Legendborn
TikTok made me buy it!
📘 About This Book
SOME LEGACIES ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN. "I love the feeling of a magical world existing just beneath the surface of our own and this story gave me everything I wanted: incredible characters, ancient lore and secret societies – all grounded in our very real, very flawed world . . ." –Leigh Bardugo, author of Shadow and Bone An explosive fantasy debut that is taking TikTok by storm. Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare, Leigh Bardugo, Sarah J. Maas and Cinderella is Dead! Filled with mystery and Southern Black Girl Magic, Tracy Deonn’s New York Times bestselling Legendborn offers the dark allure of City of Bones with a modern-day twist on a classic legend . . . After her mother dies in an accident, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews wants to escape. A residential programme for bright high-schoolers seems like the perfect opportunity – until she witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus . . . A flying demon feeding on human energies. A secret society of so-called “Legendborn” that hunt the creatures down. A mysterious mage who calls himself a “Merlin” and who attempts – and fails – to wipe Bree’s memory of everything she saw. The mage’s failure unlocks Bree’s own unique magic and a buried memory about her mother. Now Bree will do whatever it takes to discover the truth, even infiltrate the Legendborn. But when the Legendborn reveal themselves as the descendants of King Arthur’s knights and foretell a magical war, Bree must decide how far she’ll go for the truth. Should she use her magic to take the society down – or join the fight? Winner of the Coretta Scott King – John Steptoe for New Talent Author Award, and a New York Times bestseller!
📖 Summary
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn is a captivating young adult fantasy novel published in 2020 that spans 546 pages. The story follows sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews, whose life is upended after her mother dies in a sudden accident. Seeking an escape from her grief and the memories attached to her old life, Bree enrolls in a competitive residential program for bright high-schoolers on a college campus. However, Bree's fresh start is immediately derailed on her very first night when she witnesses a magical attack. She sees a flying demon-like creature feeding on human energy and watches as a group of mysterious teen boys called the Legendborn wipe the memories of the ordinary students who witnessed the event. Determined to uncover the truth about what happened to her mother, who was connected to the campus in unexpected ways, Bree infiltrates this secret society. She discovers a hidden world operating right beneath the surface of everyday reality, one deeply rooted in the Arthurian legends. The Legendborn are descendants of King Arthur's knights, sworn to fight ancient forces, but their rigid hierarchy, ancient traditions, and elitist attitudes conceal dark secrets and dangerous power struggles. As Bree navigates this perilous secret society, she taps into her own unique magic, described as Southern Black Girl Magic, which sets her apart from the traditional heirs of the Arthurian legacy. Alongside allies who question the status quo, Bree begins to unravel a complex conspiracy that forces her to confront her own family history, systemic power dynamics, and the heavy burden of inheritance. With its blend of modern-day campus life, high-stakes mystery, and a dark, modern twist on classic mythology, Legendborn offers a gripping exploration of grief, resilience, and identity. The novel delves into how historical legacies are maintained and challenged, highlighting the strength required to break generational cycles and forge an independent path in a world built on exclusion. As the plot unfolds across nearly five and a half hundred pages, readers are taken on an emotionally resonant and action-packed journey that redefines what it means to be a hero in a legendary tale.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
An imaginative and modern reimagining of classic Arthurian legends.
A compelling, resilient protagonist with strong emotional depth.
Seamless blending of contemporary teen struggles with high-stakes fantasy.
Richly developed world-building that exists just beneath the surface of reality.
⚠️ Cons
The dense world-building and lore can take some time to fully absorb.
The cliffhangers and complex plot threads may leave readers demanding immediate sequels.
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Legendborn? +
Legendborn was written by Tracy Deonn.
When was Legendborn published? +
Legendborn was published in 2020.
How many pages are in Legendborn? +
The book contains 546 pages.
What is the primary genre of Legendborn? +
It is a young adult fantasy novel.
What mythology or lore is the book based on? +
The novel features a modern-day twist on classic Arthurian legends combined with secret societies and magical elements.
