Legendborn
4.6 | 14,163 ratings
Price: 19.68
Last update: 02-02-2026
Top reviews from the United States
- Michael J. AndersonA modern take on Arthurian legend…and much more!On the surface Legendborn is a modern take on the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table - but for me that was just the foundation, and all of the stories and characters Tracy Deonn built upon that legend are what make this such an intriguing tale and one I highly recommend.
We follow Bree, a very smart 16 year old girl getting ready to enter the early college program at UNC Chapel Hill with her best friend Alice. Her mother died in a car accident the day after she and Bree fought, casting a pall over everything as Bree dissociates into ‘after Bree’ with walls she puts up to protect herself.
From the first night things take an unexpected turn - joining an older friend in a forbidden trip off campus, Bree stumbles upon lights and images and things she cannot explain, and an older teen who is able to do things and produce objects that make no sense to her. That teen powerfully suggests everyone leave, and they do until Bree feels the suggestive fog clear and returns to see the rest of an unbelievable battle. She finds herself in a police car, before the dean, and forced to take on a peer mentor to help her keep on the right track.
Along the way she deals with the racism you would expect for the ‘good old boy’ North Carolina establishment. She also meets characters you will love or hate - Sel, Tor, Nick, William, Davis, Isaac, Fitz, Sarah, Greer, Vaughn, Witty, Patricia, Mariah, and others.
The characters and their relationships - and the way the Arthurian legend is told and wrapped around 21st century life - makes for a fast paced and intriguing read. There are a number of things you simply wouldn’t have seen coming but fall into line perfectly once you know.
A specific goal for me has been improving the diversity of authors and experiences I enjoy, and I love how the book doesn’t shy away from racism in many blunt and nuanced forms, and also shows people as fully formed individuals regardless of background, gender or sexual identity or preference. It celebrates the differences without pretending those differences don’t exist - and I loved that!
My only criticism has to do with ages - Bree is 16 and feels mature for that age but not unreasonable, but some of the other characters who are supposedly juniors or seniors at the university are only 18 while others talk about helping the ‘under 21s’ get served. I feel this was done to not have 16 year olds romantically involved with 22 year olds, but it still took me out of the story a couple of times.
I only found out about Legendborn as people were getting ready for the sequel, and for me that is exciting as I got to finish the first book and dive right into the next one! And Legendborn certainly leaves things wide open for a sequel while closing up many threads. Not a low-stakes book, so definitely be aware of potential triggers, but it is one of the better books I’ve read in the past year. - Valencia NAn amazing YA fantasy!The best retelling of King Arthur I have ever read! Honestly 5 stars does not do this book justice at all! This was a very powerful read! I’m not a huge fan of YA and honestly haven’t read YA in a couple years but I had to pick this up and enjoy all that was offered from this story. We have a black FMC and then we have so much black history mentioned in here and it’s honestly what drew me in the most. Finally a book that’s fantasy and have a black main character it doesn’t get much better than this.
Bree is our FMC and she is honestly learning more and more about herself as the book goes on. Every time she gets closer there’s another covered story behind another story. Bree is so strong, brave, and just an amazing character. The emotions she goes through throughout this book felt real and like my own. I could feel her pain and her strength! Nick our MMC is a good character as well! He shows nothing but sympathy for Bree when needed and love as well. He falls hard for Bree and fast but I love him more for that. Selwyn ???? let’s just say I always have a thing for the “bad” guys and sel has worked his way in my heart and I just can’t let him go.
There’s so much suspense and drama in here I suggest picking this up and having no errands on your to do list because this is a read you want to sit down for, get trapped in the story and never leave. Every single character was well written and I have no complaints for any character even the ones that are the “villains”. The love triangle with Bree, Nick, and Sel drive me insane because I want them all to be together and I just don’t know how it’ll turn out. I can’t wait to read Bloodmarked - scrappygirlI liked it and didn't and then I did...I liked the story okay. This was my second read to prepare for book 2 and then get book 3 in March but you know, I didn't care a lot for the female character. Bree was just a little brash, rude sometimes and a little annoying at times but I did not hate her. I liked the plot of the story but found it coukd have been shortened a lot. I feel the beginning dragged and everytime ainheard the word Aether I wanted to scream.
There were a few characters I did like and my favorite was Selwyn and woukd have loved more about him. Nick was nice and all but I found him a little boring sadly. I loved William the healer. He's a great character and friend to Bree and I hope she appreciates him in book 2.
I did like the Black history that was put innthe booknto make it real and for us to understand what they went through many years ago. I found some parts very interesting.
As for Bree I want her to develop more in book 2.and with the surprising ending of book 1 I hope I am in for excitement. I also want to see and understand Selwyn. He's such a complex character throughout book 1.
As for the narration I really wished there had been two narrators. I felt that she didn't change her voice very much and I don't know, a male should have been able to change all the men's voices better. I have book 2 on audio but not sure I will listen to it unless it gets slow in some parts of the book.