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Hey y'all. So we've been suffering from some travel lag, after an amazing time at the Baltimore Book Fest. So much going on, that I haven't started my September Martial Artist Spotlight, or shared some of the awesome stuff that went down at Bmore Book Fest!

But I signed up for blog tour for "Black Beauty", a YA book that's a little more on the horror side. It is October after all, and that makes it Black Speculative Fiction Month!

I read this book originally on Wattpad, but have since read an edited version(as some of the names and situations changed due to the edit).

Black Beauty centers on a community in Oklahoma, a project housing complex to be exact, and how a mysterious woman named Jade affects the lives of several teenagers within that community.

The story starts with a girl named Shemaya. She has dreadlocks and is blessed with a darker complexion, but is often told her beauty isn't worthy.

There are several other characters who come across Jade, who most believe to be a "witch" of some sort, or even a voodoo priestess(which goes to show the characters know little about voodoo XD ) but Shemaya seems like the main character, even though each chapter focuses on one character and never repeats.

Black Beauty has an interesting villain. Jade isn't all that she seems, and the "magic" she uses, definitely has an "Ask and you shall receive" method about it, which doesn't always grant you exactly what you want.

There's a boy who could use a lesson or two on how to treat Black girls, and he definitely gets that lesson learned. HARD.

And another girl in the book who is biracial, doesn't have the narrow standards of what we've allowed to be the "default" mixed race feature of "good hair."

Even with all the back and forth with what it's like to struggle with what it's like to be Black in a Eurocentric environment, it still holds a ton of horrific elements. Whatever Jade is doing to these kids, it will make you wish you never knew magic XD

I think the only two things I noticed that just rubbed me wrong were a few typos, and the mis-education about Voodoo from many of the characters.

Take in mind, it's my total bias. I love and hate religion at the same time. I hate to get caught up in heavy conversations about it, because most people just want to be right, but as a non-Christian, I always analyze how non-Christian spiritual paths are seen.

Most folks think Voodoo is piercing dolls and cursing people XD But it derived from Vodun, a Western African religion, that's more like Christianity than most people think.

I love villains, and Jade was definitely a good one! I think the books is a little short for the story being told, but it's paced quick enough for easy consumption!

Black Beauty

Constance Burris

ISBN: 978-1515275893, 1515275892

Publisher: Self-Published

Pages: 182

Genre: YA/Fantasy/Horror

Plot Summary:

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At Vista Apartment Complex, life drastically changes for four of its residents when they decide to do business with Crazy Jade—the supposed voodoo witch who can grant your wish for a price.

Shemeya wants the confidence to stand up against the girls bullying her at school, but she soon has to choose between keeping her dreadlocs or living a normal life. After catching her boyfriend cheating, Latreece just wants to have the same curves as all the other girls. Ashley will do whatever she can to have “White Girl Flow”, but takes her pursuit too far when she steals from Crazy Jade.

Everyone who comes into contact with Crazy Jade soon learns the true price of her magic—and how horribly wrong it can go.

Book Links

Amazon: Purchase Link

Itunes: Purchase Link

Barnes & Noble: Purchase Link

Goodreads: Connect about it on Goodreads!

Book Depository: Pick up internationally!

About The Author

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Constance Burris is on a journey to take over the world through fantasy, horror, and science fiction. Her mission is to spread the love of speculative fiction to the masses. She is a proud blerd (black nerd), mother, and wife. When she is not writing and spending time with her family, she is working hard as an environmental engineer in Oklahoma City.