QUEENIE by Candice Carty-Williams

The casual writing style infused with satire was a pleasant surprise that had me laughing numerous times despite the challenging storyline. Queenie’s first-person narrative also drew me in, and several flashbacks were skillfully used to strengthen the story. I especially loved the text messaging, emails and lists, which made the writing more engaging and creative.

BORN A CRIME: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

BORN A CRIME Audiobook Cover

The detailed writing brings each story within this book to life. Even with the heavy topics mentioned, the narrative remained entertaining as a light-hearted and casual tone was maintained throughout. While the narrative is also slightly disjointed, the additional information provided by numerous tangents made this book more elaborate and compelling.

LEGENDBORN by Tracy Deonn

LEGENDBORN Cover

Told from Bree’s point of view, the rich narrative nicely captures everything she encounters and feels. Her gradual immersion into the secret, magical world alongside ours is perfect for gently establishing the complex world without the dreaded info dump. Not only is the worldbuilding filled with intricate lore, but it also touches on serious themes such as racism and slavery.