Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - Legendborn

Wow wow wow. I haven't consumed an almost 500 page book this fast since I was a teen reading Harry Potter 15+ years ago. I love the world, I love the characters, I couldn't put it down and I can't wait for the next book. I'm not much a of YA reader these days (absolutely nothing against it, just not as much of my thing anymore), but I'd read a YA book written like every week if I could. Plus,

it was so lovely to be reminded how much I love Authorian legends and to read such a brilliant take on the Canon.

Absolutely recommending to everyone I know!

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starccato's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

3.5

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cemeterygay's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The beginning of this book is quite slow and I initially thought it was only going to be a three or four star read but I am incredibly happy I was wrong.

When this book picks up, not only did I not want to put this book down, I grew to love this book so deeply. I was already a big fan of Arthurian inspired stories and retellings and not only did this fulfill that interest but it gave a very interesting take on Arthurian myth.

Bree is such an amazing protagonist. I was rooting for her at every step along the way and was deeply invested in her growth as person. Bree learning to handle her grief and to confront generational trauma was so wonderfully handled and served as such an amazing and steep contrast to the privilege and generational concepts of debt and duty that permeated among the Legendborn students.

I thought many of the side characters were very interesting. While I didn't personally like Sel or Nick that much I think they were both really interesting characters as were most of the mages. I also really liked the therapist and how she really helped not only develop more of the world and Bree's mom but really helped Bree grow throughout the book and confront her grief.

The discussions of generational trauma, exploitation, and systemic racism and violence were so well blended into the main plot and Bree's growth and struggle with grief. The discussions of family dynamics, roots, the relationships between parents and children, and descendants and ancestors was so well handled with all of the characters in which it is brought up but especially for Bree. The ending of this book was absolutely phenomenal, at times almost leaving me in complete tears, and I cannot wait until the next book comes out.

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katrina_ingram's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging 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? No

4.0

It took me a bit to get into the book but once I did I really enjoyed it. It has lots of elements I like such as a strong female MC and a set of trials, add Arthurian legend, mixed with an interesting magic system and a secret society and i’m sold. As I said I was struggling at the start, maybe it was the new terms such as legendborn, scion, Mesmer, isel among others that I found confusing, maybe it was something else I can’t quite put my finger on but once the story picked up pace and I started understanding the terms I was hooked. The story was interesting and well written and I loved many of the characters, especially her best friend Alice! I’m looking forward to reading the next book

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claudiamacpherson's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.5

King Arthur may be lost to history, but his spirit, and those of his knights, are (literally) alive in their descendants. The secret society of the Round Table exists quietly on college campuses around the United States, where students are trained to fight demons. After her mother’s sudden death in a car crash, 16-year-old Bree Matthews goes to UNC Chapel Hill for early college. On her very first night, she sees a demon at a college party, then watches as two students kill it. Suddenly, Bree begins to suspect that her mother’s death wasn’t as random as she had believed, and she forces her way into a world where knights and pages and mythical kings still exist.

I was initially put off by the fact that this story is set in college so most of the characters are college students, but Bree is actually there early and is even younger (I know this is a young adult book but….damn). However, she is very mature and intelligent, as well as funny, stubborn, and fierce in her protectiveness for those she loves, so I quickly warmed to her and looked past her age… she’s an old soul (literally).

I am totally obsessed with the concept of magic looking different in different cultures and traditions, and I felt the contrast between root magic and aether/”colonizer magic” was really well done.

I also <i>loved</i> the twist at the end that Bree is the Scion of King Arthur, while Nick is Lancelot’s heir. Nick (and others) calling her “King” is just… yes!!!

Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just the vibe of the ending):

Happy enough, but mostly leaves you wanting more…I can’t wait for the sequel!

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theblerdnewsletter's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad 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? N/A

5.0

I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to read a book set in a very familiar place. UNC-Chapel Hill is super close to my hometown. I loved reading this book; it was a tough pill to swallow even though I’m well aware of UNC’s (ongoing) racist history/present. The way grief is covered, different types of trauma, and how race/gender in Southern societies is amazing. I can’t recommend this book enough.

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foldingthepage_kayleigh's review

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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? It's complicated

5.0

Bree is so badass, she had me crying and cheering her along the way in equal measure.

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