The Blazing Star by Imani Josey
Rating:
Publication: Wise Ink Creative Publishing
Release Date: 12-6-2016
SPOILERS FOR DAYZ
I received this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review!
Summary:
Sixteen-year-old Portia White is used to being overlooked—after all, her twin sister Alex is a literal genius.
But when Portia holds an Egyptian scarab beetle during history class, she takes center stage in a way she never expected: she faints. Upon waking, she is stronger, faster, and braver than before. And when she accidentally touches the scarab again?
She wakes up in ancient Egypt—her sister and an unwitting freshman in tow.
Great.
Mysterious and beautiful, Egypt is more than they could have ever imagined from their days in the classroom. History comes alive as the three teens realize that getting back to the present will be the most difficult thing they’ve ever done. Stalked by vicious monsters called Scorpions, every step in the right direction means a step closer to danger.
As Portia and the girls discover that they’re linked to the past by more than just chance, they have to decide what it truly means to be yourself, to love your sister, and to find your way home.
-Cover
I read this awhile ago but I have been so busy that I have been unable to post the review. What stuck me the most about the novel was the cover and the diversity of race. The cover is beautiful and depicts a lovely African American woman.
-The Writing
The writing style is extremely easy to read and you could finish it in a day. I would recommend the reading level to be middle school to high school because there was a lack of complexity and depth. I wish there could have been more description and use of diction–this is a time-traveling novel, I should REALLY feel like I am in ancient Egypt. Yes, there are authors who take an eternity to describe something and than there are others who are blunt and to the point but I feel like in a time-traveling novel, you should take the time to describe the surroundings for the audience.
-Black Female Protagonist–YAY
How rare and awesome is this?! And written by a black woman–woohoo! You could definitely tell the difference, especially with terms like “pressed” when talking about hair. I feel like in YA fiction, there is a plethora of either white protagonists or white authors writing about brown women. There is nothing wrong with what I mentioned, I am just glad that African American writers are making there way into the YA genre sphere.
-The Story
The idea of the story is pretty cool but I feel like it could have been better written. SO to summarize it: There are these two black twins and one is a genius and the other is normal. Portia wants to be different from her sister and does this by changing her hair and deciding to go to another college. (BTW, I feel like this novel would have been better if the story was from Alexandria’s perspective)
I must be getting ornery in my old age (22) but it has become harder for me to read High School plot novels. The same-old-same-old is so redundant that it is totally eye-roll worthy.
Cue the Mean Girls who happen to also be rich and beautiful!
Cue the cute guy who has no interest in you!
Cue the parents not understanding you and you feel alone!
Thankfully we escape from the cliche High School spiel and Portia is transported to ancient Egypt when she touches an ancient artifact.
Blah, Blah, Blah
She meets this guy who she later learns is the Prince-haha coincidence
Selene, who is the most annoying person in the world is also here and is discriminated against because of her darker skin–she is seen as Nubian
The usual culture clash
Magic, Love, and I guess some action.
Overall, the novel has potential but it is pretty bland.
Mecca-Amirah Jackson 