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706 reviews
Earthdivers, Vol. 1: Kill Columbus by Stephen Graham Jones
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
EARTHDIVERS vol. 1 is essentially a giant middle finger to colonialism and I’m here for it 🙌🏾 Stephen Graham Jones, Davide Gianfelice and Joana Lafuente have given us a bold and exciting new comic series that sets out to rewrite history.
The concept for this comic is amazing. It’s the year 2112 and the apocalypse has happened. Most of humanity has given up hope, except for a group of Indigenous survivors who have found a way to time travel. They figure the best way to save the world is to change the past by sending someone back to when history took a turn for the worse: the “discovery” of America. They hope that stopping Columbus on his voyage will be enough to change the world for the better.
Collecting the first six issues of this series, volume 1 introduces us to several characters and three plot lines. There’s a lot going on and as a result the book feels too busy and confusing at times. However, this comic is at its best when it uses Indigenous stories and histories to tell this story, and there are several beautiful moments where this happens. This book also puts anger at the forefront (rightfully so) as we follow the main character as he tries to achieve his goal of stopping Columbus. His intense emotions are combined with vivd artwork, and this created a memorable reading experience for me.
This book is brutal but important as it confronts white supremacy and tries to imagine a better world. I admire the courage and determination of these characters—they never lose hope as they fight for a new future. I’m excited to keep reading this series and learn about the new future they create.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder
No One Will Come Back For Us: And Other Stories by Premee Mohamed
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
4.75
NO ONE WILL COME BACK FOR US is Premee Mohamed’s debut collection of cosmic horror and dark fantasy short stories. Gods, monsters and chaos are prevalent throughout this collection, but so are humans fighting to survive and protect their worlds. This fight for survival creates a sense of urgency that builds tension and kept me hooked. I’ve never been so excited by a short story collection—I was captivated by Mohamed’s storytelling prowess as she subverted tropes and raised the stakes in each story.
This collection explores themes of fear, power, family and freedom, and there is always an undercurrent of love and hope. The author asks several questions about humanity and explores the choices we make when confronted with gods, magic, and the end of the world. When faced with disaster, who and what truly matters? What choices do you make when death is at your door? What would you do to protect your loved ones and save the world? All of these questions and more are addressed in this book in exciting and thrilling ways that left me thinking about them long after I finished reading.
The concepts of these stories feel fresh and lively, and they’re also strange in the best possible way. Several stories gave off vibes that reminded me of X-Files, Supernatural, The Twilight Zone or Star Trek and I love those shows, so that made my reading experience even better. I’m sure fans of speculative fiction will find something in this collection to enjoy.
I love most of these stories, but my favourites are:
-Below the Kirk, Below the Hill
-The Adventurer’s Wife
-The General’s Turn
-Fortunato
-No One Will Come Back for Us
Shoutout to Dr. Ramnaraine, my favourite badass character from this collection. I almost screamed when I saw this West Indian last name in a speculative fiction story! Thank you, Premee 🥲
This collection explores themes of fear, power, family and freedom, and there is always an undercurrent of love and hope. The author asks several questions about humanity and explores the choices we make when confronted with gods, magic, and the end of the world. When faced with disaster, who and what truly matters? What choices do you make when death is at your door? What would you do to protect your loved ones and save the world? All of these questions and more are addressed in this book in exciting and thrilling ways that left me thinking about them long after I finished reading.
The concepts of these stories feel fresh and lively, and they’re also strange in the best possible way. Several stories gave off vibes that reminded me of X-Files, Supernatural, The Twilight Zone or Star Trek and I love those shows, so that made my reading experience even better. I’m sure fans of speculative fiction will find something in this collection to enjoy.
I love most of these stories, but my favourites are:
-Below the Kirk, Below the Hill
-The Adventurer’s Wife
-The General’s Turn
-Fortunato
-No One Will Come Back for Us
Shoutout to Dr. Ramnaraine, my favourite badass character from this collection. I almost screamed when I saw this West Indian last name in a speculative fiction story! Thank you, Premee 🥲
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.75
Sangu Mandanna’s books are always full of wonder. I’ve read her middle grade KIKI KALLIRA duology and her young adult CELESTIAL TRILOGY, and I love the worlds she creates and the ideas she brings to life. What I love most is that her stories feature complex South Asian girls and women embracing the power within themselves. Her adult romance debut is no different and is brimming with magic and wonder.
THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHES tells the story of Mika, a witch who is used to being alone. The world doesn’t know that witches exist, and they can never know because that would put all witches in danger. But being a witch is everything to Mika, so she spends her time pretending to be a witch in videos on the internet. After receiving a mysterious message that begins with the words “witch wanted,” Mika finds herself traveling to Nowhere House to teach three young witches about magic. This breaks all the rules Mika’s ever known, but she can’t help but feel like she’s finally where she belongs.
This book is full of characters who love each other fiercely and are willing to fight for each other and the lives they want to lead. It celebrates differences and the power of community, and centres love and kindness. I love the way Mika and Jamie, her love interest, challenge each other in their grumpy-sunshine dynamic, and I love the way they slowly let their guards down and let the other person into their heart. The supporting adult characters add a lot of humour and charm, and the three young witches were mostly delightful (one of them is an absolute menace!).
My favourite aspect of this book is its focus on hope and the importance of taking chances. Mika has never had a home or a family, and she constantly gets in the way of her own happiness. But the book makes it clear that you have to allow yourself to take chances and not be afraid of what might happen next. Nothing would happen if we didn’t take leaps of faith—whether that’s falling in love, finding a place where you belong, or making space for yourself to exist as you are.
This kindhearted story is full of warmth, humour and love. It brought me so much joy and I look forward to rereading and visiting these witches again soon.
The Faint of Heart by Kerilynn Wilson
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
4.5
Kerilynn Wilson’s debut graphic novel THE FAINT OF HEART is a speculative tale in which a scientist discovers that all sadness, anger, and anxiety could disappear if one were to remove their heart. Everyone in society is on board with this idea and has the procedure even though it removes all feelings, including joy and love, too. The book follows June, a high school student, as she navigates this new apathetic world as the only remaining person with a heart.
This story explores what it means to be human—what it means to love and care for others; to be vulnerable; and to process difficult emotions. June’s journey in this book is a lonely one, but she recognizes the beauty of emotions and the value they add to her life. Through June, Wilson demonstrates the power and importance of empathy. She’s a caring and strong-willed character, and when she finds an abandoned heart in a jar she is determined to uncover the mystery behind the scientist responsible for this surgery. The contrasting perspectives of June, her friend Max, and the scientist provide a well rounded approach to telling this story. This book highlights how apathy, while it may seem easier, is not a solution.
The art is haunting at times and it perfectly captures June’s loneliness as the only person left with a heart. Wilson uses colour to highlight June’s remaining love and joy, and it is a great juxtaposition to the vast landscapes and open spaces depicted in the art. It adds vibrance and light to a world otherwise devoid of joy, and it serves as a reminder to readers that there is always room for hope.
Highly recommend this graphic novel if you enjoy any of the following: speculative YA stories; emotional and hopeful stories; or books that explore the intricacies of emotions.