#Legendborn Cycle

[elisegeese]

“Does the know that the moon lives in you, too?”

“Just like she knows that the sun lives within you”

[dearqueerheart]

genuinely i can’t see this book ending w/o either polyamory or one of the boys dying

sel and nick are bonded through the kingsmage oath, nick and bree are bonded through the arthur lancelot thing, and now bree and sel are bonded through the inherited bloodmark. and me? well i'm going to launch myself into the sun

[ackerbabezzz]

Sel spent THREE WHOLE HOURS magically over and over healing Bree’s insides and other organs to keep her alive for the sake of his own humanity and life. Only for people trying to say that their relationship isn’t fleshed out enough. Mind you the arcs are nowhere near done yet

[shuggyjiggy]

IT'S HERE, AND IM GOING TO TAG ME SPOILERS BUT ON GAWWWDDDD IM NOT GONNA BE QUIET. VISIT MY BLOG AT UR OWN RISK..

[ficnoire2]

A Little Oathbound Symbolism (SPOILERS AHEAD!!!)

Hey y’all!  If you’ve read Oathbound, how is everyone feeling tonight?!  If you are like me, you probably needed several mental health support breaks to cope with the yearning, reverence, heart-stopping terror, and that ending.  I loved the third installment of the series and especially enjoyed the new batch of symbolism Tracy poured into the pages.  That being said, let’s get into it! But first, some definitions and happenings.

Penumbra - a space of partial illumination (as in an eclipse) between the perfect shadow on all sides and the full light.  It is often described as a grey area. Shout out @medium-bloodcrafter-scion

In April 2024, there was a solar eclipse (the first I have ever seen). In 2025 there have been two lunar eclipses and in February a parade of planets was visible in the night sky.  A rare celestial event that won’t show itself again until 2040.

 Light and Dark (Shadows)

“Shadows are birthed from both light and darkness, Briana Matthews.”

Erebus says this to Briana after a particularly cruel training session.  This series has played with duality from the beginning, and I love this turn of phrasing. No one is who they say or think they are (whether they are aware of it or not).  We, as readers, are left to ponder what the shadows may mean in and for a character.  When Erebus takes the chunk of Bree’s soul, the people she loves become a “Shapeless gray mass bathed in mist.”

“I am not a shadow.”  I shake my head.  “Take me back.”

Oh, but you are Bree. The parallels with the light and the dark with each of the boys mirror both sides of who Bree is.  In Bloodmarked we get Sel saying, “I am not born of shadows!” and when Bree is being pursued by Merlin in the dreamscape, she proclaims, “I am not shadowborn!”  After Merlin’s “There you are, little Cysgod.”

The Moon

In my reading, I found it intriguing that the moon is a feminine symbol representing immortality, enlightenment, eternity, and the dark side of nature.  The moon’s gravitational pull controls the earth’s tides (Nick and the water references associated with him) and determines the length of our days and our seasons.  It reflects inner knowledge and the realm between the conscious and unconscious.  It is a symbol of the soul (Otherworld). It reflects light.  Selwyn embodies these traits so effortlessly, just look at the pull he has had on the fandom.  Epic.

“The clouds shift overhead to reveal a bright crescent moon hanging low in the sky.”

A crescent moon can symbolize a transition from one phase to another, a transformation.  In the scene where Selwyn finally catches up to Bree and Nick, this is the moon described in the sky.  As we know, Selwyn is headed for his new destiny. He has transitioned (quite literally in death) to his new form, his more eternal state of being, the Prince of Shadows.  I believe that, going forward, this will be a period of growth, release, and change for Selly.

The Sun

“Nicholas Davis and Selwyn Kane. The sun and the moon. You are warmth and the light, and I am the bitter deep cold…”

I love this scene so much because it is a culmination of heartbreak and confession between both boys.  It also shows how they see each other through the lens of everyone else but are slowly coming to the place where they truly see each other. 

The sun is life, quite literally.  A masculine symbol of divinity, enlightenment, and order that sustains life and lights the way for spiritual illumination.  The sun represents the cycle of life with its rising (birth), its journey across the sky (life/living), and its setting (death/rebirth).  It follows the soul’s journey.  It is a catalyst for change and lights the way for enlightenment and self-discovery (Bree’s quest and his). 

“Your supremacy,” Nick says, brows tight.  “Your misogyny. Your racism. Your cowardice.  I only state out loud that which you enact in plain sight.  That which we can all see, if we can stand to bear witness.”  Nick seethes.  “Will you punish me for doing so?  Your chosen son?”

The sun is also a symbol of authority and hope.  Throughout this series, Nick is seen as the chosen one.  The golden boy who will lead the Legendborn valiantly into battle.  The way he uses his light to fight for a more righteous cause is masterful.  He illuminates all the ways the Order and the Regents are evil.  He casts light on all of the dark places they would like to remain hidden.  

Solar Eclipse

“Sel blurs in front of him in a blink, eyes flashing up at the taller boy.  He bares his fangs, words spiking between them with a hiss.” 

Tracy rarely misses an opportunity to show us the size difference between the boys.  Nick eclipses Sel’s form every time (he does this with everyone, really).  Across time, solar eclipses have been seen as a gateway for transformation and renewal.  The sun’s light is obscured, opening the door for revelation and insight.  It is described as a cosmic dance that shows its interconnectedness with all things, inviting change and bringing individuals to their highest selves. Nick and Sel are doing that dance in this scene.  While there is much to still discuss, these two cosmic forces align, one casting a shadow and the other illuminating the dark places. 

The Center of The Universe - Bree Matthews

“A soul like yours is something to kill and die for, Briana Matthews.  Your soul is the engine behind the power that could change the world.  Unparalleled, in this dimension or the next.  Beyond priceless…”

Valec says this with pure reverence and passion (with a hint of rage).  In this series, Bree is the center, the plan, and the action, and she inspires everyone around her to be their highest selves.  In relation to the boys, they are both sides of her, the light and the dark, the sun and the moon.  She is their world.  Earth is described as the cosmic cradle where life begins and thrives.  The minute Sel and Nick meet Bree, their trajectory changes.  Their destinies become something more.  Mother Earth is power, nurturing its inhabitants. 

“Honey wine. Amber.  Green things growing.  The tiniest hint of copper, like fresh blood.  Something else…” A deep inhale, and I feel him shudder.  “Power.” 

Earth is the concrete physical reality in which we all live.  It is this reality that Bree brought with her the minute she stepped on campus. Earth represents the balance of yin and yang (our sun and moon).  It ushers in harmony.  

“Epiphyllum oxypetalum.”  Hazel’s eyes have gone teary.  “More commonly known as queen of the night.  These flowers require regular sunlight to flourish and yet they only bloom in darkness, only one night a year…”  

“These flowers take faith, Bree.  Even when we can’t see their progress, even when we forget they’re growing, they bloom.  And they are worth the wait.” 

Hazel’s words could not be more impactful.  Much like this flower, Bree needed Nick’s warmth, his light, to flourish.  She needed his safety and protection to rest and meet the task she faced.  To bloom, she needed Sel.  He carried her through the dark places (literally and figuratively) to help her be her best self.  To help her flourish.  She is now giving that to both boys.  

King shit indeed.

Book three was so rich with themes and motifs.  I could not get enough!  Let me know your thoughts, I’d love to hear them!  

P.S. I think it is high time for a Nick Davis and Valec top moments.  Whew chiiiile, the material!

[staridani]

AND IF I FUCKING SAID THIS WAS BREESELNICK IN ANIME FORM, WHAT THEN—

What if I was a prince and you were the man I asked to act as my sword, and to protect my beloved when I wasn't able to?

What if you told me you were in love with her, but I still asked you to accompany her when she had to leave my side for 2 years because you were the only one I trusted to keep her safe?

What if I was in love with you, but I couldn't say anything because I am your prince, and you are my aide, and I don't ever want to risk pressuring you into something you don't want?

What if the two of us, my beloved and I, told you "We can drop our brave faces when we're around you," and what we meant was "We love you, we love you, we love you."

What then?

[scarlethoodi]

I think this was a great question and I really like how Tracy answered it. Especially her point on allyship because I think with the other povs in Oathbound we got to see what that looks like when Bree isn’t around

[katsitsiyo]

Here’s a Legendborn Cycle piece I comm’d from the amazing @mageofspace924! (tysm!!)

Bree is one of my absolute favorite protagonists in any book I’ve ever read. 🥰 She, Sel, and Nick have some of the best interactions and chemistry. They’re all my fave bbs and I just want them all to be safe and able to live their lives happily together. 🥹🥹

[amazingcreek]

rapid fire oathbound thoughts:

holy shit we got queer bree AND transfem zoe. is anyone in this book series straight? no? good.

natasia kane my beloveddddd you are such a bad parent but such a proud mom

Nick and Bree on the roof?!?!? I haven't seen anyone mention this and it's making me crazyyyyyyyy

also one bed, yes ma'am there's only one bed ty mrs. deonn

William having a crush on Lark and Lark having a crush on William and neither of them ~actually~ addressing it is so frustrating I can't even

LARK CALLING WILL SWEETHEART ugh my heart

bring. back. Alice.

sel's "got you" IS FROM THEIR FIRST INTERACTION. BUT ALSO A PREY THING. GODDAMNIT

Zoe was so real for forgiving Bree after learning all this had been less than a year. like yeah ok that's too much in too little to expect normal communication

Mariah and valec's opinions on the whole "powerhouse" and "point of our spear" thing is soooooo good. I love nuance tracy deonn take my money

nick talking about sel constantlyyyyyyy. oh my god these two are gonna kill me. "please tell sel that when we find him" "sel would draw and quarter me" UGH

NICK HOLDING EVERYONE ACCOUNTABLE. truly that moment at his council hearing when he says we must name them when Bree is here AND when she isn't is just. yeah. go him. AND THEN the perspective of William checking himself and going "oh shit I have NOT been doing as much as I thought" was so good. tracy you're a literal wizard and changing the world thank you.

valec calling the merlins cops. fuck yeah they are. tbh doing a whole analysis on merlins abuse of aether users/experimenting on Black bodies would be so good. maybe I'll write a paper who knows

valec and zoe. make them come back

bree knowing she's loved as she meets everyone, not being able to love them back in the same way because of her memories, BUT choosing to love and support them regardless is just like gorgeous. the amount of hugs she just accepts and goes, yeah I need this, even when she can't do the same in return is perfect

the ending. the ending. hooooollyyyyy shit the ending. "a king, a knight, and a prince" AHHHHHHHH. selwyn kane you can do no wrong in my eyes but oh my god. I am so scared someone hold me

ALSO after reading the ending going back through the book and seeing that there are several places where Bree and Nick are talking about sel and HE is the one calling her bloodmark. oh em gee.

this is not comprehensive and I'll probably think of more but yeah. how're we doing gang?

[thejudeduarte]

Being part of a small fandom is liking every single post you see about it because on tumblr little to no people have actually read the books 😭

I'm totally not talking about powerless and legendborn

[mageofspace924]

HAPPY OATHBOUND 💜⚔️

literally shaking THIS IS IT!!! i cannot wait to finish my bloodmarked reread and dive in to oathbound 😭🫶 i cannot believe its here.

I got to make an overlay for the oathbound tour, im so glad people are starting to get them!!

LOVE YOU BREE I CANT WAIT TO SEE WHERE YOU GO NEXT (pls be safe)

[elisegeese]

"I am the product of violence and I am the Scion of Arthur, and I don't want to be either. I just want to be me."

[worth-this-and-more]

i lied. put your clothes back on. i'll tell you how selwyn fought so hard to keep from succumbing to his blood but then sacrificed his humanity for bree; and how this girl bree gave up her own freedom for a last desperate hope that sel could be saved by natasia.

[hbhtasm]

The gang in bloodmarked

[ackerbabezzz]

‘Just know, Briana Matthews, that you are worth this and more.’

[mochiimocha]

Chapter 3: Car ride

I put the colors in finally I still have the chapter 4 sketch I just finished so we will see if I’ll post it fast 🫡