The symmetry and connectedness in this book were uncanny. The author has a way of lining up suspected suspects as to who was the night tiger but threw in a plot twist to confuse you on the way. Confusion in a good way nonetheless. Although the love story in this book kept me saying "What in the incest-ial is this? it still left me wanting for more. There was an unlikely match. The character development was some of the best I've seen all year. If you are looking for a book with mystery, hints of thriller, and with diverse characters please check this book out.

Often times I read books and I ask myself "why are most characters White?" Where are the Asian characters? Native American characters? Aboriginal characters? Latinx characters? Black characters? African characters? This book helps fill in that void for me.

I found myself most interested in the development of the young girl, Scout and her relationship with her father and aunt. I often felt that Scout and Jim’s father tried his best to teach his children how to be kind.

His efforts were lost at times because his sister, the children aunt, contradicted everything he said. His sister often told Scout and Jim that their family was of a certain breed and high standards and they need not bother with other kinds of people.

It goes to show that no matter how or what you do, society (Atticus sister) will find a way to teach your kids another thing in another manner. I was inspired by Scout’s determination to undermine almost everything her aunt told her by responding to her aunt’s nonsense by stating “Atticus said….”

The following part of the book touched me…

Jim believed that people have different backgrounds and we are separate because of our abilities to reading and write. Meanwhile, Scout thought that they are one type of folks and they are just “folks.” Jim said, “if they are all alike why do we never get along.” I felt Jim sentiments to my core. If we are all one, why can’t we celebrate diversity and differences? Instead, we ostracize those who do not fit into society’s view of “human.”

Atticus views of remaining sane and in one piece was admirable. He tried his best to not have two different outlooks inside and outside the home. It was internal turmoil for him towards the end of the book. I can not believe this is my first time reading/listening to this book.

Pay close attention to the trail part of this book. White woman versus Black Man.

Legendborn... this is a such a great book. I want to first discuss the characters. The characters I was most drawn to were Bree, Alice, Sel, and Nick. I have a bone to pick with Tori, but I'll let you figure that one out. I also believe that these four characters are the main characters in the book. Bree is the main character who is feeling lost and alone and looking for answers. Her mother died and she was having a hard time trying to piece herself and her new surrounding together. Her father was one of the unsung heros in this story if you ask me. Alice is Bree's long time friend, stubborn, and loyal to a fault. Sel is a mysterious person in Bree's life who I had conflicting feelings about it. However, the description of him... ya boy was attractive. Nick is Nick...this is all I can say without spoiling the book for you. He is a strong character that is protective, caring, and driven.

Legendborn is most definitely a RETELLING of King Arthur and his knights. I felt strongly attached to the story as I was attached to Cinderella is Dead by Kaylnn Bayron. Black women are showing UP and OUT with the retellings this year. I think the length of this book was great. There were sometimes I thought "the story could have finished here and picked up in book 2." As soon as that thought came to my mind, I ended up regretting it in the next chapter. I felt that this book was a perfect blend of a character and world driven plot. There are so many topics/themes in this story that made it more enjoyable. There is black representation, interracial couple representation, bi representation, single parent representation... and much more. When I say this novel gave me life, it breathed into me and gave me no wants other than book two. If you are looking for a book that defies the "standard quo" of the original King Arthur telling, this is for you. ohhh, and the action in the book is great!

As we all know, or if you don't know me... I love Horror fiction. I especially love Horror Fiction Anthologies. There is nothing more soothing than an collection of voices versus a singular narrative in my opinion. Haunted Nights delivered, yes it did.

The following are a few words of my favorite stories:

The first story "With Graveyard Weeds and Wolfsbane Seeds" by Seanan McGuire, this reminded me of a dark and twisted retelling of Casper. Although it was different, it reminded me of Casper. I loved it. "Dirtmouth" by Stephen Graham Jones was great as always. "A Small Taste by the Old Country" had me shaking tooo my bones and coaxed me into the narrative with delicious sounding food. "Wick's End" by Jonathan Maberry, scared! I was like "should I be reading this at night?"

A Flicker of Light on Devil's Night by Kate Jonez was one of my favorites because of the main character. We're Never Inviting Amber Again by S.P. Miskowski, let me know that marriage is NOT for me!!!! "Sisters" by Brian Evenson scared me until the very LAST WORD. The twist in the SISTERS was unsuspected. "Lost in the Dark" by John Langan gave me some Blair Witch Project Vibes and took me on a journey.

Get a life, Chloe Brown embodied vulnerability and self agency. I loved this love story. It follows the story of Chloe is has two very protective sisters who wants the best for her. Chloe had an accident that left her with chronic pain. In an effort to reclaim her life, she moves our of her family's home into a apartment that is her own. In her apartment building is the building supervisor Redford, aka Red, aka my husband. Ohh, back to the story. Red and Chloe hated each other at first and made false assumptions who they were individually. As luck would have it, Chloe is trying to reclaim her life via lists and todo check marks. One of those todo check marks was Red.

I loved this book because although both of them were stubborn, I loved how the story began and ended. The fat and chronic pain rep in this book was everything to me.

So, this is my new bible! I need to be kinder to my body, and to other people’s body and be careful how I’m speaking “French.” I need to be mindful of the advertisements and things I say in front of the little ones in my life about my body. I need to stop avoiding or “being nice” around other bodies. Radical self love is a road and the length is unknown but I’m focused on staying on the road as much as I can!

Clearly, I ain’t living life right! Clearly, I need to be looking at these 40 years old... don’t sleep on em sis! Don’t sleep on em sis! Alexandria, you DON’T MISS!

I really like this book but wanted more destruction at the end.

Aubrey, Millie, and Jonah are cousins who received an invitation to visit this island where their grandmothers lives. Their grandmother disowned their parents many years ago. Some of the cousins were hesitant about this request and some of them are looking forward to it.

While reading this book I found myself intrigued about the line “you know what you did?” I wanted to know what Aubrey, Millie, and Jonah parents did to be disowned by their mother. The cousins had asked their parents before and was left with answers such as “ I don’t know” and other aloof answers. Which made me think that someone was lying or covering something up.

In the beginning of this book, I was confused because of the multiple POVs including the time jumps. But I started to get the hang of it towards the middle. I would read anything by K.M, I rated this a 3.5 but rounded it up to 4 stars on goodreads. I think it’s a good stand alone YA mystery but somehow I wanted more twists and turns.

I also appreciate the hint of romance in this story as well. The individual lives of the cousins were interesting and the character development or lack their of of them were good in my opinion. Especially Millie’s character development.