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A review by courtofsmutandstuff
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
5.0
I haven't had a book hangover like this since The Tyrant's Tomb . I bought this book when it came out after seeing it on NetGalley, but didn't end up picking it up til now (which I REGRET). It has a slow and heavy start as Bree is very actively grieving her mother and the world-building is still opaque, but once Bree fully enters the Round Table and more answers are given it gets to "can't put it down" status (I read the last half of the book in one day).
Legendborn stands out to me for its dual magic system: the main magic we're introduced to is the Arthurian aether magic, but then Rootwork is introduced and is a parallel system and I LOVED this. Race is ever present in the book (because it's ever present in Bree's life) and I liked this as an entry into the YA canon. The diversity is prominent but also casual at times (when Bree and the book aren't confronting racism and the legacy of slavery, which is explicit, direct, and poignant) - everyone can see themselves in Legendborn. Bree isn't a perfect character, but her anger and grief and tenacity makes me love her so much. She isn't a stereotypical YA heroine who either has to be too girly or too helpless or too badass, but she just is - and I love it. I also love that the book had stakes the Legendborn who die literally shook me, and I'm glad that Deonn isn't putting plot armor on her characters (though now I need to be terrified for them) .
In terms of romance, I really loved it too. Spoiler:
In my hierarchy of Buy, Borrow, or Don't Bother, this is a Buy the hardback! And a preorder the sequel sight unseen.
Spoiler
(and Rick killed Jason)Legendborn stands out to me for its dual magic system: the main magic we're introduced to is the Arthurian aether magic, but then Rootwork is introduced and is a parallel system and I LOVED this. Race is ever present in the book (because it's ever present in Bree's life) and I liked this as an entry into the YA canon. The diversity is prominent but also casual at times (when Bree and the book aren't confronting racism and the legacy of slavery
Spoiler
I had the feeling Bree would be a Scion through the rape of one of her ancestors, and I really liked how Deonn played itIn terms of romance, I really loved it too. Spoiler:
Spoiler
I really didn't want Sel to be a love interest from the moment we first met him, but then when he helped train her I boarded the enemies to lovers train, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how it plays out. I love Nick, but as a friend said, he's literally too perfect. I'm so excited to see what book 2 brings.In my hierarchy of Buy, Borrow, or Don't Bother, this is a Buy the hardback! And a preorder the sequel sight unseen.