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rjdenney's review against another edition
4.0
4 STARS!!
"The Princess and the Frog meets AHS: Coven"
THIS WAS AWESOME. It was scary, thrilling, heartbreaking, and one hell of a ride. Hoodoo is one of the best characters I've ever had the pleasure of reading, I just love his heart, and his determination to set things right and save everyone. This takes place in the 1930s in Alabama and though it is a Horror/Fantasy, it still deals with race and class issues which I thought melted beautifully together in this story. There's a talking crow, a creepy carnival, grave robberies, and one of the most ruthless villains I've ever read, the Stranger. This is also a pretty damn dark Middle-Grade book, so don't go in expecting anything light. I love me some Dark Middle-Grade books!
I also liked how Hoodoo included his family in on what was happening to him. There are a lot of books out there that push the parents or guardians to the side and this one did not do that at all. Now I do enjoy books that have the parents or guardians non-existent but it was really great reading something different. It definitely gave the story much more heart. I'll be talking about this more in my January 2017 Wrap Up on my channel so stay tuned for that. I can already tell now that this will be on my Favorite Books of 2017 list for sure, so go pick this up! I loved it and cannot wait to get a copy for my shelf. :)
- Richard
(I read this for #Diverseathon! a Diverse readathon hosted on Twitter.)
"The Princess and the Frog meets AHS: Coven"
THIS WAS AWESOME. It was scary, thrilling, heartbreaking, and one hell of a ride. Hoodoo is one of the best characters I've ever had the pleasure of reading, I just love his heart, and his determination to set things right and save everyone. This takes place in the 1930s in Alabama and though it is a Horror/Fantasy, it still deals with race and class issues which I thought melted beautifully together in this story. There's a talking crow, a creepy carnival, grave robberies, and one of the most ruthless villains I've ever read, the Stranger. This is also a pretty damn dark Middle-Grade book, so don't go in expecting anything light. I love me some Dark Middle-Grade books!
I also liked how Hoodoo included his family in on what was happening to him. There are a lot of books out there that push the parents or guardians to the side and this one did not do that at all. Now I do enjoy books that have the parents or guardians non-existent but it was really great reading something different. It definitely gave the story much more heart. I'll be talking about this more in my January 2017 Wrap Up on my channel so stay tuned for that. I can already tell now that this will be on my Favorite Books of 2017 list for sure, so go pick this up! I loved it and cannot wait to get a copy for my shelf. :)
- Richard
(I read this for #Diverseathon! a Diverse readathon hosted on Twitter.)
jules_not_dead's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
sbrewer71's review against another edition
4.0
A very enjoyable story about a boy named Hoodoo who must come of age by believing in himself and his hoodoo magic. The story was also great at adding a scary or creepy part with the Stranger that Hoodoo needs to stop from destroying everyone that Hoodoo cares about.
n1y4d's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
gwen_pageturner's review against another edition
4.0
Quick and entertaining book with gothic and witchy vibes. Think of it like a southern Harry Potter, perfect for middle grade readers
dillonjross's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
ellenpederson's review against another edition
5.0
This book mixes things that don't often end up together in the same place: terror and sweetness, traditional magic and monotheism... It was a fun, suspenseful, spooky read. I'd recommend it to middle school readers, but could also be a good pick for those 4th/5th graders who are looking for a scary story.
directorpurry's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
marigale's review against another edition
5.0
This took a while to start moving, but once it did, it was very good.
jwinchell's review against another edition
5.0
Ooooh this is a good one. Hoodoo sets out to inform you about things in the South and he is forthcoming about the many things he doesn't yet understand. One of those things is why his daddy died and why The Stranger appeared to him and what in the world is happening with his hand. The magic unfolds in layers: realism to bits of fantasy to full on magical happenings--and it stays believable throughout. This is Southern Fiction that folds in mystical elements of Christianity and hoodoo and magic. With a strong cast of characters and beautiful sensory descriptions of place and feelings, Hoodoo himself is a total sweetheart and I was rooting for him despite my general distaste for this genre. Smith is fully deserving of the 2016 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award.