Last December was the moment I officially took the time to take the Legendborn series off my TBR and read it. It was also the first time I decided to immersion reading, checking out the audiobook from my local library, and using it to aide in the experience. When I tell you, reading that way changed my life, I am not lying.

Arthurian legends were always something I loved as a child, Avalon High by Meg Cabot as my favorite book and the Merlin series a constant comfor to me. Having this series find me, at the assurance of a friend, was something I didn't know I needed.

First, my sharing the name with the main character, Bree, gave it a personal touch. And knowing that she looked like me, had the same features and insecurities upon said features dove deeply into my inner child. It locked me in. But not only was it Arthurian legend, it tied in my history as well.

Legacy and lineage was something that we often take for granted, and it's not often known for Black Americans, specifically becausw our history is interlocked with slavery. The narratives, the connection, the root magic of our ancestors was severed, and while some have the privilege to dive deeper and learn the history, others have felt the connection severed. Reading this was especially prominent because I had lost my grandmother a few months prior.

So, I cried. I found myself screaming for Bree, ready to combat the world for the character within the pages because she was me. And as one book bled seamlessly into the next, I hung on every word spoken about the character that I claimed as my own.

And now, with the upcoming release of Oathbound, of Lore of the Tides, of black excellence, I continue to be amazed at how books like these can be overlooked simply because the characters aren't relatable when that simply isn't true. There is comfort and relatability speaks volumes to those like me and if you have a problem with the conmection, it's less of a problem within the pages...

All in all, I cannot wait to add these books to the collection that is my shelf and I recommend if you have not read them, to do so. You may just find something in there that speaks to you as well. 🧡🍄