I loved this book so much! It’s a fantastic story, but more than that, it uses magic to explore power and history and legacy in a way that goes beyond typical YA fantasy. I stayed up way too late finishing it and pre-ordered a print copy.

If Percy Jackson, the Sword and the Stone, and Kindred had a love child, it would be this PHENOMENAL book!! The story is about a young woman named Bree who is smart and lands herself Early College admission at the University of North Carolina short after her mother's unexpected car accident. While on campus, she stumbles into the hidden world of secret societies, all while searching for answers behind her mothers death and her own heritage. As a huge fan of fantasy fiction, I am so excited to see a story that combines all the elements that make great YA fantasy, black girl magic that isn't subversive or a trope, and depicts current thoughts and feelings that young African American women face with 100% accuracy. I love that the characters are not all one-sided. There is a progression in their storylines that leads to the deeper dive that you get when a book like this becomes a series. Even though I've had the opportunity to read the advance copy, I can't wait to reread this in hardback when it is released and is sitting on my bookcase.

After her mother dies in an accident, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her previous life, family memories, or her childhood home. A residential program for bright high schoolers at a local university seems like the perfect escape—until Bree witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus.

A flying demon feeding on human energies.

A secret society of so called “Legendborn” students that hunt the creatures down.

And a teenage mage who calls himself a “Merlin” and who attempts—and fails—to wipe Bree’s memory of everything she saw.

The mage’s failure reveals Bree’s own, unique magic and unlocks a buried memory with a hidden connection: the night her mother died, another Merlin was at the hospital. Now that she knows there’s more to her mother’s death than what’s on the police report, Bree will do whatever it takes to find out the truth, even if that means infiltrating the Legendborn by becoming one of their initiates.

But when the Legendborn reveal themselves as the descendants of King Arthur and his knights and explain that a magical war is coming, Bree has to decide how far she’ll go for the truth and whether she should use her magic to take the society down—or join the fight.- Goodreads

There is a lot in this book. There is a lot of things that I wasn't expecting to read from a fantasy novel. I loved it. When everything came together it was just damn right perfect. 

This is going to be a short review and it is because if I give away any deal it will take away from the book. Everything from the beginning of the novel to the end is connected. 

I felt a whirlwind of emotions. Anticipation, frustration, disappointment, shock and some more shock.  None of these are negative emotions to describe this book. This is a fantasy novel with a whole lot of truth. There are a lot of historical references, specifically about UNC. 

I was on the fence with how long this book was and it probably could have been shorter BUT it was truly worth the read.  It took some time for me to get there but I really enjoyed this book. Even writing this review, I know I am being vague but geeze this book should be taught in class. 

Overall, 

4 Pickles

Legendborn is a remarkable debut that should firmly place Tracy Deonn on every fantasy and contemporary YA reader's radar. Deft and insightful blending of Arthurian legend and Southern Black American history make for an engrossing tale of mystery, romance, and finding your place in the world--an absolute must-read!

I loved Legendborn so freaking much! Definitely going to recommend it to everyone and shout about it when it comes out.

My blurb was --

“Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare and Kiersten White, Tracy Deonn's unique reimagining of Arthurian legend is full of magic and heart. A brilliant debut!” — Ashley Poston, National Best-Selling Author of Geekerella