afro-caribbean – Cannonball Read 17

A Jamaican-inspired YA fantasy with dragons

So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole

December 31, 2024 by teresaelectro Leave a Comment

So Let Them Burn is the debut YA fantasy from Kamilah Cole. Our leads are two Afro-Caribbean sisters. They live on a small tropical island, which was inspired by Jamaica. We meet Faron who called on the gods and was blessed with power to save her country from colonial invaders on dragons. It’s been a few years since the traumatic battle. Now she is kind of a bratty teenager who uses her magic to win races against bullies. Much to the chagrin of her sister Elara […]

People like Gen came only a few times in life and I’d learned the hard way not to ever waste those moments.

Out of Office by A.H. Cunningham

April 11, 2024 by Emmalita Leave a Comment

A.H. Cunningham’s Afro-Caribbean Black romance, Out of Office, is gorgeous. The settings are lush. The emotions are lush. The story is rich in culture. Cunningham has delivered a thoughtful and spicy contemporary romance that grapples with how to live in a world that demands constant production. Gabriella is an up and comer at a hotel/resort chain based in Miami. Her mother is well known for mentoring Black women on corporate success and she expects Gabriella to rise to the top. Adrián has already had a taste […]

“And if I speak of Paradise”

A Portable Paradise by Roger Robinson

May 28, 2021 by tiny_bookbot Leave a Comment

A Portable Paradise, Roger Robinson’s fourth poetry collection, didn’t come across my radar until it won the 2019 T. S. Eliot Prize for poetry. While literary prize culture is as fallible as, say, film awards like the Oscars, the TSE Prize shortlist is always interesting to look at, and the title poem immediately caught my interest. Unfortunately, it was incredibly hard to get my hands on a copy! Robinson’s publisher, Peepal Tree Press, is a small independent press, and it seems like demand for the […]

Romance and Social Justice

American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera

American Love Story by Adriana Herrera

February 27, 2020 by Emmalita 2 Comments

Sometimes when I like a book I have so much to say and so many feelings that I am unable to get a coherent review out and I spend days or weeks spewing and deleting words. That’s how I have felt about my recent Adriana Herrera binge. I think I may have coherent thoughts now, but just in case this gets out of control again, the most important thing is – I like these books and think you should read them. Adriana Herrera’s debut series […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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