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A review by megliz
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars
This really blew me away. It was such an interesting take on the Arthur/Knights of the Round Table/Merlin myth retelling. The world building of this stands up to a high fantasy. It was unique and complex. I can't wait to see if it is explored even more in later novels.
I really liked all three of the main characters: Bree, Nick, and Sel. I feel like we got the least amount from Nick. I really do hope we get more. Sel was such a dick, but I love his turn around. I really liked how his background and Nick's were intertwined, but then part of his storyline in Bree's were intertwined. By the end, I felt like all three of them were tied up in a knot, and you really didn't know what will happen next in any of their relationships. The side characters were really amazing. I loved William and Greer were my favorites with honorable mentions to Sarah and Whitty.
The plot on its own on its own stood up. But Deonn did such an amazing job with character development. Bree's grief, her growth to understand and accept that, was a beautiful part of the story. There was a really strong connection to Black history. Not only with part of the magic system, but the reality of being black in the south. Whilen the fantasy elements were amazing and interesting, it was the emotions that really made this book amazing.
There were a lot of fun twists and turns throughout the book. I did guess the big major plot twist. I felt that if you knew anything about history, it was pretty obvious, but the lead up was still really interesting. For a YA book, there were real consequences and injuries. It felt like they were actually fighting for their lives instead of just miraculously coming out of battle perfectly healthy every time.
My only gripes are why did she have to be 16? I understand it's a YA book, but it felt like they really should have been college-aged. Also, if they were older, I'd feel a lot better about the fact that I'm hoping for a polyamorous situation. Like I want them to be boyfriends, but I also want them to have a girlfriend.
I will definitely be continuing this series. I already went out and bought the second book before I even finished the first book.
This really blew me away. It was such an interesting take on the Arthur/Knights of the Round Table/Merlin myth retelling. The world building of this stands up to a high fantasy. It was unique and complex. I can't wait to see if it is explored even more in later novels.
I really liked all three of the main characters: Bree, Nick, and Sel. I feel like we got the least amount from Nick. I really do hope we get more. Sel was such a dick, but I love his turn around. I really liked how his background and Nick's were intertwined, but then part of his storyline in Bree's were intertwined. By the end, I felt like all three of them were tied up in a knot, and you really didn't know what will happen next in any of their relationships. The side characters were really amazing. I loved William and Greer were my favorites with honorable mentions to Sarah and Whitty.
The plot on its own on its own stood up. But Deonn did such an amazing job with character development. Bree's grief, her growth to understand and accept that, was a beautiful part of the story. There was a really strong connection to Black history. Not only with part of the magic system, but the reality of being black in the south. Whilen the fantasy elements were amazing and interesting, it was the emotions that really made this book amazing.
There were a lot of fun twists and turns throughout the book. I did guess the big major plot twist. I felt that if you knew anything about history, it was pretty obvious, but the lead up was still really interesting. For a YA book, there were real consequences and injuries. It felt like they were actually fighting for their lives instead of just miraculously coming out of battle perfectly healthy every time.
My only gripes are why did she have to be 16? I understand it's a YA book, but it felt like they really should have been college-aged. Also, if they were older, I'd feel a lot better about the fact that I'm hoping for a polyamorous situation. Like I want them to be boyfriends, but I also want them to have a girlfriend.
I will definitely be continuing this series. I already went out and bought the second book before I even finished the first book.