''A Blade So Black'' is a young adult fantasy novel written by

L.L. McKinney Leatrice "Elle" McKinney, better known by her pen name L.L. McKinney, is an American writer of young adult literature. Her debut novel, '' A Blade So Black'', was released in September 2018. McKinney created the PublishingPaidMe Twitter hashtag ...

and volume 1 of ''The Nightmare-Verse'' series. It is a contemporary re-imagining of the

Lewis Carroll Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (; 27 January 1832 – 14 January 1898), better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English author, poet and mathematician. His most notable works are ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (1865) and its sequel ...

book '' Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' with a black teenage girl protagonist. ''A Blade So Black'' was released on September 25, 2018 by Imprint/

Macmillan MacMillan, Macmillan, McMillen or McMillan may refer to: People * McMillan (surname) * Clan MacMillan, a Highland Scottish clan * Harold Macmillan, British statesman and politician * James MacMillan, Scottish composer * William Duncan MacMillan ...

Plot

"When Atlanta teenager Alice Kingston’s father dies of heart failure—while at their favorite event,

Dragon Con Dragon Con (previously Dragon*Con and sometimes DragonCon) is a North American multigenre convention, founded in 1987, which takes place annually over the Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. , the convention draws attendance of over 80,000, f ...

—she immediately is attacked by a “Nightmare” monster and then saved by Addison Hatta, a guardian of the portal between Atlanta and Wonderland."

Themes

The book deals with themes of nightmares and fears. It incorporates elements of generational trauma specific to the treatment of African Americans in the American south. ''A Blade So Black'' has been described as

Afrofuturist Afrofuturism is a cultural aesthetic, and philosophy of science and history that explores the intersection of the African diaspora culture with science and technology. It addresses themes and concerns of the African diaspora through technocultu ...

by scholars.

Critical reception

School Library Journal ''School Library Journal'' (''SLJ'') is an American monthly magazine containing reviews and other articles for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with ...

'' described the book as "a must-purchase where refreshing urban fantasies and retellings are in demand. Enishia Davenport wrote in a starred review for '' Booklist'', "McKinney breathes new life and fierce empowerment into Carroll’s classic. Her Wonderland is menacing, lush, and unique and populated by nuanced characters that are fleshed out and refreshingly authentic." Kate Quealy-Gainer described it in a review for '' The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books'': "With a modern flair, a rich backstory, and just enough emotional heft, this particular looking glass will have readers eagerly falling through it." In a less positive review, ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of B ...

'' stated: "The mechanics of Wonderland, its features, and its creatures sometimes feel hastily sketched, and secondary characters lack depth, but McKinney’s imagination knows few bounds, and Alice’s devotion to the others is contagious."

Adaptations

In December 2018 it was announced that Lionsgate optioned television rights to the book.

References

External links

''A Blade So Black''
on

Macmillan Publishers Macmillan Publishers (occasionally known as the Macmillan Group; formally Macmillan Publishers Ltd and Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC) is a British publishing company traditionally considered to be one of the 'Big Five' English language publi ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blade So Black 2018 American novels African-American novels African-American young adult novels Novels set in Georgia (U.S. state) American fantasy novels 2018 debut novels Afrofuturist novels