A review by sfbookgirl
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective tense 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

5.0

The reviews don’t lie; this book is PHENOMENAL! I sensed some Ninth House (Leigh Bardugo) vibes relatively early on and was pleased that it didn’t feel too similar. Dark fantasy academia is my favorite genre so I knew coming into Legendborn that there was a 99% chance that I would love it. The book is about a high school student named Bree Matthews who enrolls in an early college program at UNC-Chapel Hill a few months after her mother’s death. After witnessing a magical demon attack on her first night at UNC, Bree discovers her own magic and is eager to determine if this is at all tied to her mother’s death.

Legendborn is Tracy Deonn’s first novel and I can’t wait to read what else Deonn writes. The character arcs, family histories, and legacies are so spectacularly executed and bring forth important issues like inherited grief, slavery, and racism. It also speaks about the power of Black women, strength, and self-discovery. Because Legendborn loosely revolves around the legend of King Arthur, I suggest brushing up on that story before diving into the book. And while it’s a hefty 500 pages, I never found Legendborn to be slow; it caters perfectly to my preference for plot-based stories. I can’t wait for the sequel! 
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