Legendborn

Wowowowowowow. This book is a masterpiece. I've been more strict with myself lately about what constitutes as a five star read, and this book really fits the bill.

“Legendborn” follows a young woman named Bree whose mother just passed away, so she decides to go to an early college program at the same college her mother attended. There, she finds a secret society of magic users that dates back hundreds of years, originating with King Arthur. Throughout the book, Bree has to learn about her mother's past, while also learning about the history of her family living through slavery and how that relates to the powers she wields.

It's hard for me to put into words why I enjoyed this book so much, but I'll try. The representation in this book is superb. You have multiple LGBTQ+ people throughout the story. You also get to see a lot of the microaggressions that Bree has to face on a day to day basis, especially being part of an all-white secret society. The complexities that we learn about Bree's family tree are harrowing, and they help the reader really see how slavery still directly impacts the lives of Black people in America to this day.

This book is also really fun and the relationships formed are special and deep. All of the people that stand by Bree throughout the book you instantly fall in love with and want to also be their friend.

Tracy Deonn created a work of art with this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone that thinks they would enjoy a King Arthur retelling that is inclusive and unique.