That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams

That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams. Amulet Books, 2023. 9781419758645

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Historical Fantasy

What did you like about the book? Joan Sands works for the King’s Men, William Shakespeare’s acting company, where she maintains the stage blades for their performances. She uses her secret magic inherited by Ogun, the Orisha god of metal, to keep up the swords. Her whole family is Orisha-blessed, honing their power to monitor the Fae presence in England. Without them, the Fae would run amok, using humans as their playthings and dinner. So when her uncle disappears before he can renew a contract with King James (one that binds the most powerful Fae to their world), chaos invades Joan’s life. Dead bodies show up across London, more and more Fae infiltrate the royal court, and the devious Fae Auberon begins to play dangerous games. Blessed by Ogun and able to forge iron, the one material that can harm Fae, Joan must protect her family and the King’s Men from the growing supernatural menace and political machinations of London’s human and Fae worlds before both destroy everything in their paths. 

That Self-Same Metal is a swashbuckling and heroic story of a London girl trying to survive both Fae antics and England’s political nonsense. Setting a magical Black girl in Shakespearean time is both clever and imaginative; combining the African-based Orisha religion with Fae/faerie folklore, then setting both parallel to Shakespeare’s plays (specifically Midsummer’s Night’s Dream) creates an intriguing premise that combines literature, history, and world religion & belief in a tumultuous time while pointing out historical truths (like Black people being in England in the 1500s). Shakespeare’s character is fascinating as Williams depicts him as an unexpectedly supportive uncle who knows more about magic than one might have guessed. Joan is clever, brave, and daring, willing to fight against the onslaught of Fae to save her family, friends, and the country. The side characters are fantastic, from her supportive brother, family, lovers, and the King’s Men, to the villainous Auberon and the hateful Robert Cecil. Overall, an entertaining historical fantasy featuring creative characters and an imaginative setting/premise that’s fun and not bogged down by intense themes or despair. 

Anything you didn’t like about it? The plot can be a little loose, with many moving parts and not a clear goal until halfway through the story. Also, Joan falls in love with Rose, the second part of a polyamorous love triangle almost instantly and it’s hard to believe. 

To whom would you recommend this book? Teens who like historical fantasy, especially set in England, fae/faerie trouble, court drama, and Shakespeare seen in a fun light. Jackaby by William Rittner, Rust in the Root by Justina Ireland, and The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi.

Who should buy this book? High schools and public libraries.

Where would you shelve it? YA Fiction, YA History, or YA Fantasy

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Maybe, if you want some fun fantasy or historical fiction

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Laila Carter, Cheltenham Township Library System, Glenside, PA

Date of review: June 25, 2024