Shelf Awareness--That Self-Same Metal

YA Review: That Self-Same Metal

That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams (Amulet, 352p., ages 12-up, 9781419758645)

Secret magical abilities, rebellious Fae, and Shakespearean England commingle in this imaginative YA novel featuring a strong, swashbuckling Black heroine fighting to keep the human world safe from murderous immortals.

Sixteen-year-old Joan Sands is the sword handler for Shakespeare's acting company, based in London and patronized by King James. Her future holds few options beyond marrying her father's inept apprentice and assisting in his shop. But Joan and her godfather are the "only living children of Ogun," the Orisha of iron, who gifted Joan her special talent with metal. When Baba Ben is imprisoned, he cannot renew the London peace pact Ogun helped mediate between His Majesty and the Fae. The responsibility falls to Joan. Worse, after she saves the son of the powerful Earl of Salisbury, he insists she kill Auberon, king of the Fae. As a Black woman, Joan has little power to refuse, but she hasn't been trained for any of this. Luckily, she can count on twin brother James and Shakespeare's entire company, both human and Fae. A couple of romantic crushes along the way ensure that Joan is one busy, magic-blessed teen.

That Self-Same Metal is a richly woven fantasy that takes place in an alternate 1605 London populated with bloodthirsty Fae, versions of which Shakespeare has "watered-down" to use as characters in his plays. Williams's leading lady, Joan, struggles convincingly to find her place amid the unfair gender and racial norms of her day. This story has all the elements necessary for a clever, entertaining, thoughtful read. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author.