notesonbookmarks's review against another edition
3.0
3.5? This felt like it had an ending and then an entirely different ending
pixieprose's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was absolutely delightful. The main character, Jezebel, is truly the sweetest character, always proving that kindness is more important than power. Trigger warnings for racist violence.
sierra_color's review against another edition
5.0
This book is amazing. Where do I even start?
Root Magic is a book that tackles a lot of hard subjects, like racism, bullying, and police brutality. It tackles these subjects with grace and insight, these topics are treated with care, but also gripping realism that shows how the main character, Jezebel, and her family are affected by what they go through. It manages to capture Jezebel's (or Jez's)experiences accurately, and there were many times within the book that I was scared about what was going to happen to the main character. The fear and pain that she goes through was easy to understand and emphasize with, and I imagine that many black children who will read this will not only feel comforted and understood, but also feel represented.
More often that not, when it comes to fantasy, it's all dominated by the white, Eurocentric culture, even though many, many cultures have amazing stories.
I love how this book was able to tell a story that was specific to Jezebel and her culture, while also addressing the things that her family goes through because of their race. I also love how, many of the fantasy elements in this book are based around Gullah culture, and root work. Many of the beliefs of the Gullah people and root work are pivotal to the story, and are treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve. It's not often that magic systems that aren't European, or European based, are represented fairly, and this book did that not only with beauty and grace, but also with a clear and utter pride.
I often feel that when it comes to fantasy, the genre is denied to many groups of people, specifically those who aren't white. So, for me, seeing a fantasy story that is centered around black culture and history is amazing! I love how this book makes space for a group of people who aren't often given space within the genre, and while I am not black myself, I know what it's like to be unfairly represented, or to have your culture villainized (I am a Latina, after all).
What I'm trying to say, is that this book makes me happy. It makes me happy to see a fantasy story that for once isn't centered around whiteness. It makes me happy to see a fantasy story where someone who is black gets to be happy, and proud about it, and not be reduced down to a side character or a stereotype. I want to see more fantasy books like this, ones that celebrate blackness, because damn it, it deserves to be celebrated!
There's so much to love about this book, from its writing, to its story. I also wanted to mention how I love how Jezebel and her personality, she's smart, determined, but also so kind and compassionate, and that's something that I not only want to see more of in fantasy (looking at you, edgy YA books) but also something I just want to see more in general. I also have to say, I like how Jez knows when she needs to be kind and compassionate, but also knows when it's time to protect her family with everything she's got.
Just, this book is amazing, is all. I truly do love it, from it's beautiful writing style that describes the setting, to it's beautiful understanding of its main characters. I honestly cannot wait to see more from this author, because Royce is absolutely amazing! Reading this book made me feel like I was stepping into a world full of magic, and without even realizing it, the real world melted away, it's been ages since I've felt that feeling, and this book more than delivered. I honestly (and I KNOW I say this for many books) cannot wait to read this absolute gem again. It deserves all the praise it has gotten and MORE! GO READ IT!
Root Magic is a book that tackles a lot of hard subjects, like racism, bullying, and police brutality. It tackles these subjects with grace and insight, these topics are treated with care, but also gripping realism that shows how the main character, Jezebel, and her family are affected by what they go through. It manages to capture Jezebel's (or Jez's)experiences accurately, and there were many times within the book that I was scared about what was going to happen to the main character. The fear and pain that she goes through was easy to understand and emphasize with, and I imagine that many black children who will read this will not only feel comforted and understood, but also feel represented.
More often that not, when it comes to fantasy, it's all dominated by the white, Eurocentric culture, even though many, many cultures have amazing stories.
I love how this book was able to tell a story that was specific to Jezebel and her culture, while also addressing the things that her family goes through because of their race. I also love how, many of the fantasy elements in this book are based around Gullah culture, and root work. Many of the beliefs of the Gullah people and root work are pivotal to the story, and are treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve. It's not often that magic systems that aren't European, or European based, are represented fairly, and this book did that not only with beauty and grace, but also with a clear and utter pride.
I often feel that when it comes to fantasy, the genre is denied to many groups of people, specifically those who aren't white. So, for me, seeing a fantasy story that is centered around black culture and history is amazing! I love how this book makes space for a group of people who aren't often given space within the genre, and while I am not black myself, I know what it's like to be unfairly represented, or to have your culture villainized (I am a Latina, after all).
What I'm trying to say, is that this book makes me happy. It makes me happy to see a fantasy story that for once isn't centered around whiteness. It makes me happy to see a fantasy story where someone who is black gets to be happy, and proud about it, and not be reduced down to a side character or a stereotype. I want to see more fantasy books like this, ones that celebrate blackness, because damn it, it deserves to be celebrated!
There's so much to love about this book, from its writing, to its story. I also wanted to mention how I love how Jezebel and her personality, she's smart, determined, but also so kind and compassionate, and that's something that I not only want to see more of in fantasy (looking at you, edgy YA books) but also something I just want to see more in general. I also have to say, I like how Jez knows when she needs to be kind and compassionate, but also knows when it's time to protect her family with everything she's got.
Just, this book is amazing, is all. I truly do love it, from it's beautiful writing style that describes the setting, to it's beautiful understanding of its main characters. I honestly cannot wait to see more from this author, because Royce is absolutely amazing! Reading this book made me feel like I was stepping into a world full of magic, and without even realizing it, the real world melted away, it's been ages since I've felt that feeling, and this book more than delivered. I honestly (and I KNOW I say this for many books) cannot wait to read this absolute gem again. It deserves all the praise it has gotten and MORE! GO READ IT!
sylvesterbarzey's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
meggits's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great read! I ran across it by accident but gladly put it in my top 5 books read so far this year!
teryn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
lashette's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was really great. I like that it's not one size fits all with root magic. And not a story moralizing good vs evil. I wasn't expecting it to be set in the 60s. I admit I didn't read the synopsis recently. I loved these kids and watching them do kid things even with everything going on around them made me want to protect them. Jez and Jay. I wasn't expecting to identify with their sibling dynamics. Picking fights because you know you're getting older and may not be as close anymore was super relatable. Even now I'm almost 40. There are themes of violent racism in here but I like that they don't take over the plot. Black people living their lives. It's not all segregation and whippings and slurs. And the root work. Loved it. I don't know that I could call myself a rootworker but this is a great example of it in fiction. There were some fantastical elements but nothing too fancy. Most of what's here is realistic. Quite honestly I could've been reading this child's diary for how realistic and full this world building was. Younger me is happy.
ela_lee_'s review against another edition
3.0
Cute book. Lots of magic, eeriness, and nice scenic visuals of the outdoors. I enjoyed the educational references of the time period - 1960's South Carolina. Root Magic is technically a children's book so it was a bit slow for me, I trailed off after the second half and just wanted to wrap up. But it is a well-written book and great for the right audience.
donnakay's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0