88: Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew & Thoughts (A Bit Spoiler on the End)
The Good
I. World – mix of science fiction and fantasy, the creatures, small town vibe at beginning, magic system/rules
Seeing cultural references made me feel like I am in the authors creativity.
II. Black voice in story
III. Ending
Left a lot to be explored, questions to be answered, and me wanting more
IV. Good themes for young readers – you need people/community.
The Bad
I. Pacing – story went on a while rehashing things and not progressing the story.
II. Could more have been done to make everything come together cohesively?
III. Not enough was done to let reader get a connection/feeling for individual characters.
IV. Did the story feel like it lacked whimsy at least in first third?
Thoughts
I. Ranking
A. How is Kenan Masters ranking amongst middle grade books I’ve read?
B. Type of magical systems and schools that Black authors are creating specifically with middle grade: Amari and Night Brothers, A Taste of Magic, Tristan Strong Punches A Hole in the Sky, etc.
II. Is a lot of the magical expression in this book on the quiet side because this is the first in a series? Are we really going to see the magic in its fullness in the second book in this series?
III. Amari – is a girl character in Children of Blood and Bone & Amari and the Night Brothers while in Keynan Masters Amari is a boy character (which did not keep getting me throughout the novel at all).
IV. Is the author of Keynan Masters a pantser?
V. Age range- Is this a good story for middle graders/target audience of this book? Does this read younger like a chapter book? Is this a good thing? Does it actually read young or is certain factors making it seem young to me (being an adult/reading so much ya/adults aging up certain age categories since adults read them)? Should this book have been shorter 50 or so pages?
VI. Mini-adults & magic rant: Adults be talking bad to these kids that they (the adults) expect (not need) to fix these broken worlds. If kids can band together and fix worlds why can’t the adults..? Then again adults are useless.
VII. Individualism/chosen one/token main character who is inherently all powerful & is going to be center of narrative vs missing the contribution of band/group fighters. There is a message in here about community and how being chosen one/main character can make you a bit selfish and arrogant. It is tough because it still felt like Keynan powers are more powerful than everyone else’s.
I. Spoiler comments?
Maybe we could fix the magic if we have more than 3 students practicing magic or the adults doing more
I. World – mix of science fiction and fantasy, the creatures, small town vibe at beginning, magic system/rules
Seeing cultural references made me feel like I am in the authors creativity.
II. Black voice in story
III. Ending
Left a lot to be explored, questions to be answered, and me wanting more
IV. Good themes for young readers – you need people/community.
The Bad
I. Pacing – story went on a while rehashing things and not progressing the story.
II. Could more have been done to make everything come together cohesively?
III. Not enough was done to let reader get a connection/feeling for individual characters.
IV. Did the story feel like it lacked whimsy at least in first third?
Thoughts
I. Ranking
A. How is Kenan Masters ranking amongst middle grade books I’ve read?
B. Type of magical systems and schools that Black authors are creating specifically with middle grade: Amari and Night Brothers, A Taste of Magic, Tristan Strong Punches A Hole in the Sky, etc.
II. Is a lot of the magical expression in this book on the quiet side because this is the first in a series? Are we really going to see the magic in its fullness in the second book in this series?
III. Amari – is a girl character in Children of Blood and Bone & Amari and the Night Brothers while in Keynan Masters Amari is a boy character (which did not keep getting me throughout the novel at all).
IV. Is the author of Keynan Masters a pantser?
V. Age range- Is this a good story for middle graders/target audience of this book? Does this read younger like a chapter book? Is this a good thing? Does it actually read young or is certain factors making it seem young to me (being an adult/reading so much ya/adults aging up certain age categories since adults read them)? Should this book have been shorter 50 or so pages?
VI. Mini-adults & magic rant: Adults be talking bad to these kids that they (the adults) expect (not need) to fix these broken worlds. If kids can band together and fix worlds why can’t the adults..? Then again adults are useless.
VII. Individualism/chosen one/token main character who is inherently all powerful & is going to be center of narrative vs missing the contribution of band/group fighters. There is a message in here about community and how being chosen one/main character can make you a bit selfish and arrogant. It is tough because it still felt like Keynan powers are more powerful than everyone else’s.
I. Spoiler comments?
Maybe we could fix the magic if we have more than 3 students practicing magic or the adults doing more