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yolandekleinn- — - — - — - — -
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
There are no monsters anymore, or so the children in the city of Lucille are taught. Jam and her best friend, Redemption, have grown up with this lesson all their life. But when Jam meets Pet, a creature made of horns and colors and claws, who emerges from one of her mother’s paintings and a drop of Jam’s blood, she must reconsider what she’s been told. Pet has come to hunt a monster—and the shadow of something grim lurks in Redemption’s house. Jam must fight not only to protect her best friend, but also uncover the truth, and the answer to the question—How do you save the world from monsters if no one will admit they exist?
Why you should read it: This book is difficult to describe, and distinctly painful, but also truly excellent. The notion of a world where bad things supposedly CAN'T HAPPEN, making it all but impossible to be heard when bad things happen anyway. Beautifully drawn characters take on what feels like the whole world, making a difference even though they're children who shouldn't have to shoulder the burden themselves. This book is wonderfully written.
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Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.
However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school's resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He's determined to find out what happened and tie off some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.
Why you should read it: I enjoyed the hell out of this book. Terrific characters, fascinating magic, beautiful writing. I really felt for Yadriel—his frustrations are so vivid and honest and wide open on the page—and watching him connect with Julian made my heart melt. I'm a sucker for stubborn, protective characters, and Cemetery Boys provides this trope in spades.
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Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, Nicola Yoon
Six critically acclaimed, bestselling, and award-winning authors bring the glowing warmth and electricity of Black teen love to this interlinked novel of charming, hilarious, and heartwarming stories that shine a bright light through the dark.
A summer heatwave blankets New York City in darkness. But as the city is thrown into confusion, a different kind of electricity sparks…
A first meeting.
Long-time friends.
Bitter exes.
And maybe the beginning of something new.
When the lights go out, people reveal hidden truths. Love blossoms, friendship transforms, and new possibilities take flight.
Why you should read it: This book felt more like a collection of short stories than a novel, but I very much enjoyed the way all the different threads nudged up against each other while remaining separate elements. The characters were wonderful, the city felt vividly real, and there was so much heart I had to pause sometimes just to take it all in. A lovely read.
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
There are no monsters anymore, or so the children in the city of Lucille are taught. Jam and her best friend, Redemption, have grown up with this lesson all their life. But when Jam meets Pet, a creature made of horns and colors and claws, who emerges from one of her mother’s paintings and a drop of Jam’s blood, she must reconsider what she’s been told. Pet has come to hunt a monster—and the shadow of something grim lurks in Redemption’s house. Jam must fight not only to protect her best friend, but also uncover the truth, and the answer to the question—How do you save the world from monsters if no one will admit they exist?
Why you should read it: This book is difficult to describe, and distinctly painful, but also truly excellent. The notion of a world where bad things supposedly CAN'T HAPPEN, making it all but impossible to be heard when bad things happen anyway. Beautifully drawn characters take on what feels like the whole world, making a difference even though they're children who shouldn't have to shoulder the burden themselves. This book is wonderfully written.
- — - — - — - — -
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.
However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school's resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He's determined to find out what happened and tie off some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.
Why you should read it: I enjoyed the hell out of this book. Terrific characters, fascinating magic, beautiful writing. I really felt for Yadriel—his frustrations are so vivid and honest and wide open on the page—and watching him connect with Julian made my heart melt. I'm a sucker for stubborn, protective characters, and Cemetery Boys provides this trope in spades.
- — - — - — - — -
Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, Nicola Yoon
Six critically acclaimed, bestselling, and award-winning authors bring the glowing warmth and electricity of Black teen love to this interlinked novel of charming, hilarious, and heartwarming stories that shine a bright light through the dark.
A summer heatwave blankets New York City in darkness. But as the city is thrown into confusion, a different kind of electricity sparks…
A first meeting.
Long-time friends.
Bitter exes.
And maybe the beginning of something new.
When the lights go out, people reveal hidden truths. Love blossoms, friendship transforms, and new possibilities take flight.
Why you should read it: This book felt more like a collection of short stories than a novel, but I very much enjoyed the way all the different threads nudged up against each other while remaining separate elements. The characters were wonderful, the city felt vividly real, and there was so much heart I had to pause sometimes just to take it all in. A lovely read.
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