Legendborn (original 2020; édition 2020)

Holy cliffhanger, I was not ready for things to
promptly end the way they did. I guess with a good book you're never really ready for the ending and this was a good book... a good book that totally captured my attention from page one and never let go... a good Audible audiobook. It has a phenomenal narrator. I can't imagine enjoying this book nearly as much without her voice to interpret and sound out those Welch words as well as conveying a variety ofcharacters and their nuances. Joniece Abbott-Pratt expertly breathed life into this Arthurian inspired gem, performed it like it was meant for no other. It's about Magic(s), Chivalry, Duty, Armageddon and it even touches on Slavery and the feelings associated with Southern (privileged) thinking in those regards. There is a really good twist but it ended FAR too abruptly. I find it jarring being unceremoniously ejected from the story so suddenly but the whiplash wasn't severe enough to change how much I enjoyed the ride.

Overall:
I wanted more 😭... good sign... great book!

~ Enjoy ( )

Holy shit that last battle! I feel winded. I had sit in my chair and rest a minute.

This is just magnificent. It's got absolutely everything I want in intrusion fantasy. A complicated protagonist who is flawed and determined and truly human. An exciting twist on a classic legend. Action scenes that make your heart beat faster. An intriguing take on magic systems. Underlying statements about real-world social issues. It was brilliant. I fucking love it, like 500 pages in 3 days love it. 20 of 10, would read again.*

(*And probably will on audio because Joniece Abbott-Pratt, who also narrated Jordan Ifueko's Raybearer, is a fucking genius.)

And a huge hat tip to the cover artists. Absolutely stunning! ( )

Root and Aether
Tracy Deonn creates an original modern reimaging of the legend of King Arthur. After the sudden death of her mother, Briana Matthews is caught in a whirlwind of sadness, self-doubt, and anger. Early college was supposed to be the exciting beginning of her life, now it is an escape from her present sadness. When she witnesses a demon attack during a party, she finds out magic is real. But more importantly that the memories of her mother’s death have been manipulated. Recklessly, Bree delves head first in to the cult type organization called the Order of the Round Table. With the help of her mentor Nick Davis, she might actually survive or find herself in worse peril. Bree is exceptionally angry and impulsive as she deals with loss, school, her friends, and magic. Even managing to make an enemy, powerful Kingsmage Selwyn Kane, on her first day of school. It seems that everyone in her life has secrets they are keeping from her. Her spirit and determination are admirable, as she faces the mystery of her mother’s death, the magic of the Legendborn, and racial issues head on. Her strength comes later in the book. From her willingness to stop and attend to her own emotional turmoil, which helps her better sympathize with her friends. It was wonderful to see Bree grow from grief to strength. Tracy Deonn’s world building and magic lore is one of the many reasons to read this book! ( )

*E-ARC received from Edelweiss/Above the Treeline with the understanding that I would post an honest review. No money or other goods were exchanged, and all views are my own.*

Bree Matthews and her friend Alice are in the Early College program at the University of Carolina. She's still reeling from her mother's death, which happened just after they had a huge argument about her going in the first place. Only a few days into the semester, she witnesses a magical attack and shakes off an attempt to change her memories. Realizing her own strange abilities and the fact that someone adjusted her memories in the hospital after her mother's car accident, she joins a secret society in hopes of figuring out the truth.

This was a unique spin on Arthurian legend, bringing it to the American south and transforming it with the American history of slavery and racism that still affects the present day. The stakes continue to grow higher as Bree falls in love with Nick, the heir apparent, and learns more not only of his society's rules and history, but also an alternate approach to magic that her mother used that sharply contrasts with that of Nick and his friends. Maybe a little on the slower side because of all the aspects that Bree has to learn, but ultimately very satisfying how all the revelations come together in the end, and I enjoyed going along for the ride. It's left wide open for a sequel in this planned trilogy. ( )