dougsasser's review
2.0
This is set in Alabama in the era of Jim Crow. Hoodoo is reared by his aunt. his family practices Christianity and Voodoo. Hoodoo comes of age while dealing with bullies and young love. He discovered he must combat dark forces to save the life of his loved ones. Many familiar traits of folklore and black magic are utilized in the plot. It's a good effort for a first YA novel.
krwriter8's review against another edition
5.0
Set in the 1930s in a small town in Alabama, HOODOO is an enticing mix of history and folk magic. Smith's worldbuilding lets you feel the sticky heat of an Alabama summer and taste the juiciness of fried catfish. Meanwhile the arrival of the Stranger and Hoodoo's discoveries of his family secrets are creepy.
I enjoyed getting a glimpse into the spells and mojo bags used in hoodoo magic and following the narrator on his quest to defeat the Stranger. All in all a delightful middle grade story, making me eager to see what Ronald Smith writes next.
I enjoyed getting a glimpse into the spells and mojo bags used in hoodoo magic and following the narrator on his quest to defeat the Stranger. All in all a delightful middle grade story, making me eager to see what Ronald Smith writes next.
_geminigenres's review against another edition
5.0
5/5
TW: death of family member, grief
Hoodoo Hatcher is part of family in rural Alabama in the 1930's that practices hoodoo, thus his namesake. A man named 'Stranger' comes to town and soon we find out that Hoodoo is danger. We learn family secrets and learn how to heal generational curses and not to judge a book by its cover.
I'm not going to lie to you. I gave it a five star off the strength of actual Hoodoo guidance and the true horror atmosphere of this book. I think it is a great middle grade book to introduce kids, especially Black kids to the genre, to the time period, grief and to old school Southern culture. I thoroughly enjoyed this. I read it for Blackoweenathon 2022.
I will absolutely recommend going forward and read the rest of Ronald L. Smith's books
TW: death of family member, grief
Hoodoo Hatcher is part of family in rural Alabama in the 1930's that practices hoodoo, thus his namesake. A man named 'Stranger' comes to town and soon we find out that Hoodoo is danger. We learn family secrets and learn how to heal generational curses and not to judge a book by its cover.
I'm not going to lie to you. I gave it a five star off the strength of actual Hoodoo guidance and the true horror atmosphere of this book. I think it is a great middle grade book to introduce kids, especially Black kids to the genre, to the time period, grief and to old school Southern culture. I thoroughly enjoyed this. I read it for Blackoweenathon 2022.
I will absolutely recommend going forward and read the rest of Ronald L. Smith's books
kstep1805's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this book up because it was on a list on Book Riot if you wanted to read to go along with Beyoncé's Formation. Since I never venture into the Junior section unless it is for Minecraft or Star Wars books for the boys, I never would have found this gem otherwise.
The book is beautifully written, if a bit less nuanced than an adult or even young adult novel. The scenes were brought to life and it sparked just enough tension to be really called horror, while still being accessible and appropriate for kids, think of Goosebumps, but much better written and not predictable.
The historical setting, Jim Crow Alabama, is what put it on the Book Riot list. The setting doesn't overwhelm the novel but does provide excellent insight to middle grade kids on real life under Jim Crow.
The book is beautifully written, if a bit less nuanced than an adult or even young adult novel. The scenes were brought to life and it sparked just enough tension to be really called horror, while still being accessible and appropriate for kids, think of Goosebumps, but much better written and not predictable.
The historical setting, Jim Crow Alabama, is what put it on the Book Riot list. The setting doesn't overwhelm the novel but does provide excellent insight to middle grade kids on real life under Jim Crow.
mckenzierichardson's review against another edition
4.0
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle
This book is weird, creepy, and unexpected in all the right ways.
I'll admit, at first I didn't really like Hoodoo's narration and was just going along with things. However it quickly grew on me and, as the plot picked up, I was hooked. I flew through reading this faster than I'd anticipated. I just kept reading because I wanted to know what would happen next. There is so much strangeness packed into the pages that I instantly wanted more. I could see this being a good fit for some reluctant readers. It is pretty fast-paced and the majority of the chapters end in a way that makes you want to keep reading.
The book also does a good job of being creepy without being overly scary. There are many eerie scenes but I wouldn't say it is necessarily a scary book. Dogs howling in the night, mysterious strangers, dream travel, talking crows, and the Hand of Glory. It's also so weird and fantastic.
Plus, it's set in the 1930s and does a great job incorporating historical elements. It is a nice way for young readers to learn a little bit more about the history of racism and segregation in America.
A great read that keeps the reader engaged and wanting more. This is a very impressive debut novel.
This book is weird, creepy, and unexpected in all the right ways.
I'll admit, at first I didn't really like Hoodoo's narration and was just going along with things. However it quickly grew on me and, as the plot picked up, I was hooked. I flew through reading this faster than I'd anticipated. I just kept reading because I wanted to know what would happen next. There is so much strangeness packed into the pages that I instantly wanted more. I could see this being a good fit for some reluctant readers. It is pretty fast-paced and the majority of the chapters end in a way that makes you want to keep reading.
The book also does a good job of being creepy without being overly scary. There are many eerie scenes but I wouldn't say it is necessarily a scary book. Dogs howling in the night, mysterious strangers, dream travel, talking crows, and the Hand of Glory. It's also so weird and fantastic.
Plus, it's set in the 1930s and does a great job incorporating historical elements. It is a nice way for young readers to learn a little bit more about the history of racism and segregation in America.
A great read that keeps the reader engaged and wanting more. This is a very impressive debut novel.
neuroqueer's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
abigailbat's review against another edition
4.0
Good creep factor and an interesting and well-developed setting make this atmospheric tale one that will please fans of scary stories.
fae269's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.25
mistressviolet's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Wow. Great book. It offers readers so much depth. This is a coming-of-age story filled with history, culture, family, magic, spirits, demons, and a little bit of romance.
Smith is a beautiful storyteller. I was thoroughly enchanted by the setting of the book. Great characters. Great pacing. Great glimpse back into history.
Captivating and imaginative.
mekeisha's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.5