Reviews

A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney

girl7seven's review against another edition

5.0

Loved this dark twist on Alice in Wonderland

jowithtwoiis's review against another edition

2.0

DNF. Really wanted to like it. But just didn't. The opening scene was interesting and then it got boring. Was hoping for more. :-/

karrama's review against another edition

3.0

I sooooo wanted to love this book that it might be part of what made me not love it. It was best advertised as Buffy in Wonderland. We see our Alice meet up with her Hatter and fall in love with him while he sends her out on missions to save the real world by killing monsters in Wonderland. These monsters are manifestations of stress and fear that would otherwise appear in our world as shootings or bombings, murders, and more. This is only the first 30% of the book. Later Alice sets off to save her Hatter and Mouse. I'm glad to say I made it through to the end, though the last half was a struggle.

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