Oathbound by Tracy Deonn

 

The book continues where the second left off, following Bree as she continues with the shadow king in her pursuit of power. This book, however, takes an interesting turn with the style of writing. Deonn moves from the consistent first-person perspective of the first two books, to a more fractured, multiple perspective take. We see the perspectives of William, Bree, Nick, and Mariah to name a few. Eventually, all the experiences meet up and converge back with Bree. 

The spin of this book is part of Bree's deal with the demon king for power has sacrificed her ability to remember the identities of those she loves most. This sets the premise for the whole books. It is a journey of what it means to love someone, to feel such emotion for people you can't even remember, and to actively so do, even when its hard. 

I found the book does a really good job of providing action, romance, and even a bit of mystery. It's awesome seeing all the people eventually come together to support Bree. It really goes to show the power of community and it makes me wonder in what ways I can better practice the art of loving.

The book set itself up for another follow-up! If you haven't already, please give this series a read and share your thoughts!

- Leo H.

Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn

    Bloodmarked is a thrilling sequel to Legendborn, following Bree as she continues in her quest. Now recognized as the Scion of Arthur, the Order sees her in a completely different light, needing to protect her and keep her real identity a secret. In addition, she is also the descendant of a powerful root crafter who she can channel through her own abilities, and if anyone else within the Order finds out what she can do, her life will be even more at stake. Untrained and unable to control her powers, she finds herself caught in a web of lies danger, and unrest. All of this while still trying to find out what happened to Nick...

I found this book to be consistent in its tone and prose, and continuing to follow the first person narrative (there's even a surprise near end for how this shift). It was an enjoyable read, and as you keep reading, the tension just keeps sucking you in especially as you continue to see Bree learn, struggle, and grow. I alternated between listening and reading, and both were amazing, so I definitely recommend the audiobook as well.

One key theme I took away from this book was "Autonomy". Bree is surrounded by people telling her what to do, where to go, how to feel, and how to live. What does it feel like to not have any control of your fate? To be surrounded by people constantly making decisions for you; To be given gifts that people tell you over and over are a blessing or a curse, while in the same breath, telling you how you should use them. What does it mean to stand in your truth and live life how you see fit? This is Bree's struggle. 

And by the end of the book, you'll see that life truly warps around us when we finally claim what is rightfully ours. 

- Leo H.

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Generations upon generations of history and legacy weave through the life of this 16 year old girl. 

    This story is revolves around Bree Matthews, a young girl who recently lost her mother, as she navigates a new school campus. She finds herself involved with a secret society linked to the Knights of the Roundtable that fights shadowy beasts using a magic called "aether", all unbeknownst to the common people. It's all told from Bri's perspective as we watch her experience crazy rituals, battles, and culture, all while she has literally no idea what's going on and how she fits into it. All she knows is that she needs to find out who killed her mother.

    While it seems to have a simple premise, there are many themes that come into play surrounding racism, grief, and generational trauma. Bree has to navigate a PWI, or predominantly white institution, while also being dragged into a secret society that caters to the lineage of white people that goes back centuries. This very same society is deeply entrenched in privilege and high status, so Bree's presence in the space a rarity as a black person. When you also factor in her belief that has mother was potentially killed by one of them, it's a story many black folks are all too used to hearing.

    While trying not to spoil, one of my favorite things about the book is how deeply it involves ancestors and the effect they have had on us. Their choices have a chain reaction leading to our grandparents, our parents, and then to us. We are the living embodiment of each ancestors' choices, all the way down to our blood stream. All the way down to our magic. And this story is a reminder that even though this holds true, our history does not define all of who we are. We are the makers of the present and the power is in our hands.

Feel free to check the book out! I'll be happy to hear what you think. It is the first book of a trilogy, and I promise that if you get hooked on this one, you'll be hooked on the rest . I'm currently hooked on the second!

- Leo H. 

Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi

“I teach you to be warriors in the garden, so that you may never be gardeners in a war.”

A quote that sums up beautifully much of the meaning behind the trilogy's events. The hardship and strife of the Orïshans paved the way for a new, even stronger, generation. 

This story continues from the last with a chilling twist that there is an enemy larger than the conflict between tîtáns and maji. We always knew the world was bigger than Orïsha, but the thought that that world would close in on them was something never fully considered. We see this nightmare in its entirety as Zélie and all the others were kidnapped and thrown onto a ship steered by men who only crave carnage, power, and domination. Working together to overcome the Skulls is the only way for survival. 

This books ramps up the scope and scale of all the conflict that we've seen within the trilogy thus far. Along with it, we see the heightened struggles of our main characters as they are pushed to their lowest points yet. We sit with them as they see what a truly united civilization could be like, and just how far their own has yet to go. All the while the constant threat of all civilization looms, with Zélie right in the center.

For me personally, it aroused thoughts of what could really unite a civilization. Thoughts to truly see that those around us are also those we need, we must be willing to be vulnerable and honest. Thoughts that that very same willingness won't come unless people are pushed to the brink. And that sometimes, what is needed is a common goal. I mean, would you work with those you despise to overcome the one who threatens you all? What other choice do you really have? 

- Leo

Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

“You carry all of us in your heart. We shall live in every breath you take. Every incantation you speak. You are the children of the gods. You shall never be alone.”

The words reverberate through the entirety of this story as a lesson learned and a lesson shared. 

A continuation of "Blood and Bone", "Virtue and Vengeance" follows Zélie, Amari, and Tzain as the tension of the war in Orïsha continues to rise. The king is now dead, but with the return of magic, there is now the new threat of tîtáns, people who are half kosidán half maji and wield uncontrollable power. The biggest threat of them all, is the queen.

The book continues with its signature shifts in perspective each chapter, continuing to follow Zélie, Amari, and Inan, each following their own beliefs in how they can end the war. As the title suggests, vengeance and grief are large themes in this book. We see the toll war takes on each one of the characters, and how that grief (or their attempts to prevent it) can motivate the characters to do actions that blur the lines of morality. 

Family, community, and love. This book explores the lengths we're willing go to protect them.. and to avenge them. As I listened to this story, I was completely immersed in the world and invested in these characters. And now, I'm speeding through the third book! I highly encourage checking out this series, hoping that you will fall in love with it too, just like I have. 

- Leo H.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

In the fantasy world of Orïsha exists a magic like no others, a magic granted by the gods. With the ability to heal, create fire, dreamwalk, or even raise the dead, those blessed with such magic are called "diviners". All others are called "kosidán".

Despite the diviners' powerful abilities, their magic has been stripped away by the king. He has a deep hatred for them, having slaughtered all of the adult diviners since their magic doesn't appear until adulthood. With only the children left, many are made slaves, or simply live harsh lives within the kingdom. They are the oppressed. They are the chained. They are the powerless.. or so we thought. 

 

The story follows diviner Zelie and her kosidán brother, Tzain, as they venture across the land on a quest to bring magic back. Accompanying them is the princess of Orïsha herself, Amari. The story swaps perspectives between them and Amari's brother, Inan as he chases them, all while struggling with secrets of his own.

Zelie's words speak on the book better than anything I could every say: 

  

“You crushed us to build your monarchy on the backs of our blood and bone. Your mistake wasn't keeping us alive. it was thinking we'd never fight back.”


- Leo H

Into the Light by Mark Oshiro

A book told with a non-linear style and a sprinkle of a split perspective, Mark Oshiro delivers a story about belonging, community, home, and trust. It heavily utilizes themes of religion, neglect, abuse, and rejection, using the foster care system as a tool to convey them.

Manny is a Latino boy who's been living on his own for a long time. He's learned the rules of how to survive alone on the streets, but everything changes when he sees a television news program of a dead body found in Idyllwild, the secluded community where his sister lives. Eli lives in this very same community, strictly abiding by its rules and doctrines, but recent changes, events, and doubts form a crack in the neatly built foundation of his life. As the two boys' lives collide, we learn lessons of what family and community really mean. 

I enjoyed this book very much because of the writing style, in addition to the non-linear story telling. There's always a sense of suspense and you really get a feeling for how deeply impacted the characters were (are) affected by the world around them. One thing I learned after reading this book though:

Love will always find you regardless of who you are or where you go.

Check it out if you're interested!

- Leo H.

Shadow and Bone Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

With the release of Rule of Wolves a few months ago, and the TV adaptation on Netflix, I'm jumping back into Leigh Bardugo's excellent Grishaverse with a re-read of the original trilogy and duologies. First up is Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising!

The Shadow and Bone trilogy focuses on Alina Starkov and introduces the world of Ravka and the Grisha. Grisha are people with special abilities, and most of them can be sorted into three groups - Corporalki, Etherealki, and Materialki. Corporalki can manipulate the body; Etherealki can manipulate wind, water, and fire; and Materialki can manipulate matter, like glass and metal. In Ravka, Grisha are respected members of the nation's Second Army, led by a man simply known as the Darkling. The Darkling is a little different than your average Grisha - he has the ability to manipulate darkness, bringing forth shadows and shade, even on the brightest of days. The Second Army has always been led by a Darkling, including the one known as the Black Heretic, whose lust for power created the Shadow Fold, a great swath of darkness filled with monsters that cuts Ravka off from its ports, forcing the country into near-constant war with its neighbors to the north and south.

When we first meet Alina, she and her regiment are headed for the Shadow Fold in an attempt to cross over to West Ravka and bring back supplies. Life in the Ravkan army is okay, though Alina has been feeling out of sorts, especially since her best friend (and secret crush) Mal Oretsev, has done well in the army, making friends and proving his worth. Everything changes though when their attempted crossing is beset by volcra, the monsters that live in the Shadow Fold, and Mal is attacked. As Alina tries to keep him from being carried off, there is a bright burst of light. Alina is a Sun Summoner, and is Ravka's best hope at destroying the Shadow Fold - well, once she learns how to use her power. Soon, she is whisked away to the Little Palace, where all Grisha learn how to use their abilities and live in comfort. Her days are now filled with training, learning Grisha theory, and the Darkling (oh, the Darkling). But the Darkling's intentions aren't exactly noble, as Alina comes to learn. As the story unfolds over the three books, she finds herself pulled in different directions, and representing different things to different people. Whether they think she is a living saint, an orphaned girl, or a Grisha general - at the end of the day, she is just a girl with a power that can transform the world.

I'm a huge fan of this series and this world. While this trilogy does fit fairly neatly into the "chosen one with special powers who must save the world" arm of fantasy, Bardugo does a great job of characterizing Alina and her struggle to define herself, especially when so many people want her to be something that doesn't feel true to her. I also like the eastern European and Russian touches to Ravka - at the time the series was first published, that set it apart a bit from all of the other YA fantasies coming out. And, in true YA style, there is also just enough pining and romance to give a break from some of the heavier aspects of the story. So, if you like YA, trilogies, fast-paced stories, or if you watched the Netflix show and just want to know what the books are like, check these out!