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bookish_afrolatina's reviews
368 reviews
Hathor and the Prince by J.J. McAvoy
dark
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was super entertaining, as the first two books were, but I was a little disappointed with the ending.
I was hoping it would cover Hathor having a public wedding with the Prince in front of the Ton who had spent so long talking shit.
I was hoping it would cover Hathor having a public wedding with the Prince in front of the Ton who had spent so long talking shit.
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was a really intriguing book! I watched the show first, just because I knew that it wouldn’t be as detailed as the novel. The show left me on a cliffhanger, so I decided not to wait for the next season. I needed answers!!
Anyway, I think that the story is really well done. I just found it confusing a few times because there were times when I thought the format was a little confusing. Mostly because I kept expecting the flashbacks to only be from Eleanor’s perspective as she was the one telling the story on the recording. So when it jumped to other characters whose stories she could not have known yet, I had to pause.
Aside from that, I was very wrapped up in this book. I’m actually kind of sad to leave Covey behind.
I definitely recommend y’all read this, especially the audiobook!
Anyway, I think that the story is really well done. I just found it confusing a few times because there were times when I thought the format was a little confusing. Mostly because I kept expecting the flashbacks to only be from Eleanor’s perspective as she was the one telling the story on the recording. So when it jumped to other characters whose stories she could not have known yet, I had to pause.
Aside from that, I was very wrapped up in this book. I’m actually kind of sad to leave Covey behind.
I definitely recommend y’all read this, especially the audiobook!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Biphobia, Misogyny, Racism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Rape
The Hundred Years' War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This was an incredibly personal and yet measured and succinct book on Palestinian struggles since 1917. I learned so much about the creation of Israel, the failings of past Palestinian freedom movements, and the current state of affairs.
Khalidi’s conclusion is powerful and offers ways to move towards peace.
Khalidi’s conclusion is powerful and offers ways to move towards peace.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Racism, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, Colonisation, and War
Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality by Eliot Schrefer
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
Super informative and funny! Schrefer also did a good job of arguing why it's important to understand the natural world and the implications that the diversity of animal sexuality have on our acceptance/understandings of human sexuality and morality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Lesbophobia
Minor Detail by Adania Shibli
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This short story is split between 1949 and the present but the parallels are haunting. Shibli handles the experiences with care despite how painful a lot of the content is. While the descriptions of the events on the page don’t seem emotionally charged, I couldn’t help but empathize with the women in part 1 and part 2. This book will sit with me for a long time.
If you don’t know much about the landscape of Palestine and Israel, i.e. the checkpoints, I highly recommend you read this.
If you don’t know much about the landscape of Palestine and Israel, i.e. the checkpoints, I highly recommend you read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual assault, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Rape
A Few Rules for Predicting the Future: An Essay by Octavia E. Butler
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Mind of My Mind by Octavia E. Butler
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Take the Lead by Alexis Daria
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
Sooooo I'm obsessed with this book now. Liza and Dorsey's tension was *delicious* and I was hooked after their second encounter. Nikki Payne had me laughing, grasping imaginary pearls, and fantasizing the entire time.
It cracks me up that I almost forgot this was a Pride and Prejudice retelling because of how racy it got. Nikki made the connections clear with clever name changes but the plot was super elaborate and relatable to present day. I love how she handled themes like grief, adoption, belonging, and complicated family dynamics on top of those already present in the original tale like class.
I can't wait to read Sex, Lies and Sensibility and anything else Nikki Payne writes!
It cracks me up that I almost forgot this was a Pride and Prejudice retelling because of how racy it got. Nikki made the connections clear with clever name changes but the plot was super elaborate and relatable to present day. I love how she handled themes like grief, adoption, belonging, and complicated family dynamics on top of those already present in the original tale like class.
I can't wait to read Sex, Lies and Sensibility and anything else Nikki Payne writes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Mango, Mambo, and Murder by Raquel V. Reyes
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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? No
4.0