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Mirror Girls
As infants, twin sisters Charlie Yates and Magnolia Heathwood were secretly separated after the brutal lynching of their parents, who died for loving across the color line. Now, at the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement, Charlie is a young Black organizer in Harlem, while white-passing Magnolia is the heiress to a cotton plantation in rural Georgia.
Magnolia knows nothing of her racial heritage, but secrets are hard to keep in a town haunted by the ghosts of its slave-holding past. When Magnolia finally learns the truth, her reflection mysteriously disappears from mirrors—the sign of a terrible curse. Meanwhile, in Harlem, Charlie's beloved grandmother falls ill. Her final wish is to be buried back home in Georgia—and, unbeknownst to Charlie, to see her long-lost granddaughter, Magnolia Heathwood, one last time. So Charlie travels into the Deep South, confronting the land of her worst nightmares—and Jim Crow segregation.
The sisters reunite as teenagers in the deeply haunted town of Eureka, Georgia, where ghosts linger centuries after their time and dangers lurk behind every mirror. They couldn’t be more different, but they will need each other to put the hauntings of the past to rest, to break the mirrors’ deadly curse—and to discover the meaning of sisterhood in a racially divided land.
Magnolia knows nothing of her racial heritage, but secrets are hard to keep in a town haunted by the ghosts of its slave-holding past. When Magnolia finally learns the truth, her reflection mysteriously disappears from mirrors—the sign of a terrible curse. Meanwhile, in Harlem, Charlie's beloved grandmother falls ill. Her final wish is to be buried back home in Georgia—and, unbeknownst to Charlie, to see her long-lost granddaughter, Magnolia Heathwood, one last time. So Charlie travels into the Deep South, confronting the land of her worst nightmares—and Jim Crow segregation.
The sisters reunite as teenagers in the deeply haunted town of Eureka, Georgia, where ghosts linger centuries after their time and dangers lurk behind every mirror. They couldn’t be more different, but they will need each other to put the hauntings of the past to rest, to break the mirrors’ deadly curse—and to discover the meaning of sisterhood in a racially divided land.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published February 8, 2022
136 people are currently reading
11486 people want to read
About the author
Kelly McWilliams
8 books308 followersKelly is the mixed-race author of AGNES AT THE END OF THE WORLD (2020), MIRROR GIRLS (2022), and YOUR PLANTATION PROM IS NOT OKAY (2023). AGNES was a finalist for the Golden Kite Award. She's also written for Time, Publisher's Weekly, and Bustle, among other outlets. She lives in Seattle with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 551 reviews
February 16, 2022
“For colored girls, there’s no such thing as happily ever after.”
How do I even begin to write a review for this book? This is definitely a top read of 2022 for sure!! This book touched me in places that I didn’t realize still hurt. Growing up in Mississippi, some wounds run deep. This was a historical fantasy featuring two biracial twins. One born white, and one pecan brown. Magnolia was raised white in GA living that life full of white privilege, and lies about who she really was. Charlie was taken to Harlem with her grandma. When Charlie’s grandma is dying she travels to GA, and discovers she has a sister.
I absolutely loved the authors voice, and her use of words that I understood being a southern girl myself. Deep South, race mixing. Sundown towns—yes they still exist. I could really appreciate the verbiage this story had.
“Her southern draw a praline coating on every word.” I get this!!!
This story speaks of thinning veils, colorism and rising tensions in Jim Crow era. This book was very haunting and left me chilled to the bone in some spots. The Ghost train Realllllyyyy got to me, and left quite an impression. This story did an excellent job showcasing how it truly was and is in the south in the 1950’s. Just what happens when a woman raised as white finds out that she is black? Will she continue to pass or embrace who she truly is? I fell in love with Charlie & Magnolia’s relationship, and sisterhood. They fell for each other pretty quickly as they saw each other in their eyes. This book was powerful and it’s message rang loud and clear:
“For Magnolia and me, Happily ever won’t come easy, or on time, that’s sure. When it finally arrives it will be because we’ve broken the mirrors enchantments . Those wicked spells that try to trap us the moment we’re born. Magnolia and I have shattered our mirror curses, but the journeys not over. The world is still riddled with hateful gazes . Trick mirrors in stories that will make us feel lesser. Ugly. Small.
Even if we have to change the whole world, we will find out happily ever after. That’s the thing about colored girls. When we finally see ourselves for who we truly are, we can’t help but realize that we deserve happily ever after too. Keep on swinging.”
How do I even begin to write a review for this book? This is definitely a top read of 2022 for sure!! This book touched me in places that I didn’t realize still hurt. Growing up in Mississippi, some wounds run deep. This was a historical fantasy featuring two biracial twins. One born white, and one pecan brown. Magnolia was raised white in GA living that life full of white privilege, and lies about who she really was. Charlie was taken to Harlem with her grandma. When Charlie’s grandma is dying she travels to GA, and discovers she has a sister.
I absolutely loved the authors voice, and her use of words that I understood being a southern girl myself. Deep South, race mixing. Sundown towns—yes they still exist. I could really appreciate the verbiage this story had.
“Her southern draw a praline coating on every word.” I get this!!!
This story speaks of thinning veils, colorism and rising tensions in Jim Crow era. This book was very haunting and left me chilled to the bone in some spots. The Ghost train Realllllyyyy got to me, and left quite an impression. This story did an excellent job showcasing how it truly was and is in the south in the 1950’s. Just what happens when a woman raised as white finds out that she is black? Will she continue to pass or embrace who she truly is? I fell in love with Charlie & Magnolia’s relationship, and sisterhood. They fell for each other pretty quickly as they saw each other in their eyes. This book was powerful and it’s message rang loud and clear:
“For Magnolia and me, Happily ever won’t come easy, or on time, that’s sure. When it finally arrives it will be because we’ve broken the mirrors enchantments . Those wicked spells that try to trap us the moment we’re born. Magnolia and I have shattered our mirror curses, but the journeys not over. The world is still riddled with hateful gazes . Trick mirrors in stories that will make us feel lesser. Ugly. Small.
Even if we have to change the whole world, we will find out happily ever after. That’s the thing about colored girls. When we finally see ourselves for who we truly are, we can’t help but realize that we deserve happily ever after too. Keep on swinging.”
January 7, 2022
I'm a YA Librarian, and I received an ARC from Little, Brown Faculty Lounge for their Galley Review Program for young adult patrons. At first, I wasn't sure how I would enjoy reading the book because it is set mostly in the 1950s during Jim Crow. As a person of mostly African American heritage, it is not always easy for me to read stories about that part of American history. However, the story line captivated me especially to see if the twins Magnolia and Charlie could come together to break their family's curse despite their differences in appearance, life experience, and personality. At a little over 300 pages, I found the book hard to put down. I think middle grade and high school students will enjoy reading this book especially if they enjoy ghost stories, and I think the book has valuable lessons that all of us can put to good use in our lives.
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January 2, 2022A brilliant historical fantasy about twins Magnolia and Charlie, separated not long after their birth. Magnolia, light skinned, was raised white in Eureka, Georgia, and lives a life of class, wealth, and white privilege; Charlie was taken north to Harlem with her grandmother, her dark skin unmistakeable as anything other. When Nana, Charlie's grandmother, is dying, she and Charlie return to Eureka for her death. It's here when Charlie learns she has a twin sister, and Magnolia discovers that she can no longer see her shadow. Nana had warned about death leading to the thinning of the veil, but it'll take the sisters finding one another and working together to lift the curse settled over both of them.
McWilliams knocks it out of the park with highlighting colorism, as well as the tensions and differences between Jim Crow racism in the south and racism as it played out in a place like New York City in 1953. Charlie and Magnolia are well-rounded with distinct voices, and their cultural upbringings really work to showcase what Black means both in the south at this time and in the north. Magnolia faces a choice in embracing her newly-learned Black heritage, as well as her newly-discovered twin sister, and it's one that can't -- and doesn't -- come easily. While Charlie wrestles with not understanding why her sister can't make the right decision, she herself struggles with what she's seeing around her and why it is her feelings for Darius may be unable to be requited (thanks to the curse).
The use of a ghost train in this story reminded me a lot of I Am Alfonso Jones, which was fascinating and a genius way to pull the plot through. The exploration of Black joy amidst suffering was powerful, as was the ways in which both girls were able to set free the stories of their ancestors from their status as being tied to white people.
Smart, savvy, and haunting.
McWilliams knocks it out of the park with highlighting colorism, as well as the tensions and differences between Jim Crow racism in the south and racism as it played out in a place like New York City in 1953. Charlie and Magnolia are well-rounded with distinct voices, and their cultural upbringings really work to showcase what Black means both in the south at this time and in the north. Magnolia faces a choice in embracing her newly-learned Black heritage, as well as her newly-discovered twin sister, and it's one that can't -- and doesn't -- come easily. While Charlie wrestles with not understanding why her sister can't make the right decision, she herself struggles with what she's seeing around her and why it is her feelings for Darius may be unable to be requited (thanks to the curse).
The use of a ghost train in this story reminded me a lot of I Am Alfonso Jones, which was fascinating and a genius way to pull the plot through. The exploration of Black joy amidst suffering was powerful, as was the ways in which both girls were able to set free the stories of their ancestors from their status as being tied to white people.
Smart, savvy, and haunting.
February 13, 2022
so hear me out: i liked this but didn't love it because personally, i feel more could've been done with this premise if (a) it were a longer book, and (b) it were NA or plain good adult literature, and not YA.
February 19, 2022
Overall, I struggled to enjoy this book. I gave 2 stars because I like the premise of it, but I felt like the pacing was overly rushed. The story also lacked any real details and while the characters do develop, their arc just feels incomplete. I really wanted to enjoy it.
December 24, 2022
I chose this book for my Children’s Lit course I’m teaching in the fall because it’s new, YA, and a blend of historical fiction and magical realism (I already have a PowerPoint for that genre from Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All). It’s timely as well as it’s about Jim Crow, and we can talk about teaching Critical Race Theory or even just being honest about our past.
Well, I chose it as a generality, but reading the actual book makes me happy AND nervous about my choice (I’ve already submitted it to the bookstore, so I can’t change it). It’s an important book for young adult readers, young girls, colored girls, mixed girls, and Americans. But it could also be controversial, which is why we do a day or two on banned books and talk about censorship, too. I just don’t want anyone to feel blamed or alienated by the choice, and hopefully, that won’t happen at a liberal community college in New York State.
Anyway, that all being said, I loved this book. I enjoyed the story and the characters and felt sympathy and dislike and revulsion. I got into the plot and settings and themes, and I felt the suspense. I cried. I smiled. I really enjoyed the journey this book took me on. I love the historical fiction aspects about Jim Crow and segregation and sundown laws and all of that realism, but I love the blend with ghosts and how “the veil” is thinner down South. It’s a great read, very interesting. It also has a lot of strong Gothic elements and reminded me of “A Rose for Emily” and also of The Hush with the way the land takes on what happens on and in it.
Overall, I recommend this book. It’s interesting and entertaining but also educational and thought-provoking. I hope my students like it and that it leads to good discussions!
Update: some of my students seemed to really love this book, and a lot of them identified with the main characters, especially Magnolia. However, we didn’t get into great discussions about the more controversial aspects of the book. Many of my students didn’t read the material this semester, and it was disheartening. I had a few students who always read and talked in class, but the overall feeling of the class didn’t make me feel comfortable to delve more deeply into the book. By the end, I was over talking about this, which makes me sad. I decided not to teach it again in the spring. This isn’t the fault of the book by any means, but it is hard to gauge what students will be comfortable with, and I could just tell as we got deeper in that this wasn’t going to work. I’m going to teach a book about mental health instead, and I hope it goes better! Again, the students who did read seemed to really love this book, and there were some good discussions about the actual story—we just didn’t spend too much time on the context. Oh, but one student chose to write his final paper on CRT and Mirror Girls, so that was great!
Well, I chose it as a generality, but reading the actual book makes me happy AND nervous about my choice (I’ve already submitted it to the bookstore, so I can’t change it). It’s an important book for young adult readers, young girls, colored girls, mixed girls, and Americans. But it could also be controversial, which is why we do a day or two on banned books and talk about censorship, too. I just don’t want anyone to feel blamed or alienated by the choice, and hopefully, that won’t happen at a liberal community college in New York State.
Anyway, that all being said, I loved this book. I enjoyed the story and the characters and felt sympathy and dislike and revulsion. I got into the plot and settings and themes, and I felt the suspense. I cried. I smiled. I really enjoyed the journey this book took me on. I love the historical fiction aspects about Jim Crow and segregation and sundown laws and all of that realism, but I love the blend with ghosts and how “the veil” is thinner down South. It’s a great read, very interesting. It also has a lot of strong Gothic elements and reminded me of “A Rose for Emily” and also of The Hush with the way the land takes on what happens on and in it.
Overall, I recommend this book. It’s interesting and entertaining but also educational and thought-provoking. I hope my students like it and that it leads to good discussions!
Update: some of my students seemed to really love this book, and a lot of them identified with the main characters, especially Magnolia. However, we didn’t get into great discussions about the more controversial aspects of the book. Many of my students didn’t read the material this semester, and it was disheartening. I had a few students who always read and talked in class, but the overall feeling of the class didn’t make me feel comfortable to delve more deeply into the book. By the end, I was over talking about this, which makes me sad. I decided not to teach it again in the spring. This isn’t the fault of the book by any means, but it is hard to gauge what students will be comfortable with, and I could just tell as we got deeper in that this wasn’t going to work. I’m going to teach a book about mental health instead, and I hope it goes better! Again, the students who did read seemed to really love this book, and there were some good discussions about the actual story—we just didn’t spend too much time on the context. Oh, but one student chose to write his final paper on CRT and Mirror Girls, so that was great!
February 6, 2024
Mirror Girls is about biracial twins, Charlie and Magnolia, who were separated as babies following the brutal lynching of their parents. The sisters then reunite as teenagers in Eureka, Georgia, a dark and haunted southern town–still stuck to its segregated ways– determined to break the family curse. Will they be able to break the curse or will they fall victim to the dark and deadly mirrors?
“Nothing ever changes in Eureka. And nothing ever dies.”
I went into this blind, I had no idea what it’s about. I just fell in love with the cover at the book store!
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t loving it but I also wasn’t hating it, a majority of the book. It was smooth and interesting writing so I sailed through it pretty quickly… but I felt like it kept repeating some details over and over. It got kind of repetitive. But the end was amazing and beautiful and I loved it! That is what really bumped it up to 4 stars for me.
I loved the message in this book as well. I think this is YA but it would really be a fantastic read for a middle schooler or teen!
“The world will tell you, over and over again, that you don’t matter. But it’s a trick, Charlene. You only stop mattering if you start to believe the world’s lies.” ❤️
“Nothing ever changes in Eureka. And nothing ever dies.”
I went into this blind, I had no idea what it’s about. I just fell in love with the cover at the book store!
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t loving it but I also wasn’t hating it, a majority of the book. It was smooth and interesting writing so I sailed through it pretty quickly… but I felt like it kept repeating some details over and over. It got kind of repetitive. But the end was amazing and beautiful and I loved it! That is what really bumped it up to 4 stars for me.
I loved the message in this book as well. I think this is YA but it would really be a fantastic read for a middle schooler or teen!
“The world will tell you, over and over again, that you don’t matter. But it’s a trick, Charlene. You only stop mattering if you start to believe the world’s lies.” ❤️
August 31, 2024
Wow! This was so beautiful and tragic and important all at the same time.
Set in the 1950's USA, the novel tackles important topics involving race, segregation, passing, Jim Crow, slavery and so much more. It was really interesting and beneficial to see these topics from two sides from the twins, one unknowingly passing and one knowing her identity.
The writing was very beautiful and well done. I was so sucked into the story that I flew through the pages. Both of the girls were very interesting characters, and the curse aspect really brought the whole story together for me.
The future teacher in me strongly believes that this would be a perfect classroom read to spark discussion and give more knowledge on the topics mentioned above!
Set in the 1950's USA, the novel tackles important topics involving race, segregation, passing, Jim Crow, slavery and so much more. It was really interesting and beneficial to see these topics from two sides from the twins, one unknowingly passing and one knowing her identity.
The writing was very beautiful and well done. I was so sucked into the story that I flew through the pages. Both of the girls were very interesting characters, and the curse aspect really brought the whole story together for me.
The future teacher in me strongly believes that this would be a perfect classroom read to spark discussion and give more knowledge on the topics mentioned above!
February 17, 2022
This was good! Rtc...
August 26, 2022
I was hoping this would be spookier. It felt more like straight-up historical fiction, which is not my genre. So disregard this review if you like historical fiction! Magnolia’s voice on the audiobook was sooooo annoying 😅 The only reason I didn’t DNF is because it’s such a short book.
September 17, 2022
This is the first book that I have read about race, and it was a huge eye opener. I found Mirror Girls to be a page turner I couldn't put the book down I highly recommend this book to everyone.
October 17, 2024
great book for a YA audience looking to learn about racial injustice in the 50s without being bored to death by a textbook :) loved the spooky aspect as well!
March 2, 2023
So, there's a lot going on here, and I think a lot of it is pretty effective, but...somehow, despite all the enormous things it's tackling, it still felt sort of...mild? Magnolia's transformation is immediate--how do you go from being raised as a white bigot to a Black activist in the course of an afternoon? It's 1953! Even with the ghosts distracting her, you'd think she'd have some doubts... (I guess she has a pure soul or whatever, but I dunno...it felt too easy). I don't know if I needed the romance, but it's YA, and Darius seems like a nice fella, so I guess that's fine......Also, I have mixed feelings about the twists at the end. On the one hand, the revelation about the grandmother is a good one, even if it's kinda sorta predictable, and on the other, it felt like that was just the addendum, while the releasing of the names was supposed to be the big reveal, but...that just doesn't feel like enough of a payoff? I mean, yes, symbolically, it's good, but in terms of gothic horror, and what's-in-the-boxness...it felt...small.
So, I dunno, good and doing some interesting things with the themes, but given all the fire being played with here (1953 Southern racism, passing, protests, ghosts, curses), it felt...quiet? Also, not McWilliams' fault, but my god did I hate one of the narrators. I winced every time the narrative switched over.
So, I dunno, good and doing some interesting things with the themes, but given all the fire being played with here (1953 Southern racism, passing, protests, ghosts, curses), it felt...quiet? Also, not McWilliams' fault, but my god did I hate one of the narrators. I winced every time the narrative switched over.
February 15, 2022
I received an arc from NOVL, so thank you!
I instantly felt entranced by this book. The stunningly haunting writing paired with the tumultuous setting of the 1950s under Jim Crow makes for a brilliant and heartwrenching story about the power of family.
I love magical realism, so the pairing of ghosts and curses amidst the backdrop of segregation and injustice makes this story that much more interesting. For once, we get a story about sisters finding one another and loving and understanding each other for who they are without the plot device of resentment. They are both interesting and compelling characters, and I loved reading both of their POVs; they really made both girls' differing lives come to life.
My only qualm was that Magnolia's transition from her old life to her new was, at first, rocky, but then it felt too easy. As someone raised to think of Black people as "lesser people" I would have thought she'd have a harder time with it.
Besides that, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. This powerful YA novel will look gorgeous on your shelf and may even teach you a thing or two. It deals with some heavy-hitting themes that I hope tweens and teens will read and consider.
TW: racism, animal death, off-page lunching, assault, and violence.
I instantly felt entranced by this book. The stunningly haunting writing paired with the tumultuous setting of the 1950s under Jim Crow makes for a brilliant and heartwrenching story about the power of family.
I love magical realism, so the pairing of ghosts and curses amidst the backdrop of segregation and injustice makes this story that much more interesting. For once, we get a story about sisters finding one another and loving and understanding each other for who they are without the plot device of resentment. They are both interesting and compelling characters, and I loved reading both of their POVs; they really made both girls' differing lives come to life.
My only qualm was that Magnolia's transition from her old life to her new was, at first, rocky, but then it felt too easy. As someone raised to think of Black people as "lesser people" I would have thought she'd have a harder time with it.
Besides that, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. This powerful YA novel will look gorgeous on your shelf and may even teach you a thing or two. It deals with some heavy-hitting themes that I hope tweens and teens will read and consider.
TW: racism, animal death, off-page lunching, assault, and violence.
August 2, 2021
WOW! Absolutely stunning! Mirror Girls is a gorgeous, haunting story of the of lives that were affected by slavery in rural Georgia. Stories that were not supposed to be talked about outside the family. Bi-racial Twin sisters separated at birth. Ghosts intertwined throughout. One sister slowly disappearing. I can’t wait for this book to be out so I can get my students read. Thank you to Edelweiss for the review copy.
April 2, 2022
Five entire brilliant stars. This wasn't the spooky horror story I was thinking I would get. This was a humanity horror story.
Keep on swinging. Keep on.
Keep on swinging. Keep on.
January 13, 2024
AMAZING 10/10 I HAVE NO WORDS THIS WAS JUST THAT GOOD
February 9, 2024
I have no words.
February 1, 2022
I received an ARC from Edelweiss
TW: racism, off page lynching, familial abuse, false accusation of assault, KKK, punitive burning, implied transphobia & homophobia, mentioned police violence, mentioned hate crimes, ritual killing of animals (snake), mentioned mass drowning, attack of protestor, mentioned forced commitment/institutionalization
3.5
Charlie Yates has only known life in New York City with her grandmother, and coming back to the place she was born, the South, feels like culture shock immediately. It also feels dangerous, being Black where no one cares if you're mistreated. Magnolia Heathwood is a Southern Belle, granddaughter of the matriarch of a powerful family, hated and constricted but still reaping the privilege of her family and the ignorance it affords her. But what neither girl knows, is that they're twin sisters. One born light enough to pass as White, whose identity strips her of her reflection and her ability to eat or drink, and one too clearly Black to have been wanted by a cruel, prejudiced grandmother. Now that they know the truth, and now that they have each other, can they make new choices and both get out alive?
I thought this was an interesting magical realism story of curses and racism. Looking at segregation history this way, with the White passing sister and the way her identity gets thrown into question but also her entire life is changed and made into an inherently dangerous thing. It reminded me of it Helen Oyeyemi wrote YA books.
The curse element was interesting, but I also thought the use of ghosts was effective and kept things compelling and kept the plot moving. They tied everything together, and gave the story as a whole a more complete feeling.
I also always love a good sibling story, and seeing the sisters get to know each other, come together and have their very different lives collide while also accepting and loving each other, was really nice. I was glad McWilliams didn't do what another author might have, and used drama and resentment as the key tension between them.
I was unfortunately set up for disappointment when I picked up this book because I saw it promoted as a gothic story, and beyond the ghosts, it really isn't. So I expected an entirely different type of story that I didn't get at all.
I was also expecting more context and background on what we're giving, but things stayed a bit more surface level instead of exploring those details.
But the thing that bothered me the most was the transition for Magnolia. Her switch from casually racist, passive, privileged White socialite to a conscious Black girl was way too smooth and easy. She barely fights the truth, something I think that someone born to assume horrible things about Black people would immediately do. And while she might have had a good relationship with one servant her introduction to an entire community of Black people, all living in much lesser conditions than she was raised her entire life, should have rattled her.
And the way other people reacted to her transition into being/knowing herself as a Black girl was baffling. The idea that not immediately outing herself as Black and probably getting killed was an act of betrayal made no sense. These people don't give her a second to breathe, and they expect so much of her. They're so aggressive about making her embrace her identity it felt more like an attack than anything else, and it made me both uncomfortable and very confused.
As a concept, I think this is a unique way of looking at segregation history, and I thought the magical/paranormal elements brought something really interesting to the story. I think things were made a bit too smooth and simple at places, but I'm sure younger readers wouldn't be bothered by that.
TW: racism, off page lynching, familial abuse, false accusation of assault, KKK, punitive burning, implied transphobia & homophobia, mentioned police violence, mentioned hate crimes, ritual killing of animals (snake), mentioned mass drowning, attack of protestor, mentioned forced commitment/institutionalization
3.5
Charlie Yates has only known life in New York City with her grandmother, and coming back to the place she was born, the South, feels like culture shock immediately. It also feels dangerous, being Black where no one cares if you're mistreated. Magnolia Heathwood is a Southern Belle, granddaughter of the matriarch of a powerful family, hated and constricted but still reaping the privilege of her family and the ignorance it affords her. But what neither girl knows, is that they're twin sisters. One born light enough to pass as White, whose identity strips her of her reflection and her ability to eat or drink, and one too clearly Black to have been wanted by a cruel, prejudiced grandmother. Now that they know the truth, and now that they have each other, can they make new choices and both get out alive?
I thought this was an interesting magical realism story of curses and racism. Looking at segregation history this way, with the White passing sister and the way her identity gets thrown into question but also her entire life is changed and made into an inherently dangerous thing. It reminded me of it Helen Oyeyemi wrote YA books.
The curse element was interesting, but I also thought the use of ghosts was effective and kept things compelling and kept the plot moving. They tied everything together, and gave the story as a whole a more complete feeling.
I also always love a good sibling story, and seeing the sisters get to know each other, come together and have their very different lives collide while also accepting and loving each other, was really nice. I was glad McWilliams didn't do what another author might have, and used drama and resentment as the key tension between them.
I was unfortunately set up for disappointment when I picked up this book because I saw it promoted as a gothic story, and beyond the ghosts, it really isn't. So I expected an entirely different type of story that I didn't get at all.
I was also expecting more context and background on what we're giving, but things stayed a bit more surface level instead of exploring those details.
But the thing that bothered me the most was the transition for Magnolia. Her switch from casually racist, passive, privileged White socialite to a conscious Black girl was way too smooth and easy. She barely fights the truth, something I think that someone born to assume horrible things about Black people would immediately do. And while she might have had a good relationship with one servant her introduction to an entire community of Black people, all living in much lesser conditions than she was raised her entire life, should have rattled her.
And the way other people reacted to her transition into being/knowing herself as a Black girl was baffling. The idea that not immediately outing herself as Black and probably getting killed was an act of betrayal made no sense. These people don't give her a second to breathe, and they expect so much of her. They're so aggressive about making her embrace her identity it felt more like an attack than anything else, and it made me both uncomfortable and very confused.
As a concept, I think this is a unique way of looking at segregation history, and I thought the magical/paranormal elements brought something really interesting to the story. I think things were made a bit too smooth and simple at places, but I'm sure younger readers wouldn't be bothered by that.
August 3, 2024
DNF.
Legit not attached to the characters
And they still haven't met each other :(
so yeah sorry
Legit not attached to the characters
And they still haven't met each other :(
so yeah sorry
September 19, 2024
MIRROR GIRLS is an IMPORTANT BOOK about SISTERHOOD and the power of RACE. Set in a eerie gothic time in 1953, around the time of Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement, this captivating novel of two sisters (one born black, and the other born white with no reflection in a mirror) and the discrimination that was dealt badly back then, had me understanding in what we live in today. A must read for my diverse readers out there.
April 12, 2022
CW: lynching, slavery, racism, child abuse, death of parents
A huge thank you to the NOVL for sending me an ARC of Mirror Girls in exchange for an honest review! I was excited to get my hands on this book since I really enjoyed Agnes at the End of the World by Kelly McWilliams. This is another cool genre mashup, so if you like YA authors who think outside the box, you'll probably be a McWilliams fan.
As I alluded to earlier, this book was a fascinating blend of historical fiction and paranormal elements. I also loved that the central relationship was between two estranged sisters. Although they feel an instant connection when they meet, they still clash at the beginning due to resentment around their different upbringings. It was interesting to see the pros and cons of how they were raised; is it worth it to benefit from white privilege if you were raised without love? Should you give up financial security if it means embracing who you really are?
I was kind of confused by some of Charlie's judgements of Magnolia, particularly when she judges her for planning on marrying rich instead of trying to get a good education and a job. Even in the Northeast region of the country, I'm sure many girls in 1953 were taught that their only goal in life should be marrying well and raising a family. The career paths available to women, especially women of color, would have been very limited. I also thought the sisters didn't get much in the way of character description besides their basic profiles (civil rights activist vs. plantation heiress) and I wish we learned more about their lives before they met each other.
Going back to the paranormal elements, the setting was really well done and the history of the town only served to enhance the sense of community or eeriness (depending on which side of town you were on). I don't want to spoil anything, but the curse and ghosts heavily influence the story; they're not an afterthought. If any of this intrigues you, I recommend picking up this book and exploring the mysteries of Eureka for yourself!
A huge thank you to the NOVL for sending me an ARC of Mirror Girls in exchange for an honest review! I was excited to get my hands on this book since I really enjoyed Agnes at the End of the World by Kelly McWilliams. This is another cool genre mashup, so if you like YA authors who think outside the box, you'll probably be a McWilliams fan.
As I alluded to earlier, this book was a fascinating blend of historical fiction and paranormal elements. I also loved that the central relationship was between two estranged sisters. Although they feel an instant connection when they meet, they still clash at the beginning due to resentment around their different upbringings. It was interesting to see the pros and cons of how they were raised; is it worth it to benefit from white privilege if you were raised without love? Should you give up financial security if it means embracing who you really are?
I was kind of confused by some of Charlie's judgements of Magnolia, particularly when she judges her for planning on marrying rich instead of trying to get a good education and a job. Even in the Northeast region of the country, I'm sure many girls in 1953 were taught that their only goal in life should be marrying well and raising a family. The career paths available to women, especially women of color, would have been very limited. I also thought the sisters didn't get much in the way of character description besides their basic profiles (civil rights activist vs. plantation heiress) and I wish we learned more about their lives before they met each other.
Going back to the paranormal elements, the setting was really well done and the history of the town only served to enhance the sense of community or eeriness (depending on which side of town you were on). I don't want to spoil anything, but the curse and ghosts heavily influence the story; they're not an afterthought. If any of this intrigues you, I recommend picking up this book and exploring the mysteries of Eureka for yourself!
February 28, 2022
Thanks to HBG Canada for an eARC for an honest review.
4.5/5 stars
This was such a good book. The writing style flowed really easily, the characters felt so real, and the emotions of the story came through really well. It’s a book about race and segregation. It’s about families torn apart because of who they loved and what they look like. It’s about standing up for yourself and what’s right, and it’s about family and the love between sisters.
The book is told through dual first-person POVs. We follow Charlene (Charlie) Yates and Magnolia Heathwood. The two girls are twins who have no idea the other exists. Charlie is coloured, and when her dying Nana wants to return to her hometown of Eureka, Georgia to be buried in the cemetery there, Charlie accompanies her and is shocked to learn about her sister. Magnolia grew up as an heiress in Eureka with her white grandmother, and she’s been passing as white unknowingly her whole life. When her grandmother drops the truth on Magnolia, her world is rocked. The setting for the book is Georgia in the early 1950s, and I liked the civil rights aspect. Charlie has participated in many protests in New York, and the contrast between her awareness and Magnolia’s naivety helped to establish their characters.
I liked both of the characters, and I thought their voices were distinct. I had no trouble distinguishing between their POVs, and I liked how their different upbringings were so reflective of their characters, but they also had great potential for growth. Magnolia’s character growth was one of my favourite parts because she struggles so much with finding her place in the world when she looks white but she is coloured. I admired her strength, and I thought the missing reflection and the curse were super interesting.
The pacing was really good in the story. It never felt like it was dragging, and I flew through it really quickly. It kept my attention completely hooked, and I was afraid for the characters in many moments. There’s an undercurrent of tension and fear especially in the second half, and I thought the author did an excellent job of conveying the emotions the characters were feeling.
I would absolutely recommend this book to everyone. It was really well written, and I think readers will enjoy connecting with the characters and root for their happy ending even when it doesn’t seem possible.
4.5/5 stars
This was such a good book. The writing style flowed really easily, the characters felt so real, and the emotions of the story came through really well. It’s a book about race and segregation. It’s about families torn apart because of who they loved and what they look like. It’s about standing up for yourself and what’s right, and it’s about family and the love between sisters.
The book is told through dual first-person POVs. We follow Charlene (Charlie) Yates and Magnolia Heathwood. The two girls are twins who have no idea the other exists. Charlie is coloured, and when her dying Nana wants to return to her hometown of Eureka, Georgia to be buried in the cemetery there, Charlie accompanies her and is shocked to learn about her sister. Magnolia grew up as an heiress in Eureka with her white grandmother, and she’s been passing as white unknowingly her whole life. When her grandmother drops the truth on Magnolia, her world is rocked. The setting for the book is Georgia in the early 1950s, and I liked the civil rights aspect. Charlie has participated in many protests in New York, and the contrast between her awareness and Magnolia’s naivety helped to establish their characters.
I liked both of the characters, and I thought their voices were distinct. I had no trouble distinguishing between their POVs, and I liked how their different upbringings were so reflective of their characters, but they also had great potential for growth. Magnolia’s character growth was one of my favourite parts because she struggles so much with finding her place in the world when she looks white but she is coloured. I admired her strength, and I thought the missing reflection and the curse were super interesting.
The pacing was really good in the story. It never felt like it was dragging, and I flew through it really quickly. It kept my attention completely hooked, and I was afraid for the characters in many moments. There’s an undercurrent of tension and fear especially in the second half, and I thought the author did an excellent job of conveying the emotions the characters were feeling.
I would absolutely recommend this book to everyone. It was really well written, and I think readers will enjoy connecting with the characters and root for their happy ending even when it doesn’t seem possible.
June 16, 2025
Another YA book, Mirror Girls by Kelly McWilliams is about biracial twins who were separated at birth. One, who was light-skinned and could pass for white, grew up in a Southern plantation as the potential heiress to the estate. The other, was raised by her grandmother who moved them from the racist South to New York City. Neither twin knows the other exists until tragedy strikes. Admittedly, this novel has some over-the-top plot elements, such as ghosts and magic, but the overall premise for the story which sheds so much light on racism and the Jim Crowe laws of the South, that I could overlook the oddities in the plot. The book is well written, with each chapter being told from one of the twin’s POV. It is a quick read that makes the reader want to know what will happen next. With many of this book’s themes, ideas, and situations still occurring today, I feel it’s important for people to read this kind of literature. While the story is fiction, many of the elements it revolves around, unfortunately, are very real.
January 16, 2023
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───
I have always believed that what matters is what others see when they look at me. But that's not right at all. What matters is what I see.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───
Damn, we are ON A ROLL. Two 5-star reads in a row? Don't Call Me a Hurricane was awesome, too, so you should check that out! But this isn't about Don't Call Me a Hurricane, this is about Mirror Girls, which might just be one of my new favourites.
How do I even start writing a review? I finished this in a day! This book is a historical fiction set in 1953 (which I love) about two long-lost twins, Charlene (Charlie) Yates and MagnoliaHeathwood Yates. One born white, one born Black. A miracle. Magnolia was raised a privileged life, not knowing who she truly is, while Charlie was fighting for Black rights in NYC, living with her grandmother. When Charlie's grandma starts dying, they move back to Eureka so her grandmother can die where she was born. There she discovers that she has a long-lost sister, and begins throwing what can only be described as a fit - and rightfully so. And if things can't get any worse? Magnolia can no longer see her reflection.
I enjoyed how the author used Southern language 'I'll be back if the creek don't rise!' was one example. I don't speak Southern American English, but Charlie was constantly confused at the terms Magnolia used so I got 'translations', if that's even the right term.
This novel covers a lot of heavy topics about segregation/colourism, such as mixed breeding, murder, death, slavery, torture, Sundown Town & Coloured Town, so it may be triggering to some readers, though I think Kelly McWilliams handles these topics very well.
This book was set at a time in the Jim Crow Era where tensions were rising, and covers, from a more fantasy perspective, curses, thinning veils and ghosts. Speaking of ghosts, some parts of the book were quite chilling and the Ghost Train was definitely an awesome contribution. It did take me a while to understand what was going on, but that could just be me being slow - it was close to midnight, after all. My only complaint is that this book was marketed as 'horror' but it didn't feel too scary to me, but that could be a 'it's me, not you' problem so it really isn't that big of a deal and the book still deserves a full 5 stars.
I enjoyed reading about Magnolias' struggle. Does she continue to pretend she's white, even when, in her heart, she knows she's coloured? Or does she accept her heritage and lose all she has - manor, riches, boyfriend and all? It really added a dynamic to the story, because so many books just have the MC accept everything and move on quickly (I'm looking at you, Keeper of the Lost Cities!). I also loved the sister dynamic between Charlene and Magnolia. They became basically best friends within a couple of pages when they saw themselves reflected in the others' face.
This story captivated me in every way, especially seeing if Magnolia and Charlie could break the curse despite their differences in history, appearance and personality. The were both well-rounded and had their own voices. I loved, as I mentioned before, Magnolias' struggle which I'm not going to cover again, and Charlene being unable to understand why Magnolias' having so much trouble with her choice and her feelings towards Darius.
This book was powerful and inspiriting, and if you don't see that? You're probably very thick skinned.
'"Because every time I accept that I'm worth less - less than a man, or a white person, or a gosh-darn oil baron - it punches a hole in my spirit." {...} "Punch enough holes and your spirit breaks."'
'"For Magnolia and me, Happily ever won’t come easy, or on time, that’s sure. When it finally arrives it will be because we’ve broken the mirrors enchantments . Those wicked spells that try to trap us the moment we’re born. Magnolia and I have shattered our mirror curses, but the journeys not over. The world is still riddled with hateful gazes . Trick mirrors in stories that will make us feel lesser. Ugly. Small.
Even if we have to change the whole world, we will find out happily ever after. That’s the thing about colored girls. When we finally see ourselves for who we truly are, we can’t help but realize that we deserve happily ever after too. Keep on swinging."'
One of my favourite things about this book is that THERE IS NO EXPLICIT CONTENT.
ZERO.
NILL.
THE MOST 'ROMANTIC' THING THAT HAPPENS IS A KISS, AND EVEN THAT FINISHES QUICKLY.
YOU GUYS, A YA BOOK WITHOUT TOO MUCH ROMANCE. I am ever so grateful. Just for this, the book had grabbed a star - not that it needed one. It was already awesome.
For explicit language, there isn't really any except for the use of b!tch I think three times? The n-word is used a lot 'no N3gro3s or dogs' was one of the more prominent examples. Foot is used in the place of swear words, but it's really not that bad.
I would recommend this book to anyone 12 and older who can handle difficult themes! This book has a bunch of valuable lessons that we should all learn and implement in our daily lives.
Thank you to Little Brown for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review!
I have always believed that what matters is what others see when they look at me. But that's not right at all. What matters is what I see.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───
Damn, we are ON A ROLL. Two 5-star reads in a row? Don't Call Me a Hurricane was awesome, too, so you should check that out! But this isn't about Don't Call Me a Hurricane, this is about Mirror Girls, which might just be one of my new favourites.
How do I even start writing a review? I finished this in a day! This book is a historical fiction set in 1953 (which I love) about two long-lost twins, Charlene (Charlie) Yates and Magnolia
I enjoyed how the author used Southern language 'I'll be back if the creek don't rise!' was one example. I don't speak Southern American English, but Charlie was constantly confused at the terms Magnolia used so I got 'translations', if that's even the right term.
This novel covers a lot of heavy topics about segregation/colourism, such as mixed breeding, murder, death, slavery, torture, Sundown Town & Coloured Town, so it may be triggering to some readers, though I think Kelly McWilliams handles these topics very well.
This book was set at a time in the Jim Crow Era where tensions were rising, and covers, from a more fantasy perspective, curses, thinning veils and ghosts. Speaking of ghosts, some parts of the book were quite chilling and the Ghost Train was definitely an awesome contribution. It did take me a while to understand what was going on, but that could just be me being slow - it was close to midnight, after all. My only complaint is that this book was marketed as 'horror' but it didn't feel too scary to me, but that could be a 'it's me, not you' problem so it really isn't that big of a deal and the book still deserves a full 5 stars.
I enjoyed reading about Magnolias' struggle. Does she continue to pretend she's white, even when, in her heart, she knows she's coloured? Or does she accept her heritage and lose all she has - manor, riches, boyfriend and all? It really added a dynamic to the story, because so many books just have the MC accept everything and move on quickly (I'm looking at you, Keeper of the Lost Cities!). I also loved the sister dynamic between Charlene and Magnolia. They became basically best friends within a couple of pages when they saw themselves reflected in the others' face.
This story captivated me in every way, especially seeing if Magnolia and Charlie could break the curse despite their differences in history, appearance and personality. The were both well-rounded and had their own voices. I loved, as I mentioned before, Magnolias' struggle which I'm not going to cover again, and Charlene being unable to understand why Magnolias' having so much trouble with her choice and her feelings towards Darius.
This book was powerful and inspiriting, and if you don't see that? You're probably very thick skinned.
'"Because every time I accept that I'm worth less - less than a man, or a white person, or a gosh-darn oil baron - it punches a hole in my spirit." {...} "Punch enough holes and your spirit breaks."'
'"For Magnolia and me, Happily ever won’t come easy, or on time, that’s sure. When it finally arrives it will be because we’ve broken the mirrors enchantments . Those wicked spells that try to trap us the moment we’re born. Magnolia and I have shattered our mirror curses, but the journeys not over. The world is still riddled with hateful gazes . Trick mirrors in stories that will make us feel lesser. Ugly. Small.
Even if we have to change the whole world, we will find out happily ever after. That’s the thing about colored girls. When we finally see ourselves for who we truly are, we can’t help but realize that we deserve happily ever after too. Keep on swinging."'
One of my favourite things about this book is that THERE IS NO EXPLICIT CONTENT.
ZERO.
NILL.
THE MOST 'ROMANTIC' THING THAT HAPPENS IS A KISS, AND EVEN THAT FINISHES QUICKLY.
YOU GUYS, A YA BOOK WITHOUT TOO MUCH ROMANCE. I am ever so grateful. Just for this, the book had grabbed a star - not that it needed one. It was already awesome.
For explicit language, there isn't really any except for the use of b!tch I think three times? The n-word is used a lot 'no N3gro3s or dogs' was one of the more prominent examples. Foot is used in the place of swear words, but it's really not that bad.
I would recommend this book to anyone 12 and older who can handle difficult themes! This book has a bunch of valuable lessons that we should all learn and implement in our daily lives.
Thank you to Little Brown for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review!
September 3, 2022
This historical novel set in the 1950s Georgia reads like a thriller with supernatural touches. Charlie and Magnolia are twin sisters, but they don't know it and they couldn't come from worlds further apart: Charlie is a Black civil rights organizer in New York City and Magnolia is a white Southern girl raised on a plantation who knows nothing of her racial heritage. Fast-faced, Charlie and Magnolia uncover secrets quickly when their grandmothers pass away and soon they learn of a curse that threatens their future. An enjoyable read, but also one that tackles the difficult topic of racism and its deep roots in the South.
March 2, 2024
Content warnings: racism, death of a grandparent, death of a parent (in the past), systemic racism, racial slurs, assault, mentions of war, slavery (in the past)
3.75 stars
This sounded like it was going to be a more horror-y version of The Vanished Half. And, like, it WAS that but it also very much wasn't. A lot of the time it felt like the horror aspects fell by the wayside in favour of the civil rights movement, and yet it's set (from memory) before Emmett Till and before Rosa Parks. I'm not saying there was no civil rights movement before those events, but it just feels...oddly placed historically.
Anyway, I enjoyed this a lot. The characters were great. The plot was creepier than I anticipated at times. And the tension in the community was well handled. All in all, it was a solid story, although the pacing wasn't quite what I wanted it to be.
3.75 stars
This sounded like it was going to be a more horror-y version of The Vanished Half. And, like, it WAS that but it also very much wasn't. A lot of the time it felt like the horror aspects fell by the wayside in favour of the civil rights movement, and yet it's set (from memory) before Emmett Till and before Rosa Parks. I'm not saying there was no civil rights movement before those events, but it just feels...oddly placed historically.
Anyway, I enjoyed this a lot. The characters were great. The plot was creepier than I anticipated at times. And the tension in the community was well handled. All in all, it was a solid story, although the pacing wasn't quite what I wanted it to be.
June 14, 2022
Very interesting concept for a book - twin sisters born to a white dad and black mom are separated not long after birth, the one with dark skin moves to the north while the light skinned one stays in the south and passes for white. Depicting the difference between life and attitudes in the two locations, McWilliams paints a picture of how things can be vastly different within a relatively short distance. The supernatural element really added to the story.
September 2, 2023
it took a little while for me to get into it but the last third of this book had me on the edge of my seat. i can’t say much about this without spoiling it but the atmosphere and writing of this book was chef’s kiss and our main characters charlie and magnolia are both phenomenal in different ways. a perfect YA read, highly recommend!
July 23, 2022
Short, historical, paranormal fantasy about the hatred that ran rampant in the deep south. I enjoyed the book, hit me in the feels. It could have been longer to exploit/shed light on the hypocrisy of the times but it was handled. This book made me angry and frustrated simultaneously, as it should. I will never understand racism, it isn't in my programming as a human being, that being said, this book was well worth my time. I always want face our ugly history so we learn not to do dumb shit over and over.
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