With some of the flaws in the book. I found myself drawn to Samantha. Which is different from I felt about her in the movie. I do feel like some choices made was interesting by the author. This book felt nostalgic to me. 

I wanted more of Myan Mythology in this book. I wanted more background stories from the other characters. I don’t think I was a fan of the prophecy beginning told earlier on and “solved” earlier on in the book. I loved the writing and Myan Stories. This was a good start to the presents series and I am excited to see where book 2 does. 

There was not of points or parts of the book that I found enjoyable. The depiction on Black and Queer folks was disheartening and unforgivable. There were clear choices the author made that I did agree too. I doubt Sookie will be redeemable in future books but I will see. I’m curious if the author has grown since writing this series. 

As always N.K delivers! I seriously don’t know what took me so long to get back into this series. But I am so thankful for the opportunity to get back into it. I think N.K m’s ability to include different representations in her books is like no other without making it the focus of the plot. I enjoyed the main characters steadfastness and love for the traveler that she is with. I love how N.K consistently makes strong female characters. 

Each story spoken to different experiences of colored folks. Each taught a lesson or made me laugh out loud. I enjoyed this collection of stories. 

Am I starting to like monster smut?!? 

I am so mad at the choices that were made in this volume that I am just.... devastated about the outcome. I didn't want this happen. I am just torn apart right now. What a way to make readers feel loss and hopeless. If that was the goal, it was successfully done in this volume. I can't rate it anything higher than a 3.5 because of how sad I feel. The art and writing was done very well as always. I know this was not a "happily ever after" comic series but seriously. Damn. Whewww. Do I want to continue?? Bravo to the creators for making the reader feel for the characters and to snatch them from us at a blink of page. 

CW: Suicide ideation, suicide attempt, murder, foul language, violence of all natures.

I needed to take some time to discuss what I just read. I don't think what I want to write will due this book justice. I think the book speaks for itself. I love and enjoy reading memoirs. To unpack a person's story and how they have come to be and to see it unfold on paper is a beautiful thing. I guess that's because I am a therapist and I help people unpack their lives for a living. This story touched me in ways that I don't think that I have realized yet. 

The author took her time with allowing us to view a snapshot of her life. Although this was a detailed graphic memoir and seems like a play by play, I can't help but notice that there are pieces of this story that is missing. That is for the author and not for us. While reading this book I felt every emotion I think you can feel while reading. 

Love because I would want parents that made me feel safe and encouraged my free thinking in a way that her parents did for her. Anger because the guardians, the extremists, the nuns, and the shitty boyfriends were operating on pure selfishness and not facts AND they caused so much harm that will be felt for generations to come. Admiration because Marjane had some of the best come backs that I ever read for people trying her. You go girl! Even as a tiny tot she had a lot to say and filled up a room with her presence, gumption, and humor. Guilt because of the privileges that I hold and the decisions that she made that caused her to feel guilt and shame when she was around her family. Which is a feeling that I definitely have felt. Most of all, proud, I felt proud and honored that a book like this exists. 

I hope for years to come that I never forget those who fought in the revolution, who has died during the revolution, and who continues to fight. Thank you Marjane, thank you.