A Blade So Black by L. L. McKinney
First, let’s give a round of applause to L. L. McKinney. I recognize that I may not be the target audience for A Blade So Black, but the story was still beautifully told in many ways.
I experienced the book through immersive reading listening to the audiobook while following along and the narration really stood out to me. After the prologue, the narrative voice feels grounded in a distinctly Black perspective, exploring what life is like for a Black girl from Atlanta. It thoughtfully weaves together themes of grief, especially surrounding her father’s death, while also showing the difficulty of balancing being a teenager with the responsibility of being a hero.
Overall, I would give the book 3 stars. It does a great job of telling a compelling story without revealing everything at once, and it’s very action-packed. There’s also a “will they, won’t they” dynamic that adds tension. Readers should know going in that this is a much darker take on Alice in Wonderland.
Now, getting into my personal critiques: these are just my opinions. (Spoiler warning.) My brother and I actually read this together like a mini book club, which made the experience even more interesting.
One thing that stood out to me was the lack of other Black characters in Alice’s world. Aside from Alice, her mother, and her grandmother, there aren’t many Black characters or even a broader range of people of color. At the same time, the story includes a lot of trauma affecting Black characters: loss, violence, and hardship. I understand that these elements can reflect real-life experiences, but it began to feel unbalanced, especially without showing more variety in the black friendship.
I also found myself wishing for a slightly different tone. At times, it leans more into a darker, almost Twilight-like atmosphere, whereas I personally would have enjoyed a bit more of the whimsical or playful energy often associated with Alice in Wonderland.
That said, I want to be fair, my high school self would have absolutely loved this book and eagerly waited for the sequels. Where I am now as a reader, I can recognize that I’m just not the intended audience anymore, and that’s okay.
Listening to "A Blade So Black" as an audiobook truly deepened my connection to this reimagined Alice in Wonderland. The narrator’s voice brought such authenticity and emotional weight to Alice’s experiences as a Black teenager balancing tragedy and heroism, making the story feel both personal and immersive. What really resonated with me was the way the book refuses to shy away from difficult themes like loss, trauma, and violence that affect the Black community. This heavy atmosphere is a bold departure from the whimsical tone traditionally associated with Alice, and it adds a layer of relatability for readers who might see themselves reflected in Alice’s struggles with grief and identity. Still, I couldn’t help but notice the story’s limited portrayal of Black characters beyond Alice’s family, which made the narrative feel somewhat narrow given these heavy topics. Greater diversity in friendships and community could have balanced the hardships and broadened perspectives within the story. If you approach this book anticipating a traditional fantasy adventure, you might be surprised by its darker, more mature tone that fans of series like Twilight might appreciate. The blend of high stakes action and a tense "will they, won’t they" dynamic keeps the pacing engaging throughout. For anyone who enjoys fresh perspectives in fantasy that amplify underrepresented voices, this novel offers a meaningful and thrilling read. It also highlights the power of audiobooks in bringing nuanced voice performances that deepen the emotional impact. While it might not be for every reader, especially if you prefer lighter fairy tale retellings, I found it an eye-opening and worthwhile journey. And as a fan of audiobook storytelling myself, I recommend following along with the physical or digital copy to catch the full richness of McKinney’s language and themes—there’s a lot to unpack here beyond the surface action.
