Love Spells Trouble by Nia Davenport

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I haven't been reading as much YA this year so It was very interesting to pick up a YA contemporary for the first time in awhile. I received Love Spells Trouble from Bloomsbury, keep reading for my review.

Cayden is a teen who lives a relatively normal life in Texas. She volunteers at an animal shelter and at her father's bakery. Lately business has been slow and other businesses in the area have been pushed out.  Cayden is also a witch but because her mother married a human they aren't attached to witch society which is fine by Caden. That is until one day she meets Khy Carter, who is basically royalty in Coven society. When being spotted together on a date leads to a flood of new patrons at her father's bakery, Cayden decides to fake date Khy to bring publicity to an event she and her cousin Mercedes are organizing.

The coven system is comparable to a magical version of sororities and fraternities that wield political power. Most of the conversation around them centers on classism. Magic is present but light here. Cayden is spunky and knows how to hold her own. Khy is a sweet guy and understanding guy who I would've loved to see a little more personality from but they do have an easy chemistry from the start. The magical aspect could've been explored more. While the witches are present readers are told little about their powers. The message about the importance of family and community is echoed throughout this book. A quick read, this is perfect for the fans of paranormal rom-coms rather than the fantasy romance crowd.

Squad Goals by Erika J. Kendrick

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I've been meaning to get to Squad Goals for some time now. And since I'm looking for more middle grade for my niece I've been reading different books to find books to suit her taste. Right now she's been leaning more into the horror, paranormal, spooky stuff but she also is a big sports kid. So I got 3 new library cards recently and one of my libraries alerted me that Squad Goals was ready to read so I jumped on it. If you're interested in it keep reading to hear my thoughts.

Magic Olive Pointdexter comes from a long line of cheerleaders and a father who was an NBA legend. So there's a lot of pressure on her to be a star. Cheerleading isn't something she's as passionate about as her sister, mother, and granny before her but she still wants to make the squad to make them proud. But in order to make the squad she has to go through cheer camp where only the best of the best end up making the final cut. Magic doesn't fit the stereotypical look of a cheerleader and there's some friction with one of the head cheerleaders when one of the football boys seems to be interested in her. She's going to have to work hard to get a position on the squad.

Squad Goals is the kind of middle grade I enjoy. It's the kind where they feel like real middle schoolers dealing with relatable middle school problems like mean girls and first crushes. Do most middle school cheerleading squads operate like larger competitive ones? Would Magic stand a chance without a dance or gymnastics background? No, probably not but I'm sure the middle grade readers won't have too much trouble suspending belief here. Author Erika J. Kendrick is a former cheerleader herself and I could tell by how that aspect was written.

I can't think of many middle grade books about girls in sports off the top of my head. And that pool becomes much smaller when I think about books with Black girls as the lead. This was the only one I could think of where I've seen a Black cheerleader portrayed on the cover. 

Some of the things dealt with in this book include not having the ideal body type, mean girls, new friends, and first crushes. Readers watch Magic develop and grow more confident in her abilities and start to fall in love with cheer. We also see her make new friends and deal with a fallout with her one long term bestie. The situations Magic and friends go through at cheer camp felt very realistic to middle school and the book was engaging. There's just enough drama and funny moments to keep readers engaged.

How to Be A Better Adult by Jacque Aye

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I'm sure we've all wished at one point there was a magical guide to being an adult especially when things get tough. I wasn't sure what to expect with How to Be a Better Adult but after following Jacque Aye I was intrigued and when she offered me a copy in exchange for review.

Hope Obiako is a young Nigerian American woman who is unsure of where she's headed in life. Her father sees her as someone who should be doing better. It feels like everyone else her age is successful in life while she's working at a job she hates. She's eager to prove her worth to the company and move up the corporate ladder. One day she receives what she thinks is a guidebook on adulthood that ends up taking her on a journey of discovery.

So this book reads like a manga which was a little bit of an adjustment for me at some parts. At some parts I found myself wishing it was one because I think the more outlandish parts like Hope jumping into the ring to literally fight "The Fear" would've been a better fit. But despite the light tone and sometimes absurd scenarios it does touch on some very real feelings surrounding dealing with depression. And it does so in a very relatable way that shows how it manifests in different ways and doesn't feel like therapist speak. I liked the friendship in this book and the spark of potential romance. I thought Hope's child of immigrants experience was very relatable.

Hope makes questionable decisions but at the same time there were moments in this story that reminded me of my own journey in the workplace. Anyone who has worked in an office environment with multiple people has come across a coworker like Alex who will do anything to get that promotion. There were a lot of funny moments sprinkled throughout.

Amari and the Great Game by BB Alston

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I adored Amari and the Night Brother's last year. It was such a fun and fresh entry in middle grade and I couldn't wait for the sequel.

Amari is back and after a year she's gotten more comfortable with her magical status. She's racked up plenty of followers but life as a magician is far from easy. There's still people who consider her and those like her to be Unwanteds. But this year is supposed to be better than the last with friend Jayden coming to camp and Elsie back at her side.

During a meeting of the Supernatural World Congress something goes awry and they end up trapped in a time freeze. Immediately people try to shift the blame to Amari  and other magicians. It doesn't help that around this same time Dylan makes his escape. Amari and friends try to track down who did it in an attempt to shift blame off the magicians.

The League of Magicians want Amari to be their queen but the young teen isn't ready to accept all that power. This triggers a series of challenges called The Great Game as they try to force her to step up and be a leader. It's a battle to the death with Amari against Dylan. Not only is she struggling to control her powers but she's struggling still with Dylan's betrayal from the summer prior. There's no way he can be completely bad. And there's Amari's struggle to stay good despite so many obstacles being thrown at her.

This one is a little more back to business than book 1. Amari is already pretty familiar with the magic world even though there's floors of the bureau she's still discovering. And even though she's not 100% sure of herself she has people to help her along the way. Maria does what she can to assist her in training, Elsie is by her side, and Jayden is there now. Surprisingly even Lara is there to pitch her an assist after the animosity last year. Readers will enjoy piecing together the clues to solve the mystery as well as the epic battles.

The Department of Half-Truths and Full Cover-Ups was hard at work all book trying to undermine Amari at every turn. Another cool addition was the knowledge that many famous people were secretly magicians from athletes to actresses. 

That final battle is so good and the cliffhanger at the end is the perfect set up for book 3. 

National Book Lover's Day Haul

Welcome Back, Booklovers! Today is a day to celebrate the readers and their favorite books. So I'm doing something a little different on here today and telling you about the books I recently hauled. And maybe you'll find some new ones to add to your TBR.

The Davenports

The Davenports are one of the few Black families of immense wealth and status in a changing United States, their fortune made through the entrepreneurship of William Davenport, a formerly enslaved man who founded the Davenport Carriage Company years ago. Now the Davenports live surrounded by servants, crystal chandeliers, and endless parties, finding their way and finding love—even where they’re not supposed to.

There is Olivia, the beautiful elder Davenport daughter, ready to do her duty by getting married . . . until she meets the charismatic civil rights leader Washington DeWight and sparks fly. The younger daughter, Helen, is more interested in fixing cars than falling in love—unless it’s with her sister’s suitor. Amy-Rose, the childhood friend turned maid to the Davenport sisters, dreams of opening her own business—and marrying the one man she could never be with, Olivia and Helen’s brother, John. But Olivia’s best friend, Ruby, also has her sights set on John Davenport, though she can’t seem to keep his interest . . . until family pressure has her scheming to win his heart, just as someone else wins hers.

Inspired by the real-life story of C.R. Patterson and his family, The Davenports is the tale of four determined and passionate young Black women discovering the courage to steer their own path in life—and love.

Zo and the Forest of Secrets

When Zo decides to run away from home, she isn’t scared – she knows the forest like the back of her hand, after all. But, as she journeys through the once-familiar landscape, she encounters terrifying creatures and a warped version of the mythology of the island. With a beast on her heels, and a mysterious abandoned facility at the heart of the forest drawing her in, can Zo unravel the secrets of the forest before she is lost in them forever?

The Lightcasters

Twelve-year-old Mia McKenna has grown up in the darkness. It’s all she’s ever known, and she finds comfort in it. Like nearly all the cities in the Kingdom of Lunis, her home of Nubis was plunged into a forever night years ago by the shadowy Reaper King—a figure now only known in nightmares, a cautionary tale warning children to stay safe inside the tall city walls.

But all that changes when a mysterious cult storms Nubis, capturing everyone with the ability to protect it—including her parents, the rest of the umbra tamers, and their mystical, powerful creatures made of shadow and starlight.

Now, Mia and her brother, Lucas, are the city’s only hope of survival, and Mia must learn to harness her umbra taming abilities to stand any chance of saving her city and rescuing her parents. If she can’t, she’ll lose her soul, and her family, to the Darkness forever.

Someone Had to Do It

Brandi Maxwell is living the dream as an intern at prestigious New York fashion house Simon Van Doren. Except “living the dream” looks more like scrubbing puke from couture dresses worn by hard-partying models and putting up with microaggressions from her white colleagues. Still, she can’t help but fangirl over Simon’s it-girl daughter, Taylor. Until one night, at a glamorous Van Doren party, when Brandi overhears something she shouldn’t have, and her fate becomes dangerously intertwined Taylor’s.

 

Model and influencer Taylor Van Doren has everything…and is this close to losing it all. Her fashion mogul father will donate her inheritance to charity if she fails her next drug test, and he’s about to marry someone nearly as young as Taylor, further threatening her stake in the family fortune. But Taylor deserves the money that’s rightfully hers. And she’ll go to any lengths to get it, even if that means sacrificing her famous father in the process.

 

All she needs is the perfect person to take the fall…

You So Black

Based on Theresa Wilson’s (a.k.a. Theresa tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D.’s) beautiful, viral spoken word poem of the same name, You So Black is a picture book celebration of the richness, the nuance, and the joy of Blackness.

Black is everywhere, and in everything, and in everyone—in the night sky and the fertile soil below. It’s in familial connections and invention, in hands lifted in praise and voices lifted in protest, and in hearts wide open and filled with love. Black is good.

Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I love mermaids! So when I saw the beautiful cover when it originally was revealed I knew I had to read this book.

Simidele is a Mami Wata who serves under the goddess Yemoja. Her job is to bring the souls of the deceased back to the great creator. She's only been one for a short time but already she's lost most of her human memories. She likes to visit land often to remember pieces of her old life even as she struggles to block out the trauma. One day she comes across a boy who was thrown overboard a ship. Unable to let him drown, she rescues him and nurses him bringing him back from the brink of death. She is informed by Yemoja that she has doomed them with her actions. To protect her Mami Wata family from death at the hands of the great creator, Olodumare she must embark on a journey with the boy she rescued. 

Sometimes you pick up a book that far exceeds your expectations. Before reading I didn't realize that Skin of the Sea is historical fantasy set in West Africa. And while the slave trade effects the main characters it is not the center of the story. There are no white characters taking over the narrative. Instead we see the beauty of West African from brown skin to braids and curls. We taste the flavorful cuisine and smell the spices. Beneath the hot sun and salty sea air we follow Simi and Kola on a thrilling journey to stop the power hungry Esu.

Little pieces of Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid are woven throughout. Simi cannot be with Kola or else she will turn to seafoam and when she's too long out of the water her feet pain her.

I love a book with a works cited page so I can do my own further reading. I could tell Natasha Bowen did a lot of research while writing this story. Now that being said, Yoruba isn't just mythology but a group of people, language, and religion. And things can get dicey with authors who were not raised within that culture using it as inspiration for their fantasy stories. While she uses real Yoruba names for her character names versus psuedo-African sounding names, she gets things wrong when it comes to the language. And while someone like me who is unfamiliar with the language did not notice it's important to respect the opinions of people who are Yoruba. I'm linking a review from a Yoruba reviewer who discusses the inclusion of language and portrayal of the orisas. 

I found the story evenly paced with lyrical writing and never a dull moment. I'm looking forward to book 2! 

Magic Dark Magic Divine by A.J. Locke

Welcome Back, Booklovers! All year I've been craving a fantasy series with a Black cast that has stakes but still is able to bring the whimsy. And I wanted it to be set in a world similar to ours instead of a fantasy world inspired by Africa. So I was excited when I heard of an NYC set urban fantasy romance releasing in the fall. Luckily I was able to get an advanced copy from Entangled Publishing for review. And so Magic Dark Magic Divine kicks of the Warrior of the Divine Sword series by A.J. Locke.

Penn was asleep for almost 300 years and the world has changed drastically since her heyday of the magic-era. Since magic seems to be long gone Penn has been keeping a low profile as a karate instructor. But just because magic is gone doesn't mean the world has completely forgotten about it. There's even a company that offers DNA testing to help connect your family tree through your ancestors that had magical abilities. Penn's friend Gideon runs a shop selling magic era inspired items. There are five classes of talent magic which include tamers, temporals, conjurers, diviners, and shapers. 

The story opens with them attending a magic-era inspired fair. At the fair Penn feels real magic and she can tell it's not her own. What was supposed to be a fake fire conjuring demonstration turns into a deadly real one. Penn uses her Shaper magic to fend off an attack from a creature who feeds off magic. Soon Penn discovers magic isn't long gone like she thought.

If that wasn't complicated enough Penn has to deal with growing feelings for one of her fellow karate instructors Callan.

I saw a review that said that magical creatures in this book gave them darker Pokémon for adults vibes and I agree. That's exactly how they felt! Ashe in her true form is this large foxlike doglike mix with two tails. There's really cool water creatures that are basically like floating coral beds and gazelle like creatures the size of an elephant with jewel toned eyes that are used for transport. A glossary of characters included makes it easy to keep creatures and other characters straight. 

I really enjoy a romantic element in my fantasy stories when it's done well. Sometimes it's hard to find that balance and I thought this book did a good job making me root for Penn and Callan by giving their relationship just enough focus but also making sure to never loose sight of the danger at hand. From their first encounter I felt like I had been following their relationship for awhile. So it didn't seem too fast to me to watch them progress from rivals to lovers over the course of a few days. 

Fast-paced and engaging with just the right amounts of showing and telling when necessary, I look forward to reading book 2 in this series and seeing how everything develops within this world. 

The Bones of Ruin by Sarah Raughley

 

Welcome Back, Booklovers! The Bones of Ruin was another book that I went in knowing little about because the cover completely sold me. Also hearing it is a historical fantasy definitely peaked my interest because historical fantasies have been some of my favorite books lately. And while lengthy fantasy stories intimidate me this one has short chapters.

Iris has no memories and she's not really trying to discover the truth. She's working as a tightrope walker in a traveling circus to make a living. Her grace and agility help her through these dangerous stunts but she also has a secret. She cannot truly die. It's something she's kept hidden for 10 years now. One day while performing in the streets before a big show in London, she sees a man she recognizes but she's not sure where she knows him from. This causes her slip and fall to what should be her death. The crowd saw her neck snap! But instead she's able to wake up and walk away seemingly unharmed. 

After boss discovers her secret and attempts to exploit her to pay off her debts she escapes from the circus and tracks down the man who made her fall. The man Adam knows her past but insists he must discover the truth on her own little by little. But he also wants her to help him find his father before the rest of the secret committee he's involved in realizes that his father is still alive.

Her ability to allude death makes her a target for everyone. She was getting kidnapped every few chapters it seemed. And while Iris is safe from death, the people around her are not. So in her quest to discover her past she has to reckon with how her team is putting their lives at risk to help her.

The Fantastic Freaks are like mutants with special powers who all have a connection to an explosion at a fair in South Kensington. Most of these freaks are also anomalies because of their race and ethnicity compared to the people of London. This allowed the opportunity to introduce characters that hailed from far corners of the world. It's not the main focus but the book does still show some of the discrimination Iris receives as a Black woman during that time period without naming the slurs she's called on page.

The harem didn't work for me. Iris has three men in love with her and in this story it just felt unnecessary. I understood Jinn had a connection with her as her partner in the circus so there was an unrequited love story going on there. But Adam was just in love with the idea of her. And Max I'm not sure what drew him to love her at first sight at all. I didn't feel the chemistry was even there between them to warrant his pining. It teetered into not like other girls territory. Also I would've loved for this story to dive deeper into the men's backgrounds so I could have a better connection to them.

People who are very visual when they read fantasies and are able to picture the setting in their heads like a movie will really enjoy the atmosphere that's built up in this. 

It was engaging and I was invested in the mystery but it moves at such a slow and steady pace that it's very easy to put this book down and not feel the immediate urgency to pick it back up. At some points in part 2 I felt like the story was coasting along and then something big would happen and I was engaged again. Once more about Iris' past was revealed I needed to know the outcome. Part 3 was where it all came together for me. I was actually able to enjoy the team dynamic and the humor in some moments despite the seriousness of the events taking place. I was hooked and started racing towards the end.  If you want a fantasy set in a different world than the norm that you can slow read then check this one out.

Redemptor by Jordan Ifueko

 

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I was lucky last year to have the opportunity to both read Raybearer early and interview author Jordan Ifueko. And it was one of the best fantasy reads of 2020 for me. So you don't understand how excited I was to get an early copy of the sequel from Abrams Kids. 

We revisit the world of Aritsar where Tarsai is working on creating her own council as she takes on her new role as Empress Redemptor. The beginning of the story starts off with a bang! I did not expect what happened so early on but it grabbed my attention. 

While Tarisai is determined to help the people and unite the realms, her council siblings are reluctant to see things her way. Some of them feel she's dramatically changed and should leave things the way they've always been. They feel she was selfish offering herself up to the Underworld without consulting them. Even Sanjeet has trouble understand her motivations though he tries to stand buy her and support her the best he can.

Tarisai is still grappling with her complicated relationship with the need to be loved. She still at times feel like that little girl who wanted her mother's attention. So when she tries to build her own council he has trouble connecting with potential council members because she must open herself up in a way she never has before. And she spends most of her time trying to bury her past and present a stronger more perfect image of herself. She has to learn that erasing the past won't change the future and that suppressing her memories isn't the best option. 

Throughout the story she's being taunted by the spirits of dead children called the Ojiji who keep telling her that's she's weak and must work harder. While doing this they also spill some truths that keep Tarisai doubting herself. Those parts did get a little repetitive for me but that didn't completely ruin enjoyment of this story. I wish Tar would've been more open with her council siblings about their visits. 

There are many new characters introduced but I would say the most notable for me were Woo In's sister Princess Min Ja and King Zuri. I did want to see some more of the old council though. They had their presence but because of new ways to avoid council sickness they were split between different realms. Ai Ling has a strong presence and helps Tarisai throughout providing her much needed support alongside Dayo. I also enjoyed her bond with Kirah. And of course I was still happy to see her complicated relationship with Sanjeet even though he wasn't on page as much as I would've liked. This story does delve a bit more into his asexuality and his feelings towards being a ruler and continuing the Kunleo line. 

While I enjoyed this and it's a solid end to the duology I didn't enjoy it as much as Raybearer. I felt like it spent a little too much time building towards Tarisai's trip to the Underworld which didn't happened until part V. So part IV and V were loaded the heavier action and shocking twists while most of part II and III ebbed along. Which made the story feel longer than it actually was. I find that a lot of epic fantasies struggle with the pacing in the middle of the story. This could've been corrected in this case with a little less emphasis on the need to complete the council and Tarisai feeling inadequate. I felt Raybearer was a little more evenly paced. However this still had some unexpected twists and is one of the stronger YA series I've read. Jordan Ifueko's descriptive writing continues to shine through allowing readers to experience a wide range of emotions while reading.

The Conductors by Nicole Glover

 

Welcome Back, Booklovers! We're kicking off March with a historical fantasy release. The Conductors is the first book in the Murder and Magic series. I've been reading more historical fiction lately and I'm really enjoy how it humanizes these people. Because often when we talk about Black people throughout history especially prior to The Civil Rights Movement we talk about them as if oppression was the only thing going on in their lives. 

It's important to note I listened to the audiobook which I received via Libro FM for this while reading alongside an advance copy that I was sent by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Nothing really changes between them outside of some grammar and sentence structures. While I usually don't like Bahni Turpin's narration I thought it flowed steadily here.

As the first book in the series we are introduced to a lot of characters. And like many fantasy stories you're thrown into the world rather than eased in. And there's so many different moving pieces to set up the series.

This story follows Henriette "Hetty" Rhodes who alongside her husband Benjamin "Benjy" have worked to help Black people escape slavery through the Underground Railroad. And even though the 13th Amendment has been passed and ratified by Congress for some that freedom exists solely on paper. The story opens with wanted ads for Negro runaways. As well as an ad for Hetty and Benjy who are wanted dead or alive for stealing slaves.

In this world some Black people do practice magic and previously were forced to wear collars to identify and restrain them. They are now permitted to use magic do so but with restrictions defined by the local authorities. But they can only use one type of magic and are not permitted to use the sorcery that white people use which includes magic wands and is considered a more powerful form of magic.

The particular brand of magic that Hetty and Benjy use is a celestial magic brought over from Africa and passed down through generations. It incorporates brew magic with herbs, songs, and sigils from constellations. Magic users often draw these sigils into the air, dirt, or other objects. Hetty sews them into her clothes as well as Benji's so they always have a reserve of magic ready.

This magic aided slaves on the plantation to aid in tasks such of picking crops or to making healing balms for wounds. You are reminded throughout that these people are not far removed from slavery with flashbacks to life on the plantation and how Hetty had to use her talent in sewing to survive. The transition to free life and how different people in the community fit in. We meet a character who is passing as white which meant cutting family ties and living in fear of being discovered. And some people did it to aid others in their communities while some did it to advance themselves only. 

There's a killer on the loose and unfortunately one of their close friends falls victim and because white folks don't care about Black lives they must take the investigation into their own hands. It's not talked about enough especially since our history books like to paint them as saints but white people in the Union also saw Black people as inferior.

Hetty and Benji as a couple have a very interesting dynamic because their marriage started off as a way to be easily partnered together without drawing suspicion and question of honor. And even though they've been together for a few years they're finally addressing their feelings towards each other.

At times the mysteries got lost in the other plots but I enjoyed this story and it kept me enthralled and I couldn't always keep up with the cast of characters. Hetty and Benjy had an easy chemistry and work well as a unit. And I think as this series progresses there will be a more seamless blend of the magical, mystery, and community aspects. And the ending left for some interesting new opportunities to arise for the duo. I look forward to reading The Undertakers later this year.

Also if you're someone who wants a quick guide of all major players in the story Nicole Glover has one available here.

The Year I Flew Away by Marie Arnold

 

Welcome Back, Booklovers!  It's Black History Month and there's so many great releases over the course of February and March. The Year I Flew Away is a middle grade novel by Marie Arnold that takes place in 80s Brooklyn and just what I needed after a rough read. 

Gabrielle is a 10 year old girl who gets the opportunity to move from Haiti to the US. It's what many kids in her village dream of. And though she'll be far from her parents she's excited all the same. She's heard so many great things about America from the streets being lined with coins and everyone having so much no one needs to pick them up. When she arrives in New York she's shocked and not just by the coldest weather she's ever experienced. Life outside of Haiti isn't as magical as she thought. She can't speak the language and the kids make fun of her. She also finds out money isn't as free flowing in America as she thought. Her aunt and uncle both work three jobs to provide for the family and it seems like the phone never stops ringing with calls to send money back home. And there are people who don't like her family just because they're themselves. If only she could be the perfect American girl.

Just wanting to fit in Gabrielle makes a deal with a witch for 3 wishes in exchange for giving up part of herself each time she makes the wish. And soon Gabrielle finds out the parts of her she looses are the very essence of what makes her. 

I think children in 3rd and 4th grade will enjoy this as it's easy to read and Gabrielle's narrative voice flows as if she is telling a friend a story.  It's a fast paced and easy to read story for them and the magic elements will help keep them engaged. I did wish the author would've used Gabrielle's special gift a little more as it has a big presence in the beginning of the story but not throughout. There's plenty of immigrant representation in this story not only from Haiti but other parts of the world. Being set in 1985 makes for fun pop culture references but this story just as easily could've been set in present day and nothing would change. Reading this in some ways took me back to navigating childhood as the daughter of immigrants. 

I received an advance reader copy from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group in exchange for an honest review.

Wings of Ebony by J Elle

 

Welcome Back Booklovers! Is it just me or has January been a really intense month? So keeping with the spirit of January I  decided to read Wings of Ebony by J Elle. You've probably been seeing this book all of your timelines and for good reason. It packs a punch! 

This story follows Rue who is still dealing with the fallout of her mother's death and being ripped from the Houston home she grew up in to live with the father she never met on a magical island, Ghizon. In Ghizon she stands out as a brown skinned girl amongst the gray skinned population. Despite her father's heritage she just doesn't feel like one of them. Rue escapes Ghizon with the help of her friend Bri. Rue's intention was to leave a gift for her sister, Tasha but all hell seems to break loose after she must save her from an accident. Ghizon has a strict rule about interaction with humans. While The Chancellor and The General are ready to hunt down Rue and Tasha there's also dangerous people in the neighborhood after them. During the time Rue has been gone violence in East Row has gotten worse and the streets are practically a war zone being ruled by a dangerous gang. She must embrace her true identity and powers to save those she loves.

This is a fast paced and action packed story. There's racial violence that is going to be triggering for some but sadly is real life for some people. J Elle doesn't shy away from the brutal details and since this is contemporary it's not easy to disconnect from the message she's sending.

Teen readers will enjoy Rue as a reluctant but strong hero who talks straight and goes hard for her family. And I know there are teens who will be able to relate to her voice in a way they may not be able to relate to other mainstream stories. They'll also recognize other familiar character types. One of Rue's neighbor's Ms. Leola is like everyone's grandmother always opening up her home and offering someone a plate to eat. Rue also has a complicated relationship with the father who abandoned her and her mother.

I already saw reviewers of a certain color saying they were underwhelmed by the world building and couldn't connect with the characters. It wasn't for you! Of course you're not going to identify with a teenage girl from the hood as a privileged white woman from the suburbs.  J Elle does turn the mirror in the direction of white people when it comes to checking your privilege.  We've already established racism is wrong and everyone knows that. If a white reader does pick it up they will see how Rue makes Bri own her privilege and cuts her pity party of white tears short. This isn't the story of the gray/pale people of Ghizon so it doesn't go into a lot of detail about their customs. Instead it tells the story of a neighborhood often negatively stereotyped because of evil people running drugs and inciting violence. It's the story of a tight knit community who look out for each other because no one else will. It's the story of people who often have pieces of their culture appropriated and resources stolen from them.

My only detractors would be the foundation set for a love triangle. I know teens will be teens but I hate love triangles in books. And Tasha got on my nerves a few times being in the mix when they were fighting for the neighborhood. 

The magic system is interesting and there's much room for it to grow and expand as the series continues. Ghizon is still a world we the readers and Rue know so little about but there's definitely hints at what's to come. 

Just South of Home by Karen Strong

 

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I wanted to keep the gothic vibes of October going because I'm just not ready to go fully into Christmas. May latest read is set during the hot Southern summer but it gives plenty of spookiness. There's something so satisfying sometimes about sitting back and reading a middle grade novel. 

In Just South of Home, Sarah is finally old enough to stay home by herself with her little brother Ellis during the day instead of spending the summer at her grandmother's house doing chores. However cousin Janie is threatening to ruin that when she joins the family for the summer while her mother runs to California for auditions. Janie is bored of their small Southern town and decides they should visit the remains of a church that was burned down by The Klan. The site is known for being cursed and everyone is warned not to take anything from the old church. Sticky-fingered Janie doesn't listen and ends up unleashing haints onto the town. 

I really enjoyed the small town aspect of it where everyone knew each other and the neighbors were looking out for them. I also enjoyed the tight knit Black family in this. While Mrs. Greene is strict, judgmental, uppity, and a little colorist; she's realistic. And it's interesting to see not only how the kids interact with her but how she acts in her element as a deaconess at the church.

I enjoyed seeing Sarah and Janie get to know each other more and form a real friendship. And I thought the way this story tackled their family history was very unique and interesting.  We may not always like to tackle the dark past of our country but it's important especially since so much mirrors events happening still to this day. Sarah is free to roam around her town feeling safe now but it's important to acknowledge that wasn't always the case for the Black people in her community. Mrs. Whitney, the town conjure woman goes out of her way to memorialize the victims of lynching even when other townspeople ostracize her. 

Sarah is also very interested in astrophysics and it's nice seeing her enthusiasm for learning even if it sometimes makes her the subject of bullying.  For anyone looking for positive representation of girl's interested in science this story has plenty. 

I would've loved having a book like this when I was younger because of the way it approaches these dark subjects without feeling like a history lesson and while making it interesting and readable for children. I've spoken before with some recent reviews about how sometimes the mere mention of slavery, Jim Crow, segregation, etc is enough to send some readers running in the opposite direction of a book. Sometimes it's just a matter of telling these stories in a different way we haven't seen before. 

Daughters of Jubiliation by Kara Lee Corthron

 

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I switched gears from romance back to fantasy to read this book which has intrigued me since I saw the cover months ago.  So I reached out to Simon Schuster for an advanced review copy.

Now some people might read the synopsis and see Jim Crow and be intimidated. White supremacy may be ever present but that doesn't mean there's an absence of Black joy. I love the refreshing approach to 60s South Carolina summer filled with summer love and family. Our main character Evalene speaks in a Southern dialect that flows naturally. 

Evvie is navigating first love and growing into her own as a woman all while trying to understand her ever growing magical abilities. Her mother sees their gift of jubilation as a curse on their bloodline but Evvie just wants to understand their powers. Evvie is at times impulsive and when it comes to protecting her family and friends she's ready to leap into action. But why does she have trouble using her powers of jube around her new boyfriend Clay? 

Her mother takes her to see her grandmother tell help her control her abilities. Now Grammie Atti is seen as the town crazy woman who is rumored to have killed her husband. Her sharp tongue holds nothing back and she's determined to whip her granddaughter into shape. She's strict but loving and supportive all the same.

I loved the uniqueness of the magic too. Who wouldn't try and use their magic to prevent pregnancy or speed up their period? Not that magic is 100% effective in either situation which is a lesson for Evvie to learn. As as her momma tells her jube can't keep the clap away.

I feel like when we talk about Black people in the 1960s images come to mind about us fighting for our rights during the Civil Rights Movement. But this wasn't just a time of marching. Black people were tearing up the music charts with Motown Records cranking out your favorite classics. And I love that those vibes could be included in this story as well. One of my favorite scenes was the Juneteenth cook out scene. 

Evvie has twin kid sisters who are bright lights and balance out the family dynamic. Typical little sisters they're annoying one minute and too cute the next. 

And she has dreams too. She loves reading and she loves watching the stars. Secretly she dreams of being an astronomer even though the thought she so far fetched. 

There is some darkness in this book which includes violence from white supremists, racist slurs, physical abuse, and sexual assault. Evvie is battling an old foe who has made a return and threatens to spoil her happiness. Though a survival story it never felt draining or completely hopeless. 

This was truly a beautiful book that felt like a book teens could read that wasn't actively trying just for the adult audience like many YA fantasies. And the dark realities in this story are written in a way that is easy to comprehend without being overly traumatizing. Evvie is relatable, unfortunately the struggles she and her family go through are familiar, and there's a persistent theme of hope. 

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

 

Welcome Back Booklovers!

Legendborn was a book I had been intrigued by since it was announced 2 yrs ago. I'm not the biggest fan of retellings but the King Arthur lore is something different I'm not as familiar with. And then after seeing that cover I just had to make sure I read it this year. I received an arc from Margaret K. McElderry Books in exchange for an honest review.

One thing that caught my attention right away while reading was the college setting. Now they weren't actual college students but apart of an early college program at UNC–Chapel Hill that allows high schoolers to take classes and live on campus. There aren't enough YA books taking place on college campuses so this was a much appreciated change from the norm. However I would've liked it even more if they were all at least 18/19 year olds and if the setting was used more. It mostly seemed like it was set on a campus to avoid parents having to be around. There wasn't enough of a balance with campus life.

Being set at a university also made it more realistic for the secret society that our main character Bree gets involved in. Bree has recently lost her mother in an accident but she's not so sure it was actually an accident. And her search for the truth leads her into this secret Authurian society. Bree enlists help from reluctant Legendborn Nick in piecing together the mystery. Legendborn are demon hunters descended from the original Knights of the Round Table. And never once did the writing shy away from acknowledging that these secret societies are notoriously white and filled with legacy members and overt racists. Bree is the only Black girl and people question how she was accepted as a page and if she belongs there. Some of their questioning is legitimate as she comes into this order having no training while others have been training their entire lives and she knows very little about their world to her detriment. But there's that underlying tone of why her when she's not one of us.

I wasn't expecting this book to also tackle rootwork going back to it being used during slave times. To me this aspect was the most interesting part of of the story. More and more fantasies are starting to feature this. This story worked best when it embraced African-American history and tradition.

I liked when it dove into the history of African Americans in the South including the monuments to racist white men. The nice thing about this story being set on a real campus is that you do learn quite a bit about UNC Chapel Hill. Bree is taken to the Unsung Founders Memorial by a woman who used to know her mother back in their college days. This monument consists of a black granite tabletop being uplifted by bronze figures representing the slaves that built the school from the ground up.

I wasn't that interested in the Arthurian magic system unfortunately. Bree pretty much pieced it together rather quickly with no initial shock. But at the same time things felt very vague. And I don't feel like I have a good grasp of how it works and what everyone's power are. Plus the minor characters in this story were all forgettable to me. I can't remember any of their names besides Alice and only because she was so annoying and a crappy friend. 

Romance is also a big part of this story and romance in fantasy can often be hit and miss. While I'm not the biggest fan of insta-love I do feel that Bree and Nick had nice enough chemistry together but I still didn't care about them as a couple. Also a love triangle was brewing and I'm not a fan of those. I'm also not a fan of the good guy vs bad boy dynamic which this played into heavily. And I felt that despite these boys being teens the writing was telling the adult readers it's okay to lust after them. Bree did not need two white love interests in this very white world she's in especially in the same circle. If there had to be a love triangle it would've been nice it one of the guys was not connected to the society. And how was Sel's aggressive behavior never once read by Bree as racism? Especially in The South? He actively wanted to kill her for most of the book! 

The pacing was initially very fast and after tackling a more lengthy and confusing high fantasy earlier this month it was nice to dive into something a little easier to understand. But at the same time the timeline really didn't make sense and a semester's worth of drama was packed into the timeframe of a couple of weeks. Rather than gradually learn about this society everything is jam packed and info dumped without being given a chance to process.

For a book that was advertised as Black Girl Magic there was very little in it. Bree felt like a token within her own world. Just as Bree's father was concerned about her meeting other Black people I also hope she makes some Black friends. Maybe she can join a Black group on campus. UNC Chapel Hill in real life has a huge Black Student Union and it's the largest student run organization on campus with a huge presence. It felt strange to me as someone who has gone to predominantly white schools that she never sought out a group of people who looked like her while facing all this racism. Especially since being in such a predominantly white world can mess with your emotions and bring out insecurities. 

If you're a big fan of contemporary YA fantasy specially the ones from the 2010s and want one with a non white leading lady I suggest you give this a read. It has a The Mortal Instruments and The Vampires Diaries feel.

Master of Poisons by Andrea Hairston

 

Welcome Back Booklovers, 

I've been reading more adult fantasy this year. And while I usually don't lean towards to 500+ page stories the cover intrigued me. Plus I hadn't heard anyone talking about it so that only peaked my interest more. This story is by accomplished author and playwright Andrea Hairston who is a new to me author. I wasn't really sure what I was getting myself into but it was a hell of a journey.  I received an arc from Tor Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

I do want to preface this by saying that if you don't like slow-burn fantasy then this book is not for you because book 1 reads very lengthy and even at times repetitive as it sets up the story that leads to the present day journey. Andrea Hairston is a very descriptive writer which means we got beautiful descriptions of the foods they feasted on and the lands they wandered. You could practically smell the brine, hear the gulls by the sea, and taste the nut butter and sweet mango slices. She uses very lyrical language to set up the atmosphere in which this story takes place. She does a great job setting up the atmosphere of the world they live in.

Djola is the male protagonist and he is the Master of Poisons who has been trying to use his wisdom to help the Arkhysian empire as the earth is dying. As right hand to Emperor Azizi he has been warning him since the poison deserts started to appear and urging him to practice conservation. However for years his pleas have fallen on deaf ears until farmland dries our and rivers disappear. Now at  this time the people claim it's too late to change their ways.

We follow Djola as he ends up being exiled and apart of a pirate crew as a healer while coping with being separated from his family. To save them and restore his position as the emperor's right hand he must find a cute. During his exile he is working to master Xhalan Xhala, a form of ancient Lahesh conjure which will help him purify the land.

It's actually an interesting way to touch upon climate change which affects us all however people were very quick to deny and ignore until it became more apparent. And the idea of personal responsibility when many have the what's done is done mindset. 

The other protagonist Awa is a young sprite from a poor family who is sold by her father to griots called The Green Elders. We follow her journey over the course of a few years as she creates a new family and comes into her own with her powers. As a character I thought she really became interesting when she was ripped from her new family and forced to survive. I found myself leaning more towards her narrative.

The Smokeland was an interesting take on the astral plain/realm often found in fantasy stories. I enjoyed the scenes when Djola and Awa connected with the Smokeland and the lines of reality sometimes got blurred. These scenes were even stronger when their paths finally crossed.

Another interesting thing is the usage of non binary characters in a way that feels very natural and not  thrown in for additional diversity. The queer relationships were something I thought she took great care with developing. 

If you are an experienced fantasy reader looking for an epic tale I think you will enjoy this. This is a vast world that you are dropped in and navigate your way through. The story truly started coming together for me after the 40% mark. I would love to listen to this one on audiobook as it's a fascinating world with very metaphor heavy writing and vivid descriptions. 

A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy

 

Welcome Back Booklovers,

I've read some really solid fantasy this year by Black authors that really immersed me into the world and made me feel. This was not one of those fantasies.This was one of the driest fantasies if not the driest fantasy I've read all year!

To start in the blurb this was described as inspired by North African culture? Where? No seriously, where? Because I barely saw West African influence and after reading books like A Song of Wraiths and Ruin this year which did a great job blending things from different worlds and showing the inspiration they took from North African culture this one just fell flat. I was expecting rich descriptions of food and festivals and traditions. This was just giving me generic fantasy world vibes throughout. Even the dancing scene early on just felt uninspired and wasn't giving me the tension and the chemistry I expected.

I wanted to care about these characters but I just didn't. The lead Evalina or Eva for short is destined to be queen but first she must fight her sister Isadore to the death per tradition. It sounds interesting doesn't it? We're subject to reminiscing many times about how things used to be better between Eva and her sister before they learned the truth about rival heirs. 

I felt like much of this story was full of info-dump and Eva's whining about not being able to control her magic and being compared to Queen Raina. I know teen princess and privileged means yes at times she's going to be whiny but I didn't find it very balanced. Nothing really stood out about Eva beyond her magick. She was just the good princess afraid of her magic because of the potential she had to ruin lives with it. She was so afraid of history repeating itself through her though she never actually studied the history to avoid those mistakes which is something pointed out to her. 

The most interesting thing was probably the different races that comprise this world which are humans, fey, bloodkin, and khimaer. Of the four only humans, bloodkin, and fey are allowed to live freely in the capital with each having their own sector.

I felt some slight colorism tones in the way they kept emphasizing how light the mother is and how light Isa and their beauty in comparison to Eva. And then the mother favors Isa who resembles her more looks and personality wise. On top of that I wanted more from the sister dynamics. Maybe it would've been better if this story was dual pov and we got to see why Isa treated her sister like trash earlier on.

I think the only reason I got through this instead of DNFing was because I listened to the audiobook alongside it even though the narration was dull.  The narrator was definitely not doing her best to sell this story. The big events just felt glossed over with little impact when I was expecting my world to be rocked. There seemed to be a lot of redundancy with the assassination attempts and then training and preparation for the name day ceremony. To be honest by the end I didn't give a damn about any of these characters. 

Why did she have more chemistry with her teacher Bacca than Aketo? And if you hate insta-love in these stories then watch out for the relationship between Eva and Aketo because one minute they were fighting the next they were in love. This was the worst shoe-horned romance I've come across in a long time. Where did they make the leap? Where was the build up? 

You might like this book if you are a fan of books about fae/fey. I'm actually surprised that Penguin Teen didn't market that aspect of this story more to that crowd. 

If you're looking for an African inspired fantasy that takes you on a magical journey I suggest reading my review of A Song of Wraiths and Ruins instead and pick up that book. Or read the newly released Raybearer. Both take you on a journey that keeps you enthralled.

Holding Myself Accountable: A September ARC TBR

 

Welcome Back, Booklovers!

It's about to be a very BLACK September. Your girl may have gone a tad bit overboard with the arc requesting and accepting for the September books. But best believe when I put my mind to something I do it. And I plan on reading and reviewing all of these books so get ready for a content heavy September. I'm reading Black books across the spectrum!  I've got YA Fantasy, YA Contemporary, Fantasy, Mystery, MG Horror, MG Contemporary, and MG Fantasy. 

Master of Poisons by Andrea Hairston

 

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn 

 

Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera

Hide and Seeker by Daka Hermon

 

And Now She's Gone by Rachel Howzell Hall

 

Maya and the Rising Dark by Rena Barron

 

 Everybody Looking by Candice Iloh

Ties that Tether by Jane Igharo

Mirage Series by Somaiya Daud

Welcome Back, Booklovers!

I decided to make this one a double feature as I that cover for Court of Lions appealed to me so much I just had to request an arc. So I ended up buying a used copy to read the duology in it's entirety. A story set in space in a Morrocan inspired setting sure sounded appealing. I ended up mainly listening to the audiobook version because the narrator was so good. She really made the words flow with ease throughout this very poetic style of storytelling. 

Mirage starts with Amani celebrating her coming of age when she is kidnapped, attacked, forced to undergo facial reconstruction surgery, and forced to impersonate the half Vathek Princess Maram who is well hated by her conquered people. The cruel Princess Maram has Amani trained to take her place at certain events as she fears attacks. Maram and Amani are very much like mirror images of each other coming from opposite backgrounds and having different personalities.

Since Amani is nothing like the cruel Princess she is easily detected by Maram's fiance Idris. And soon the line starts to blur between the role Amani is being forced to play and her actual reality. She starts to sympathize with Maram who she realizes has been cut off from knowing one side of her culture and is just as much a casualty of the long going war as the rest of them. She also observes the controlling people around Maram like Nadine who are power hungry themselves. She also starts to fall for Idris who she describes as both tragic and beautiful. 

It wasn't heavy on the sci-fi elements but that didn't bother me. At times I did forget that it was set on different planets. The author does a great job incorporating Moroccan culture throughout painting vivid pictures of clothes, architect, and food.

I thought it was a very well written introduction to this series and made me excited to read the Court of Lions. And that cover certainly helped draw me in. So when the opportunity to receive an arc from Flatiron books presented itself I leaped.But thought Court of Lions picked up right where Mirage left off the two books were like day and night. And I do wonder if listening to the audiobook would make a difference though I found that Court of Lions didn't have as much poetic flow as Mirage.

A lot of time is spent building a counsel of loyal people around Maram as she prepares for the throne while on the honeymoon tour for her and Idris. Everyone is ready to overthrow the Vath and Amani truly belies Maram is the key  to a new type of kingdom. She has this blind faith in Maram that she'll make this amazing queen that I couldn't quite get behind. Maram disassociates herself from her people and hides in the tower letting Amani impersonate her every time she needs to show her face. And she came across as so much more insecure and weak here. Where was the fiery princess from the previous book? Amani to me is the true leader who is taking charge and handling business. She negotiates with the rebels and helps build a team of people loyal to Miram as opposed to her father Mathias. She just doesn't have the royal blood like Maram. 

There were a lot more characters in this story too however I can't say most of the new additions were particularly interesting enough for me to remember their names. At times it was hard to keep track of the every growing cast of characters alongside the names of new planets and cities.

If you're a fan of the romance between Idris and Amani you will be enjoy those parts as it continues in this story as they are forced into each other's proximity during the honeymoon tour.  And they don't always see eye to eye when it comes to politics which creates some tension. Maram's love interest Aghraas just didn't capture my attention as I just didn't see the intense chemistry between them and the woman was so vague it was hard to see her as anything more than a device to further humanize Maram. 

Overall I'm rating this series a 3.5 for a strong start and an interesting premise that could've just delved in a little further for a truly enchanting fantasy.