Legendborn Cycle by Tracy Deonn – Book Review

Legendborn Cycle by Tracy Deonn – Book Review

By : Mariah V

Thanks to a lovely winter snowstorm that graced us here in the Southeast, I finally had the time to complete The Legendborn Cycle by Tracy Deonn. I read the first Legendborn book last year and knew I wanted to continue the series, it just took me a while to get there. But trust me, the wait was worth it.

The Legendborn series had been on my reading list for a long time, so I was excited to finally dive in, especially since my favorite narrator, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, voices the audiobook. She is incredibly talented, and I loved switching between listening and reading to get the full mental picture. That definitely helped, because this series has a lot going on.

I’m always here to support Black authors, especially when the characters look like me. The first book opens strong, introducing us to sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews, who is bright beyond her years. She’s accepted into a residential program at UNC–Chapel Hill while still grieving her mother’s mysterious car accident. The story kicks off with action and tension almost immediately, and I loved that. I live for chaos in fantasy series, and Legendborn delivers plenty of it.

I went into this series completely blind. After seeing so many people on BookTok calling it a must-read, I jumped in without really knowing the plot. When I realized the foundation was based on Arthurian legend and the Knights of the Round Table, I was honestly a little turned off. I’ve never been interested in King Arthur or his knights,something about them never sat right with me. Turns out, my instincts weren’t wrong. By book two, I felt very validated.

What Tracy Deonn does beautifully is balance modern storytelling with historical elements. That said, there are many elements and many characters. At times, I felt like I needed a notebook just to keep track of bloodlines, bloodmarks, organizations, and who was connected to which knight. It can be overwhelming, but it’s also part of what makes the world feel so rich.

At first, Bree’s involvement with this very white, Arthurian-centered organization made me uneasy,it felt like a King Arthur cult, and I did not trust it. However, once Bree became more involved in root work through her therapist, Patricia Hartwood, and began connecting with her ancestral magic as a Rootcrafter, I felt relieved. I loved seeing Bree surrounded by people who shared her roots and history. That grounding is exactly what she needed throughout this journey, because Bree goes through a lot. By the time you reach book three, you’ll definitely find yourself asking her, “Why?!”

Bree is one of my favorite characters, but my top two favorites are William Sitterson and Mariah Rochelle.

William Sitterson is an intelligent pre-med student, a gifted healer, and the twelfth rank in the Line of Gawain. He is loyal, kind, and always there for his companions. He can heal, fight, and stand his ground when needed. I adore William, and I especially enjoyed his developing relationship with Larkin Douglas in book three. Larkin’s Scottish accent and demeanor are incredibly charming, and Joniece Abbott-Pratt portrayed him perfectly. Hearing more from William’s perspective in book three was a refreshing and welcome shift.

Mariah Rochelle is my second favorite character. As a medium and a Black woman deeply connected to the dead, she is fierce, thoughtful, and powerful. In book three, I loved hearing more of her voice,especially her growth. Instead of envying Bree, she admires her courage. Chapter 12 really stood out to me, particularly when Mariah reflects on the idea that just because she doesn’t have all the answers or a clear plan doesn’t mean she can’t create one for herself. That moment felt deeply personal and empowering. I also loved that she took more action in this book. And yes, we share the same name,maybe that’s why I relate to her so much. I saw a lot of myself in her.

There are a lot of characters in this series, and it does require your full attention. Bree herself is full of surprises,new powers, complicated choices, and multiple love interests. There was one love interest I didn’t agree with at first, but by the end of book three, I could see why they work. That’s one of the strengths of this series: it evolves with every book.

The Legendborn Cycle isn’t just packed with action, magic, and thrill,it also explores grief, ancestry, identity, and the struggle of reconciling your past with your present. Each chapter brings something new, keeping you constantly engaged.

Legendborn is a strong introduction to a magical, historically rooted fantasy world with a modern twist. Bloodmarked raises the stakes, unleashing more chaos, magic, and characters. Oathbound is where everything becomes absolutely unstoppable, leaving you desperately waiting for book four to be released right now.

Overall, this series is a fantastic addition to any reading list. It reminded me a lot of Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams, another series I highly recommend. Both explore Black magic, ancestry, and power in meaningful ways, and it’s refreshing to see young Black characters,especially young Black men,connected to their roots and magic.

Even though The Legendborn Cycle is categorized as YA, I truly believe readers of any age or gender can enjoy it. And honestly? Netflix should absolutely pick this up and turn it into a full TV series. I said what I said.