Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon

 

“Atlanta is blanketed with snow just before Christmas, but the warmth of young love just might melt the ice in this novel of interwoven narratives, Black joy, and cozy, sparkling romance—by the same unbeatable team of authors who wrote the New York Times bestseller Blackout!

As the city grinds to a halt, twelve teens band together to help a friend pull off the most epic apology of her life. But will they be able to make it happen, in spite of the storm?

No one is prepared for this whiteout. But then, we can’t always prepare for the magical moments that change everything.” - taken from Goodreads.

It almost seems like the previous collaboration between these authors, Blackout, was the warm up for the awesomeness that was Whiteout. The setting of Atlanta during a snowstorm is the backdrop for a group of friends trying to help a friend make a grand gesture of apology while making their own love connections. Working towards a common ending caused me to be more connected with the entire story arc. A definite read.

Ashes of Gold by J. Elle (Wings of Ebony book 2)

 

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Wings of Ebony, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“Rue has no memory of how she ended up locked in a basement prison without her magic or her allies. But she’s a girl from the East Row. And girls from the East Row don’t give up. Girls from the East Row pick themselves back up when they fall. Girls from the East Row break themselves out.

But reuniting with her friends is only half the battle. When she finds them again, Rue makes a vow: she will find a way to return the magic that the Chancellor has stolen from her father’s people. Yet even on Yiyo Peak, Rue is a misfit—with half a foot back in Houston and half a heart that is human as well as god, she’s not sure she’s the right person to lead the fight to reclaim a glorious past.

When a betrayal sends her into a tailspin, Rue must decide who to trust and how to be the leader that her people deserve…because if she doesn’t, it isn’t just Yiyo that will be destroyed—it will be Rue herself.” - taken from Goodreads.

I loved Rue’s unbending desire to restore her people’s magic and end the lies of the Chancellor. Unfortunately, the story drug on to the point that I was losing interest. Finding out the backstory of the Chancellor was great and trying to figure out who betrayed Rue was maddening. I am glad that I did finish the book.

Visit J. Elle’s website.

One True Loves by Elise Bryant

 

“Lenore Bennett has always been a force. A star artist and style icon at her high school, she’s a master in the subtle art of not giving a . . . well, you know what. But now that graduation is here, she’s a little less sure.

She’s heading to NYU in the fall with a scarlet U (for “undeclared”) written across her chest. Her parents always remind her that Black kids don’t have the luxury of figuring it out as they go—they have to be 110 percent prepared. But it’s a lot of pressure to be her ancestors’ wildest dreams when Lenore’s not even sure what her dreams are yet.

When her family embarks on a post-graduation Mediterranean cruise, her friend Tessa is sure Lenore’s in for a whirlwind romance. But Lenore knows that doesn’t happen in real life. At least not to girls like her.

Then she meets Alex Lee. After their parents bond over the Cupid Shuffle, she ends up stuck with him for the remainder of the cruise. He’s a hopeless romantic and a golden boy with a ten-year plan. In short, he’s irritating as hell.

But as they get to know each other during the picturesque stops across Europe, he may be able to help her find something else she’s been looking for, even if she doesn’t want to admit it to herself: love.” - taken from Goodreads.

Even though this is a companion novel, there is no need to have read the first book to enjoy the Lenore’s story. Heart broken and not thrilled about her college plans, Lenore is adrift. While on the family's Mediterranean cruise, her parents have given her a deadline, decide her future by the end of the trip. After a different disastrous encounter with the handsome Alex Lee, can Lenore find her one true love and satisfy her parents demands? 

Visit Elise Bryant’s website.

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

 

“When two Niveus Private Academy students, Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo, are selected to be part of the elite school’s senior class prefects, it looks like their year is off to an amazing start. After all, not only does it look great on college applications, but it officially puts each of them in the running for valedictorian, too.

Shortly after the announcement is made, though, someone who goes by Aces begins using anonymous text messages to reveal secrets about the two of them that turn their lives upside down and threaten every aspect of their carefully planned futures.

As Aces shows no sign of stopping, what seemed like a sick prank quickly turns into a dangerous game, with all the cards stacked against them. Can Devon and Chiamaka stop Aces before things become incredibly deadly?” - taken from Goodreads.com

As I started this book, I wasn't sure where the storyline was going. Aces begins by targeting Devon while Chiamaka is gearing up to make her senior year stellar. Once Chiamaka draws Aces’ attention, the plot line really explodes. This is a dark, twisted academic tale where the mystery of who and why Aces is plotting against Von and Chia leads the two of them to team up to uncover the disturbing truth. Incredible ending to a book that tackles some brutally harsh topics. 

Visit Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé’s website.

Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon

 

“A summer heatwave blankets New York City in darkness. But as the city is thrown into confusion, a different kind of electricity sparks…

A first meeting. 

Long-time friends. 

Bitter exes. 

And maybe the beginning of something new.

When the lights go out, people reveal hidden truths. Love blossoms, friendship transforms, and new possibilities take flight.” - taken from Goodreads.com

A great concept of six interconnected stories that take place in New York City one night during a blackout. I really liked half of these stories better than the other half. This book started off strong with Jackson’s story starting off and it is continued throughout the book between the other stories. Stone’s story arc was fabulous and tied in great with Jackson’s. The middle stories lagged a bit for me but Nicola Yoon’s story was a fabulous ending to the book. 

The stories are as follows;

The Long Walk by Tiffany D. Jackson

Mask Off by Nic Stone

Made to Fit by Ashley Woodfolk

All the Great Love Stories....and Dust by Dhonielle Clayton

No Sleep Till Brooklyn by Angie Thomas

Seymour and Grace by Nicola Yoon