Legendborn

by Tracy Deonn

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“Legends are dangerous, Bree. Don't underestimate them.”

― Tracy Deonn, Legendborn

“Two faults. My race and my gender. But they are not faults. They are strength.”

― Tracy Deonn, Legendborn

My Rating: 5 Stars

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Synopsis

Following the tragic death of her mother, 16-year-old Bree Matthews needs to escape more than just her hometown. To get out from under the weight of her overwhelming grief, she enrolls in a residential program for gifted high schoolers at UNC Chapel Hill. On her very first night, she witnesses something she shouldn't have: a group of students fighting a demon feeding on negative human energy. When a strange boy who calls himself "Merlin" wipes her memory, another strange thing happens -- she remembers everything. Bree is left feeling like she's witnessed this magic before... the night her mother died in a car accident. This leaves Bree reeling and hungry to know more about these students who call themselves "Legendborn." They deal with these creatures Bree witnessed. The Legendborn Order is a secret society descended from King Arthur’s knights. As it turns out, Bree's student mentor, Nick, is a self-exiled member of the order. Instead of helping Bree keep her grades up and stay out of trouble, Nick assists Bree in infiltrating the Order to discover the truth behind her mother’s death. Along the way, she discovers her own ancestral power. As she delves deeper into their world, they that they are preparing for an impending magical war. As Bree discovers her own unique powers and how she fits into this world, she has to decide if she will use her powers for or against the Legendborn.

Protagonist - Bree Matthews

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We all know the archetype for a female young adult fantasy protagonist. Bree breaks the mold. Bree is real. She is tangible and relatable. She is a smart, quick-thinking, stubborn woman battling the grief of losing her mother. She is multi-faceted and imperfect in many ways, and her growth throughout the story was a journey that I was honored to share with her. I think that the most captivating thing about Bree is that she isn't "Chosen One." In fact, she struggles with being an outsider to the Legendborn, not only because she doesn't share the same lineage that they do, but also because of her race. Everyone else in the Order is white. She faces doubt from them regarding her right to be there. Legendborn offers a fresh approach to the "Chosen One" trope that normally favors the privileged, white, wealthy, or titled.

Setting - UNC Chapel Hill

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“Everything has two histories. Especially in the South.”

― Tracy Deonn, Legendborn

Legendborn is an urban fantasy, meaning that it places imaginary and unreal elements in a contemporary urban setting that is somewhat recognizable. The story takes place in the real world at UNC Chapel Hill. Bree's experience is rooted in Deonn's own experience as a student at the university. UNC Chapel Hill has been implicated in a variety of race controversies throughout its long history, with many prevalent ones surfacing in the last few years. The setting felt intensely authentic to me, in both a physical sense and in Bree's own relationship with it. Deonn is able to balance the fantastical and realistic elements seamlessly. I almost believe that I could drive to Chapel Hill, find the Order, and fight some demons with them.

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Deonn's Writing

Deonn's writing is enchanting, and Legendborn is a stunning debut. I was overjoyed to jump back into her world every time I would sit back down to read. All of her characters jumped to life right off the page as I read. The plot was twisting and turning right up to the last page. Along with clear and impressive worldbuilding, Deonn's writing also illuminates everything that is true for Black people in the South. Legendborn is a lot of things. It's a quest for revenge. It's a commentary on racism in the South and in education. Deonn is able to capture it all and wind it all together into a beautiful story that will capture the hearts of all types of readers and people, not to mention the action-packed sword fighting sequences and endearing romance subplot.

Magic System

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Deonn incoporates two magic systems into Legendborn. There is the magic system of the Order and then there is Rootcraft. In Rootcraft, Deonn creates magic from the perspective of a Black American. Rootcraft is the ancestral magic of enslaved people, and it has its own specific set of rules that are "rooted" in Black culture. It is very different from the magic of the Order. Bree is positioned as a bridge between these two magic systems. Both magic systems made sense and were easy to follow. Bree has this power springing to life inside her, but she can't fully come to terms with it until she comes to terms with her own history and her mother.

Legendary Roots

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In the story, Bree discovers a magical world that she believed was only the stuff of myth and legend. The lore in question is Arthurian Legend. Each Legendborn is descended from one of the Knights of the Round Table (Sir Kay, Sir Gawain, Sir Lancelot, etc). The Legendborn pride themselves on their ancestry and the privilege that comes with it. Racism and classism hold Bree back when she enters their world. The legends of King Arthur and his knights is so complex and has been rehearsed and changed so many times by so many hands. I think that Deonn's addition to the legend is valuable beyond words.

Racism, the South, and Why Legendborn Matters

While Legendborn incorporates mythical lore and fantastical elements, the racism that Bree experiences is real. She is forced to prove herself and justify her place both at UNC Chapel Hill and also within the Order. The Legendborn's treatment of Bree exposes the flippant racism experienced both in select social circles and in everyday life. Bree has to battle stereotypes and deal with a steady stream of microaggressions that are likely familiar to many students of color at Wake Forest, making the story extremely relevant for those at Wake Forest who have experienced the harm and inflicted it. Deonn intimately explores ancestry, and how it -- along with history -- shape our present. Through Legendborn, she asks the questions of what it means to be a legacy, who gets to be a legacy, and what it means to have a place at the (round) table.

Just one minor issue...

I have very few complaints about Legendborn. While it was a fast-paced, action-packed story, I found the timing of the story to be somewhat unrealistic. Bree is an exceptionally gifted student who has been placed in a notoriously grueling academic program. One problem: it seems to me that in the two week span that the story covers, Bree attends about 3 classes. I don't think even magic could keep her grades from suffering. Bree's presence at UNC Chapel Hill is purely functional in placing her in proximity with the Order. I don't necessarily think the book should have been longer as it already by no means a quick read clocking in at 500 pages. I do think, however, that a closer look at the timing on Deonn's part would have made it seem more realistic.

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Don't miss the sequel!

This is an opportune time to pick up Legendborn as the second book in the Legendborn Cycle hits the shelves on November 22nd! Legendborn is the first book in what is going to be a trilogy. If you need even more motivation, Winston-Salem's very own independent bookstore, Bookmarks, is hosting a free virtual event on October 13th with Tracy Deonn herself. You can click this link to register!

Final Thoughts

You don't want to miss out on the first installment of what is set up to be a fantastic trilogy. This is seriously one of the best books I've ever read, and I read a lot of books. I have read my fair share of young adult fantasy, and I thought I had seen everything. Legendborn has proved me wrong and has gotten me excited to read stories that fall outside of my own experience. My verdict: Read Legendborn ... now!

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Content Warnings

death of a parent, grief, mental illness, racism, physical and sexual abuse, mind manipulation, blood, violence, death

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