Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn is the second book in The Legendborn Cycle series. This action-packed continuation of Legendborn shows Bree coming to terms with her new reality, meeting the Regents, and learning more about her past and abilities.
**Spoiler Alert**
As a warning I’m sharing a review discussing the content of book two of The Legendborn Cycle series. If you haven’t started this series please skip this review as there may be mild spoilers ahead regarding the first book Legendborn.
Synopsis
There’s a new king in town and chaos within the Order. Amid Bree trying to manage being the awakened scion of Arthur Pendragon she’s also trying to navigate how this impacts her abilities as a medium and Rootcrafter. She seeks support to lead a search to find Nick after his father abducted him so they can better plan and prepare for the impending doom of Camlann. Yet, it appears everyone has their plans where she’s concerned especially the Regents.
Upon learning the Regents’ plan to hide the upcoming war, spin Nick’s disappearance, and their sinister motives for her she’s forced to go on the run with her friends to find Nick. She quickly realizes if she’s to be of any help she must learn to control her powers and try not to lose herself in the process.
Content 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Deonn is a marvelous storyteller and did an outstanding job building and expanding the original storyline. The expansion with the world-building is amazing providing clarity regarding The Order and how they operated. You also see Deonn provide more context for the Rootcrafter community.
Additionally, there are the themes and allegories that make this story so impactful. We explore themes regarding grief, trauma, generational trauma, systemic racism, white supremacy, anti-blackness, what true allyship looks like, and what it’s like being a black person in a predominantly white space.
And, The Order is an allegory for white supremacy and systemic racism with Bree’s power showing the prejudice, and problematic behavior that contributes to inflammatory actions to oppress and suppress black people by keeping them in their place and away from white spaces and institutions in which they can gain power and control.
Writing Style & Readability🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Deonn’s writing style is crafted in such a way that it’s easily digestable for young adult readers yet complex enough for adult readers to enjoy. She explores grief and traume like an expert allowing you to relate and connect with the character’s experience intimately. Making you feel seen and validated.
While the atmosphere is emotional and oftentimes dark it’s balanced out with brief entertaining moments and scenes allowing you to catch your breath before the next plot shift. Furthermore, the subtle romance subplot adds drama with an interesting love triangle of sorts between Bree, Nick and Sel. Thus, creating an enjoyable and well-rounded reading experience.
Plot Development🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This story is a delightful mix of plot and character-driven elements with steady pacing throughout. There’s pivotal action-paced moments with twists and revelations that capture your attention and manipulate your emotions as it moves the story forward. Yet, these revelations are softened by scenes exploring other subplots and storylines in this story centered on Bree’s history, self-growth, friendships, understanding her power, and attraction to Sel.
Characters🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
As always Deonn’s characterization is on point. She takes care with developing Bree and creating a realistic character based on her age, stage of life and how current events would impact her mentally and emotionally. Additionally, she expands on the side characters making them multi-dimensional layered beings that are important parts of Bree’s story as well as having their own unique storyline where they grow and evolve.
You’ll notice the addition of a few new characters. From the Regents, the Lieges, and Rootcrafters we meet interesting individuals that all play significant roles in Bree’s journey. They’re all dynamic and unique making many of them interesting and entertaining additions.
Rating & Recommendations
It’s no secret that I’m down bad for this series and it has quickly become my top-tier YA fantasy series that I enjoy. And, I think it’s terrfic if you enjoy an epic urban YA fantasy with a dynamic black female lead exploring challenging thems involving white supremacy, systemic racism, grief, generational trauma, and navigating predominately white spaces as a young black female.
This series is terrific for parents and teenagers to read together to have productive discussions about its themes. It’s also great for adults that like me, enjoy reading YA stories to help navigate trauma from their teenage years or that want to better understand the plight of young people today.
However, this isn’t for everyone. If you’re new to reading YA books, aren’t a fan of urban fantasy, don’t enjoy complex themes, dislike interracial relationships, and take issue reading about teenagers unable to regulate their emotions and make impulsive decisions based on their feelings. This series is not for you.
