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A review by charliauthor
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Second Review - 2025
As before, i still really enjoyed Legendborn there were just a lot of elements of the secondary plot line that I didnt take to. As ever, I'm not a fan of the trauma/slave narrative, and while this was executed in a way that didnt necessarily feel performative, it still irked me that the root of the Arthurian magic in a Black protagonist was still trauma, oppression and violence. Without going into spoilers, the reason for Bree's Arthurian inheritance could have been a forbidden love story rather than what it was.
I respect that this was not the angle the author wished to take as the emphasis on claiming from our ancestors and from those previously oppressed, was the point. I just disliked that even while being the protagonist, it was still based on the narratives that are always reserved for us rather than being special just because.
Outside of that, I really loved the lore and thought gone into the Arthurian themes. While it got a little confusing at points with the root and blood cast stuff, i eventually got my head around it and was able to really appreciate how she linked the ancestral magic to the Orders magic. It was really cleverly done and i appreciated the research and thought gone into it.
In terms of characters, i really enjoyed the love triangle simply because both choices feel valid. Nick and Sel are great competition for each other (even if I'm Team Sel regardless). I liked Bree's interactions with Sel the most and Nick's saviour complex, while a bit overdone was still very chivalrous and sweet.
What I also didnt like with this though, was her relationship with Nick in connection with Bree's thoughts on racism. It was hard for me to get behind Bree's outrage for all the micro aggressions (and major) going on around her, when she was romanticising and justifying everything Nick did to not make him 'one of them'. It almost cheapened her pain for me in a way cause it felt like she was only angry when it suited her. Not to say everyone should be painted with the same brush or to answer for their ancestors, but there was something that felt performative about Bree's outrage when she was lusting over her blue eyed, blonde haired warrior. It felt hypocritical at times if im honest.
Overall, it was good and i look forward to Bloodmarked so i can learn more about the lore and meet more of the side characters, namely William who is my absolute fave!
As before, i still really enjoyed Legendborn there were just a lot of elements of the secondary plot line that I didnt take to. As ever, I'm not a fan of the trauma/slave narrative, and while this was executed in a way that didnt necessarily feel performative, it still irked me that the root of the Arthurian magic in a Black protagonist was still trauma, oppression and violence. Without going into spoilers, the reason for Bree's Arthurian inheritance could have been a forbidden love story rather than what it was.
I respect that this was not the angle the author wished to take as the emphasis on claiming from our ancestors and from those previously oppressed, was the point. I just disliked that even while being the protagonist, it was still based on the narratives that are always reserved for us rather than being special just because.
Outside of that, I really loved the lore and thought gone into the Arthurian themes. While it got a little confusing at points with the root and blood cast stuff, i eventually got my head around it and was able to really appreciate how she linked the ancestral magic to the Orders magic. It was really cleverly done and i appreciated the research and thought gone into it.
In terms of characters, i really enjoyed the love triangle simply because both choices feel valid. Nick and Sel are great competition for each other (even if I'm Team Sel regardless). I liked Bree's interactions with Sel the most and Nick's saviour complex, while a bit overdone was still very chivalrous and sweet.
What I also didnt like with this though, was her relationship with Nick in connection with Bree's thoughts on racism. It was hard for me to get behind Bree's outrage for all the micro aggressions (and major) going on around her, when she was romanticising and justifying everything Nick did to not make him 'one of them'. It almost cheapened her pain for me in a way cause it felt like she was only angry when it suited her. Not to say everyone should be painted with the same brush or to answer for their ancestors, but there was something that felt performative about Bree's outrage when she was lusting over her blue eyed, blonde haired warrior. It felt hypocritical at times if im honest.
Overall, it was good and i look forward to Bloodmarked so i can learn more about the lore and meet more of the side characters, namely William who is my absolute fave!