lit_vibrations's Reviews (365)

“Magic City was inspired by America’s classic racist trope that a white woman was sexually assaulted by an innocent Black man.”

We’ve all probably heard stories of the Tulsa Massacre. But I wasn’t aware of the depths of what really happened until now. Magic City is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre but Rhodes takes a different approach weaving together the fictional stories of Joe Samuels and Mary Keane. 

In 1921, a white woman and a Black man both enter an elevator. When Mary is heard screaming and Joe is seen fleeing this sparks the chase to capture and lynch him. Joe Samuels the son of a wealthy banker had a bright future ahead with dreams of becoming the next Houdini when he was accused of raping Mary. Even after Mary pleaded Joe’s innocence she was ignored and he was still a target. Maybe had she told the truth from the beginning someone would’ve believed her. Now Joe has to perform his greatest escape by eluding a bloodthirsty mob while Mary tries to find a way to clear his name and warn the Black citizens of Tulsa about what’s to come. 

Unlike most books that may have spoken of the massacre Rhodes was the first to take something so horrific and tragic and turn it into a fictional retelling from the perspective of the two main people involved. The city of Greenwood was burned to the ground, the National Guard bombed the town, and so many innocent people were murdered. Although there are mentions of this in the book readers will take note that the author gives us more fiction than history solely because in her words “fictional characters invoke empathy.”

Overall, I really enjoyed this book because Rhodes wrote it in the context of what-if it happened this way. The story unfolds through the experiences of both characters and as she has mentioned before this is not a reference to the real people involved. The historical context combined with fiction paints the complex reality of a story that deserves to be told. Balancing historical events with high tension and nuanced characters this book will transport readers into a vivid portrayal of a dark time in history. If you want to read more books about the Tulsa Massacre check out The Filling Station by Vanessa Miller. 

DNF at 58% might revisit later but for now it’s a no for me!!!

Special thanks to the author & @wednesdaybooks for my gifted copy and to @Macmillan.audio #MacAudio2024 for my gifted ALC‼️ 

Sariyah Bryant isn’t a normal teen she’s a Black girl who inherited the ability to telepathically sense people’s needs from her grandmother. With this type of ability comes great responsibility but it could also lead towards danger. When her friend Deja disappears from a music festival without a trace it opens the door for hidden secrets and the harboring truth that society doesn’t care as much when a Black girl goes missing.

This book was everything I thought it would be. I love when a mystery keeps you guessing and has you pointing the finger at everyone. That’s how great of a job the author did with creating the whodunit suspense amongst the characters.

The danger surrounding Deja’s disappearance had me on edge until that unexpected reveal left me like WTF. I really wished the author went in a different direction honestly. But I thought the book had an interesting premise and I liked the shift in Sariyah’s perspective before and after she discovered the truth about everything.

Overall, the book was great but the ending felt rushed and I was still left with unanswered questions. It explored themes of systemic injustices within the Black community, the lack of media coverage given to missing Black girls , and the trauma of dealing with a parent with mental health issues. If you’ve read One of Us is Lying, Ace of Spades or A Good Girl's Guide to Murder you might enjoy this book.

I don’t have a lot of thoughts on this one but why Gillian play with my mental like this . . . I was all invested in the book until we started going back in time. So far back I thought she was trying to prevent somebody from being born. At first you’ll think Jen is stuck in a time loop but then you’ll see she’s just traveling back in time revisiting moments and small things she hadn’t noticed before. 

I did like how the author twisted things with some of the characters because I didn’t suspect anything. There were so many small details that play a part in the murder that it honestly got confusing. And the ending like what was that . . . Overall, the book was meh lol you’re pulled in but after a while I just wanted her to get to the point. 

When you read this book the first thing that comes to mind is Love, Family, and Football‼️ It was giving Best Man Holiday, The Game, & Love Jones all in one. Mason Boom and Tiffany Weathers were a match made in heaven. “Every football player needs his dancer!” I just loved them together the chemistry, the vibes, the sexual encounters it was all so romantic and perfect. 

Oh and the DRAAAAMMA cause there was plenty made the book so much more than your typical Black romance. It was giving Lifetime movie vibes with the way the author flipped the story and took us back to the beginning of what created the Mase and Tiff duo. Part 2 pulled me in so deep I had to see it through and find out the truth about everything. 

I loved the relationships between all of the characters Mel and Bash were two of my favorite. But I really adored Drew and Mason’s relationship because only a real man would do the things he did for Drew. 

My only downsides were the fact Mase and Tiff kept referring to each other by full name and the book seemed a bit drawn out. Overall, I enjoyed this one it was definitely worth the read and I can’t wait to read more sports romance. Special thanks to the author & @coloredpagesbt for my gifted copy‼️

Happy Pub Day‼️ Special thanks to the author, @bloomsburybooksus #BloomsburyCreatorCircle for gifted copy & @librofm for my gifted ALC.

Hurricane Arlene swept through the town of Mercy, Louisiana leaving behind nothing but grief, devastation, weird animal mutations, and red algae that consumes everything. Noon and her mother sail through the waters daily in search of seafood and her missing father and brother. When she’s forced to help a local self-appointed leader hunt for the monster they believe lives in the water. Noon will soon discover the truth about herself and the ruins of Mercy.  

This was an interesting story but it didn’t really hit like I wanted. Yes I was influenced by the cover don’t judge me. But I didn’t like how some of the themes overlapped each other. I also couldn’t understand whether or not the sudden overflow of red algae was a manifestation of Noon’s trauma. Or if it was brought to land by the storm and had an attraction to her in someway?

Overall, the book was okay there were a lot of moving parts. The pacing was decent, she did amazing with the world building and painting a vivid picture of the characters. Focusing on themes of trust, sexual trauma, gender identity, mother-daughter relationships, and body dysmorphia Tran brings to life a haunting story through the eyes of a young girl who questions her place in the world and the monsters that live within us. 

I absolutely looooove Kimberla’s writing she never disappoints me. Her books are always centered around God and faith yet she still gives us the messy drama many of us crave. I always say she writes the perfect church folk messy drama stories.

Sister Friends Forever follows four best friends all dealing with something personal within their lives or relationships.  Serena who is now divorced after dealing with a cheating husband questions why she still hasn’t found love. But when she finally meets someone of course she nearly ruins what could be before it even begins. Michelle is engaged to a man with long money but when an old flame is back in the picture getting married is the furthest thing from her mind. Kenya’s situation was CRAZY cause Robert’s ex-wife would’ve had me sooooo messed up‼️ Then we have Lynette and all I can say is her ex-husband Julian got a whole lot of audacity. 

Overall, I enjoyed reading this one it was the perfect balance of love and drama. The character development was also great. All of the characters felt authentic and their personal relationship struggles felt realistic and relatable. Focusing on themes of personal growth, letting love find you, faith, and friendship if you loved Waiting to Exhale you’ll enjoy reading this book. 

Special thanks to @hearourvoicestours & @amistadbooks for my gifted copy and @librofm for my ALC‼️

Some may know of Herod the Great King of Judea as a vile man and a murderer of the innocent. But Zora Neale Hurston brings to light a different King one with a religious and philosophical view who not only enriched Jewish culture but brought prosperity and peace to Judea. 

During a time of war and imperial expansion Hurston shared her findings about Herod’s rise, his reign, and his waning days in letters to friends and associates. With mentions of other historical figures such as Marc Antony and Julius Caesar the book delves deep into vivid accounts of the political triumphs and domestic tragedies king Herod the Great faced.

🅼🆈 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂:

A book that’s definitely one of its kind be prepared for a thought-provoking history lesson. The novel perfectly captures the essence of a time filled with war, danger, and the fall of empires. I honestly didn’t know what to expect going into this one but I can say it wasn’t for me definitely could’ve DNF. While the story is rich in historical detail there is a lack of depth with the characters and an uneven flow of the plot. 

It was well-written to say the least but no real spark to make me love it. It was so much to take in I simply read it but grasped nothing from it. I also had the pleasure of listening to the audio which did no justice for the book in my opinion. But for this to be an unfinished work by Hurston the detail throughout was very extensive and she does an amazing job of dissecting every aspect of Herod’s life. Now, although I didn’t completely enjoy this one it doesn’t mean you won’t. If you’re a fan of Zora Neale Hurston or historical fiction with biblical references then you might enjoy this book.

Special thanks to the author & @penguinteen for my gifted copy‼️

Picking up where book 1 left off The Davenports are back and standing on business. I know I’m not the only one who noticed how the tension with the parents eased up a lot in this one. The author also picked the perfect title for it “More Than This.” All of the characters wanted more than what their lives and parents were currently offering. They wanted more than what the standards set by their reputations and wealth would force them to become. 

Olivia still on her journey for political power and pursing a secret relationship her parents weren’t aware of. Helen who is still my favorite character she’s fierce, determined, and rebellious all for the sake of independence and keeping her hands in the family business. If “You can’t tell me what to do” was a person it would be her. Ruby and her family are dealing with rumors that could ruin her father’s future as mayor. We see Amy-Rose boss up owning her own salon and John well he’s still being his swoony self like before.

There’s still a strong connection with the characters and we’re given multiple POVs same as before but I felt something was missing. Or maybe I wasn’t as engaged with it. But I did love how the author tied up all the loose ends providing closure with all the characters. We finally see everything they’ve worked towards become reality.

Overall, book 2 was decent we’re introduced to some new characters and see the return of a few old characters from book 1. We get some family drama and relationship drama that will leave both Helen and Olivia torn between the two. If you’re a fan of YA or historical fiction add this to your TBR.

Special thanks to the author & @flatiron_books for my gifted copy, and @macmillaudio for my gifted ALC‼️

“Everyone close to you suffers at one time or another.”

Mina Fears debut novel was quite interesting to read. A little slow in some parts which is expected with fantasy but the audio took me through it. There was no real excitement in the narrators voice so it took a minute for me to be pulled into the story. I honestly think it would be more enjoyable without it. 

Deep within the imperial palace at Timbuktu, the book follows Amie recently betrayed by her sister, disinherited by her family then sent away to be a servant maid to Princess Mariama. During her stay at the palace Amie conjures a plan with her potential suitor Kader the traitor to save money and run away together. But when she discovers a magical map sending her and a few others on a death mission Amie soon realizes she’s been tricked and could lose everything including her life. 

I thought the book had great world-building and the concept of the battle trails was very intriguing. Some of the characters were meh but Amie and Mariama well-developed. There were a few instances where the author could’ve went in depth with certain plot lines. For the most part there was an even mix of fantasy and suspense. I didn’t really see the romance aspects come off the page but there were themes of power, control, friendship, and how we define our destiny. 

Overall, the book wasn’t really for me but doesn’t mean it’s not for you. “Readers can expect a classic fairy tale complete with fallen princesses, palace intrigue, doomed suitors, enchanted maps, and vengeful gods.”