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xcaptainbluex's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
reflectiverambling_nalana's review against another edition
4.0
And approachable academic look at the representation and fan reaction of black female characters in modern fantastical media works that had active and creative fans. It examines fans of the Hunger Games, Harry Potter, the Vampire Diaries, and Merlin. Being actively involved in two of those fandoms, a fan of a third, I had only limited knowledge of one. Even without personal knowledge of one of the series, the author was clear in her approach enough to invest me in the topics brought up in this section which leads me to believe the book to be general enough that someone not acquainted with the material can still hear the message and enjoy the approach.
The author is gentle in her bias in that she acknowledges ignorance and less dignified reactions and view points without malice but does not shy away from reality.
Highly recommended and encouraged to see media criticism share the same types of shelves that popular science can fill.
The author is gentle in her bias in that she acknowledges ignorance and less dignified reactions and view points without malice but does not shy away from reality.
Highly recommended and encouraged to see media criticism share the same types of shelves that popular science can fill.
wilermine's review against another edition
4.0
A really wonderful and insightful book! This was my first full-length nonfiction book I've ever read so it was a bit of a struggle but I'm glad I persevered through it. There were some parts that I felt were a bit jargon-y and that I didn't really understand but that was mainly because of me and my own reading comprehension skills. This book was very important to me, as a black reader it felt so good for someone to acknowledge the lack of diversity in books in a way that was so scrutinizing. The idea of the Dark Fantastic Cycle was something I've never heard of and even the analysis of characters I already knew (Rue from the Hunger Games) gave me a completely different insight on how black female characters are written. I think anyone who's heavy into reading and writing, especially for young adults and children, should read this book. I think it'll make you look at the things you read in a more critical light while also enjoying them for what they are.
library_bookwyrm's review against another edition
5.0
An absolute must-read for children's and YA authors and librarians! Also recommended for parents who think very hard about the worlds to which they are introducing their children through the books they hand them.
jbosio's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
It’s been many years since I read an academic title so I struggled with some of the language, but overall I enjoyed the analysis of these characters and stories from a different perspective.
amslersf's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great fresh look on the role of genre, race and modern literacies. It was fun to be able to geek out with Thomas as she draws amazing connects between the genres of fantasy, sci fi, race and racism, fandom and fanfiction, educational ideas of literacy and reader response theory to new concepts (to me) of 'restorying." She connects to books I've enjoyed and to some pop TV I was unfamiliar with, but regardless I was provided new insight and greater respect for viewers, readers and fans. I do think the books occasionally reads a bit like a dissertation (although actually written I think during her post doc) so you'll have to be excited about a couple of these topics to enjoy the book. I hope to keep reading and learning from Thomas!
littlebookterror's review against another edition
informative
3.5
While I think her hypothesis is correct, her argumentation is pretty weak.
Other people have already mentioned it but the simple fact she only highlights four big series (TVD, HP, Merlin, THG) and barely mentions anything else to prop up her argumentation, is not very good.
It has some excellent points and captures a specific moment in time in the fast-changing landscape that is TV, social media and fandom.
It get's a little too personal for me in the last chapter for an academic piece of nonfiction but I do value her opinion as someone who was actually in these fandom spaces. I'd also wished she'd done more than just name-dropped people but actually discussed their works and theories and incorporated it into her essays.
Other people have already mentioned it but the simple fact she only highlights four big series (TVD, HP, Merlin, THG) and barely mentions anything else to prop up her argumentation, is not very good.
It has some excellent points and captures a specific moment in time in the fast-changing landscape that is TV, social media and fandom.
It get's a little too personal for me in the last chapter for an academic piece of nonfiction but I do value her opinion as someone who was actually in these fandom spaces. I'd also wished she'd done more than just name-dropped people but actually discussed their works and theories and incorporated it into her essays.