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kt01's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Very well-told insight into an appalling time and way of thinking.
Switching perspectives between the sisters also made it a quick read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Hate crime and Police brutality
bookishgoob's review against another edition
dark
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
darr76's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, and Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse and Police brutality
Minor: Forced institutionalization
mal_reads_books's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
An engaging, easy to follow, eye-opening story. It was thought-provoking and gave me insight into Southern culture.
Seeing the bond develop between the sisters was heartwarming. I was interested in Magnolia's story and her choice in whether to continue living as "white" or to be open with her black heritage.
As much as I enjoyed this book, the ending felt too abrupt. I wish it had taken more time for character development andto show more of Magnolia's life after she made her choice.
I recommend this book, especially for teen readers. Even as an older reader myself, I gained a lot from this. It offers plenty of themes for an engaging discussion.
Seeing the bond develop between the sisters was heartwarming. I was interested in Magnolia's story and her choice in whether to continue living as "white" or to be open with her black heritage.
As much as I enjoyed this book, the ending felt too abrupt. I wish it had taken more time for character development and
I recommend this book, especially for teen readers. Even as an older reader myself, I gained a lot from this. It offers plenty of themes for an engaging discussion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Racism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racial slurs and Police brutality
Minor: Child death, Slavery, and Murder
cecetomas's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a quick, but interesting read. I think it takes on the topic slavery in a different and digestible way, but it does feel immature at times. The paranormal/fantasy element of this story was my favorite aspect, and really personified the aftermath of slavery and reality of white supremacy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death and Police brutality
faefires's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
the descriptive writing is where mirror girls shines—the accounts of the rotting southern plantation house, bubbling swamplands and foreboding segregated streets. the sundown town setting mixed with ghosts and curses, the real and imagined horror of the haunted jim crow south—makes for an unique and bracing read.
some of the dialogue and wording felt a bit too modern to be natural for a 1950s setting, and while the premise requires dual perspectives between each sister, charlie’s characterization fell flat when compared to the storyline of her sister, and i wish she had been given more to do. the pacing is quick and makes this book an easy one day read, and it has just enough spooks and real historical impact to be worth the time.
some of the dialogue and wording felt a bit too modern to be natural for a 1950s setting, and while the premise requires dual perspectives between each sister, charlie’s characterization fell flat when compared to the storyline of her sister, and i wish she had been given more to do. the pacing is quick and makes this book an easy one day read, and it has just enough spooks and real historical impact to be worth the time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Police brutality and Murder
Minor: Gore
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racism, Slavery, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
alli_the_bookaholic13's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Thanks to HBG Canada for an eARC for an honest review.
This was such a good book. The writing style flowed really easily, the characters felt so real, and the emotions of the story came through really well. It’s a book about race and segregation. It’s about families torn apart because of who they loved and what they look like. It’s about standing up for yourself and what’s right, and it’s about family and the love between sisters.
The book is told through dual first-person POVs. We follow Charlene (Charlie) Yates and Magnolia Heathwood. The two girls are twins who have no idea the other exists. Charlie is coloured, and when her dying Nana wants to return to her hometown of Eureka, Georgia to be buried in the cemetery there, Charlie accompanies her and is shocked to learn about her sister. Magnolia grew up as an heiress in Eureka with her white grandmother, and she’s been passing as white unknowingly her whole life. When her grandmother drops the truth on Magnolia, her world is rocked. The setting for the book is Georgia in the early 1950s, and I liked the civil rights aspect. Charlie has participated in many protests in New York, and the contrast between her awareness and Magnolia’s naivety helped to establish their characters.
I liked both of the characters, and I thought their voices were distinct. I had no trouble distinguishing between their POVs, and I liked how their different upbringings were so reflective of their characters, but they also had great potential for growth. Magnolia’s character growth was one of my favourite parts because she struggles so much with finding her place in the world when she looks white but she is coloured. I admired her strength, and I thought the missing reflection and the curse were super interesting.
The pacing was really good in the story. It never felt like it was dragging, and I flew through it really quickly. It kept my attention completely hooked, and I was afraid for the characters in many moments. There’s an undercurrent of tension and fear especially in the second half, and I thought the author did an excellent job of conveying the emotions the characters were feeling.
I would absolutely recommend this book to everyone. It was really well written, and I think readers will enjoy connecting with the characters and root for their happy ending even when it doesn’t seem possible.
This was such a good book. The writing style flowed really easily, the characters felt so real, and the emotions of the story came through really well. It’s a book about race and segregation. It’s about families torn apart because of who they loved and what they look like. It’s about standing up for yourself and what’s right, and it’s about family and the love between sisters.
The book is told through dual first-person POVs. We follow Charlene (Charlie) Yates and Magnolia Heathwood. The two girls are twins who have no idea the other exists. Charlie is coloured, and when her dying Nana wants to return to her hometown of Eureka, Georgia to be buried in the cemetery there, Charlie accompanies her and is shocked to learn about her sister. Magnolia grew up as an heiress in Eureka with her white grandmother, and she’s been passing as white unknowingly her whole life. When her grandmother drops the truth on Magnolia, her world is rocked. The setting for the book is Georgia in the early 1950s, and I liked the civil rights aspect. Charlie has participated in many protests in New York, and the contrast between her awareness and Magnolia’s naivety helped to establish their characters.
I liked both of the characters, and I thought their voices were distinct. I had no trouble distinguishing between their POVs, and I liked how their different upbringings were so reflective of their characters, but they also had great potential for growth. Magnolia’s character growth was one of my favourite parts because she struggles so much with finding her place in the world when she looks white but she is coloured. I admired her strength, and I thought the missing reflection and the curse were super interesting.
The pacing was really good in the story. It never felt like it was dragging, and I flew through it really quickly. It kept my attention completely hooked, and I was afraid for the characters in many moments. There’s an undercurrent of tension and fear especially in the second half, and I thought the author did an excellent job of conveying the emotions the characters were feeling.
I would absolutely recommend this book to everyone. It was really well written, and I think readers will enjoy connecting with the characters and root for their happy ending even when it doesn’t seem possible.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
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