Legendborn

by Tracy Deonn

Urban Fantasy

Young Adult

501 Pages

"Deonn's reimagining of Arthurian legend is absolutely brilliant—this book gave me everything I didn't know I needed from fantasy."

Synopsis

After her mother's sudden death, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews enrolls in an early college program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, hoping to escape her grief and start fresh. But her plans for a quiet academic life are shattered when she witnesses a magical attack on campus and discovers the existence of the Legendborn—a secret society of students who are the descendants of King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table. When the Legendborn attempt to wipe Bree's memory of what she's seen, the spell doesn't work, revealing that she possesses her own powerful magic rooted in a different tradition entirely. As Bree delves deeper into this hidden world, she uncovers connections between her family's history and the magical forces at play, including revelations about her mother's death that change everything she thought she knew. Legendborn follows Bree as she navigates training with the Legendborn while discovering her own ancestral magic, all while dealing with the complex dynamics of being one of the few Black students in this predominantly white magical society. The novel explores themes of belonging, identity, and the ways historical trauma can be passed down through generations, building toward a climactic battle that forces Bree to embrace her full power and choose where her loyalties truly lie.

Our Take

Legendborn represents a groundbreaking achievement in young adult fantasy, demonstrating how classic myths can be reimagined to center marginalized voices and explore contemporary issues of race, identity, and belonging. Tracy Deonn's debut is both a thrilling magical adventure and a sophisticated examination of how historical trauma manifests in the present, similar to the cultural exploration found in Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi and The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna. Deonn's background in education and her deep research into both Arthurian legend and African American history create a rich, authentic foundation for Bree's journey of self-discovery. The novel's magic system brilliantly contrasts European medieval traditions with African ancestral practices, showing how different cultures approach power and community. Bree is a compelling protagonist whose struggles with grief, identity, and belonging feel genuine and relatable despite the fantastical circumstances. The book's exploration of privilege and exclusion within magical communities adds important social commentary without sacrificing the adventure and romance that YA readers expect. Perfect for readers who love fantasy that tackles real-world issues with intelligence and heart, and essential reading for anyone interested in how contemporary authors are diversifying and revitalizing classic mythological traditions. This is the kind of book that changes the fantasy landscape and opens doors for new voices and perspectives in the genre.