SYNOPSIS

Bree now has Arthur’s power but can’t figure out how to use it and the power inside of her without hurting herself. She’s been told to stay on property, behind layers of protection, while Sel and the other Legendborn do shifts and hunt the demons around them. They’ve been told not to look for Nick by the Regents.

Bree gets restless and wants to practice her power. The ritual takes place where Bree pulls Excalibur from the stone to prove her ancestry to Arthur and prepare to become King. During the event, she is kidnapped, interrogated, and imprisoned. When she escapes she’s on the run. What could possibly happen?

MY RECAP AND REVIEW

I wasn’t that into the first book. The review is posted here. However, when I finished I was ready to jump into the next one.

This book ends on a cliffhanger. The end was so surprising and heartbreaking to me, it gave me a hangover. Now, I am impatiently wait for the next book to come out.

A lot happens, especially towards the end, and Bree experiences very little to no growth at all. She’s still stubborn and putting other people in danger. Her inability to think about the consequences of her actions is a theme that runs throughout the entire book. Even when she thinks she is being selfless, she doesn’t truly consider other people’s perspectives or feelings. She wants what she wants and she’ll convince you to go with it too.

I love how this book explores Bree’s relationship with Alice and William. It was nice to see more of their friendship. They’re truly good to her, even when she’s being annoying.

There was some naivety by Bree and maybe the others thinking Bree was going to be accepted just because “the line is law.” This book explores misogyny and racism in a way that shows certain mantras and rules were designed to keep a specific group of people in power. Some people have no problem bending their own rules when it doesn’t fit their vision. Let’s be real, no one intended for there to be a black woman with the power of Arthur. The Regents forgot their ancestors were predators who raped black women because they believed us to be inferior. Even though this is discovered in the first book, it remains ironic how it played out in this one.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD

In terms of romance, I am rooting for Sel and Bree until the end or a throuple situation. Though all of their paths have been intertwined in one way or another, Sel and Bree makes more sense, especially when learning about Bree.

Sel and Bree’s relationship was explored more throughout this book. It was a little drawn out, but I love a slow burn. I didn’t understand why Bree was so angry at him. He was scared he wouldn’t be accepted. I think it’s a valid insecurity and though he was misleading, it wasn’t life threatening or altering. He didn’t manipulate her into liking him. That would be wrong.

Also, Nick’s ancestors being grimy is kind of the reason this all started in the first place. And also, Nick literally left them. Sure, he took not being the next ancestor of Arthur pretty well and still believed in Bree. Their relationship just didn’t scream end game to me. The series starts with Sel and this book literally ends with Bree making a sacrifice for Sel. Nick and Bree have a connection, but not every connection is meant to be explored, even if there is sexual tension and feelings involved.

At the end, I was shook. I don’t know if it was a smart move or a stupid move. I think her Rootctaft abilities are more interesting, so it is disappointing to see she might have severed that. I don’t think I can form a real opinion until the next book comes out. I will say, I wasn’t expecting it and I do think that Bree still doesn’t think about the consequences of her actions. I get where she is coming from to a point. She saw it as a curse and the nihilism in me is like just let it all burn. But literally cutting off her ties to her ancestors. I don’t know…she wasn’t being sympathetic to the hard choices made. Just because she would have made a different one, doesn’t mean they were wrong. This goes back to her being stubborn.

I understand that she needed to come into her own power. I get she just needed to believe in herself and the power inside of her. I just wish she didn’t have to destroy her own lineage and community as well.

END OF POSSIBLE SPOILERS

OVERALL

Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed it more than the first one. It was more action packed. Though there were some scenes I didn’t like (the bar scene), I couldn’t put the book down or stop thinking about what would happen.

The end really left me wanting more and ready for the next one. That makes it enjoyable to me and it’s why I recommend reading it.