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A review by literaryluxe
Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
3.0
The most important thing for me to speak on first BECAUSE IT RELATES DIRECTLY TO ME is the topic of queer and race representation. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS A TOKEN BLACK QUEER PERSON IN EVERY SINGLE BOOK OR SHOW. THIS CANNOT KEEP HAPPENING.
Now to delve into this rant of mine. It is absolutely well and good to show representation among minorities in terms of queer rep. However, is no one else seeing a pattern of authors or show/movie writers ALWAYS making the one black or biracial person that is included, queer? As if we are all queer or vice versa, there are not other races of people who need representation for queerness as well such as the Asian or Hispanic community. And in this book aside from the one black queer person, the rest of the group are straight white ladies? At this point it comes across as more of a stereotype and can seem "other" in terms of making the show diverse or inclusive. Because how is it diverse to keep perpetuating that pattern? And it has been this way for years. Along with other stereotypes included in this book like a broken home and the loud or obnoxious one. Didn't like that at all, but I think some authors and show writers realize they do it or include - but that is a topic for another day.
Moving on, I do think the author did a good job of researching their history in terms of root craft and cultural references such as "bonnets" and "voodoo" "roots"... in addition to how historically, some places have a historical connection to witchcraft that was white washed. Again, I think the author did a good job of trying to show how that happened, why, and the need for different places and peoples to branch off from each other.
I also like the inclusion of other cultural references, languages, and slang. They were used where appropriate and fit the context as someone of the same background may. Please note this too can come off as a stereotype if not careful, but I felt like as a black person, it was subtly enough to not be over the top but also reference that AAVE is a thing and doesn't not mean someone is less dignified for speaking a certain or cultural way - which has also always been a stereotype. So a good job there in my opinion with the subtle inclusion of it in the book.
Nowwwww on another note, I found the homophobia triggering, especially the use of some language. I knew what I was getting into when I read the TWs and that it would likely come up. And when it did, it made me emotional. I suppose that was the point. Didn't make it any easier to read. So be mindful if you pick up this book. In truth though I feel like it also displays how a lot of white saviors feel behind closed doors - they are extremely homophobic or enablers by silence which is also a valid point the book brings up.
Now in terms of the plot, I feel like it was solid. I was intrigued enough to keep reading and wanted to know what would happen next. I think it's already a large sized book but I hope to see more stories on other covens weaved in and there branching off from the UK coven that is centered in this book. I say this because as mentioned earlier, there are hundreds of peoples and culture that have some form of witchcraft within their culture or history - especially on the continents of Africa, Asia, and South America. Just saying.
The plot was pretty fast paced in my opinion and is literally about why a Karen may feel the way she does and why those against her are not entitled to their feelings or thoughts. And of course people in the story act on those feelings and thoughts and you end up with a big climax that was pretty interesting to see unfold.
I will read book two because I want to know how it ends, and I get that this book intended to present some themes in a sensitive manner. Did it do the best job? No. Did the book try? Yes. And I like that it did try because it is more than can be said for a lot of books or shows or movies. If the topics make you uncomfortable or you can't talk about it or put it in your book? Good. Because being unaware or willfully silent never solves anything either.
For future, I really hope to eventually see more inclusiveness and diversity in books that is not just based on hitting a check mark or a token - even if that was not the intention. Again subconscious unawareness or willfully silent can't be the reason anymore for many issues.
Now to delve into this rant of mine. It is absolutely well and good to show representation among minorities in terms of queer rep. However, is no one else seeing a pattern of authors or show/movie writers ALWAYS making the one black or biracial person that is included, queer? As if we are all queer or vice versa, there are not other races of people who need representation for queerness as well such as the Asian or Hispanic community. And in this book aside from the one black queer person, the rest of the group are straight white ladies? At this point it comes across as more of a stereotype and can seem "other" in terms of making the show diverse or inclusive. Because how is it diverse to keep perpetuating that pattern? And it has been this way for years. Along with other stereotypes included in this book like a broken home and the loud or obnoxious one. Didn't like that at all, but I think some authors and show writers realize they do it or include - but that is a topic for another day.
Moving on, I do think the author did a good job of researching their history in terms of root craft and cultural references such as "bonnets" and "voodoo" "roots"... in addition to how historically, some places have a historical connection to witchcraft that was white washed. Again, I think the author did a good job of trying to show how that happened, why, and the need for different places and peoples to branch off from each other.
I also like the inclusion of other cultural references, languages, and slang. They were used where appropriate and fit the context as someone of the same background may. Please note this too can come off as a stereotype if not careful, but I felt like as a black person, it was subtly enough to not be over the top but also reference that AAVE is a thing and doesn't not mean someone is less dignified for speaking a certain or cultural way - which has also always been a stereotype. So a good job there in my opinion with the subtle inclusion of it in the book.
Nowwwww on another note, I found the homophobia triggering, especially the use of some language. I knew what I was getting into when I read the TWs and that it would likely come up. And when it did, it made me emotional. I suppose that was the point. Didn't make it any easier to read. So be mindful if you pick up this book. In truth though I feel like it also displays how a lot of white saviors feel behind closed doors - they are extremely homophobic or enablers by silence which is also a valid point the book brings up.
Now in terms of the plot, I feel like it was solid. I was intrigued enough to keep reading and wanted to know what would happen next. I think it's already a large sized book but I hope to see more stories on other covens weaved in and there branching off from the UK coven that is centered in this book. I say this because as mentioned earlier, there are hundreds of peoples and culture that have some form of witchcraft within their culture or history - especially on the continents of Africa, Asia, and South America. Just saying.
The plot was pretty fast paced in my opinion and is literally about why a Karen may feel the way she does and why those against her are not entitled to their feelings or thoughts. And of course people in the story act on those feelings and thoughts and you end up with a big climax that was pretty interesting to see unfold.
I will read book two because I want to know how it ends, and I get that this book intended to present some themes in a sensitive manner. Did it do the best job? No. Did the book try? Yes. And I like that it did try because it is more than can be said for a lot of books or shows or movies. If the topics make you uncomfortable or you can't talk about it or put it in your book? Good. Because being unaware or willfully silent never solves anything either.
For future, I really hope to eventually see more inclusiveness and diversity in books that is not just based on hitting a check mark or a token - even if that was not the intention. Again subconscious unawareness or willfully silent can't be the reason anymore for many issues.