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A review by warlocksarecool21
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
this book was so good!!! It was fun and action-packed but also explored powerful themes of loss, trauma and legacy. I think Tracy Deonn is a really good writer, with how she can blend old (white) legends with Black folklore and history to make something new and profound. Bree was a brilliant main character, she was strong and passionate but didn’t suffer from the common archetypical traits that are often given to FMC in YA fantasy. Her journey of healing from the loss of her mother and connecting with her ancestors was so powerful, and I really appreciated how the book never shied away from the history of slavery and how descendants of enslaved people today are still affected by that trauma.
I thought the premise and world-building was really interesting. the whole idea with the Scions being descendants of the Knights of the Round Table and all the other interpretations of the myth was a really unique interpretation and it was so fun to read. It honestly gave me Percy Jackson vibes in that sense which was cool.
I’ve already gushed about Bree, but I loved the dynamics she had with other characters. I adored Alice and I’m glad she got her chance to shine at the end. I’m hoping she plays a larger role in the rest of the series, she’s a badass and she’s such a good friend. Now, in regards to Nick and Sel I was absolutely unhinged about them. I usually think love triangles (especially in YA) are so overdone and stupid but this one was so fascinating to me. The dynamics between all three of them are so compelling and I honestly just want them to be in a poly relationship bc that’s the only way I’ll be satisfied lmao. I thought Nick and Bree were really cute together although I’m not exactly buying that they’re in love after knowing each other for two weeks ajdjdjfj. Like yeah they have this legendary ancestral connection or whatever but y’all don’t know shit about each other 😂😂😂. That’s one of the only issues I had with the book that it was so quick and in such a short amount of time I think the relationship could have been fleshed out more but that’s not to say I didn’t like them together. However, when I am presented with a snarky & vicious and kind of pathetic character like Selwyn I will always go for that option. Nick and Bree might have had a lot of affection and care for one another but nothing beats the chemistry she had with Selwyn like I was obsessed with him. I would have been all over him if I read this in high school. And I’m even more feral about it knowing he liked Nick before and clearly has this bonded attachment to both Nick and Bree now like PLEASE i’m begging you Tracy make all 3 of them queer for each other 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 (i’m probably delusional but I fully embrace it).
Anyways, this book was so much fun and is probably a new favorite. I’m really excited to continue with the series and see where the characters go.
I thought the premise and world-building was really interesting. the whole idea with the Scions being descendants of the Knights of the Round Table and all the other interpretations of the myth was a really unique interpretation and it was so fun to read. It honestly gave me Percy Jackson vibes in that sense which was cool.
I’ve already gushed about Bree, but I loved the dynamics she had with other characters. I adored Alice and I’m glad she got her chance to shine at the end. I’m hoping she plays a larger role in the rest of the series, she’s a badass and she’s such a good friend. Now, in regards to Nick and Sel I was absolutely unhinged about them. I usually think love triangles (especially in YA) are so overdone and stupid but this one was so fascinating to me. The dynamics between all three of them are so compelling and I honestly just want them to be in a poly relationship bc that’s the only way I’ll be satisfied lmao. I thought Nick and Bree were really cute together although I’m not exactly buying that they’re in love after knowing each other for two weeks ajdjdjfj. Like yeah they have this legendary ancestral connection or whatever but y’all don’t know shit about each other 😂😂😂. That’s one of the only issues I had with the book that it was so quick and in such a short amount of time I think the relationship could have been fleshed out more but that’s not to say I didn’t like them together. However, when I am presented with a snarky & vicious and kind of pathetic character like Selwyn I will always go for that option. Nick and Bree might have had a lot of affection and care for one another but nothing beats the chemistry she had with Selwyn like I was obsessed with him. I would have been all over him if I read this in high school. And I’m even more feral about it knowing he liked Nick before and clearly has this bonded attachment to both Nick and Bree now like PLEASE i’m begging you Tracy make all 3 of them queer for each other 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 (i’m probably delusional but I fully embrace it).
Anyways, this book was so much fun and is probably a new favorite. I’m really excited to continue with the series and see where the characters go.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Mental illness, Death of parent, Sexism, Transphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Racism