A short but enjoyable read that manages to touch briefly on a lot of topics. I sympathize a lot with Angel as we're in her head while she grapples witA short but enjoyable read that manages to touch briefly on a lot of topics. I sympathize a lot with Angel as we're in her head while she grapples with the past abusive relationship.
This was definitely a love letter to public schools, teachers, and librarians, and the amazing resources that they provide to the youth and serves to reminders that we need to protect and prioritize funding for their programs....more
But tonight, she was reminded that family was more than a connection by blood. The family you’re born into, and the one you make.
4.25★ A beautiful and But tonight, she was reminded that family was more than a connection by blood. The family you’re born into, and the one you make.
4.25★ A beautiful and emotional story about the intricacies of family and the legacy of ancestry in heritage.
It was fascinating to learn about the history of Sag Harbor and maroons, who were previously enslaved folks who joined up with other escapees and natives to live in their own separate, hidden communities.
The interweaved storytelling of Ayah, her past, and her descendants was done very well with Alessandra's story of her and her strained relationship with her parents. Going back home can be hard, especially for difficult reasons, but this was a poignant tale about love, family, and community.
We are the sum of all the parts that came before us. Our stories must never go untold. We must speak their names. Honor their legacies....more
i loved the whimsy of the bakery and its baked goods that make you feel different things. ray had an intethis was a pretty cute urban fantasy romance.
i loved the whimsy of the bakery and its baked goods that make you feel different things. ray had an interesting power as a seer by being able to see everything present, but i didn't really understand what her jobs were with the council.
i did like that it dealt w some relationship issues w young love. laurie was very likable but also easy to feel empathy for with his insecurities. i felt like the way they worked things out was realistic.
i would've liked some more world building bc i was very intrigued but overall, very cute!...more
“Boys with everything. The world had been and always would be theirs for the taking. Sade had learned to fear the men who had everything, because even“Boys with everything. The world had been and always would be theirs for the taking. Sade had learned to fear the men who had everything, because even the moon, the skies and the earth could not sate them.”
overall, incredibly impactful and emotional. a bleak but honest examination of the power of the rich and elite and the institutions they reign over.
this was definitely a slowburn. i would say the first half could be tightened up bc it truthfully did almost lose me (it felt almost like a repeat of ace of spades) BUT i'm glad i continued bc the meat and heart of the story is in the second half.
i kind of also have mixed feelings on the end. on the one hand, i see how having a more realistic ending matches the tone and allows the emotional weight and impact of the story. on the other hand, i wonder if it would be cathartic for some readers to have a best-case ending.
overall, fantastically done.
Keep swimming. Or if that’s too hard, at the very least, float....more