Reviews

Nobody's Magic by Destiny O. Birdsong

parsonsaj416's review

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3.0

Well there were subjects both important and interesting in this book, the writing did not pull me in. Totally, the writing was a bit One beat despite the variance and emotion, and the endings weren't memorable enough to hold on to - and I just read them. The last story also felt like it was leading up to something that never happened. Not my fave.

year23's review

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dark emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

badbitchk's review

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5.0

dont have all the words yet. all i can say is the book left me in awe, with a little bit of tears in my eyes, and just wow.

the characters are so real and alive and yeah. will re-read and write something more coherent perhaps. but definitely a 10/10

usernameophobia's review against another edition

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emotional slow-paced

2.5

gabybenitez's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

5.0

plezread44's review

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5.0

My fav book of the year. The characters remain with you after the last words have been read. It’s a book I’ve gone back to twice since finishing. The exploration of mother-daughter relationships, grief and loss, and so much more was divinely written. I’m thankful for this author sharing about our city and humanizing our neighbors.

reuben_books's review against another edition

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This book is really well written, and the audio narration is really good. It is the content itself I have issues with.
 
I got to the end of the first story, and after reading reviews, I don't think I'm going to enjoy the rest of it.
 
I don't like how the first story was left. I feel like there should have been more of Suzette growing up and coming into herself as a person, rather than a couple of semi-rebellious road trips. It seemed like the author was infantilising her while also making her seem like sort of sex icon. It was very weird how the only two people she was close to ended up being in romantic/sexual relationships with her. They both infantilised her and didn't treat her like an adult (the sex scene felt almost predatory), but the ending was seen as positive and all was right with the world?? 
 
Suzette's abusive household also wasn't addressed enough for how big a part of the story it was.
 
Overall I did enjoy this first story, but I felt it needed to be developed further, and I have no interest in reading another two underdeveloped narratives.  

mlmcmrry's review against another edition

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slow-paced

2.5

bookworm_meg's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

3.5

earthtokb's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

5.0

Beautiful triptych novel that introduces an audience to the plights of 3 separate characters — all Black women with albinism from Shreveport, Louisiana — seemingly sharing the same world with the same issues. I could see these being adapted for the screen; the storytelling is so vivid, and the characters are both lovable and flawed. Lovelovelove what this book brings to the rich legacy of writing about the south, and looking forward to what Dr. O Birdsong does next!

PS: if you’re into chaotic bisexuals, story 1 is for you ;)