Legendborn Book Review: A Fantasy Classic Worthy of Your Attention

Legendborn is a young adult fantasy and science fiction published in 2020. It was written by Tracy Deonn and has been nominated for various literary awards such as Locus Award for Best Young Adult Book (2021) and Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature (2020). The book has a total of 58 chapters and a sequel entitled Bloodmarked published in 2022.

The story of Legendborn follows the 16-year-old protagonist, Bree Matthews. Bree's mother died after an accident which shattered her world. After the incident, she decided to seek refuge at a residential program for gifted students at UNC-Chapel Hill. While the institution appears to be helpful in Bree's recovery after the tragic death of her mother, it is not perfect at all.

On Bree's first night, a magical attack took place in the institution. It was initiated by a flying demon feeding on human energies. Upon witnessing this, Bree discovers the secret society called "Legendborn". A mysterious teenage mage who introduced himself as "Merlin" tried to wipe Bree's memory of that night but failed.

From that moment, Bree unlocks her hidden magic and talents and unlocks the mysteries of her mother's death. Will she be able to find the answers she's looking for? Will she choose to fight against Legendborn or join them in the fight against the wicked demons?

Author Information

Legendborn is a novel written by Tracy Deonn. Deonn is an accomplished writer and claims to be a second-generation fangirl. Born and raised in North Carolina, she developed a deep passion for both fantasy literature and the rich culinary heritage of the South. After acquiring her master's degree in communication from UNC-CH, Deonn worked in a diverse range of fields, including live theater, video games, and K-12 education.

If you want to learn more about Tracy Deonn, feel free to follow her on Twitter @tracydeonn or visit her website, @tracydeonn.com.

Novel Key Factors

Are you interested in the story of Legendborn but not sure if it's the right fit for you? Don't worry, we got you covered. In this part, we break down the different elements of the book and discuss them thoroughly, so you can decide properly whether it's a must-read for you or not.

Theme

Legendborn conveys the themes of grief and trauma. It also explores the theme of magic and spiritual traditions. Racism is another powerful theme of this novel.

Characters

The characters in the story offer remarkable traits that every reader will certainly admire and connect with. Below we discuss the main characters one by one.

Bree Matthews

Bree Matthews is a smart 16-year-old teenager who is grieving the loss of her mother. Despite her extreme sorrow, she remained brave and resilient. She has Arthur's strength and wisdom and can use her power to 'bloodwalk', which means that she can live in her ancestor's memories.

Nick Davis

Nick Davis is a strong fighter who has a complex and intriguing yet kindhearted character. He is the love interest of Bree and has the power of speed and enhanced vision.

Point of View

Legendborn is narrated from the first-person point of view. The narrator of the story is the main character, Bree. This point of view allowed the readers to relate to the character's thoughts and growth and build a lasting connection with her.

Plot

The novel begins with Bree being devastated by her mother's recent death. She was filled with regret because her last conversation with her mother is an argument regarding her acceptance into UNC's Early College program. Burdened with the emotional pain, Bree decides to escape and forget her family's memories and her childhood home.

Bree enrolls in a residential program for talented high school students at UNC-Chapel Hill hoping for a fresh start. However, Bree's desire for solace at UNC-Chapel Hill was ruined as she discovers the existence of flying demons that feed on human energy and a secret society called "Legendborn" that hunt down wicked creatures.

To Bree's surprise, a teenage mage who identifies himself as a "Merlin" tries to erase her memories of the night she learned about the demons and Legendborn. However, his spell fails, unlocking Bree's own unique magical abilities and revealing a mystery about her mother's death.

Bree becomes determined to uncover the truth about her mother's death and suspected Legendborn as the suspect behind it. With desperation, she forms a partnership with Nick, a member of Legendborn who has a personal vendetta against the secret society.

As Bree and Nick delve into the secrets of Legendborn, their alliance grows stronger, and a deepening bond develops between them.

Most Notable Parts

Tracy Deonn has written remarkable lines in Legendborn that stay with the reader even after turning the last page. Below we share with you some notable parts we encountered in this novel.

"Don't make your life about the loss. Make it about the love." -  Legendborn

This is a short sentence that speaks a thousand words. It offers a shift in perspective and encourages us not to dwell on the pain of loss. It is a great reminder that life should be focused on the memories, connections, and relationships that have enriched our lives.

"The most important thing you can do in this world is survive it. You can't do anything for anyone else if you don't take care of yourself first." -  Legendborn

We particularly like this part as it encourages readers to take care of themselves first before others. While it is true that we should be kind toward others, it is also essential to recognize and prioritize self-care.

Writing Styles

The writing style of the author is narrative and descriptive. She was able to narrate the developments in the story clearly and describe each scene vividly. She was also imaginative in her writing and was able to bring to life fantastical elements and magical characters.

Final Part

In the final part, we see Bree and Sel walking side by side through the open yawn of the field. Nick is missing and Bree is determined to find and rescue him.

Conclusion

Legendborn is not your typical fantasy story. It features a story that goes beyond the surface of magic and adventure and delves into complex themes. Ultimately, the narrative is immersive, and the novel's fantastical elements have created emotional depth and thought-provoking moments.

Don't miss your chance to experience a riveting fantasy tale. Start reading Legendborn today and join Bree's journey in uncovering hidden truths and embracing her own power!

FAQs

Q: Does Legendborn Have LGBTQ?

A: The novel features characters with diverse genders and sexual orientations. These characters include a lesbian, two bisexuals, a gay, and a queer couple.

Q: Is Legendborn Spicy?

A: The short answer is yes. Legendborn contains strong language, occasional moderate profanity, and kissing scenes. There are also implied sexual activities and violence. Additionally, a past incident of rape involving a female slave was mentioned in the story. With this being said, this book is recommended for eighth-graders and up.