Enjoyed this book. Not much to say because I am ready for book 3 Chosen. I want to know why these undead dead vampires exist. I want to see how stevie rae can be saved. Zoey redbird needs to become more powerful to get her entire life together.

I would have never picked up this copy if I was not already familiar with Nikita Gill from "Fairytales" which I deeply enjoyed in my year of pagan/magical reading. I was able to find this copy in five below for $5 USD. I was not sure what I was getting into when I began it. I am so happy for the abundance of south asian indian culture, language, art, history, and so much more in this collection. I have always found peace in hindu religion. I adore the stages of development following Paro's life the good & bad. The relationships and experiences are so vivid to me. I was seeing the dieties right with her. Bisexual visibility, doing what you love/want not expected of you very important to try in immigrant families, discussing trauma, being loved and accepted, so many challenges and emotions within these pages. The drawings are just whipped cream with a cherry on top for me. Proud to add to my library to pass down and share with others for years to come. Thank you Nikita Gill! Found a playlist of course: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/22YlODon8rm9cCHbB6aGzg?si=d6587510ca44406d

Difficult to use with course

Needs updates to not marginalize queer parents and non gender conformities

I am so honored for the opportunity to read this book. There are many conversations around queer, sex, trauma, relationships, travel, and finding yourself journeys. I cannot say this enough but every one of African black Caribbean etc descent NEED to read this book. I want to see this book in college courses and passed down through generations. I have nothing but love for this book that all I can say is my story: For me, sex was not shunned in regards to sex. I still was told hetero sex should be between a man and a woman. Sometimes I was told it should be after marriage other times it would be tested before you buy it. Later on, through watching TV and feeling tingles I somehow taught myself how to masturbate it is one of "my favorite activities" and I did not learn to properly do it until maybe 12/13. Over time through Tumblr and porn sites I found lesbian sex more interesting. Then as my hormones developed and high school I was no longer dry-humped or anything. Not much for kissing. I did not have sex of any kind like my peers for a while. After high school ended badly for me I found someone who liked hand jobs and letting me dry hump them. We did it like twice until that fell apart for cultural and religious reasons. Then on 20/21 had my first arranged relationship met for a week after 6 months of dating through my mom's advice we had sex and it was bad. I had my first toy at 19 and love my little bullet. During covid, I knew I would not get comfortable with penetration unless I practiced, and at 20 got a dildo to try. Then I learned how dual stimulation was important to me. Coming back to bad sex it didn't help that I did not have romantic feelings which killed the sexuality I thought I could have. Every time we had sex it just left me waiting for it to be done. I left that relationship. I was fine for a while and did not have an interest in anyone or anything because I had terrible experiences with dating or even getting someone to see me. I bought a new toy that I love because my sex drive was so bad I was wet all the time and could not focus I wanted to have sex only sex but could not find a safe person to do it with. I did not know how to attract women because I present femme and don't give off "the vibes". I had gotten to the point where I accepted I would not be able to form a deep bond and should just have sex if it presents itself and have kids on my own down the line. Then unexpectedly after almost a year of therapy and dating myself I was found. As a new person very different from who I used to be growing up I was diagnosed, as confident, calmer, and overall my true self. They saw my big brain and liked me. We have sex and are slowly but surely learning each other and what that all means. I am happy and don't want anything to end so for now I just keep loving myself as if there is nothing else that matters but myself. Cultivating my cultural, spiritual, emotional, sexual, physical, mental,queer, and logical senses to be happy however, I see fit. Thank you Nana!

I do not think there are enough indigenous love stories/books and although I enjoyed this book that almost made me tear up I do wish Charles, the dominant wolf mated to Anna, was mated to another indigenous woman as well. There are mentions of sexual assault, rape, and abuse. It also feels weird that this is considered the first book when such a big part (the three years) of Anna's werewolf life is missing. Even blue jay woman, Charles mother, was dead and that felt like a missed opportunity for indigenous representation. Overall the power of the omega touched me. I feel like I relate a lot to the omega who cannot be controlled is neither dominant nor submissive but is a perfect balance of it and able to calm the people... able to help others sleep simply by being. The bond needing trust and truth is so vital. The storylines intertwining with witch, human, wolf, and "monsters" was done well. If I am able to read the prequel or 2nd book I am hoping that it is as good or better. I do have to remmeber this is a 2008 book so the misogny is tied more to the wolf identity especially in regards to the masculine and feminie energy. Also this book is written by a white woman so I keep that in mind when it comes to the indigenous representation. Created a playlist inspired by the book and songs mentioned in it feel free to suggest some:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4QTwHbDmVV6lIyUJrwHH5u?si=CXfdnALSTS6jQ7z74yyMLg

***Spoilers***
I was unsure if I could read this book without reading any other in this series but luckily I did not need to. There were several moments I did not like and the fact it is a 2014 book made it even funnier. However the author is mature so I can only be honest from my point of view. There were several lines made about Presley becoming more domestic and lady like. Her Halle berry comparison but then later called dark skin but Presley herself unsure if she is fully white. The fact she had to explain someone was gay simply because they are a man she lived with seems dated. Making her choice to keep Wyatt the only thing that could possibly make her turn away from drugs and want better for herself is a child is motherhood. The constant comment on her body like she looked good before but the weight loss is so much better was in ever chapter like we get it she is hotter now than before to this small white boring town. Even with the brother Dylan as if a woman is needed to tame or better a man (goes for any partner pair or grouping). There are constant red flags in this book. But then moments that I enjoy like when Dylan suggests he could be the problem of why chey can't get pregnant and should figure out why. Interesting how both women are adopted and yet neither really want to adopt children. I find that true for many it is a last resort when they can't have kids. The deep insecurities of Presley needed therapy even for chey and the 5 brothers all experienced trauma beyond. She never thought she was good enough. Her need to be loved was too intense. Not enough self love. The brainwashing of people raised and socialized as women to not just enjoy the relationship whether platonic romantic sexual etc or being able to fully stand up for herself without giving into sex. Not once did chey buy her sister toys but getting Aaron's sperm no problem. The not locking your doors proved this book is pure white small town fantasy. The most popular spot in town is a bar (really felt like a strip club) called sexy Sadie's lol. Chey and Dylans whole dynamic the fact a cis hetero man feels that because he cannot impregnate he is a failure is laughable but real and leads to a lot of bullshit and cost. Presley constantly felt the need to make herself small and make up for things way beyond her control. Hiding the pregnancy even when she left town and got herself together foolish. You can be in love but still make yourself and your child especially your income priority. Even when she did not want to have sex with Aaron she was afraid of being a tease. I am like what world is this when the characters are so old fashioned. Like no means no and not wanting to have sex even if you already had it is fine. Trying to make her submit solely because she is the woman and he the man these gender roles deeply affecting the characters choices. Wanting her to fight for their "relationship" as if that is not what she has been doing the whole time is laughable. And thinking she is obligated to date him simply because they had a kid together is hilarious. In the end RIley was suppose to seem like the bad guy but he was way better than homeboy Aaron at least he like her and for her to not want to seem like a "whore" but not try RIley in bed since that was a big factor for her a lot of plot wholes. Overall there is still more red flags warnings to not take from this book than positive green flags. I also believe white authors especially of a certain age should not have black and poc characters of a generation that does not suit them. I found myself laughing at this book. The five sex scenes were good enough to give me butterflies but I just did not like this plot. I will be staying clear of this author and series.Songs mentioned and for this book: In the air tonight by Phil Colling, I can't make you love me By Bonnie Raitt, Have I told you lately by Rod Stewart, and side effect by Carlie Hanson.

I fell in love with the movie way before I found out it was a book and got lucky enough to thrift it. For the time period it is based on and published it is a good book. It is in the same category as the help for me. Although I must recognize the black savior for what it is. Race is the topic the catalyst the plot along with Lily and her strained relationships. The frankness about depression and suicide I enjoyed especially for an older book. The way we as human cope with our grief and pain is important. I am glad I finally get to have this story.

This is a good book. I love that Bree is a magical black lead. I appreciate the work put into her ancestors and personality. Her parents, Alice her bestfriend, and the honesty in the pain that lies in bubbling grief, prejudice, rape, & murder...among other unsavory factors.

Everyone in this book (mostly) is so queer and I love that. It is also realistically based in the south where question of your skin, Americanism, and belonging comes into question repeatedly.

I am a lot like Bree we are both born in Februay and attended early college. When people are told representation does not matter I like to think of how there is a black Santa Claus or God. Prominent figures in society that existence is debatable but necessary for functionality and human experience. Bree is my black Santa my black Jesus. Her skin, her hair, her anger, her passion, ALL of it. I connected to Root as a wiccan and ancestor worship I do. The practitioners of the craft though fake felt like home.

The book is split into four parts that felt so special to read in fantasy. I have the hard cover edition that begins with the prologue pages 1-8, Part 1 Order page 9-84, Part 2 page 85-223, Part 3 Roots page 227-372, and Part 4 page 375-490, Authors note p 495-498, Acknowledgements page 499-501. I ate this book up and I do not regret it.

Spoilers&Vent***: I do not like that NIck the love interest is white. I would have expected a black author writing a fantasy book with a lead black female character would have at least made her love interest diverse. I am disappointed at the missed opportunity for a black Indigenous or person of color couple pairing of the hetero/queer combination. Sarah herself half Latinx is paired with Barbie Tor prejudice ass and scior to her. That girl is gonna die young for her and I cannot fathom that. I hope they break up. I was wondering about this abatement foolishness because Nick was real pressed to have Bree become his second hand when Calmann was def coming and would result in her dying young like ew! Bree's main annoying trait is getting mad at these colonizers for say she don't belong or claiming their own like ma'am you are black they not wrong calm down lol. I was right to think of blood Magicka having a connection to slavery and colonization. I assume it is because Tracy want younger people to read this book why there is no mention of rape when that is how Bree's line came to be. Also why did Vera not get someone on the plantation to help her expel that child. Bree, Nick, & Sel should be a throuple and I stand by that. I was so disgusted by Davis and Issac. Alice is an amazing friend just like Bree's dad says.

Now I have to get blood marked gifted to me. I am into this world. Seeing how it will be a trilogy it is about time I finished a series worth finishing. Thanks Tracy!

There are not enough words for me to express how much I love this book! Let me start from the beginning by thanking the great Ashley Woodfolk for her work in "The beauty that remains". Led me to "Blackout" the first book by the amazing 6 authors of "Whiteout" I attended the tour in my city. Knowing I could not buy it even a signed copy but a very special person who knew I loved "blackout" wished I could have both physical books got "Whiteout" for me. (They are learning as a book nerd even if I read a book I still want a copy. So i will be getting blackout from them shortly *wink*) I gushed and felt such a rush of love and hope reading "whiteout" like I was reading "blackout" all over again except cold, atlanta, and DRAMA!!! felt like more than the NYC book. I of course recommended it all to every black person or lover of romance I know. All three books "the beauty that remains, blackout, and whiteout" are my holy trinity. As a black queer 1st generation jamaican descent woman who has depression and anxiety I do not have a lot of hope especially in relation to love and connection. When I tell you these books have pulled on my anatomically correct heart I am tearing up now writing this. I recommended all three to my therapist hoping to give hope to her patients who are like me. These book gave me such a serotonin boost. I know I will be rereading when I need that love and hope energy. I do not have a favorite couple because they are all so me or someone I know. I have yet to feel heartbreak but caring about someone so deeply and true you open yourself give into fear even if its mad hard I know that and I do it. I do not know if another "-Out" book is in the works I am sure they need a break. Please support and check out each authors works. I am so excited for this Netflix adapation. I unfortunately could not find a "whiteout" playlist like i did for "blackout" so... I made one: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0ZTixuoW4nbcT35SMHfeQo?si=c922b486fe784f01 Feel free to suggest songs.