A review by betweentheshelves
Brooms by Jasmine Walls

adventurous emotional hopeful 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? No

4.5

A re-read for a committee that I'm on, adn this was just as good the second time around! I seriously love the art style--getting to see it on a larger scaler than my phone was also a bonus!
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It’s 1930s Mississippi and only certain people are allowed to do magic. Unsanctioned broom racing isn’t allowed…unless you know the right channels and the right people. Billie Mae is one of those people, captain of the Night Storms racing team. Together with her second in command, she’s determined to make enough money to move to a state where Black people are allowed to do magic.

Also on her team: Cheng-Kwan (trying her best to be the “son” her parents want and still be true to herself). Mattie and Emma (dodging government officials who want to send them to boarding school). And Lucella (in love with Billie Mae and whose powers were sealed for fighting back against the government). 
 
Thanks to Levine Querido and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Brooms by Jasmine Walls to review! I knew from the premise that this was going to be a graphic novel I loved, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. A little bit of fantasy, inspired by history, with a great cast of characters to boot.

Set with the frame of magic use and broom racing, this tells the story of the struggles of queer, people of color in the United States in the 1930s. I honestly loved the way that Walls used magic to represent the racism and oppression that occurred (and honestly still occurs) in the US. IT was such a great comparison, and worked really well to bring to light some darker aspects of history.

And the characters! We have such a diverse cast, and they’re all working to be able to find their place in the world to just be themselves. Each one had their own storyline, set within the world of illegal broom racing. They were able to support each other and fight against the powers that were acting against them. 

The art was also spectacular! I read it on my phone, so I’m excited to see the full version when it comes out. Because I definitely think this is a graphic novel that I need to own.

All in all, if you’re looking for a thought-provoking fantasy graphic novel with a great cast of characters, definitely pick this one up when it comes out this fall! 

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