Audio Book Review: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book surprised me in the best way possible.

In the beginning I wasn't sure if it was for me. I struggle with characters in pain from loss of close family members. I know it's true, I just struggle to relate. And I felt like there were questions posed and events that happen and I felt lost without knowing what was happening. Well, hold on to you chair and keep going as you'll get answers and you'll then not want to stop as you learn with Bree so much more than we bargained for.

I didn't 100% believe how Bree got into the Legendborn society. But, okay, I guess I see with who Nick is. That was a hold up for me for a moment.

But man, I was glad she did get in. The things they see, do, know... Pretty cool.

Sel was getting on my nerves a little bit. Just like he was with Bree.

Bree's loss of her mother changed her. But in more ways than she could ever even imagine. And for us too. This sudden death has her on a new path and here at Carolina College she finds a direction to take those feels on. To try to learn what really happened. And who was at fault.

But what she learns exceeds what she even thought and drives her deeper into a secret society that's based around King Arthur and the Round Table. And Bree finds friends she didn't expect, along with enemies as well.

Yes, Bree is an amazing character of color. She faces difficulties and prejudice as well. She's an amazing young lady and stands tall as she should. She shouldn't have to face the prejudices that she does, but people are blind to what truly matters. We get to see her thoughts and feelings as we get to know her.

The author takes many different backgrounds and weaves them together in this story. I love the blend of magics and histories she's brought together in this story. There's pieces that the different histories don't know of the other and they come together here with someone who has an open mind to work it out and place it all.

There's demons that are summoned. Aaaand, there's demons in actions. Can you figure out which is which?

There's a surprising twist to the ending. I really didn't see that one coming. At. All. And I loved it! Totally awesome. And thank you for outlining the connection for it afterwards.

This story brings magic, action, feelings, growth, connection, and so much more together. Really a great book. I'm going to look into the next books in the series.

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Audio Book Review: Which Upon by Jayne Bicker

Which Upon by Jayne Bicker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received this audiobook at no-cost from AdoptAnAudiobook.com. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

There's a lot of fairy tale themes blended into this world. Some go with names of the characters or themes in their life's events. Like Hook and Peter and their taverns. Red and Wolf along with others. I'd love to compare names and connections with you. I had fun seeing the connections and references to the fairy tales, and looked forward to reading more of them as the book unfolded.

Dusk is our main female character here. She had me curious at the beginning. It appeared she's the witch and the villain of the story. (I do love a good villain.) But there was something...just a little more to her. I was picking up on other things in her thoughts.

Can a character be both, a villain and one that helps? That's what drew me to Dusk even more. The crafting of her actions. And she's my damaged kind of character.

Dusk lives with the consequences of her actions along with her mother's past. She's a witch, after all. So she's built her own barriers to protect herself, even from her adoptive family.

Then Willoak, or Oak as friends call him, comes along.

Yes, this has a romance that happens and is for adults with a few scenes.

Oak has his own reason for being in Dyr kingdom, from his kingdom - Clubs. He's a fun main male character to balance Dusk. He's also a halfling. That's part of the game between him and Dusk, what type of halfling is he? We will find out in the end. And I think I love him even more!

Dusk has her own internal struggles and journey to go on, which happens in this book with the events that unfold and happen. I loved that the movement of the story kept going forward and the events kept the story interesting as Dusk learns about how she is handling things.

The narrator is a lovely voice. I enjoyed listening to her. All is clear and clean.

I did love the ending as well. I want to continue with this series and see how others continue to do in the world.

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