Reviews with content warning for Racism - Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard

I really loved the writing style of this book, and I found it absolutely heartbreaking but also just so filled with layers and complexity, especially with all the symbolism and metaphors that the author used with magic. I could definitely see myself writing an essay analyzing and picking apart all of the choices the author made. Super smart and super emotional, this also had me trying not to cry at Ikea and failing while reading this.

Content Warnings

emmapaigereads's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-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? Yes

4.25

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livinthebubble's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.5

I always feel bad rating an important book like this a low rating but I just didn't like it. So many other people said they loved this and sobbed and I'm sad I didn't experience the same thing as them.

Important Read

This book talks about poverty, racism, the hardships that come with being a woman, and the assault of minors, among other important topics. It was tough to read at times, with the graphic scenes here and there, though I still appreciate this being written and having read it.

Ending

Most of the book was just ok to me, although I enjoyed one of the scenes at the end, where the main group write messages on the trees. I thought it was a lovely scene and the messages were uplifting after a dark book.

Magical Realism

I think this is another case of "it's not you, it's me" and me not properly reading what books are about before reading/buying them. I dislike most books with magical realism, and I didn't realize that this was a magical realism book.

Confusing

The wizard stuff was just confusing to me, and the time jumps/scene jumps connected by dashes were so weird and just didn't work for me.

Overall, this just wasn't for me and I'm really sad that I didn't like it as much as everyone else.

Content Warnings

amberinbookland's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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writingcaia's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Wow, I wasn’t expecting this at all. This is what happens when I buy a book without reading a blurb solely on a rec. I was expecting fantasy and was slapped with a harsh and brutal if hopeful reality, wrapped in Magic Realism.
Such a powerful story, and voice. It hurt, it dug deep, and it opened my eyes.
Through a power passed to her by her aggressive, addicted mother Echo starts on a journey of magic in the middle of a life that tries her at every turn, brothers that fall into the pits of poverty and follow the path of their fathers, men than abuse women, her.
It is only through her gift and her perseverance, and the help of others like her that she will escape the rotten fate planted for her and plant herself anew.
And, there is also her Persian best friend also in a ride of her own, through religion, through queerness, through parents expectations and fighting to free herself.
And, her mother, whose life has dealt such hard blows and sunk her so deep in the darkness of life, but who will be given a chance through her daughter to change her life, but will she?
Inspired by her own story the author explores the difficult reality of growing up a black woman, excluded by color and gender, put in a box from where most don’t want her to leave, especially the men and white people. But, there’re exceptions and she will thankfully meet some.
Absolutely incredible book that I hope everyone picks up (baring in mind the content warnings).

Content Warnings

veroni_loves_books's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

3.0

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