A review by zhanae_j
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I think I'm going to start a tradition of rereading Legendborn every year. This is my third reread of this book, post Bloodmarked (2022) and in anticipation of Oathbound (2025). There were a number of things that I missed in my first two passes, so I'm glad I took the time time to sit with Bree's story again.

As a Black American descendant of enslaved Africans--and as someone who has studied and worked in predominantly white spaces--this book strikes a chord with me. When other characters in this book disrespect Bree...I take that personally *Michael Jordan voice* I don't think I have ever been this connected with a character's journey. Tracy Deonn does an amazing job navigating all of the facets of Bree's righteous anger and grief. I feel a deep sense of awe as she works through her trauma by connecting with Patricia's ancestors and, eventually, her own ancestry.

If this book had nothing to do with the King Arthur legend it would still be compelling. I have always held transient interest in Arthurian legend. I appreciate entries like this and The Green Knight taking mythology that has been done to death and injecting it with some new blood. The bomb-shell reveal at the end of this book and its consequences still sends chills through me whenever I think about it.
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