North Carolina Miscellany
that threaten not only her own life but also the lives of those around her. On top of the looming war, there is the ominous presence of the Hunter, who has been haunting her family for centuries. Even with the threats that face her, Bree remains a strong protagonist who fights for what she believes in. Bree’s identity plays a fundamental role in Bloodmarked, just as it did in Legendborn. Bree is the first Black Scion of Arthur, which seems to be a problem for some people in
the historically white Order of the Round Table. The novel powerfully critiques how institutions uphold privilege and resist change. She is constantly facing microaggressions and sometimes outright hostility from people who refuse to accept her for who she is. This forces her to fight for her survival, but also for respect from her peers. When faced with discrimination, Bree does not hesitate to stand up for herself. When Theresa, an emissary for the Regents, remarks upon her
ABOVE Sunset at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North
Carolina; photography by James O. Reynolds (See more of his photography on his website.)
N C L R ONLINE
93
looks, Bree quickly responds, “Just because my hair takes up space doesn’t mean it’s dirty” (68). Deonn also explores how Bree’s dual heritage – Arthurian lineage and ancestral Root magic – shapes her identity. The Order, which represents authority and privilege, is contrasted with the spiritual and community-driven Root magic, which is tied to her mother and the legacy of enslaved African Americans. Bree struggles with what it means to be a Black girl in spaces not built for her and is constantly reminded of the sacrifices her ancestors made before her. Bree knows that the fight ahead of her is not going to be easy, but she is “not scared of the risks, or of hard work. I’ll fight what my ancestors wanted to fight but couldn’t. I will make the power worth the cost by how I use it” (355). Bree’s battles are not only against the threat of the Shadowborn but also against the ingrained structures that seek to limit her. Bree’s grief over the loss of her mother and friends remains a crucial element of Bloodmarked, as it was in Legendborn. She continues to process her loss while also stepping into the role of Scion of Arthur as well as Rootcrafter. Deonn does not shy away from expressing her feelings about loss. She shows that healing is not a linear process and often takes time. Bree’s pain is palpable: “The grief slips between my ribs like a scalpel. A thing I gasp against but can’t prevent” (15). This exploration of grief adds