Reviews

A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney

hpocket's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

I great way to step into fantasy if you tend to get overwhelmed with the popular high fantasy reads. It takes a story you love and gives you a new take on how it has evolved! Really such a fun adventure for today’s world. Highly recommend and can’t wait for the next book in the series!!

deanneestelle's review against another edition

3.0

A fun read! I love all the characters, and Alice is super compelling to follow. The romance felt a bit forced, though. I’m looking forward to the next book!

anna_dunn's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful medium-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

I think I would have liked this book more if read it in jr. High or high school. The characters felt very immature. I liked them and the story overall though

lovelyl's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

cj_parsley's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious 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? Yes

4.5

shante9700's review against another edition

5.0

I am quite shocked at how much I enjoyed this one. Why? Because the GR reviews are so low and I usually trust GR. If you have given a Stephanie G. Book a 5 star there is no reason why this isn’t what you would consider a five star. This is a Black femme powered fantasy with a lead that doesn’t suffer from imposter syndrome, this story isn’t surrounded on trauma and systematic racism (it is mentioned so trigger warning) and is told in a light and whimsical way that gives you the true feeling of reading a fairy tale. I am definitely going to finish the series as I believe that several “loopholes” will develop.
I said what I said and am not interested in a “tussle” soooooo read this book my G.

linzthebookworm's review against another edition

4.0

I love a good Alice in Wonderland retelling! A Blade so Black had me hooked from the beginning and I had so much fun finding all of the Alice in Wonderland references. I thought the story was unique and Alice was someone I'd want to be friends with. I can't wait to read more of the series.

For my full review check out: https://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/2020/08/Book-review-a-blade-so-black-by-l-l-mckinney.html

betsyjoy's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I really struggled to get into the book. Characters weren’t very developed, and the Wonderland theme seemed forced. 

mamalovesfour's review against another edition

3.0

I wanted to love it more than I did, but I am always a sucker for anything Alice in Wonderland.

tatyanavogt's review against another edition

4.0

Okay, this was really good.

I loved the Alice and wonderland twist. The bad-ass monster hunter black alice. I even didn't mind the high school aspect and the issues of our main character being a teenager (although as an adult I would have preferred that to not have been an issue and got a little annoyed by it a few times).

I loved the relationships and the drama, the action and the wonder. It was a good time for sure. Enough that I'm planning on continuing the series.