Tracy Deonn

I already came into reading this book with high expectations (thanks to my sister for the high recommendation), and I was absolutely blown away. I finished the majority of the book in a day and just ate it up. I love a re-telling, as I was raised on Percy Jackson, but this new lens of Arthurian legend with the multiple layers of diversity in not only the characters, but the weaving of history from a intersectional point of view really made the story so much deeper and meaningful.

Bree's show more trauma and grief play a large part in her "hero's journey" if you will, and as a mental health professional, the symptoms and behaviors were not manipulated or dramatized to bluster the plot, but rather helped dictate the reality of an individual going through familial death. And, the additional ways that Bree's families story weaves into the world she in entering into helps move the plot forward in such an interesting and compelling way. The world building was so lovely. I think this re-telling really is unique and weaves history and fantasy in such a delicate and meaningful way. You can't help but love all of the characters, and you connect with them quickly. I really can't say enough. Hands down one of the best books I've read all year. show less

Read hot on the heels of 'Legendborn', this sequel takes everything up a notch in complexity. Bree now has to navigate the fallout of her identity as Arthur’s Scion, grapple with the unique nuances of her gift, and balance her feelings for both Sel and Nick. Deonn continues to deliver a compelling narrative: fast-paced, layered, and rich with foreshadowing that lays strong groundwork for future revelations.

Where the book wavered a little for me was towards the end: the shifting points of show more view felt somewhat jolting, perhaps accentuated by listening in audio. Sticking with Bree’s perspective (or Bree’s body’s perspective) sometimes limited the immediacy of those scenes compared with earlier parts of the novel.

Representation remains one of the series’ strongest features. The LGBT+ characters - e.g. Sel, William, Alice - are written with warmth and depth, to the point where Bree often feels like the only straight person in the party. I enjoyed this balance, especially as it contrasted with the heightened drama of Bree’s love triangle with her two boys, which also carried hints of polyamory or a throuple dynamic. Alice in particular is given more space to shine here, her friendship with Bree feeling more convincing than her sharp dismissal in book one.

Deonn also continues to weave Black experience into the fabric of the story with skill and impact. Volition, the reclaimed ex-plantation, resonates as a large-scale example, while small details - Alice bringing Bree products for Black hair, or asides about the feelings evoked by white-people's weddings at plantations - add texture and authenticity.

Despite all this, I wasn’t left with quite the same drive to download the next book immediately as I was after Legendborn. There’s a lot to digest here, and I find myself wanting space to sit with it, while also being a little nervous about what Deonn has in store next. show less

This Arthurian-inspired fantasy follows Bree, a brilliantly academic Black teenager in the South, as she navigates grief after the loss of her mother, enrols in an early college programme, and stumbles upon the Legendborn: a secret society of Arthur’s descendants sworn to protect “onceborns” from demonic forces. What makes this novel stand out is the way it layers Western myth with a contrasted Black cultural heritage including magic, exploring how racism and generational memory shape show more Bree’s journey as she learns to harness her own power.

Bree is a compelling protagonist, with a strong voice and a clear sense of her priorities. Her emotional arc - especially her navigation of grief - is powerful, and moments of cultural resonance, such as her reflection with two other Black women, bring added depth and authenticity. The supporting cast is engaging too, with meaningful inclusion of non-binary and LGBT characters, handled without homophobia (and limited transphobia), which felt refreshing in a story that still acknowledges other systemic prejudices. The twists are well-plotted, pulled through multiple narrative strands so that the reveals land as both surprising and inevitable.

That said, there are points where the narrative leans on tropes that feel a little forced. Bree’s intelligence as a “smart girl” protagonist is occasionally undercut by plot-convenient lapses in judgement/attentiveness - most notably her disproportionate shock around Nick’s choices at the end. Some of the romantic moments also slipped into cliché, with scenes of being swept away in strong arms that undercut the otherwise nuanced treatment of gender dynamics. The love interest is more rounded than usual in YA, and it’s satisfying to see a “good guy” at the centre, but there are clear signals that this dynamic will shift in later books.

Overall, Legendborn is an ambitious, engaging read that blends mythology, social commentary, and coming-of-age themes with style. If some romantic beats felt familiar, the strength of the voice, the cultural reworking of Arthurian legend, and the emotional depth more than carried it. I finished it eager for the sequel. show less

*Free e-book ARC received from the publisher through Edelweiss Plus - thank you!*
Also - necessarily spoilers for Legendborn.

Though Bree is now the awakened Scion of Arthur, she's not yet gone through the rite and the Order wants to keep her secret, using Nick's disappearance to mask both of their true bloodlines. She's desperate to go after Nick, but can't control her power. Root comes defensively, and she can't form armor out of aether the way William, the Scion of Gawain can. And Sel - show more well, he's not sure how long he can go without protecting Nick and fulfilling his oath. Then the Regents use the rite to their own ends, and Bree needs to use all her ingenuity to protect herself and her friends from their aims.

Where do I start? The world-building is fantastic, using both American history and Arthurian legend, exploring both through Bree's unique heritage and ability to wield both Root and Order magic and communicate with her ancestors. What was established in Legendborn is broadened as she and her friends learn more about the world they've been thrust into. The characters are realistically drawn and made me care deeply about what happened to them in a fast-paced sequel that lived up to the first book. At the end I was simultaneously annoyed not to know the end of the story but also looking forward to seeing where it leads next. show less