A review by alouette
The Black Veins by Ashia Monet

adventurous funny 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

5.0

i need to read this a few more times because there was so much to love about it! the found family of main characters, of course, but also the magic, the politics, the action... and the characters, it bears repeating how amazing they were. even if the foundation of the book was the plot (though it was a bit shaky), the characters were the stunning highlight. not just how they played off of each other but how they were well-rounded, lovable, and had such dynamic personalities. i could read about their adventures for forever, and the representation that they brought made me ecstatic. this book is a masterclass in writing realistic teens, and proof that a writing style that is true to everyday linguistics and mannerisms is not bad just because it doesn't fit within traditional grammar rules. language is a changing medium, and writers that are able to properly use colloquial language deserve more credit for how immersive their stories become through that style.

also, going back to the representation- look how fascinating diverse characters are and the breadth of emotions and experiences an author can cover by incorporating diverse characters! how anyone can think that reducing diverse characters to quota-fillers will please the people most craving the representation is wacky to me.