I understand why David did what he did and why it was difficult for him. I understood his sacrifices and the things that his coven put him through and his unrelenting acts of survival. Although I understood these things; he was a character I loved to hate. I do not think he was a great partner to Jess at all. I think he had possessive, controlling, and obsessive tendencies with Jessica. Jessica was so wrapped up in the "love" and orgasms that she didn't see it. I would argue "does she see it now?"

There were so many beloved characters in this story whose lives were cut too soon. The whole time reading this book, I wanted dutchess to stop asking 1o9745039853 questions. I wanted Alex to chill out. I wanted Jessica's dad's character to have more parts. I wanted David to get a life and stop living through Jessica. I wanted David's coven to allow David to make his own mistakes. I think because of all of these wants and complexities. It was a fantastic first book in a series! Onto book 2!

"I will come back somewhere ya see, in the river of time, I am already alive."

I think this story hit different for me because I had an awesome opportunity to listen to Akwaeke and Rivers Solomon discuss this book and what it meant to Akwaeke in a zoom interview. Listening to Akwaeke discussed familial bonds and the role of incest within very large families was transformative. Also their mother's relationship and their relationship with Naja Wives.

This story broke my heart and cut me into two halves. In more ways, I felt like this is a story of the death of Vivek and the birth of Nnemdi. In the interview with Rivers Solomon, Akwaeke discussed naming ceremonies in their culture, in Nigeria. More importantly of names and the genders connected to them. Akwaeke wanted to explore "what happens when you are given a name of gender that is different than the one that has been "assigned to you." This book most definitely explored those themes and bent them in the most imaginative and beautiful ways. This is a story that is timeless and I will always hold it near and dear to my heart.

Osita's grief and stubbornness was beautiiiiiiifullllly written!

Now I ask you, "what happens when your fear is more powerful than the threat?"

Yooooo! This right here! Where is my Jah?? Where is he though??
I feel like I can't say all my thoughts on this review. I loved it. I don't why I started with book #2 and not book #1.

I must say! I really like book two compared to book one. I think the pace was faster in book two. Book one took forever to get there. The twists and turns in book two sent me through the roof. The romance was great in book two. I will be doing a vlog of me discussing this book on my channel soon.

I lovveeeed this book and cannot wait to watch the TV Show. I felt like I was reading anthologies which I love. This is not a book on anthologies but different takes on different characters. There was something I enjoyed reading or found relatable in each chapter. The whole time I was not a fan of Samuel or Caleb Braithwhite. I found them both to be problematic. The Order of the Ancient Dawn was suspect to me in the beginning and my suspicions were warranted. I was not 100% on board with them. I was afraid for Atticus more times than I care to say. Atticus and his family were true fighters in my opinion. The story about Helen caused me to take a pause. I just needed to process what happened to her.

The following are the chapters and stories about what happened to Atticus and his family.

Lovecraft Country
Dreams of the Which House
Abdullah's Book
Hippolyto Disturbs the Universe
Jekyll in the Hyde Park
The Narrow Park
Horace and The Devil Doll
The Mark of Cain"

This is most definitely a book that I suggest you read before watching the TV show.

This book was very interesting for me to read. I re-started this book a few times because I was confused. I often get confused by multiple POV but I also prefer multiple POV (it's the Gemini sun in me). Duality, hey sis! I also re-listened to some parts in the middle. Lol. AND, I had to slow down my normal pace of listening to this book from 2 speed to 1.5 speed. It was a journey, but a great journey.

It was the setting, the Teek people, Serapio, and the crows for me.

This story is set in Tova, where the sun priest resides and godlike beings who govern the people. The first chapter really sets you up for the tone of the book. I hope that it sets you up for the tone of the series as well. I am so happy that I added this book to my #indigathon TBR (link below).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftI5aJuShmY&t=366s

My favorite point of views in this book was by Naranpa, Xiala, and Serapio. Although we got some information about the Teek, I wanted more information. I loved the mermaid-ish vibe of the Teek people, their relationship with water, and the sky. It seemed very balanced and circular, which I find to be true amongst most indigenous nations. Here, you can really see the author's personal influence comes through. I repeatedly saw the themes of pre-Columbian times in the book and compared it to today’s world; which made Serapio character and his belief system (more like mission) most intriguing to me. In this story, you learn about the struggles that Naranpa went through, her dedication to her position, and her people. You learn about... what I would call the childhood trauma that Serapio experienced that made him a vessel for something that was much bigger than himself. Although, I doubt that Serapio would identify his experience as trauma.

Also, you learn about Xiala will to LIVE and SURVIVE. Her song is powerful and deep within her something that I admired. While reading this, it is clear that Xiala believes she is alone in the world and has every right to think so. However, I am interested to see how her character changes and if her morals will change as well. In conclusion, one of my favorite things about this book is that the characters were older and not in their teens.

Each chapter title is a chronological countdown to the day of convergence. I won't lie to you, every time I heard the chapter title, I kept thinking "It's about to go down." I was always hyped for the next chapter.

TW: Violence, death, and manipulation

Things I loved:
- Introduction of a third gender
- Magic systems
- Gods
- Teek people
- Protagonist bisexuality
- Shades of brown characters
- Blind Rep

Reading this book.... I felt ashamed that I didn't know about the Osage Murders. This part of the U.S., history was not taught in school. Which again speaks volumes to our educational system. I wish that I learned the truth in middle and high school. So many things I have yet to know and explore.

This book is exactly what the title says "The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI." This book highlights Mr. White and Mr. Hoover's involvement in finding those responsible for the deaths of so many Osage people. Specifically to White's and Hoover's restructuring and involvement in the FBI. It is clear in this book that there was a large amount of violence against the Osage people. The Osage people were murdered, poisoned, beaten, shot at, and houses were burned down. White entitled men preyed on the women, married them, beat them just so they can take their money. In more cases than one, the U.S., government allowed and sparked this violence against the Osage people by passing legislation that Osage people needed a "ward or guardian" in order to spend their money. The guardians were prominent white men in a nearby town, their town, or their husbands.

The Osage people were displaced so that white men could have access to their oil-rich land. Then the U.S., government sold their land to entitlement and greedy white men. BUT! As always these men were not satisfied and wanted more. When the Osage purchased land from another nation of people, they found out that that land had oil as well.

Complaints made by white people about the Osage Indians and their money. White people were upset at how the Osage people were spending their money. However, when white people showed their wealth, no one batted an eye. Sounds about white me! The causality in this book was very loud. Due to the complaints, this caused the government to get involved and put restrictions on the money the Osage received and who had control over it. Hence the oncoming of the "wards." White men did unspeakable things so that they could be a ward or a guardian.

The Osage Reign of Terror started from the Spring of 1921 to June of 1926. Although 24 Osage Peoples have been recorded as being murder by greedy men and sometimes women, historians today believe the number is actually in the hundreds. Today the descendants of the Osage people have gaps in their history and don't know what happened to their ancestors and relatives.

This book gives detailed accounts of a few Osage families, what happened to their family, and how family members were targets and killed by greedy men for their land and money.

Dear Lord,

Please let me stop reading books out of order. I would really appreciate it. As of now, I've read only two books out of Karin Slaughter's Will Trent Series. This was a short and sweet novel centering around Will trying to solve a 22-year-old cold case.

Will went undercover to enact justice on a Deputy Deacon who recently died due to medical complications. However, the incident that caused Deputy Deacon to end up in the hospital was another story. On a mission to find the truth, he aims to become close with Jack Reacher. As usual, I was not ready for the end of this short novel and it was most definitely a plot twist.

If you are looking for something short, sweet, AND a thriller, this is the book for you.

Theo is seriously the kind of curious kid I would want to have. Theo is dedicated to justice and focused on finding his friend April. This is a great thriller/mystery starter for middle schoolers. This series is also not that long and perfectly written.