A Legend Is Born

Months after her mother dies in a tragic car accident, 16-year-old Bree Matthews is reeling and looking for an escape from everything and everyone, especially her hometown. Her admittance to a residential early college program at the University Of North Carolina- Chapel Hill comes right on time. It initially seems like the escape Bree is longing for until she stumbles into trouble on her first night.

While attending an off-campus party Bree sees something she is not supposed to be able to see- a magical attack by a demon who feeds on human vibes/energy. Upon witnessing this attack she’s immediately thrust into the heart of a secret society of demon hunting students known as The Legendborn.

A failed attempt by one of the society’s mages (aka a Merlin) to wipe Bree’s memory actually turns out to be the key to unlocking her own hidden and highly unique magic. This also unlocks dormant memories and secrets leading back to the night of her mother’s death. Determined to find the connection between her mother and the Legendborn, Bree recruits Nick, a self-exiled member, with his own bitter history with the group.

Bree and Nick become closer as they dive deeper into the society and its secrets. Just when she begins to think she has it all figured out she is thrown for an even bigger loop when she discovers the Legendborn are all descendants of the legendary King Arthur and his Knights of the Roundtable, who are now being called upon to fight a magical war.

I loved the fresh take on the legend of King Arthur while adding some African American History into the mix. I especially loved the fact that the heroine Bree Matthews was black, epitomizing Black Girl Magic. As we all know representation matters and all groups were represented in this book. There were so many twists and turns. The book even made me like UNC, at least for a little bit. 😊

Tracy Deonn did the damn thing from beginning to end the story grabs you and doesn’t let you go until the very end. I could not put it down. It took me 2 days to finish and I was so upset once I finished. Upset by the fact that it was over and I couldn’t immediately dive into the next one. Yes, this book was definitely the beginning of what is hopefully a great series.

OVERALL RATING 🍿🍿🍿🍿.5 of 5