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marisa_egg's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Some of the stories seemed a bit immature and needed more time as the resolutions seemed fast and improbable. This antholgoy was not what I was anticipating based on the introduction but overall I enjoyed the anthology and would recommend to a younger audience.
Favorites from this anthology were The Rules of the Land, A Hagiography of Starlight, and Melie.
Favorites from this anthology were The Rules of the Land, A Hagiography of Starlight, and Melie.
alexiswiththefreckles's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
doomluz's review against another edition
4.5
Loved most of the stories in this anthology, though most of these felt like they could be expanded. My favorites are "Melie", "Letting the Right One In", "Kiss the Sun", and "All the Time in the World".
readeatgamerepeat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This was a pretty interesting anthology - I think its an interesting collection of stories even if overall I am a little let down by the collection overall - that being said I am also not exactly the target audience for this book and I genuinely do think that the young black girls this book was written for will most likely really enjoy this collection.
<b> Average overall: 3.37 </b>
One note overall I have is that I first read the editors note (as I assume you should) but that gave me the impression that most of these stories would be about Black Joy and that *some* would feature sorrow and hardships - but I feel like all of the stories were more focused on the hardships so I went into it with a bit of the wrong expectations- that being said most of the stories do end on a hopeful note.
I think like many readers (based on reviews I saw) I generally liked the fantasy stories more than the more sci-fi leaning or paranormal stories, but overall they were mostly okay - even got a few new authors out of it I want to check out.
I just don't have thoughts for each stories but here are my ratings and (if they are there) thoughts on all of the stories:
<b> When Life Hands You A Lemon Fruitbomb by Amerie </b> 3.5 Stars
This is an interesting premise overall, I do kinda wish it ended a little differently.
<b> Gilded by Elizabeth Acevedo </b> 5 stars
Love Acevedo's writing style, love the story, love the subtle magic
<b> Wherein Abigail Fields Recalls Her First Death and, Subsequently, Her Best Life by Rebecca Roanhorse </b> 2.5 stars
I just couldn't get on with this one, I didn't like the writing style too much, while I liked some of the character interactions but it couldn't really hold my attention.
<b> The Rules of the Land by Alaya Dawn Johnson</b> 2.5 stars
I just didn't get it? same as the last one couldn't hold my attention unfortunately
<b> A Hagiography of Starlight by Somaiya Daud </b> 3 stars
<b> Melie by Justina Ireland </b> 5 stars
I've never read Justina Ireland before but based on this story alone that feels like a crime because this was wonderful and magical. I could read a whole series of books set in this world
<b>The Goddess Provides by L.L. McKinney</b> 4.5 stars
Again, not an author I'm familiar with but this was such an interesting fast paced complex story, I'd love to read more from this author!
<b>Hearts Turned to Ash by Dhonielle Clayton </b> 4 stars
<b> Letting the Right One In by Patrice Caldwell </b> 5 stars
Honestly loved this, I loved seeing this universal experience of really being into something nerdy and feeling a little isolated becuase of that and just finding someone who vibes with that thing too. I related a lot to this story specifically and I Think it might be tied with Melie for my favorite story of the collection. Wish there was more
<b> Tender-Headed by Danny Lore </b> 3.5 stars
<b>Kiss the Sun by Ibi Zoboi </b> 4 stars
the premise was so interesting, I thought the worldbuilding was also really interesting.
<b>The Actress by Danielle Page</b> 3 stars
<b>The Curse of Love by Ashley Woodfolk </b> 2.5 stars
<b>All the Time in the World by Charlotte Nicole Davis </b> 3.5 - 4 stars (maybe a 3.75 would be fairer?)
This was an interesting story about developing magical powers, I liked the main character although it being written in 2nd POV (so using you) was a little jarring.
<b>The Witch's Skin by Karen Strong </b> 3 stars
<b>Sequence by J. Marcelle Corrie </b> 2.5 - 3 stars
I liked the concept but unfortunately that's all I liked which is unfortunate because I feel like even in theory all the things in this story should be things I love, I just can't say why I didn't clearly?
<b> Average overall: 3.37 </b>
One note overall I have is that I first read the editors note (as I assume you should) but that gave me the impression that most of these stories would be about Black Joy and that *some* would feature sorrow and hardships - but I feel like all of the stories were more focused on the hardships so I went into it with a bit of the wrong expectations- that being said most of the stories do end on a hopeful note.
I think like many readers (based on reviews I saw) I generally liked the fantasy stories more than the more sci-fi leaning or paranormal stories, but overall they were mostly okay - even got a few new authors out of it I want to check out.
I just don't have thoughts for each stories but here are my ratings and (if they are there) thoughts on all of the stories:
<b> When Life Hands You A Lemon Fruitbomb by Amerie </b> 3.5 Stars
This is an interesting premise overall, I do kinda wish it ended a little differently.
<b> Gilded by Elizabeth Acevedo </b> 5 stars
Love Acevedo's writing style, love the story, love the subtle magic
<b> Wherein Abigail Fields Recalls Her First Death and, Subsequently, Her Best Life by Rebecca Roanhorse </b> 2.5 stars
I just couldn't get on with this one, I didn't like the writing style too much, while I liked some of the character interactions but it couldn't really hold my attention.
<b> The Rules of the Land by Alaya Dawn Johnson</b> 2.5 stars
I just didn't get it? same as the last one couldn't hold my attention unfortunately
<b> A Hagiography of Starlight by Somaiya Daud </b> 3 stars
<b> Melie by Justina Ireland </b> 5 stars
I've never read Justina Ireland before but based on this story alone that feels like a crime because this was wonderful and magical. I could read a whole series of books set in this world
<b>The Goddess Provides by L.L. McKinney</b> 4.5 stars
Again, not an author I'm familiar with but this was such an interesting fast paced complex story, I'd love to read more from this author!
<b>Hearts Turned to Ash by Dhonielle Clayton </b> 4 stars
<b> Letting the Right One In by Patrice Caldwell </b> 5 stars
Honestly loved this, I loved seeing this universal experience of really being into something nerdy and feeling a little isolated becuase of that and just finding someone who vibes with that thing too. I related a lot to this story specifically and I Think it might be tied with Melie for my favorite story of the collection. Wish there was more
<b> Tender-Headed by Danny Lore </b> 3.5 stars
<b>Kiss the Sun by Ibi Zoboi </b> 4 stars
the premise was so interesting, I thought the worldbuilding was also really interesting.
<b>The Actress by Danielle Page</b> 3 stars
<b>The Curse of Love by Ashley Woodfolk </b> 2.5 stars
<b>All the Time in the World by Charlotte Nicole Davis </b> 3.5 - 4 stars (maybe a 3.75 would be fairer?)
This was an interesting story about developing magical powers, I liked the main character although it being written in 2nd POV (so using you) was a little jarring.
<b>The Witch's Skin by Karen Strong </b> 3 stars
<b>Sequence by J. Marcelle Corrie </b> 2.5 - 3 stars
I liked the concept but unfortunately that's all I liked which is unfortunate because I feel like even in theory all the things in this story should be things I love, I just can't say why I didn't clearly?
shadeyc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Most of these are solid 3-3.5 stars (only a few misses), but I loved: Melie, The Witches Skin, Hearts Turned to Ash, and Letting the Right One In.
kays_reading_journal's review against another edition
The first few stories had a really strong start, but I started skipping some a little ways in as they just didn’t grab my attention. Then one of them mentioned HP and that was kinda the last straw. I get that this was published in 2020 but 🤷♀️
mo_likesto_read's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
wisteriamoon's review
5.0
4.75 stars! As a die-hard SFF fan, this book was just perfect for me. It was creative and captivating, heart-wrenching and hopeful. It was such a great medley of different ideas and perspectives. I just really enjoyed it, overall. It made me remember how much I loved fantasy and also made me more aware of real-life issues. I loved being introduced to new authors. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking to read more diversely and be taken on a magical journey across time, with dragons, aliens, mermaids and vampires, plus so much more. I think this is criminally underhyped, as many anthologies are.
wanderlustlover's review
4.0
Winter 2021 (December);
Bingo Board ~ Pick one: Read Brightly's list of Best YA Books of 2020
I loved this book so much. I fell deeply in love with these stories centered around young black women and the ways that they ended right as the big move into the quest began, because these stories about The Quest, they are about the spark and fanning of the flames of women realizing they can take those steps and head in different directions, to different lives, and different choices from so many different circumstances.
One of those bingo board books I'm going to be recommending to people forever.
Bingo Board ~ Pick one: Read Brightly's list of Best YA Books of 2020
I loved this book so much. I fell deeply in love with these stories centered around young black women and the ways that they ended right as the big move into the quest began, because these stories about The Quest, they are about the spark and fanning of the flames of women realizing they can take those steps and head in different directions, to different lives, and different choices from so many different circumstances.
One of those bingo board books I'm going to be recommending to people forever.