aeons_v_atlas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Classism, and Grief
Minor: Car accident and Alcohol
campisforever's review against another edition
- 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
Taking on Arthruiana (stories of King Arthur and the Round Table) is no small feat in itself. Doing so in a mode that centers a Black girl's existence is monumental and so, so, so important. Tracy Deonn has made a place for Black women among the heroes of Arthurian legend without bowing to its inherent assumptions about who can and should be considered "legendary." At the same time that it reanimates the legend of King Arthur, Legendborn resonates with ideas and approaches visible in other Black Feminist work (e.g., N. K. Jemisin, Octavia Butler, M. NourbeSe Philip, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Katherine McKittrick, Dionne Brand, Saidiya Hartman, etc.).
If you were a fan of Dark Horse's Once and Future Queen (which didn't get the run it deserved), Legendborn is for you. If you are looking for a fantasy novel that actively challenges and resists the inherent whiteness and racialism of "Tolkienist" fantasy and Western fantasy stories in general, I encourage you to read this book. If you're looking for something like T. H. White or Mists of Avalon, this book is not what you're looking for, but you should read it anyway.
Graphic: Violence, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Slavery, and Child abuse
All content warnings are given in degrees: "Graphic" means that they're prominent elements of the story and are the most detailed. "Moderate" means that they're world building elements--specifically, "racism" refers to depictions of the kinds of casual racism (e.g., hair touching, comments about affirmative action/diversity, one use of a phrase used to refer to Black hair types, etc.). "Minor" means that these things are referred to, but not depicted explicitly or in an extended manner. This book deals with the legacies of enslavement in American history and its attendant generational trauma. It does not shy away from these realities, but also does not allow them to take up more space than warranted.rosenau's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Car accident, Kidnapping, Slavery, Classism, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Rape, Cursing, and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol, Transphobia, War, Bullying, Rape, Slavery, and Sexual assault
karly_ackley's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Slavery, Classism, War, Racism, Blood, Grief, Medical content, and Colonisation
Moderate: Transphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent
Minor: Rape
iheartapolloxxi's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Car accident, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Alcohol, Blood, Classism, Rape, and Sexism
brenee_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death of parent and Car accident
Minor: Slavery, Classism, and Racism
spooderman's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, Bullying, Grief, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Classism, Gore, Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Slavery, Death, Car accident, Confinement, Body horror, Violence, Sexism, Misogyny, Torture, Hate crime, Death of parent, Abandonment, War, Mental illness, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Deportation, Cursing, Cultural appropriation, Blood, Ableism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Pregnancy, Addiction, Alcohol, Rape, Animal death, Religious bigotry, Animal cruelty, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual assault, Vomit, and Suicidal thoughts
vivavia's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Death, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Racism, Torture, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Classism, Murder, Body horror, and Car accident
ryankaybee's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death of parent, Classism, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Grief, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Slavery
poetsofsweetpea's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Classism, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Murder, Racism, and Rape