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Legendborn (The Legendborn Cycle, #1)

Tracy Deonn

Start date: July 1, 2024

Finish date: July 31, 2024

Discussion: Retelling & Fractured Tales

Why we're reading this: July 2024 Group Reads
10/02/22 nominated by Adriel
[close] July 2024 Group Reads
10/02/22 nominated by Adriel

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Retelling & Fractured Tales

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What Members Thought

Jun 23, 2023 Mia rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, mythology, audiobook

Probably closer to 3.5 stars. I enjoyed it, but I didn't realize it was YA going in and wanted to thud my head against a desk when the main character said she was 16. The entire setup would've made way more sense if she were just... going to college and 18.

That being said, most of my issues were with the YA general tropes, so if you enjoy those, you'd probably enjoy this. I liked the writing for the most part (although there was an overuse of metaphor) and the magical world building is really in Probably closer to 3.5 stars. I enjoyed it, but I didn't realize it was YA going in and wanted to thud my head against a desk when the main character said she was 16. The entire setup would've made way more sense if she were just... going to college and 18.

That being said, most of my issues were with the YA general tropes, so if you enjoy those, you'd probably enjoy this. I liked the writing for the most part (although there was an overuse of metaphor) and the magical world building is really interesting. In particular the root magic and the very obvious 'white people magic leads to racism they're not noticing' sprinkled in.

Also stupid fiercely loyal emotionally constipated idiots with trauma are my catnip apparently.

Specifically, spoiler thoughts: (view spoiler)[I really hate love triangles and I hate how cliche the one with Sel, Nick, and Bree was blasted as immediately. The horny teen immediate attraction thing was annoying too. It was just... basic YA stuff I hate which is why I tend to avoid the genre. A longer build-up would've been a lot better. I thought the Bree/Nick intro was really well done and didn't veer as much into immediate flirtation which probably would've made me dislike Nick, especially considering what a bonehead he was later.

The Sel/Nick thing, in all aspects was fascinating and so of course woefully underexplored. Most of the time was spent on Bree not facing things. I think if Alice had been in on it from the start, we'd have gotten more much needed externalizing, because Bree's inner monologue was a little annoying and repetitive at times.

I think the lack of externalizing with other characters meant that Bree barely got to develop any friendships that felt... real? Other than Nick and the start of one with Sel. So the deaths at the end and the drama just felt unearned. I did like how her grief arc with her mom was handled though and it was kind of hilarious to get to the point where you'd learned enough about the Order that you were like no, I'd tell my kid they couldn't go there either.

The fucking therapist drove me bananas. She needs to lose her license.

Also Sel was... such a fucking loser and I wanted to put his entire head in my armpit and give him a noogie. His trauma and isolation was shown really well and I caught on fast he was a loser and not a darkgrim bad boy. I really wish they hadn't done so much of the Bree is horny for Sel stuff, because it REALLY felt rushed (but once again, YA trope) and I liked the slow "I am so stupid to think she was a demon, she is gonna run into that wall" build-up of them becoming friends. (Also Sel was obviously fiercely loyal to Nick so actually getting the in love with him bit was *chef's kiss* -- IN A PERFECT WORLD THIS WOULD JUST END IN A THROUPLE -- BUT ONCE AGAIN YA) (hide spoiler)] ...more

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Feb 04, 2021 Shelly Hammond rated it really liked it

This book has quite a few reviews, most stellar at that, so I won't do a total recap. I'll just throw a few words out there good and bad and let you move along to the next one.
This was a near solid 5 for the better part of the book. It's a unique concept and way of using the Arthur legend and winding it up and around into a modern twist bringing it forward to the modern world. It held onto an older feel yet also had a total modern feel. The characters are well written and feel genuine. They are, ...more

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May 11, 2018 Jennifer marked it as to-read

Jun 21, 2020 Heather Smoot marked it as to-read

Jul 02, 2020 Carrie marked it as to-read

Shelves: m-g

Jul 20, 2020 Linda Knowles marked it as to-read

Aug 03, 2020 Terry marked it as to-read

Nov 27, 2020 Maki ⌒☆ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2020-to-2024, arthurian, favorite-series, owlcrate

Nov 29, 2020 Sue rated it it was amazing

Sep 23, 2020 Mary Lowry marked it as to-read

Oct 27, 2020 Kandi Massey rated it it was amazing

Oct 08, 2020 Deedee marked it as to-read

Shelves: series-1st, title-has-1-word, young-adult-fantasy-and-sf, l2, 0t-urban-fantasy, l2-no-articles, young-adult, published-in-09september, lgbt, year-2020