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4.38 AVERAGE
4.38 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ugggghhh I really wanted to like this more than I did. After finishing Legendborn, I had similar feelings and chalked it up to just right book, wrong time. And, I don't think I can say that anymore. This was not bad by any means. Not at all. There's just something that's not clicking for me about the story and characters, particularly Bree. This makes me so sad to say because she's such an important protagonist to have in our mainstream reading community. Deonn brings the Black young woman experience to the forefront and it really made me think critically about my own internalized racism and biases. Some scenes were so hard to stomach. Alice and Bree not being allowed to use the restroom at the gas station because they are Black; Kestra's (I think that's her name?) overt racism because Bree doesn't fit the traditional convention of what Arthur's Scion should look like. The idea that Bree can't possibly be the Scion of Arthur because she's Black, and the tragedy of how she became his descendant. I could see how POC (particularly Black people) could find some healing in Bree's experiences; people acknowledge her identity and the circumstances of how she came to be in said role and apologize for the tragedy. Fiction isn't real life, I get that. But in a similar way to how survivors of sexual assault relate to dark romance, I could see a potential parallel. Bree can serve as a surrogate for people who have felt powerless, dismissed, and discriminated against and vicariously live through her, experience the compassion she receives from her friends. She pushes back! I love that about her.
Bree frustrated me. She was rash, impulsive, and frankly selfish at times. When she puts everyone in danger because she wants to practice, after being under strict order not to leave the Lodge, her selfishness appalled me. Now, I know she's 16, and perhaps I'm being harsh on her (I probably am). I just can't put my finger on why I'm not clicking with her as a main character. Part of it is probably that she's so much younger than I am. Selwyn grew on me, but I think I'm just a bit over the emo moody boy that's supposed to be Nick's foil.
This said, I really liked the side characters. I love that Alice was included more, and I was really sad about her coma at the end. I really hope she doesn't die. I love love love William. He's level-headed and just so good. He balances out Bree really well. I ended up also really liking Valec! He's a slippery one, but he ends up helping and saving the crew multiple times! I also like that he's a direct link to the atrocities of slavery in the South. Valec avoids Volition because he has distinct personal memories of living on a plantation. I can't even imagine how painful and traumatizing that is. I also really liked that we explored more about Bree's family history. I didn't feel like that was explored nearly enough in Legendborn. I was really hoping Lark would be a larger part of this book after he's introduced.
I kind of called that Erebus was The Hunter/Great Devourer figure that's been haunting Bree's family for generations. I knew something was fishy about him. I actually really really wish I liked this book more than I did because Oathbound seems like it could be really awesome when it comes to plot development.
Ok, aside from not connecting with Bree, I had repeated issues with the pacing and clunky plot. I think I'm 100% in the minority of having these issues. But I frankly got really bored between the main action portions of the plot. I had a really hard time suspending my disbelief of connecting American South slavery to the Order. Weaving the two branches of magic felt forced. I keep thinking I'm missing something because I still don't fully understand. Additionally, it's very possible I missed the explanation of the magic system, but I couldn't figure out the difference between Rootcraft and aether. Is Rootcraft a particular sub-type of aether?
That said, I loved the fourth section at Volition. I love that Deonn weaves in so much culture and tradition that recognizes the struggles Black people have suffered as American (second class) citizens. The fact that only descendants of slavery can enter the actual house and William, Selwyn, and Alice have to be invited onto the grounds -- I loved all these details. One small detail I greatly appreciated was the acknowledgement of keeping the kitchen tradition of cooking outside, which slaves did on the plantation. The present-day characters honor their ancestors while adapting it to modern times.
I think Arthur is often perceived as this great hero. Deonn complicates this figure by tying him to Bree. There are darker parts to his character. I ended Bloodmarked kind of confused about how I was supposed to feel about him. The fact that he coopts her body by tricking her makes me really dubious of his motives. I honestly thought the third book was going to be about Bree's struggle of existing in Arthur's subconscious. However, I am actually tentatively optimistic that the plot will go in a direction I'd like. But, ugh, I'm not sure I want to continue this series. People have talked about having issues with Oathbound that I'm already having with the series as a whole thus far.
This said, I really liked the side characters. I love that Alice was included more, and I was really sad about her coma at the end. I really hope she doesn't die. I love love love William. He's level-headed and just so good. He balances out Bree really well. I ended up also really liking Valec! He's a slippery one, but he ends up helping and saving the crew multiple times! I also like that he's a direct link to the atrocities of slavery in the South. Valec avoids Volition because he has distinct personal memories of living on a plantation. I can't even imagine how painful and traumatizing that is. I also really liked that we explored more about Bree's family history. I didn't feel like that was explored nearly enough in Legendborn. I was really hoping Lark would be a larger part of this book after he's introduced.
I kind of called that Erebus was The Hunter/Great Devourer figure that's been haunting Bree's family for generations. I knew something was fishy about him. I actually really really wish I liked this book more than I did because Oathbound seems like it could be really awesome when it comes to plot development.
Ok, aside from not connecting with Bree, I had repeated issues with the pacing and clunky plot. I think I'm 100% in the minority of having these issues. But I frankly got really bored between the main action portions of the plot. I had a really hard time suspending my disbelief of connecting American South slavery to the Order. Weaving the two branches of magic felt forced. I keep thinking I'm missing something because I still don't fully understand. Additionally, it's very possible I missed the explanation of the magic system, but I couldn't figure out the difference between Rootcraft and aether. Is Rootcraft a particular sub-type of aether?
That said, I loved the fourth section at Volition. I love that Deonn weaves in so much culture and tradition that recognizes the struggles Black people have suffered as American (second class) citizens. The fact that only descendants of slavery can enter the actual house and William, Selwyn, and Alice have to be invited onto the grounds -- I loved all these details. One small detail I greatly appreciated was the acknowledgement of keeping the kitchen tradition of cooking outside, which slaves did on the plantation. The present-day characters honor their ancestors while adapting it to modern times.
I think Arthur is often perceived as this great hero. Deonn complicates this figure by tying him to Bree. There are darker parts to his character. I ended Bloodmarked kind of confused about how I was supposed to feel about him. The fact that he coopts her body by tricking her makes me really dubious of his motives. I honestly thought the third book was going to be about Bree's struggle of existing in Arthur's subconscious. However, I am actually tentatively optimistic that the plot will go in a direction I'd like. But, ugh, I'm not sure I want to continue this series. People have talked about having issues with Oathbound that I'm already having with the series as a whole thus far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Forced institutionalization
Minor: Slavery
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a very good and well written book. It starts where the last book, Legendborn, ended and evolves from there.
With Nick gone, the Legendborn lack leadership and are desperate to find him and ensure his safety. Sel, Nick’s kingmage, is also fighting to not succumb to his demon blood in Nick’s absence and Bree is trying to understand and control the enormous power within her. Together, Sel and Bree are trying to combat the plans of the Regents who want to hold both individuals as prisoners in order to protect the Order. However, Bree doesn’t feel protected, she feels isolated and she can’t help feeling that it is because of her skin color and ancestry.
I like the many themes that Deonn works with in creating this fantasy - racial tension and inequality; loss and letting go; coming of age and love. This story was not as new and exciting as the first but the action was there along with more lore and revelations. It was a good read and I look forward to the next book - 4 stars!
With Nick gone, the Legendborn lack leadership and are desperate to find him and ensure his safety. Sel, Nick’s kingmage, is also fighting to not succumb to his demon blood in Nick’s absence and Bree is trying to understand and control the enormous power within her. Together, Sel and Bree are trying to combat the plans of the Regents who want to hold both individuals as prisoners in order to protect the Order. However, Bree doesn’t feel protected, she feels isolated and she can’t help feeling that it is because of her skin color and ancestry.
I like the many themes that Deonn works with in creating this fantasy - racial tension and inequality; loss and letting go; coming of age and love. This story was not as new and exciting as the first but the action was there along with more lore and revelations. It was a good read and I look forward to the next book - 4 stars!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated