Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

16 reviews

claudiamacpherson's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 King Arthur may be lost to history, but his spirit, and those of his knights, are (literally) alive in their descendants. The secret society of the Round Table exists quietly on college campuses around the United States, where students are trained to fight demons. After her mother’s sudden death in a car crash, 16-year-old Bree Matthews goes to UNC Chapel Hill for early college. On her very first night, she sees a demon at a college party, then watches as two students kill it. Suddenly, Bree begins to suspect that her mother’s death wasn’t as random as she had believed, and she forces her way into a world where knights and pages and mythical kings still exist.

I was initially put off by the fact that this story is set in college so most of the characters are college students, but Bree is actually there early and is even younger (I know this is a young adult book but….damn). However, she is very mature and intelligent, as well as funny, stubborn, and fierce in her protectiveness for those she loves, so I quickly warmed to her and looked past her age… she’s an old soul (literally).

I am totally obsessed with the concept of magic looking different in different cultures and traditions, and I felt the contrast between root magic and aether/”colonizer magic” was really well done.

I also <i>loved</i> the twist at the end that Bree is the Scion of King Arthur, while Nick is Lancelot’s heir. Nick (and others) calling her “King” is just… yes!!!

Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just the vibe of the ending):

Happy enough, but mostly leaves you wanting more…I can’t wait for the sequel!

 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Death, Grief, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence

Minor: Alcohol, Cursing, and Kidnapping

chellcake's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Racism, War, Violence, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Blood, Car accident, Colonisation, Death of parent, and Death

Minor: Rape, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Infidelity

boredomandwordsofbooks's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Racism, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Slavery, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, and Animal death

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Police brutality, Torture, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Drug use, and Domestic abuse

hawkrose18's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

CAWPILE: 8.64

So I really enjoyed this book. I did expect this book to be a 5 star read for me, and while it wasn't it was really close. I loved how Bree and her family's history was integrated into the book and I loved how black history at the university was apart of the story. The two magic systems were both something that I really enjoyed and I loved how the book handled in and how we got to learn with Bree. I do wish that there was more time where school was mentioned, but I understand how with After-Bree it makes sense that there wasn't much mention in the novel. I liked both Nick and Sel and I love how their relationships with each other and with Bree were developed, (MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD, but nothing explicit) except I think Nick and Bree were a little too insta-lovey for my current taste and I think the flip in Bree and Sel's relationship could have been dealt with better, but I do think I like Sel more than Nick...I loved that Bree was going to therapy because I think it does need to be more normalized for people to go to therapy. Overall, I was greatly satisfied with this read and I cannot wait for the sequel to come out later this year. I am greatly anticipating the release of the title, release date, and cover. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Car accident, Death of parent, Death, Slavery, Sexism, Racism, Racial slurs, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Kidnapping, and Grief

iviarelle's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I was absolutely enthralled and fell for every misdirect the whole way through. What an incredible Arthur twist. I'm so dang excited to read more of this story and more from this author, I can't even express it right now. Just mind the content notes.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Racism, and Violence

Moderate: Animal death, Cursing, Kidnapping, and Slavery

Minor: Rape

The book also has a thread of intergenerational trauma as well as PTSD and PCBD.

peachani's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I loved this book. It's not the same old, tired YA fantasy despite involving Arthurian legend. I especially appreciate the way grief and institutional racism were handled.

The only thing I am wary of is a potential relationship that could happen in the next book (sincerely hope it doesn't).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Racism, and Violence

Moderate: Bullying, Car accident, Medical content, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, and Torture

Minor: Rape