Gr 8 Up—Bree is driven to find the truth about her mother's death and its connection to a college secret society
rooted in the centuries-old legends of King Arthur, and she will need to call on her own magic to find answers. The
detailed world-building, fast-paced plot, and richly drawn diverse characters successfully bring to life a world where
medieval magic meets African American root work.

Been a while since I’ve been this stoked over a cliffhanger! I can't believe how cool that final plot twist was? I really got those "hoOOOHHH SHIIIITTTT" goosebumps.

This story is a moving, mega-creative modernization of Arthurian Legend, with heaps of history, queer rep, weighty genealogical webs, and best friends who’ve memorized your comfort food when you wake up with a magic hangover.

2/8/2022 update: This book is even better on the second readthrough. Such a powerful reinvention, I'm so glad the sequel comes out this year! ( )

3.5

I’m really not the audience for this book but I did find it pretty fun to read. It’s pretty much like every book these days: badass young woman with hidden magic power tasked to save humanity while also navigating a love triangle with a handsome hero and an equally handsome anti-hero.

There’s a ton of set up here and world building which I found a bit tedious at times but the Arthurian angle was new for me and the similar but different root magic storyline coming through from the heroine’s enslaved ancestors is a nice twist too.

My biggest beef is why did the author choose to make Bree 16 years old and in “early college”. The entire plot revolves around a college campus and it’s history so forcing a teenager into it makes no sense especially when the love interests are regular college students. Just let them all be in college! It’s barely mentioned but I just really don’t understand at all because when it comes up it makes me mad.

The book ends with a pretty big cliff hanger so I will probably dive in to book two since the library has it and I don’t have to wait years to find out what happens next. ( )

I was looking forward to listening to the audiobook, but it was too corny for me. I guess I'm jaded when it comes to YA fantasy. I only want to read in this genre if there are no cliches. I rolled my eyes when Nick was described as having the physique of an Olympic gymnast and "the bluest eyes I've ever seen" on top of smelling amazing and having a smile "probably on a poster in a dentist's office." Blergh. I did keep listening beyond perfectly-handsome-Nick, but not much. ( )

A retelling of Arthur and the Round Table…this is a solid story. I’m not typically a fan of YA, but this book took on grief, challenges on the POC community, growing up, and generational trauma in a beautifully moving story. Recommend. ( )