Unpopular opinion coming your way:

If this were just a middle-grade superhero book, I'd probably be happy to recommend it to young readers. But the thing is, it's not. Shuri: A Black Panther Novel is, as the title clearly suggests, a middle-grade superhero book that's tied to a gigantic cinematic franchise (Marvel). And like it or not, that comes with certain expectations.

My biggest issue with this book is that it presented a version of Wakanda that I didn't recognize. I was baffled by the abrupt introduction of sexism and misogyny in Wakanda, a progressive Afro-futuristic civilization where women are revered warriors and queens hold real power. All of a sudden, only male royal figures are given statues and respect? Princesses are overlooked and dismissed? Only men can take the mantle of Black Panther? Pardon my Tagalog, pero saan ito nanggaling, ate girl?

In its quest to serve girl power vibes with Shuri at the forefront, this book does a disservice to the Wakanda that we know and love on screen. And it also reduces its central character into an unexceptional, cookie-cutter, not-like-other-girls heroine (loves STEM, hates dressing up and other "girly" things, can't relate to female peers her age). For more specific examples, this review does a great job at detailing them.

On a more nitpicky note, for an isolationist country, there sure are a lot of American references in the text. There's even a brief reference towards Shuri taking lessons on American history and culture - and I have to say, WHAT ARE THOSE? I can understand that, as a princess, she needs to be armed with world history to be able to navigate global politics. But why is there a heavy emphasis on American education? (I mean, I know why, and it's annoying.)

Overall, I'm very disappointed and frustrated. This book could've been so much more.

Not recommended.