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_kjmac_books_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
We really enjoyed this read together. It was an easy story to follow. My personal thoughts was that everything was “good” until the last 50 pages when everything became “utterly engrossing.” So yeah I got really invested farther in the book than I was expecting😅
I think I’ve somewhat grown out of some of the typical YA drama tactics used (*cough cough* love triangles) but nevertheless I thought this was a great read for how it tackled the complexities of being a black woman and racial trauma. I recognize I will never fully understand as I will never be a black woman, but I am grateful for books like this that offer perspectives sharing glimpses into their struggles and lives. Bree is fictional but she shows a version of black experience in a historically white space (the Arthurian court) and all the mess that entails.
I loved how this book discusses grief. Also Bree’s dad was so supportive through everything she was going through and it really hit me in the feels🤍 Another fun feature is that there r 2 different magic systems that r both fascinating in their own way.
I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for YA Arthurian magic, black perspectives, a hint of mystery, and powerful women finding themselves. There’s trials, a college setting🏫, plenty of fight scenes⚔️, and secret societies😊
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
mbullock1369's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Kidnapping, Car accident, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol
sp00ky_n3rd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
There was some repetitive language (horror went through her many a time hahaha) which I couldn't help but focus on but other than that really good fun! Looking forward to reading the next one and really hoping for the romance ending I want!
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Sexism, Kidnapping, Car accident, and Colonisation
marissaumble's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Racism, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and War
katiemcgregor's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Car accident
Minor: Cancer and Vomit
toastyghosty13's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Pregnancy, and Classism
Moderate: Death of parent
alexiconic's review against another edition
- 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
i don’t know if this is a perfect book.
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
baileymalaylee's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Grief
katdotniche's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Racism, Slavery, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Kidnapping, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
samellecooke's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Getting to the real meat of the story and understanding the magic felt like a slog I couldn't overcome what with all the hype this book got. I felt lied to. I'll explain more, but...spoilers. All this said, the writing was good, characters well-developed, and the topics explored resonated with me personally. I especially loved how Tracy Deonn approached different topics of prejudice. I thought this was incredibly well done and I don't think we see enough of this in fantasy. Sure, we see a lot of underdog stories or female empowerment, but this is different.
I also was not at all expecting the twist at the end of this book, the true identity of King Arthur's line in Bree, and then Nick actually being of Lancelot's line.
Graphic: Death, Racism, Sexism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault