A little summer BREEveal

Can you believe Oathbound has been out for three months? And the love for this behemoth of a book continues to roll in! Last month I had some great conversations about OB and the Legendborn Cycle with author friends and readers. I had a blast (as per usual) at YallWest and got to talk story on “the big stage” with other creatives. I also maybe photobombed a couple of readers around YW because, at the end of the day, I am a delightful menace. 

May & June Inspo Favorites

• Sinners - Need I say more? I’ve now seen Sinners three times, and while I find myself focusing on a few different themes and characters each viewing, the main source of my awe is in how viscerally collaborative this work feels. Every department is burning bright on screen, from editing to score to costume to hair and makeup. The actors feel like they were empowered to make choices. The behind-the-scenes and interviews make it clear that Ryan Coogler’s vision was executed through the hands of many, many artists working in concert. Love that.

• Black Dandyism at the Met - Black History was centered and on display at this year’s Gala fundraiser. The gender playfulness! The power of layers and textures! The historical presence of Black dandyism as an assertive act! A few readers mentioned “Valechaz” in their fashion commentary…and Valec would definitely approve. 

• Spy x Family - I started a rewatch because gah, I love this anime series. It’s so outrageous and wholesome at once?! But imagine my surprise when I realized that a certain extremely competent blonde spy who goes undercover and wears multiple disguises reminded me of…a certain extremely competent blonde spy who goes undercover and wears multiple “disguises.” Huh. IYKYK!

Top 5 BreeHive Comments of 2025 (so far!)

I just got news that Oathbound made two “Best of 2025 So Far” lists:

• Barnes & Noble’s Best Young Adult of 2025 (So Far)

• Amazon Editors’ Best Teen & Young Adult Books of 2025 So Far

But why stop there? My favorite post-pub experience has been hearing and feeling all the love y’all have for our best girl, Bree. So, just for my own personal, silly enjoyment and yours, I present to you “Tracy Deonn’s Top 5 Bree-preciation Comments of 2025 (thus far!)” 🤗

• When readers say they support Bree because they “support women’s rights and their wrongs.” Fair and same!

• When y’all claim her as your daughter/niece/cousin/sister. She’s your family?

• When y’all call her “Bree-Bree” or “Bree-Bear.” The nicknames. 🥰

• When readers share that Bree’s story has helped them through their own grief—and their triumphs.

• When you share all the things you hope Bree achieves when the series concludes (peace, happiness, glory, a certain Merlin or a certain swordsman…) but you assure me that, at the end of the day, you’re always Team Bree.

With all this Bree love…how about some art? 

It’s been awhile since I’ve shared character art. This is one I’ve never shared publicly with readers and, as newsletter subscribers, y’all get to see it first!

I love the colors, I love Bree’s expression, and I love the full presence of her hair. This art was conceptualized at a time when we were more conservative on Legendborn spoilers, so I’d asked the creative team to provide only a a hint of the Order secret society’s medieval beginnings in the background. The glimpse of the more modern Gothic arches behind Bree is such a nice touch, as is the accent of Nick’s Legendborn necklace in her outfit.

You may notice the quote—"I will build you into a girl whom no one can destroy. You won’t need a weapon. You’ll become one.”—is NOT from Legendborn. That’s one of the juicier quotes we see from the Shadow King at the beginning of Bree’s tutelage in Oathbound. This illustration of Bree is by the talented @oori_art, from a 2023 limited Fae Crate project.

The cycle of the Cycle Continues…

As is the way with publishing, I’m already looking ahead to what’s next in the Legendborn Cycle. There’s nothing to share with you all about LB4 yet, but I’m hard at work in the meantime, both within Bree’s world and outside of it. I’m currently revisiting some fun scenes in Oathbound, thinking about merch possibilities, and brainstorming things people won’t see until 2026. As always, I’ll share more as soon as I’m able.

For now, here are some quotes I’m reviewing for a future endeavor. Any guesses as to what I might be doing with these?

• “Legends are dangerous, Bree…don't underestimate them.”

• “You are my king now, cariad.”

• “Don’t make your life about the loss. Make it about the love.”

• “Bree is something new. Something powerful.”

• “When the shadows rise, so will the light…”

• “If you want to, you can change the world…”

• “This is your beginning.”

The world is on fire in many ways right now, and human stories and human connection feel more important than ever. I’ll close with a reminder that I often give myself, and one that may help you too. That reminder is: When the forces we’re facing require our apathy to thrive, self-care and community care become radical acts.

xo,

TD