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Quick answer: If you loved Legendborn by Tracy Deonn, try Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn, Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi, Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, Dread Nation by Justina Ireland and The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater.
Legendborn follows Bree Matthews, a Black teen who enters an early college program at UNC-Chapel Hill after her mother’s sudden death. When she witnesses a magical attack, she discovers a secret society descended from King Arthur’s knights and sets out to uncover the truth about her mother’s death. Tracy Deonn blends Arthurian legend, Black Southern history and grief into a fast-paced fantasy. The picks below share its secret societies, college settings, legends retold and heroines who face their heritage. Most are YA fantasy for ages 14 and up.
Table of Contents
Why Readers Love Legendborn
Readers love Legendborn because it reimagines King Arthur’s story through a Black girl’s eyes. Tracy Deonn uses fantasy to talk about grief, race and what is passed down in families, and Bree is a smart, stubborn heroine who refuses to accept what she is told. The magic system, based on Legendborn heritage, is rich and the secret society scenes feel like a fresh take on dark academia. The love triangle adds romance, and the series’ pacing keeps pulling readers forward.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick below shares at least one thing readers loved about Legendborn: its characters, its mood, its setting or the questions it raises. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious choices, and we noted the genre and who each book suits best in the table, so you can scan for the right fit before you read the blurbs.
We kept every description spoiler-free and flagged mature content where it matters, since some of these books are written for adults and others suit teens. If you’re not sure where to start, the tips near the end of this list match each pick to what you loved most. The FAQ at the bottom answers the questions readers ask most often.
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Genre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloodmarked | Tracy Deonn | YA fantasy | Continuing the series |
| Nightbane | Tracy Deonn | YA fantasy | Finishing the cycle |
| Children of Blood and Bone | Tomi Adeyemi | YA fantasy | Heritage and magic |
| Raybearer | Jordan Ifueko | YA fantasy | Court politics and destiny |
| Ninth House | Leigh Bardugo | Adult fantasy | Secret societies at college |
| Dread Nation | Justina Ireland | YA historical fantasy | Alternate history |
| The Raven Boys | Maggie Stiefvater | YA fantasy | Welsh legend and found family |
| Once and Future | Cori McCarthy and Amy Rose Capetta | YA science fiction | Arthur reborn |
| Cursed | Frank Miller and Tom Wheeler | YA fantasy | Arthurian retellings |
| The Gilded Ones | Namina Forna | YA fantasy | Fierce warrior heroines |
| Akata Witch | Nnedi Okorafor | Middle grade fantasy | Younger readers |
| A Deadly Education | Naomi Novik | Fantasy | Magical schools with danger |
| The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones | Cassandra Clare | YA fantasy | Secret magical worlds |
| Sabriel | Garth Nix | YA fantasy | Dark, classic fantasy |
| The Hazel Wood | Melissa Albert | YA fantasy | Dark fairy tales |
1. Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
The second book follows Bree as she joins the Order’s leadership and faces a deadly choice.
2. Nightbane by Tracy Deonn
The third book brings Bree’s story to a close with a war and a heartbreaking choice.
3. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Zélie fights to bring magic back to a kingdom that has hunted her people.
4. Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
A girl joins the crown prince’s council and is secretly tasked with killing him.
5. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
A survivor of trauma joins a society that polices magic at Yale. It’s dark and gripping. Content note: assault.
6. Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
In a Civil War where the dead rise, a Black girl trains to fight the undead. It’s fierce and smart.
7. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Blue joins four private-school boys searching for a sleeping Welsh king.
8. Once and Future by Cori McCarthy and Amy Rose Capetta
In a future where King Arthur is reborn again and again, the newest Arthur is a teen girl. It’s fast and fun.
9. Cursed by Frank Miller and Tom Wheeler
Nimue, a young woman with magic, journeys to deliver Excalibur. It’s gritty and gorgeous.
10. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
A girl whose blood runs gold becomes a warrior in a kingdom that hunts girls like her.
11. Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
A Nigerian American girl discovers magical powers in Nigeria.
12. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
At a school where monsters hunt students, a sharp-tongued sorceress fights to survive.
13. The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
A teen discovers a hidden world of demon hunters in New York.
14. Sabriel by Garth Nix
A young woman must enter the land of the dead to save her father. It’s atmospheric and brave.
15. The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
Alice’s grandmother wrote dark fairy tales, and now they’re coming true.
How to Pick Your Next Read After Legendborn
- Want to continue? Bloodmarked and Nightbane.
- Want more Arthurian fantasy? Once and Future and Cursed.
- Want heritage and magic? Children of Blood and Bone and Raybearer.
- Want secret college societies? Ninth House and A Deadly Education.
- Want alternate history? Dread Nation.
- Check ages. Ninth House is an adult novel with heavy content.
Legendborn Series Reading Order
The Legendborn Cycle begins with Legendborn, continues with Bloodmarked and concludes with Nightbane. The books deal with grief, racism and violence, including some intense scenes, so check content notes if needed. If you enjoy Arthurian retellings, you might also try Cursed by Frank Miller and Tom Wheeler or Once and Future by Cori McCarthy and Amy Rose Capetta.
Related: what age Legendborn is appropriate for and books like Children of Blood and Bone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What book is most like Legendborn?
Children of Blood and Bone, Raybearer and Ninth House are the closest matches.
Is Legendborn YA?
Yes. It’s young adult fantasy, suited to ages 14 and up.
How many books are in the Legendborn series?
There are three: Legendborn, Bloodmarked and Nightbane.