A review by jae_28
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

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

5.0

 This was my third read of this book and it’s only right to say I get more invested, emotional, and mindblown each and every time. I don’t even know what else to say at this point. This series is so MASSIVE. The horrible depth and threads that tie these characters together but cultivate soul-aching beauty in their connection make me vibrate in my skin. And I’m specifically talking about the fantastic three here (Bree, Sel, and Nick). 

After reading the second book last year and coming back to this… so many things just clicked. You’re constantly learning and seeing new things and I can do nothing but commend Deonn for beautifully executing this and being an amazing storyteller. This time round, I decided I needed to take my own notes and probably get another copy of the physicals just to highlight and annotate plot stuff alone because it’s necessary. Especially now that I’m hopping back into Bloodmarked. Despite already reading it, I AM NOT READY. I bought the ebook even though I already have the hardcover (that I’m reading again in February). 

Having to wait until March for the third book is actually criminal because after that cover reveal I know it’s going to be EPIC. I’ve had conversations with myself about that cover and what’s coming with it. It’s been almost two years and Ms. Deonn was cooking up greatness, I can feel it in my soul. 

All this to say, read the book. A black girl at a PWI, infiltrates a secret society (that’s predominantly white) to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death. It’s heavy, there’s a lot of racist, elitist, colonizer shit and it’s so worth it. Because there’s also empowerment, black girl magic, and love so deep and ancestral that it moves you spiritually. And if that’s too “political” for you… thaaaaat’s more your problem than the book’s SNS.