Review: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.

Now we rise.

Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy. 

Guys. I literally just finished this book. I read it in two days, and I have an actual headache. Talk about a book hangover. I apologize because there's no way that I'm going to be able to coherently verbalize my emotions and thoughts about this book.

If you couldn't tell, I loved this book. I bought it way back when, but I never got a chance to read it because of this darn book award committee that I was on. I run a chapter of the Forever Young Adult Book Club and this is Decembers pick and thank goodness for that.

The only way I can write this post is to make a list. So...
What I loved:

-The diversity. Clearly I'm always hoping to find diversity in my novels, but this book easily could have fallen into the tropes of color-ism (lighter skinned "good" guys and darker skinned "bad" guys) but it didn't happen. You could be good or evil no matter what shade of brown you were. Equal opportunity brownness!

-Despite the daunting size of the book, the pacing was on point. I don't recall any moments where the book dragged, I struggled to keep the names and places straight but that's probably more my brain than anything else. I found myself pushing through the book thinking "well where the heck can she possibly go from here??!!" Followed by "Oh snap! I guess that's where she goes, okay cool."

-Amari! Talk about a fascinating character. There are many books where a character transition from sky and timid to strong and badass, but a lot of the times by the end of the book you feel like you've read about two completely different characters. Their transition can required the reader to suspend too much of their disbelief. NOT THIS TIME FOLKS. Amari had darn good reasons to be afraid and it was understandable that she let that fear guide her, but there were constant bursts of strength and resilience, and what was also lovely to see, she was a great friend, a confidant. I loved the moments between her and Zel.

-There was just so much darn adventure and so many twists and turns. One day Zel stumbled over Amari, then they're the chosen ones (and not in a dumb way) and have to bring back magic, all the while Inan is chasing them, there are ships, a secrete camp, there are even more ships, it just goes and goes and goes. There are also weird large cat creates I guess. Dude I don't know but it was all awesome.

-Okay, let's talk about Inan without spoilers (but there might be small spoilers). A more troubling guy you'll never meet. First off, we never quite understand what happens to him at the temple. I can only assume we'll learn more in the next book. He makes this weird transition from a loyal Prince of the crown, to team Zel. That transition makes sense based off what happens in the temple, and what he learns from Zel about the struggles her people have faced. Then stuff happens at the camp, and he transitions again. As horrible as it sounds, I can understand his fear, I can understand his reasoning. From the beginning Inan has always been a weak character (although we love those heart throb moments) which may be easy to miss when you compare him to his sister Amari. But... it is what it is. Then we get to the end, and... I don't even know... I feel like the overall ending (like the entire book) I kind of predicted, but the end of the book with regards to Inan, I'm still not sure what to think... how to feel. TOMI ADEYEMI HELP ME OUT GIRLFRIEND!!

-Yall, there was so much destruction. I don't necessarily like that, but I think it took the book to a place of realism that some authors are afraid to go. Good people died. Innocent people died, and we readers weren't hidden from those details or from that heartbreak. It's a part of what made the book real.

What I need more of that I'm sure if going to be in the second book:
I struggled to understand the history of Zel's people and I'm sure that is mostly my brain struggling to adapt to the high fantasy that we readers were inundated with. I wish we could see more of the magic. I wish we could understand it more. That being said, I'm sure more of that is coming in the next book.


Guys, I apologize for all of my feelings, this post is a hot mess, but It's only been about 20 minutes since I've finished it so I'm struggling.

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Readers Advisory: Poetry and Short Stories

Surprise! Poetry. It's kind of forgotten in the world of YA and MG book suggestions except for when a teacher has assigned homework. I few years ago I went to a workshops on Conversational Read with a woman names Diane Frankenstein. She spoke about not only the importance of reading but the importance of the conversation that take place after reading. We librarians know all about that. If a kid wants to shout out all the yellow things they see in Bear Sees Colors, we let them, as long as things don't cross a line and destroy storytime. However, conversational read gets a bit murky as kids get older. We don't read bedtime stories to our 12 year old. What's to be done? Diane suggested poetry and short stories. They're short, sweet, and NEVER to the point which provides a lot of opportunities for conversation over dinner or in the car on the way to soccer practice.

I bestow to you lovely readers, after a LONG absence due to commitments to my book award committee, readers advisory for poetry and short story readers, and parents hoping to communicate with children through literature. 

I felt a lot of obligation to add this. TeeHeeHee

Where the sidewalk ends, Shel Silverstein's world begins. There you'll meet a boy who turns into a TV set and a girl who eats a whale. The Unicorn and the Bloath live there, and so does Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who will not take the garbage out. It is a place where you wash your shadow and plant diamond gardens, a place where shoes fly, sisters are auctioned off, and crocodiles go to the dentist.

Shel Silverstein's masterful collection of poems and drawings is one of Parent & Child magazine's 100 Greatest Books for Kids. School Library Journal said, "Silverstein has an excellent sense of rhythm and rhyme and a good ear for alliteration and assonance that make these poems a pleasure to read aloud."

The illustrations are so beautiful and so full of hope and life!

ncluded in Brightly.com's 2017 list of recommended diverse poetry picture books for kids. "Highly recommended for home and school libraries," commented Brightly's Charnaie Gordon. "Each melodic poem eloquently conveys the beauty of different skin tones and complexions. There are also themes of family, traditions, feelings, self-love, and acceptance echoed throughout this book."

We are color struck 

The way an artist strikes

His canvas with his brush of many hues

Look closely at these mirrors

these palettes of skin

Each color is rich

in its own right

Maybe it's the long, lazy days, or maybe it's the heat making everyone a little bit crazy. Whatever the reason, summer is the perfect time for love to bloom. Summer Days & Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories, written by twelve bestselling young adult writers and edited by the international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins, will have you dreaming of sunset strolls by the lake. So set out your beach chair and grab your sunglasses. You have twelve reasons this summer to soak up the sun and fall in love.

Featuring stories by Leigh Bardugo, Francesca Lia Block, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Brandy Colbert, Tim Federle, Lev Grossman, Nina LaCour, Stephanie Perkins, Veronica Roth, Jon Skovron, and Jennifer E. Smith.

In partnership with We Need Diverse Books, thirteen of the most recognizable, diverse authors come together in this remarkable YA anthology featuring ten short stories, a graphic short story, and a one-act play from Walter Dean Myers never before in-print.

Careful--you are holding fresh ink. And not hot-off-the-press, still-drying-in-your-hands ink. Instead, you are holding twelve stories with endings that are still being written--whose next chapters are up to you.

Because these stories are meant to be read. And shared.

Thirteen of the most accomplished YA authors deliver a label-defying anthology that includes ten short stories, a graphic novel, and a one-act play. This collection will inspire you to break conventions, bend the rules, and color outside the lines. All you need is fresh ink.

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Blog Hop: Book Characters at the Bar.

Book Blogger Hop

This blog hop is hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer.

Question:

"You meet an interesting person of the opposite sex at a club. Suddenly they start acting as if  they're a character in a novel you've read and they are firmly convinced thy ARE that character. First, which character is it, and second, how do you react."

My Answer:

Okay, I'm going to have to be real honest, I half want this to happen more than anything in the world, and half would lose my mind.
I think my character would be Kenji from the Shatter Me books. I love him so much. If I met a real human with Kenji's personality we'd have to get married. That being said, if I met someone who said they had magical powers like Kenji, we'd have a BIG BIG problem.

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Can't Wait Wednesday- Watch us Rise by Renee Watson and Ellen Hagan

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme (that will help me remember what to buy for my library) that's hosted by Wishful Endings. It's based off the weekly meme Waiting on Wednesday that was hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. 

Boy I can't wait to read 

Jasmine and Chelsea are sick of the way women are treated even at their progressive NYC high school, so they decide to start a Women's Rights Club. They post everything online—poems, essays, videos of Chelsea performing her poetry, and Jasmine's response to the racial macroaggressions she experiences—and soon they go viral. But with such positive support, the club is also targeted by online trolls. When things escalate, the principal shuts the club down. Jasmine and Chelsea will risk everything for their voices—and those of other young women—to be heard.

 

Publication Date: February 12, 2019

I'm a big Renee Watson fan! See my review of Piecing Me Together as proof. I've also been on the lookout for more middle grade novels and books for younger teens and I get a feeling I'm going to love this!

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Blog Hop: Taking Notes

Book Blogger Hop

This blog hop is hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer.

Question:

"Do you takes notes about the book you're reading as you read?"

My Answer:

Nope, even if I should. I Just finished up on a book committee that lasted a year and I didn't take one note even though it would have helped me if I had. I've also been slowly working on another project with a friend and they take notes on the book we're reading together and I just can't. I get too caught up, but I like it that way!

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Fresh Ink Edited by Lamar Giles

In partnership with We Need Diverse Books, thirteen of the most recognizable, diverse authors come together in this remarkable YA anthology featuring ten short stories, a graphic short story, and a one-act play from Walter Dean Myers never before in-print.

Careful--you are holding fresh ink. And not hot-off-the-press, still-drying-in-your-hands ink. Instead, you are holding twelve stories with endings that are still being written--whose next chapters are up to you.

Because these stories are meant to be read. And shared.

Thirteen of the most accomplished YA authors deliver a label-defying anthology that includes ten short stories, a graphic novel, and a one-act play. This collection will inspire you to break conventions, bend the rules, and color outside the lines. All you need is fresh ink.  

Having finally found the time to read this book, I was not disappointed. There were stories that showed the realities of gentrification, meet cutes within the LGBT community, unrequited love that's actually requited. Interracial relationships, super heroes, Black Lives Matter. This book has so much to offer and something for everyone. With such an amazing cast of contributors and great Editor I'm not even remotely surprised.

On a readers advisory note, Short stories are also a great way for parents and teens to read and discuss books together. I highly suggest it! I'd honestly like to get a copy of this for everyone in my Teen Advisory Board. Everyone will find something to love!

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Can't Wait Wednesday: I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme (that will help me remember what to buy for my library) that's hosted by Wishful Endings. It's based off the weekly meme Waiting on Wednesday that was hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. 

Boy I can't wait to read 

When Ben De Backer comes out to their parents as nonbinary, they're thrown out of their house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister, Hannah, and her husband, Thomas, whom Ben has never even met. Struggling with an anxiety disorder compounded by their parents' rejection, they come out only to Hannah, Thomas, and their therapist and try to keep a low profile in a new school.

But Ben's attempts to survive the last half of senior year unnoticed are thwarted when Nathan Allan, a funny and charismatic student, decides to take Ben under his wing. As Ben and Nathan's friendship grows, their feelings for each other begin to change, and what started as a disastrous turn of events looks like it might just be a chance to start a happier new life.

At turns heartbreaking and joyous, I Wish You All the Best is both a celebration of life, friendship, and love, and a shining example of hope in the face of adversity.

Publication Date: May 14, 2019

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Waiting on Wednesday: The Wicked King by Holly Black

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme (that will help me remember what to buy for my library) that's hosted by Wishful Endings. It's based off the weekly meme Waiting on Wednesday that was hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. 

Boy I can't wait to read 

You must be strong enough to strike and strike and strike again without tiring.

The first lesson is to make yourself strong.

After the jaw-dropping revelation that Oak is the heir to Faerie, Jude must keep her younger brother safe. To do so, she has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were easy to control. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her even as his fascination with her remains undiminished.

When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a Faerie world.

So fun fact, I really like Fantasy, but mostly Urban Fantasy because I already know half the rules. These high Fantasy novels have a habit of confusing me. THE CRUEL PRINCE DIDN'T.  If you're someone who's easily confused by the strange names of things in high fantasy, read The Cruel Prince then hit me up. Then we'll read this sequel together and LOVE IT. 

P.S. I know it's not diverse but... I don't care. I really want to read it!!

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I'M BACK AND READY TO READ!!!!

I think I've mentioned this from time to time, but for the last year I've been on a book award committee. Honestly I didn't count up how many books we read but it was somewhere in the realm of 80. I was so glad to be chosen but OMG it took up so much of my time. Every three months or so we got another list of books to read. Every list was a little longer than the last and while there were diverse books on the list, it's not like it was 50/50 so I tried to squeeze in some diverse reads for this blog but it wasn't easy.

That being said today was MY LAST MEETING!!!! I'm free!! I can read whatever I want and BOY do I have a list. I'm so overwhelmed with my freedom that I've only been able to watch Investigation Discovery all day. It's like I'm afraid of my books. But I promise I'll get over that like... tonight. So here are the books on my coffee table right now that I can't wait to start.

Tight: Lately, Bryan's been feeling it in all kinds of ways . . .

Bryan knows what's tight for him--reading comics, drawing superheroes, and hanging out with no drama. But drama is every day where he's from, and that gets him tight, wound up.

And now Bryan's friend Mike pressures him with ideas of fun that are crazy risky. At first, it's a rush following Mike, hopping turnstiles, subway surfing, and getting into all kinds of trouble. But Bryan never really feels right acting so wrong, and drama really isn't him. So which way will he go, especially when his dad tells him it's better to be hard and feared than liked?

But if there's one thing Bryan's gotten from his comic heroes, it's that he has power--to stand up for what he feels . . .

Torrey Maldonado delivers a fast-paced, insightful, dynamic story capturing urban community life. Readers will connect with Bryan's journey as he navigates a tough world with a heartfelt desire for a different life.

In partnership with We Need Diverse Books, thirteen of the most recognizable, diverse authors come together in this remarkable YA anthology featuring ten short stories, a graphic short story, and a one-act play from Walter Dean Myers never before in-print.

Careful--you are holding fresh ink. And not hot-off-the-press, still-drying-in-your-hands ink. Instead, you are holding twelve stories with endings that are still being written--whose next chapters are up to you.

Because these stories are meant to be read. And shared.

Thirteen of the most accomplished YA authors deliver a label-defying anthology that includes ten short stories, a graphic novel, and a one-act play. This collection will inspire you to break conventions, bend the rules, and color outside the lines. All you need is fresh ink.

Zuri Benitez has pride. Brooklyn pride, family pride, and pride in her Afro-Latino roots. But pride might not be enough to save her rapidly gentrifying neighborhood from becoming unrecognizable.

When the wealthy Darcy family moves in across the street, Zuri wants nothing to do with their two teenage sons, even as her older sister, Janae, starts to fall for the charming Ainsley. She especially can’t stand the judgmental and arrogant Darius. Yet as Zuri and Darius are forced to find common ground, their initial dislike shifts into an unexpected understanding.

But with four wild sisters pulling her in different directions, cute boy Warren vying for her attention, and college applications hovering on the horizon, Zuri fights to find her place in Bushwick’s changing landscape, or lose it all.

In a timely update of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, critically acclaimed author Ibi Zoboi skillfully balances cultural identity, class, and gentrification against the heady magic of first love in her vibrant reimagining of this beloved classic. 

They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.

Now we rise.

Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy.

These are at the top of my list. But I also just found like three books about pirates and mermaids sooooo... I'm going to be all over the place. I also just started watching Anime again. I have so much freedom!!! Anyway, reviews will return, Readers Advisory will return, and we'll get back to business as usual.

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