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booksnbubbly7's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
eressea's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, this book is amazing! I cried so much... it’s truly about black girl magic, literally. In the beginning I had trouble as this book uses a Southern 1960s accent (I think lol), and not being a native speaker sometimes I didn’t get half of the sentences and sometimes I had no idea what the dialogue was about. But it is really authentic and I think that’s very important! It was dark and mature, and I loved the main character, how she is so spoken out about things, even though she can be a bit impatient and rash lol! Her boyfriend is a cinnamon roll, and I loved him for asking consent and treating her equally, but not a perfect relationship thank goodness. This is one of the best romance subplots I read in a long time. However, it is not about romance, it’s about magic and racism and womens rights and heavy topics like rape/violence. The magic system is amazing and felt very natural. Grandma is amazing. I really loved it even though my heart broke.
serendipitysbooks's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Daughters of Jubilation is a YA novel that is part historical fiction part fantasy. Sixteen year old Evalene Deschamps has inherited a special type of magical power that the women in her family refer to as jubilation. During the summer of 1962 Evvie is forced to learn more about her powers - how she can control them and what she can do with them. She discovers fairly quickly that her jubin’ is tied to strong emotions like love, fear and anger. This is the summer that she begins a relationship with her long-term crush so passionate and romantic love is new to her. Being a Black girl in the American South ensures she has plenty of experience with fear and anger. And then a sinister man from her past, someone she doesn’t initially remember, reappears and the stakes for Evvie and her family get a whole lot higher.
I really enjoyed this book. The first chapter hooked me and the remainder of the story held my interest to the very last page. Evvie was a delight - intelligent and hardworking but also head-strong and sassy; an ideal heroine who was perfect to root for. It was so easy to share her happiness when she was with Clay (but also wanting her take precautions!), her frustrations when she was with her grandmother and trying to master the jubilation, her anger and protectiveness when she learned her friend was being abused, and her horror and fury upon remembering what Virgil had done and what he was threatening. The fantasy element was not too indepth or convoluted for me (I’m not a big fantasy reader). It allowed the author to portray the Jim Crow south in a new light and to disrupt it’s traditional power dynamics. Oh, that the many, many Black women who suffered at the hands of Black men had powers like Evvie’s. I loved the strong element of female bonding, past and present, especially as portrayed during the book’s climax. This is a dark and difficult read at times - sadly not even magical powers are enough to ensure an uncomplicated, trouble free happy ending. However, I’m glad that I read it and am a little surprised that it has flown under the radar.
I really enjoyed this book. The first chapter hooked me and the remainder of the story held my interest to the very last page. Evvie was a delight - intelligent and hardworking but also head-strong and sassy; an ideal heroine who was perfect to root for. It was so easy to share her happiness when she was with Clay (but also wanting her take precautions!), her frustrations when she was with her grandmother and trying to master the jubilation, her anger and protectiveness when she learned her friend was being abused, and her horror and fury upon remembering what Virgil had done and what he was threatening. The fantasy element was not too indepth or convoluted for me (I’m not a big fantasy reader). It allowed the author to portray the Jim Crow south in a new light and to disrupt it’s traditional power dynamics. Oh, that the many, many Black women who suffered at the hands of Black men had powers like Evvie’s. I loved the strong element of female bonding, past and present, especially as portrayed during the book’s climax. This is a dark and difficult read at times - sadly not even magical powers are enough to ensure an uncomplicated, trouble free happy ending. However, I’m glad that I read it and am a little surprised that it has flown under the radar.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and Violence
powellki's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
chloejadereads's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, Violence, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Rape
shaina17's review against another edition
4.0
Daughters of Jubilation was a great novel. The main character Evalene has a powerful voice and at times has a great sense of humor. Her boyfriend clay was a sweetheart!! I was expecting this book to be a very light fantasy but it surprised me with the heavy topics it handled such as sexual abuse. This book at times was funny, terrifying, but it also had hope. The author handled the sensitive topics in a responsible way and how victims can take back their power.
foxwoodpress's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, and Rape
Minor: Sexual assault
allforthebooks's review against another edition
4.0
This book was amazing! The only con is that I wanted more. The characters were very well developed. The pacing of the novel started from the first page. The novel was written in dialect that was reflective of the time and it was perfect. Lastly, the storyline was very intriguing.
thebiasedbibliophile's review
dark
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
4.5
Trigger Warning: Racial Slurs, Rape, Violence
I absolutely adored this book! I wish I would have known beforehand about the trigger warnings, because parts of it were really difficult to read, but the strength Evvie showed throughout the book was powerful. This book was heartbreaking and empowering at the same time. I typically don't enjoy books with sad endings, but all the events that took place in the novel felt right and contributed to the overall feeling of the story. Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars.
I absolutely adored this book! I wish I would have known beforehand about the trigger warnings, because parts of it were really difficult to read, but the strength Evvie showed throughout the book was powerful. This book was heartbreaking and empowering at the same time. I typically don't enjoy books with