A review by bookishmillennial
Oathbound by Tracy Deonn

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad 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
 "For the girls that face the unknown, and leap anyway." 

Overall Thoughts:
This was SUCH AN EXCELLENT THIRD BOOK in a series! There was action, longing, angst, uncertainty, and a great set up for the next book. I love each of the books in the Legendborn cycle for different reasons, but this one really surprised me. I tend to reach for books within the 300-400 page range, and haven't been reaching for as much fantasy or science fiction as much lately, so I admittedly was intimidated by a 600+ page book where I'd be returning to the fantasy genre again. HOWEVER!!!! I sped through this book, and found that 98% of it was easy enough to follow along, even though it'd be a while since I read book 2, Bloodmarked. Tracy Deonn does exposition SO well, and the way she reminds you of what happened in books one and two were masterful and weaved naturally into the narrative seamlessly. I literally said out loud and wrote an annotation, "THIS is how you do exposition!"

I am SO excited for book four, and am devastated I must wait another year or so for it. Tracy Deonn knows how to keep you turning the pages, and to be absolutely wrecked when you close the book. I am actively rooting for all of these characters, and can't wait to see where the narrative takes them next. Whew!

Thoughts on Bree's headspace during this book
Bree often does not see protecting herself as a worthy cause. For example, she begins chapter one with: 
"There have been so many fights and losses, just to keep me safe. Volition, a haven destroyed because I took shelter on its ancestral grounds. Lu, Hazel, and Mariah's Rootcrafter refuge, compromised because they offered me sanctuary. Alice, in a coma after I struck her down in the throes of possession. Selwyn, succumbed to demonia after consuming my power to bring me back to myself. And Nick, risking his life by returning to the very same Order that sent Merlin assassins to kill him. Too many fights. Too many losses." (3-4)
I recognize that many of us can relate to this sentiment of, "I'm not special. I'm not unique. I'm not someone anyone should look up to." The entire "I'm just a girl" meme/trend is very relatable. HOWEVER, I wonder if this goes beyond Bree simply feeling that, and if she genuinely does not feel she deserves to be protected and/or cared for like this?

As I read that, I saw a young woman who feels guilty that others have been essentially "doomed" (in her eyes) if they're associated with her. But she has NOTHING TO FEEL GUILTY FOR! On one hand, yes, this is totally about her and her identity as a King, as a young Black woman in a predominantly white space. But on the other hand, this is about something greater than her too, so everyone fighting to protect her is also fighting against the evil forces and systems at play. I know I'm rambling, but it makes me so sad that Bree doesn't think she's worth the pain that has transpired ... because she IS, and I would argue she maybe hasn't felt this kind of fierce protection (which translates to her feeling uncomfortably with it initially & also possibly not wanting to be blamed later for this?) besides from her dad in a long time as a young Black woman in this world. 

 I don't know how long I keep drawing more from a well that is so deep that I cannot sense its end. (241) 
And it also pisses me off, because she's 17!!!! She shouldn't have the weight of the world on her shoulders, and yet? This is fantasy but that doesn't mean the feelings she feels are fictional.  Idk my point but I think everyone deserves to feel fiercely protected, especially young Black women! And it shouldn't feel so foreign that they begin blaming themselves for any bad thing that happens! The way that Bree is just pushing and rallying through this nightmare willingly, shows how resilient and self-sufficient she knows she is, but I wish she didn't have to be.
 
"Even though I've run away from the Order, I am still the same Onceborn-raised teenage girl held at the mercy of a snarling, laughing opponent. Still. After everything." (27)
I hate how relatable this is lol. Like, regardless of our own achievements and lore, we are often still tugged back to a version of ourselves that we are trying to grow out of, or simply don't identify with anymore.

Thoughts on the theme of sacrifice
 "What's more human than sacrifice?" I snap. (38)

 "You are not just the Scion of Gawain!" Larkin interrupts..."For God's sake, you are a person. A good person who has sacrificed any semblance of a normal life to protect others!" (262) 

Almost every one of these kids holds this mentality and almost resignation of sacrifice. I recognize this is a YA fantasy, and that the premise is kids saving the world. However, every single teenager in this has zero problem sacrificing themselves, and I wonder what that says about the state of the world right now. Something that comes to mind is that we often agree that "kids are the future," and we see so much potential in what the younger generations can do to help the world as they grow. However, I'm going to argue that leaving the work up to the next generation is problematic, harmful, and deeply deflecting of our own accountability and power right now. There's a difference between believing in and empowering youth, versus expecting them to wholly clean up our messes. I feel deeply for these teenagers, who are grappling with the pains of the past, all while trying to take care of each other and survive. 
 
Thoughts on the racism both in and out of this book
"They're experimenting with Bree's blood."
"And the blood of actively working Rootcrafters." (566)
I just read Black Men & Racial Trauma by Yamonte Cooper, so just revisited the horrors that were the Tuskegee Experiments, so my mind couldn't help but go there. I hate this idea of experimenting on Black people, & the inhumane treatment of them as "tools". 

Thoughts on intersectionality, and loudly & actively being an ally
Did I ever name the forces that Bree faced? Did I ever call them what they were, full voiced in front of her? Or did I hope that she would understand that I knew them? Did I hope she would know my heart without seeing me declare it before others? (129)
Love this self-reflection because ally IS a verb <3 I like the way Tracy has characters self-reflect on if they've done enough to stand up for Black women, and if they have fostered spaces that feel safe for the Black women in their lives, RATHER THAN forcing the Black women around them to reaffirm and/or validate that they are a "good" person. Nothing is more exhausting than white/non-Black tears being weaponized and demanding to be reassured that they're a "good" person. 

 "I tend to be more furious at humanity for cultivating and perpetuating said bigotry and apathy," Elijah says with an air of finality, "so no." (227) 
I appreciated Elijah saying this, because yes, it is ahborrent that young Black women are being targeted, but it's not this singular issue. He is bringing attention to the fact that this is systemic and goes beyond the Shadow King. The Shadow King should answer to his unethical and gross practices, for sure, but this is not exclusive nor unique to him.

I grew up with boys like  Donovan. I was raised by a man like Donovan, who grew up with other boys and men like Donovan. They -we- don't ask real questions. Not questions that have answers that could possibly knock us off our expected paths or betray our vulnerabilities. (349) 
I love this recognition that toxic masculinity ALSO hurts men. Like, we are literally all suffering under patriarchy (no one is safe! it's not just AFAB who are harmed by this). 

Thoughts on the love triangle & my bid for polyamory
"Look at you. Incredible. You're a gorgeous, powerful, violent little enigma who would stab me in front of all these people just to make a point." (387)
 Again, I am veryyyy much Team Sel at this point .......but why is Nick acting so hot right now? Like stop???? Before the audience falls for you?!?!?! I MEAN IT *knife emoji*

 "I'm drowning in you, Bree. I shouldn't want to. I should fight it. But I can't."
...
So drown." (484)  
Bree is THAT girl. Get your man hhehehehehehheeh.

All of pages 510-511, I just said, "fuck you Nick!!!" but also, he is noble and is not wrong (i.e."...the weight of which you bear without your consent" (510) & "I was born to thrive in this machine, Bree. It was built with me in mind. It's my responsibility to take it apart." (511) 
okay yeah so I might be a Nick simp now......... (if you bring this up to anyone, I will deny it)

Regarding the sex scene: I have to remind people that YA is *for* YA (target audience), and like I hate to break it to people, but.... some teenagers have sex. Nick and Bree are 17, and at 17, some people are having sex. There is a difference between a sex scene in a YA novel, and *smut*. Learn the difference (because we shouldn't be upset that there's a sex scene in a YA/NA book, because again....... some teenagers ARE having sex..... so cry about it to your mom or journal, not me)...... and please keep your moral high ground purity culture crap out of here. Thanks!
 
"Thanks for the light. I do want to get a good look at her." (617) 
HEHEHEHEHEHE SEL IS BACK AND I'M BLUSHING 
 
"A king, a kight, and a prince." Sel's smile spreads slow across his face, like thick blood flowing from a wound. "What....shall... we... do?" (642)
KISS! THREE WAY! POLYAMORY! YOU ALL LOVE EACH OTHER! 

I hosted a readalong for this if you wanna read the comments & add your own thoughts too! https://app.thestorygraph.com/readalongs/82625d04-ca8a-45ed-b38d-9b595a39be4e
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