A review by kaliaddy
The Dark Fantastic: Race and the Imagination from Harry Potter to the Hunger Games by Ebony Elizabeth Thomas

4.0

Covers a lot of ground about fantasy and race. I always read fantasy (and sci-fi) books looking for characters similar to myself. I say all the time “we exist in the future”. The Hunger Games entry was especially good because I remember the small mindedness of some readers who, despite the distinct wording on the page, failed to realize the Rue was black. Then they proceeded to have a whole meltdown when casting for the movie was announced. The attention to detail in the essays/chapters is really good and the research seems sound. A welcome addition that offers some interesting food for thought. More importantly, the author points towards a future that breaks the cycle of centering the fantastic around whiteness. There is hope for being seen.