Sabrina
It was so amazing to read Shadow Speaker after reading so many other books in the Nnediverse and to see the threads of connection amongst them all. There were so many references to legends and creatures that existed in the other stories and that truly attests to Nnedi Okorafor's talent as a storyteller! Shadow Speaker is about a girl who finds her strength and voice despite coming from a past where she was expected to dim her light for others.She defies what is expected of her and convinces others there are more than just two solutions to any problem. I think that is where the Nnediverse truly shines because the heroes in these stories never relent to what should be, they find and create their own path forward. All this to say, this book is magical and bold and entices you to face your destiny despite the warnings and nay sayers.
I had a fun time reading this graphic novel and really enjoyed the way we existed in two worlds throughout the story! The author illustrates this group of friends' DnD campaign as if it was really happening, but provides the real life context for the complex and intertwined relationships between all of the characters. This book celebrates various gender identities and queer relationships while also highlighting all of the cool aspects of playing DnD. Would recommend this if you have an ongoing campaign with old friends, love fantasy adventures, or if you want to explore the complexities of friendships and friend group dynamics!
This was a cool story of a young person searching for a foothold in their cultural identity. Part travelogue, part personal reflection, I appreciated this look into the authors experience in Japan and in 90s/00s Bay Area as they navigated another language, family, and relationships. Funny and honest.
I absolutely adored this manga so much! I received and arc copy of this, and as soon as I knew it was out in stores I ran to buy it. It's extremely heart warming and funny. I'm totally invested in this softboi Yakuza protagonist a-la Way of the Househusband, and I cannot wait until the next volume is published. Recommended if you love KPop/JPop, Yakuza bad boys, or a hilariously touching story!
I enjoyed this volume better than the first one! I love the characters; they're all hot, smart, and charming. And the world is super compelling. This volume sets us up for some great action and possibly revolution in volume three! Highly recommend this series if you like Lesbian Space Operas (see The All-Consuming World)~
Ooh I am invested! Set in the far future where society has reverted to systems of the past, NeoForest tells of a feudal world corrupted once again by greed and commercial output. This feudal landscape is juxtaposed with a sprawling forest filled with mini robots, unicorns, and killer orchids which happens to be the center of the action. Betrayal is afoot but who will reach the heiress first? The rebel tracker game warden set to save her? Or the shadowy group enacting a coup? Or perhaps something else entirely?
The art and world are top tier, and I look forward to reading more of this series. Thanks NetGalley and Europe Comics for the opportunity to read this book!
Wow!!! Completely and utterly blown away by this beautiful, intelligent, revolutionary book!! My knowledge of DC fandom is minimal, but Jemisin and Campbell created this world so excellently that there is little need for background knowledge. I'm sure those who are well versed in Green Lantern lore benefitted from it, but as someone newer to DC I didn't feel locked out. Jemisin tackles fascism, humanity, empires, and justice in such a succinct and interesting way. I need moreeeee! Excellent quotes from Black creatives and revolutionaries are added to each chapter, and there are visually stunning recaps with re-imagined pop culture moments that just add a cherry on top of the whole experience. Thank you for this boook! I wish I had more words to explain how great this was, but I'll leave you with “READ THIS RIGHT NOW!!!!!!”
CW: police brutality, murder, slavery, racism.
I found this book at the library shortly after finishing “For Colored Girls.” The title and the bright yellow of the spine called out to me even though the book happened to be on the very bottom shelf. I recognized the authors name and after being so engrossed in her play/poetry, I knew I had to check this book out too. Excellent, informative, personal, and diasporic memoir/cookbook. I've never read anything like it, but every passage was beautiful and treated you like a friend or family. This is a book for foodies, for anyone of the African diaspora, and for writers. It is another book that inspires me to write and shifts the bounds of what it means to write.
