"Everything has two histories. Especially in the South."

I was so excited to get approved for this arc!! I loved the TV show Merlin when I was younger and while I have some Arthurian retellings on my TBR, I have never actually read one. Both the cover and the premise made me want to dive in.

The book follows sixteen-year-old Bree. After her mother was killed in a car accident, Bree accepts a place at UNC - Chapel Hill's Early College Program, the same university that her mother attended as a student. However, Bree's mom didn't want her to go and on her first night, Bree witnesses a demon. When the memory-wiping magic doesn't work on her, Bree unlocks another memory - a magic-user was present at the hospital when her mom died. Could it all be connected? Determined to uncover the truth, Bree infiltrates the Order of the Round Table and discovers the Legendborn.

First of all, Bree was amazing!! She was strong, stubborn and total badass. I loved the way she confronted the transparent and blatant racism which many of the Order exhibited towards her. This book never once shied away from America's colonial past and the sickening undertones which still exist in today's society. There were a number of strong LGBT+ characters and I loved the contrast between Rootcraft and Bloodcraft. Bree's grief never really disappeared and I admired her for agreeing to therapy. I thought the symptoms of PTSD and PCBD were really well explored, and should be touched upon more in YA fantasy.

The worldbuilding was really good as well. Initially, it was a little confusing, with all the squires, scions and pages but slowly, everything comes together and by the end of the book, the titles are easy to grasp. I did groan slightly when I realised there was a love triangle forming, but both Nick and Sel were well-evolved and I have no idea who, if any, Bree will end up with. For me, the romance was a little insta-love, which I am not a fan of. However, the pacing was good and the final battle scene had me on the edge of my seat. I loved the ending and cannot wait until the sequel is released!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows the story of Bree Matthews following her mother’s death. Bree is accepted onto a programme at UNC-Chapel Hill for gifted high schoolers. Instead of being a peaceful place to escape her recent tragedy, Bree finds herself entangled with a magical secret society, who are the direct descendants of King Arthur’s Knights. Her dealings with the group help her remember previously forgotten memories surrounding her mother’s death and unlock the truth to so many mysteries.
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This book transported me back to my teens when all I read was YA Fantasy lit. Would have loved it then and I love it now! Tracy’s fresh take on this medieval lore was so inventive and creative, it was a thing of beauty!💃🏾
*
Representation in the books you read is so important! It was great having a black female protagonist and I loved that it didn’t shy away from the idea that even in a magical world discrimination and racism aren’t suddenly devoid from society. Issues and struggles don’t disappear but are just as entrenched in institutions/organisations magical or otherwise.
*
That ending tho 👀Whatever I thought was going to happen, I was miles off and it’s better than anything I thought it would be!
*
Thanks again to @simonkidsuk and @netgalley for the ARC! Halfway through reading it, the book was published and I decided to get a physical copy for myself because I was enjoying it that much 😍 Excited for the next book in the series and to see how this world is further developed.

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

So I received a copy from NetGalley to read, and by page 50 I had ordered my own copy to support the author as I LOVED it! I knew I would be fangirling over this book and want my own copy and with sequel to come I wanted it for my shelf for future rereads! I haven’t read any King Arthur retellings before but I do love the legend and have enjoyed tv and films about it.

This book was just incredible, it has everything I want from a book! Magic, mystery, action, adventure and a love connection! It is so intricately written with some twists I didn’t see coming! I do love Bree’s character, she is strong, clever and just takes no attitude. This book delves into how Bree copes with the grief and trauma of losing her Mother at a young age which in a note at the end of the book from the author (I love these!) she reveals how she drew from her own experiences with losing her Mother. She also explains the inspiration for Rootcraft to be African American history and spiritual traditions.

This author has been added to my ever growing Auto-buy list of authors! All I can say is BUY THIS BOOK! You won’t be disappointed 💜😀

5/5 ⭐️
Recommend ✅

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#youngadultbooks #ya #youngadult #yalit #geekgirls #geekcommunity

A fierce, explosive modern retelling with a twist, LEGENDBORN is a multifaceted, expansive story of mythic proportions.

Wow. This was a book and a half. With a fiercely independent heroine, world-building to make your heart sing, and characters you'll never want to forget, LEGENDBORN is high up there with one of the best debuts I've ever read, ever.

What makes LEGENDBORN stand out is its utterly unique world. Retellings of Arthur aren't new, but Deonn puts her own spin on it that encompasses deep ancestral bonds, racial inequality and intergenerational trauma. Without giving too much away, there are two different methods to the same magic system that is beautifully explained and interwoven. Bree is able to see two sides of the same coin and afforded the nuances to explore them.

The characters never feel like caricatures or plot devices. Bree herself was one of the best protagonists I've ever read; a real, feeling person with a complex personality and set of problems that she deals with over the course of the novel. Her grief is a driving force for the story, but never does it feel overplayed or cliché. It's simply one facet of her. She was so real she could've been standing next to me, narrating her life story in my ears as I read.

There's a love triangle-ish that I didn't hate! We're introduced swiftly to both Nick Davis, son of the LEGENDBORN leader for the North Carolina chapter, and Selwyn Kane, a magical bodyguard to Nick. I say love triangle-ish because nothing really comes to head in the love department; the boys argue over Bree, but it isn't done for her affections, but rather her safety, and she doesn't flakily seesaw between them just for kicks. That said, the chemistry between all three leads was so good, I could barely choose who I preferred the most.

The only thing that had me between four and five stars is the pacing. If you can stomach that this book is 120k already and sags in the middle, you'll also have to swallow the fact that everything takes place within a two, three week time span. It seemed like way too much to happen in so little time, especially considering the instant love that springs up from the ground like a fully-grown tree. Enjoyable? Yes. Realistic? Not so much, you'll have to suspend your disbelief quite a bit.

There's been commentary on the usage of the Chosen One trope as well. My opinion? I love it regardless, but LEGENDBORN utilised it perfectly. I'll never get tired of amazing characters being chosen for a higher purpose, especially when those characters are POC and/ or members of other marginalised communities who historically have not had their chance to be sword-swinging magic-wielding powerful heroes of their own right. Deonn adds enough originality to the trope that it didn't once feel tired or boring.

A definite highly recommend, and much deserving of its bestseller status.

WILL I READ ON? Absolutely!

3.5 stars. This was a really good book, but I'm taking away one whole star for the instalove trope, and the absolutely ridiculous romance that the plot hinged on. Then again, Tracy Deonn gets all those other stars and a half because of the absolutely cracking twist at the end. Plus, the LGBTQ representation in this book was great, without making a song and dance about who was gay, who was enby, who was straight, etc.

To be honest, I wasn't very impressed with the first third or so. There were glimpses of brilliance, but seeing spoilt-brat teens risking life, limb, and the love those they held dear because...ugh...hormones almost made me give up. The complex terminology with the Arthurian part of the book was also tiresome. Then came rootcraft, and I was hooked. I only wish it had a more central role in the plot.

Having a Black character as the main protagonist, of course, added some deep nuances with regard to race, something that has for too been missing from fiction from the West. The only thing that grated on me was Bree and her lusty longings for Nick. The other thing I did not enjoy was the oversimplified representation of rootcraft as pure and good, whereas the Arthurian folk were far more layered and rounded. I hope rootcraft gets more screentime (pagetime?) in the next book (which I will definitely be reading).

Thank you for the review copy, NetGalley!

Tracy Deonn's Legendborn is a fast paced, action packed Urban Fantasy with a modern twist on Arthurian legends, featuring a courageous young black woman searching for answers in a world of magic. It's a more complex and nuanced City of Bones.

The highlight of the book is without a doubt Bree's characterization. She's a fighter. She's whip-smart and compassionate, full of personality and struggling with the daily realities of teenage life while grappling with grief at losing her mother. She embodies the overwhelming feelings of being a teenager figuring out their place in the world without tipping over into melodrama in a way I find a lot of YA characters can. She feels real and authentic.

Racism is a central theme within the book and Deonn tackles it unflinchingly. There's an urgency to Bree's anger and frustration as a young person tackling racism daily and directly from people around her, balanced with a deep bedded sense of exhaustion from carrying the collective weight of racism towards her people stretching back generations. Bree's pride for her people and her heritage are at the core of who she is and what she stands for.

Legendborn features a proud array of representation. Characters of different races, identities and sexualities are prominently featured throughout.

There is also fantastic world building and an awesome magic system to unpack throughout the book. There's a lot of information to take in, which can be a little overwhelming at the start, but it quickly sinks in as Deonn layers it on.

Legendborn carries some important lessons on the realities of grief and racism, but it's wrapped in a package full of action and wonder that is an absolute joy to read. One of the best YA books I've read in quite some time and it deserves all the success

Legendborn tells the story of Bree, a 16 year old college student grieving her mother who died in a car accident. Bree one day witnesses a flying demon and other magical elements. Someone attempts to wipe her memory, however it doesn’t work. This leads Bree to discover powers within herself and starts questioning the world around her. Thinking that this new world may have had something to do with her mother’s death, Bree starts investigating.

This story had a similar feel to other ya fantasy books I’ve read, but it was still fresh. The author took the King Arthur legend and spun it into this incredible work of fantasy. This book was so much more than what I was expecting. The story was so fastpaced and fascinating. I loved the characters and Bree as a main character felt so relatable and fleshed out.

The main thing I loved about this story were the themes woven throughout about racial prejudice. This commentary was so poignant - especially as the protagonist was a person of colour - and I loved the way the author explored the roots of black culture and history throughout the story.

I also loved the various characters from the LGBTQIA+ community. The world in this book had no opinions/ homophobia toward these characters and I adored that. There was a non binary character too, with the correct pronouns used from the beginning. I felt as though the LGBT community was so welcomed and represented in this book, in the way they would want to be, and it was fantastic to see this normalcy with no questions asked. I hope more authors do this.

There was a trope in this book that I wasn’t a huge fan of, but it was done so well that by the end I was all for it. I commend this author for putting this story out into the universe.

The plot and the magic system did get a little confused for me but I did start to understand it a bit more as the story went on. I ended up loving this so much. Every time you think you know where the story was going, it would turn around in a different direction. It was exciting, intriguing and I really can’t wait for the sequel!!!

Thank you SO much to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for granting me the opportunity to read this arc copy.

First off, I'd like to thank Netgalley, Tracy Deonn, and the publisher for allowing me the chance to read and review this book. Even though an egalley was provided to me, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Additionally, I read an advance version of the book, and the text is subject to change in the final version.

This was so good??? Like I'm not necessarily into Arthurian retellings at all (mainly due to a lack of knowledge of the original legend), but damn this book was so good even without that background knowledge.

On that topic, Deonn does a fantastic job introducing readers to lore/stories/history that they might not necessarily know already, whether it be the legend of Arthur or history of Black people in America and their relation to magic in their history. I honestly never felt lost or confused in this book, and that's fantastic considering I don't have a strong background in Arthurian legend or Black history (thanks to the wonderful education system we have in the US :)) ).

On top of that, the story, characters, and world itself are also so well-written and interesting! The story felt so large (in a good way) and impactful, and I felt myself constantly on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what happens next. So many twists and turns, while I may have guessed them at one point or another, shocked me when they happened anyways, and I sped through the last 40% of this book (which is a feat considering how big this book is AND that I've been having a hard time focusing on reading lately). To make the story even better is a diverse cast of characters that I couldn't help falling in love with. Bree has to be my favorite, from her steady strength throughout the book (in even the face of trouble, grief, and prejudice), though Nick and Sel (a pure sunshine boy and a troubled angry magician) were close seconds. I also loved the support system that Bree had in her father and her best friend, even if she couldn't always be honest and open with them. I seriously cannot wait to see what happens in the later books, even just to see these characters again!

I also really enjoyed the romance! It was much more gripping and intriguing than some of the romances I've read in YA fantasy lately, and I loved how while it was important, it didn't dominate the story or the plot. It was a perfect supporting aspect of the story without becoming the story. I do think we might get a love triangle in later books, though the idea of one doesn't annoy me as much as it usually does in books. Overall, just super curious how this part of the story further develops.

Lastly, the magic system(s) in this book are fantastic. It seems like there's this base of magic running through the world and each culture/group has their own perception of how that magic works, who's allowed to use it, how it should be used, and whether other users of magic are good/bad. It gives the book a bit of learning curve in the sense that readers have to navigate this complex web of magic, filled with different players, concepts, and ideologies, but Deonn explains it in such a manageable way that I didn't struggle with it. Overall, it just made for a fascinating read just based on the system alone, ignoring the characters and actual plot of this book.

Altogether, all these strong aspects only made for even stronger debut, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Legendborn took me around the 40% mark to get invested, but once it got me it did not let go. This book takes common YA tropes and subverts them, all while adding elements that we don't usually get in fantasy. We see Bree going to therapy and needing a long time to navigate through her grief. Usually once the plot starts rolling the main character will push start their feelings aside, but this book really takes the effort to dissect through all of Bree's emotions.

Also, the romance! It was so incredibly sweet and I'm soft. Usually when there's a love triangle I only care about one of them, but this book somehow got me down for either. Read it for all the feels.

This was a 3.5 star for me but I'm rounding it up to a 4 because the good bits were HECKING GOOD.

Legendborn gave me flashbacks to when I'd be up till 3am devouring The Mortal Instruments or Percy Jackson and longing to be a part of the world, be a cheerleader to the MC and whisper 'choose the dark haired boy!!' repeatedly. It has the nostalgic vibe of 'new girl thrown into a crazy magic world' with added anger, grief and overwhelming integrity. And although I'd find myself eye-rolling at most of the romance, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed certain dynamics by the end.

The plot is - putting it very loosely - a King Arthur retelling meets demons and powered-up pretty teens in college. It's fun and interesting and although can be a little carefree with throwing terms around, you settle into the world pretty swiftly. There are trials, hellhounds, family drama and heck, a gala with pretty dresses of course!

My biggest flaw with Legendborn is that the mc is SO COOL. She's brilliant, kind, sad, funny, wounded and scared. She's everything I love in a complex female lead. But because of Bree's awesomeness, the side characters can sometimes feel watered down and kinda dull. I didn't care much for the romantic leads - well, except for Sel...maybe...okay, a bit more like a LOT by the end. But whatever; don't call me out on that please, I'm far too old to feel whipped for an emo magic boy.

Conclusion: enjoyable read, full of emotions and interesting world-building but has some cliches that left me a bit 'meh'. But again, I see the power in this book and what it means for so many readers. I just personally would've engaged more if Bree's story didn't include romance.

Content Warnings: Death of a parent, grief (acute traumatic grief/PTSD/Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder, racism, slavery, non-explicitly/hints at rape, death, injury

Okay, so I have many thoughts about this book and a lot of them could be summed up with a satisfied scream but that wouldn’t make a very good written review, so excuse me whilst I just babble for a long time about all the things that I thought made this book incredible.
Also, please be prepared for a lot of quotes.

Characters
Bree: “You’re not a damsel to me, Bree. You’re a warrior. You’re strong and you’re beautiful and you’re brilliant and brave.”
I loved Bree. She was strong and brave and vulnerable and a force of nature. She never backed down from a fight – which there were plenty of. She fights for herself and her heritage and then happens on other things. She’s still really raw from her grief and so I love that she got the chance to explore her happiness. She’s also not perfect and she doesn’t know everything, but she knows she needs to learn stuff so she invests the time into learning.
The love interests: “A fallen angel and a king, the dark and the light.”
As a love triangle, I kind of had no opinion. Which is weird for me; I know, I’m shocked too. But it kind of just existed, didn’t take over the book really, so I was happy for it to plod along at its own pace. I don’t know if I want it to go in any way, nor can I predict where it will go, but the dynamics that were suggested at the end certainly make for an interesting discussion…
Nick: “Everyone falls in love with Nicholas, Bree – it’s part of his insufferable charm.”
It’s true. Nick is like Peeta Mellark and Steve Rogers has a baby: so noble, so pretty and so perfect. Given his lineage, it’s no surprise but he’s also brave and determined too. Although, sometimes he feels as much a damsel as Bree is not.
Sel: “He belongs to the night as a predator does.”
On the other side, we have broody, dark and mysterious Sel: the Order’s token magical guy. His relationship with Nick is interesting and I found myself feeling really sorry for him at the end. I’m excited to learn more about him and I think he’ll really grow on me in the future.
Greer: “If the world is simple, certain people will never be inconvenienced, never need to adapt. I disrupt those people, and you do too. You’ve been doing it since you’d walked in the door. I like disruptors and rhythm breakers.”
One of Bree’s friends in the Order, Greer stands out nearly as much because they’re non-binary – they go by they/them pronouns. I thought this was fantastic- they weren’t just in their to tick another diversity card, they just existed. They shoved their way out the box and didn’t mind if they ruffled feathers when they did so. They stand up with Bree and, honestly they just made me happy when they appeared.
Alice: “I won’t claim to be some sort of demon hunter, but I am your best friend, Matty. I loved your mother. I love you.”
I really liked Alice. She grew on me more at the end of the book but, with hindsight, I can see she was always just trying to do the best for Bree. Everything that seemed annoying was just her way of checking in on her best friend. She was so patient and understanding and I loved her relationship with Bree.

History and Tradition
The Order: “This medieval boys club, this feudalist fever dream, this whole… fucked-up world of yours.”
Now, the Order, the institution of which white men are the beating heart, read to me like Oxbridge. Very snooty, very elite, very sure-we’ll-open-our-doors-for-the-sake-of-looking-diverse-but-we’re-not-promising-to-not-look-down-our-noses-at-you-whilst-you’re-here. It was so interesting and claustrophobic, the atmosphere of ancient traditions that refused to budge so effectively built. There was a history there, but only half of it was being told.
There was also an incredibly complex world built in terms of rules and history. It’s a really rich world but, because Bree is new to it all, it gets explained and introduced to us in a careful way.
“Growing up Black in the South, it’s pretty common to find yourself in old places that just… weren’t made for you.”
The story was so interesting for subverting tropes, but I suppose I first need to set up the world. Bree, a Black girl from the South, is stepping into a world that has been white male-centric for hundreds of years. There’s nothing more innately white and male than the age of chivalry in Arthurian Britain; unfortunately, even in the 21st century, attitudes have changed barely. Sure, there are a few more women, but no one Black – in fact, the one person Bree could have counted on in this world turns out to be white enough that it’s not a problem for her.
Tradition
“Two faults. My race and my gender. But they are not faults. They are strength.”
As I’ve already said, Bree is not trying to join a world that was built to fit her. She’s got to decide whether she’ll mould herself to fit in their box or whether she’ll change the box to fit her. I’m so glad it’s the latter. I’m so glad she decides to celebrate her race and her gender, rather than accept what the world is trying to make her – or accept that she will just never be welcome.
“All I see are obstacles. Women who want their children in my spot. White women who assume a Black girl in the lodge is a servant, not a member.”
There’s a really telling scene in this, towards the end, where Bree attends a gala, and she looks around the room at one point and realises the only other Black people there are servants/waiters. It felt heartbreaking. People would only look at her like they didn’t belong because their whole culture was built on being descended from one person hundreds of years ago and believing that that makes them/their family better than everyone else.
Heritage
“Then, a rush of frustration because somebody probably wanted to record it all, but who could have written down my family’s history as far back as this? Who would have been able to, been taught to, been allowed to? Where is our wall? The wall that doesn’t make me feel lost, but found.”
There’s a really prominent contrast in this book: between white people, who have had every second of their history recorded, and Black people, who barely know four generations back. Bree barely knows her family and this is perhaps why she feels so strongly about maintaining a relationship with what is left – and why she feels her mother’s loss so greatly – I mean, even if I don’t currently know about my history, it would be so easy for me to learn, I’m just in a privileged position in that I can choose. But it was so satisfying to see her explore and celebrate her ancestors and try all her might to learn more about them. And then that ending…
The author doesn’t shy away from peppering difficult topics into her writing. Slavery? A huge part of this story. Because it’s a huge part of Black history. And it’s not the PG parts. It’s the slave owners and rape and losing the right to tell your own story and building something but never getting to claim it as your own. It’s so prominent in this book because it’s pain that spans generations.

Grief: “Death is not a thread. It is the sharp cut that severs us. Death separates us from one another, and yet it holds us close.”
Grief is a huge part of this story and, quite often, a motivational force behind actions. Bree’s still in the early stages of dealing with her mum’s death and many tiny things are like a trigger for her floodgates. But it’s handled really well – we have therapy, for example. And the author actually addresses it in the back, explaining that she wanted to include it so there was a healthy representation of grief in the media for Young Adults, which really just feels like the icing on the cake.

Now, there’s probably a lot more I could address, but I won’t because I’ve babbled enough. Just. I’d recommend. If you didn’t get that already.

Rep: black main character, sapphic taiwanese-american side character, sapphic venezuelan-american side character, black side characters, non-binary side character, bi side characters, gay side characters

CW: death of a parent, hospitals, car accidents, police, slavery, racism, child abuse, memory manipulation, violence, rape

Legendborn absolutely deserves the hype that it’s been getting!

I really loved the way that the magic system worked, and how different groups used and wielded their magic differently. The magic within the world of Legendborn relies heavily on a kind of equivalent exchange. No use of magic, or aether or root as it’s called within the book, comes without a price. For some that price is simply an offering of fruit to their ancestors. For some, who use significantly more aether for significantly longer, the price is much more.

This book contains a sharp commentary on the generational trauma that is reality for many Black Americans. While most white people can trace their family tree back for generations, with some being able to go as far back as the middle ages or even further, many Black Americans are only able to go back a small number of generations before slavery meant that any further records were lost. It’s shown repeatedly that while Bree is painfully aware of this, it doesn’t cross anyone else’s mind unless Bree spells it out for them. Racism, both overt and unintentional, plays a large part in this book. There are people who proudly wear their racism like a badge, and there are people who sincerely believe that they’re not racist but do racist things anyway. The way that this book ended was both brilliant and heartbreaking. That may seem like a non-sequitur, but it isn’t.

This book also tackles grief, specifically the grief of losing a parent. This is something that I have some experience with myself, although the circumstances surrounding it were different enough that I didn’t see myself in Bree’s reaction. I knew that my father’s death was coming for basically my whole life, Bree had no idea that her mother’s death would happen until it did, and that does make a huge difference. Deonn has said that Bree’s grief is inspired by her own grief following the death of her own mother, which makes a lot of sense. Bree’s grief may not have been personally relatable to me, but it felt real, and I’m sure there are a lot of people out there who need this kind of portrayal. Something that Deonn got bang on, however, was how people treat you afterwards. Some people tiptoe around you and offer platitudes, and you know they’re just trying to be polite but it doesn’t make you feel any better, and some people think that you should be over it already and want you to act like it never happened and nothing is wrong. Most people aren’t being malicious when they handle talking to those who are grieving poorly, but what they say can get grating nonetheless.

I loved Bree! She cares deeply about her friends, is never afraid to stand up for herself, and while she’s determined to achieve her goals she also has a strong sense of right and wrong and, despite what she might tell herself, she’s not someone who can walk away from a bad situation if it would mean leaving someone else behind. She’s also an extremely fast learner and very intelligent, figuring things out before I managed to almost every single time.

Her relationship with Nick was sweet and believable, but what I liked about it most was that the two of them communicated their feelings effectively. The will they won’t they stage is fun to read about and all, but only up to a certain point, and in my opinion Deonn picked the perfect moment for Nick to stop and say that he wasn’t kidding around, that he really did like her, and to ask if she liked him back. They spent most of the book in an actual relationship, which was great! Bree and Nick used communication, it was super effective!

Selwyn, the other male lead, was a really fun character to read about. He’s very dramatic, which led to a couple of moments that were hilarious and worth experiencing for yourself. He also fulfils a favourite obscure trope of mine that I’m fairly sure I’ve only seen once before. Person A is trying to protect Person B. Person C comes along to help Person B with something, and Person A perceives them as a threat and is hostile towards them. Eventually, Person A realises that they were wrong, that Person C is harmless, and that actually they both care about Person B’s wellbeing and all their goals align. And then Person A and Person C become very close friends, and maybe more. It’s a very specific version of enemies to not-lovers that I loved in Princess Tutu, and this book has confirmed that I love it in general.

I didn’t like Bree’s friend Alice at first for a couple of reasons, but by the end of the book she’d not only apologised for the stuff that made me dislike her in the first place, but had redeemed herself and then some. I’m pretty sure that she’ll be playing a bigger part in book 2 and I’m really excited to see how that plays out! I have a prediction, but it’s going to be a long time before I can find out whether I’m right ;_;.

I’m dying to compare one of my favourite parts of the book to another thing-gone-wrong, but honestly I think even mentioning it would spoil it, and that’s not something that I want to do at all. Just know that it was a very good part of the book and I enjoyed it tremendously, and being able to make that comparison only made me enjoy it even more!

Pretty much everyone has been talking about how great Legendborn is, and people are right. If this book isn’t at least on your radar then I don’t know what to tell you. If you’re even slightly interested in giving this a go then do it!

This book in amazing, strangely I have been reading quite a few Arthur inspired books recently and this is the best one yet!

I love the first-person perspective and I am so glad that we didn't switch between different characters. Bree has such a great inner voice, passionate, funny, and inspiring.

The storyline was captivating and the characters were very believable (if not always likable!). And oh my, that twist! I didn't see that coming and loved it, YES!

Having a black character as the lead was refreshing and welcome. Fantasy novels are usually so very white and it is essential that that changes. As a white person, I am trying hard to educate myself, challenge my own existing perceptions and subconscious bias, identify systematic racism, and stand up for my fellow humans. It is a working process for me, but books like this as well as some very good non-fiction books out there are helping a lot.

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn is a rich Young Adult fantasy that cleverly combines a new take on Arthurian legend with rootwork , or as it is also called hoodoo or conjure , the magic of enslaved Africans and their descendants. It might have been difficult to meld such diverse magic systems in a way that felt relevant to modern society but not only did the author pull it off, she did so spectacularly.
The book tells the story of sixteen year old Bree , who enrols in a pre-college programme for high school students at UNC Chapel Hill as a way of escaping a home filled with sadness and memories following the death of her mother in a car accident. Her first night on campus turns out very differently than expected when she sees a magical attack by a demon that feeds on human energy. When an attempt to wipe her memory fails, it seems that Bree may have some magical talents of her own, and soon she is drawn into a secret on campus society made up of descendants of the legendary King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Some of these Legendborn are keen to welcome Bree, but others seem to distrust her, most notably the society's Merlin or most powerful Mage who senses something different about her magic. It is only by learning more about her mother's past and family history that she will understand the origins of her magical abilities.
This is a rich and complex fantasy with a well thought out and clearly elaborated magical system. The world building is very good, and I loved the way that real life history was woven into the myth and legend,. The characters are excellent, especially Bree, who starts out angry and confused but grows in determination, strength and confidence over the course of the book. I also loved the social commentary in the book, from highlighting the daily microaggressions that Bree experiences to commenting on how institutions built on the backs of people like her still feel like they are not meant for people like her. The book tackles subjects like grief, racism , colonialism and violence in a way that highlights them by making them an integral part of the story.
This is a rich well crafted story that stands out for me, and is one that I will remember for a long time to come.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Where do I begin? I finished Legendborn a couple of hours ago and my thoughts are still a mess but I will try to navigate them for you because this book deserves a proper review.

First of all let’s talk worldbuilding. Legendborn is an urban fantasy so naturally it takes place in our world as we know it. The only difference is that the legend of Arthur is true; a select few are aware of this fact and they’re called Legendborn. The others are simple humans, the Legendborn are sworn to protect. There are knights, mages and healers, pages and squires. It’s like a medieval fantasy revival in a contemporary setting and I’m so here for it. Now when you read Legendborn you will find yourself confused, that is certain. You are thrust in a completely new setting without any prior knowledge and you start understanding things as the main protagonist, Bree understands things. You will feel frustrated and confused as she felt because you DO NOT GET ANY ANSWERS. I honestly could feel Bree’s frustration and there were more times than one that I wanted to throw my ereader against the wall because NO ONE TOLD BREE ANYTHING. The frustration I’m telling you. But it’s a good kind of confusion and it’s done on purpose. You will be left in the dark until the very end so deal with it from the beginning. Everything will make sense in the end I promise !!

Now on to CHARACTERS!!!! Bree is just so AMAZING i love her for real. She is sassy and puts people in their place; she doesn’t take hell from no one and she isn’t afraid to fight for what she believes and for those she loves. Nick is the second lead and he is the perfect boy. For real he is too perfect. Always there for Bree, cares for her supports her and loves her. And then there’s Selwyn my new problematic fav bad boy. I collect bad boys with a tragic past like pokemon cards at this point but who cares. I’ll refrain from saying more about them cause I think it’s better if you go in without knowing much. But as you have gathered there is a love triangle. May the best bad boy win (did I give away who I want her to be with?Oops).

Some other aspects of the story that elevated Legendborn to a 5 star read:

Culture and specifially the importance of Black people and the Black community and the role it plays in the story. Okay that sounded like an essay title but it’s true. The whole story is heavily based on the collective black consiousness, black trauma and colonization and I loved how she managed to so organically woven these issues in her narrative and story. Bree’s search for a community that understands her, her search for a home are all connected to her search for an ancestry the knowledge of which was taken from her.
Grief. The novel starts with Bree losing her mother in an accident. She never really deals with this grief and the death of her mother. I think the book does an excellent job at showing what it feels like to experience death and how difficult it is for anyone to accept and move on.
Queerness 🌈. Almost every character belongs in the LGBTQ+ community. It was so refreshing to see so many characters open with their sexuality in a fantasy novel!!
A page turner for sure, Legendborn is a book that wovens legend and reality in a way that will make you laugh, cry and keep you at the edge of your seat. A book about a black girl on her quest to become a legend. You do not want to miss Legendborn trust me!

I received this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher!

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. Thank you, Simon and Schuster UK Children's, for the chance to read and review one of my most anticipated reads of the year.


TW: death, murder, grief, PTSD, early symptons of Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder, mention of rape, abuse, child abuse, slavery, racism, harassment, sexism


After her mother's death, Briana "Bree" Matthews only wants to get away from her family's house and memories and a residential programme for bright high-schooler at UNC- Chapel Hill with her best friend Alice Chen is perfect for her. But when Bree witnesses a magical attack on campus and sees a demon feeding on human's energy her world is turned upside down. There is a secret society, people with magical powers, Legendborn and sorcerers, called Merlins. When one of them tries, and fails, to wipe her memory, Bree's unique magic is unlocked and she suddendly remembers that the night her mother died another Merlin was at the hospital. Determined to find aswers and justice, Bree decided to infiltrate the society and asks Nick, a self-exiled Legendborn, for help.
When she discovers Legendborn are actually descendents of King Arthur's knights and demons attacks are indicating a new war coming, Bree has to decided what to do with her new and unpredictable magic, this knowledge and the growing feelings for Nick.

I absolutely loved reading Legendborn! Tracy Deonn wrote a STUNNING retelling of King Arthur and his knights, set in a modern time with demons, different kinds of magic, southern folk traditions, mysteries, romance, love and friendship.
Legendborn is a modern fantasy about history, power and that doesn't shy away from important themes like child abuse, slavery, colonialism, racism and so much more in an intense and unforgettable story.


The characterization and relationships

The characterization is magnificent. The characters are complex, well-rounded and well-written, absolutely relatable in their fears, weakness, jokes and mistakes.

Bree is a fantastic main character, she's fierce, brilliant, stubborn and determined to do anything in her power, even infiltrating a group she knows nothing about, to discover the truth about her mother's death.
One of the things I loved the most about Bree is how she so relatable in her actions, thoughts and emotions. She's a 16 years old who finds herself involved in something different and dangerous, so she has doubts, fears, she doesn't know anything about the Order, about weapons (and it shows), but she's determined, stubborn and I love her so much. Her strength and determination is empowering.

Bree is grieving and looking for a "reason" behind her grief, if there is someone to blame and punish and she finds herself almost overwhelmed by this mystery, the secret society and powers she doesn't understand how to control and who to trust with her growing secrets, while, in the meantime, partecipating to the Trials as a cover to investigate the whole Order.
Involved in the Order, she starts to bonds more and more with other Pages and Scions. I loved reading about her relationships and friendships with William, Greer, Sarah, Whitty and and, above all, with Nick.

Her relationship with Nick is full of jokes, support and understanding and it was beautiful reading about how they fall for each other, how cute and sweet they are. Their romance is perfect, Nick and Bree are amazing together, because they get, support, help and understand one other.

Nick is the charming prince (No, really. He is.) of the situation. He's kind, funny, good, but, as for every character in this book, there's more than that. Nick is burdened by expectations and obligations and family secrets and past traumas. It's impossible not to love and want to protect Nick, he's an amazing cinnamon rolls and I loved everything about him, his kidness, fierceness and determination.

Sel is Nick's sworn protector, a sorcerer, a Kingsmage and, at least in the beginning, he's the "bad guy" of the situation, suspecting Bree and clashing with her everytime they meet. Slowly, though, the reader starts to understand Sel is not only a grumpy and brooding character, powerful and dressed in black, but he, as Nick, is weighed down by expectations and abuses, his past, his strength and pain.

The relationship between Sel and Bree is full of suspicion, distrust, annoyance and, slowly, understanding and support.
The one between Sel and Nick, instead, is burdened by their past, resentment, anger, jealousy, love and past traumas. I really hope they will grow out of it, starting to like and trust one other, becoming friends, because I can see so much potential in their relationship.

Alice is Bree's best friend and, during the whole book, she represents her home, her normality, her connection to her father and family, while Bree gets herself involved in a world of magic and demons and secrets.

Every character in Legendborn is really lifelike, with their fears, jealousies, crushes, emotions, weaknesses and strengths. Even though they are warrior, magicians and so on I loved reading how they are also young women and men with schools, relationships, mistakes and family's obligations.


The magic system and the worldbuilding

The magic system and the worldbuilding are rich, evocative and atmospheric. Tracy Deonn wrote an intense fantasy novel, mixing demons, spells, knights, Southern magic and folk traditions in a captivating story, full of mystery and plot twist, lies and secrets about basically everything and everyone!

The Order is wonderfully complex and stratified with their rules and roles, Kingsmage, Merlin, Vassal, Page and their heritage and connection to King Arthur's knights, mixing the modern world with myths and stories.
The Order's world is amazing, dangerous and thrilling, full of battles, secrets, intrigues, lies and magic. I loved reading about the aether and how each member of the Order is connected to a knight and how, what strengths and predispositions. I loved the Oaths, the battles, the aether and demons. Dangerous and upsetting is the Bloodcraft magic and how it's bound to the bloodlines, how Legendborn are grow to believe certain things and what is expected from them.

I found really interesting and captivating reading about the different kinds of magic, the connection to the root or aether, the different societies and their beliefs. The Rootcraft is a wonderful and intense new kind of magic, where the magic, the power, is borrowed, instead of being taken forever and bound to a bloodline as in the Bloodcraft magic. I loved reading about the ancestor's connections, the possiblity of connecting with them and asking them for help and guidance. I laughed so hard when Bree managed to contact her grandmother.


Themes

In Legendborn different kind of traumas are addressed. Bree is grieving, she's suffering from PTSD and the early stages of Persisent Complex Bereavement disorder (It was really interesting reading the author's note and learning more about it). Pain and grief are recurring themes in this book, as the importance of therapy, talking and healing.

Racism is another theme the author addresses in Legendborn.
Bree faces racism and discrimination in subtle, and not suble ways, from her encounter with a police officer and his attitude, with the headmaster, to people touching her hair or accusing her to having slept with Nick to get her position, underestimating and harassing her.


"Growing Black in the South, it's pretty common to find yourself in old place that just...weren't made for you. Maybe it's a building, an historic district, or a street. Some space that was originally built for white people and white people only and you just have to hold that knowledge while going on with your business." (quote from the earc, so it may be subject to changes)


In a world, both on campus and in the Order, institutions that were built not for people like her, Bree is determined to prove her worth and to find answers, but not for other, but for her own family and friends. In the Order, a group made by and for cis white men, where women were only recently accepted, people like her, Black and female and like Greer, nobinary, are seen as "abominations" and anomalies, but they are more than ready to prove them wrong.

Legendborn talks about slavery, colonialism, violence and it's heartbreaking and intense the way Bree is forced to recognize the lineage and heritage of the Legenborn, connecting them to their ancestors hundreds of years ago, while she can't, because she, as many other Black people, doesn't know her ancestors.

"Lots of Black folks in the States don't know their people more than four, five generations back, don't know names before the late 1800s- and why would they? We didn't exactly inherit detailed family records when we were freed". (quotes from the earc, so they may be subject to changes)

She's conscious of how "this country is soaked with the acknowledged and unacknowledged blood, sweat and tears of enslaved Africans and their descendants" (from the author's note)

It's empowering how, through a different kind of magic, she wants to understand and honor her mother, her fierceness and determinations and their ancestors.


I've also loved the LGBTQIA rep. There are a gay couple and a lesbian couple, a bisexual character, a nobinary character and a lesbian character


I loved Legendborn so much! It's full of intense characters, impossible not to love. Bree is a wonderful and fierce young woman, Nick is my funny and sweet child, a cinnamon rolls and Sel is my grumpy and brooding and complex boy.

I recommend this book to those who love an stunning reimagining of King Arthur about history, power, love, magic, with fierce and unforgettable characters, amazing plot and rich worldbuilding.

Holy shit.
Pardon my language.
I have just found a new favourite series.
Legendborn was a wild ride from start to finish. The world it is set in, the very very real historic events some plot points are taken from, the characters, <i> Bree</i>...
I am completely and utterly in love.

And this review is going to be a super short one because if you have not read this book I want you to go in there unprepared. I want you to be caught off guard. I want you to feel every plot twist and every new and exciting fact of this world. I want you to grieve and to rejoice and I think the best way to enjoy Legendborn at maximum level is to go in blind.

I recommend this to absolutely everyone and I will already count the days until Bree's story continues...

The main protagonist, Bree, is a 16 year old, on a residential early college course at UNC. While here she witnesses a magical attack & comes across the society of Legendborns who fight demons.

Legendborn has all the challenges your average fantasy novel has; adventure, secrets, battles, romance etc. But within this story we have the added aspect of racism & history. I’m so glad this book exist as it truly incorporates fact, real life experiences with fantasy fiction. Its very eye opening to subtle racism. Deonn is not shy about visiting tough topics in her writing, but nicely wraps it in a fantasy tale. It fits perfectly in within the context of the story. There is such good inclusion of the side characters within this book.

This is the book that has been missing from my Teen/YA fantasy collection!

I’ve never read a book revolving around Arthurian legend. I was skeptical before I started reading, but oh my, I am glad I chose this book. Deonn really took the story of Merlin, Arthur and the round table and ran with it. It’s such an imaginative narrative involving lots of action.

There is so much packed in this book. I definitely struggled at the beginning taking some parts in, as there was so much information regarding the society. But as you read along it all fits into place, you really connect with the characters. By the time I’d got about a third of the way through, it started to not be so overwhelming. Its well paced throughout, with some reveals at the end which really kept the excitement going! Definitely a lot of questions I want to know the answers to in the sequel.

I love some of the scenes in this book, as they really take you all over emotionally. There is witty humour within this story, strong friendships and blossoming ones! I can’t wait to see where the relationships go. Bree is such a stronger character than she sees in herself, it’s great watching a character discover themselves through a book and I definitely felt that while reading.

*I want to give a shout out to Tracy Deonn for everything she included in her Authors notes. It was incredibly informative and enlightening, be sure to read it at the end of the book.

I have such mixed feelings about this book. Initially this was one of my most sought out books this year but something just felt off to me. However, I’d definitely continue with this series.

What did I like?
- The writing was great! I think Tracy really knows her stuff!
- Diverse characters
- Strong female lead. A little over zealous sometimes but good!
- I’m obsessed with Sel. Nick is alright, I like him but I feel like Bree and his romance is so instalove and the dynamic between Sel and Bree is undeniable. I know Sel and Nick have a thing but from the book, I’m not getting those vibes despite being told about it.

However...
- So much info dumping. I feel like I need a key or something to help me keep track of who everyone was and their ranks. I was confused a lot of the time. I also couldn’t always picture the world they were in. Most places were described well, but for example, Davis’ house I just couldn’t picture.
- Not much happened really in the way of the story. I kept waiting for some big thing to happen and it never did. We got a lot of build up for a lot of nothing and it felt more like a novella than anything else.

I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Woah, this was amazing! I absolutely loved it and am dying to read the sequel.

I was shocked by how fast I got hooked and I had some much fun reading it.

It’s fast-paced, action-packed with loads of twists! Amazing representation, fascinating magic and a powerful story.

I especially loved the main characters and romance, I was fangirling a lot! Definitely have a soft spot for Sel. Bree, the main character had great character development and I was constantly rooting for her.

Easily one of my fave books of 2020!

THANK YOU to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for providing me with an e-ARC.