NetGalley ARC Educator 550974


The book is a picture of the life of women of color. Zani's life and struggles reflect the everyday experiences of women of color who daily navigate questions of self-worth and beauty while enduring the complexities of familial relationships that offer both support and subtle harm through humor that wounds as much as it entertains. As her journey unfolds, Oscar remains trapped in ice, a symbolic contrast to Zani’s fiery spirit. Her grandmother, Mable, emerges as a standout figure, witty, remarkable, and deeply nurturing, who not only keeps Zani and her boyfriend grounded but also commands the attention and respect of the entire neighborhood.

Zani embodies passion and intensity, while Oscar represents emotional restraint. Amidst these personal dynamics, the narrative also introduces a clandestine organization investigating a disturbing pattern of murders and suicides, and a mysterious figure driven by revenge, adding layers of intrigue and suspense to Zani’s story. I am looking forward to part three.

Loved this really wished I would have read the first book so I could have more context of the story but it was no longer available on NetGalley

Although I hadn’t read the first volume, Black Ice: Volume 2 was still an enjoyable read. That said, I’m not sure I’ll continue with the series. I wish there’d been a bit more depth in the scenes addressing colourism—everything felt a bit surface-level, which made it hard to connect with. It would have been great to see O’zani experience an awakening or confidence boost, but perhaps that’s coming in a future volume.

The standout character for me was the grandmother—despite her limited page time, she left a lasting impression.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I was attracted to this title by the cover because I was a huge fan of manga growing up and longed to see Black characters some day. I really liked the classic style of the drawing and seeing that rep on page, and it was really easy to read digitally as well as being beautiful.

As to the story, I felt the impact of coming in on the second volume. I didn't quite feel up to speed on everything and this contributed to the beginning feeling a little slow for me, I think.

There was a magical aspect and then there was Zani's day-to-day experiences with racism/colourism as a dark-skinned woman. I was interested to see where it was going and how it would all blend. I felt pretty bad for Zani. Her grandma and her boyfriend seemed to be likable characters also. I wanted to know more about these other entities. So I was rooting for Zani even though I didn't have the benefit of reading the first volume.

The ending made me want the next volume right away!

The art is solid. It's a beautifully stylized black and white manga and very pleasing to the eye.
The story at the beginning felt like a science fiction novel, but it developed into a story on racism and colorism,and it's effects on the main characters,particular O'zani ( who is darker skinned and struggles with her self-esteem)and her boyfriend ( who a
Is light skinned)
I'll definitely check out the next volume when it is published. I'm interested in seeing how these characters develop.
I received this arc via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I found the premise to be very interesting and builds upon the first volume. I don’t gravitate towards black and white panels but really love the artwork nonetheless. I found myself rooting for O’zani, an aspiring actress struggling to catch her big break. The story doesn’t shy away from shinning a light on colorism and its harmful effect. It leaves off on a cliff hanger that will have you wanting more.

When this book started it made it seem like it was about magic, but then whenever you actually got into the book, it started being about the problem of racism in our current society, and how it can affect people’s lives and careers. then suddenly it shifted back to a kind of magical aspect. There was a small part in the book that was kind of violent, but other than that, it was a really good book and I would read it again. I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for access to a digital ARC. My honest review is my own opinion.