The Graphic Library
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Review List by Author
  • Terminology
  • Info Postings
  • About Me
  • Other Resources
    • Research
    • Collection Development

The Black Mage by Daniel Barnes

6/27/2020

0 Comments

 
Cover of The Black Mage
Illustrated by DJ Kirkland

Thomas Token has been invited to enroll in the elite St. Ivory Academy of Spellcraft and Sorcery. Thanks to the Magical Minority Initiative, Tom is the first Black mage to be admitted. There, he meets Lindsey Whitethorn, and he suffers through her well-meaning questions about Black mages, such as whether he’s proud to be the first Black mage, and other micro-aggressions. She is his campus liaison, and the two become friends when Lindsey helps Tom’s crow, Jim, get healed after a skirmish with the headmaster’s son. The teachers all wear robes too alike to Klan garb, but Tom goes along in his studies until someone slips him the ID card of another Black mage. Tom’s investigations into this uncover a grizzly secret at the very core of St. Ivory’s existence.

I don't know why I slept so long on this title.  This is a fun story for Harry Potter types, but it mixes in a heavy dose of (unfortunate) racial reality for many students that they face on a daily basis.  Tom is a great main character who just wants to learn, not be the spokesperson for the entire Black community.  However, the magic in the story isn't really explained, as some characters use wands and others can use just their hands.  I did appreciate all of the references to other geekdoms - I caught Final Fantasy, Zelda, Fresh Prince, Sailor Moon, Thor, but there are probably others - inclusion of historical elements - the crow named Jim, pieces of the Underground Railroad, and the MAGA movement - and tongue-in-cheek moments - like Tom's last name. The illustrations are familiar like Saturday Morning Cartoons, with beautiful bright colors. The magic sequences are beautiful. This is a great story that is enjoyable but poignant and timely.

Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability Level: Grades 8-12


Tags: Rating: 9/10, Suitability: Middle School, Suitability: High School, Graphic Literature, Magic, School Age, Race Relations 

Never miss a review! Subscribe and get the best delivered to your inbox.

* indicates required
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    About Me

    I've been reading Manga and comicbooks for years.  Now, it's time to share my knowledge with you.

    Read More

    Search this site


    Advertisement

    Picture

    Never miss a review! Subscribe and get the best delivered to your inbox.

    * indicates required

    Ratings, Audience, and Subject Tags

    All
    Action Adventure
    Adaptations
    Autobiography
    Biography
    Comicbooks
    Culinary
    Deities
    Demons
    Dystopian
    Family
    Fantasy
    Farming
    Folklore
    Friendship
    Graphic Literature
    Graphic Nonfiction
    Grief
    Historical Fiction
    History
    Horror
    Humor
    Isekai
    LGBTQ+
    Magic
    Magical Girl
    Manga
    Mecha
    Memoir
    Mental Health
    Music
    Mystery
    Native American
    Race Relations
    Rating: 10/10
    Rating: 3/10
    Rating: 4/10
    Rating: 5/10
    Rating: 6/10
    Rating: 7/10
    Rating: 8/10
    Rating: 9/10
    Realistic Fiction
    Romance
    School Age
    Science
    Science Fiction
    Slice Of Life
    Sports
    Steampunk
    Suitability: Adult
    Suitability: Elementary School
    Suitability: High School
    Suitability: Middle School
    Superheroes
    Supernatural
    Surrealism
    Survival
    Theater
    Video Games
    War
    Western

    Advertisement

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018


​Follow Me

Picture
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Review List by Author
  • Terminology
  • Info Postings
  • About Me
  • Other Resources
    • Research
    • Collection Development