Sam Strives For 55 - Week Sixteen

Here is week 16 of Sam's reading journey, the metrics and first week can be found here

Legendborn (Legendborn #1) by Tracy Deonn

1. Intrigue
   1. If you have a child or anyone that likes YA Fantasy literature in your life, Legendborn is an absolute perfect gift. Set in current day North Carolina, Legendborn is a culturally responsive continuation of the Arthurian Legend, which tackles cultural ideas surrounding the use of magic. 
   2. I recently bought this book for a niece that loves the Harry Potter series. If you’re looking for a magical experience for your teen or tween, this is a perfect book. 
2. Writing Style
   1. Ultimately, this is where the book falls short of 5 stars. It’s also the book that makes me rethink how to judge a YA vs. an adult book. There’s just so much more didactic writing in YA, that it gets tiresome. While some YA lit manages to avoid the pitfalls of the narrator over explaining situations, this book does not. However it still falls well within grade level for Young Adults. 
   2. Juicy quote: 
      1. “Don't make your life about the loss. Make it about the love.”
3. Flow of storytelling
   1. This book is tightly told. The flow could not be more ideal. Bree’s character development moves along at a brisk pace, and the people introduced with are easy to keep straight. There’s never a dull moment. It’s an exciting book, with an excellent flow. 
4. Re-readability
   1. Exceptionally re-readable. This book could be consumed several times during the hot southern summers, or become a great book to cozy up with in northern winters. There’s enough of story variance to glean new things. 
5. TESS
   1. Does not qualify. 

Final Rating:  ★★★★ ​

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​J. Sam Williams is an illustrious black-tailed hawk, longing to eat as many vegan mice as possible. In his human form, he is a High School English Teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he lives with his wife, one dog and two cats. A somewhat retired breakdancing teacher, he is now a co-host on the Alohomora Podcast! He has been published on Lunch Ticket, immix: a journal for justice, Mugglenet, and a slew of small sports journalism publications. You can find him on twitter @Jabbernator.