nativeladybookwarrior's reviews
13 reviews

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Let me first rattle off by telling you, that this is likely one of the most engaging experiences I've had with an incredible Indigenous YA read! Man Made Monsters by Cherokee author @andrealrogers had me admiring the writing, the glossary, the illustrations, and lastly that very quietly screaming family tree of a prologue.

I found myself reading flipping back and forth between the family tree, the Cherokee language glossary, and even other stories quite often. It reminded me of sitting down with my sayah (grandma) as we explored generations of family photos and the stories that came with them including the tears, gasps, smiles, or quiet moments of reflection.

This collection of stories aren't just fictional horrors but they are also social commentary or mirror reflections of actual horrors Indigenous people have survived. Every Native family tree has these horrific Indigenous Intergenerational traumas but like all Native families. Andrea interweaves the resilience and strength that has kept us strong and grounded.

The beginning story starts a journey horrifically with paranormal characters run-in with the family tree's beginnings. Throttling us with a tragic tie to land theft and violence is this book's initial unfolding, but its speculative conclusion ties all this family's gathering of haunting, creature features, paranormal encounters, and heartbreaking horrors together.

Kuna'ah, askwali Andrea for these stories. They have opened my eyes again to so many aspects of Indigenous family heritage using YA horror. Horrifically amazing and Indigenous brilliance at its best.

If you haven't already guessed, this is a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me.

Thank you @hearourvoicestours for inviting me to the book tour.

My bookmark is a Hopi turtle design postcard created and designed by Hopi artist Lionel Honwytewa. You can find him on fb.

#hearourvoicestours #hearourvoices #HOV #ManMadeMonsters #andrealrodgers #indigenousbookstagram #IndigenousReader #indigenousbooks #IndigenousAuthors #indigenousliterature #Indigenouslit #NativeReader #NativeAuthors

Murder on the Red River by Marcie R. Rendon

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Break by katherena vermette

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

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5.0

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

There is no question that the writing of this book is incredible. My goodness, the depth of love for Harlem is not only apparent, but it's build within people's struggle, their strength, and the stories. I saw not only the development of characters but also how characters and PLACE develop each other. It was also an amazing prose. I loved the dialogue! The internal mindse of Ray. Early on with the prose I was already not expecting a fast, complex plot heist. But I loved what I got instead, a shuffle of amazing characters. I'm looking forward to reading Crooked Manifesto.

If you're looking forward to a fast paced plot, filled with intense twists this might not be the book for you. But im a character driven reader, so this was wonderful for me. :)

Content Warnings