Premee Mohamed’s We Speak Through the Mountain is out today! This sequel to The Annual Migration of Clouds begins with Reid traveling through Alberta’Premee Mohamed’s We Speak Through the Mountain is out today! This sequel to The Annual Migration of Clouds begins with Reid traveling through Alberta’s Rocky Mountains to reach Howse University—supposedly one of the last remaining locations where life carries on as it did before society collapsed. Reid is excited by the opportunity to attend Howse, and all she thinks about is how she’ll be able to help rebuild the world after she graduates. But life at Howse is different from what she expected. Driven by her curiosity and love, Reid questions her new circumstances and the people around her. In Reid’s quest for answers, Mohamed explores power and morality in a society that refuses to change.
Much like the first book, WSTTM grapples with the theme of duty. But instead of discussing what we owe our loved ones, this book tackles what we owe to each other as humans sharing a planet. Every action is a choice, and not helping others when you have the power and resources to do so is also a choice. Similar to how most of us are baffled by the inaction of our peers who aren’t standing in solidarity with oppressed peoples, and the continued complicity in the suffering of people across the world by those in power, Reid struggles to understand the choices of the university and her peers when she has experienced the suffering of life beyond Howse’s walls firsthand.
My favourite thing about Reid in this book is her strong moral compass and her desire to create a better world. Reid’s values ground the story and lead the way for thought-provoking discussions about morality and ethics. It’s interesting to watch her adapt to a new environment and come to terms with life at Howse. She’s surrounded by people who do not value community as much as she does and this is a constant challenge for her throughout the book. These challenges drive the plot alongside Reid’s quest for answers.
Most excitingly, readers get to learn more about Cad, the mysterious mind-altering parasitic fungi from the first book. This sequel answered a lot of my questions about Cad but also sparked some new ones. I’m glad it was explored more and it was one of the reasons that compelled me to keep reading.
The more I think about these novellas the more I love them. It’s been a month since I read TAMOC and it has stayed with me. TAMOC is striking in its exploration of anger, guilt, grief and love, and WSTTM expands on those feelings and this world while exploring different themes that complement the first book well. I love this series and I hope you check it out! I’m excited to find out what happens in the next book ...more
The Annual Migration of Clouds by Premee Mohamed is a novella set in a dystopian Alberta ravaged by climate disasters. Everything has changed—cities The Annual Migration of Clouds by Premee Mohamed is a novella set in a dystopian Alberta ravaged by climate disasters. Everything has changed—cities and countries are cut off from each other, electricity is a distant memory, and food shortages are common. On top of that, many people are infected with a mind-altering parasitic fungi known as Cad. Reid Graham is one of the infected, and all she’s ever known is the confines of the university campus she lives in with her community. The story begins with Reid being offered a chance at a different life, but if she takes it she’ll have to leave everyone and everything she knows behind. This book thoughtfully meditates on guilt, grief, duty and family as it follows Reid as she makes her choice.
At the heart of this novella is Reid and her struggle to accept how her choice will impact her community. Reid’s mom is fearful and tries to persuade Reid to stay, and this adds to the guilt Reid feels. This felt so real to me. Their relationship made me think about relationship dynamics in immigrant families and how there’s usually a lot of sacrifice and sometimes guilt, and how a lot of us struggle to leave home or make our own choices. This is why I found Reid’s internal struggle to be so compelling—it’s a nuanced and thoughtful exploration of a difficult situation.
Reid is also deeply impacted by the unfairness of her world. Her grief for a world she never knew hums in the background alongside her rage for the people who broke the world beyond repair and took life for granted. This novella criticizes capitalism and colonialism so clearly, and emphasizes the importance of community as not just a means to survive, but as the only way to live. Reid genuinely cares about her community and worries about what will happen to them in her absence, but for the first time in her life, Reid also has hope. Despite her rage, she begins to imagine a different world, one in which she returns to her community and shares what she’s learned.
My favourite aspect of this book is that despite being set in a gloomy apocalyptic world, it’s an introspective story, and Mohamed uses it to show the importance of community and hope. I think this novella will resonate with many people at this moment in time as we experience similar grief for the current state of the world, and like Reid, hold on to hope and work toward a better future, one in which we do not have to make impossible choices or leave the ones we love behind....more
Damian Duffy and John Jennings are doing amazing work with these adaptations of Octavia Butler’s novels. This graphic novel adaptation of Parable of tDamian Duffy and John Jennings are doing amazing work with these adaptations of Octavia Butler’s novels. This graphic novel adaptation of Parable of the Sower stays close to the source material and brings the world of the novel to life with vivid colours that add to the intense emotions in the story.
The book begins in 2024 and is set in a dystopian world affected by constant climate disasters, economic crises, and social chaos. The main character is Lauren Olamina, an extremely smart and sensible 15 year old, and she narrates the story through entries in her diary. She knows that her gated community won’t keep her safe forever, and is trying to prepare for the worst. She’s coming to terms with how she sees the world and figuring out her beliefs. In doing so, she begins to develop her own ideas about religion that lead to the development of a new religion called Earthseed. Lauren’s beliefs ground her throughout the story and help her survive.
I first read the novel in 2020, and Butler’s insight and predictions about the future blew my mind. Revisiting this story now in this form allowed me to better appreciate Butler’s observations about society. And this time around I was able to focus more on how Lauren is perceived by others. I think it was easier to understand this because of the illustrations, and it’s interesting to visualize just how odd she seems to everyone else around her. But the graphic novel also works well in showing how determined and unwavering she is in herself and her beliefs. She knows who she is and what she must do, and she doesn’t care if other people don’t believe her, she’s doing it anyway. These qualities draw people to her as they realize that ultimately, Lauren is just trying to create a better future. In my review of the novels I said that Lauren is the smartest character I’ve ever encountered in a book, and I still think that’s true. I admire her drive and ability to understand the power dynamics at play around her that have shaped the world she lives in.
This graphic novel is excellent but much like the adaptation of Kindred, I think it’s still important to read the story through the novel first, and let this comic complement your reading experience. I’m looking forward to picking up the adaptation of Parable of the Talents which is currently in the works! ...more
“For, as we know, we have already survived the apocalypse—this, right here, right now, is a dystopian present. What better way to imagine survivabilit“For, as we know, we have already survived the apocalypse—this, right here, right now, is a dystopian present. What better way to imagine survivability than to think about how we may flourish into being joyously animated rather than merely alive?” -Joshua Whitehead
Love After The End: An Anthology of Two-Spirit & Indigiqueer Speculative Fiction, edited by Joshua Whitehead, presents a series of utopian stories about love and survival. Featuring AI, cyborgs, floating cities and newly terraformed planets, the authors in this anthology imaginatively show us futures that center queer Indigenous communities while discussing topics like kinship, ethics and colonialism.
Most of these stories are set after an apocalyptic event, but the apocalypse is not the focus, neither are the speculative elements. The focus is connection. It’s about loving the land and respecting the earth. It’s about every type of love. It’s about connecting to ancestors and trusting their wisdom. It’s about staying true to yourself and what you believe in. Every single story is full of love and hope as the characters resist and survive, showing us that love and community will keep us together and help us move forward. LOVE AFTER THE END serves as a powerful reminder that a kinder future is possible.
This book reminded me a lot of River Solomon’s Sorrowland—both books are so tender and quiet in the ways they resist colonialism. The revolutions in these books take place on a smaller scale, but they are no less mighty.
In Earthdivers volume 1 (collecting issues 1-6), readers are introduced to an apocalyptic world and a group of Indigenous survivors trying to save it.In Earthdivers volume 1 (collecting issues 1-6), readers are introduced to an apocalyptic world and a group of Indigenous survivors trying to save it. They find a time traveling cave and send someone back to the “discovery” of America to stop Columbus with the hope that altering that moment in time will stop the apocalypse. Other survivors also travel back to different moments in time, and volume 2 reveals where one of these characters went.
Volume 2 (collecting issues 7-10) is a fast paced and action packed instalment. It follows Tawny, a mother searching for her missing children. When she enters the cave, she’s sent back to the Ice Age. This volume plays with archaeological theories about the peopling of the Americas as Tawny is confronted by a group of settlers who have arrived too early. Tawny is a smart character and her observations of the settlers makes for great commentary. She uses her knowledge of history to survive and thwart the colonizer’s efforts. Themes of motherhood, grief, and hope are touched on, but I wish they were given a bit more depth. The action and fast pace took away from the emotional moments and I think the story needed more room to breathe. That said, this series still feels bold and exciting and I look forward to reading more.
This graphic novel releases on February 27, but the single issues collected in this volume are available now wherever you buy your comics. My thanks to IDW Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC to review.
Ryka Aoki’s LIGHT FROM UNCOMMON STARS follows a violinist who has made a deal with the devil; a young trans violin student who has just run away from Ryka Aoki’s LIGHT FROM UNCOMMON STARS follows a violinist who has made a deal with the devil; a young trans violin student who has just run away from home; and a retired starship captain and interstellar refugee. The book beautifully intertwines their lives as they find each other and themselves. It explores themes of survival, community, and love. It’s also ridiculous and I loved every minute of it! I love the characters and the way the author connected various experiences between them.
The writing is gentle and hopeful and I looked forward to returning to it each time I picked it up. I know this book doesn’t work for everyone, but it worked extremely well for me! It has a lot of things I love—sci-fi elements, strong character development and an intriguing world. But what I love most about this story is its focus on survival and the ways we support one another. Amidst the hardships these characters face, there is kindness and understanding. There is room for joy and loving life. These characters learn how to love themselves and each other, which makes the story real even through the silliness of aliens, donuts, and devils. It’s a beautiful, powerful and strange book and I’m so glad I read it.
Volume 9 is an excellent conclusion to the arc and Coates’ run of Black Panther. It took me a while to wrap my head around it because it feels complicVolume 9 is an excellent conclusion to the arc and Coates’ run of Black Panther. It took me a while to wrap my head around it because it feels complicated and demands a lot of attention from readers, rightfully so. It’s a complex story of colonialism, purpose, history and memory that adds a lot of depth and nuance to Black Panther comics reminiscent of the first arc in this run, A Nation Under Our Feet. It expands Black Panther mythos in inventive ways, showcases Wakanda’s history, explores T’Challa as a person and king, solidifies his relationship with Storm, and gives us an incredible team-up between many of Marvel’s Black heroes. And it achieves all of this while discussing the politics of revolutions and empires. The scope of this story is amazing and the art perfectly sets the tone in every volume. It’s truly an epic sci-fi story that brings so much to Black Panther comics cannon, and it deserves your attention....more
A War of Swallowed Stars is the final book in Sangu Mandanna’s Celestial Trilogy. War is destroying the galaxy and the battle between Esmae and Alex mA War of Swallowed Stars is the final book in Sangu Mandanna’s Celestial Trilogy. War is destroying the galaxy and the battle between Esmae and Alex must finally come to an end. They must decide how far they’ll go to win—and who they’ll sacrifice along the way.
Much like my experience with the other two books, there are a lot of things I enjoyed. Esmae’s character development is great and she finally works through the pain she’s experienced in the previous books. There are some scenes between her and her brother where she calls him out on his bullshit and I loved it ...more
A House of Rage and Sorrow by Sangu Mandanna is book two in The Celestial trilogy, and it begins soon after the events of A Spark of White Fire. I canA House of Rage and Sorrow by Sangu Mandanna is book two in The Celestial trilogy, and it begins soon after the events of A Spark of White Fire. I can’t say much about the plot without spoiling book 1, but I can share some vague thoughts.
I love how this book explored Esmae’s pain after the events of the first book. She was allowed to feel and confront her rage and it was awesome to read because most of the time women (fictional or real) are expected to hide their pain and anger, and hold themselves together. But instead, Esmae takes charge and rightfully turns into a vengeful person. I still loved Esmae as a character and she was really badass in this book.
There are several other things I enjoyed: Titania (the sentient spaceship) is still amazing; we see a more vulnerable side of Sybilla; and a few cool new characters are introduced. We also get to meet Kyra and she is TERRIFYING. And the evolving dynamic between Esmae and Alexi is interesting as neither of them wants to back down, but they both clearly still care about each other. Alexi is conflicted and Esmae is driven by her pain.
This book has even more twists than the previous book, and while I think twists in general are fun, they weren’t all impactful or explained well. I still like the writing and the plot held my interest, but I have way too many questions about the twists, the mechanics of the world, and a couple of concepts that were introduced here. I wish this book was longer. It was just plot twist after plot twist and there wasn’t enough time to breathe.
And the more I think about the romance, the more I don’t like it. It didn’t add anything to the story for me this time around.
Overall, I loved being back in this world but I wanted more from this sequel. I’m currently reading book 3 of this trilogy and I’m interested to know how it will end.
In Far Sector, Jo Mullein is the Green Lantern on the far edge of space. She’s been tasked with protecting the City Enduring, where crime is non-existIn Far Sector, Jo Mullein is the Green Lantern on the far edge of space. She’s been tasked with protecting the City Enduring, where crime is non-existent because citizens have been stripped of their ability to feel emotions. However, political turmoil is on the rise and things are not as they seem. Jo is sucked into a mystery and a century-long feud, and only she can stop what comes next.
N.K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell have created a stunning and intriguing story in Far Sector. These two powerhouse creatives were the perfect pair to bring this comic to life, and each issue of Far Sector proves it. And while the story involves Green Lantern lore, readers don't need any prior knowledge of the Green Lanterns to enjoy this story.
Far Sector is basically the perfect comic to me. It has a smart protagonist, an interesting plot, and amazing artwork. It also brilliantly holds up a mirror to our own society. While the Green Lanterns are essentially space cops, this graphic novel doesn’t glorify cops, and instead criticizes them. Jo’s journey is complex as she grapples with her choices and the world(s) she lives in.
As a super emotional person, I thought it was interesting how this story explored emotions and the importance of them in our lives because I’ve never seen that in superhero comics before. I was genuinely surprised by the plot but was delighted by it. Other things I enjoyed include positive bisexual rep, respectful romantic relationships, and morally ambiguous supporting characters.
Did I mention how stunning this book is? It’s stunning. Jamal Campbell has outdone himself! The art gives off a fun and vibrant vibe, but also supports the tension and mystery of the script when necessary. There are several races of aliens in this comic and Campbell has made them all distinct and illustrates a diversity of body types. It was also nice to see that Jo isn’t thin like most superheroes— yay body positivity! And her sense of style is amazing.
Overall I loved this book and highly recommend it!...more
The Memory Librarian is a collaboration between Janelle Monáe and writers Yohanca Delgado, Eve L. Ewing, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Danny Lore, and Sheree ReThe Memory Librarian is a collaboration between Janelle Monáe and writers Yohanca Delgado, Eve L. Ewing, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Danny Lore, and Sheree Renée Thomas. Each writer teamed up with Monáe for a short story that builds on the world presented in Monáe’s Dirty Computer album & Emotion Picture.
The scifi concepts were cool and interesting and I loved seeing this world expanded. Themes of resistance, liberation, and living authentically shine throughout each story, and I loved that. It was also wonderful to see an abundance of queer Black characters at the heart of the stories.
That said, I like this book, but I don’t love it. I love Janelle Monáe and I was really excited for their book! The writing was compelling and there were moments where I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading, but ultimately I felt unsatisfied by the way most of the stories ended. Maybe I overhyped the book for myself and my expectations were too high, or maybe my mood was off. Honestly, I’m surprised I didn’t love this! I think I enjoyed Timebox Altar(ed) with Sheree Renée Thomas the most; it was a hopeful and inspiring way to end the book and it improved my rating for the book overall.
I’m interested in revisiting this book someday to see if my opinion changes. Even though I didn’t love this, I still love listening to Dirty Computer and this book got me listening again!...more
Mañana: Latinx Comics from the 25th Century is a fun sci-fi anthology! This book features 27 comics by Latinx creators who acknowledge the past and imMañana: Latinx Comics from the 25th Century is a fun sci-fi anthology! This book features 27 comics by Latinx creators who acknowledge the past and imagine the future for Latin America and the world. This book has something for everyone and a lot of themes are covered. Some comics focus on conservation and environmentalism, while others focus on space exploration and scientific advancements, and a few stories incorporate folklore and traditions. Many stories are rooted in love, family, and dreams, and overall the anthology presents a lot of hope for the future. It’s full of heart, and there’s a good balance between comics that are fun vs. comics that are more serious or emotional.
My favourite stories were: Puerto Roboto by Victor Santiago & Rodrigo Reyes Rico, The Alpha Decision by Hernán Guarderas & Rosa Colón Guerra , A Little Esperanza by Jamila Rowser & Maddi Gonzalez, Children of the Sea by H. Pueyo & Dante Luiz, Belén and Nulpi by Paloma Hernando & Gabriela Gutiérrez, Emisaria by Terry Blas & Andres Rosales, Lake Hapunda by A. Cole & Fawn Prince, A Dream of a Thousand Stars by Alberta Rayo & Sebastian Carrillo, and Día de la Vida by John J. Pérez & Beli de la Torre.
I enjoyed this anthology and you should check it out for some great comics that highlight Latinx creators and characters!...more
This book is beautiful, meditative, and profound. It’s interesting and innovative and especially relevant to the world today, as Myhre confronts heavyThis book is beautiful, meditative, and profound. It’s interesting and innovative and especially relevant to the world today, as Myhre confronts heavy topics in a quiet and intimate way. Some sections feel too long or unnecessary, but the author’s message always shines through. Other sections of this book feel like a love letter to art, stories, and writers which makes it a joy to read. It also feels like a call to arms and shows the reader how art is resistance and resistance is power, no matter how small. Overall, I am impressed with the level of worldbuilding and amount of heart in this unique blend of sci-fi and poetry, which is complemented well by Pham’s illustrations. A great read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Button Poetry for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review....more
The scope of this story and the amount of detail included are incredible and impressive. Hickman adds a lot to X-Men lore and I think any X-Men fan wiThe scope of this story and the amount of detail included are incredible and impressive. Hickman adds a lot to X-Men lore and I think any X-Men fan will enjoy it (but it would be too confusing for new X-Men readers). It can be dense and over complicated at times but it's well worth reading. The more I think about this story the more I appreciate it, and I know I'll appreciate it even more whenever I re-read it. 4.5/5...more
Cadwell Turnbull is one of my new favourite authors. I was excited to read No Gods, No Monsters after loving his debut novel The Lesson from a few yeaCadwell Turnbull is one of my new favourite authors. I was excited to read No Gods, No Monsters after loving his debut novel The Lesson from a few years ago. Turnbull elevates his craft to another level with No Gods, No Monsters, which takes readers on a riveting and mysterious journey into a world full of monsters, magic, and politics.
After an incident of police brutality reveals the existence of monsters, the world descends into chaos as monsters reveal themselves, protests erupt, and secrets are exposed. Monsters are real, and they want everyone to know. But why are they revealing themselves now? This is the question at the core of the novel, and Turnbull explores it through several layers of nuance and depth.
There are a lot of points of view (POV) and moving parts in this novel, but I loved it. It worked well for me because each POV adds something new to the story, even if the POV character only appears for a few chapters. It can be confusing to keep track of so many characters, but each character is distinct and is situated in unique circumstances. Turnbull has expertly crafted a detailed world where every character and plot point has a purpose. My desire to know what was happening never waned, and the mystery and suspense captivated me. I was frustrated when I couldn’t keep reading uninterrupted because I needed answers! And when I got answers, they were mind blowing and worth the wait. This book will keep you on your toes and surprise you at every turn.
What I love most about The Lesson is Turnbull’s writing, and it was great to once again be immersed in his words. A lot of care goes into his stories, and it shows. There are several traumatic events that occur in this book and the effects of trauma are explored without sensationalizing the trauma. The characters question the injustice of their circumstances and react with empathy and a desire to change their world for the better. This desire for a better world is also a key element of the story.
The social commentary is excellent, the queer normative world that features queer main characters is amazing, and the story is overall brilliant. I’m interested to see what happens next and I can’t wait for the sequel! Pick this up if you want to read a thrilling and emotional story filled with mystery and monsters. Fans of science fiction, fantasy, and horror will love the way the lines between these genres are blurred in this book to create a spellbinding story....more
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