blkbbyfem's reviews
75 reviews

Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates

challenging emotional informative

3.0

When We Were Birds, by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This book was SO GOOD. It was a little slow in the beginning as we were learning about both characters individually but about 80-90 pages in it really picks up. 

I didn’t really go into the book with expectations (I didn’t even know what it was about) but I’d have to say I’m impressed with Banwo’s debut. The characters felt alive and the dialogue of the characters made it feel more real. I like how the story mixed death with love. It was definitely not your typical trope-y romance but still gave me all the feels. The connection between Yejide & Darwin was so beautiful, instant and loved how they were able to lean on one another with such a difficult topic especially given their very different backgrounds. 

I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy, unconventional romance, Caribbean culture and those with questions about death. 

Sabrina & Corina, by Kali Fajardo-Anstine

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

Good collection of stories. The writing is good and the stories are mostly easily to follow. You will have to think about some of them and several stories seem to end abruptly. Fave stories include Sugar Babies, Ghost Sickness, Tomi, Remedies and Sisters.

The Hookup Plan, by Farrah Rochon

funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

The Many Dates of Indigo, by Amber D. Samuel

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

What Moves the Dead, by T. Kingfisher

dark funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Where it Rains in Colour, by Denise Crittendon

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

We Deserve Monuments, by Jas Hammonds

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Homophobia, and Gun violence

All Her Little Secrets, by Wanda M. Morris

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Good story even though it dragged a bit. It had a structure similar to Black Cake but back story was more predictable. I really liked the lesson the MC learned even though I didn’t like her until the end. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual violence, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Abortion, Death, and Death of parent

Hold You Down, by Tracy Brown, Tracy Brown

challenging dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Death of parent, and Violence