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izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
Omg I loved this book the characters were really interesting and I loved the magic. I just wish there was more but I’m hopeful there will be in the sequel!
Omg I loved this book the characters were really interesting and I loved the magic. I just wish there was more but I’m hopeful there will be in the sequel!
knod78's review against another edition
4.0
As soon as I learned that the author was from Third Ward, I had to support and read. It's YA fantasy, which is around my norm of books. This book has local charm, sisterly love, witchcraft (old and new), social and political issues, racism all rolled into a book. I especially loved the descriptions of food. It read quick and I was in the story feeling the suspicion of how someone can unite the tribes, everything's great, and then we all happily have magic while also looking only gray...hmmmm. I loved Ms. Leola who reminded me of my grandmother, everyone was family and everyone is getting fed no matter what. The book did remind me a bit of Harry Potter and Hunger Games, but with it's own spin. I loved how everything unfolded, maybe just a bit too predictable, which is what you get in a YA book.
My only gripes were the ending and details. It felt climatically perfect for the General, but so very anti-climatic for New Ghizon, Old Ghizon, and the Chancellor. The author just kind of left it there with a poem at the end. No, I want something, anything there. I mean I guess it's setting up for the next books, but it just fell flat at the end. And I love to read authors write how they talk, I do, and it works for when the characters are speaking. But a great deal of the filler information, the details were in short, choppy sentences that just left me a little meh. I didn't really get a sense of either Ghizon. I roughly know where she's talking about for East Row since I live in Third Ward, and I can picture what she's talking about wholeheartedly. However, if I wasn't here, I wouldn't know anything about East Row. The people, yes, I get it and I understand it. But the place itself, didn't come out on the pages, which I think was a shame.
This book is wonderful to read and if you are into YA fantasy with witchcraft and racism and going between two worlds mixed together, you will love this book. If you are a native Houstonian, and you read about Edwards Theater on 59, you will smile.
My only gripes were the ending and details. It felt climatically perfect for the General, but so very anti-climatic for New Ghizon, Old Ghizon, and the Chancellor. The author just kind of left it there with a poem at the end. No, I want something, anything there. I mean I guess it's setting up for the next books, but it just fell flat at the end. And I love to read authors write how they talk, I do, and it works for when the characters are speaking. But a great deal of the filler information, the details were in short, choppy sentences that just left me a little meh. I didn't really get a sense of either Ghizon. I roughly know where she's talking about for East Row since I live in Third Ward, and I can picture what she's talking about wholeheartedly. However, if I wasn't here, I wouldn't know anything about East Row. The people, yes, I get it and I understand it. But the place itself, didn't come out on the pages, which I think was a shame.
This book is wonderful to read and if you are into YA fantasy with witchcraft and racism and going between two worlds mixed together, you will love this book. If you are a native Houstonian, and you read about Edwards Theater on 59, you will smile.
ashwas1228's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ihavetosay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4/5 ⭐️
Full review at seen at ihavetosay.blog
This book got me out of a reading slump. I have some unanswered questions about the plot, but they don’t take away from how the story made me feel. At the end of the day, I appreciate the story the author was telling. Also, I haven’t read the second book yet, so maybe my questions are answered there.
OVERALL
Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. I read it in two or three days, which is quickly for me since I’m a mood reader and I’m usually reading multiple books at once. If you like strong female black leads and characters that’ll fight for their families, this book is for you. I’ll definitely read the second!
Full review at seen at ihavetosay.blog
This book got me out of a reading slump. I have some unanswered questions about the plot, but they don’t take away from how the story made me feel. At the end of the day, I appreciate the story the author was telling. Also, I haven’t read the second book yet, so maybe my questions are answered there.
OVERALL
Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. I read it in two or three days, which is quickly for me since I’m a mood reader and I’m usually reading multiple books at once. If you like strong female black leads and characters that’ll fight for their families, this book is for you. I’ll definitely read the second!
alexandergrantwriter's review against another edition
4.0
Great story! This was a fun, fantasy read with a powerful main character and fascinating world! I loved the main character and her characterization from headstrong and fiery to a smarter, more determined woman was fun to experience! J. Elle did a fantastic job and I can't wait for the sequel!
CWs: Heavy Language, Fantasy Violence
CWs: Heavy Language, Fantasy Violence
makenacm's review against another edition
3.0
Was really excited to see a fantasy with a Black main character, but that’s the only thing that really makes this feel remarkable. I feel like the story was kind of rushed and the world building was a bit disappointing. It was kind of predictable, but if you’d like an easy read, especially for newer YA readers it’s a quick one that I read in a sitting.
jbavaro's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
fafa_bayonne's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent book! I had a warm feeling the whole time reading this. I felt seen and right at home.
This is a story that my younger self had been desperately looking for. I am glad that nowadays fantasy stories by people of color are emerging! It is about time.
Rue is a smart, courageous, passionate and humble heroine, who loves her people and fights with every fiber of her body for her loved ones, her ancestors and her legacy.
This is the perfect fusion of so called "urban" life and fantasy.
This is a story that my younger self had been desperately looking for. I am glad that nowadays fantasy stories by people of color are emerging! It is about time.
Rue is a smart, courageous, passionate and humble heroine, who loves her people and fights with every fiber of her body for her loved ones, her ancestors and her legacy.
This is the perfect fusion of so called "urban" life and fantasy.
solitarelee's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0