Review: The Wendy

The Wendy by Erin Michelle Sky
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reviews to follow in both JoLLE and School Library Journal, but...for now I will say that I loved this book! Wendy is a sixteen-year-old sassy, smart, and strong sixteen-year-old young woman in the late 1700s in England in this version of the story. She wants to be a sea captain, but she's told that as a woman, this route is not an option for her. So she does the next best thing...work for a military fleet. In her new position, she meets Peter Pan himself and has to report to the revered Captain Hook. Over time, Wendy realizes that the line between good guys and bad guys isn't always black and white and that Peter Pan might be more complex than the criminal that Hook makes him out to be. For anyone who loves fairy tale retellings and YA fantasy book, especially with empowered female protagonists, I would highly recommend this book and can't wait for the next installment. :)

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Review: Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture

Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture by Ytasha L. Womack
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book truly was fascinating, and it was one of the best nonfiction books I've read in a while. Womack does an excellent job explaining Afrofuturism to the reader in a way that is accessible and easy to follow. I liked the book so much that I ordered her fiction novel Rayla 2212, along with the first Akata Witch series book by Nnedi Okorafor.
I've done research and writing about empowered and diverse female protagonists in speculative fiction, and I completely agree with the book's ideas on how speculative fiction can promote and encourage a better future. I loved how, at the end of the book, the author provided examples of putting this idea into action and improving communities. Also, I appreciated the explanation of how Afrofuturism has influenced hip hop music, in addition to literature and art. Some hip hop artists that I listen to, such as Outkast, Lupe Fiasco, and Erykah Badu, have elements of Afrofuturism in their music and videos, and I now have a new appreciation for them. I also value the spiritual element of Afrofuturism and its emphasis on community.
I have a strong desire to learn more about this concept and continue to do more reading about it, both in terms of scholarship and fiction work. I love how the author talked about her involvement with the fandom community and with popular culture conventions, places that I see moving the future forward in positive ways. Well done, Ms. Womack.

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Review: Nadya Skylung and the Cloudship Rescue

Nadya Skylung and the Cloudship Rescue by Jeff Seymour
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have a more detailed review forthcoming in School Library Journal, as I obtained an ARC. This book was basically Serenity/Firefly for middle grades students. I loved the fantasy elements and the world building. Nadya is a really neat and creative female fantasy character, and readers of all ages will love her. I found myself wanting to know more about some of the minor characters, but this book definitely lends itself to a sequel and/or series. I would definitely read the next installment. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys middle grades fantasy.

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