A review by rachaelarsenault
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

5.0

I'm not well-versed in Arthurian lore, but the way Deonn explores it in this book is not only interesting but accessible for the uninitiated. And the inclusion of other magic systems alongside that of the Legendborn was awesome, too.

Breeze was a really vivid, fully-realized character, and I loved seeing her grow and learn throughout the story . The way her grief overlapped with her powers was creative and poignant, and Deonn did an amazing job grappling with the grief of losing a loved one, of never meeting relatives like grandparents, and of conceptualizing generational trauma like slavery.

I also loved Sel. I kept feeling like I had a read on his character, and then something would happen and we would learn more, and I would be like, "Oh, wait, what?" I love when an author is able to do that. And seeing his dynamic with Bree shift over time was really fun, too.

(I got kind of a weird vibe from Nick all throughout, but that might just be a me thing.)

I did find it hard to keep track of all the characters, and how Scions and Squires and Vassals all worked, but I was also reading this while severely sleep deprived. And there is a chart provided at the back of the book that I didn't discover until I finished reading, so referencing that as I read might have helped.

I would be remiss not to discuss the plot in some fashion, because it unfolded so beautifully. It both was and wasn't what the book seemed to be building to, and I kept getting surprised in the most p