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A review by planetwhileaway
Will Do Magic for Small Change by Andrea Hairston
3.0
I have never read a book like this before. West African mythology and history + a Black, queer MC + an interdimensional, genderqueer alien (who is also part demon)… this story has it all and more. While I can’t say that I would highly recommend it due to the disjointed and somewhat messy writing, I am glad that I read it, and I would encourage anyone who is interested in a very unique reading experience to give it a try, especially if you typically enjoy YA.
This was the most unique reading experience I have ever had. I honestly can’t say that I liked this book, but I also can’t say that I disliked it. I did finish it, and I am glad I did. After finishing it, I rushed to find the book about Cinnamon’s time-traveling, magic grandparents (Redwood & Wildfire) that was written a few years before Will Do Magic.
I think Hairston is an incredible storyteller in desperate need of an equally incredible editor. Reading this book, I did not get the sense that it was edited much at all. It did read a bit on the YA side to me (though it deals with some heavy topics), so if you usually enjoy YA, you may enjoy this more than I did. Tordotcom is now publishing Andrea Hairston, and her first book with them, Master of Poisons, came out last year. Going forward, I hope that they will be able to provide her with better editing services that will do her storytelling justice.
This was the most unique reading experience I have ever had. I honestly can’t say that I liked this book, but I also can’t say that I disliked it. I did finish it, and I am glad I did. After finishing it, I rushed to find the book about Cinnamon’s time-traveling, magic grandparents (Redwood & Wildfire) that was written a few years before Will Do Magic.
I think Hairston is an incredible storyteller in desperate need of an equally incredible editor. Reading this book, I did not get the sense that it was edited much at all. It did read a bit on the YA side to me (though it deals with some heavy topics), so if you usually enjoy YA, you may enjoy this more than I did. Tordotcom is now publishing Andrea Hairston, and her first book with them, Master of Poisons, came out last year. Going forward, I hope that they will be able to provide her with better editing services that will do her storytelling justice.