Book Review: The Edinburgh Night Series Books 1 & 2 by T.L. Huchu
Both Books Out Now! (I purchased Book 1, and received an ARC of Book 2 From NetGalley)
Category: Alternate Universe Dystopian Paranormal Fantasy with Diverse Cast and African Culture and a decidedly good choice for fans of "Doctor Who" "The Magicians" "Akata Witch" and "Binti"
Content Warnings for the first two installments: Death, Children in Peril, Kidnapping and Torture, Child Abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny
I’m absolutely enamored with the fantastical version of Edinburgh Huchu has created in this ongoing series. Reading both of the installments back-to-back was a delight, and I’m so very anxious to read even more! At the core of this story and series, you’ll find Ropa to be a strong protagonist with a wonderful, inquisitive mind and colorful personality. It’s the perfect blend of supernatural horror with dark fantasy and a little dash of dystopian fiction, and I could hardly put it down! The rotating cast of spectral characters, nefarious dark magicians, occult extremists and cult leaders, and even the local citizens make every page more interesting than the next, providing plenty of entertainment and foils for our heroine. I am delighted with the use of the mbira as a communication device, and the fact that it helps translate the ghosts to another frequency that ghosttalkers and mediums can understand.
There is science, philosophy, and math built into the lore and logistics of the magic in this world, and many of the supernatural skill sets also tie in to global cultural references. I love that it’s an intelligently crafted, thoughtful system and that while many of the characters express innate abilities there’s always room to learn and improve. Rosa and her friends are always interested in challenging themselves, seeking more knowledge, learning from their errors and misjudgments, and thinking outside the box. I appreciate the ways this book also challenges the world of traditional academia and its many prejudices and biases, too. It handles the ableism, classism, and nepotism of academic and scientific fields with wit and brutal honesty. I love to see it! I also appreciate that our heroine comes from a less than stellar financial position, and the author tackles this subject with such grace, respect, and candor. I don’t think all books need to have “life lessons” included in order to be successful, but when a writer can so expertly blend them into the story where they just make sense, fit the vibe, and occur naturally? Bless it!! That makes the book next level awesome to me! Having a solid good series of adventures, ongoing mysteries, and being able to blend it in to relatable and empathetic characters and issues is top tier reading.
The series has incredibly wonderful disability representation without becoming inspiration porn. At least two of the characters are disabled, but these are just facts of existence, and not maladies for which to pity them. Lord it is incredibly refreshing! These characters have agency, wit, power, creativity, and have equal billing to their abled counterparts. I also argue that our beloved MC Ropa has some neurodivergence stuff going on, because I can truly relate to a lot of her thought processes. And dare I say, I’m picking up some queer coded vibes here as well, which would be a delight (and is my head canon either way right now, hah!)
While I do not love comparing series or fantasy worlds to one another, I do think it can help a book series find the right audience. This story and world be perfect for those who want to step away from Harry Potter, and into an inclusive and diverse world of magic. It’s great for those who are fans of New Adult fantasy fiction with a twinge of supernatural, such as The Magicians.
T.L. Huchu is certainly carving out a niche in fantasy fiction, and I would love to see this series raised to such iconic heights as other YA and New Adult series have been. It’s just wonderful. I’m sure this is the most redundant review hahaha! But I can’t sing enough praises. It’s just so, so much fun to read both of these books and so cheeky and witty and entertaining and smart. It’s the kind of book I was craving for so long, and I’m eager to devour the next installment!!! Get your hands on this book series right now.
Loving the LGBTQ+ rep in the form of implied gay ghosts from book 1, and I'm pretty sure our MC may be Ace, and possibly Lesbian or Pan/Bi (they read that way to me at least, so it's in my head canon regardless, LOL sorry not sorry.) Plus, a zillion cheers for the incredible disability rep here, because it is truly outstanding and inclusive and I cannot get enough of it.
Review by Ellen Avigliano
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