An Instant New York Times Bestseller! Winner of the Coretta Scott King – John Steptoe for New Talent Author Award Filled with mystery and an intriguingly rich magic system, Tracy Deonn’s YA contemporary fantasy Legendborn offers the dark allure of City of Bones with a modern-day twist on a classic legend and a lot of Southern Black Girl Magic. After her mother dies in an accident, … Magic.
After her mother dies in an accident, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her family memories or childhood home. A residential program for bright high schoolers at UNC-Chapel Hill seems like the perfect escape–until Bree witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus.
A flying demon feeding on human energies.
A secret society of so called “Legendborn” students that hunt the creatures down.
And a mysterious teenage mage who calls himself a “Merlin” and who attempts–and fails–to wipe Bree’s memory of everything she saw.
The mage’s failure unlocks Bree’s own unique magic and a buried memory with a hidden connection: the night her mother died, another Merlin was at the hospital. Now that Bree knows there’s more to her mother’s death than what’s on the police report, she’ll do whatever it takes to find out the truth, even if that means infiltrating the Legendborn as one of their initiates.
She recruits Nick, a self-exiled Legendborn with his own grudge against the group, and their reluctant partnership pulls them deeper into the society’s secrets–and closer to each other. But when the Legendborn reveal themselves as the descendants of King Arthur’s knights and explain that a magical war is coming, Bree has to decide how far she’ll go for the truth and whether she should use her magic to take the society down–or join the fight.
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Everything about this novel is awesome! First off, it’s a King Arthur retailing and it’s about time it got such an original revamp! Second, the characters touch on so many important topics: grief, love, race, and resilience. Lastly, the emotional intelligence of the writing style takes the plot to a whole other level!
I’m excited to see where this series goes and can only pray it makes a positive impact on this messed up world of ours.
For my full review, please visit: https://www.krwardbookreview.com/
Oh my goodness! This is one of the best books I have ever read. It’s killing me to have to wait for the next one.
What a magnificent book! I’ve spent the past week recommending LEGENDBORN to everyone I know. It’s got everything: a complex new magical system, grounded in Arthurian legend; a sassy protagonist who is destined to become an iconic hero in her own right; important, thought-provoking themes; and a burgeoning love triangle that feels inevitable but right. Seriously, y’all, this book is a blast! Tracy Deonn is now on my always pre-order list.
I honestly have no idea where to start with this book. I literally finished reading it and then cuddled it to my chest and felt completely distraught that I had finished it so quickly. I truly felt lost and still have, while writing this, an extreme case of book hangover. I don’t know how on earth I am supposed to wait patiently for the next in the series or go about my life right now.
I also just had to sit and take a few minutes to close my mouth, as I very much resembled a goldfish once I had read the last few words, for Authors amaze me and I felt stunned at how Tracy Deonn was able to create and weave this magical, magnificent story. Don’t you just love it when you read an awesome book and your mind just has to take a second to comprehend that people can create such wonderful things?
I guess I should try and start from the beginning and try to make this review articulate and not me just rambling but eeeek. Ok, my squeal is out of the way now. The prologue had me in tears. I was literally drawn in within the first few paragraphs at how honest, real and raw Tracy introduced us to Bree and what she was going through. My Nanna passed away back in December and I don’t think I have ever been able to explain the hurt or fully write down and express the pain I felt. Life moved very fast afterwards and it all felt incredibly surreal and strange. The emotions and how Bree spoke when her mother died really hit me hard and I immediately connected to her on a level that had me hugging the book that early on. The way Bree reacted, her words and responses, I felt them in my heart and loved her and wanted to be there for her straight away.
After the prologue and that heart breaking night, we then follow Bree and her best friend Alice to UNC where on their first night on Campus the best friends attend a party they shouldn’t be at. This causes their worlds to flip upside down in more ways than one as Bree and Alice don’t see eye to eye causing a rift in their normally solid as a rock friendship and Bree see’s something that takes her breath away and that she doesn’t quite understand or believe can possibly be real. Enter demons and Selwyn Kane, but more on him later.
There are consequences to the girls actions and the next day the dean of UNC assigns them mentors to keep them on track. Enter Nick Davis…I’m holding in my squeals right now. Bree and Nick immediately connect, though Bree tries not to feel all the feels. She doesn’t want a mentor. She doesn’t want to need or like Nick. But after another attack on campus that only her and Nick (and Nick’s world) are privy to, Bree has to talk to him. She saw something that transports her back to the night her Mother died and she starts to believe that maybe her Mom’s death wasn’t an accident after all. She has questions and it seems Nick might have some answers or can at least help her find some.
Bree’s right to some extent and Nick isn’t simply a University mentor, he’s part of a secret society, or at least he was, but has turned his back on it all, not wanting any part of it. However, the more Bree learns about the Legendborn and their world, she needs Nick’s help and connections to get to the bottom of her Mother’s death. She comes up with a plan to infiltrate the Legendborn and Nick can’t let her do it on her own for he knows the dangers within. It’s an extremely risky plan and one that will test every part of Bree physically and emotionally, not to mention test friendships and create enemies a long the way. But she has to do it. She won’t rest until she finds out what really happened the night her Mom died.
Ok, so I really don’t want to give any spoilers away so I feel like I have to be careful with what I say and how I talk about the characters within this brilliant book. There are wonderful twists and turns, sad ones and happy ones too that will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside and have you giggling and excited, but I can’t say too much about that, you will just have to read the book to find out what I’m talking about but the relationships…eeeek. I had to squeal again. I loved the connections Bree had with different characters and the things she uncovered that bonded them in specific ways or helped her understand them. Certain misunderstood people captured my heart and I fell in love with them. The banter they shared, the rollercoaster they went on to learn about each other and the feelings they get when each other is near…well…you have to read the book!!!!!
But, I’m trying not to show favouritism because really every single character in this book had a hold on my heart. I adore Nick and love, love, loved how him and Bree connected, how they spoke to each other, that caring, flirting, understanding way they had with each other was just beautiful. Bree herself simply kicked ass and I loved her so much. She was so incredibly tough but you felt her pain and vulnerability and I truly thought she was just amazing, as was Alice. The strong unit they made was awesome and inspiring. The same can be said for those in the Secret Society. You absolutely MUST meet William. I thought Tor was another badass but I hope her relationship with the team and Bree will grow in the next book maybe. I fell in love with Sar because she was just a sweetheart and again, kicked ass and the love she had for Tor made my heart melt. Whitty was awesome and always made me smile and Greer pulled at my heart strings too with their kind nature and ability to really get Bree and be there for her. One of the biggest things I adored about this book was this beautiful cast of characters all belonging in this spectacular world. When reading this book, it felt like everyone was invited to the party and that was such a powerful thing. I could connect with so many different characters for different reasons and I think that was just magical and drew me into the story more. It made me happy, like ridiculously happy.
As I mentioned above, I do have a favourite character but you will have to comment below if you’ve read the book so we can talk, as I don’t want to say their name because then I feel like it gives things away!
As for this action packed story and my fear of scary that I mentioned above, well, ok, there may have been a few gruesome bits when it came to fighting other worldly demons and creatures that had me ‘ewwing’ out loud, but at the same time I was gripping the book so tight and sat on the edge of my seat during these scenes. By the end of them I just wanted to be Bree and kick some ass too. I loved her strength and how many times she felt fear but she stood tall and fought. But, like I said, the story is so action packed and intricate and suspenseful and captivating that I found myself loving all the scary bits too. I loved every part of uncovering more about the world of the Legendborn and I had to keep turning the pages to find out what and who Bree was and why her magic was so different to the others. Finding out more about her ancestors was fascinating and so important, not just within the pages but I think the way Tracy Deon talks about race, history and what Bree’s ancestors had to go through and what Bree herself has to go through daily, feeling like she doesn’t belong in certain places, is so very important to read, hear and understand in order for us to keep fighting the fight in the real world and not dismiss this history, or her words, in order to see real change and stand up for change.
The magic, the Legend of King Arthur, the Rootcrafters, the whole premise of this story will have you glued to the pages. It sucked me in so much; I was blown away and fascinated by it all. It was incredible when the pieces of the puzzle started being put together, how the lives, legends and families all intertwined and I could not get enough. Again, I found myself in awe of Tracy and her writing skills and was bouncing on the edge of my seat feeling inspired to write. I’ve been grinning all week, disappearing into my own little world of the Legendborn, planning Cosplay outfits, watching YouTubers and reading book bloggers reviews, just so I can hear and talk about this book. Ooh and I must mention too…have you just stopped and looked at this cover??? Initially, that is what drew me to this book. I had seen Tracy on Twitter and then when I saw this cover it might have been a situation where I judged a book by its cover and this time totally won because it’s truly one of my favourites. I think it’s stunning.
I highly, highly, highly recommend picking up a copy of ‘Legendborn’ NOW! and then telling me that you have read it because we need to discuss it in more detail when I’m not worried about giving spoilers.
Root and Aether
Tracy Deonn creates an original modern reimaging of the legend of King Arthur. After the sudden death of her mother, Briana Matthews is caught in a whirlwind of sadness, self-doubt, and anger. Early college was supposed to be the exciting beginning of her life, now it is an escape from her present sadness. When she witnesses a demon attack during a party, she finds out magic is real. But more importantly that the memories of her mother’s death have been manipulated. Recklessly, Bree delves head first in to the cult type organization called the Order of the Round Table. With the help of her mentor Nick Davis, she might actually survive or find herself in worse peril. Bree is exceptionally angry and impulsive as she deals with loss, school, her friends, and magic. Even managing to make an enemy, powerful Kingsmage Selwyn Kane, on her first day of school. It seems that everyone in her life has secrets they are keeping from her. Her spirit and determination are admirable, as she faces the mystery of her mother’s death, the magic of the Legendborn, and racial issues head on. Her strength comes later in the book. From her willingness to stop and attend to her own emotional turmoil, which helps her better sympathize with her friends. It was wonderful to see Bree grow from grief to strength. Tracy Deonn’s world building and magic lore is one of the many reasons to read this book!
Urban fantasy has long been one of my favorite genres–and this YA UF knocks it out of the park. I read half of the book in one sitting. I had to force myself to put the bookmark in place and go to bed. Legendborn is a sort of Arthurian legend meets southern Black Culture. Bree’s voice is so strong and fierce. Lots of cool action and magic. It’s the first in the series and I can’t help be impressed at how deftly Deonn handled this book. What an amazing debut.
A gender-bent retelling of King Arthur with some twists, a lot of action, and literal Black girl magic. It’s a fun tale for fans (and non-fans) of King Arthur will absolutely enjoy.
Legendborn is the first book in The Legendborn serie by Tracy Deonn. I have really like this Arthurian legends retelling. And really can’t wait for the sequel. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc.
Bree’s mother dies in an accident and she wants nothing more than to leave her childhood home and all the memories they’re is there. So a residential program at a UNC–Chapel Hill seems like a perfect way to go away from there but then Bree witnesses a magical attack on her very first night on campus. Demons feeding of human energy. A secret society that hunts those demons and a mysterious teenage mage who call himself a “Merlin”. When this one attempts to make Bree forget what she saw he fails. Which meens that Bree have some stuff that been hidden from her from her past.
Mixing Arthurian legend, demon hunting and a modern setting made this a fun story. The world building was pretty outstanding and I loved (almost) all of the characters.
I can see Deonn’s next book being even better as she grows as an author. Looking forward to book 2!
I’ve been putting off this review since I finished savoring the last few pages of Legendborn because my review will not do this book justice. This book is easily one of the BEST fantasy books that I have ever read.
Following the death of her mother, Bree Matthews decides to attend UNC–Chapel Hill’s residential program for high schoolers, which was her mother’s alma mater. Bree quickly finds herself immersed in a secret society that may have been involved in her mother’s death. Bree is just supposed to join the Order to get answers. Even though Bree isn’t particularly welcomed in the Order since she’s the only Black person, she finds herself starting to care for some of her new friends. As many truths are revealed, Bree has to decide if she wants to take down the Order or join them in the upcoming apocalypse.
Legendborn is Tracy Deonn’s debut novel. She delivers a compelling and enthralling urban fantasy that tackles themes of grief, inherited trauma, colonization, slavery, and growing up as a Black woman in the South all while turning the traditional Arthurian legend on its head.
The world building is absolutely incredible. While the Order and their world is rather complex, as a reader, we don’t go through that dreaded info dump that most fantasy books have. Since Bree is completely oblivious to the Legendborn world, we experience it alongside her, which facilitated an immersive experience. In addition to the world building, the magic system is unlike any I’ve read about. I don’t want to give anything away, so know that there are two different magic systems and the cost for each is steep.
The cast of characters in this book is amazing. Bree is our Black female MC who is intelligent and quick witted when it comes to banter and comebacks to bigoted nonsense. Alice Chen, Bree’s best friend, is Taiwanese–American and lesbian. Within the Order, there are two bisexual characters, a gay character, an established f/f relationship, and a nonbinary character.
There’s so many more spectacular things about this book, but it all boils down to this: READ THIS ONE NOW!
Thank you to Simon Teen for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.