OYENTE

Afia

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Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-25-25


Rating: 4.0 ⭐
Spice: 1.0 🌶️
Would I read it again? Probably not, but I’m committed to seeing this series through.

Alright, y’all—we back at it again in Orïsha! If you thought the first book had you stressed, this one said “Hold my drink.” The stakes? Higher. The magic? Messier. And the character decisions? Whew, some of y’all gon’ need therapy after this.

The Vibe:

✔️ Fast-paced with no chill
✔️ Dark-to-light character arcs that stay testing your patience
✔️ Civil war brewing—everybody’s fighting somebody
✔️ Messy friendships, messy politics, and even messier emotions
✔️ World-building still top-tier

So what’s the deal?

Zélie and Amari did what they came to do: brought magic back. But now? Everybody and their mama got powers, including the same folks trying to oppress them. So instead of celebration, we’ve got a whole civil war about to pop off. Zélie’s trying to keep the maji from tearing each other apart, while Amari’s fighting to claim the throne, and let me tell you—the stress is real.

But let me tell you…

This book is giving “good intentions, bad execution” because everybody’s struggling to do the right thing, but it keeps going left. And look, I’m all for character growth, but Zélie had me side-eyeing my Kindle more than once. Her grief and trauma are real, but whew—the way she was snapping on folks had me like, “Girl, not everybody’s the enemy!” Meanwhile, Amari’s over here trying to lead, but her decisions? Questionable. And don’t get me started on Inan—sir, what are you even doing at this point?

What hit different this time:

Look, I don’t know if it was just my mood that weekend, but this book hit me a little harder emotionally. Maybe it was the tension between the characters or the fact that nobody could catch a break, but I was feeling this one more than the first. Plus, the world-building? Still magical, still stunning. I loved seeing more of Orïsha and how magic was woven into everyday life—especially with the different maji clans.

But I gotta be honest—the pacing? FAST. Almost too fast. There were moments where I wanted the story to breathe a little, but it just kept charging ahead. And some of the character arcs? Felt a little rushed. But hey, when the world’s falling apart, I guess you don’t have time for slow, emotional breakthroughs.

Final Thoughts:

This one’s for the folks who love their fantasy dark, intense, and emotional. If you’re here for messy characters making hard choices and a world that’s as beautiful as it is brutal, you’ll be all in. But don’t expect a happy, feel-good read—this one’s all about surviving the storm.

Would I recommend it? If you started the series, you gotta see it through. Just maybe have a lighthearted rom-com ready to cleanse your palate afterward.

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So good

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-15-25

Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams

Rating: 4.0 ⭐
Spice: 2.0 🌶️
Would I read it again? Absolutely. And you know I’m already waiting for book two.

Alright, this one right here? This one had me locked in. I love me a good HBCU fantasy, and the way this book weaves together magic, history, and Black culture had me flipping pages fast. It gave me Blood-Bound vibes but set at an HBCU, and honestly? It worked.

So what’s the deal?

Malik has been through it. Ten years ago, his mother died during a mysterious attack—which is also when he discovered he had magic. Fast forward, he’s newly emancipated, just tryna get away and start fresh with his foster brother, but fate had other plans. One gas station stop, one strange encounter, and now Malik is in New Orleans being pulled into a world of secrets, family legacies, and a magic school specifically for Black students.

And y’all, this school? It’s giving full experience. The magic? Rooted in hoodoo, Kreyol traditions, and Black history. The Greek life? Not just background noise—I can already tell these sororities and fraternities are about to play a major role in the next book. And let’s be real—it’s rare to see a book that so unapologetically centers Black boys in fantasy.

The Vibes:

✔️ Magic school but make it Black AF
✔️ Hoodoo, Kreyol, and deep-rooted traditions
✔️ Greek life with real influence
✔️ Secrets, missing students, and a past that won’t stay buried
✔️ A protagonist you’ll root for (and sometimes wanna shake)
✔️ A world where Black people fight back—without waiting to be oppressed first

Now, did it start a little slow? Yeah, I would’ve liked to hit the campus a little quicker, but once we got there? The payoff was solid. Also, can we talk about how the dialogue actually sounds like real Black boys from the hood in college? Sometimes YA books try too hard, but Williams struck a balance that felt natural—even if a few references made me side-eye.

Final Thoughts:

This book is rich, layered, and setting up for something big. It’s got enough twists and turns to keep you hooked, and best believe I’ll be first in line when book two drops in Summer 2025. If you’ve been craving an HBCU magic school with a story that doesn’t center whiteness—this one’s for you.

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you definitely are gonna need a glass of wine for this one!

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-09-25

Parable of the Sower

Rating: 4.5 ⭐
Spice: 1.0 🌶️

Listen. Octavia Butler was looking into the future and taking notes. This book was written in the ’90s, yet somehow, she called so much of what’s happening today, it’s downright eerie. This isn’t an easy read—it’s a warning. You don’t just read this book; you sit with it, process it, and let it haunt you a little because Butler had a way of making you feel every inch of the world falling apart.

Lauren Olamina? Whew. That girl was built different. Watching her navigate a world that is literally crumbling, where people are barely surviving, much less thriving, was both terrifying and inspiring. The way she created Earthseed, her own belief system, was fascinating—even if I didn’t always understand it. But I got the main point: adapt or perish. And honestly? That’s real.

But let’s talk about how disturbingly realistic this book is. Down to the political rhetoric, the societal collapse, and the fact that people ignored all the warning signs until it was too late—whew, Butler was calling out the future before we even got here.

If you pick this one up, pour yourself a glass of wine and be ready to sit with your thoughts for days after. It had me so deep in my head, I had to pick up something light and fluffy just to recover. But it’s absolutely worth reading—one of those books that shakes you to your core and makes you rethink everything.

What You’re Getting:

✔️ A dystopian future that’s way too close to home
✔️ A protagonist who is smarter than most adults
✔️ Survival, resilience, and humanity on the brink
✔️ A religion that’ll have you side-eyeing but also thinking
✔️ A book you’ll still be processing weeks later

Final thoughts? Parable of the Sower isn’t just a novel—it’s a prophecy. If you’ve never read Octavia Butler, start here, but just know you’re not walking away from this one unchanged.

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This was pretty predictable

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-08-25

Grumpy Romance

Rating: 3.0 ⭐
Spice: 1.0 🌶️

Here’s the thing—this book was predictable as hell, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need. Was it groundbreaking? No. Was it a fun, easy read that gave me a little escape from the mess that is real life? Absolutely. Would I read it again? Probably not. But I’m not mad at it.

Alastair? Whew. He had rich man going through something tragic energy down to a science. Brooding, emotionally constipated, and thinking his money means he doesn’t have to explain himself. But Kenya? She was an independent, opinionated queen who worked for everything she had—and I LIVED for the moments she shut Alastair down when he got too reckless with his words. Their banter was elite, and honestly, her best friend added some of the best comedic relief in the book.

Now, where it lost me—Kenya being a little too forgiving when she shouldn’t have been. Some of these characters had the AUDACITY, and I needed a little more justice served. Drake? Oh, he needed to catch hands—multiple. A whole plotline left unfinished because that man did NOT suffer enough for his crimes. Missed opportunity.

Side note: Ezekiel? My man deserves his own soft, swoony love story after everything they put him through. Somebody write him the romance he deserves.

What You’re Getting:

✔️ Grumpy x Sunshine dynamic
✔️ Elite banter & witty best friend energy
✔️ Rich man with baggage, strong woman with boundaries
✔️ A couple of characters who needed to get popped in the mouth but didn’t

Overall, it did what it needed to do—a solid, easy romance with a few frustrating moments. If you need a comfort read where you know exactly what you’re getting, this one might be for you.

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strong Grey’s Anatomy vibes, with all the drama, intensity, and hyper-realism

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-22-25

On Rotation by Shirlene Obuobi
Rating: 3.75 🌟
Spice: 2.0 🌶️

Alright, let’s dive in. This one gave me strong Grey’s Anatomy vibes, with all the drama, intensity, and hyper-realism of juggling a medical career and personal relationships. Angie’s journey as a Ghanaian American med student hit hard with its cultural nuance and real-life struggles. From underperforming on an exam to navigating family expectations, it was hyper-relatable and beautifully written.

The romance? Cute, but it didn’t quite carry the weight I hoped for. Angie and Ricky had their moments, but the ending felt rushed, leaving me wishing for more depth and time to sit in their story. Still, the layers of implicit bias, race, and the complexity of being in a high-pressure field gave it that edge I needed to keep going.

Would I recommend? If you love messy, real-world love stories with BIPOC representation, yes. Just know it might feel like they pulled the brakes a bit too soon.

What You’re Getting:
✨ BIPOC lead navigating med school
✨ Family and friendship drama
✨ A touch of sweet, slow-burn romance
✨ A dash of medical realism

Overall, I’m glad I picked it up, but I’m left hoping for a more fully fleshed-out love story next time.

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Real love!!!

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-16-25

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25

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Love this read!

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-05-24

This story resonates with any international child who has a large number of aunties, cute and romantic!

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Awkward, love rom-com

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-04-24

If you love Tessa Bailey’s love hypothesis, you’ll really love this romcom very similar in nature but I loved this story!

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Loved all three books

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 03-13-23

This was a Great beach read with some steam to keep you on your toes.

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I would say skip this one

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
2 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 03-11-23

The storyline wasn’t exceptionally intriguing I just kept waiting for it to takeoff more and it never dead

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