Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent but riveting, inclusive Arthurian legend retelling.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 13 kid reviews
Kids say the book is highly enjoyable, captivating, and deeply engaging, recommended for mature readers with an appreciation for fantasy and diverse representation. While it features complex themes including grief, systemic racism, and some mature content, the intricate plot, dynamic characters, and unexpected twists make it an exciting read.
- mature themes
- diverse representation
- engaging plot
- complex characters
- emotional depth
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
LEGENDBORN focuses on 16-year-old Bree Matthews, who begins a residential Early College program for gifted high schoolers at UNC Chapel Hill shortly after her mother dies in an accident. Bree and her best friend, Alice Chen, arrive on campus, and Bree witnesses a guy battling a demon at an annual outdoor party their first night there. Bree quickly discovers that she can see demons -- and that one of the college's secret societies is actually a group of Legendborn: young demon hunters descended from the Order of the Round Table. Bree discovers a tenuous connection between magic and her mother's death, and she decides to infiltrate the Order with the help of her administration-assigned mentor, Nick Davis, who turns out to be Legendborn. Bree persuades Nick to sponsor her to become a Squire: warriors who are magically bonded to Scions (descendants of the Knights who are "Called" between the ages of 16 and 22 to fight demons). Because the Order is overwhelmingly White and composed of members of the same families, Bree, who's Black, stands out as a double outsider. Meanwhile, a university therapist who knew her mother in college starts to teach Bree more about the historically Black magical abilities in her maternal line.
Is It Any Good?
Tracy Deonn's contemporary fantasy blends traditional elements of Arthurian legend with a page-turning plot, a fabulous protagonist, a thoughtfully diverse cast of characters, and a sweet romance. Legendborn leans into issues of race in a unique way, particularly with how it depicts microaggressions that Bree encounters on a daily basis. She also has to discover and unpack hard truths about her past, including how her African American rootcraft magic is mingled with the violence of enslavement. These issues are woven in organically, so by the time the big reveals happen, readers already understand exactly how those plot twists are justified by the text and by history itself.
Deonn's world-building is extensive, though fans of contemporary fantasy will be familiar with stories that explore the magic surrounding ordinary life (Mortal Instruments books by Cassandra Clare or Leigh Bardugo's Ninth House). The young characters in Legendborn are complex and diverse: There's Black, Taiwanese American, and Venezuelan racial representation; important women characters; and a range of sexual and gender identities, including a nonbinary character, a lesbian, two bisexual characters, a gay character, and a queer couple. The introduction of rootcraft (African American magic) and how it differs from the magic that the Legendborn use is fascinating and connected to historical, if upsetting, truths. While at its heart a Chosen One tale, Legendborn is full of characters to root for and juicy plot developments that should make the next installment just as satisfying.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the racism in Legendborn. How does the author use an anti-racist lens to describe everything from Bree's treatment on campus to magic to the history of the University of North Carolina? Why is it important to recognize the institutional racism in a location's past?
How is violence depicted? Is it necessary to the plot development? Do you think that supernatural violence impacts readers differently than realistic violence?
How does Bree's curiosity lead her toward important discoveries? Who in the story demonstrates the most empathy and teamwork skills? Why are these important character traits?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Book Characters , Friendship , History
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Empathy , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Margaret K. McElderry
- Publication date : September 15, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 512
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Coretta Scott King Medal and Honors
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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