This book tried to include trending things in fantasy from plot reveals to writing style that just didn't work. Kai being the only Black woman in thisThis book tried to include trending things in fantasy from plot reveals to writing style that just didn't work. Kai being the only Black woman in this very white European fantasy setting and using current AAVE phrases and references to memes didn't mesh well. The other world building didn't help as creatures and beings just came out of nowhere. There were far too many people to remember and they often came after action scenes which this book had an overabundance of.
The plot heavily relies on the fact that Kai doesn't remember who she is but her lack of memories have done nothing to her sass factor. The romance is lust at first sight and large portions of the book are dedicated to flirting. There was an overabundance of sword jokes here between Kai and Jadon and it felt very high school in the 2000s coded. There were way too many scenes where the characters got near to sex and then were interrupted and those scenes were all over the book. It was supposed to be a way to build tension to have readers excited for the time they were finally together but then that happened offscreen and was mentioned in passing. So frustrating!
It's actually very hard to remember the events of this book because nothing ever gave a sense of urgency or importance. I really didn't understand why Kai who had no memories felt this strong need to protect this world when her interactions in Maford were awful. People were really nasty to her. I also didn't love her having to team up with the woman who stole from her on page one and it never made sense to trust her or her brother. Reveals just didn't hold the narrative weight they should have and the ending wasn't satisfying. There's really no need for me to continue this trilogy....more
An even-paced YA fantasy that really feels like it's for the teen reader, has some twists and turns in it but is still accessible for the the beginnerAn even-paced YA fantasy that really feels like it's for the teen reader, has some twists and turns in it but is still accessible for the the beginner fantasy reader. It follows a young woman who has been confined to servitude after her sister lied on her and a magical map may be her key to escape.
I really enjoyed stepping into the world of Magic Dark, Magic Divine. I had been searching for a fantasy series with a Black cast that was set in the I really enjoyed stepping into the world of Magic Dark, Magic Divine. I had been searching for a fantasy series with a Black cast that was set in the contemporary world vs an alternate African inspired one.
Shaper warrior Penn is still adapting to the modern world after having been asleep for 300 years. Even though people no longer have magic the magical era wasn't forgotten and people can even test and see if they had magical ancestors. She's been keeping her identity a secret even from her friends while working as a karate instructor. Magic is slow reemerging in this world and Penn is discovering secrets about herself and her close friends. This is a fast-paced and fun story with an interesting magic system that wasn't too hard to follow along with. I also enjoyed the romance. I could read a whole book about Penn and Callan bantering. I also loved that everyone in the story was Black and felt like Black characters without emphasis being placed on white people.
ARC provided by Entangled Publishing for an honest review.
I really enjoyed novellas like The Black God's Drums and Ring Shout from P Djeli Clark but his subsequent releases have been very hard for me to get iI really enjoyed novellas like The Black God's Drums and Ring Shout from P Djeli Clark but his subsequent releases have been very hard for me to get into. The premise of this story is fabulous but I felt like the chapters were too lengthy. And it feels like I was dropped in the middle of a book rather than starting from the beginning so while the dialogue and certain scenes were fascinating it didn't fully come together for me....more
A lot of sex was had with some very creative euphemisms (some that made me burst out laughing) and a lot of visuals for fluids being shared. I think HA lot of sex was had with some very creative euphemisms (some that made me burst out laughing) and a lot of visuals for fluids being shared. I think Harlequin did this book an injustice marketing it as a romantasy or even a romance. I would describe it as a multi timeline erotic fantasy with some ancient Chinese mythos sprinkled in. It personally wasn't for me however I do have a few gay friends I want to recommend it to who will probably feel seen. These characters are messy and kind of toxic and since they're heavy in the party scene in the present day timeline there's a lot of hookups and drug usage. And that part was kind of fascinating especially as someone who has not experienced that. It's was the past timeline which had me feeling lost and had a lot of questionable hookups in what felt like every chapter. I also think it could've been a tad bit shorter....more
The Nightward has a large cast of characters that it shifts the focus among and I preferred Luka and Viella's journey the most. Sometimes it was confu
The Nightward has a large cast of characters that it shifts the focus among and I preferred Luka and Viella's journey the most. Sometimes it was confusing for me to remember who was doing what when it came to the others. ...more
The Secret Library follows Dally, a biracial 11 year old girl who lives with her white single mother. Dally's grandfather has recently passed and her The Secret Library follows Dally, a biracial 11 year old girl who lives with her white single mother. Dally's grandfather has recently passed and her mother's main focus is grooming her to one day take over the family business. Dally decides to open a letter from her grandfather that she was instructed not to open until age 21 and discovers the instructions to a library hidden in an old Black neighborhood. The library has volumes upon volumes of books specific to individuals and their family histories which including everything from miscellaneous events to well kept family secrets. Through these books Dally is able to time travel back to the time period they're dated and follow her family history.
I understood what the author was trying to do here but it felt disjointed. She has too many ideas for this book and I think it would've flowed better if it had been a series of chapter books rather than one book. I'm also not sure if the 8-12 audience will be fully invested in this unless they're history buffs. The type of storyline she explores here is one I'm used to seeing in adult fantasies where readers already have some historical background and are able to understand and reflect on the stories better. Though she tried to explain some of the concepts Dally does not sound like an 11 year old girl. And she acts more as an avatar for the readers to look into her adult ancestors stories rather than leading her own.
The ending also didn't resolve the initial storyline between her and her mother in a meaningful way.
The Haunting Season may be over but between dodging hexeaters, uncovering new secrets, and reaping souls there's no dull moments.
Full review below httpThe Haunting Season may be over but between dodging hexeaters, uncovering new secrets, and reaping souls there's no dull moments.
I borrowed this one from the library so I ended up reading it before I read book 2. For the most part it stands alone however there is a plot thread tI borrowed this one from the library so I ended up reading it before I read book 2. For the most part it stands alone however there is a plot thread that carries over from book 2. In this one the class takes a field trip to the research center and while on a boat they spy a strange creature in the water. They're not sure if it's a seal or a siren as strange things start happening.
I enjoy that this series mixes folklore with science. The children use the scientific method to argue their points for why it could or couldn't be a mythological creature wreaking havoc around town. Rokshar usually has a scientific explanation for everything. I also like the way the journal notes are formatted at the end and how there are visuals of their notes throughout the story. It gives children the opportunity to follow along in the mystery....more
I first read this when it was on Kindel Vella and it had me hooked. It's a fast-paced and sexy read with some elemental sex magic.I first read this when it was on Kindel Vella and it had me hooked. It's a fast-paced and sexy read with some elemental sex magic....more
Zo is a young Trinidadian girl who has recently moved from Port of Spain to Samaan Bay with her mother, stepfather, and baby brother. She misses the bZo is a young Trinidadian girl who has recently moved from Port of Spain to Samaan Bay with her mother, stepfather, and baby brother. She misses the big city and more importantly she misses when her parents were together. So she decides to run away as a part of a ploy to have her dad who is away on business return to the island to search for her. Her hope is that her parents reunite. But as Zo gets deeper into the forest she discovers things aren't as they appear. She meets a lost boy named Adri and they find themselves on the run from strange creatures.
This story reminded me a little bit of Hatchet mostly because of the surviving the forest alone aspect and having divorced parents. Though unlike in Hachet, Zo already has the survival skills she needs because of her Da. Using information she learned previously about the landscape, Zo alongside Adri attempts to find her way out of the forest. The forest is a character of itself, with vivid descriptions.
Alake Pilgrim's love language must be food like mine and all of it made my mouth water. While she touches on popular local dishes, she also teaches readers about the vegetation within the forest. And she has an important discussion on human impact on the forest with the looming enemies from "The Zoo" present throughout.
This story also addresses the issue of blending families with ease. Zo has experience a lot of change that she's struggling to cope with but she starts to understand that her mother's happiness also matters. And she slowly comes to realize her stepfather does want what's best for her.
Zo and the Forest of Secrets uniquely blends science, fantasy, and Caribbean mythology for an action packed adventure tale that will have you anticipating book 2.
So I've read some of Olivia Stephen's past work so when I saw The Tiger's Tongue at a comic book store on sale I knew I had to get it.
I wasn't reallySo I've read some of Olivia Stephen's past work so when I saw The Tiger's Tongue at a comic book store on sale I knew I had to get it.
I wasn't really interested in the story in issue 1. It read like the typical sister vs sister battle of the kingdom story set against an Africanesque backdrop. The art style is very nice and I enjoyed it. It did take me until issue 2 though to become invested. This ended up going in a different direction then I initially thought and I ended up enjoying that ending. I just wish this had been a little bit longer....more
It started out interesting and January LaVoy's narration was great as always but I just didn't connect much to this story. There was a lot of plot thaIt started out interesting and January LaVoy's narration was great as always but I just didn't connect much to this story. There was a lot of plot that never really came together for me and the relationships between the characters felt hollow. This could've been a fun fantasy noire story but it lost me in the middle and never reeled me back in....more
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