Steph