Review Detail

MIRROR GIRLS is a riveting and powerful YA historical magical realism/fantasy about twin sisters separated by life and skin color. Charlie (Charlene) and Magnolia were born to a white man and a Black woman, who were killed for their relationship not long after the twins were born. Seeking a better life, their grandmother is tricked into giving up Magnolia, whose skin is light enough to appear white, to their father's mother, who has her own plans for an heiress to the family's plantation.

Their grandmother (Nana) takes Charlie and flees to New York City, where in the 1940s and 1950s, there are still the ripple effects of racism, but nothing like the small town in Georgia and Jim Crow laws they left behind. In 1953, with a 17-year-old Charlie, Nana is determined to return to that small town for her final breaths, as she wants to be laid to rest there and set Charlie on a path to fix the past.

Magnolia learns of her heritage on her grandmother's deathbed, trying to convince her to continue living the lie. It is then that the curse placed on them as infants becomes deadly, with Magnolia's life on the line. And in a place where the veil between the living and dead is thin, their paths will be challenged by both sides.

What I loved: This was a really powerful and riveting read. McWilliams really has a way with words, and I absolutely devoured this book in an afternoon - it is unputdownable, much in the vein of her previous book. The story hooks the reader from the start with a world of danger, history, and a touch of the otherworldly with ghosts and curses. Without saying too much to give away the plot, there was nary a dull moment in the story - this book was gripping all the way through. The pacing was absolutely perfect, keeping the reader engaged and with enough reveals and action to feel the intensity and atmosphere of the story.

Both Magnolia and Charlie were compelling characters, having experienced completely different lives and relatives. I appreciated the dual perspectives that made each of the sisters come to life. They were both shaken and challenged by the events around their grandmothers' deaths and the truths that life in 1953 Georgia had to hold for them. The historical elements of the story felt very well researched and were told with such passion and emotion, that it really brought them all to life.

This book deals with some really important and powerful themes around segregation/Jim Crow, generational trauma, protests, Southern culture, the ripples of slavery, the power of sisterhood and love, being mixed race, and the importance of embracing oneself fully. These themes all came to life in a really potent and commanding way that will bring this history and its echoes to life for readers. These elements are definitely worth discussion, and this book would be a great pick for book clubs as there is much to think about and consider.

Final verdict: An atmospheric and potent read, MIRROR GIRLS is a riveting story of sisterhood, segregation, and ultimately, the power of community, love, and self-acceptance. Highly recommend for fans of LEGENDBORN, WINGS OF EBONY, and SHATTERED MIDNIGHT.