Black
Whether you're of African, African-American, or Australian Aborigine descent, you share with your Brothers and Sisters of the African diaspora an ugly history of European contact and colonialism. Being Black in America is more than a skin color -- it's a shared history of the African-American experience, Afrocentric roots, culture, music, art, family, faith and now, in these featured science fiction and fantasy books, it's the future!
More than the standard issue science fiction, some novels are rooted in Africa as she was, could have been, or may become in the distant and not-so-distant future. Other novels of the sword and sorcerer genre have an African-based background and influences instead of the American/European mythos, becoming a new experience known as "Sword and Soul." Other expressions of speculative fiction, alternate histories and science fiction that feature main characters and settings outside of the European experience include Rococoa and Steamfunk.
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Ben AaronovitchThe US vs UK Front Covers
The Rivers of London Series (Ages 15+)
Available in paperback and Kindle Midnight Riot (US) / Rivers of London (UK) (Ages 15+) "My name is Peter Grant and until January I was just probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service (and as the Filth to everybody else). My only concerns in life were how to avoid a transfer to the Case Progression Unit - we do paperwork so real coppers don't have to - and finding a way to climb into the panties of the outrageously perky WPC Leslie May. "Then one night, in pursuance of a murder inquiry, I tried to take a witness statement from someone who was dead but disturbingly voluable, and that brought me to the attention of Inspector Nightingale, the last wizard in England. Now I'm a Detective Constable and a trainee wizard, the first apprentice in fifty years, and my world has become somewhat more complicated: nests of vampires in Purley, negotiating a truce between the warring god and goddess of the Thames, and digging up graves in Covent Garden ...and there's something festering at the heart of the city I love, a malicious vengeful spirit that takes ordinary Londoners and twists them into grotesque mannequins to act out its drama of violence and despair. The spirit of riot and rebellion has awakened in the city, and it's falling to me to bring order out of chaos - or die trying." Some sexual innuendos and language (an F-bomb is on the first page in a quote from the protagonist's father and F* is used throughout in the book) may be disturbing to young teens and parents. Peter's father is also a jazz musician and drug addict, while his mother is West African. There are also mentions of same sex relationship. Having read the book and then turning around and rereading it immediately (yes, it was that good!) I think that any older teen or young adult will thoroughly enjoy this murder mystery/urban fantasy romp through London. RDJ From Fangs For The Fantasy: "...The protagonist is a mixed race man and many of the side-characters are POC as well. Not only POC but they are POC that both lack stereotypes and carry a full sense of their own culture. Peter doesn’t just avoid being a stereotypical black man, but he also carries his culture with him – from his parents cooking to his family – his race isn’t just a descriptor that’s included in the beginning then forgotten and the same applies to Beverly Brook, she’s more than just a racial descriptor. And I absolutely loved that Mama Thames (feuding with Old Father Thames) is a Nigerian woman. Who is awesome. In fact, in every scene we are reminded that London is a multi-cultural, worldwide city, there is a global feel that London has – too many books show London made up of a universal white, British population when it so clearly isn’t true..." To read the rest of the review, please click here. From The Book Smugglers: "... Plot-wise, Rivers of London is a mix of whodunit and politics placing its protagonist in a position of having to play detective and diplomat. The first part takes place as he deals with the horrible crimes that are happening all over London – and the answer to this mystery and who is behind the killer is AWESOME and I can’t really say more about that to avoid spoiling the fun. But it is certainly very theatrical and I loved that part. But not as much as observing Peter having to deal with the embodiment of the Rivers of London – Mother Thames, Father Thames and their daughters and sons (smaller rivers and minor estuaries) – and the mythology created around them. Both arcs are quite clever and expertly handled by the author." To read the rest of the review, please click here. Moon Over Soho (Ages 15+) "BODY AND SOUL "The song. That’s what London constable and sorcerer’s apprentice Peter Grant first notices when he examines the corpse of Cyrus Wilkins, part-time jazz drummer and full-time accountant, who dropped dead of a heart attack while playing a gig at Soho’s 606 Club. The notes of the old jazz standard are rising from the body — a sure sign that something about the man’s death was not at all natural but instead supernatural. "Body and soul — they’re also what Peter will risk as he investigates a pattern of similar deaths in and around Soho. With the help of his superior officer, Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, the last registered wizard in England, and the assistance of beautiful jazz aficionado Simone Fitzwilliam, Peter will uncover a deadly magical menace — one that leads right to his own doorstep and to the squandered promise of a young jazz musician: a talented trumpet player named Richard 'Lord' Grant — otherwise known as Peter’s dear old dad." Oh my goodness this was good! Another complex mystery set in London, introducing a new underlying mystery that continues into the next books. Parents, be warned, Peter has sex in this book, but it's an integral part of the plot and story. It's clear what they're doing, its more in the erotic than porn range. Again, a number of F-bombs. RDJ Whispers Underground (Ages 15+) "A WHOLE NEW REASON TO MIND THE GAP "It begins with a dead body at the far end of Baker Street tube station, all that remains of American exchange student James Gallagher — and the victim’s wealthy, politically powerful family is understandably eager to get to the bottom of the gruesome murder. The trouble is, the bottom — if it exists at all — is deeper and more unnatural than anyone suspects . . . except, that is, for London constable and sorcerer’s apprentice Peter Grant. With Inspector Nightingale, the last registered wizard in England, tied up in the hunt for the rogue magician known as 'the Faceless Man,' it’s up to Peter to plumb the haunted depths of the oldest, largest, and — as of now — deadliest subway system in the world. "At least he won’t be alone. No, the FBI has sent over a crack agent to help. She’s young, ambitious, beautiful . . . and a born-again Christian apt to view any magic as the work of the devil. Oh yeah — that’s going to go well." I just finished book three and wow! Another murder mystery mixed with magic, Mother Thames daughters, the rivers and sewers under the city, and more non-humans. Great stuff here! RDJ Broken Homes (Ages 15+) "My name is Peter Grant, and I am a keeper of the secret flame -- whatever that is. "Truth be told, there's a lot I still don't know. My superior Nightingale, previously the last of England's wizardly governmental force, is trying to teach me proper schooling for a magician's apprentice. But even he doesn't have all the answers. Mostly I'm just a constable sworn to enforce the Queen’s Peace, with the occasional help from some unusual friends and a well-placed fire blast. With the new year, I have three main objectives, a) pass the detective exam so I can officially become a DC, b) work out what the hell my relationship with Lesley Mai, an old friend from the force and now fellow apprentice, is supposed to be, and most importantly, c) get through the year without destroying a major landmark. "Two out of three isn’t bad, right? "A mutilated body in Crawley means another murderer is on the loose. The prime suspect is one Robert Weil, who may either be a common serial killer or an associate of the twisted magician known as the Faceless Man -- a man whose previous encounters I've barely survived. I've also got a case about a town planner going under a tube train and another about a stolen grimoire. "But then I get word of something very odd happening in Elephant and Castle, on a housing estate designed by a nutter, built by charlatans, and inhabited by the truly desperate. If there's a connection to the Crawley case, I'll be entering some tricky waters of juristiction with the local river spirits. We have a prickly history, to say the least. "Just the typical day for a magician constable." Foxglove Summer (Ages 15+) "In the fifth of his bestselling series Ben Aaronovitch takes Peter Grant out of whatever comfort zone he might have found and takes him out of London - to a small village in Herefordshire where the local police are reluctant to admit that there might be a supernatural element to the disappearance of some local children. But while you can take the London copper out of London you can't take the London out of the copper. "Travelling west with Beverley Brook, Peter soon finds himself caught up in a deep mystery and having to tackle local cops and local gods. And what's more all the shops are closed by 4pm..." Anything I tell you about htis book will be a spoiler. Just trust me, you won't be disappointed! RDJ The Hanging Tree (Ages 15+) "Suspicious deaths are not usually the concern of Police Constable Peter Grant or the Folly—London’s police department for supernatural cases—even when they happen at an exclusive party in one of the flats of the most expensive apartment blocks in London. But the daughter of Lady Ty, influential goddess of the Tyburn river, was there, and Peter owes Lady Ty a favor. "Plunged into the alien world of the super-rich, where the basements are bigger than the houses, where the law is something bought and sold on the open market, a sensible young copper would keep his head down and his nose clean. "But this is Peter Grant we’re talking about. "He’s been given an unparalleled opportunity to alienate old friends and create new enemies at the point where the world of magic and that of privilege intersect. Assuming he survives the week…" Lies Sleeping (Ages 15+) The seventh book of the bestselling Rivers of London series returns to the adventures of Peter Grant, detective and apprentice wizard, as he solves magical crimes in the city of London. The Faceless Man, wanted for multiple counts of murder, fraud, and crimes against humanity, has been unmasked and is on the run. Peter Grant, Detective Constable and apprentice wizard, now plays a key role in an unprecedented joint operation to bring him to justice. But even as the unwieldy might of the Metropolitan Police bears down on its foe, Peter uncovers clues that the Faceless Man, far from being finished, is executing the final stages of a long term plan. A plan that has its roots in London's two thousand bloody years of history, and could literally bring the city to its knees. To save his beloved city Peter's going to need help from his former best friend and colleague--Lesley May--who brutally betrayed him and everything he thought she believed in. And, far worse, he might even have to come to terms with the malevolent supernatural killer and agent of chaos known as Mr Punch.... False Value (Ages 15+) The eighth book of the bestselling Rivers of London series returns to the adventures of Peter Grant, detective and apprentice wizard, as he solves magical crimes in the city of London. Peter Grant is facing fatherhood, and an uncertain future, with equal amounts of panic and enthusiasm. Rather than sit around, he takes a job with émigré Silicon Valley tech genius Terrence Skinner's brand new London start up—the Serious Cybernetics Company. Drawn into the orbit of Old Street's famous 'silicon roundabout', Peter must learn how to blend in with people who are both civilians and geekier than he is. Compared to his last job, Peter thinks it should be a doddle. But magic is not finished with Mama Grant's favourite son. Because Terrence Skinner has a secret hidden in the bowels of the SCC. A technology that stretches back to Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage, and forward to the future of artificial intelligence. A secret that is just as magical as it technological—and just as dangerous. |
Tomi Adeyemi
Children of Blood and Bone "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." Tomi Adeyemi is a Nigerian-American writer and creative writing coach based in San Diego, California. |
B. B. Alston
Amari and the Night Brothers (Supernatural Investigations, 1) (Ages 9-13+ / Grades 3-7) Artemis Fowl meets Men in Black in this exhilarating debut middle grade fantasy, the first in a trilogy filled with #blackgirlmagic. Perfect for fans of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, the Percy Jackson series, and Nevermoor. "Amari Peters has never stopped believing her missing brother, Quinton, is alive. Not even when the police told her otherwise, or when she got in trouble for standing up to bullies who said he was gone for good. "So when she finds a ticking briefcase in his closet, containing a nomination for a summer tryout at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she’s certain the secretive organization holds the key to locating Quinton—if only she can wrap her head around the idea of magicians, fairies, aliens, and other supernatural creatures all being real. "Now she must compete for a spot against kids who’ve known about magic their whole lives. No matter how hard she tries, Amari can’t seem to escape their intense doubt and scrutiny—especially once her supernaturally enhanced talent is deemed “illegal.” With an evil magician threatening the supernatural world, and her own classmates thinking she’s an enemy, Amari has never felt more alone. But if she doesn’t stick it out and pass the tryouts, she may never find out what happened to Quinton." Author B. B. Alston lives in Lexington, SC. He was inspired to write his middle grade fantasy because he was unable to find fantasy stories featuring Black kids that looked like him when he was growing up. His bio reveals that he entertained his middle school classmates with horror stories. Not all of the class (in the story) survived. |
Elizabeth Amisu
Sacerdos (The Sacerdos Mysteries) (Ages 13+) "The Mysteries tell the story of Caelara, a young girl whose difficult existence with her alcoholic father is turned upside down when she discovers she has the power to manipulate the elements. Before she knows it she is enrolled into the Sacerdos Institution, a school for gifted youths, where she meets pupils with different talents from a world that she never knew existed. Caelara’s special skills place her in the order of Alatius, the order of sky and sea, and soon she and the other astute members of the Elite are drafted into republican war to defend the life of people that Caelara is growing to love. "Elizabeth has created a new language and painted the world of Terra Magna with vivid clarity, a world where workers are replaced with golems, elements are there to be manipulated and being gifted means you are in the heart of danger." Violence, death, and description of the father's alcoholism may be disturbing to young teens. |
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Dianna Hutts Aston (Author), Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator)
The Moon Over Star (Grades 1 - 3 / Ages 6 - 8) "In July 1969, the world witnessed an awe-inspiring historical achievement when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the moon. For the young protagonist of this lyrical and hopeful picture book, that landing is something that inspires her to make one giant step toward all of the possibilities that life has to offer. "Caldecott Honor–winning painter Jerry Pinkney and the poetic Dianna Hutts Aston create a moving tribute to the historic Apollo 11 Mission, just in time to commemorate its upcoming fortieth anniversary." |
Julianna Baggott
The Prince of Fenway Park (Grades 5+ / Ages 11+) Available in paperback and Kindle "Twelve-year-old Oscar Egg believes he is cursed, just like the Red Sox. His real parents didn't want him, and now his adopted mom has dumped him off to live with his strange, sickly dad. "But there's something Oscar doesn't know. The Boston Red Sox really are cursed, and not just because they sold Babe Ruth in 1919. Someone deliberately jinxed the team, and the secret to breaking the Curse lies deep below Fenway Park, with Oscar's dad and the Cursed Creatures, a group that has been doomed to live out their miserable lives below Fenway until the Curse is broken. "Oscar knows he can be the one to break the Curse, allowing the Red Sox to finally win the World Series and setting the Cursed Creatures free. But some of the creatures are angry. Some don't want the Curse broken. Some want Oscar, and the Red Sox, to fail and remain cursed forever." Note that racial issues are addressed and the N-word is used in the historical context of the Red Sox and baseball. |
Balogun
MOSES: The Chronicles of Harriet Tubman (Book 1: Kings) (Ages 18+) Available in paperback, Nook, and Kindle "I’m gon’ drive the evil out and send it back to Hell, where it belong!” – Harriet Tubman: Freedom fighter. Psychic. Soldier. Spy. Something…more. Much more. "In MOSES: The Chronicles of Harriet Tubman (Book 1: Kings), Balogun masterfully transports you to a world of wonder…of horror…of amazing inventions, captivating locales and extraordinary people. In this novel of dark fantasy (with a touch of Steampunk), Harriet Tubman must match wits and power with the sardonic John Wilkes Booth and a team of hunters with powers beyond this world in order to save herself, her teenaged nephew, Ben and a little girl in her care – Margaret. But is anyone who, or what, they seem?" Dark themes, graphic violence and some sexual references. ---------- Once Upon A Time In Afrika (Ages 13+)
Available in paperback and Kindle An exciting Sword and Soul tale by Balogun Ojetade, Once Upon a Time in Afrika tells the story of a beautiful princess and her eager suitors. Desperate to marry off his beautiful but 'tomboyish' daughter, Esuseeke, the Emperor of Oyo consults the Oracle. The Oracle tells the Emperor that Esuseeke must marry the greatest warrior in all Onile (Afrika). To determine who is the greatest warrior, the Emperor hosts a grand martial arts tournament inviting warriors from all over the continent. Unknown to the warriors and spectators of the tournament a powerful evil is headed their way. Will the warriors band together against this evil?" Author Milton Davis evaluated this exciting tale as "G" rated. Thank you Milton for your kind assistance! RDJ ---------- The Keys: A "YOU Are The Hero" Book (Book 1) (Ages 12 - 18 ) Available in paperback "Pyramids – located all over the world, among different cultures and nations – are actually portals that allow teleportation between them. "For thousands of years, there was peace between nations; there was exchange of knowledge and culture and all of the pyramid cultures worldwide advanced because of it. But the peace soon shattered and the world was cast into the bloodiest and most costly of wars. At the same time, the Iberian Empire, led by Infante (“Prince”) Henry the Navigator, attacked the Aztec Empire. Henry, the Navigator believed the legendary Christian kingdom of Prester John (“Presbytu Johannes”) to be the Aztec Empire’s Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncion (now called Guatemala City). He wanted to find the kingdom and achieve immortality and would murder the world if it meant achieving his goal. The Aztec allied with the powerful Oyo Empire of West Africa and together they defeated Henry the Navigator and his monstrous army and restored a fragile peace to the world, deactivating the power of the world’s pyramids until humanity was once again ready to use their power responsibly. "Two gods – one Oyo and one Aztec – were placed into a deep sleep within the bloodlines of two warrior families from the great Oyo-Aztec Alliance. These gods, lying dormant within two unwitting teenagers known as The Keys, are to awaken only when the world – and the gods’ teenaged hosts – is ready. "YOU choose to be one of the two heroes of the story: Jordan Drummond, college basketball phenomenon and math genius; or Theresa “Terry” De Fuego, self-proclaimed “extreme journalist.” "YOU battle the forces of evil and maybe even save the world! YOU decide your destiny... for YOU are the Hero!" Available in paperback only. |
Kindle edition
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Antoine Bandele
The Gatekeeper's Staff (TJ Young & The Orishas Book 1) (Ages 13+) "TJ Young has been surrounded by magic his entire life, yet he has never tapped into it… until now. "Fourteen-year-old TJ grew up normal in a secret community of gifted diviners in the heart of modern-day Los Angeles. His powerful sister was ordained to lead his people into a new age of prosperity, but her mysterious death in Nigeria threatens to destroy the very foundations of TJ’s world. "Desperate to pick up where his sister left off and uncover the secrets behind her questionable death, TJ commits himself to unlocking the magical heritage that has always eluded him. So he enrolls in Camp Olosa—a remedial magic school for the divinely less-than-gifted in the humid swamps of New Orleans. "But little does he know, TJ is destined to cross paths with powerful spirits of old thought lost to time: the Orishas. "Delve into this young adult fantasy based on the mythology of the West African gods, where TJ will encounter unlikely allies, tough-as-gatorhide instructors, and the ancient secrets of the Orishas." Parents: Per the author, minor language. Death. Grief. Recommended for upper middle school and lower high school levels. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, author Antoine Bandele is a best-selling author in action adventure fantasy, dark fantasy, sword & sorcery, African American fantasy, and African literature on Amazon. Originally a Multimedia major at California State University Northridge, Bandele has his own YouTube channel. He, his girlfriend, and the cat still reside in L.A. |
L.A. Banks
The Vampire Huntress series: Minion, The Awakening, The Hunted, The Bitten, The Forbidden, The Damned, The Forsaken, The Wicked, The Cursed, The Darkness, The Shadows, The Thirteenth (Ages 18+) Minion Urban fantasy series featuring Damali Richards, a young Black woman, a rising star in the hip-hop music business who is a vampire hunter. “…unfortunately for the inexperienced young huntress, the vampires and demons have both discovered her existence. An age-old war escalates to unprecedented heights of violence as the dark forces strive to slay Damali before she comes of age and gains her full powers.” Vampires, horror and violence mixed with romance. Not appropriate for younger teens. |
Sylvester Barzey
Planet Dead (Volume 1) (Ages 16+) "Catherine Briggs is having a messed up year. "Her car got stolen. "Her family thinks she's dead. "There's an unwelcome late night visitor at her door. "Oh yeah! And the world's become infested with zombies! "Catherine is on a mission to find her family, no matter the cost. Yet, fate seems to have other plans. Flesh eating zombies, Killer Clowns, and a number of other batshit problems await her in... Planet Dead: Bloodthirsty!" Parents, there's strong language, and of course every zombie book has its share of blood and gore... I gave both books to my adult daughter and she thoroughly enjoyed the stories. She had some thoughts on improving the editing, but couldn't put the books down! Planet Dead 2: Patient Zero (Volume 2) (Ages 16+) "'I'm not sure how I ended up here. Hell I don't even know where here is. Those aren't questions I can answer. What I can tell you is how it all started. My name is Christian Fidal but for the past year, I've been called Patient Zero... And This is my story.' "Months before the clowns, the farm house and the Atlanta outbreak. In a whole other part of America, Christian Fidal is coming to terms with the death of his father. All he wants is to be left alone in his guilt and self loathing, but his office crush Trinity and his cousin Hector have other plans in mind. What was meant to be a fun night at the company holiday party turns into a fight for their lives. "A mysterious virus is quickly claiming victims within the grand walls of the Eastman hotel, but when these victims die, they don't stay Dead. "Welcome to 17 floors of zombie hell, with a final and fatal stop in Planet Dead! "Sylvester Barzey brings you the continuation of the zombie comedic thrill ride. Find out what happened to our crew of survivors and learn the secrets that were never meant to be told." Strong language and enough zombie fighting to suit any horror fan. |
Black Science Fiction Society
Genesis: An Anthology of Black Science Fiction (Ages 15+) (Edited by Milton J. Davis and Jervis Sheffield) "Genesis, a name that evokes a sense of beginning is the start of a new age of black science fiction that will contribute to the ever growing, ever changing mythos of black literature. Within its pages you will delve into the worlds of science fiction, speculative fiction, horror and fantasy. Writers that are both seasoned and up and coming contributed 25 pieces of the most entertaining, eclectic and enthralling stories that will capture your imaginations like never before. Featured authors include: Linda Addison, Charles Saunders, Edward Uzzle, Milton Davis, B. Sharise Moore, Carole McDonnell, Valjeanne Jeffers and many more." |
Marilyn Bradford
Beauteous Black and the Mystic Forest (Ages 8+) "Beauteous Black is about a young Moorish girl's journey in an enchanted mysterious forest. She is a most beautiful girl who is disliked by her three jealous sisters who plan to do away with her by leaving her in an infamous forest, which is reported to have the most ferocious warthogs." |
F.M. Busby
Zelde M'Tana (Ages 18+) This book features a Black female protagonist of African heritage. A Wild Child, she’s captured and sent off world as a slave, destined as a pleasure woman on another planet. The ship’s crew rebels and heads off into distant space. Zelde, a resourceful and extremely intelligent young woman, participates in the rebellion and works her way up the ship’s ranks. This story is the prequel to the Rissa Kerguelen trilogy. Not suitable for young teens, there are very mature scenes of sex and violence in the book. There are also same-sex relationships. The Rissa Kerguelen Trilogy – See the "Everybody Else" page |
Octavia Butler
Kindred (Ages 15+) "Dana, a modern black woman, is celebrating her twenty-sixth birthday with her new husband when she is snatched abruptly from her home in California and transported to the antebellum South. Rufus, the white son of a plantation owner, is drowning, and Dana has been summoned to save him. Dana is drawn back repeatedly through time to the slave quarters, and each time the stay grows longer, more arduous, and more dangerous until it is uncertain whether or not Dana's life will end, long before it has a chance to begin." ---------- The Parable of the Sower (Age 15+) "God is change. That is the central truth of the Earthseed movement, whose unlikely prophet is 18-year-old Lauren Olamina. The young woman's diary entries tell the story of her life amid a violent 21st-century hell of walled neighborhoods and drug-crazed pyromaniacs - and reveal her evolving Earthseed philosophy. Against a backdrop of horror emerges a message of hope: if we are willing to embrace divine change, we will survive to fulfill our destiny among the stars." The Parable of the Talents (Age 15+) The Parable of the Talents continues Lauren's story. "Lauren Olamina's love is divided among her young daughter, her community, and the revelation that led Lauren to found a new faith that teaches "God Is Change". But in the wake of environmental and economic chaos, the U.S. government turns a blind eye to violent bigots who consider the mere existence of a black female leader a threat. And soon Lauren must either sacrifice her child and her followers -- or forsake the religion that can transform human destiny." ---------- Xenogenesis series - Dawn, Adulthood Rites, and Imago (Ages 15+) Dawn "Lilith lyapo awoke from a centuries-long sleep to find herself aboard the vast spaceship of the Oankali. Creatures covered in writhing tentacles, the Oankali had saved every surviving human from a dying, ruined Earth. They healed the planet, cured cancer, increased strength, and were now ready to help Lilith lead her people back to Earth--but for a price." Contains mature themes not suitable for young teens. Adulthood Rites "As humans and Oankali struggle to live together, the future of both species rests in the hands of Lilith’s hybrid son. "Nuclear war had nearly destroyed mankind when the Oankali came to the rescue, saving humanity—but at a price. The Oankali survive by mixing their DNA with that of other species, and now on Earth they have permitted no child to be born without an Oankali parent. The first true hybrid is a boy named Akin—son of Lilith Iyapo—and to the naked eye he looks human, for now. He is born with extraordinary sensory powers, understanding speech at birth, speaking in sentences at two months old, and soon developing the ability to see at the molecular level. More powerful than any human or Oankali, he will be the architect of both races’ intergalactic future. But before he can carry this new species into the stars, Akin must decide which unlucky souls will stay behind." Imago "Child of two species, but part of neither, a new being must find his way. "Human and Oankali have been mating since the aliens first came to Earth to rescue the few survivors of an annihilating nuclear war. The Oankali began a massive breeding project, guided by the ooloi, a sexless subspecies capable of manipulating DNA, in the hope of eventually creating a perfect starfaring race. Jodahs is supposed to be just another hybrid of human and Oankali, but as he begins his transformation to adulthood he finds himself becoming ooloi—the first ever born to a human mother. As his body changes, Jodahs develops the ability to shapeshift, manipulate matter, and cure or create disease at will. If this frightened young man is able to master his new identity, Jodahs could prove the savior of what’s left of mankind. Or, if he is not careful, he could become a plague that will destroy this new race once and for all. |
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Elizabeth Camali
Trash (Ages 15+) This up-and-coming young author kindly shared her debut novel with me. I devoured it and found myself wanting to read more about this tough teen, Alem. A hot-tempered young man with no patience for bullies, Alem's just been kicked out of his fifth high school for fighting -- and he wasn't even at school at the time! Nobdy wants him at their schools, public or private. To continue: "...he is invited to attend a secretive but exclusive new school - The Institution of Harmony. However, when it's a school that is filled with nightmarish fantasy creatures found in every ancient myth (who also view humans as delicious snacks or to-be-destroyed insects), Alem is going to need every fight skill, dirty trick, and fast-talking skill he's got if he is going to survive his senior year of high school." Trash is a well-written and interesting story. Written from Alem's point of view, he's smart, tough, a bit brash with a lot of bravado. Camali has completely captured the character of an intelligent young man who's been in survival mode for a long time, fighting his way through a poverty-stricken and difficult life with his hard-working, widower father. Little by little, as the story unfolds, it reveals that under his tough exterior Alem truly has a heart of gold. Thrust into a new and dangerous world of mythological creatures, he's more than the token human at the Institution of Harmony, he has to learn how to become a hero. I'm really looking forward to the next episode in Alem's journey. I highly recommend this book, especially for the struggling teenage boy who hates to read. Contains fighting, underage cigarette smoking and some strong language, but nothing a teenage boy hasn't heard already. (RDJ) |
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Jeff Carroll
The Harlem Shake (Ages 15+) "Two lovers are reunited by the storm of the century.. Just when New Yorkers were given a wakeup call into the realities of Global Warming by way of Hurricane Sandy, Harlem becomes host to yet another one of Mother Nature’s catastrophic lessons. There was an inactive fault line under the village of Harlem. When this fracture in the bedrock of Harlem’s famed 125th street becomes active, all of Harlem begins to shake as New York experiences a category 8 earthquake. "Young television audience producer Kenny thinks he is prepared for everything Murphy’s Law can throw at him. With the help of his roommate, Ant, he manages to generate a packed audience to the Apollo Theater despite the hurricane forecast.. "He is full of confidence when he runs into his ex-girlfriend, Deidra, who left him to travel along with a rapper as a glorified manager. Still in all he was having a good day, but not in his wildest dreams would he think that he and his team of audience coordinators and friends would have to navigate crevasses the length of city blocks, collapsing buildings and lawless streets. It will take all of his skills to help them escape being buried under the rubble of this world famous concrete jungle." The main characters are Black and Latino -- as Jeff said, "It's Harlem." Great reviews, some language and violence (what do you expect in a disaster?), no sex. About PG-13. |
P. Djèlí Clark
The Black God's Drums (Ages 16+) "Rising SFF star P. Djèlí Clark brings an alternate New Orleans of orisha, airships, and adventure to life in his immersive debut novella The Black God's Drums "In an alternate New Orleans caught in the tangle of the American Civil War, the wall-scaling girl named Creeper yearns to escape the streets for the air – in particular, by earning a spot on-board the airship Midnight Robber. Creeper plans to earn Captain Ann-Marie’s trust with information she discovers about a Haitian scientist and a mysterious weapon he calls The Black God’s Drums. "But Creeper also has a secret herself: Oya, the African orisha of the wind and storms, speaks inside her head, and may have her own ulterior motivations. Soon, Creeper, Oya, and the crew of the Midnight Robber are pulled into a perilous mission aimed to stop the Black God’s Drums from being unleashed and wiping out the entirety of New Orleans. “'A sinewy mosaic of Haitian sky pirates, wily street urchins, and orisha magic. Beguiling and bombastic!' ―Scott Westerfeld, New York Times bestselling author" Note: The book is a novella. Author P. Djèlí Clark was born in New York and raised in Houston. His parents are from Trinidad and Tobago. |
Troy CLE
The Marvelous Effect (Grades 5+ / Ages 11+) "He loves listening to hip-hop, racing radio-controlled cars, and hanging out with his best friend, Brandon. Then a mysterious letter invites him to visit the local junkyard. There he finds a secret, underground amusement park like no other in existence. This is the best day of Louis's life. The park even has the most amazing race course for radio-controlled cars. Louis starts racing right away. It's a close contest; he's about to activate his nitro boost to take the lead, when... "This is the worst day of Louis's life. Without warning or reason, thirteen-year-old Louis Proof falls into a coma due to a virus of a mysterious, celestial origin. When he awakens three months later, the world that he once knew and loved is totally out of control. He will learn that his illness is connected to everything that is wrong, and that it's not only his responsibility but his destiny to set things right. This story is a megadramatic, remarkably true, super action fantasy. Get ready!" Olivion's Favorites (Grades 5+ / Ages 11+) "When Louis Proof collapsed in pain in front of his uncle's store, he thought he was going to die. Instead he awoke in Midlandia, a place of the impossible. Almost as soon as he arrives, three eNoli -- people who look human but are otherworldly -- try to kill him. In fact, it seems as if everyone in Midlandia is trying to kill Louis and the other two human teens, Cyndi Victoria Chase and Devon Alexander. The three are Favorites. If they survive Midlandia, they will have great powers. That's a big "if," though. Louis must find Cyndi and Devon, who've been flung to different parts of Midlandia. Only when the three are together will Olivion's Gate appear. Then they will be able to cross the Gate, meet the Olivion, and return home. The three teens must also pay attention to everything on their journey. It is not enough to be a Favorite; they need to learn how to use their newfound abilities. Tremendous challenges await them at home. But as they're about to learn, those challenges are only the beginning. A threat is coming that is greater than anyone -- human or eNoli or iLone -- can imagine...." |
Olivia A. Cole
A Conspiracy of Stars (Ages 15+) "Enter the vivid and cinematic world of Faloiv in the first book of this dazzling YA sci-fi/fantasy series, perfect for fans of Carve the Mark, Red Rising, and These Broken Stars. "Octavia has always dreamed of becoming a whitecoat, one of the prestigious N’Terra scientists who study the natural wonders of Faloiv. So when the once-secretive labs are suddenly opened to students, she leaps at the chance to see what happens behind their closed doors. "However, she quickly discovers that all is not what it seems on Faloiv, and the experiments the whitecoats have been doing run the risk of upsetting the humans’ fragile peace with the Faloii, Faloiv’s indigenous people. "As secret after disturbing secret comes to light, Octavia finds herself on a collision course with the charismatic and extremist new leader of N’Terra’s ruling council. But by uncovering the mysteries behind the history she’s been taught, the science she’s lived by, and the truth about her family, she threatens to be the catalyst for an all-out war." |
Eric Cooper
Knight Seeker (Grades 8+ / Ages 13+) "Nygel Spinner lived a normal life as a college student, until one fateful night he became something more than human. With advanced technology and superhuman abilities he suddenly became the ultimate hunter. As Nygel tries to balance his normal life with the dangers of being Knight Seeker, evil forces are at work attempting to dominate the world of the living. Join Knight Seeker as he battles Warlord Sage, a demon bent on opening the Gates of Hell and unleashing doom for all mankind." Knight Seeker II: Crimes of Passion (Grades 8+ / Ages 13+) "Thrust into a violent situation, Knight Seeker becomes a wanted criminal in league with two powerful mutants. One of the mutants is an exiled Roman Catholic Priest trying to reconnect with his past; the other is a jewelry thief intent on stealing a mysterious and highly coveted religious artifact. "Chased by United States Marshals and a high-tech enforcement group, they run throughout the city to avoid being captured dead or alive. As gang violence and the mutant threat tear the city apart, the New York Police Department tries to keep the peace while Knight desperately attempts to clear his name." ---------- Knight Seeker #1 Smoke and Mirrors - Comic Book "Knight Seeker and Sting are in combat with a group of alien beings called Spycons. Both are captured and imprisoned on a star-ship while Special Agent F.A.D.E., who is a living shadow, sneaks aboard the vessel to initiate his own set of plans. "Knight Seeker and the mutant jewelry thief Sting are captured by an alien race and taken aboard a star-ship to be experimented upon to create the Alpha Seeker. Little does anyone know that Special Agent F.A.D.E. is also aboard the vessel with his own motives." |
318 pages plus 50 illustrations!
435 pages plus 35 illustrations!
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This is the comic book based on the Knight Seeker novels.
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Jane Louise Curry
The Black Canary (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+) "Twelve-year-old biracial James has grown up in a musical family. Not only are both of his parents musicians, but his four grandparents are as well. Everyone assumes that James will pursue music, yet he would rather become a newspaper reporter...or an astronomer...or a cook...anything that will let him leave music behind and be his own self. "Everything changes when, on a family visit to London, James discovers a portal that leads to London in the year 1600, then finds himself unable to return to the point in time he had left behind. James is forced to join the Children of the Chapel Royal, a group that performs for the queen of England, and the musical talents he denied are now put to the test and pushed to their limits. In this alternate world "James comes to realize that he cannot survive and get back to the twenty-first century without recognizing, understanding, and making the most of his musical gifts. Jane Louise Curry brings Elizabethan London to life in this remarkable story about music, family, and finding one's place in the world." |
John Darr
The Protector's Ring (Grades 4 - 6 / Ages 9 - 12+) "Jonah Blackstone just turned thirteen when life gave him the worst gift he could imagine, losing his parents in a mysterious accident. Now he's been whisked off to live with relatives in a small town in Georgia, where his troubles continue. Jonah's harassed by a local bully, encounters Reapers, and pursued by supernatural canines, all while learning to use his growing powers. He eventually discovers why his parents died. They refused to reveal the location of a powerful ancient artifact: The Protector's Ring. With the enemy closing in, Jonah must locate the ring to avoid the same grim fate." The Seeker's Compass (Grades 4 -6 / Ages 9 - 12+) "Jonah Blackstone should have known his summer break wouldn't be quiet. His hope of a normal fourteenth birthday is shattered when supernatural hunters crash the party in search of an Afterworld Courier. Caught in the middle of the action, Jonah and his cousins team up with Kevin, a Fallen Reaper, on a quest to figure out the clues to the Seeker's Compass, the only device that can safely return the Courier to the Afterworld. When the hunters target Jonah's loved ones, he must learn the true meaning of sacrifice to outwit the enemy and prevent the destruction of the Alliance." The Amulet of the Goddess (Grades 4 -6 / Ages 9 - 12+) "This should have been an easy first case, at least that’s what the Mount Vernon Social Club thought. Find out why a ghost is still haunting a family’s home. Simple, right? But a sinister force is at work when Jonah and the others are ambushed during their investigation. Something is amiss in Mount Vernon. With Wick and Kevin’s assistance, the M.V.S.C. uncovers a plot by the Alliance mole seeking an amulet to unleash a powerful goddess who will wreak havoc and chaos upon the mortal realm. Jonah and the gang must stop her. However, unbeknownst to Jonah, the key to stopping this madness has been locked away in his mind for eight, long years." ---------- My Prince, My Boy "My Prince, My Boy is an urban fairytale of self-discovery and friendship. Tyrone Garrett wanted his life to change. When he meets Jamal, a Forest Elf with a spotty memory, Tyrone's life changes in ways he never would have imagined." Saytr's Melody "Moving from Atlanta to a small town did not sit well with Jamari Evans, at all. In addition to his current mood about his new home, he becomes the latest target of the local bully. Great! Seeking solace and sanctuary from his current situation, he dives into his writing, finding peace in the literary worlds he’s created. That escape is short-lived when the bully manages to get a hold of Jamari’s works and destroys them all. Now Jamari searches for a way to end this bully’s torment. Not through traditional means, but in a way that Jamari knows best, his creativity." |
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Bruce Davis
An excerpt from my review after reading Glowgems for Profit: Refreshingly, Davis' universe is diverse, with good guys and bad guys of every ethnicity and race, and often you have to guess by the last name or a bit of a description to figure it out. Zack himself is Black, an unusual feature in science fiction in general -- a Black main character -- and he doesn't even get killed off. I can't call him African-American, he's from Mars. With his crew/partner, Deuce; an intelligent artificial intelligence (AI), Sylvia, running the ship; a wheelchair-bound sidekick/hacker, Rabbit; and an Asian love interest, Cleopatra Lee (hmmm, makes me think of Cleopatra Jones), and an assortment of bad guys, they leap from one situation to the next, never quite stopping between. RDJ Glowgems for Profit (Ages 13+) "Zack Mbele, captain of the independent freighter Profit, needs cash fast. There’s a loan payment due on the ship, not to mention a bogus Customs duty imposed by a crooked official. They’ll seize his ship if he doesn't pay up and he has few prospects. So, when an old friend calls with a lead on a job, Zack isn’t too picky about obeying the letter of the law. All he has to do is smuggle someone out of Highpoint, a huge space station orbiting between the Earth and the Moon. "But it's not all that easy, as a beautiful assassin and the Red Dragons gang complicate things. "Suddenly Zack is involved in a maze of double-cross and murder as he races the Dragons and a shadowy paramilitary army for the greatest prize of all." Rated "PG-13" Some action-packed violence and non-graphic sex. Thieves Profit (Ages 13+) "Zack Mbele has a problem. The Profit is in hock for repair costs and Kwai Chang Wu, a mobster, has bought the bank that holds the note. Either he does a job for Wu, or he’ll lose his ship. "Just to make matters worse, someone is after his friend, Rabbit, and the Dragons, another mob, are involved somehow. And if that wasn’t enough, Duce’s friends are being hurt as well; and Cleo, his ex-wife and half owner of the Profit, is up to something and he can’t figure out what it is. "And who is the sinister, tall man and what’s his role in all of this? "The body count keeps mounting as Zack tries to solve the puzzles while staying alive." Profit and Loss (Ages 13+) "The Profit was living up to her name for the first time since Zack Mbele had stolen her from the Martian Navy in the chaos at the end of the Reunification War. He was earning a good living for my crewmates, and himself, and it was all honest money. It was what Cleo had always wanted – a home built on a stable business. Zack once thought it was what he wanted, too. So why did it chafe on him so? "On Highpoint after a successful charter job, Zack decides to look up Akira Kensai, an old acquaintance. But Akira is dead and his brother, Tanaka Kensai, turns to Zack for help in solving the mystery of his death. When people start dying, Zack realizes the plot is bigger than just the death of one honest man, especially when Zack's old enemy, Kwai Hong is involved. "Meanwhile, Deuce rediscovers an old lover. Grace is now a torch singer in a high class bar on Highpoint's Promenade. But Deuce knows her from old and still loves her, even if her past is full of hidden dangers." |
L.M. Davis
Interlopers: A Shifters Novel (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+) "At almost 13, Nate Pantera has this whole shifter-in-a-world-full-of-humans thing all figured out. Move like a human: Check. Hide super strength and other powers: Check. Check. Do math homework: Um...Check? He's even gotten used to the idea that he and his family may be the only shape-shifters in the whole, wide world. Then, finally, he meets another shifter. And that's when all the trouble begins. Interlopers: A Shifters Novel is the coming of age story of a young man trying to find his place in multiple worlds. Fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson will love this adventure series about the Pantera twins who are about to discover that everything they thought they knew is only the beginning of the truth." From BlackSci-Fi.com: "... With the introduction of two intelligent and capable African American teens who are leading the fight, the inclusion of the were-panther Shifter mythos, and the far flung land of Panteria, readers are provided with a welcome breath of fresh air onto the teen fantasy novel market..." To read the rest of the review, please click here. Having read the preview for Interlopers, not only am I anxious to read this teen/young adult book, but I see that there's a second book, Posers. I'm hoping that there are more books in the works! Oh, and lest I forget, as a book designer from back in the day, NICE COVER!! RDJ Posers: A Shifters Novel (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+) "After the strangest summer of their lives, Nate and Larissa prepare to face their biggest challenge yet: High school. With jocks that seem intent on making Nate’s life miserable, the reappearance of the mysterious green-haired monster (now with new and improved blue hair), and Charlie, the new girl, who affects Nate in the weirdest way, it’s shaping up to be a doozy! Greendale High isn't the only place in turmoil; Panteria is dying and only the Pantera twins can save it. Will Nate to return to the world that he has sworn to hate before it’s too late?" |
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Milton J. Davis
Amber and the Hidden City (Ages 11+) "Thirteen year old Amber Robinson's life is full of changes. Her parents are sending her to a private school away from her friends, and high school looms before her. But little does she know that her biggest change awaits in a mysterious city hidden from the world for a thousand years. Why? Amber's grandmother is a princess from this magical kingdom of Marai. She's been summoned home to use her special abilities to select the new king but she no longer has the gift, and her daughter was never trained for the task. That leave only one person with the ability to save the city: Amber! But there are those who are determined that Amber never reaches Marai and they will do anything to stop her. Prepare yourself for an exciting adventure that spans from the Atlanta suburbs to the grasslands of Mali. It's a story of a girl who discovers her hidden abilities and heritage in a way that surprises and entertains." ---------- Changa's Safari and Changa's Safari Volume 2 (Ages 13+) From MVmedia: "In the fifteenth century a young merchant set sail on a safari across the seas determined to build the wealth necessary to save his people from the evil sorcerer Usenge. From the Swahili merchant cities of Sofala and Mombassa, to the Malaccan straits and the magnificent Middle Kingdom, Changa and his talented crew experience adventures beyond the imagination." ---------- Meji Book One and Meji Book Two (Ages 13+) From MVmedia: "On the continent of Uhuru, in the grasslands of the Sesu, Inkosi Dingane is granted his wish. His Great Wife Shani bears him a son, an heir to his growing empire. But the ancestors have plans of their own. Shani bears him twin boys, meji, an abomination among the Sesu, but a blessing to Shani’s people, the Mawena. Thus begins the story of two brothers destined to transform their world. One brother, Ndoro, fights for his place among the Sesu, hoping to shed the stigma of abomination. The other, Obaseki, grows to a man among the people of his mother, struggling with a gift that alienates him from his family and eventually leads to his exile. Both brothers set out to find his destiny, traveling through teeming savannah, mysterious forests, haunted ocean cliffs and infernal deserts, fulfilling a prophecy that would change them and their world forever." ---------- Griots Anthology (Edited by Milton J. Davis and Charles R. Saunders) "Magic. Myth. Warfare. Wonder. Beauty. Bravery. Glamour. Gore. Sorcery. Sensuality. These and many more elements of fantasy await you in the pages of Griots, which brings you the latest stories of the new genre called Sword and Soul. The tales told in Griots are the annals of the Africa that was, as well as Africas that never were, may have been, or should have been. They are the legends of a continent and people emerging from shadows thrust upon them in the past. They are the sagas sung by the modern heirs of the African story-tellers known by many names - including griots. Here, you will meet mighty warriors, seductive sorceresses, ambitious monarchs, and cunning courtesans. Here, you will journey through the vast variety of settings Africa offers, and inspires. Here, you will savor what the writings of the modern-day griots have to offer: journeys through limitless vistas of the imagination, with a touch of color and a taste of soul." |
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The Sivad Chronicles (Ages 15+) "Experience an alternate North America like you never imagined. A North America where Europeans and Africans appeared at different times in different ways. A North American where Native American culture not only thrives, but dominates. A North America influenced by magic and steam. This the world of the Sivads. These are their stories." Author Milton Davis rates the Sivad Chronicles as PG-13 due to some suggestive but non-graphic sexual content. |
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Woman of the Woods (Ages 13+) "Sadatina, an Adamu girl on the brink of becoming a woman, has lived a peaceful life with her family in Adamusola, the land beyond the Old Men Mountains. But tragic events change her life forever, revealing a hidden past that leads her into the midst of a war between her people and those that would see them destroyed, the Mosele. Armed with a spiritual weapon and her feline 'sisters,' Sadatina becomes a Shosa, a warrior trained to fight the terrible nyokas, demon-like creatures that aid the Mosele in their war against her people. Woman of the Woods by Milton Davis is an action filled, emotionally charged adventure that expands the scope of the world of Uhuru and introduces another unforgettable character to the fabled continent's heroic legends." |
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RE de Jauregui
Bitter (Ages 16 to Adult) NOTE: Shameless plug here for my own books. "Shadows slink through the night in Alkali Flat as homicide detective Juanita Bitter investigates murders most foul. But when a Dispatcher's body is found in the stairwell of the police department, Bitter is forced into a case where everyone is a suspect—especially her fellow officers. Worse, that same Dispatcher had managed to put Bitter in the hospital a few days earlier… "When the sun goes down, the strange, exotic, and magical emerges in Bitter's Sacramento. And if something hisses at her from a dark alley, it may not be a stray cat." "The short story, Bitter Blood, introduces Bitter and her world―down the street, around the corner, and one dimension over from the "real" Sacramento. "Bitter Nights picks up the continuing story of Bitter a few months later. Murder, monsters, and mayhem―crime meets urban fantasy and Bitter must solve the case before someone else dies." Cross-posted under Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American and Mixed REVIEW: https://amzn.to/2WZ510z Bitter Sins (Ages 16 to Adult) "The monsoon season is on the way to Las Vegas, along with Homicide Detective Juanita Bitter. In and out, two nights and home again – no muss, no fuss – until Bitter disappears from the new Kalahari hotel and casino. "Murder, monsters, and a decades old mystery lead Bitter through a case in and under Sin City that began with the murder of her beloved husband. If she can't find the monster who haunts her days and nights, she and her sons may pay the ultimate price – because what happens in Las Vegas doesn't always stay in Las Vegas." |
Zetta Elliott
A Wish After Midnight (Age 13+) Genna wants to escape her life of living in a one bedroom apartment with her hard-working single mother and three siblings. Her wish goes awry and she is transported back to 1863 Brooklyn. The book is a combination of sci-fi and historical fiction with some young love interests. A sequel is in the works. ---------- Ship of Souls (Ages 11+) "When Dmitri, an 11-year-old bird watcher and math whiz, loses his mother to breast cancer, he is taken in by Mrs. Martin, an elderly white woman. Unaccustomed to the company of kids his own age, D struggles at school and feels like an outcast until a series of unexpected events changes the course of his life. "First, D is asked to tutor the school’s basketball star, Hakeem, who will get benched unless his grades improve. Against the odds, the two boys soon realize they have something in common: they are both taunted by kids at school, and they both have a crush on Nyla, a beautiful but fierce eighth-grade girl. Then Nyla adopts D and invites him to join her entourage of “freaks.” Finally, D discovers an injured bird and brings it home from the park. "D is stunned when the strange bird speaks to him and reveals that she is really a guiding spirit that has been held hostage by ghost soldiers who died in Brooklyn at the start of the American Revolution. As Nuru’s chosen host, D must carry her from Brooklyn to the African Burial Ground in lower Manhattan, but the ghost soldiers won’t surrender their prize without a fight. "With the help of Hakeem and Nyla, D battles the Nether Beings who lurk underground, feeding off centuries of rage and pain. But it takes an unexpected ally to help the trio reach the ship that will deliver the innocent souls of the dead back to Nuru’s realm. An urban fantasy infused with contemporary issues and historical facts, Ship of Souls will keep teen readers gripped until the very end. The Deep (Ages 11+) "THE DEEP plunges readers into a dangerous, underground world policed by members of The League, a secret group of women and men who use their intuitive abilities to detect energy surges far below the earth’s surface. In the deep, ancient sources of malevolent energy are bubbling up through the bedrock, and only members of The League know how to detect and seal the leaks that allow evil to enter the world. "Nyla Evans knows nothing about the war being waged beneath the city. It has been almost a year since she moved from Ramstein Air Base in Germany to Brooklyn, and Nyla is still searching for a way to belong. It doesn’t help that she has started to hallucinate while walking the city streets, but things get even stranger when a man named Osiris approaches her and offers to introduce Nyla to others who have similar 'gifts.' When Nyla refuses, her friend D is kidnapped and held in the deep until Nyla agrees to let Osiris guide her underground. There, miles beneath Brooklyn, Nyla meets Lada—the mother who abandoned her a decade ago. "Furious that Nyla is being recruited by The League, Lada tries to prevent her daughter from following in her footsteps. But Nyla feels at home in the deep and her training begins at an accelerated pace when The League discovers an earthquake will soon hit Brooklyn, releasing unprecedented levels of malevolent energy into the city. "THE DEEP is the companion book to SHIP OF SOULS (2012), a Booklist Top Ten Sci-Fi/Fantasy Title for Youth and finalist for the Phillis Wheatley Book Award." ---------- Zetta Elliot / Illustrator Geneva B Dragons in a Bag (Grades 3-7 / Ages 8-12) ★ An Amazon Best Children's Book of the Year selection "The dragon's out of the bag in this diverse, young urban fantasy from an award-winning author! "When Jaxon is sent to spend the day with a mean old lady his mother calls Ma, he finds out she's not his grandmother--but she is a witch! She needs his help delivering baby dragons to a magical world where they'll be safe. There are two rules when it comes to the dragons: don't let them out of the bag, and don't feed them anything sweet. Before he knows it, Jax and his friends Vikram and Kavita have broken both rules! Will Jax get the baby dragons delivered safe and sound? Or will they be lost in Brooklyn forever?" AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR The Dragon Thief (Grades 3-7 / Ages 8-12) "Stealing a baby dragon was easy! Hiding it is a little more complicated, in this sequel to reviewer favorite Dragons in a Bag. "Jaxon had just one job--to return three baby dragons to the realm of magic. But when he got there, only two dragons were left in the bag. His best friend's sister, Kavita, is a dragon thief! "Kavita only wanted what was best for the baby dragon. But now every time she feeds it, the dragon grows and grows! How can she possibly keep it secret? Even worse, stealing it has upset the balance between the worlds. The gates to the other realm have shut tight! Jaxon needs all the help he can get to find Kavita, outsmart a trickster named Blue, and return the baby dragon to its true home." |
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Akwaeke Emezi
Pet (Ages 12+ / Grades 7+) "The highly-anticipated, genre-defying new novel by award-winning author Akwaeke Emezi that explores themes of identity and justice. Pet is here to hunt a monster. Are you brave enough to look? "There are no monsters anymore, or so the children in the city of Lucille are taught. Jam and her best friend, Redemption, have grown up with this lesson all their life. But when Jam meets Pet, a creature made of horns and colors and claws, who emerges from one of her mother's paintings and a drop of Jam's blood, she must reconsider what she's been told. Pet has come to hunt a monster, and the shadow of something grim lurks in Redemption's house. Jam must fight not only to protect her best friend, but also to uncover the truth, and the answer to the question--How do you save the world from monsters if no one will admit they exist? "Acclaimed novelist Akwaeke Emezi makes their riveting and timely young adult debut with a book that asks difficult questions about what choices you can make when the society around you is in denial. "'Like [Madeleine] L'Engle, Akwaeke Emezi asks questions of good and evil and agency, all wrapped up in the terrifying and glorious spectacle of fantastical theology.' -NPR" Parents, the main character is transgender and the book contains adult nuances of "monsters," including child abuse and police brutality. Cross-posted on the LGBTQI page. Born in Umuahia and raised in Aba, Nigeria, Emezi prefers the pronouns "they" and "them." They have received numerous awards for their five novels, including Pet, their debut YA novel. |
Elizabeth Evans
So Bite Me (Ages 16+) "LA seamstress for a major Hollywood studio finds herself caught in a conflict between a dysfunctional werewolf pack and a pack of wimpy, young werewolves and on the way to a resolution of the conflict falls in mad lust with a man of indeterminate heritage." While the sample was a quick and fun read, I didn't like the use of "retard" (one time) and "gaydar" (numerous times). I realize that teens and young adults use these words a lot, but I'm personally uncomfortable with them, especially retard, which is insulting to people with Down Syndrome and other mental and/or developmental delays. It's just not nice. Otherwise, I really liked what I read and I think a teen/young adult reader will enjoy this paranormal romance/urban fantasy. I've added it to my growing list of "I've GOT to get this" books. (RDJ) Til Death Do Us Part (Ages 16+) "This is the second in the Earth Warrior series and again features Carlotta Joyeaux Martin. Lotta is a wardrobe mistress at a major LA film studio and is in love and in lust with an Earth Warrior whose life expectancy is forever. The Earth Warrior, Gamba, is a member of the Uni Gaia Management and Maintenance Council. As an Earth Warrior, Gamba took an oath at his creation to maintain the delicate balance between Earth's paranormal and normal beings. The Council has summoned Gamba to resolve an issue with an out of control and uncontrollable teenaged vampire whose destructive party activities threaten that balance. Gamba has two options:contain the teenager or delete his existence. Neither is an acceptable option for the teenager's doting mother. And even though Lotta has just learned that Gamba, her other-worldly lover, has a gorgeous and sometimes troublesome Earth Warrior wife, Lotta agrees to help him on this job." |
Kindle edition
Text-to-Speech enabled Kindle edition
Text-to-Speech enabled |
Deva Fagan
The Magical Misadventures of Prunella Bogthistle (Grades 5+ / Ages 10+) "All Prunella wants is to be a proper bog-witch. Unfortunately, her curses tend to do more good than harm. When her mixed-up magic allows a sneaky thief to escape her grandmother’s garden, Prunella is cast out until she can prove herself. "It’s hard enough being exiled to the unmagical Uplands, but traveling with the smug young thief Barnaby is even worse. He’s determined to gain fame and fortune by recovering the missing Mirable Chalice. And to get what she wants, Prunella must help him, like it or not." |
Derrick Ferguson
Young Dillon in the Halls of Shamballah (Ages 15+) "Dillon. A name that means many things to many people. Adventurer. Hero. Rogue. Nemesis. Friend. But even a man who is a legend in his own time started somewhere. Even Dillon was young once. "YOUNG DILLON IN THE HALLS OF SHAMBALLAH pulls back the curtain on the past of a modern day hero. Many are the tales that have been told about Dillon, but none are stranger than the whispers of his having been raised in the mythical and eternal city of Shamballah and his training by those deadliest of adepts in the martial arts, the Warmasters of Liguria. "Now, at last, the true story behind those legends can be told. "This is a story of a Dillon and the events and people who would forge him into the man we know. This is a story of a Dillon in the days before his feet were set on the path that would lead him to the wildest adventures of them all. And it is itself an incredible adventure in its own right. This is the story of YOUNG DILLON IN THE HALLS OF SHAMBALLAH. And, once you’ve read it, you and Dillon will never be the same." Dillon and the Voice of Odin (Ages 16+) "He's a soldier of fortune gifted with an astonishing range of remarkable talents and skills that make him respected and feared in the secret world of mercenaries, spies and adventurers. A world inhabited by amazing men and women of fabulous abilities that most of us are unaware even exists. Fueled by a taste for excitement, driven by an overpowering desire to protect the innocent, see that wrongs are righted and assisted by a worldwide network of extraordinary men and women, all experts in their fields, Dillon spans the globe in a never-ending quest for the wildest and most breathtaking adventures of all!" Honestly, my first reaction after finishing this fast-paced, action-packed story was, "Why isn't this a movie?" Parents, there's violence, blood, some non-explicit sex, but I'd let an older teen read this. It's way better than the James Bond books and movies. |
Margaret Fieland
Relocated (Ages 10+) "When fourteen-year-old Keth's dad is transferred to planet Aleyne, he doesn't know what to expect. Certainly not to discover Dad grew up here, and studied with Ardaval, a noted Aleyni scholar. On Aleyne, Keth’s psi ability develops. However, psi is illegal in the Terran Federation. After a dangerous encounter with two Terran teenagers conflict erupts between Keth and his father. Keth seeks sanctuary with Ardaval. Studying with the Aleyne scholar Keth learns the truth about his own heritage. After Keth's friend's father, Mazos, is kidnapped, Keth ignores the risks and attempts to free him. Little does he realize who will pay the cost as he becomes involved with terrorists." |
Kindle edition
Text-to-Speech enabled |
Namina Forna
The Gilded Ones (Ages 12-17+ / Grades 7-9+) “Namina Forna Could Be The Toni Morrison Of YA Fantasy.” –Refinery 29 “Fans of Children of Blood and Bone, Mulan, and the Dora Milaje from Black Panther are going to adore this one.” –BuzzFeed "A dark feminist tale spun with blood and gold. Must read!" –Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles "Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs. "But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity–and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death. "Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki–near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat. "Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she's ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be–not even Deka herself." Originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, Namina Forna moved to the US when she was nine, Currently based in Los Angeles, she travels between the two countries regularly. |
Derby Frederick
The Magister's Mask (Ages 13+) "Shenza Waik of Tresmeer is a young woman who has just completed her training as magister, a school of sorcery with a specialty in criminal investigation. Then the first lord who rules her home is shockingly murdered, and an innocent man is arrested for the crime. Political factions begin maneuvering for a resolution that is favorable to them. The enigmatic nature spirits want revenge for the slaying. In order to prove her worthiness to become a magister, Shenza must carry out justice while resisting pressure to wrongly convict the accused man. "Meanwhile, the killer remains free. "Shenza must find him before she becomes his next victim." The Necromancer's Bones (Ages 13+) "Chimi Has a Secret "Young and pretty, Chimi dreams of a bright future. She also has a secret: Chimi sees ghosts. Restless spirits follow her everywhere. They recognize her as a true necromancer, mystically called to right the wrongs that won’t let them rest in peace. Desperate to escape her unwanted destiny, Chimi turns to her older sister for help. Shenza is a magister, trained to investigate crimes with her magic. "Responsible and reliable, Shenza insists that Chimi accept her new gift. "Shenza Has a Secret, Too "A fisherman’s daughter elevated to high rank, Shenza has met the perfect man and knows he can never be hers. First Lord Aspace is about to get married, but his bride’s family may be connected to a grisly unsolved murder in Shenza’s past. Worse, someone has offended the mighty nature spirits. They demand retribution. If Shenza fails, they will raise a volcano to destroy the town and everyone in it. "So Many Secrets, So Little Time "Can the sisters, so much at odds, work together to save their home and their loved ones?" |
Lamar Giles (Author) / Dapo Adeola (Illustrator)
The Last Last-Day-of-Summer (A Legendary Alston Boys Adventure) (Grades 3-7 / Ages 8-12) "The Hardy Boys meets The Phantom Tollbooth, in the new century! When two adventurous cousins accidentally extend the last day of summer by freezing time, they find the secrets hidden between the unmoving seconds, minutes, and hours are not the endless fun they expected. "Otto and Sheed are the local sleuths in their zany Virginia town, masters of unraveling mischief using their unmatched powers of deduction. And as the summer winds down and the first day of school looms, the boys are craving just a little bit more time for fun, even as they bicker over what kind of fun they want to have. That is, until a mysterious man appears with a camera that literally freezes time. Now, with the help of some very strange people and even stranger creatures, Otto and Sheed will have to put aside their differences to save their town—and each other—before time stops for good." Lamar Giles is an Edgar Award-nominated author and co-founder of #WeNeedDiverse books. He lives in Harrisonburg,VA. Illustrator Dapo Adeola is of Nigerian heritage, London born and bred. |
Constance Gillam
The 5th Realm (New Orleans Voodoo Chronicles) (Ages 15+) "Lisette Beaulieu’s private school classmates have always made the 15-year-old Creole orphan feel like a freak. But Lisette never believed them until she accidentally raised the dead in a cemetery late one night. When she discovers that her mother’s family is alive and practicing Voodoo in the bayou, her world spins farther out of control. Her best friend Scooter is about to make his own deal with the devil to keep his brother out of jail; and her classmate, Eric, has a talent with swords and saving her life. That talent will be needed when Lisette learns that an ancestor promised her to a demon overlord in exchange for greater Voodoo power." |
Max Gladstone
Three Parts Dead (Ages 16+) "A god has died, and it’s up to Tara, first-year associate in the international necromantic firm of Kelethres, Albrecht, and Ao, to bring Him back to life before His city falls apart. "Her client is Kos, recently deceased fire god of the city of Alt Coulumb. Without Him, the metropolis’s steam generators will shut down, its trains will cease running, and its four million citizens will riot. Tara’s job: resurrect Kos before chaos sets in. Her only help: Abelard, a chain-smoking priest of the dead god, who’s having an understandable crisis of faith. When Tara and Abelard discover that Kos was murdered, they have to make a case in Alt Coulumb’s courts—and their quest for the truth endangers their partnership, their lives, and Alt Coulumb’s slim hope of survival. Set in a phenomenally built world in which justice is a collective force bestowed on a few, craftsmen fly on lightning bolts, and gargoyles can rule cities, Three Parts Dead introduces readers to an ethical landscape in which the line between right and wrong blurs." I just read this book two nights ago and let me say "WOW!" Original, complex, mysterious and I never saw the ending coming! The world building was excellent and the characters were consistent, nothing wishy washy about this book. I've read a lot of science fiction and fantasy and it's rare that an author "gets it right" straight out of the gate. Not only were the loose ends tied up, but the ending was quite satisfying, with the door open for a second book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who's interested in a strange new world filled with magic, gods, good and evil. RDJ |
Virginia Hamilton
Her Stories: African American Folktales, Fairy Tales, and True Tales (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+) "A collection of twenty-five African-American folktales focuses on strong female characters and includes 'Little Girl and Bruh Rabby,' 'Catskinella,' and 'Annie Christmas.'" From Publishers Weekly: "The distinguished creators of The People Could Fly and Many Thousand Gone return for this striking collection of 17 tales, each featuring an African American woman or girl as the main character. True stories, ghost stories, folk legends, classic fairy tales, tall tales and more indicate the breadth of African American cultural traditions. Retold from a variety of sources, the stories flow smoothly in Hamilton's expertly measured prose. The full-color illustrations, one per story, are lush and detailed, like the Dillons' work in Pish, Posh, Said Hieronymus Bosch. In a handsome oversize format, the book itself reflects unusually high production values. Text and art are laid against a buff background in a sophisticated but uncrowded page design, and the volume is bound with an unusually heavy casing. It will need that sturdiness, for these are tales to be read over and over again." ---------- Justice Trilogy - Justice and Her Brothers, Dustland, and The Gathering (Ages 15+) Justice and Her Brothers "Justice’s brother Thomas can control people with his mind. But does Justice have special powers, too? For Justice and her identical twin brothers Levi and Thomas, the summer begins like any other. But as the slow days pass, Justice begins to notice a strange energy between her brothers, beyond their normal twin connection. Thomas becomes increasingly bossy and irritable, while Levi seems weak and absentminded. And there are changes happening within Justice, as well. Soon she discovers that she possesses a mysterious, extraordinary ability. Will Justice and her brothers uncover the secret behind their newfound powers?" Dustland "Their psychic power brought them to Dustland together. But will that same power tear them apart? Using their psychic abilities, Justice, the Watcher, Dorian, the healer, Thomas, the magician, and Levi, the sufferer, have formed their unit. Together, they mind-travel to a strange future world called Dustland. Together, they can survive anything. But when tensions run high between Thomas and Justice, will Thomas leave them stranded in this desolate land? With the future of their unit uncertain, the children are threatened by an even greater danger: Mal, the evil entity that controls Dustland. Will the unit be restored in time to fight against this new threat?" The Gathering "Justice and the First Unit travel to Dustland once again. Can they destroy evil and save the future world? Knowing they have unfinished business in the future, Justice, the Watcher, Thomas, the magician, Levi, the sufferer, and Dorian, the healer, again combine to form their unit and time-travel to Dustland. The unit hopes to guide the beings of Dustland out of the dangerous, barren place in the hopes of finding a safer home. But neither the unit nor the inhabitants of Dustland are truly safe as long as the sinister Mal remains in power. Will the unit be able to overcome Mal once and for all?" ---------- The Magical Adventures of Pretty Pearl (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+) "One long time ago, Pretty Pearl god child lived high on a mountaintop in Africa with all other gods. Curious about mankind and itching to show off her powers, she came down off the mountain with her brother, know-all best god John de Conquer, and sailed on a slave ship for America. There she saw the suffering of the black people, and felt their sorrow right behind her eyes . Pretty Pearl knew 'now' was her time to act.Brother John gave her a magical necklace, a set of rules to follow, and a warning to be careful. 'Them human bein's be awful tricky,' he said, 'they has most winnin' ways.' Drawing upon her fabulous storehouse of black legend, myth, and folklore, Virginia Hamilton has ventured into new ways of exploring the human spirit in this extrodinary fantasy filled with mysteries, beauty, and hope." Sadly, this is available as a used book only. ---------- The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+) From the School Library Journal: "The well-known author retells 24 black American folk tales in sure storytelling voice: animal tales, supernatural tales, fanciful and cautionary tales, and slave tales of freedom. All are beautifully readable. With the added attraction of 40 wonderfully expressive paintings by the Dillons, this collection should be snapped up." The People Could Fly - Picture Book and CD edition From the New York Times Book Rreview: "Leo and Diane Dillon's award-winning picture book interpretation of Newbery Medalist Virginia Hamilton's beloved tale now includes an unforgettable word-for-word CD narration by James Earl Jones and Virginia Hamilton. This tale of slaves who could fly to freedom offered hope in the darkly brutal times of slavery. "That is what Virginia Hamilton set out to show, what the Dillons have so astutely expounded on and what ultimately makes this version of 'People' so powerful. Think of it as a triad of words, pictures, and storytelling." |
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A.J. Harper
The Night Biters Trilogy: Night Biters, Smoke & Demons, and Were Wolves - The Mix Tape (Ages 15+) Night Biters After 16-year-old Jamilah and her 14-year old brother Omari arrive in Oakland, CA to stay with their aunt and uncle, a mysterious stranger gives Omari a magical compact disc and crucifix. "Fasten your seat belts, you're going to a place bustling with taggers, skaters, gangs, girls that literally kick butt, hip hop and vampires.” Were Wolves - The Mix Tape "Just when they were sure that the strangest thing that could happen in the Bay Area was a vampire war, Omari and Jamilah find themselves faced with a new threat: a werewolf, in the form of their recently bit friend Dragonbrush. As the full moon fatefully approaches, the siblings wonder what will happen to their Filipino friend when he fully transforms, and more importantly what will happen to them? Brace yourself; you're going back to Oakland, CA, a place filled with bullies, gay hipsters, illegal parties, and drug dealing DJ's, escaped convicts, vampires and now, werewolves." Smoke & Demons "Omari's dreams are plagued by visions of demons seeking to kill him. His sister Jamilah and best friend Dragonbrush attribute the nightmares to his growing weed habit. When Jamilah and Dragonbrush also start to have nightmares, Omari wonders if its the weed or are the demons real? Strap yourself in; you’re going to Oakland, Berkeley and Compton California. Cities that house drug lords, mad scientists, telepaths, vampires, werewolves and even demons." |
Robert A. Heinlein
Tunnel in the Sky (Ages 14+) Rod and his classmates are set down on an alien planet in a test to complete a college level survival course. It's only supposed to last 10 days but something goes terribly wrong... Nowhere in this book does it actually state that the main character, Rod, is Black. However, it's obvious if you read the story carefully and consider it in the context of the 1950s. (RDJ) |
Jordan Ifueko
Raybearer (Ages 15+) "The epic debut YA fantasy from an incredible new talent—perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi and Sabaa Tahir "Nothing is more important than loyalty. "But what if you’ve sworn to protect the one you were born to destroy? "Tarisai has always longed for the warmth of a family. She was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as The Lady. The Lady sends her to the capital of the global empire of Aritsar to compete with other children to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince’s Council of 11. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other Council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust. Tarisai won’t stand by and become someone’s pawn—but is she strong enough to choose a different path for herself? "With extraordinary world-building and breathtaking prose, Raybearer is the story of loyalty, fate, and the lengths we’re willing to go for the ones we love." Nigerian American writer Jordan Ifueko now lives in Los Angeles with her husband. Raybearer is her debut novel. |
Justina Ireland
Dread Nation (Ages 15+) "At once provocative, terrifying, and darkly subversive, Dread Nation is Justina Ireland's stunning vision of an America both foreign and familiar—a country on the brink, at the explosive crossroads where race, humanity, and survival meet."Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania—derailing the War Between the States and changing the nation forever. "In this new America, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Education Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead. "But there are also opportunities—and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It's a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society’s expectations. "But that’s not a life Jane wants. Almost finished with her education at Miss Preston's School of Combat in Baltimore, Jane is set on returning to her Kentucky home and doesn’t pay much mind to the politics of the eastern cities, with their talk of returning America to the glory of its days before the dead rose. "But when families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against some powerful enemies. "And the restless dead, it would seem, are the least of her problems." African American author Justina Ireland builds an alternate history set during the time of the American Civil War. Highly recommended for fans of Black speculative fiction! Parents: Brief mentions of same-sex relationships and plenty of gore. (It's about zombies, come on now!) Deathless Divide (Ages 15+) "The sequel to the New York Times bestselling epic Dread Nation is an unforgettable journey of revenge and salvation across a divided America. "After the fall of Summerland, Jane McKeene hoped her life would get simpler: Get out of town, stay alive, and head west to California to find her mother. "But nothing is easy when you’re a girl trained in putting down the restless dead, and a devastating loss on the road to a protected village called Nicodemus has Jane questioning everything she thought she knew about surviving in 1880s America. "What’s more, this safe haven is not what it appears—as Jane discovers when she sees familiar faces from Summerland amid this new society. Caught between mysteries and lies, the undead, and her own inner demons, Jane soon finds herself on a dark path of blood and violence that threatens to consume her. "But she won’t be in it alone. "Katherine Deveraux never expected to be allied with Jane McKeene. But after the hell she has endured, she knows friends are hard to come by—and that Jane needs her too, whether Jane wants to admit it or not. "Watching Jane’s back, however, is more than she bargained for, and when they both reach a breaking point, it’s up to Katherine to keep hope alive—even as she begins to fear that there is no happily-ever-after for girls like her." ---------- Promise of Shadows (Ages 15+) “A healthy dose of action, a strong thread of humor and just a touch of romance” (VOYA, starred review). "A teen who is half-god, half-human must own her power whether she likes it or not in this snappy, snarky novel with a serving of smoldering romance that Kirkus Reviews calls “a dark, slyly funny read.” "Zephyr Mourning has never been very good at being a Harpy. She’d rather watch reality TV than learn forty-seven ways to kill a man, and she pretty much sucks at wielding magic. Zephyr was ready for a future pretending to be a normal human instead of a half-god assassin. But all that changed when her sister was murdered—and Zephyr used a forbidden dark power to save herself from the same fate. "On the run from a punishment worse than death, an unexpected reunion with a childhood friend upends Zephyr’s world—and not only because her old friend has grown surprisingly, extremely hot. It seems that Zephyr might just be the Nyx, a dark goddess that is prophesied to shift the power balance: for hundreds of years the half-gods have lived in fear, and Zephyr is supposed to change that. "But how is she supposed to save everyone else when she can barely take care of herself? Parents: This fantasy is very diverse, including same-sex crushes and plenty of appropriate violence. (Remember, classic Greek mythology is pretty violent.) |
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Jaz Joyner
Juniper Leaves: The Otherworldly Tale of a Lonesome Magical Girl (Ages 13+) "Kinky-haired blerd Juniper Bray used to believe in magic, until she lost her best friend: her grandmother. Now this 15-year-old shy girl is headed to her father’s research trip on a farm hundreds of miles away, with a family she barely knows and the opposite of a best friend, her new arch nemesis, Bree Mckinney. As if she wasn’t miserable enough. Little does she know the next few months Juniper will discover magical powers she never knew she had, get a crush on a girl she never knew she’d like and well, quite frankly, save the world. Juniper Leaves is a fantastical coming-of-age tale of a girl who learns to let go, live a little, and best of all, believe in herself — all before her sixteenth birthday." This fantasy story features a black queer protagonist who is obsessed with science. The author describes her as nerdy 15-year-old. Highly recommended. |
Ambelin Kwaymullina
The Interrogation of Ashala Wolfe (Grades 7+ / Ages 12+) "A compelling debut novel asks what happens when children develop inexplicable abilities—and the government sees them as a threat. "They’re known as Firestarters. Boomers. Skychangers. The government calls them Illegals — children with inexplicable abilities — and detains them in menacing facilities so that society is kept out of harm’s way. "Ashala Wolf and her Tribe of fellow Illegals have taken refuge in the Firstwood, a forest eerily conscious of its inhabitants, where they do their best to survive and where they are free to practice their abilities. But when Ashala is compelled to venture outside her territory, she is betrayed by a friend and captured by an enemy. Injured and vulnerable, with her own Sleepwalker ability blocked, Ashala is forced to succumb to a machine that will pull secrets from her mind. It’s only a matter of time before the machine ferrets out the location of the Tribe. Her betrayer, Justin Connor, is ever-present, saving her life when she wishes to die and watching her every move. Will the Tribe survive the interrogation of Ashala Wolf?" From Kirkus Reviews: "The indigenous Australian author draws from a vast, rich cultural tapestry that will be new to many readers. If an 'exhilarating dystopia' strikes you as oxymoronic, this vivid, original debut just might change your mind." |
Justine Larbalestier
Magic or Madness (Grades 7+ / Ages 12+) "For fifteen years, Reason Cansino has lived on the run. Together with her mother, Sarafina, she has moved from one place to another in the Australian countryside, desperate not to be found by Reason’s grandmother Esmeralda, a dangerous woman who believes in magic. But the moment Reason walks through Esmeralda’s back door and finds herself on a New York City street, she’s confronted by an unavoidable truth—magic is real." Magic Lessons (Grades 7+ / Ages 12+) "Fifteen-year-old Reason Cansino has learned the painful truth that she—like her mother, grandmother, and new friends Tom and Jay-Tee—must face a choice between using the magic that lives in her blood and dying young, or refusing to use the magic and losing her mind. Now a new threat leaves Reason stranded alone in New York City, struggling to control a power she barely understands. But could the danger she faces also hold the key to saving her life?" Note that this book includes teen sex ending in a pregnancy. Magic's Child (Grades 7+ / Ages 12+) "In the third installment in the Magic or Madness trilogy, the people Reason Cansino loves most are all in danger. Reason’s mother, Sarafina, has disappeared from the mental hospital in Sydney with Reason’s evil grandfather, Jason Blake. Jay-Tee, the closest thing Reason has to a best friend, has used all of her magic and faces death at any moment. Only Reason can find the answers within her family’s magic to save everyone who matters most to her. Magic’s Child is a satisfying and thrilling conclusion to a breakout trilogy that launched to multiple starred reviews and earned spots on the 2006 BBYA final list, as well as the Locus 2005 Recommended Reading List." Note that the story contains some mature themes, including Reason's pregnancy and rejection by the baby's father. |
Kai Leakes
Sin Eaters (Devotion) (New Adult/Adult - 18+) "Khamun Cross has been assigned an objective that will change his life: to protect Sanna Steele from the dark forces that desire to steal her soul. Khamun is a member of a secret society of Guardian Angels whose battle against The Cursed has been raging for centuries. The Cursed roam the earth to harvest souls for the Dark army, while the Guardian Angels desire to protect The Light. "Khamun has been commissioned to watch over Sanna, but in doing so, he also satisfies his secret cravings for the sins of The Cursed. Like a vampire, he feeds off of his enemies. What was now tainted is purified by his touch, and he returns them to The Light. "Unbeknownst to Sanna, she is the key to the war, and The Cursed are desperate to have her at all costs. They hunt her, as well as her family and friends, relentlessly. Will Khamun and his team be able to save her from the Dark? "Kai Leakes delivers a classic tale of good versus evil in this supernatural thriller." |
C.B. Lee
Not Your Villain (Grades 5-8) "Bells Broussard thought he had it made when his superpowers manifested early. Being a shapeshifter is awesome. He can change his hair whenever he wants and, if putting on a binder for the day is too much, hes got it covered. But that was before he became the countrys most wanted villain. After discovering a massive cover-up by the Heroes League of Heroes, Bells and his friends Jess, Emma, and Abby set off on a secret mission to find the Resistance. Meanwhile, power-hungry former hero Captain Orion is on the loose with a dangerous serum that renders meta-humans powerless, and a new militarized robotic threat emerges. Sometimes, to do a heros job, you need to be a villain." Not Your Sidekick can be found on the Asian/Pacific Islander and LGBTQ pages C.B. Lee is a bisexual Chinese-Vietnamese American writer based in Los Angeles, California. |
Thelonious Legend
Sins Of The Father (Ascension Trilogy) (Ages 12+) "This was going to be a special year for the Parker sisters. Eve was going to dominate in the classroom and on the basketball court. Gwen was going to make the starting five and go down in history as the greatest prankster ever. Ana was going to do as little as possible. But without warning, all three sisters gain extraordinary abilities that defy science… powers that come with a cost. Now all they want to do is make it through the school year without drawing any undue attention, while racing to find a cure before the side effects of their new abilities kill them. Eve’s temperament, Gwen’s fondness for pranks, and Ana’s predilection for money, however, are challenges they must overcome to achieve their goals. Because if they can’t, they’re dead…" |
Alicia McCalla
Breaking Free (Ages 16+) "What if your mom was abducted? What if the people who held her hostage wanted to erase her mind? Seventeen year old XJ Patterson is genetically enhanced. So is her revolutionary mother, Dorothy. CAGE, the Coalition to Assimilate Genetically Enhanced Persons, abducts Dorothy because she crossed the wrong person. XJ wants to rescue her mother, but she won't join the revolution to do it. If she becomes a revolutionary, she can't live a normal life. And all she wants is to be normal. Brandon Miller wants XJ to be his girlfriend. He doesn't care that she's poor and he's rich. He doesn't care that she's Black and he's White. But right now, his priority is convincing her to tell her story on Revolution TV. Can he convince XJ in time to help her rescue Dorothy from the CAGE mind sweep? Breaking Free is the first book in the Genetic Revolution series. Three young cousins, XJ, Amber, and Whitney, must reunite to become the ultimate weapon to destroy CAGE." |
K. R. S. McEntire
Saving Eden: A YA Dystopian / Post-Apocalyptic Adventure (The Eden Saga Book 1) "A jaded resistance fighter. A magical mutant girl. A quest to save the last beacon of hope in a deadly, dystopian world. "Sixteen-year-old Angela thinks she and her father are the last survivors on Earth. She dreams of adventure and romance but only finds it in books. In the confines of her garden paradise, she’s untouched by contaminants that caused the rest of humanity to mutate into murderous beasts or die. But the lure of the outside world is irresistible. "When a seventeen-year-old boy stumbles upon Angela’s home with news about a thriving community, she dares to leave her garden for the first time. The dystopian society that she finds is deadlier than she expected, and the wardens tasked with protecting the settlement have murderous secrets. Does she have what it takes to stay alive and save humanity in the process? "The Hunger Games meets The Darkest Minds in a thrilling coming-of-age adventure." Posted under Black - see that page for more books by K. R. S. McEntire Reader Review: "KRS spins a fantastic tale of a country that dabbled in intentional genetic alterations and mutations, which ended up killing many and causing the world to protest. In the aftermath, Angela's father hid her away from the world to protect her and succeeded in raising the most naïve, kindhearted girl one could imagine. It's a great setup for what promises to be a fantastic new series.” - Amazon Review Black author K. R. S. McEntire lives in Indianapolis with her husband. She also started and admins the Facebook page Diverse Fantasy and Sci-Finds, where she shares book recommendations with other bibliophiles. Finding Eden: A YA Dystopian / Post-Apocalyptic Adventure (The Eden Saga) "Escape the city. Conceal your powers. Don't catch feelings for your assassin. "Lilah has heard rumors of a garden paradise known as Eden somewhere out in the wilds. Forced out of post-apocalyptic Chicago when her mutant abilities come to light, it's her only hope of safety. "But she's not the only one roaming the wastelands. "On Adam’s first mission as a newly-qualified Warden, he is tasked with finding and destroying the heart of the Resistance–Eden. "When Lilah's and Adam's destinies collide, neither can deny the spark of attraction between them, but how long can they journey together before their secrets come to light? "When Lilah lets down her barriers, Adam sees her for who she truly is and is faced with an impossible choice–between duty and his heart." Making Eden: A YA Dystopian / Post-Apocalyptic Adventure (The Eden Saga Book 3) "In post-apocalyptic Chicago, only the Cleansed survive. "Seventeen-year-old Ivy would do anything to save her mother—giving up her mutant abilities in a Cleansing ceremony is a price she’s willing to pay. It’s the only way to get her hands on the medicine her mother needs. "Asher hopes the Cleansing will secure a safer life for his girlfriend, Ivy—one where she’s less likely to get slaughtered for simply walking down the street. A life where she can get legally married, ideally, to him. "But Ivy’s Cleansing goes horribly wrong. When mutants disappear, Asher must discover where the missing mutants have gone. Will Asher and Ivy find each other and discover the truth about the treatment before more mutants vanish? "X-Men meets The Darkest Minds in this dystopian fantasy adventure." ---------- Alice and the VooDoo Queen "A demon-hunting mad hatter. A voodoo-loving red queen. A tragic love story that transcends life and death. "Life is good for Alice and Jay. They’re living together in a luxurious penthouse, their wedding is in one week, and the hardest decision they have to make is whether they’ll honeymoon in Fiji or Japan. "Alice tries not to jinx her good fortune by asking too many questions—like how Jay can afford Fiji on a restaurant manager's budget or why he refuses to introduce her to his family. "When Jay disappears a week before their wedding, she must go down the rabbit hole and dig up the truth about her lover. With the help of a demon-hunting mad hatter and a potion that connects humans with the spirit realm, she discovers a world of voodoo, spells, gods, goddesses, spirits, and her biggest challenge: Jay’s mother—the voodoo queen." Parental warnings: I shouldn't have to even say this, but yes, the book contains voodoo, magic, demons, spirits, and the young couple are living together. |
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Patricia McKillip
Moon-Flash (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+) "Kyreol's small world begins at the Face, a high rock cliff, and ends at Fourteen Falls, a series of rapids. Each year, her people celebrate Moon-Flash-a spark of light that seems to come from and go into the moon, a symbol of life and joy. When a mysterious stranger arrives, Kyreol wants to know more about him, as well as the Moon-Flash, and soon she and her childhood friend Terje leave their home to look for answers. Those answers will pluck Kyreol from Riverworld and transform her life forever-by fast-forwarding her into a future she can barely comprehend. This omnibus edition combines the acclaimed Patricia A. McKillip's two science-fiction novels, Moon-Flash and The Moon and the Face-at the request of Firebird readers." |
L.L. McKinney
A Blade So Black (Ages 15+) "'With memorable characters and page-turning thrills, A Blade So Black is the fantasy book I've been waiting for my whole life. Alice is Black Girl Magic personified.' ―Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Hate U Give "A Blade So Black delivers an irresistible urban fantasy retelling of Alice in Wonderland . . . but it's not the Wonderland you remember. "The first time the Nightmares came, it nearly cost Alice her life. Now she's trained to battle monstrous creatures in the dark dream realm known as Wonderland with magic weapons and hardcore fighting skills. Yet even warriors have a curfew. "Life in real-world Atlanta isn't always so simple, as Alice juggles an overprotective mom, a high-maintenance best friend, and a slipping GPA. Keeping the Nightmares at bay is turning into a full-time job. But when Alice's handsome and mysterious mentor is poisoned, she has to find the antidote by venturing deeper into Wonderland than she’s ever gone before. And she'll need to use everything she's learned in both worlds to keep from losing her head . . . literally. "Debut author L.L. McKinney delivers an action-packed twist on an old classic, full of romance and otherworldly intrigue." L.L. McKinnery describes herself as a Blerd (Black nerd). She is a writer, poet and member of the kidlit community as well as an advocate for equality and inclusion in publishing. |
Wendy Raven McNair
Asleep Trilogy - Asleep and Awake (Ages 13+) The first two books of this planned trilogy were highly recommended to me by another author, Milton J. Davis. I read the sample pages provided on the webpage and I'm very impressed with the clean, clear prose. I can see why McNair's work is increasingly popular among teens and adults alike. Asleep "Adisa Summers doesn't know her boyfriend, Micah Alexander, can fly. Micah's odd emotionless behavior, rigid posture, and vacant eyes are mysteries sending mixed messages to Adisa. When a flash of lightning sends a tree crashing down on her, Adisa is shocked to see Micah actually flying to her rescue!" Super heroes, teen romance, and plenty of adventure. Available in paperback and on Kindle. Awake "AWAKE is book 2 of a YA fantasy trilogy told from the perspective of an African American teen girl, Adisa Summers. Adisa and Micah's saga continues as the teen couple race against time to save Micah. However conflict interferes with their efforts as well as other forces in the super world. When Adisa tries to secretly meet the parents who abandoned her, an explosive confrontation with Micah drives the couple apart and threatens to destroy them both. Adisa must conquer her fears and take a stand now that she's finally Awake." |
J. Moon
Book of the Anointed (Saga of the Sons) (Ages 16+) "Boyz N The Hood meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this heartpounding and terrifying debut novel, that will leave you breathless until the very last page. "When sixteen-year-old Jaden Davis heads out to the mall one day, he hardly expects to hear the voice of The Creator commanding him to save a baby from a man possessed by a demon. And he’s shocked to discover that he can expel that demon with just his mind. Suddenly Jaden is introduced the secret order of the Anointed, warriors chosen by The Creator to hunt monsters that haunt us at night; such as vampires, demons, shape shifting assassins, and all devouring Locusts. "Jaden is introduced with a vengeance when this demon returns to kill his mother. Now with the guidance of his new Shepherd, the friendship of three other Anointed, and protection from a guardian angel, he seeks to vanquish the malevolent force that destroyed his family. "Perfect for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Teen Wolf, IT and Supernatural. If you love paranormal romances, Dark fantasy, witty characters, Vampires, Shifters, Demons, Archangels, and funny supernatural creatures, then Book of the Anointed is perfect for you." Parents, there's violence and some language used in the story. J. Moon is from Sumter, South Carolina and attended historically Black Howard University, where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Biology. |
Kindle edition
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Tahani Nelson
The Last Faoii (Ages 16+) "The faoii have protected Clearwall for generations. With militaristic order and stalwart discipline, these women have reigned in prosperity. But when her monastery is attacked and her sisters slaughtered, only young Kaiya-faoii is left alive. "Forced to cope without the long-standing traditions of her Order, Kaiya travels the country on a mission to avenge her sisters and preserve what is left of her heritage. The search brings her not only to dark discoveries and ancient family secrets, but to something she never wanted or dreamed of: a brother she never knew she had. "Forced into a war at the heart of a broken empire, the siblings must evaluate the true meanings of enemy, betrayal and freedom―and the gray areas surrounding each. Kaiya slowly learns the true state of the world outside her monastery’s walls, the dangers of the poisonous army that is slowly covering the land, and of her own innate abilities gifted by the Goddess." Note: Parents should be aware of violence and some language. Some of the battle scenes are dark. |
A.I. Newton (Author) / Anjan Sarkar (Illustrator)
The Alien Next Door 1: The New Kid (Grades 2 - 4+ / Ages 6 - 8+) "In the first book of the Alien Next Door series, an alien boy named Zeke tries to fit in and adjust to life on Earth, while a classmate, Harris, suspects that Zeke might not be quite what he claims to be. "Zeke the alien is on his way to his first day of school, feeling down because he has to start over again on a new planet, as his scientist parents constantly move to wherever their research takes them. When he gets to school, no one seems to notice anything strange or different about him except Harris, a kid obsessed with science fiction and aliens. Harris sees Zeke doing extraordinary things but can't convince anyone, least of all his best friend, Roxy, that Zeke might be an alien. Roxy just thinks Harris is jealous that she's becoming friends with Zeke. But when Roxy invites Zeke over to Harris's house, will Harris find a way to prove that he's right?" Parents: Great little book, a quick read for an adult. Fun! Protagonists are Black (Harris) and the alien (Zeke) plus their Latina friend Roxy. Posted under Mixed and Non-Human & Alien |
Howard Night
The Serpent Cult (Ages 18+) I'm excited to present another new and up-and-coming author! Night has a way with words that pulls you right into the story and keeps you reading with every heart-pounding moment of danger. I love the city-within-a-city concept, where you just never know what's coming around the next corner. For mature readers, violence and strong language makes this novel inappropriate for young teens. "The Serpent Cult is an Action Urban Fantasy that takes place in Mountairy Rock; an old city within a modern city where goliath trees dwarf the skyscrapers, hidden packs of werewolves roam the rooftops, modern day witches practice covertly and a leviathan of a Demon secretly builds its own army of crazed worshipers... Life had finally started to come together for Max Madigan. This was going to be the year that would see him finally earn his Doctorate, start his career and hopefully kick his long dormant love life back into gear. But just as the New Year starts there’s a grisly massacre at Haley University Museum, where Max works as a researcher..." |
Nook edition
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Shana Norris
Surfacing (Ages 13+) I read the sample chapter and while I don't even like romance novels (none, nada, not in any form!), I was already caught up in the story. It's very well written. This paranormal romance is available in Kindle and Nook editions. If you don't have either device, you can download the FREE applications to your computer or other electronic devices. The reviews on this book were very good, don't miss out because you don't have a Kindle or Nook! (RDJ) "Sixteen-year-old Mara Westray has just lost her mother, and now, being shipped off to live with the father she doesn’t know is not how she imagined grieving. She’s already counting down the days until she turns eighteen and can leave the tiny island of Swans Landing. But from the moment she steps off the ferry, nothing is as ordinary as it looks. Whispers of a haunting song on the wind make her see impossible things, and she isn’t sure she can trust her judgment about what is real and what isn’t anymore. Maybe she can’t even trust her judgment about quiet Josh Canavan, whose way of speaking in riddles and half-truths only confuses her more, luring her deeper into the secrets hidden beneath the ocean’s surface. As she tries to unravel the events that led to her mom fleeing the island sixteen years ago, Mara finds that the biggest secret of all is only the beginning." |
Kindle edition
Text-to-Speech enabled |
Andre Norton
Android at Arms (Ages 13+) Set in an unknown future, Andas and Yolyos, a cat-like Salariki, are held prisoner. Escaping, they and their companions believe that they've been replaced by perfectly replicated androids. They manage to take the supply ship to Andas' home world, where they're betrayed by their fellow prisoners. While hiding deep within the palace, Andas is called to a "gate" in an abandoned garden and Yolyos follows, trying to stop him. Pulled into an alternate reality by Andas' dying counterpart and his bride, they must fight against powers that are only a legend in their own timeline. But the question lingers, is Andas the man or the android? Sadly, Android at Arms is currently available only as a used book. I wish Norton had written more books in this particular segment of her universe. Andas proudly explained that his planet was settled in the first outspread from Earth, the Afro outspread. Hmmm, is that the same wave of peoples that fled Earth in Voodoo Planet (the Solar Queen series, see the Everybody Else page)? I would love to see more books based on this first wave from Earth. Publishers, Norton estate, are you listening??? (RDJ) ---------- Gods and Androids A hardcover bind-up of The Wraiths of Time (see below) and Android at Arms, available in used copies only. I have the paperback version, which doesn't appear to be available anywhere. I have to complain again about the reasoning behind the cover -- does anyone actually read even the book description? The publisher put these two books, with Black protagonists together, and then (on my book's cover anyway) the art shows the Salariki from Android at Arms with a White guy a bit behind him, holding the ankh -- which is featured in the Wraiths of Time with a Black female protagonist! Come on now!! ---------- Forerunner (Ages 13+) When Simsa's mentor dies, she's left alone, an alien on an alien world. Her black skin and silver hair set her apart from the other Burrowers living on the discards of the past. She is forced to flee into the hills with Thom an off-worlder of Asian heritage. They enter and explore unknown forerunner ruins as they seek answers to his brother's disappearance and Simsa's links to a distant past. (RDJ) Forerunner: The Second Venture (Ages 13+) Simsa's adventures and voyage of self-discovery continues as she finds herself trapped on a desert planet. Pursued by Thom's associates and Thom himself, she is faced with the difficult choice: Does she trust Thom or not? (RDJ) ---------- Lavendar-Green Magic (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+) "A mysterious maze "Eleven-year-old Holly Wade and her twin siblings, Judy and Crockett, are sent to live with their grandparents in the small town of Dimsdale, Massachusetts when their father is declared missing in action in Vietnam. Dimsdale is nothing like Boston; there are only two other African-American children in the entire school. Even worse, Grandpa and Grandma Wade live in an old junkyard! While exploring one day, Holly, Judy, and Crockett wander into an overgrown hedge maze--and find themselves transported back in time to Dimsdale's past. Can they right an ancient wrong and free the town of Dimsdale from a witch's curse?" ---------- Storm Over Warlock (Ages 13+) "The Throg task force struck the Terran survey camp a few minutes after dawn, without warning, and with a deadly precision which argued that the aliens had fully reconnoitered and prepared that attack. Eye-searing lances of energy lashed back and forth across the base with methodical accuracy. And a single cowering witness, flattened on a ledge in the heights above, knew that when the last of those yellow-red bolts fell, nothing human would be left alive down there. And so Shann Lantee, most menial of the Terrans attached to the camp on the planet Warlock, was left alone and weaponless in the strange, hostile world, the human prey of the aliens from space and the aliens on the ground alike." Well, Shann isn't exactly alone, he's with two wolverines and another Terran who lands after the attack. Told from Shann's viewpoint, the story takes us into an alien world, where the native people are governed by the telepathic females and the males are little more than servants. Shann, although Terran, came from the lowest levels of a mining world's society and fought his way up into Service and onto a Team, landing on the planet Warlock. The two Terrans, the wolverines, and the Wyverns (natives) defeat the alien Throgs in a fast-paced story leading to a satisfying end -- and a new beginning for Shann. While it's never really stated that Shann is Black, on page 83 of my 1973 paperback (second printing, the book's copyright is 1960), he's described as warm brown with tight black curls. (RDJ) Ordeal in Otherwhere (Ages 13+) "When an outlaw seized conrtol of the colonial planet Demeter, Charis Nordholm decided that it could no longer be her home. So she contracted herself into the service of an off-world trader, who assigned her to buying cloth from the mysterious Wyverns. At first she was attracted to these shimmering dream-rulers of Warlock, and yearned to learn their secrets. But by the time she finally began to understand the menace of Warlock, it was alomost too late." Do you ever wonder if the person who writes the copy on the back of a paperback actually read the book? This is one of those cases. Charis is one of the survivors, mostly women and young children, of a plague on a frontier world, Demeter. The daughter of the education officer assigned to the new colony, Charis flees the fanatics who've taken control of the settlement. Captured, she has little choice, the leaders don't want her and the trader is offering an indefinite contract, virtually slavery, so she ships off-world. Upon her arrival on Warlock, she begins to dream. The story continues with the mystery of the Wyvern females and their slipping domination of the males of their species. Charis, Shann, a native curl cat, and the wolverines battle against the illegal trade outpost and the antiquated beliefs of the Wyvern rulers to find a new accord on Warlock. Charis is one of the first female protagonists in science fiction, and while the publishers weren't certain about her, the women of sci-fi fandom embraced this female protagonist. In addition, Charis is clearly described as White while Shann is obviously Black, with warm brown skin and tight black curls. By the end of the book, it's clear that they have a deep relationship. Norton slid the first interracial romance of modern sci-fi right past the editors and nobody seemed to notice! (RDJ) Forerunner Foray (Ages 13+) Loosely linked to the previous two Warlock novels, Forerunner Foray focuses upon Ziantha, a telepathic sneak thief indebted to the Thieves Guild. While stealing information for her employer, she's drawn to an ancient artifact. Using the power of an alien, bird-like creature and her own mental powers, she teleports the artifact into her room. By this action, she stumbles upon a mystery that leads her to the Forerunners' unknown planet and into the past. This book also ended nicely, but left a door open for more adventures. Unfortunately, as far as I know, the series ends here. While some reviewers think that Forerunner and Forerunner: The Second Venture are part of the Warlock series, they are mistaken. These are an entirely separate stories. (RDJ) ---------- Star Ka'at (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+) "Two intriguing stray cats communicate with Jim and Elly Mae, convincing them that the cats are aliens from another planet." Star Ka'at World (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+) "Two human orphans expand their relationship with a super race of cats and travel to their world where they soon feel more like prisoners than guests." Star Ka'at and the Plant People Written with Dorothy Madlee (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+) "Follows the adventures of two children and a super race of cats as they rescue a group of plant people." ---------- Warlock (Ages 13+) This is the hardcover bind-up of the three Warlock novels. It contains Storm Over Warlock, Ordeal in Otherwhere and Forerunner Foray in one volume. ---------- The Wraiths of Time (Ages 13+) Book description taken from the back cover of Gods and Androids: "Was Tallahassee Mitford a modern archaeologist suffering from strange delusions, or has an ancient Egyption artifact somehow hurtled her personality far back into the mists of time to a Nubian kingdom where she is now a warrior princess named Ashake, caught up in a struggle between the gods of Egypt?" Once again, I wonder if we were reading the same book? Tallahassee is a modern archaeologist who is transported to an alternate time and space, where the people and culture of Meroё, the ancient kingdom of the Nubians, still exist. Taking the place of her dead counterpart, Tallahassee must navigate the customs and politics of this strange and different world. |
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Kindle edition Text-to-Speech enabled Hardcover bind-up of the three Warlock books
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Kelan O'Connell
Delta Legend (Ages 13+) "When 16-year-old Oakland teenager, Calvin Pierce, makes a bad decision and winds up getting arrested, his mother is quick to take action. Determined not to lose a second son to the drug and gang violence of the inner city, she sends Calvin to spend the summer working for his great uncle in the heart of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. "There in the predominately white region of agriculture and recreational boating, Calvin’s a fish out of water with a chip on his shoulder. But when severed body parts are discovered floating in a slough, his summer of proving himself takes on new meaning. "Something deadly is lurking in the deep murky waterways of the Delta. Now the daunting task of containing the living incarnation of a mythical creature falls to Calvin and his ragtag posse of oddball characters." |
Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu
Akata Witch (Ages 12+) "Twelve-year-old Sunny lives in Nigeria, but she was born American. Her features are African, but she's albino. She's a terrific athlete, but can't go out into the sun to play soccer. There seems to be no place where she fits. And then she discovers something amazing--she is a 'free agent,' with latent magical power. Soon she's part of a quartet of magic students, studying the visible and invisible, learning to change reality. But will it be enough to help them when they are asked to catch a career criminal who knows magic too?" ---------- The Shadow Speaker (Ages 13+) "Driven by vengeance. Destined for peace. Niger, West Africa, 2070: After fifteen-year old Ejii witnesses her father's beheading, her world shatters. In an era of mind-blowing technology and seductive magic, Ejii embarks on a mystical journey to track down her father's killer. With a newfound friend by her side, Ejii comes face to face with an earth turned inside out--and with her own magical powers. But Ejii soon discovers that her travels across the sands of the Sahara have a greater purpose. Her people need to be protected from a force seeking to annihilate them. And Ejii may be just the hero to do it. This futuristic, fantastical adventure heralds a bright new talent on the YA fantasy scene." ---------- Zahrah The Windseeker (Ages 13+) "In the Ooni Kingdom, children born dada—with vines growing in their hair—are rumored to have special powers. Zahrah Tsami doesn’t know anything about that. She feels normal. Others think she’s different—they fear her. Only Dari, her best friend, isn’t afraid of her. But then something begins to happen—something that definitely marks Zahrah as different—and the only person she can tell is Dari. He pushes her to investigate, edging them both closer and closer to danger. Until Dari’s life is on the line. Only Zahrah can save him, but to do so she’ll have to face her worst fears alone, including the very thing that makes her different." |
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Daniel José Older
Shadowshaper (Grades 7+ / Ages 12+) "Sierra Santiago planned an easy summer of making art and hanging out with her friends. But then a corpse crashes their first party. Her stroke-ridden grandfather starts apologizing over and over. And when the murals in her neighborhood begin to weep tears... Well, something more sinister than the usual Brooklyn ruckus is going on. "With the help of a fellow artist named Robbie, Sierra discovers shadowshaping, a magic that infuses ancestral spirits into paintings, music, and stories. But someone is killing the shadowshapers one by one. Now Sierra must unravel her family's past, take down the killer in the present, and save the future of shadowshaping for generations to come." Shadowhouse Fall (Grades 7+ / Ages 12+) "The stunning sequel to the New York Times bestseller Shadowshaper is daring, dazzling, defiant."A magical revolution on the page." -- Leigh Bardugo"[Older] leaves us openmouthed and speechless, asking "What just happened to me?!" -- Jacqueline Woodson "Sierra and her friends love their new lives as shadowshapers, making art and creating change with the spirits of Brooklyn. Then Sierra receives a strange card depicting a beast called the Hound of Light -- an image from the enigmatic, influential Deck of Worlds. The shadowshapers know their next battle has arrived.Thrust into an ancient struggle with enemies old and new, Sierra and Shadowhouse are determined to win. Revolution is brewing in the real world as well, as the shadowshapers lead the fight against systems that oppress their community. To protect her family and friends in every sphere, Sierra must take down the Hound and master the Deck of Worlds . . . or risk losing them all." |
Tochi Onyebuchi
War Girls (Ages 12+ / Grades 7-9+) "Two sisters are torn apart by war and must fight their way back to each other in a futuristic, Black Panther-inspired Nigeria. "The year is 2172. Climate change and nuclear disasters have rendered much of earth unlivable. Only the lucky ones have escaped to space colonies in the sky. "In a war-torn Nigeria, battles are fought using flying, deadly mechs and soldiers are outfitted with bionic limbs and artificial organs meant to protect them from the harsh, radiation-heavy climate. Across the nation, as the years-long civil war wages on, survival becomes the only way of life. "Two sisters, Onyii and Ify, dream of more. Their lives have been marked by violence and political unrest. Still, they dream of peace, of hope, of a future together. "And they're willing to fight an entire war to get there." African American author, Tochi Onyebuchi, was born in Massachusetts and raised in Connecticut. He graduated from Yale University, New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, and Columbia Law School, and holds a Masters degree in Global Business Law from L’institut d’études politiques. He won the Ilube Nommo Award for Best Speculative Fiction Novel by an African and appeared in Locus Magazine's Recommended Reading list. |
Jamar J. Perry
Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms (Ages 8-11+ / Grades 3-7+) As the true Descendant, I command to open The door to Chidani; it shall be broken Magic awaits those who seek the queen's peace And all the suffering you feel will cease Those who open the histories will hear a sound What was lost has finally been found. Cameron Battle grew up reading The Book of Chidani, cherishing stories about the fabled kingdom that cut itself off from the world to save the Igbo people from danger. Passed down over generations, the Book is Cameron's only connection to his parents who disappeared one fateful night, two years ago. Ever since, his grandmother has kept the Book locked away, but it calls to Cameron. When he and his best friends Zion and Aliyah decide to open it again, they are magically transported to Chidani. Instead of a land of beauty and wonder, they find a kingdom in extreme danger, as the Queen's sister seeks to destroy the barrier between worlds. The people of Chidani have been waiting for the last Descendant to return and save them . . . is Cameron ready to be the hero they need? Inspired by West African and Igbo history and mythology, this adventurous middle-grade fantasy debut perfect for fans of Aru Shah and Tristan Strong celebrates the triumphs and challenges of a boy finding his truth path to greatness. African-American author, educator and sensitivity reader Dr. Jamar J. Perry, PhD, writes stories for "the type of reader he always wanted to engage: reluctant readers, Black boys who needed to understand that they were magic, that they could also have joy, that they could be vulnerable and emotional, that they could be the hero in their own stories." Dr. Perry received his PhD in Literacy Education, Language, Culture, and Social Inquiry from the University of Maryland, College Park. His education background includes teaching middle school Language Arts in Washington, D. C. and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership. Find more about Dr. Perry at his website https://www.jamarjperry.com. |
Jaime Reed
Living Violet (Ages 15+) Book 1 of The Cambion Chronicles "He's persuasive, charming, and way too mysterious. And for Samara Marshall, her co-worker is everything she wants most--and everything she most fears. . . "Samara Marshall is determined to make the summer before her senior year the best ever. Her plan: enjoy downtime with friends and work to save up cash for her dream car. Summer romance is not on her to-do list, but uncovering the truth about her flirtatious co-worker, Caleb Baker, is. From the peculiar glow to his eyes to the unfortunate events that befall the girls who pine after him, Samara is the only one to sense danger behind his smile. "But Caleb's secrets are drawing Samara into a world where the laws of attraction are a means of survival. And as a sinister power closes in on those she loves, Samara must take a risk that will change her life forever. . .or consume it." Burning Emerald (Ages 15+) Book 2 of The Cambion Chronicles "Dating the most popular guy in school is every girl's fantasy. But to Samara Marshall, he's a dangerous force come to rekindle their tangled past. Only it's not her past… "Samara faces a challenging senior year. Controlling her inner demon is a struggle, even with help from her Cambion boyfriend;Caleb. But her life takes a turn for the worse when the hottest jock in school begins pursuing her--especially since Malik is anything but what he seems. They share a connection from a forgotten past--a secret that could destroy her and Caleb. "As the attraction becomes harder to resist, Samara is now at the mercy of the demon within her. To break free, Sam must fight a battle where she is the enemy and the prize…and victory will come at a deadly price." Fading Amber (Ages 15+) Book 3 of the Cambion Chronicles "Finding your soul mate is the ultimate dream come true. But for Samara Marshall, it's a matter of life and death... After falling for a Cambion and then turning into one herself, Samara never thought her senior year could get more complicated. The gaps in her memory, the mysterious deaths, and the constant danger that threaten her once quiet town have a common thread: Tobias, a demon with a lot of enemies. He's also Samara's other soul mate and he's suddenly disappeared. "Samara knows the key to finding Tobias lies with her inner demon, who has her own agenda and threatens to take over completely. But Samara isn't the only one who wants to find Tobias. His enemies are getting closer, and their plans for retribution could mean deadly consequences for Samara and her true soul mate, Caleb. . .." According to author Jaime Reed, The Cambion Chronicles contain some swearing and mild violence, and book three has some sexual content. |
Dia Reeves
Bleeding Violet (Ages 16+) "Hanna simply wants to be loved. With a head plagued by hallucinations, a medicine cabinet full of pills, and a closet stuffed with frilly, violet dresses, Hanna’s tired of being the outcast, the weird girl, the freak. So she runs away to Portero, Texas, in search of a new home. But Portero is a stranger town than Hanna expects. As she tries to make a place for herself, she discovers dark secrets that would terrify any normal soul. Good thing for Hanna, she’s far from normal. And when a crazy girl meets an even crazier town, only two things are certain: Anything can happen and no one is safe." From VOYA April 2010 - "This teen novel is not for the faint of heart. There is plenty of blood, gore, violence, sex and bad decisions. The main character would make many parents cringe. Teens who crave all those things and a dose of the dark arts will love this novel. Although Hannah is not a character to emulate, she is interesting. The plot can be a bit confusing at times, and some situations just do not make sense. For instance, Hannah suffers no consequences for violently assaulting her aunt. Nevertheless it is a fantasy, so some suspension of disbelief is required when reading this interesting debut from an author to watch." Not recommended for younger teens due to violence and teen sex. |
Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens
The Fall of Terok Nor (Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Millennium Book 1 of 3) "Bajor is in flames. The corridors of Terok Nor echo with the sounds of battle. It is the end of the Cardassian Occupation -- and the beginning of the greatest epic adventure in the saga of Deep Space 9. "Six years later, with the Federation losing ground in its war against the Dominion, the galaxy's greatest smugglers -- including the beautiful and enigmatic Vash -- rendezvous on Deep Space 9. Their objective: a fabled lost Orb of the Prophets unlike any other, rumored to be the key to unlocking a second wormhole in Bajoran space -- a second Celestial Temple. Almost immediately, mysterious events plague the station: Odo arrests Quark for murder; Jake and Nog lead Chief O'Brien to an eerie holosuite in a section of the station that's not on any schematic; and a Cardassian scientist whom even the Obsidian Order once feared makes an unexpected appearance. With all those events tied to a never-before-told story of the Cardassian withdrawal, Captain Benjamin Sisko faces the most dangerous challenge of his career. Unless he can uncover the secret of the lost Orb, what began with the fall of Terok Nor will end with the destruction of Deep Space 9...or worse." The War of the Prophets (Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Millennium Book 2 of 3) "The crew of the Starship Defiant is trapped in a future in which the Pah-wraiths have triumphed-as the greatest epic adventure in the saga of Deep Space 9 continues.... "In the last days of the twenty-fourth century, caught in the crossfire of the apocalyptic confrontation between the Bajoran Prophets and the Pah-wraiths, Captain Benjamin Sisko, and his crew face what might be the final millennium. On one side, the Pah-wraiths' new Emissary -- Kai Weyoun -- promises his followers that when Bajor's two Celestial -Temples are restored as one, all beings in the universe will ascend to a new and glorious existence with the True Prophets. On the other side, the scientists of Starfleet predict that when the two Bajoran wormholes merge, they will create a Warp 10 shock wave of infinite destructive power." With the Federation on the brink of collapse, and Starfleet consumed by Admiral Jean-Luc Picard's obsessive quest to build the largest starship ever conceived, Sisko enters the ultimate race against time for the biggest stakes of all -- the survival of the universe itself." Inferno (Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Millennium Book 3 of 3) "Now begins the final battle of the Prophets and the Pah-wraiths within the nightmarish realm of nonlinear time -- as the greatest epic adventure in the saga of Deep Space 9 -- reaches its staggering conclusion.... As predicted in ancient Bajoran texts, the Celestial Temple has been restored, ending normal space-time existence for all except Captain Benjamin Sisko and those trapped on the Starship Defiant and the Klingon warship Boreth. But as apocalyptic war rages between the Prophets and the Pah-wraiths, one last chance for survival beckons -- a return to Deep Space 9. Yet, in the realm of nonlinear time, it appears that there are two possible times at which Sisko and his allies can turn to the station: on the day of the Cardassian Withdrawal, or on the day six years later when DS9 Was destroyed. But which choice will lead to the triumph of the Prophets? And which to eternal victory for the Pah-wraiths? With time literally running out and the fate of the universe in his hands, Sisko now must confront his own personal inferno - in order to change the past and restore the present, he must be ready to make the ultimate sacrifice ... his future....." ---------- Millennium Omnibus All three volumes bound up into one book. Includes The Fall of Terok Nor, The War of the Prophets, and Inferno. |
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Adam Rex
The True Meaning of Smekday (Grades 3+ / Ages 8+) "It all starts with a school essay. "When twelve-year-old Gratuity (“Tip”) Tucci is assigned to write five pages on 'The True Meaning of Smekday' for the National Time Capsule contest, she’s not sure where to begin. When her mom started telling everyone about the messages aliens were sending through a mole on the back of her neck? Maybe on Christmas Eve, when huge, bizarre spaceships descended on the Earth and the aliens – called Boov – abducted her mother? Or when the Boov declared Earth a colony, renamed it 'Smekland' (in honor of glorious Captain Smek), and forced all Americans to relocate to Florida via rocketpod? "In any case, Gratuity’s story is much, much bigger than the assignment. It involves her unlikely friendship with a renegade Boov mechanic named J.Lo.; a futile journey south to find Gratuity’s mother at the Happy Mouse Kingdom; a cross-country road trip in a hovercar called Slushious; and an outrageous plan to save the Earth from yet another alien invasion. "Fully illustrated with 'photos,' drawings, newspaper clippings, and comics sequences, this is a hilarious, perceptive, genre-bending novel by a remarkable new talent." |
Jewell Parker Rhodes
Ninth Ward (Grades 5+ / Ages 11+) "Twelve-year-old Lanesha lives in a tight-knit community in New Orleans' Ninth Ward. She doesn't have a fancy house like her uptown family or lots of friends like the other kids on her street. But what she does have is Mama Ya-Ya, her fiercely loving caretaker, wise in the ways of the world and able to predict the future. So when Mama Ya-Ya's visions show a powerful hurricane--Katrina--fast approaching, it's up to Lanesha to call upon the hope and strength Mama Ya-Ya has given her to help them both survive the storm. "Ninth Ward is a deeply emotional story about transformation and a celebration of resilience, friendship, and family--as only love can define it." Note that Lanesha sees ghosts and Mama Ya-Ya sees into the future. |
Rick Riordan
The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles, Book 1) (Grades 5+ / Ages 10+) "Since their mother’s death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane. "One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a 'research experiment' at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives. "Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them--Set–has his sights on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe -- a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family, and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs." The Throne of Fire (The Kane Chronicles, Book 2) (Grades 5+ / Ages 10+) "In this exciting second installment of the three-book series, Carter and Sadie, offspring of the brilliant Egyptologist Dr. Julius Kane, embark on a worldwide search for the Book of Ra, but the House of Life and the gods of chaos are determined to stop them." The Serpent of Shadows (The Kane Chronicles, Book 3) (Grades 5+ / Ages 10+) "He's b-a-a-ack! Despite their best efforts, Carter and Sadie Kane can't seem to keep Apophis, the chaos snake, down. Now Apophis is threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness, and the Kanes are faced with the impossible task of having to destroy him once and for all. Unfortunately, the magicians of the House of Life are on the brink of civil war, the gods are divided, and the young initiates of Brooklyn House stand almost alone against the forces of chaos. The Kanes' only hope is an ancient spell that might turn the serpent's own shadow into a weapon, but the magic has been lost for a millennia. To find the answer they need, the Kanes must rely on the murderous ghost of a powerful magician who might be able to lead them to the serpent's shadow . . . or might lead them to their deaths in the depths of the underworld. "Nothing less than the mortal world is at stake when the Kane family fulfills its destiny in this thrilling conclusion to the Kane Chronicles." |
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The Kane Chronicles
All three hardcover books in a boxed set |
Eden Royce
Root Magic (Ages 8-12+ / Grades 3-7) “A poignant, necessary entry into the children’s literary canon, Root Magic brings to life the history and culture of Gullah people while highlighting the timeless plight of Black Americans. Add in a fun, magical adventure and you get everything I want in a book!”—Justina Ireland, New York Times bestselling author of Dread Nation "Debut author Eden Royce arrives with a wondrous story of love, bravery, friendship, and family, filled to the brim with magic great and small. "It’s 1963, and things are changing for Jezebel Turner. Her beloved grandmother has just passed away. The local police deputy won’t stop harassing her family. With school integration arriving in South Carolina, Jez and her twin brother, Jay, are about to begin the school year with a bunch of new kids. But the biggest change comes when Jez and Jay turn eleven— and their uncle, Doc, tells them he’s going to train them in rootwork. "Jez and Jay have always been fascinated by the African American folk magic that has been the legacy of their family for generations—especially the curious potions and powders Doc and Gran would make for the people on their island. But Jez soon finds out that her family’s true power goes far beyond small charms and elixirs…and not a moment too soon. Because when evil both natural and supernatural comes to show itself in town, it’s going to take every bit of the magic she has inside her to see her through." Author Eden Royce is from Charleston, South Carolina. She is a member of the Gullah Geechee nation. According to her bio: She now lives in the Garden of England with her husband and cat. When she's not writing or reading, she's probably roller-skating, watching quiz shows, or perfecting her signature dish for Masterchef. Sometimes all at once. |
DaVaun Sanders
The Seedbearing Prince: Part I (Ages 13+) "Dayn Ro'Halan is a farmer's son sworn to a life of plowing on his homeworld, Shard. After finding a lost artifact called a Seed, he's thrust into an ancient conflict between voidwalkers of the hated world Thar'Kur, and Defenders from a floating fortress called the Ring. Dayn must become a Seedbearer and learn to use the Seed's power to shape worlds before the entire World Belt is lost." Author Milton Davis called The Seedbearing Prince "A first class science fiction adventure." The Seedbearing Prince: Part II (Ages 13+) "Disaster strikes when the young Seedbearer destined to save the World Belt is captured by voidwalkers. Certain that all is lost if Dayn Ro'Halan is killed, the Ringmen Lurec and Nassir set out to rescue him. If he's to escape and defeat the voidwalkers for good, Dayn must accept the Belt's most terrible secret—before the voidwalker leader Raaluwos succeeds in twisting Dayn's own power against him." |
Sumiko Saulson
Legend of the Luna (#1 of The Moon Cried Blood novellas) (Ages 13+) Book One of the serialized tale of "The Moon Cried Blood," the Legend of the Luna introduces us to the Lunae, and to the character Leticia Gordon.Series Overview: It is said that the Wolf may howl at the Moon, but the Moon never howls at the Wolf. "In the gritty urban streets of Los Angeles in 1975, Leticia Gordon is forced to come to terms with many things: the tragic death of her stepmother and baby sister in a car accident, fear she’ll wind up in foster care, and the sudden revelation she belongs to a long line of powerful witches known as Lunae – who exhibit first power at menarche (first menstruation). "Running from foes natural and supernatural, will her new found powers be the turning point that elevates her position of honor, or will it destroy her like the dark forces that consumed her father? In a world turned upside down where time itself seems in flux, in whom can she trust? "Leticia “]'Tisha' Gordon, a thirteen year old girl living in Los Angeles in 1975. Tisha has been beleaguered by tragedy all of her young life. She has lost her father, her mother is in a mental hospital, and her stepmother has been raising her along with her three year old half sister. At the beginning of the story, a third tragedy strikes as she loses her stepmother and sister in a car accident and is threatened with the possibility of ending up in foster care. Under these devastating circumstances, she learns that she is endowed with powers, to look into the hearts of men and see their underlying motivations, as well as the potential to travel through time in the dreams of her ancestors because she comes from a long line of witches called the Lunae who are imbued with their power by the moon. "The Lunae do not begin to exhibit power until they enter puberty and experience the onset of menstruation, known as menarche." Parents: The series includes mental illness, child neglect, adultery, bigamy, psychological abuse, death, murder, drug use and a drug overdose. Also talks about the protag starting her period. Author Sumiko Saulson (zhe/they/their) is a Black and Jewish, Oakland, California-based poet, writer, author and artist whose primary focus is on horror and science fiction. Zhe was the 2016 recipient of the Horror Writer Association's Scholarship from Hell, and 2018 winner of the Afrosurrealist Writers Workshop Short Story Award. My Amazon review: This series of novellas (also available as a bind up "The Moon Cried Blood" in Kindle and paperback) opens with a powerful story of the legend of the Luna and the wolf and how Leticia Gordon navigates her transformation from a child to a woman. Complex and multilayered, this novella can be read again and again to pull out the nuances of Leticia's life and personal changes as she becomes one of the witches of the Lunae. Continues in the next novella, "Bloodlines." |
Charles R. Saunders
The original three books of the Imaro series were the beginnings of the genre "Sword and Soul". Set in the history, legends, and mythology of Africa, Charles Saunders' novels are well-written, rip-roaring tales that any fan of sword and sorcery, Burroughs, Howard, or action adventure fantasy will enjoy. Imaro (Ages 15+) "Saunders' novel fuses the narrative style of fantasy fiction with a pre-colonial, alternate Africa. Inspired by and directly addresses the alienation of growing up an African American fan of Science Fiction and Fantasy, which to this day remains a very ethnically homogonous genre. It addresses this both structurally (via its unique setting) and thematically (via its alienated, tribeless hero-protagonist). The tribal tensions and histories presented in this fantasy novel reflect actual African tribal histories and tensions, and provide a unique perspective to current and recent conflicts in Africa, particularly the Rwandan genocide and the ongoing conflict in The Sudan." Imaro 2: The Quest for Cush (Ages 15+) "It begins with the reunion of Imaro and his kidnapped lover Tanisha, who has been taken to the ruined City of Madness. With the help of their new found friend Pomphis, a Pygmay from the eastern forests of Nyumbani, they learn of the sorcerous forces that may have been behind the dark wizard that destroyed Imaro's youth. The trio goes to Mavindi, the port capital of the Eastern Coastal kingdom of Azania, in search of the legendary Kingdom of Cush, where Imaro hopes to find answers to the questions that have plagued his life. Who is he? Who was his father, and why was he seemingly cursed, and hounded from birth by forces beyond his control." Imaro 3: The Trail of Bohu (Ages 15+) "Imaro, warrior of the Ilyassai, has settled into life as a husband and father in the fabled kingdom of Cush. Amid his growing restlessness, unspeakable tragedy strikes, sending Imaro on a grim mission of vengeance. His adversary has no face, but he does have a name: Bohu, the Bringer of Sorrow – a sorcerer of immense power and cruelty. As Imaro seeks a confrontation with his most formidable foe yet, the continent of Nyumbani is wracked with turmoil. The balance between the forces of good, represented by Cush, and evil, represented by the pariah land of Naama, has been disrupted. The gods themselves may have to go to war before that balance is restored. In the midst of the coming cataclysm, Imaro travels the length of Nyumbani in search of Bohu. Along the way, the warrior finally discovers his own identity – but will that knowledge help him as he battles a formidable array of enemies bent not only on his destruction, but that of Nyumbani itself?" Imaro 4: The Naama War (Ages 15+) "Warfare on a cataclysmic scale is convulsing the continent of Nyumbani from north to south. Soldiers fall. Cities burn. Blood reddens the sea. Sorcery sears the land. Deities gather in opposite dimensions, poised to unleash unimaginable cosmic power on a land already battered by the conflict between the Cushites of the north and the Naamans of the south. In the midst of this massive struggle, Imaro, warrior of the Ilyassai, wages a personal war against his nemesis, the sorcerer Bohu of Naama. This individual vendetta mirrors the larger clash between the forces of good and evil – a confrontation that threatens to tear Nyumbani apart. The destiny for which Imaro has been honed like a living weapon now lies directly before him. Imaro vs. Bohu. Cush vs. Naama. War. Magic. Blood. Fire. The losers in this wide-ranging battle for the fate of a continent face oblivion. But the winners will not emerge unscathed." ---------- Dossouye (Ages 15+) "Charles R. Saunders, critically acclaimed author of the cult classic Imaro novels, has created yet another heroic-fantasy icon in an Africa of a different place and time. Orphaned at a young age, Dossouye becomes a soldier in the women’s army of the kingdom of Abomey. In a war against the rival kingdom of Abanti, Dossouye saves her people from certain destruction; but a cruel twist of fate compels her to go into exile. Mounted on her mighty war-bull, Gbo, Dossouye enters the vast rain forest beyond the borders of her homeland, seeking a place to call her own. The forest is where Dossouye will either find a new purpose in life… or find her life cut short by the many menaces she encounters." Dossouye: The Dancers of Mulukau (Ages 15+) "The Dancers of Mulukau make benign magic with the elegant movements of their feet. From healing to entertaining, from ending droughts to mending walls, the Dancers bring peace and harmony wherever they go. Yet a mysterious, veiled people called the Walaq consider the very existence of the Dancers to be an abomination that must be eliminated. Dossouye, having wandered far from her native kingdom of Abomey, is hired to help protect the Dancers as they engage in their vital responsibilities. Along with her formidable war-bull, Gbo, the woman-warrior battles human and demonic foes that work in league with the Walaq against the Dancers." |
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Nisi Shawl
Everfair (Ages 16+) "From noted short story writer Nisi Shawl comes a brilliant alternate-history novel set in the Belgian Congo. "What if the African natives developed steam power ahead of their colonial oppressors? What might have come of Belgium's disastrous colonization of the Congo if the native populations had learned about steam technology a bit earlier? "Fabian Socialists from Great Britain join forces with African-American missionaries to purchase land from the Belgian Congo's 'owner,' King Leopold II. This land, named Everfair, is set aside as a safe haven, an imaginary Utopia for native populations of the Congo as well as escaped slaves returning from America and other places where African natives were being mistreated. "Shawl's speculative masterpiece manages to turn one of the worst human rights disasters on record into a marvelous and exciting exploration of the possibilities inherent in a turn of history. Everfair is told from a multiplicity of voices: Africans, Europeans, East Asians, and African Americans in complex relationships with one another, in a compelling range of voices that have historically been silenced. Everfair is not only a beautiful book but an educational and inspiring one that will give the reader new insight into an often ignored period of history." While I would normally place a book with a mixed cast of characters on the "Mixed" page, this alternate history is focused in Africa and thus I feel it belongs on the "Black" page. Note to parents: there are dark and mature themes and same-sex relationships. |
Sherri L. Smith
Orleans (Grades 8-12 / Ages 14-18+) First came the storms. Then came the Fever. And the Wall. "After a string of devastating hurricanes and a severe outbreak of Delta Fever, the Gulf Coast has been quarantined. Years later, residents of the Outer States are under the assumption that life in the Delta is all but extinct…but in reality, a new primitive society has been born. "Fen de la Guerre is living with the O-Positive blood tribe in the Delta when they are ambushed. Left with her tribe leader’s newborn, Fen is determined to get the baby to a better life over the wall before her blood becomes tainted. Fen meets Daniel, a scientist from the Outer States who has snuck into the Delta illegally. Brought together by chance, kept together by danger, Fen and Daniel navigate the wasteland of Orleans. In the end, they are each other’s last hope for survival." |
Sheree Renée Thomas
Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora (Ages 15+) The Amazon.com review: "Dark matter: the nonluminous matter, not yet detected, that nonetheless has detectable gravitational effects on the universe. Dark matter: the Afro-American presence and influences unseen or unacknowledged by Euro-American culture. Dark Matter: the first anthology to illuminate the presence and influence of black writers in speculative fiction, with 25 stories, three novel excerpts, and five essays. This anthology's critical and historical importance is indisputable. But that's not why it will prove to be the best anthology of 2000 in both the speculative and the literary fiction fields. It's because the stories are great: entertaining, imaginative, insightful, sharply characterized, and beautifully written. The earliest story in Dark Matter is acclaimed literary author Charles W. Chesnutt's "The Goophered Grapevine" (1887), in which an aging ex-slave tells a chilling tale of cursed land to a white Northerner buying a Southern plantation. In "The Comet" (1920), W.E.B. Du Bois portrays the rich white woman and the poor black man who may be the only survivors of an astronomical near-miss. In George S. Schuyler's "Black No More" (1931), an excerpt from the satirical novel of the same name, an African American scientist invents a machine that can turn blacks white. More recent reprints include science fiction master Samuel R. Delany's Nebula Award-winning "Aye, and Gomorrah..." (1967), which delineates the socio-sexual effects of asexual astronauts; Charles R. Saunders's heroic fantasy "Gimmile's Songs" (1984), in which a woman warrior encounters a singer with a frightening, compelling magic in ancient West Africa; MacArthur Genius Grant recipient Octavia E. Butler's powerful "The Evening and the Morning and the Night" (1987), in which the cure for cancer creates a terrifying new disease of compulsive self-mutilation; and Derrick Bell's angry, riveting "The Space Traders" (1992), in which aliens offer to trade their advanced technology to the U.S. in exchange for its black population. Other reprints include "Ark of Bones" (1974) by author-poet-folklorist Henry Dumas; "Future Christmas" (1982) by master satirist Ishmael Reed; "Rhythm Travel" (1996) by playwright-poet-critic Amiri Baraka (who has also written as LeRoi Jones and Imamu Amiri Baraka); and "The African Origins of UFOs" (2000) by London-based West Indian author Anthony Joseph. Most of the stories in Dark Matter are original; these range even more widely in their concerns and themes. In the generation ship of Linda Addison's "Twice, at Once, Separated," a Yanomami Indian tribe preserves its culture in coexistence with technology, while visions tear a young woman from her own wedding. Bestselling novelist Steven Barnes examines degrees of privilege and deprivation when an African American woman artist is trapped in an African concentration camp in his unflinching contribution, "The Woman in the Wall." In John W. Campbell Award winner Nalo Hopkinson's sexy, scary "Ganger (Ball Lightning)," two lovers drifting apart try to reconnect through the separation of virtual sex. A mystic power awakens in the devastated future of Ama Patterson's gorgeous and tough "Hussy Strutt." An artist's infidelity changes two generations in Leone Ross's astute, magic-realist "Tasting Songs." In Nisi Shawl's sharp, witty mythic fantasy "At the Huts of Ajala," the spirit of a modern woman must outwit a god before she is even born. Others contributing new stories are Tananarive Due, Robert Fleming, Jewelle Gomez, Akua Lezli Hope, Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, Kalamu ya Salaam, Kiini Ibura Salaam, Evie Shockley, and Darryl A. Smith. --Cynthia Ward" Some themes may be disturbing to young teens and their parents. ---------- Dark Matter: Reading the Bones (Ages 15+) "In the tradition of The Norton Anthology of Black Literature, DARK MATTER: READING THE BONES, like its ground-breaking predecessor, will introduce black SF, fantasy, and speculative fiction writers to those who have not yet realized the depth and breadth of their work-or even, in some cases, that it exists. Including original short fiction and nonfiction as well as previously published works and essays, DARK MATTER will contain approximately 30 stories from the early part of the century through the most cutting-edge work of today. Contributors to this new volume include Charles Johnson, National Book Award-winning author of Middle Passage; Tananarive Due; Walter Mosley, W.E.B. Du Bois; Samuel R. Delany; Nalo Hopkinson; and many more." Some themes may be disturbing to young teens and their parents. I can only ask myself, "Why aren't these books on my shelves?" I've added them to my own wish list because these are must-have collections for anyone seeking stories and books based on cultures outside of the traditional American/European sci-fi experience. (RDJ) |
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Edward C. Uzzle
RETRO-KM: Lord of the Landlords "Set in what used to be the Americas; now a dystopic and balkanized litter of Nation-States. A surreal glimpse into the spiritual growth of a warrior-soldier from an emerging Black nation. It is a startling vision of ethnic conflict, voudon technologies, and soul bending revelations. Retro-KM is novel that embodies a brand new genre of speculative fiction; cifer-RA (High-Science-Entertainment), brought to you by Daathrekh Publishing." |
Vernor Vinge
The Peace War (Ages 15+) The Peace Authority has taken over the planet, enforcing their rule with "bobbles". Dissidents, scientists, biologists, inventors and anyone else who may defy the Peacers are enclosed in an impenderable bubble called a bobble. They're believed to be dead. However, 50 years after the coup, the genius Paul Naismith and his student Wili Wachendon set out to overthrow the tyrants of Peace. (RDJ) Marooned in Realtime (Ages 15+) The story of bobbles resumes a half a million years in the future, with former cop Wil Brierson and a group of survivors of the Singularity. No one knows what happened to all of humanity, each has traveled into the future via a bobble -- some voluntarily and some, like Wil, shanghaied by a criminal and kidnapped by time. There is no hope of a return to their former lives. Then, their leader is marooned in realtime, the new version of murder, and Wil must find a murderer that is hiding among the members this new community. (RDJ) ---------- Across Realtime - The Peace War and Marooned in Realtime This is a book club edition that binds up the two volumes, The Peace War and Marooned in Realtime. |
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Carl Waters
Biafra and the Werelion King (Biafra Land) (Volume 1) (Ages 15+) "A life unlived. An incredible power. A world on the brink of war… "Chima is an outcast among outcasts. He’s on the verge of giving up on life entirely when he encounters the sacred Biafran lion. Gifted with an incredible power and introduced to a world beyond belief, Chima thinks his life may finally be turning around. "When a rival nation kidnaps Chima’s father, his world is shattered. To save his family and the Biafran people, he must learn to believe in himself and his newfound power. As he fights back against a secret weapon, he wonders if his efforts to protect his adopted home could doom them all. "Biafra and the Werelion King is a steampunk paranormal fantasy story set in Sean Platt & Johnny B. Truant’s Dream Engine world. If you like innovative magic systems, richly detailed worlds, and fantasy tales without werewolves or Tolkien characters, then you’ll love Carl Waters’ fascinating tale based on the Nigerian Civil War and the Igbo people." Carl Waters is African-American, born and raised in Atlanta, GA. |
Jeremy Whitley
Princeless Comic Book Series (Ages 8+) "Still waiting for your prince to come? Tired of spending night after night locked in a secluded tower? "Ready for your own adventure? So are we. Princeless is the story of Princess Adrienne, one princess who's tired of waiting to be rescued. "Join Adrienne and her guardian dragon, Sparky, as they begin their own quest in an all-ages action adventure designed specifically for those who are tired of waiting to be rescued-- and who are ready to save themselves." |
Brian Williams - Raven Hammer Comics
Black Superhero Comic Books (Ages 13+) The Generals: Brian Williams, Christian Colbert, and Derik King While the focus of this website is primarily on books, some of our reluctant readers simply will not read books. However, a comic book or a graphic novel may reach a teen that refuses to read. I've asked Raven Hammer Comics if I can include these positive images of Black Superheroes on Alien Star Books. If we can get just one teen to crack open a book, thanks to these great comics, then it's worth it to me! Now, Brian let me know that they're in the middle of some printer changes, so print copies may take a few weeks, but the online versions are available via the Raven Hammer Comics' store. FYI: I'm planning on ordering the comics as soon as print copies are available for my own reluctant reader! (RDJ) Lucius Hammer From the Raven Hammer Comics website: "Lucius Hammer is the explosive tale of a Black superhero born from the pages of American Myth and forged in the fires of our country’s civil rights struggle! In a world where Black paranormals have longer life expectancies than their Caucasian counterparts, Lucius is a man searching for his place in the world. His amazing powers have enabled him to become America’s most visible and controversial superhero. But just when Lucius thinks he’s found his calling in life, certain 'powers that be' join forces in a campaign to smear his good name, changing his status to Public Enemy Number One. This sets the stage for the greatest Black superhero story ever told. You must read I, HAMMER. This is where it all begins!!!" ---------- The Harlem Shadow - Birth of the Cool From the Raven Hammer Comics website: "Born at the tail end of the Harlem Renaissance, The Harlem Shadow is the first official Black paranormal crime-fighter that hit the streets of New York around 1929-1930. He was known for his scary appearance, his vicious hand to hand combat skills and his mastery of two lethal revolvers, used to maim and disarm his enemies but never kill. In 1950 as a result of the Black Mask Act…Harlem Shadow was hunted down by New York City Police, lynch mob style, and unmasked. His name was Linden Somerset, a school teacher and librarian, and he served a twenty year jail sentence at Alcatraz Island. This is his story." |
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Click on the images to go to Raven Hammer Comics. Previews are available on the "SHOP" page of the website.
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Maiya Williams
The Golden Hour trilogy: The Golden Hour, Hour of the Cobra, The Hour of the Outlaw (Grades 5 to 8) The Golden Hour Rowan and Nina Popplewell and their new friends, Black twins Xavier and Xanthe Alexander discover a portal to travel back in time. They travel to France during the French Revolution because Nina travelled there to meet Mozart. The teenagers take on racial and gender roles appropriate to the era during their search for Nina. The Hour of the Cobra The adventures continue, with the quartet travelling to ancient Egypt. Sibling rivalry complicates the trip, especially when Xanthe is mistaken for a goddess by Cleopatra. The Hour of the Outlaw The quartet travel to the 1849 California Gold Rush for more adventures. |
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