A review by crtsjffrsn
Black Beauty by Constance Burris

4.0

The youth of the Vista Apartments haven't exactly had perfect childhoods--it's not the best of neighborhoods--but they do the best they can for themselves. And all of them have been warned to avoid their neighbor, "Crazy" Jade. Voodoo priestess? Witch doctor? Witch? Depends on which person you ask. But there is definitely something about her that makes that warning one that everyone should heed for there are dire consequences for any to stumble too far into her path.

What an interesting read! The intersecting lives of everyone involved in this story make for a very interesting introduction to the world in which this all takes place--lots of background on everyone comes organically from learning how they connect together. And even though the main plot of the story builds to where a reader might think it would go, there are some unexpected twists at the end that definitely surprised me.

For those how have read [b:Coal: Book One of the Everleaf Series|25798596|Coal Book One of the Everleaf Series|Constance Burris|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1435312633s/25798596.jpg|45416240] (which I definitely recommend), this also serves as a nice prequel. While it's not set in the same place and time, it provides some important backstory...and I'll just leave it at that. Personally, I would like to know what happens to some of the characters that we leave here...maybe they will show up again in the Everleaf series...

[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.]