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Legendborn

Written by: Tracy Deonn
Narrated by: Joniece Abbott-Pratt
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Publisher's Summary

An instant New York Times best seller!

Winner of the Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe for New Talent Author Award

Filled with mystery and an intriguingly rich magic system, Tracy Deonn’s YA contemporary fantasy reinvents the King Arthur legend and “braids together Southern folk traditions and Black Girl Magic into a searing modern tale of grief, power, and self-discovery” (Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times best-selling author of The Belles).

After her mother dies in an accident, 16-year-old Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her family memories or childhood home. A residential program for bright high schoolers at UNC - Chapel Hill 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 mysterious 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 unlocks Bree’s own unique magic and a buried memory with a hidden connection: The night her mother died, another Merlin was at the hospital. Now that Bree knows there’s more to her mother’s death than what’s on the police report, she’ll do whatever it takes to find out the truth, even if that means infiltrating the Legendborn as one of their initiates.

She recruits Nick, a self-exiled Legendborn with his own grudge against the group, and their reluctant partnership pulls them deeper into the society’s secrets - and closer to each other. But when the Legendborn reveal themselves as the descendants of King Arthur’s 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.

©2020 Tracy Deonn. All rights reserved. (P)2020 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.
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What the critics say

An instant New York Times best seller!

Winner of the Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe for New Talent Author Award

What listeners say about Legendborn

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OHMYACTUALGOD LOVE I LOVE THIS BOOK

This book is amazing. It is so dang consent oriented, and just beautiful. I hope you buy this book, and I hope you read it. I hope the next book comes out tomorrow, and I hope children all over the world read this book to see their identities reflected back to them in the characters of this book. I'm not gonna lie, I wish the main character was queer but there are so many nuanced queerfolk (not just a single token queer) that I feel wildly fulfilled. This amazing, wonderful author incorporated some of the hardship experienced by nonbinary/genderqueer folk, but like the author shows the hardships of people of colour in places built on whitesupremacy, she also shows us black and queer joy and brilliance -- and I was crying so hard with the joy of representation that I had to take a break from reading.
I especially loved that the author challenged the notion that women (ESPECIALLY women of colour) need to be strong as defined by patriarchal society. The woman in this story has undergone trauma, and we see her process it, we see her being emotional -- addressing her emotions and being brave in doing so. This character questioned her actions and drew on the support of others often, and she was one of the strongest characters I have ever read. 100/5 stars.
The love story was somewhat predictable, but it was not the point of the story, and the main storyline was intricate and not at all predictable in the slightest. I studied literature and this was such a refreshing change -- the story was about the main character, not her love interest or any other man.
This book made me so happy, I am so grateful I stumbled on it.

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  • Overall
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Beautiful YA work

Honest characters, intriguing magic system, lovely plot and some of the best representation I’ve ever seen in a book. Absolutely worth the listen and can’t wait for the next one!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyed

Truly enjoyed this book and really appreciate the plot. Love the twist and fantasy of King Arthur. My only huge downfall to this audiobook is the Scottish accent the narrator attempts to-1000/10. Almost ruins the book. I’m glad that character wasn’t in this book much. I wouldn’t have been able to continue.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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One of a kind

Could not stop listening. Bree annoys me sometimes but she’s also a teen experiencing a new world and tons of grief.

The character building is complex, magic system fascinating and plot interesting. 5 stars!

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Enjoyable

Liked the world and magic system. Look forward to the next instalment. Time to bring in some more POC.

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It won me over... Engaging story

I really enjoyed listening to this story, and look forward to reading more into the series. I wasn't a huge fan of the King Arthur connection, but I think the way Dionne wove it in, was interesting. I found that it was easy to get into the story as the plot progressed.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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looking forward to book 2

This book was a bit slow in the beginning. I enjoyed the twisted intricacies and the manner in which Black spirituality was recovered and showcased. I love that a Black family is the carrier and the ruler of Arthur's bloodline. Deon used an interesting way to also talk about the horrors of slavery and contemporary anti-Black racism. I appreciate her inclusion of Alice's easy acceptance and continued commitment of her best friend .

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Perfection

This is without question one of the best books I’ve ever read (listened to). Every opportunity Tracy had to take the easy predictable route that a lot of authors take she didn’t she twisted and turned to keep me on my toes throughout this story. I had to remind myself to breathe throughout this adventure as Tracy was able to bring you into full investment to the character and their lives.
Joniece’s Performance was wonderful able to bring in suspense and bring the characters to life in the same way I would if I was reading myself. Her accents we delightful and just help to completely bring you into the world that Tracy created. Can’t wait for book two!

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A treat for the ears!

This story is filled with complexities and interwoven with myths and painful histories of America. Discussing difficult subjects, and touching on what it meant in the past and presently to be a Black woman in the world. Especially in powerful spaces, filled with mystical prestige. I cannot wait for next instalment and hope to have Joniece narrate again! The narrators voice was engaging and soothing to the ear.

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this book was everything I needed

I loved this! it was fantastic! honestly can't wait to read the rest of the series

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