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meghan23's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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? Yes
4.5
A lot of lore but I think it's worth it. A bit of an emotional/heavy read. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was very good in that she put a lot of emotion into the voices.I was also waiting for someone to be secretly evil but was a bit disappointed when it was only a minor character.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Slavery
marissaumble's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Grief, Racism, Blood, Death, and Death of parent
findingt_ri's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Grief, Death of parent, and Racism
Minor: Rape and Vomit
3arth2kaye's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Slavery, Car accident, and Rape
katiemcgregor's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
3.0
I waited years to read this so I wouldn't have to wait for the sequel to release only to find out that it's actually a series (not a duology?!) and I'm still going to have to wait for more books 🤡
Anyway, I was an Avalon High girlie growing up so I had high expectations for Legendborn. I love all of the historical and fantastical aspects Deonn is weaving into the story but take some issue with execution. While I think that the showing not telling was successful in conveying that Bree is a quick thinker, I feel like I, as the reader, was left behind in the dust. It took so long for me to grasp this world, it's hierarchies, and magic system, and I don't feel like I usually struggle with this in fantasy novels? There was a lot of information in the first half of the book and not enough time to process it. I would really love a chart to get a visual of all of these key pieces.
The big twist wasn't entirely surprising to me, but it was just mysterious enough that I needed the book to fill in the gaps of what I hadn't already figured out. Despite the convolution, I do think that important information was delved out reasonably.
As for the love triangle...
I'm not opposed to love triangles but the issue I usually have with them is that one party is far more appealing or interesting than the other contender vying for our protagonist's affections. This issue is present in Legendborn. The Nick x Bree thing felt instalovey and Nick didn't have must personality outside of the lineage that makes up his whole identity. I get that he's supposed to be a charismatic golden boy but he's boring. Based on the ending of book 1, I'm excited to get into book 2 simply because of the dynamic shift in the love triangle.
I'm definitely intrigued and hope that Bloodmarked will be easier to grasp now that I have some understanding of the world.
Anyway, I was an Avalon High girlie growing up so I had high expectations for Legendborn. I love all of the historical and fantastical aspects Deonn is weaving into the story but take some issue with execution. While I think that the showing not telling was successful in conveying that Bree is a quick thinker, I feel like I, as the reader, was left behind in the dust. It took so long for me to grasp this world, it's hierarchies, and magic system, and I don't feel like I usually struggle with this in fantasy novels? There was a lot of information in the first half of the book and not enough time to process it. I would really love a chart to get a visual of all of these key pieces.
The big twist wasn't entirely surprising to me, but it was just mysterious enough that I needed the book to fill in the gaps of what I hadn't already figured out. Despite the convolution, I do think that important information was delved out reasonably.
As for the love triangle...
I'm not opposed to love triangles but the issue I usually have with them is that one party is far more appealing or interesting than the other contender vying for our protagonist's affections. This issue is present in Legendborn. The Nick x Bree thing felt instalovey and Nick didn't have must personality outside of the lineage that makes up his whole identity. I get that he's supposed to be a charismatic golden boy but he's boring. Based on the ending of book 1, I'm excited to get into book 2 simply because of the dynamic shift in the love triangle.
I'm definitely intrigued and hope that Bloodmarked will be easier to grasp now that I have some understanding of the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Body horror, Death of parent, Grief, Death, Violence, and Racism
Moderate: Car accident, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Cancer and Vomit
hayreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It's great, for what it is. An easy read and cleanser. A bit too young for me, but it has important messaging. Minus points for the sort of love triangle.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Colonisation, Car accident, Misogyny, Sexism, Mental illness, Grief, and Death of parent
shumisum1102's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Rape, and Death of parent
roonaye's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Sexual violence and Death of parent
plasticpansy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, War, and Blood
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Gore, Rape, Slavery, and Colonisation
toastyghosty13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This book has a very unique magic system and a loveable main character. I found it to be a really engaging story, but the magic system was a bit harder to follow (I mainly blame this on the fact that I was listening to an audiobook). Once I understood it further, it was a lot more interesting and hard to put down.
I do wish there was a bit more action than just at the beginning and end of the book. There was a lot of world building, which can sometimes get a bit boring, but it pays off in the end because it is really interesting once it comes together. The characters (the likeable ones, at least) were also super interesting with their own personal backstories of mystery and intrigue.
I have not read many books about magic that take place in the south (Beautiful Creatures is the only other I can think of) but I really liked that setting for this book and also really liked Bree as the main character. She has her own mysteries to unravel about her past and family (namely her mother who died when she was a child). I have plans to read the rest of the series.
I do wish there was a bit more action than just
I have not read many books about magic that take place in the south (Beautiful Creatures is the only other I can think of) but I really liked that setting for this book and also really liked Bree as the main character. She has her own mysteries to unravel about her past and family (namely her mother who died when she was a child). I have plans to read the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Rape, Classism, Racism, Pregnancy, and Misogyny
Moderate: Death of parent