King of Dead Things by Nevin Holness

Welcome Back, Booklovers! King of Dead Things came on my radar with it's promises of Afro-Caribbean fantasy and a fresh fantasy from a Black British author. My love of reading stories about Black people from all over the diaspora and specifically seeing Black boys at the forefront of the story made this a must read for me. If you're interested keeping reading. 

King of Dead Things follows the Malcom and Eli, two Black teens navigating London's magical underbelly. Eli, has no memory of where he came from but he does have special magical skills which he uses to heal people and do odd jobs for his landlord, Pam who rents him a room above her West Indian takeout restaurant. Eli is tasked with retrieving the fang of Osebo, a weapon with magic draining capabilities. Malcolm has powers that can wake the dead and an infamous father who he can't seem to escape despite his absence. Eli and Malcolm's paths cross when bodies start turning up of people who've had the magic ripped out of them.

While the promise of Afro-Caribbean fantasy drew me in, I have to admit that it also made me a bit hesitant seeing it as a selling point. I'm just remembering past experience where I read books that made that promise yet failed to deliver. King of Dead Things did not disappoint when it came to highlighting not only Caribbean mythology but also traditions and superstitions like the nine nights featured here. People who've grown up in the culture will find themselves smiling at familiar sayings and attitudes from some of the characters.

Nevin Holness does a great job making the voices of both Eli and Malcom as well as side characters like Max, Sunny, and Pam distinct which kept my attention. She's also great at these vivid descriptions whether it be food or emotions that really have you immersed in the scenes every chapter. This is a character driven story and I was especially drawn to Malcolm and his relationship with his father. The first in a duology, the ending leaves you ready to know what will happen next. 

Out of Office by AH Cunningham

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I don't think I even checked the premise of Out of Office before I decided to read it. Truth be told A.H. Cunningham had me at Afro-Panamanian love interest. There's not a lot of traditionally published romance that highlights the multiculturalism of Black people so it's a treat when I discover one. I received a finished copy from Harlequin in exchange for an honest review. You can buy the book here. 

Genevieve is a woman who has a lot of pressure on her to succeed. She works for a major hospitality company and has been in Panama for the past few weeks helping open a new hotel chain. And now she's finally giving herself a vacation despite her mother's insistence on keeping her attention laser focused on the promotion she's up for. Adrian, the owner of a local transportation company invites her to spend some time at his family owned hostel and see where the chemistry between them goes and Gen decides to take a chance. But can their relationship survive once they're no longer in vacation mode?

This book explores what happens after the I love yous are exchanged and the couple has to learn to face the real world. I find most of the vacation romances I've read focus on the build up and then the declarations of love. Gen has great intentions. She wants to build her career to the highest it can go but she also wants to be able to build up her community. While Adrian is more focused on having a work- life balance and spending as much time as possible with the family he has left. As Gen moves up in her career she's discovering she has less and less time to focus on the things she loves.

The conversations that the book has about career and finding the right balance were well done. I liked the realistic relationship between Gen and her mother who tries so hard to push her and in some ways lives through her. I appreciated that her mother isn't demonized despite her harsh demeanor. Instead it's acknowledged that her mother is on a different path and an explanation is given for why she is the way she is but ultimately it's up to Gen to decide if that path is the same one for her.

A little more was needed when it came to the development of Adrian. Unlike Gen who is going through a journey of learning to value her own needs, he has his life together. Even his one flaw of being a people pleaser is still a loveable trait because it fuels his dedication to making things easy for her and making the relationship work. It would've been nice to see him challenged as well. 

Another treat is the tidbits of Afro-Panamanian culture and history that are included in a way that doesn't feel like the author is trying to teach the reader. But instead that Adrian is trying to Gen a little bit more about his community. 

Earth Day Book Recommendations

Welcome Back, Booklovers! Earth Day is right around the corner and I am all for talking about respecting the Earth from a young age. For Easter I gave all the young children in my family their own grow kits so they can try growing something of their own. I wanted to recommend some children's books that features kids caring about the Earth.

Zandi's Song

Zandi was always thinking and dreaming about the ocean. Then, one special day, the ocean calls for her. Zandi tentatively approaches the water—and that’s when her adventure begins! She soon finds herself transformed into a mermaid and on an unforgettable underwater journey, where she hears the song of the ocean.

But there is something threatening this magical world. Is the key to protecting it buried in stories from the past? Join Zandi in her mission to protect our beloved oceans, in this inspiring story written by South Africa’s first Black female free diving instructor.

Mermaid Kenzie: Protector of the Deeps

When Kenzie slips on her mermaid tail, she becomes Mermaid Kenzie, protector of the deeps. One day as Kenzie snorkels around a shipwreck, she discovers more plastic bags than fish. Grabbing her spear and mermaid net, she begins to clean up the water and the shore--inspiring other kids to help. 

Miguel’s Community Garden

Miguel is throwing a party at his community garden for all of his friends, and he needs help searching for sunflowers to complete the celebration. What do we know about sunflowers? They're tall with petals and leaves—and, hold on, is that a sunflower? No, that's an artichoke. Where, oh, where could those sunflowers be? Can you help Miguel find them in time for his party?

Jayden’s Impossible Garden 

Amidst all the buildings, people, and traffic in his neighborhood, Jayden sees nature everywhere: the squirrels scrounging, the cardinals calling, and the dandelions growing. But Mama doesn’t believe there’s nature in the city. So Jayden sets out to help Mama see what he sees. With the help of his friend Mr. Curtis, Jayden plants the seeds of a community garden and brings together his neighbors—and Mama—to show them the magic of nature in the middle of the city.

Rocket Says Clean Up!

Rocket, is off to the islands to visit her grandparents. Her family loves nothing better than to beach comb and surf together...but the beach is clogged with trash! When she finds a turtle tangled in a net, Rocket decides that something must be done! Like a mini Greta Thunberg, our young activist's enthusiasm brings everyone together...to clean up the beach and prevent plastics from spoiling nature. 

Earthbred: This Light Of Mine

We all have special ways of being, thinking, feeling and doing that help to make you, YOU!

Emi loves her special connection to the earth, but learns to hide her skills after being teased at school. Can she learn how to learn to let it go? Will she learn how to celebrate her own unique talents before it’s too late for her garden?

Sadiq and the Community Garden

On the way to the library, Sadiq and his family pass an empty lot in their neighborhood. It looks like it could use some attention. Sadiq and his brothers and sisters come up with ideas for what the lot could be. A playground? A skatepark? Then a science unit about plants at school gives Sadiq and Hooyo another idea--a community garden! But where to begin? And how to get people involved? It's up to Sadiq and his classmates to "dig in" and make the community garden a success!

As the Seas Rise: Nicole Hernández Hammer and the Fight for Climate Justice

This inspiring picture book biography introduces environmental scientist Nicole Hernández Hammer, who was recognized by former first lady Michelle Obama at the 2015 State of the Union Address for her efforts to partner with vulnerable communities threatened by climate change.

Nicole had seen many sides of nature,

but nature was changing.

The climate was changing.

Bigger storms were brewing,

and she wanted to know why.

As a baby, Nicole survived an earthquake in Guatemala. She grew up in Guatemala’s beautiful jungles. Throughout her life, Nicole witnessed the power and wonder of nature. But she soon realized nature was in trouble. Her own community in Florida was struggling. And everyone needed to become resilient.

Interview with Author Giselle Vriesen

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I read her debut Why We Play With Fire back in January and if you're looking for a YA about the children of gods and goddesses that has cool lore that pulls from cultures around the world I suggest checking it out. But keep reading to find out more about the author behind the book. 

How did you celebrate getting a book deal?

By telling everyone I knew! And popping open the bottle of champagne I bought four years before and was saving for when I got a literary agent—turns out I didn’t need one!

What was the inspiration for Why We Play with Fire?

I was inspired to write WWPWF after having a dream of the ending and the main premise, but different elements in it were inspired by different pieces of life/media. For example, the door in Malachite was inspired by the door in Howl’s Moving Castle, the ancestry of my main character Thea is based on my mother’s mix; and the journey Thea goes on (her emotional rite of passage into adulthood) was inspired by literal rite of passage I did when I was fifteen. 

Did you create a story bible?

I wish I could say I was organized enough that I have a traditional story bible (one sleek document with all of the book planning inside of it), but my version of this was actually a mash-up of google docs, notes app entries, and pages documents on my computer. 

This book includes illustrations, did you have input on what scenes were illustrated? 

I did! I was lucky enough to give a list of scenes in the book that I really wanted to see come to life and starred my top picks! Then the illustrator ShinYeon Moon truly came through on bringing those picks to life visually. 

What was the hardest part about the revisions process?

Knowing that no matter how much I edited there would always be something that could be better, could be improved. It can be really hard to switch out of revision mode into ‘letting it go’ mode. 

I understand that you participated in The Writer’s Roadmap. How was that helpful in your publication journey?

Being a part of the Writers Roadmap was incredible, from it I started a writers group of all black women writers who also took the course, and we still meet up to this day. I also learned invaluable lessons on story structure that have helped me finish high quality first-drafts. 

How do you know when a new idea needs to become a full story?    

When its possibility feels endless.

For me, a new idea needs to be a full story when I recognize pockets inside of it that can be expanded in to, when there's opportunity for growth and expansion. 

Sometimes ideas just want to be an idea, but sometimes they are more of a concept, and a concept is where you can fit all of your other loose idea’s inside of to create a full story.

What does success as an author look like to you?

It’s happening! Success as an author, for me, is people reading my book, asking questions about it, having opinions about it; and of course seeing the story exist outside of my head and knowing that it’s striking people in a positive way. That’s the dream, and it’s coming true. 

What other hobbies do you enjoy (outside of reading and writing)? 

My whole life is hobbies, I love to paint, sew, knit, and make dolls. I also play the guitar and sing. Then for exercise I hike. 

Do you have any upcoming projects you’re able to talk about?

In 2024 I will be opening up my online writing course Book Baby again which teaches fiction writing to new writers, providing an inclusive gentle space to expand into storytelling. 

You can stay up to date on this and any other offerings/projects through my Instagram @gisellevriesen.

Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana

Welcome Back, Booklovers! Lore of the Wilds has been a much buzzed about fantasy from the time the cover dropped last year. There's so few books in traditional publishing with Black Fae so that alone made me want to pick this up. I received a finished copy from Harper Voyager in exchange for an honest review. If you want to know my full thoughts on this book keep reading.

When tragedy strikes her village Lore, a human living in a world of fae surrenders herself and is taken to Wyndlin Castle, where she is instructed to organize books by dark fae Lord Syrelle in his library. Soon after Lore makes her escape with Asher, one of the fae guards in tow. A long the way they get help from his companions and she later bonds with another fae named Finn.

Lore of the Wilds starts off with promise although the very fast pacing at the onset is a challenge along with very choppy sentences and cliche ridden dialogue. The book then comes to a standstill with glacial pacing to incorporate cozy elements such as the library and many many market outings. I found myself confused about the direction the book was going in. Lore doesn't get much development as a character and what we're told about her backstory contradicts how she is presented. She also reads more like a young teen venturing on her own for the first time rather than a woman in her 20s who has been on her own surviving for quite some time. This was not helped by her acting like a giddy school girl experiencing her first crush around love interest Asher.

This is a book that would have benefited from more developmental edits as it's unclear what type of fantasy it's trying to be. There were modern elements better suited for urban fantasy that took me as a reader out of the enchanted forest setting multiple times. This included Lore's obsession with coffee, leggings, romantasy books, and curly hair creams. Despite describing itself as cozy Lore mentions humans are often captured to be concubines and forcibly breed hybrids by the fae but despite being capture this is never a real threat for Lore, herself. At one point well past the halfway mark of the book Lore realizes she knows absolutely nothing about her fae companion's magic and has yet to see a glimpse of it. The same can be said by readers who are told nothing about the magic of this world at this point. I was confused multiple times while reading as it breezed through some sections and languished in others.

Some of Lore of the Wild's sins could've been forgiven if the romance was better developed. Despite marketing itself as a romantasy and having two potential love interests neither relationship was particularly developed. She's also unable to incorporate them into the book at the same time. There's one spicy scene in the story but it feels unearned.