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Why You Need to Read: “The Weight of Blood”

The Weight of Blood By: Tiffany D. Jackson Published: September 6, 2022 Genre: Horror, Young Adult, Retelling             …“the Bloody Prom,” when a girl named Madison Abigail Washington nearly burned down her entire town, killing two hundred people, including the majority of her senior class, at their first racially integrated prom, (Two).             Identity is one of… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Weight of Blood”

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Why You Need to Read: “The Legacy of Molly Southbourne”

Molly Southbourne, #3: The Legacy of Molly Southbourne By: Tade Thompson Published: May 17, 2022 Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller, Sequel WARNING: There are spoilers from both The Murders of Molly Southbourne and The Survival of Molly Southbourne in this review. You have been warned.             There was once a girl called Molly who made people when she bled. People like you and… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Legacy of Molly Southbourne”

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Why You Need to Read: “Summer Sons”

Summer Sons By: Lee Mandelo Published: September 28, 2021 Genre: (Southern) Gothic Fiction             Eddie had made those decisions for Andrew as a matter of course, keeping them paired together as much as he could—until his surprise early semester at Vanderbilt. Five months of separation that had stretched into eight over the summer, and now would… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Summer Sons”

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Why You Need to Read: “The Gilded Ones”

The Gilded Ones, #1: The Gilded Ones By: Namina Forna Published: February 9, 2021 Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy TRIGGER WARNING: This book contains elements of rape, misogyny, familicide, dismemberment, human trafficking, and violence against females. Be advised.             Confusion lines my face, and I frown at her. “An invitation for what?”             “For you, Impure One. Emperor Gezo… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Gilded Ones”

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Reading Check-In: July 31, 2021

What book have you finished reading recently? O!M!G! This book...WOW! I started reading this eARC at the beginning of the year, but I had to stop because of classes. It turns out that I stopped at the right spot because I was able to dive back into the story when the story, the plot and… Continue reading Reading Check-In: July 31, 2021

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Why You Need to Read: These Books While Waiting for “The Winds of Winter”: Part II

Here we go again. It’s been almost 3 years since I complied the 1st list of book recommendations; and, we’re still waiting for The Winds of Winter, the next book in A Song of Ice and Fire series. Many of us continue to wait, patiently, for this book by reading similar books by authors who write fantasy stories. There… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: These Books While Waiting for “The Winds of Winter”: Part II

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Why You Need to Read: “Juice Like Wounds”

Wayward Children, #4.5: Juice Like Wounds By: Seanan McGuire Published: July 13, 2020 Genre: Fantasy, Short Story ***This short story can be read for free here on Tor.com.             They walked west, the three girls: Lundy with her knife, Mockery with her spear, and Moon with her sling. And when the trees loomed before them like the walls… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Juice Like Wounds”

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Why You Need to Read: “Down Among the Sticks and Bones”

Wayward Children, #2: Down Among the Sticks and Bones By: Seanan McGuire Published: June 13, 2017 Genre: Fantasy *Winner of: ALA Alex Award 2018, ALA RUSA Fantasy Award 2018             It did not occur to Jill that Jack’s avoidance, like her own, had been born purely of parental desire and never of a sincere wanting. Their parents… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Down Among the Sticks and Bones”

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Why You Need to Read: “Every Heart A Doorway”

Wayward Children, #1: Every Heart A Doorway By: Seanan McGuire Published: April 5, 2016 Genre: Fantasy *Winner of: Hugo Award for Best Novella 2017, Nebula Award for Best Novella 2016, Locus Award for Best Novella 2017, ALA Alex Award 2017             …the wanting. You want to go back, and so you hold on to the habits you… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Every Heart A Doorway”

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Why You Need to Read: “The Year of the Witching”

The Year of the Witching By: Alexis Henderson Published: July 21, 2020 Genre: Dark Fantasy/Occult Fiction             Immanuelle had always felt a strange affinity for the Darkwood, a kind of stirring whenever she neared it. It was almost as though the forbidden wood sang a song that only she could hear, as though it was daring… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Year of the Witching”