Short story anthologies are a great way for readers to learn about a variety of authors in a brief period of time. Anthologies like Reading the Bones and Dark Matter have been especially helpful for me in finding Black sffh authors, and I'm glad that this is now available for a younger audience. I loved that so many stories featured sapphic characters. I had read many of the author's novels, and it was interesting to see how my predictions for the stories and how much I would like them held up. Even the stories I didn't care for touched on important topics about Black girlhood that I think would make them relatable and important to readers. My favorite stories were The Goddess Provides by L. L. McKinney, Letting the Right One In by Patrice Caldwell, Tender-Headed by Danny Lore, Kiss the Sun by Ibi Zoboi, and The Witch's Skin by Karen Strong. This was very close to getting 5 stars.

I received an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. A poignant read about birth and found families. The title refers to a literal death that kicks off the story and the figurative death of an identity. The writing style is descriptive and alluring. It's interesting how dramatically it varies between each of Emezi's novels. If I didn't know that they had written this, Freshwater, and Pet, I don't know if I would've guessed. I loved the camaraderie among the children of the Nigerwives and the tenderness they had for Nnemdi. Of all the characters, I most related to Juju wrestling with her internalized biphobia. I think the rawest moment was Vivek's parents mourning his death but also realizing that they wouldn't have accepted the whole truth if they'd lived. I'm still mulling on how Emezi entwines sensuality/ sexuality and family. Aside from me not comprehending Emezi's galaxy brain, I'm not Nigerian, and I know I missed a lot of cultural references.

For an indepth review on my thoughts on the execution of Sigourney Rose as morally grey, the themes of this story, and my reactions to the ending, watch here: https://youtu.be/FbEj_yVOLP0
I had difficulty deciding on a rating for this book. I really wanted to know how it would end and didn't doubt I would finish the book, but I had some big issues with the pacing of the story. It felt like it could've been condensed a lot. Sigourney is supposed to be morally grey and unlikable. It's a long time to spend with a character who is so one note and often despicable. There's a mystery that Sigourney spends a while spinning her wheels trying to solve. I didn't figure the whole thing out, but I had an inkling. I know Sigourney doesn't get it for thematic reasons, but this was another factor slowing the story down. Due to Sigourney's mind reading kraft, we get character studies of various Fjern, which allowed for some well-executed commentary on white supremacy and the different forms racism can take. The ending was both vindicating and frustrating. The world of Hans Lollik Helle and the other islands felt fresh and imaginative, and I definitely want to continue the series because it raises some fascinating questions around unity during revolution.

This novella looks at slavery and its impact on enslavers and those who benefit from it, the concept of individuality, and modes of thought. This was unintentionally my 1st Delany read, and I think it was a good pick, since it's on the shorter end and the plot is fairly easy to understand. Empire Star has a wry humor to it as certain events repeat and through Lump's character (who makes literary allusions I don't understand and who thinks he's much stealthier than he actually is). The protagonist of the story is from an isolated community who doesn't know much and is sent on a mission he doesn't understand. So we're learning about his mission and this universe along with him. There's something about this story that feels very retro and pulp, in terms of the world and the questions the story's asking. Which I wasn't expecting because I've heard Delany's work characterized as incredibly dense and literary. I'm wondering in general what makes sci fi feel retro vs modern, genre vs literary, etc. The themes in this story are worth thinking on, and I may re-read since it's super short.

Arika is a very dynamic protagonist. She used to be very rebellious and became a toady after Teacher Jones crushed her spirit. A lot of the book is about whether or not she will return to being rebellious. Topics this book brought up - what does it take to be a revolutionary, the role of school and revised histories in upholding the status quo, the importance of memory to identity, creating family in a disruptive violent environment, the usefulness of divide and conquer.

Writing was very poetic and descriptive, in a way I don't see often in middle grades.