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A review by emptzuu
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
The author attempts to highlight the struggles of POC, but I feel it was done in a way that wasn’t productive. The portrayal of a constantly victimized Black character only reflects one perspective, as if they're always preoccupied with race. While injustice and unfairness are real issues, the approach felt heavy-handed and spoon-fed to the reader. The protagonist came across as entitled, whiny, and weak. Although she was self-righteous and bold in her opinions, she fell apart when facing both internal and external challenges. The character felt clichéd and poorly developed.
The love interest, Selwyn Kane, was also a tired stereotype—troubled past, dark curly hair, tattoos, and, of course, gleaming amber eyes. This kind of portrayal is overdone, and it would be refreshing to see new approaches to male characters.
A better example, although not YA, is The Fifth Season. It features strong women who aren’t just victims but fully realized characters, and it lets the reader draw their own connections to culture and real-world oppression. While I appreciate the representation, this book wasn’t for me.
The love interest, Selwyn Kane, was also a tired stereotype—troubled past, dark curly hair, tattoos, and, of course, gleaming amber eyes. This kind of portrayal is overdone, and it would be refreshing to see new approaches to male characters.
A better example, although not YA, is The Fifth Season. It features strong women who aren’t just victims but fully realized characters, and it lets the reader draw their own connections to culture and real-world oppression. While I appreciate the representation, this book wasn’t for me.