by Echo Brown
Published on January 14, 2020 by Henry Holt and Co.
ISBN: 1250309859
Format: ARC
Pages: 304
Genres: Contemporary Fantasy, Young Adult
A powerful YA debut novel based on the author’s teen struggle with racism, poverty, and depression.
Echo Brown is a wizard from the East Side, where apartments are small and parents suffer addictions to the white rocks. Yet there is magic . . . everywhere. New portals begin to open when Echo transfers to the rich school on the West Side, and an insightful teacher becomes a pivotal mentor. Each day, Echo travels between two worlds, leaving her brothers, her friends, and a piece of herself behind on the East Side. There are dangers to leaving behind the place that made you. Echo soon realizes there is pain flowing through everyone around her, and a black veil of depression threatens to undo everything she’s worked for. Heavily autobiographical and infused with magical realism, Black Girl Unlimited is a transcendent coming-of-age. For fans of Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson and American Street by Ibi Zoboi.
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Wow. Just wow. I’m not quite sure what I expected going into Echo Brown’s Black Girl Unlimited, but this book absolutely floored me. It was beautiful, haunting, unique, and so utterly heartfelt. I finished reading with a heart bursting at the seams and tears in my eyes.
I’ve read so many books that have told stories similar to the one told in Black Girl Unlimited, but I don’t think any of them have come close to hitting me quite the same. That may be in part a result of this book being heavily autobiographical. The entire time I was reading I could really feel Brown’s passion for the story. The prose was stunning, and the way the story was presented felt so unique and worked really well. It made me want to keep reading until there was no more left to read.
This story was by no means easy to read, though. Really hard subjects are presented, such as racism and rape, and the author didn’t hold back. But while some scenes were hard to read, they gave the story an authenticity that added to my overall reading experience and have left a lasting impression on my heart and mind. The things Echo endures throughout the book forge her into such a strong and beautiful character.
Another outstanding aspect of this book was the magical realism in the story. The way Echo and other characters are portrayed as “wizards” and how that plays into the story in a way that I found to be utterly relatable was just remarkable to read. At first I wasn’t sure I’d even like that aspect of the book, and it ended up being on of my favorite parts.
Black Girl Unlimited has been one of my favorite reading experiences of 2020. It reminded me of books like Ellen Hopkin’s Crank, but with more heart and triumph. It doesn’t shy away from harsh realities, instead presenting them as a testament to the strength of the main character. With this book, Echo Brown has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the literary world, and Black Girl Unlimited is a book that should be on everyone’s radar.
About Katie
I'm a twenty-something aspiring writer who really, really needs to get back to revisions. I've been reviewing books since 2014, and am determined to somehow make stories my day job. I truly think that every book out there contains something good and is meant for somebody.
This books sounds phenomenal! I like what you said about the author’s prose because I really appreciate when authors have a way with their words when writing hard topics. Definitely have to pick this up soon.