The Legendborn Cycle, #1
Legendborn
by Tracy Deonn
Contents
Chapter 1
Overview
Bree begins college by following Alice and Charlotte to an illegal quarry party, where her desire for danger exposes how raw and volatile her grief remains. A strange encounter with Selwyn Kane and Bree’s ability to see a shimmering supernatural presence reveal that the magic she glimpsed after her mother’s death was not an isolated hallucination.
The chapter shifts Bree from ordinary mourning into a hidden magical conflict: Selwyn recognizes that Bree can perceive something others cannot, then uses an unseen command to force Bree away from the danger.
Summary
On Bree Matthews’s first night at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Early College Program, she and her best friend Alice Chen attend an illicit quarry party with Charlotte Simpson, an older student from their hometown. First-year students are jumping from the cliffs into the Eno Quarry, and Bree feels drawn toward the reckless freedom of it, while Alice worries about trespassing, danger, and possible expulsion.
Charlotte introduces Bree and Alice to her boyfriend, Evan Cooper, who awkwardly identifies Bree as the girl whose mother died. Bree retreats behind an emotional “wall” as Charlotte and Evan offer familiar condolences. Bree reflects on her grief, the angry version of herself she calls After-Bree, and the guilt and distance that drove her away from home and her grieving father.
After Alice gently warns Bree not to become someone else, Bree asks to be alone. Bree reads a concerned text from her father, then walks along the cliff, imagining a jump that might let her leave shame and anger behind. Before Bree can act, a strange, pale, dark-haired boy named Selwyn Kane appears and warns her not to jump. When Selwyn looks at Bree, she feels an electric shock; when Selwyn grabs Bree’s wrist, Selwyn questions whether Bree can feel something from his gaze.
Shouts and screams interrupt the confrontation, and Selwyn seems pleased by whatever has appeared at the party. Selwyn releases Bree and races through the woods with unnatural speed. Fearing for Alice, Bree follows, stumbling through the dark until she reaches the chaotic clearing, where students are fleeing, filming, drinking, and watching a violent brawl among several large drunk boys.
Above the fight, Bree sees a greenish-silver shimmering shape flickering in and out of visibility, but nearby students cannot see it. The sight triggers a half-memory of another shimmer. Across the fire, Bree notices Selwyn also watching the shape. Selwyn looks at Bree, gestures, and an invisible force wraps around Bree, compelling the command “Leave” into her mind until Bree turns and walks toward the parking lot against her will.
Who Appears
- Bree Matthewsgrieving new Early College student drawn to danger and able to perceive supernatural forces.
- Selwyn Kanemysterious student who senses Bree’s perception, watches a supernatural presence, and magically commands her.
- Alice ChenBree’s cautious best friend, worried about rules, safety, and Bree’s grief-driven changes.
- Charlotte Simpsonolder hometown acquaintance who brings Bree and Alice to the quarry party.
- Evan CooperCharlotte’s boyfriend who awkwardly mentions Bree’s mother’s death and worsens Bree’s discomfort.
- Torsharp blond student trying to break up the party before police arrive.
- Dustinstudent filming the fight and dismissing Bree’s alarm about the strange light.
- Bree’s fatherabsent but present through texts, reminding Bree of home and unresolved grief.
- Bree’s motherdeceased figure whose memory shapes Bree’s guilt, anger, and emotional isolation.