Legendborn | Book 1
Thoughts from 2%
I just finished the prologue and I gotta gush real quick. The author does a great job at portraying the first 24 hrs. of grief/shock. The use of describing senses, dissociation, complex feelings of internal & outward blame. Feeling infuriated that everyone's life hasn't stopped like hers has—at the same time understanding the irrationality of that. Grief is such an interesting & complex state of mind because not everyone processes it the same. It can bring up very complex, conflicting, and irrational thoughts, especially if the person was murdered or in an accident where a person, persons or thing is responsible. It can also dramatically alter ones perspective of life & personality from that day forward.
I love psychology A LOT,, the prologue reignited those neurons in my brain a bit.
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Thoughts from 3% - 11%
The main character's name is 'Bree'. Now I've read two books in a row with the mc's first names being Bri/Bree
"You're the girl whose mom died right?" a guy is being insensitive & ignorant to how his words are insensitive. The sky is blue, silverware is found in the kitchen, & the earth rotates around the sun😪
"In my minds eye 'after-Bree' looks almost like me—but where my dark, tight curls are usually pulled up on top of my head, after-Bree's stretch wide and loose like a live oak tree." Given her description, is the books cover art of 'after-Bree'?
"My kid applied couple years ago—How'd yall swing it?—I'm guessing need-based." I hope police officer norris dies a painful death.
Magic that Bree can see & not be as affected by. Mysterious group of people who kill monsters. I'm getting 'Mortal Instruments' vibes.
"There are no excuses for disrespect to law enforcement."
Well then equally police shouldn't start shit by being racist then.
I'm guessing Bree's mom didn't want her to go to this college because of the people (mages/legendborn) there, who she likely worked with & that's why she died. I highly doubt her death was an accident—Bree has two different memories of that night,, a fake, & the real one.
For a kid (Nick) that doesn't want to follow in his dads footsteps (psychology),, he sure knows how to read people & their behaviors.
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Thoughts from 13% - 24%
Faves so far: Sel, Nick, & Bree.
I'm interested to see why Nick was scared by what Bree told him, & why he told Bree to fake being mesmered if Sel tries again.. 🤨
Ngl, Alice is getting on my nerves a bit. High school & college students partying is not abnormal. The way Alice lectures her about it you'd think Bree was an alcoholic (she's not). I understand Alice doesn't want to lose her friend & she's worried about staying in school, but it comes to a point... Just be a caring friend & offer an ear instead of jumping to judgement for a change, idk.
Salem witch trials is associated with the order? with merlins? I have a really bad feeling about Bree's mom's death.. Bree please leave! get out.
Wait I'm slow, Greer is nonbinary.
"Rule 3: Never let Selwyn kane get you alone. He can't find out what you can do." 😑 yeah so, that rule is definitely getting broken. Selwyn is such an asshole,, but what a great character to eventually show some heart. That's my hope anyway,, that's my type of character—tough exterior, softer/traumatized interior. If my hope for that archetype is wrong, there's at the very least a reason why he's so angry, detached, & code following obsessive, right?
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Thoughts from 25% - 37%
Nick, Selwyn, & Bree as a fighting trio?.. I like that. I like that a lot!
9 attacks within a span of 2 months, and a uchel showing up which rarely happens?.. is Bree like a beacon drawing them in or something?🤔
As much as I hate how much animosity Sel has towards Bree.. I understand his pov, he's not wrong to be suspicious of why Bree was targeted.
The most powerful Uchel can assumably pass for human?! This just got really really interesting,,, I can see that being used for a plot twist in the future.. 👀
I'm fkn crying😂 aether drunk Selwyn is hilarious. please, I can't help but like this dude.
William, Sar— hell even Sel just let Bree go back to the dorm looking like she just survived an animal attack?! But they claim to care about secrecy from the general public a lot??.. I understand it's kind of a "secrecy is your responsibility, not ours" type of oath, but really? not a single person mentioned how she looks?🥴
Alice & Bree apologizing to each other, and Alice is not berating her with judgement—just being there. This is progress, Hell yeah! Alice is back in my good graces!
Theory: Bree is half human, half shadowborn.
"They put the table here for folks who want to read, study, or rest. And yet I find it difficult to sit here and do anything else but get sad." Yep, this woman is definitely a therapist. Not only did she bring Bree to a place she thought would set an emotional tone (sadness) for her to open up,, she also admitted that to Bree in a way that isnt obvious. Bravo😅
Bree's mom knew about the order but wasn't apart of it?.. So I was partially right?
Theory: Did Bree's mom remember something the Merlin's tried to wipe, they found out and had her killed? or maybe, because there seems to be two groups of people with different powers, her death was about them being enemies.
Okay. Evan has grown on me quite a lot.
Vaughn, choke on your food & die of asphyxiation, please & thankyou :)
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Thoughts from 37% - 50%
Sel was watching.. Fingers crossed he only found Bree's read of Vaughn respectable and is not getting more suspicious of her.
ngl, Sel & Bree's banter/interactions are my favorite dynamic in the book so far. I adore her relationships with other characters as well but these two are just too interesting. I invested all my assets into their stock, I may be bankrupt by the end if I'm wrong about Sel😅
Nick is able to feel Sel's murderous intent. He did not sense it when Sel was with Bree. So he really was just having a "cat & mouse" banter with Bree.. I can't help but feel vindicated for being right about Sel ...so far at least.
Nick's mom was made to forget who her son is, all because she wanted to get her son away from the training that caused so many injuries— Lord Davis has become my enemy! I do NOT like that man😒
"Girl in distress active your hero mode?" The amount of cringe I just felt reading that dialogue... Ik this is a YA fantasy series but omg, PLEASE don't say stuff like that again😖
Root craft is pretty cool so far! The process & rules remind me a bit of voodoo.
If Rootcraft has limits because the power draws from ancestors,, does that mean legendborn are drawing from the shadowborn or something without a limit because it takes blood/life as payment??.. is the difference between the two powers being used: respectful use, & entitlement to power?
I was right! holy shit!
The fact Bree was trusting/taking the word & teachings of "legendborn" over a black woman is kinda crazy to me.
Half human & Half "demon"? ..so one of my theories was half right??!!?!🤯
"Sel isn't human—Sel is shadowborn." oh. okay. I DID NOT see that coming at all. I've become bankrupt I guess. I don't know shit about shit lmaooo
MIND YOU, SEL ACCUSED BREE OF BEING SHADOWBORN😂 maybe he senses something about Bree I already theorized... i dont knowww
I'm conflicted as hell right now because on one hand I trust Sel's intentions aren't evil (but I may be wrong again),, while on the other hand I trust the word of the ancestors and their experiences... This is very complicated.
Bree wants to kill the Regents right? I'm for it! Let's go!!
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Thoughts from 51% - 75%
My faves as of rn: Sel, William, & Bree
There's zero shame in appreciating Sel's tattoos, Bree
I risked the spoilers and looked up fanart of Sel. I was imagining him with more face piercings, like snake bites & eyebrow piercings,,, turns out he looks just as emo/punk as me, except with badass sleeve tattoos & more jackets/trenchcoats. I'm unironically gonna "steal" Sel's style for myself lol.
Sel claiming Bree for a competition round?!!?... My jaw has greeted the floor🤯 ABSOLUTE CINEMA🙏
"You're immune to mesmer." Sel figured this out himself, and yet he hasn't tried to kill Bree, or rat her out to anyone?!— THAT'S YOUR SOON TO BE #1 ALLY, BREE!
Sel lied to Nick, & got punched in the process to keep Bree's powers a secret. Sel is privy to Bree's biggest secret that Nick is not— 😈 The buzz is REAL right now!!
Bree has multiple powers and that's why her abilities seem to be more extreme & rare,, Yeah??🤔
"A person is more than their absence. Love is about more than loss." 🔥 🔥
Sel training Bree, and nicknaming her "silly thing". IM DEAD!— This is the Bree & Sel series, idc. At the moment Bree's emotional state (anger) aligns with Sel more than Nick.
BREE WON TWO MATCHES LETS FUCKING GOOOOO. IM SO PROUD. And Fuck Vaughn!
"How would you like me to carry you? What would please you, Page Matthews?"
"Piggyback."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
"Like that one movie?—"
"shut up."
"Churlish."
"Arrogant."
The reference to Twilight, and their banter!! God I love them no matter what they end up being to each other, this is genuinely fantastic😂
Telling Nick "it was just an accident" without context when he's just now picking up on the vibe change between you and Sel was... uhh.. a choice. The wrong one. But a choice..
I still believe Bree's moms death wasn't an accident. The reason being—I think writing wise there has to be something else to all of it. This series has too many nuisances, twists & layers for there not to be.. or maybe it really was that simple, but something new catastrophic happens. If there's three books with 500+ pages each, I'm confused & scared as to why Bree would, or should go back if the order has served its purpose for her..
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Thoughts from 76% - 84%
Paranoid that Bree may get kidnapped. Over Preparing her for when they're not there anymore.. What's the shoe that's gonna drop?! I can feel it coming. TELL ME ALREADY.
"I fear I may be running out of time." !!!!!!! HELLO AM I READING THAT NOTE OF HERS CORRECTLY!!!!
The shoe HAS DROPPED. me rn: 🤯😱 She told younger Bree things (talking directly to her) for older Bree to remember!!! and she's being followed..
"and she won't remember this—" I AM. SHOCKED. AND. LOST. FOR. WORDS.
All the waiters are people of color? I'm irritated again! As much as I like a few of the characters, I don't think Bree should continue to be apart of the order.. But three books means she will. So at the very least, here's to hoping shit changes.
Nick was watching Sel & Bree slow dance— this is getting MESSY😬
RANT: I am not a fan of Nick right now. He didn't even warn Bree that he was going to ask her, & in front of everyone!— so she can't really say 'no' to him without humiliating him. Thats why I HAATE public proposals of all kinds. Bree wanted to have a good faith official good bye, but it's turning out to be a trap to keep her there. Yeah Bree should've also told Nick that she's not there to stay when she had the chance, communicating is a two way street but... Nick come on wtf?!!... Nick pushed off having a conversation with Bree for selfish reasons (I get it but still).. Not to compare (but I will) Sel & Bree have, & have had serious convos as they needed to happen (so far). I will reiterate again—how much I adore Sel & Bree's dynamic the most! I'm annoyed as hell by the lack of thought Nick had beforehand. If he was worried about making a scene, he & Bree could've went to the side somewhere & talked. UGH, Its making me more upset as I type, thinking about it.
These rednecks NEED to DIE! "Her blood is dirty." WHAT?!!!
Okay now I'm even far more upset!! Nick KNOWS how racist many of the order members are— AND HE DIDNT HAVE A DISCUSSION WITH BREE BEFORE HAND!
Can we kill Nick's dad? Is that a thing we can do please?! This man is a genuine 15th century lunatic!
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Thoughts from 87% - 100%
I did say the powerful demons who can look like humans have plot twist potential!! I FUCKING CALLED IT!! Poor Evan tho..
Sel's mom was friends with Bree's mom.. I'm crying😭
Bree has Arthur! That's dope as hell! I'm super glad this didnt turn out typically like you'd expect.
I absolutely hate it,, but writing wise, it's disgusting but interesting if you think of it as "man possesses a woman", which is the why/how Arthur & Bree are connected by bloodline...
I predicted Selwyn, Bree's #1 defender! He better become Bree's knightsmage! Sorry Nick but these two as a duo can practically read each others minds for how well they know each other.
This book was GREAT! I can't imagine it gets better than this but if Nick is gone for a lot of the next book.... sorry not sorry I'm gonna enjoy that. I Did not expect my interest in his character to go from one of my most liked to eh he's okay.