Scan barcode
A review by sweekune
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An exciting YA fantasy that blends Arthurian legend, traditional rootcraft, American culture and history. The protagonist Bree's mother dies in an accident shortly before she starts at a new boarding school. Bree has to balance school, magic and processing the death of her mother.
- I loved how well the magic and the history intertwined, how legend, myth and fact were melded seemlessly into the narrative. The magic systems involved were well-crafted and nuanced. I was particularly interested by the chapters covering root magic and how it worked.
- This book does not shy away from the reality of how black people, and other IPOC, are and were treated in the US and how the racism is so systemic and integrated into American/western society. The book holds no punches on this and it is exactly how this should be shown in literature.
- I'll admit I am not well read in Arthurian legend but from my humble knowledge, I enjoyed the references and the nods to various well known knights and events.
- The way this book explores mental health, particularly grief, was extremely well done and it is plain that Deonn has done a lot of research on the matter. Legendborn would be an excellent book for someone who is processing grief or battling mental illness as both an escape and a subtle learning tool.
I loved this book and cannot wait until the next one is released. In the meantime I plan to read more Arthurian inspired books and find out more about rootcraft magic and its historical origins. Highly recommend.
- I loved how well the magic and the history intertwined, how legend, myth and fact were melded seemlessly into the narrative. The magic systems involved were well-crafted and nuanced. I was particularly interested by the chapters covering root magic and how it worked.
- This book does not shy away from the reality of how black people, and other IPOC, are and were treated in the US and how the racism is so systemic and integrated into American/western society. The book holds no punches on this and it is exactly how this should be shown in literature.
- I'll admit I am not well read in Arthurian legend but from my humble knowledge, I enjoyed the references and the nods to various well known knights and events.
- The way this book explores mental health, particularly grief, was extremely well done and it is plain that Deonn has done a lot of research on the matter. Legendborn would be an excellent book for someone who is processing grief or battling mental illness as both an escape and a subtle learning tool.
I loved this book and cannot wait until the next one is released. In the meantime I plan to read more Arthurian inspired books and find out more about rootcraft magic and its historical origins. Highly recommend.