Far too many fantasy adaptations become stagnant after they’re announced, and I can’t believe one TV show isn’t making progress after three years — especially given how great the newest book in the series is. There are so many exciting fantasy TV shows trapped in development hell, and some remain there until they’re forgotten about or nixed completely. The fate of the Court of Thorns & Roses show is one recent example, but there are numerous projects in the fantasy genre that feel like they’re headed down the same path.
In fact, looking at some of the recent books that were supposed to become TV shows or movies will likely leave readers wondering what is happening to the fantasy adaptation race, especially when it comes to young adult stories. And there’s one award-winning YA series that hasn’t had an update since Black Bear Television acquired the rights to it back in 2022: Tracy Deonn’s Legendborn. This is a real shame, as Legendborn offers one of the most interesting takes on King Arthur is rapidly proving a 10/10 series across the board.
Oathbound Proves Tracy Deonn’s Legendborn Is One Of The Best Ongoing Fantasy Series
The Series Now Has 3 Books That Have Stuck The Landing
I’m shocked the Legendborn TV show hasn’t been picked up by a network or moved forward based on the strengths of the first two books, as well as their overall reception. Not only does every book in Deonn’s series have an above-average Goodreads rating of over 4.30, but the initial installment won the Coretta Scott King – John Steptoe for New Talent Author Award and the Ignyte Award for Best Young Adult Novel in 2021. You’d think that would be enough to prioritize an adaptation, but the lack of progress is even more disappointing after Oathbound.
It certainly cements Deonn’s series as one of the best ongoing additions to the fantasy genre.
The third installment in Deonn’s series debuted on March 4, and it’s easily one of the biggest fantasy books to come out in 2025. Oathbound takes Bree’s story to new heights, raising the stakes as she upholds her bargain with the Shadow King. With its action, emotional twists, and poignant commentary, Oathbound is a firm reminder of what made Legendborn so great in the first place. It has all the strengths of its predecessors while somehow managing to surpass them. It certainly cements Deonn’s series as one of the best ongoing additions to the fantasy genre.
Legendborn Is Far Too Great For The Fantasy TV Show To Still Be Stagnant, 3 Years Later
With each book in the Legendborn series proving a success, it’s wild that the previously announced adaptation continues to be stagnant, even three years later. Legendborn‘s real-world setting and flashy magic system lend themselves to a screen adaptation, and there’s little doubt it would become a hit if handled properly. I’ll be shocked if the fourth Legendborn book also gets high praise and the story still doesn’t find its way to the screen. It’s a much-needed addition to the fantasy landscape, as there’s nothing out there that’s quite like it.
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Of course, like Mistborn‘s and ACOTAR‘s recent disappointments, this could be yet another indicator that networks and streamers aren’t prioritizing the fantasy genre as much as they should. If even beloved series like these can’t make it all the way through development and production, it doesn’t bode well. Hopefully, someone realizes the potential of a Legendborn TV series, especially after seeing the books’ continued upward trajectory. If any series deserves a shot at the screen, it’s this one.
Source: Goodreads, Coretta Scott King – John Steptoe for New Talent Author Award, Ignyte Award for Best Young Adult Novel
