Release: January 5th, 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Walden Pond Press
Source: Amazon
Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, TBD,
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“A poignant, necessary entry into the children’s literary canon, Root Magic brings to life the history and culture of Gullah people while highlighting the timeless plight of Black Americans. Add in a fun, magical adventure, and you get everything I want in a book!”—Justina Ireland, New York Times bestselling author of Dread Nation.
Debut author Eden Royce arrives with a wondrous story of love, bravery, friendship, and family, filled to the brim with magic great and small.
It’s 1963, and things are changing for Jezebel Turner. Her beloved grandmother has just passed away. The local police deputy won’t stop harassing her family. With school integration arriving in South Carolina, Jez and her twin brother, Jay, are about to begin the school year with many new kids. But the biggest change comes when Jez and Jay turn eleven. And their uncle, Doc, tells them he’s going to train them in rootwork.
Jez and Jay have always been fascinated by the African American folk magic that has been the legacy of their family for generations—especially the curious potions and powders Doc and Gran would make for the people on their island. But Jez soon finds out that her family’s true power goes far beyond small charms and elixirs…and not a moment too soon. Because when evil, both natural and supernatural, comes to show itself in town, it’s going to take every bit of the magic she has inside her to see her through.
About the Author:
Eden Royce is from Charleston, South Carolina, and is a member of the Gullah Geechee Nation. Also, her short stories have appeared in various print and online publications, including Fiyah, and she is the recipient of the Speculative Literature Foundation’s Diverse Worlds grant. Root Magic is her first book. Eden now lives in England with her husband and cat. You can find her online at www.edenroyce.com.
Root Magic Review:
I loved reading “Root Magic.”
There are so many aspects that I appreciated in the tale. Firstly, I loved the timeline. The author nicely connected the characters to what was happening in the 60s in South Carolina. I also loved the beautiful shout-outs she makes to famous poets like Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks. Reading about this trivia inspired me to read some of their works. Secondly, I loved the theme of Rootwork and how the author added her touch to the storyline. I loved reading about different cultures and practices, and the concept of Rootwork was fascinating.
Similarly, I also enjoyed the characters and the storylines. Jez and Jay have an excellent sibling relationship, and I thought the author wrote their arguments and bond realistically. The entire family shares a beautiful bond, rich with history and culture. Even Collins made a scary villain and gave me goosebumps when he appeared. On a side note, I loved Doc’s wise dialogues that he imparts on the twins. Honestly, this is one of those books that I could not put down.
However, probably my only criticism of the story was that it was too short. I loved reading this tale a lot, but I wish it had been longer. For instance, I loved Susie and Jez’s friendship, but I felt that we didn’t have many scenes with them together for me to consider them as best friends. It felt like the author tried to fit a LOT of content into this middle-grade gem, and I wished it had been 50-100 pages longer for more details.
Apart from that, “Root Magic” is a beautiful middle-grade novel, with a touch of historical moments and a spice of magic, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
