L.L. McKinney

L.L. McKinney is an American author of young adult fantasy and science fiction, known for her contemporary reimagining of classic tales. Her work notably includes the Nightmare-Verse series, which began with her 2018 debut novel "A Blade So Black," a modern retelling of Alice in Wonderland featuring a Black teenage protagonist. Before her writing career, McKinney studied video game design and worked as a greeting card writer for Hallmark. She has been actively publishing since 2018, with her Nightmare-Verse series expanding to include "A Dream So Dark" (2019) and "A Crown So Cursed" (2023). McKinney has also made significant contributions to discussions about diversity in publishing. In 2020, she created the PublishingPaidMe hashtag, which sparked important conversations about racial disparities in author advance payments within the publishing industry.

Readers appreciate McKinney's modern retellings of classic stories and her focus on Black female protagonists. The Nightmare-Verse series, particularly "A Blade So Black," receives praise for its action scenes and creative take on Alice in Wonderland. Readers note the strong world-building and diverse representation. Common criticisms include pacing issues, with some readers finding the plots slow to develop. Several reviews mention difficulty connecting with the main characters or following complex storylines. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - A Blade So Black: 3.7/5 (13,000+ ratings) - A Dream So Dark: 3.8/5 (2,000+ ratings) - A Crown So Cursed: 3.9/5 (400+ ratings) Amazon: Average 4.3/5 across titles Notable reader comments: "Fresh spin on classic stories with much-needed representation" "Action scenes keep you turning pages" "Takes too long to get going" "World-building can be confusing"

A Blade So Black - A modern retelling of Alice in Wonderland following an African American teen who battles nightmare creatures in a dark alternate realm while balancing her normal life in Atlanta.

A Dream So Dark - Alice continues her journey through Wonderland while confronting darker forces and deeper mysteries about her role as a Dreamwalker.

A Crown So Cursed - The concluding chapter of the Nightmare-Verse trilogy where Alice faces her ultimate battle against the forces threatening both Wonderland and her own world.

Tracy Deonn writes contemporary fantasy featuring Black teenage protagonists who navigate magical legacies tied to historical events and legends. Her Legendborn series combines Arthurian mythology with Southern Black history in ways that echo McKinney's approach to reimagining classic tales.

Jordan Ifueko crafts fantasy worlds inspired by West African mythology with complex female protagonists discovering their power. Her Raybearer series features intricate world-building and themes of identity that align with McKinney's storytelling focus.

Bethany C. Morrow creates speculative fiction that centers Black characters while examining social issues through supernatural lenses. Her work includes retellings and original stories that, like McKinney's, challenge traditional fantasy narratives.

Karen Strong writes stories combining supernatural elements with contemporary settings and Black protagonists. Her work deals with themes of family, heritage, and identity while incorporating elements of horror and magic similar to McKinney's approach.

Dhonielle Clayton develops fantasy narratives featuring diverse characters in richly detailed magical worlds. Her writing explores themes of power and identity while incorporating romance elements that complement McKinney's style of YA storytelling.