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A review by charliauthor
To Astera, With Love by Amanda Ross
4.0
Hard Hitting
Astera was definitely a surprise and for the inventive formatting and hard hitting subject matter, i give it four stars.
I went into this relatively blind, expecting a paranormal/supernatural vibe but ending up reading something quite politically charged. Not one to usually read books (fiction or otherwise) around certain topics, I found the allegorical nature of the witch/vampire fight for that of racism in America unexpected but clever. My personal taste would have had some more subtlety in its approach to racial slurs and actions but in the same breath, i respect how reflective this is of American culture as opposed to British.
There is a in your face element to racism/police brutality that isnt has prevalent in the UK and so i found it a little hard to digest.
However, as an education towards racial conflicts in the US and a window into very real feelings of conversations between blacks and whites, it was really well done.
The addition of opposing propaganda magazine articles from the witches and vampires was really great. The voice of vampire sympathisers and witch supporters was great in showcasing how each side of any argument, spins things to their own ends.
The magic use was also great although some more understanding of the system and where their magic stems from would be good. I loved Sloane as the fast talking best friend and Mercury as the reluctant hero.
So, for something unexpected, thought provoking and inventive, definitely check it out.
Astera was definitely a surprise and for the inventive formatting and hard hitting subject matter, i give it four stars.
I went into this relatively blind, expecting a paranormal/supernatural vibe but ending up reading something quite politically charged. Not one to usually read books (fiction or otherwise) around certain topics, I found the allegorical nature of the witch/vampire fight for that of racism in America unexpected but clever. My personal taste would have had some more subtlety in its approach to racial slurs and actions but in the same breath, i respect how reflective this is of American culture as opposed to British.
There is a in your face element to racism/police brutality that isnt has prevalent in the UK and so i found it a little hard to digest.
However, as an education towards racial conflicts in the US and a window into very real feelings of conversations between blacks and whites, it was really well done.
The addition of opposing propaganda magazine articles from the witches and vampires was really great. The voice of vampire sympathisers and witch supporters was great in showcasing how each side of any argument, spins things to their own ends.
The magic use was also great although some more understanding of the system and where their magic stems from would be good. I loved Sloane as the fast talking best friend and Mercury as the reluctant hero.
So, for something unexpected, thought provoking and inventive, definitely check it out.