This was the BEST romance novel I have ever read. Let me gather my thoughts.

Frying Plantain is a story that depicts being an immigrant, Canadian, and tying to fit in. I found Kara, the main character to be charming and just trying to figure out things as she goes. This is a familiar tell of inter generational conflict.

Conflicts arose with Kara and friends (who I did not like). Kara and boys who did not believe her body to be her own. Kara and her Jamaican cultural identity. Was she Jamaican enough? Kara relationship with her grandmother, mother, and grandfather.

It was just realness. Through ever word and thought. I just wanted more from her. Only to realize it was tribute to her grandmother and she said what she said!

The line about death coming to you like a whimsical aim was one of the most beautiful lines I have ever read.

Saed and Nadia stories individually and together well formulated. Often times you don't know when one person in a situationship and the other begins. Although I like the author had a hard time stating the name of the relationship. I realized that it didn't need to categorize or quantified. It just was. I was confused by the sex of Saed's parents at the beginning of the book asking myself "I wonder what this will lead too."

However, the more you read, you think to yourself "yes it makes sense." It all ties together. Saed and Nadia journey of self-discovery, moving away from home, and being brave to choose themselves in the midst of great loss was admirable.

On a TOTAL unrelated but related thought. Have you read A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E Schwab? The whole time I read about the difficulties and privileges between Dark and Light London in Exist West. I couldn't help myself to think about the difficulty that went on in A Darker Shade of Magic which discusses 3-4 different types of Londons in that book. Although A Darker Shade of Magic was fantasy and a different genre than Exit West. I wonder if anyone else saw those slight (very slight) parallels?

This is not a book that I will rate.
This is not a book to appease your guilt of not thinking about undocumented Americans.
This is not a book to give criticism to.

This is a book of truth-telling at its rawest point.
This is a book that considers the narratives of other people's stories
This is a book that gripples the author's fears, love, dreams, and hopes into one.
This is a book that reexamines kinship and advocacy.

Most of all, this book screams, "Dear undocumented Americans, specifically the children, I see you, I hear, and I will fight with you."

This book gives light and recognition to things I did not think of prior. This book calls out POC violence against other POCs. This book examines first responders as being Undocumented Americans. While shinning lights on access as it relates to undocumented Americans. I wish I could hand this book to everyone I know.

The Naturals tells the story of a group of young teenagers who are considered "Naturals." They are teenagers with a special ability to deduce things that trained law enforcement is unable to do. Naturals are skilled in mathematics and statistics, emotion detecting, and figuring out when you are lying. Some Naturals like the main character Cassie can see patterns.
.
.
Cassie is a 17-year-old girl who lost her mother recently. Someone killed her mother but there was no trace of her body. One day Cassie was given an opportunity to join a secret law enforcement program that aimed to help her hone her skills and aid to society.
.
.
Cassie still haunted by the death of the mother, often thought about her death. What I loved most about this book was the two-point of view situation. It was unexpected but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. This story was just enough thriller and mystery that didn't scare the crap out of me, instead, it left me wanting more.
.
.
Also, teenage angst turns me off from most YA but Cassie was not a problem for me. I actually thought she was quite mature for her age. But, there was some angst from her and the other teenage characters. I am thankful it wasn't overtly in your face. I’m glad I was recommended this series.

N.K Jemisin truly has a gift. I don’t know how she made a book so literally and metaphorical at the same time. The imagery from the women in white and women in black was truth telling at its best. Island’s character infuriated me the most. She made most of the characters brown and included indigenous knowledge in the novel as well. Something you don’t see often in science fiction and fantasy novels. I throughly enjoyed this book. I can’t wait for the next one.

Poppy Wars was one of the most fun world building that I have seen in YA fantasy. Poppy wars follows the story of a young woman, ren, who is hungry. By hungry, I mean she doesn’t have time for anything but being better than her circumstances. Which left her with some shortcoming and consequences that stemmed from her stubbornness.

I am hoping the following books in this series further discusses the wind god and the Phoenix more.

This first book in the series was a great start and the cliff hanger at the end had me wanting more. However, what happens to the searlies (I listen to the book and didn’t get the correct spelling) was too much for me to bear. The notes of sexual and physical violence was too much for me to think about as black woman in the world. Although “War” is in the title and no war hasn’t left destruction in its wake.

I hope to return to this series when I’m in a better place but for now it’s too triggering!