artemishi's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
This is a short story collection, so rather than use the CAWPILE method to review, I'm breaking it down briefly by story. As you might've guessed by the title, the unifying theme of these is Black mythology. I'm woefully ignorant of most African myths and creatures (though after reading this, intrigued by several that were new to me), so I expect these were largely less impactful for me than they would be for someone familiar with the basis. That said, some of these stories don't rely on the reader recognizing the creature in the story- they stand on their own as stories of people among the forces of Fate.
Overall, it's a pretty solid mix, with four stories I'd rate as 5 stars, four I'd rate as 4 stars, and four I'd rate as 3 stars (and two duds, for me).
La Sirene by Lysz Flo
I'm not usually much for poetry, but this piece is powerful and heartbreaking. It seems to be a poem made for both reading and hearing aloud, and of course it put me in mind of Rivers Solomon's The Deep. 4/5
The Names We Take by S.O. Arogunmati
This is a favorite of mine. The tension is incredible, for a short story, and even though I didn't understand the specifics of what was happening, I was absolutely with the MC the entire time. The portrayal of a wise elder who can perform acts of magic as neither good nor evil, but endlessly loving and understanding (despite what magic she was performing) was a delight. And the center of this story is parental love, which is a lovely framework on which to hang a retelling. 5/5
The Feeding of Closed Mouths by Eden Royce
I love a good juxtaposition, and this is it- creepy in the extreme, yet also a testament to familial love (and what fear drives us toward). I wasn't at all familiar with the myth of a Boo Hag before this story but now I don't understand why it isn't a more represented creature. This was definitely up there among my favorites. 4/5
Paying Forward by Ernestine-Vera Kabushemeye Gahimbare
This is a well-written story, but it didn't have the emotional impact I really wanted it to. I'm assuming some of that is my lack of familiarity with African mythology- though by the midway point in the story you can see where things are tilting sideways for the MC. Still, my ignorance meant confusion over the major plot points. 3/5
The Visit by Tina Jenkins Bell
This felt like half a story. The writing itself could use some polish, but mainly I was left waiting for something to happen. 2/5
Searching for Duni by Tola Owolabi
This one is pretty rough, both as a story that didn't seem to be edited and as a concept. Frankly, it was all over the place, shallow (especially in comparison with most of the other pieces in this collection), and inconsistent in tone, pace, and action. It threw me so hard out of this book that it took an entire day for me to pick it back up again. 1/5
Abode by Jermane Cooper
This is one of my favorites. It's a reminder that beings of extraordinary power should be respected, perhaps feared, but that doesn't mean they're destructive forces (or not always destructive). That sometimes what saves you is a small act of kindness and hospitality, and that doing the right thing because it's the right thing (and because of love) is what brings true joy and peace. 5/5
Blackman's Flight in 4 Parts by Shingai Njeri Kagunda
This is another poem and it really plays with language in a clever way. I liked 3 of the 4 stanzas, but in total it's an impressive and original piece. 4/5
A Missile Against the Darkness by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu
This is another favorite of mine. The author balanced humor with horror so beautifully. And again, there wasn't 'forces of good and evil' but creatures that can grant the desires of men- placing the responsibility for creation and destruction of communities and lives where I personally feel they belong. There's irony in here in both tragic and comic elements, but subtly done. I would absolutely read another story of any length by this author. 5/5
Seeds of Sisters by Wesley Fox
This is an interesting re-imagining of colonialism's impact on African populations, boiled down to simplicity in the writing but still containing layers in the story. 3/5
Gogo Maroto by T.L. Huchu
A solid short story, centered around the concept of self-knowledge. It's got some interesting imagery and I feel like the whirlwind emotions of a teenager is well captured here. 3/5
Both Hands by Christopher Caldwell
This felt like it could've been 8x longer and more developed (and I might've been able to grasp all of it if it were). I didn't understand a large chunk of it but I wanted to. It's well-written and balances lyrical imagery with a sensual, realistic portrayal of vigil. 3/5
The Lotus Woman by Shingai Njeri Kagunda
My favorite of the poems, this struck a deep note in me as a woman and as a steward of the Earth. Whether you read it a the Lotus Woman being a metaphor for the divine feminine, or Africa herself, it's one of those passages that says a lot using only a little space. It makes me wish I could call up my English advisor (himself a poet) and discuss it with him. 5/5
Stars Born Blue by LP Kindred
The final poem of the collection, this is a lovely re-centering of the universe with the Mother of All being what we'd call the void of space. And of course, she's Black. It's something of an ode to the loneliness of motherhood, designed for abandonment, and an artistic representation of the Big Bang. 4/5
2treads's review
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
I love how the stories here move through Black myth, life, and magic; weaving tales that are so immersive and vivid they are real. These authors and poets have captured the essence that lives within Black culture and tradition, using our words to reflect the uniqueness and creativity that thrives in our communities and relationships.
What I found most satisfying about this anthology is that regardless of the time in which these stories were set, the cohesive thread of culture: ritual, practices, ways of being, tradition, and heritage were connecting pillars and that elevated my time spent in this collection.
What I found most satisfying about this anthology is that regardless of the time in which these stories were set, the cohesive thread of culture: ritual, practices, ways of being, tradition, and heritage were connecting pillars and that elevated my time spent in this collection.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
randi_jo's review
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A collection of short stories and poems by black authors who love speculative fiction/SFF! I found that the majority of these stories leaned closer to the modern/urban fantasy side, but I feel like each one was poignant and thematic. Some highlight the struggle between Africans beliefs and the spread of Christian ideals, others focus solely on the embrace (good or bad connotations) of the myth. The poetry chosen is beautiful - the last one likely the most powerful. Amongst the others I think my favorites were the poem 'Blackman's Flight in 4 Parts' and the story 'A Missile Against the Darkness'.
I'd recommend this to anyone who's interested in Afrofuturism and discovering new black authors. Each story and poem ends with an author biography, which I love, because it gives you a better idea about who they are and many have their twitter handles available if that's an avenue you like to use to keep up with authors.
Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy.
I'd recommend this to anyone who's interested in Afrofuturism and discovering new black authors. Each story and poem ends with an author biography, which I love, because it gives you a better idea about who they are and many have their twitter handles available if that's an avenue you like to use to keep up with authors.
Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy.
Content Warnings
Minor: Slavery
oliviagwynne's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
An amazing collection of work.
The stories have some great lines. Wish I had a physical copy for a) the gorgeous cover and b) to be able to highlight some of the killer lines.
I particularly enjoyed The feeding of closed mouths and Abode. Those were stories I found myself wishing were full novels so I could have more of the world and characters.
Mainly short stories. I expected more poetry but the last two poems were super power and a great way to finish off the collection.
Most of the stories had themes of love, death, rebirth. I found a lot of them ended with a combined feeling of despair and hope. A bittersweet mix but it made for a compelling read.
4.5 stars
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