Review: "The Blackwoods" by Brandy Colbert

The Blackwoods by Brandy Colbert
Published October 2023 via Balzer + Bray
★★★★

The Blackwoods have been in Hollywood for decades, and acting even before that. Success has always come with a price, but there's no denying that they've made it. But when Blossom, the matriarch of the family, passes away, the family comes up against answers to long-asked questions—and some new questions as well.

Colbert couldn't write a bad book if she tried, and I don't think I even read the description before I shelved this as to-read. She describes the book as her "ode to Black Hollywood", and the book fills a niche that I hadn't given enough thought to before now—I've read my fair share of YA Hollywood books featuring (thin, rich) white heroines, but far, far fewer featuring BIPOC heroines or paying tribute to the ones who paved the way.

The Blackwoods slips back and forth between generations of women, from Blossom's mother, Flossie, to Hollis and Ardith, two of the younger generation. What I love most is that many of the climactic moments come relatively early in the book, leaving the characters to handle the fallout throughout the rest of the book. Also, because the book follows multiple characters, the big moments they each have are allowed to be parts of their story (and the family story) rather than taking over the narrative completely. I won't go into detail, but a number of things go down throughout the book that could be a book's main conflict, and I loved the sense that the book wasn't willing to limit the story to any one of those things. Readers may also like Martha Southgate's Third Girl from the Left, which (if I remember correctly; it's been a while) takes a grittier look at Black Hollywood, especially blaxploitation films.

If you struggle with the intro, I'd suggest carrying on to see if the next chapters fit better. I don't love either the intro chapter or the final chapter, neither of which feels as present and natural as the rest of the book.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.