This was really great. I like that it's not one size fits all with root magic. And not a story moralizing good vs evil. I wasn't expecting it to be set in the 60s. I admit I didn't read the synopsis recently. I loved these kids and watching them do kid things even with everything going on around them made me want to protect them. Jez and Jay. I wasn't expecting to identify with their sibling dynamics. Picking fights because you know you're getting older and may not be as close anymore was super relatable. Even now I'm almost 40. There are themes of violent racism in here but I like that they don't take over the plot. Black people living their lives. It's not all segregation and whippings and slurs. And the root work. Loved it. I don't know that I could call myself a rootworker but this is a great example of it in fiction. There were some fantastical elements but nothing too fancy. Most of what's here is realistic. Quite honestly I could've been reading this child's diary for how realistic and full this world building was. Younger me is happy.