Darker in tone than the first volume, Legendborn, fans of this series should be braced for a next instalment that is darker, grittier, and more violent. Difficult truths and choices challenge Bree, who, as the book opens, is poised to step into the leadership role which is her due as a descendant of King Arthur, while she wrestles with self-doubt stemming from her struggles to control her magic.

The organization soon shows, unsurprisingly, that it is unwilling to accept a teenage Black girl in this position of prominence and influence; racism and faction politics mean many view her as an inconvenience, an affront, or a pawn. Allies both old and new emerge to aid and guide her as Bree explores both of her sources of magical power, strives to tease out personal and historical truths from the maze of myths and misconceptions that make up the Order, and determine her own intentions and her path forward as war looms.

The tone of this 2nd instalment is less joyful, with fewer of the touches of humour and romance that leavened the first, suiting a plot where the stakes are higher and the clashes more violent, but which may disappoint some readers who are along for the romantic relationships. Bree and Nick spend very little time together, though readers who have wished to see Bree and Sel explore their connection will enjoy this aspect of Book 2. The pacing seems less smooth than in Book 1, where the emotional and plot beats to fell in place perfectly, and there are some instances of exposition, as secondary characters share their knowledge; this volume takes on a lot of world-expanding work.

For readers looking for more than a magical romp, some rich thematic complexities emerge in Bloodmarked, as Bree comes to face the gulf between her personal values and the cycle of the Legendborn/Shadowborn conflict - violence, which creates fear, anguish, and rage, which begets more violence - and questions her part in perpetuating a power structure that ‘others’ and oppresses any magic-workers who manifest power outside of accepted channels.

Bloodmarked propels this series into territory that best suits a more mature teen reader who appreciates a fantasy setting that reflects contemporary social challenges. This series instalment looks squarely at the way a Black girl’s ascendance inside a racist organization would be received, and is a stronger work for this commitment to realistic representation.

Would I buy this book for my high school library? Yes.
Would I book-talk and promote this series? Yes, with content warnings for racism, enslavement, assault, violence

I was given this E ARC in exchange of a review from Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada. I am bursting with gratitude for this opportunity as Bloodmarked is one of my most anticipated reads.

We are back in the world of Legendborn. The story starts off slow as we get reacclimatized to the world Tracy Deonn created but then things really heat up with Bree wanting to train and harness her powers though isn’t having much luck. How is she going to conjure Arthur’s artifacts to protect herself during the upcoming war Camlann.

Bree is the awakened Crown of Scion the next King Arthur ready to take her oath at the Rite ceremony but chaos ensues and all hell breaks loose. I mean why wouldn’t it when the Shadowborn and several other unsavoury creatures want you dead to end the lines of Arthur including any heirs that Bree may bring into this world! Why should Bree have this stress on her shoulders, she already has the weight of the world on them with a war coming. Especially trying to rescue Nick who was supposed to be the Crown of Scion before Bree was awakened!

I loved being back in this world as Legendborn was my top read in 2021. I love a good King Arthur retelling and this sequel was so good! It was action packed and kept me on my toes the whole time. My favorite quote came from Bree’s dad with words of wisdom “ Knockdowns happen. People say it’s about getting back up again, but I think it’s about how you head back into the ring. Make it count and do it on your own terms. That’s what matters.”

Everyone needs to pick this up on November 8. To see how Bree’s story continues and to see how Camlaan comes to fortune. That ending destroyed me and I need a book 3!

<b>RATING: 5/5 stars</b>

Once again, Tracy Deonn DID NOT disappoint me with the second installment in The Legendborn Cycle. I loved everything about this book, from the cover, to the very last page.

Like book one, bloodmarked had so many levels to it which, once again, blew me away. I found myself laughing, screaming and blushing while reading this book, Tracy really knows how to make the reader feel all kinds of emotions.

I found book two to be a bit slower with all of the information that needed to be fit in, especially in the middle of the book. However, the beginning and ending were very fast paced, which balanced everything out, and I managed to read it over two days. But like legendborn, bloodmarked had great battle/fight scenes, sprinkles of romance, and magic while also tackling topics of trauma, racism and so much more!

If I could convince anyone to read one fantasy series, this would be it. I'm so excited for book three and how Bree's story will continue, though I am already dreading the wait for it :')

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with an e-arc :))