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jess_always_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Wow, this was a blast! I usually stay away from YA but this book was not too YA for me. It's an amazing read with a really interesting story and a great perspective. I absolutely love the twisting of Arthurian legend, secret societies, and Demon hunting into this wonderful new adventure with some truly unexpected twists and turns.
The mental health / grief representation and the exploration of black history and legacies were so well handled and incorporated into the story.
There are quite a few characters and my tired brain sometimes lost track of who was who and who had done what in previous scenes but I think that's more of a me issue 😅
11/10 would recommend!
The mental health / grief representation and the exploration of black history and legacies were so well handled and incorporated into the story.
There are quite a few characters and my tired brain sometimes lost track of who was who and who had done what in previous scenes but I think that's more of a me issue 😅
11/10 would recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexism, Torture, and Transphobia
sophieamreacher's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Loved this so much. I loved the history and magic system. I loved the depth and sadness. I loved the world building and the characters. I especially loved Bree and I have a crush on Sel. Can’t wait to continue this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
thehannahclaire's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Violence, and War
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture
enchanteddroppings's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was the book club pick for June, that I originally planned to read in May, didn't have time to read in June, but finally read and finish in August.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Racism, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Minor: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Sexual assault
all_too_well's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, and Violence
corsetedfeminist's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I think this is the first American fantasy novel l've ever read that actually takes the racist history of this country into account in a profound way that actually affects the plot. That one plot twist at the end? My brain exploded with some combination of horror and wonder.
The magical world and system itself is probably one of my favorites of all time, just from a magic perspective. I loved the discussions of the differences between the Order's magic and Root magic, and Bree trying to live in both worlds.
Bree. Look, I love many FMCs, but Bree was an instant favorite. She feels so real and raw and strong, and she actually acts in understandable ways in the various situations she ends up in. I love her depth, and her stubbornness, and her fire. I love the way her grief is shown, and how she finally manages to work through it to the other side. I almost literally screamed at That Moment in the last couple of chapters, when she finally comes into her inheritance.
Nick is so sweet, so strong, and somehow I care about a straight relationship. I also love that he's 100% there just to love and support Bree, and he didn't want to be here anyway.
I didn't know what to make of Sel, but, surprising no one, by the end of the book I just loved our angsty, traumatized half-demon baby and I'm looking forward to his relationship with Bree going forward. Cariad? Really? How am I supposed to cope?
I loved so many of the side characters in this book- Alice, William, Sarah, Patricia, Greer... And also hated quite a few. Besides Lord David and Isaac, when I get my hands on Tor......
Also, as someone who is a UNC fan by reason of half my family being alumni, I loved the discussion of the school's troubled history and the repeated appearance of Carolina Blue.
In conclusion- this book rewrote my brain, I'll be reading book 2 today, and then somehow waiting for book 3 to come out. Also, when do we get a movie, because I badly need it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
sp00ky_n3rd's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book was fast paced and enjoyable to read. It was a fun story with likeable characters, and the author did a really good job of exploring themes of grief and mental health. It also gave wonderful insight into the black experience that I just don't have. I need someone black to tell me if racial things like that happen to them as often as this book suggests or if it was more exaggerated in the book because it was also part of the story. I'm interested to know!
There was some repetitive language (horror went through her many a time hahaha) which I couldn't help but focus on but other than that really good fun! Looking forward to reading the next one and really hoping for the romance ending I want!
There was some repetitive language (horror went through her many a time hahaha) which I couldn't help but focus on but other than that really good fun! Looking forward to reading the next one and really hoping for the romance ending I want!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Sexism, Kidnapping, Car accident, and Colonisation
katiemcgregor's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I waited years to read this so I wouldn't have to wait for the sequel to release only to find out that it's actually a series (not a duology?!) and I'm still going to have to wait for more books 🤡
Anyway, I was an Avalon High girlie growing up so I had high expectations for Legendborn. I love all of the historical and fantastical aspects Deonn is weaving into the story but take some issue with execution. While I think that the showing not telling was successful in conveying that Bree is a quick thinker, I feel like I, as the reader, was left behind in the dust. It took so long for me to grasp this world, it's hierarchies, and magic system, and I don't feel like I usually struggle with this in fantasy novels? There was a lot of information in the first half of the book and not enough time to process it. I would really love a chart to get a visual of all of these key pieces.
The big twist wasn't entirely surprising to me, but it was just mysterious enough that I needed the book to fill in the gaps of what I hadn't already figured out. Despite the convolution, I do think that important information was delved out reasonably.
As for the love triangle...
I'm not opposed to love triangles but the issue I usually have with them is that one party is far more appealing or interesting than the other contender vying for our protagonist's affections. This issue is present in Legendborn. The Nick x Bree thing felt instalovey and Nick didn't have must personality outside of the lineage that makes up his whole identity. I get that he's supposed to be a charismatic golden boy but he's boring. Based on the ending of book 1, I'm excited to get into book 2 simply because of the dynamic shift in the love triangle.
I'm definitely intrigued and hope that Bloodmarked will be easier to grasp now that I have some understanding of the world.
Anyway, I was an Avalon High girlie growing up so I had high expectations for Legendborn. I love all of the historical and fantastical aspects Deonn is weaving into the story but take some issue with execution. While I think that the showing not telling was successful in conveying that Bree is a quick thinker, I feel like I, as the reader, was left behind in the dust. It took so long for me to grasp this world, it's hierarchies, and magic system, and I don't feel like I usually struggle with this in fantasy novels? There was a lot of information in the first half of the book and not enough time to process it. I would really love a chart to get a visual of all of these key pieces.
The big twist wasn't entirely surprising to me, but it was just mysterious enough that I needed the book to fill in the gaps of what I hadn't already figured out. Despite the convolution, I do think that important information was delved out reasonably.
As for the love triangle...
I'm not opposed to love triangles but the issue I usually have with them is that one party is far more appealing or interesting than the other contender vying for our protagonist's affections. This issue is present in Legendborn. The Nick x Bree thing felt instalovey and Nick didn't have must personality outside of the lineage that makes up his whole identity. I get that he's supposed to be a charismatic golden boy but he's boring. Based on the ending of book 1, I'm excited to get into book 2 simply because of the dynamic shift in the love triangle.
I'm definitely intrigued and hope that Bloodmarked will be easier to grasp now that I have some understanding of the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Car accident
Minor: Cancer and Vomit
hayreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It's great, for what it is. An easy read and cleanser. A bit too young for me, but it has important messaging. Minus points for the sort of love triangle.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Colonisation
piprigsby's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Transphobia and Car accident