Really has me thinking about what fantasy looks like when black characters are involved. Through a European lens, it's deeply rooted in Arthurian legend. When African heritage becomes involved, it looks much more like root work, conjure, voodoo, obeahs, and the portrayals we get in a book like this one. I love the tension between the two in this book. To see Bree trusting her instincts as these two things (that are supposed to be incompatible) blend together is so American. It's the melting pot working in American fantasy the same way it does with all other aspects of culture. This is African American fantasy. It's deeply informed by actual spiritual practice of African Americans in the South, blended together with Arthurian legend and original content, making something completely new.

Bree reminds me of the FMC in Naomi Novik's Scholomance series. They both have big evil sorceress energy.

Bree girl, I will give you a whole dollar not to fall in love with any man in this book. Don't you do it! They ain't worth it! Don't give me any of that Blood of Hercules shit! You're better than that!

Ahh, I think I may have made the common mistake of building this book up too far in my head 😔 I'm enjoying it, but not nearly as much as I thought I would. I did consider dnfing, but I'm going to finish it (and hold out hope that I get more hooked as I read on!)

wendell bambleby i haven’t even seen you yet and you have bewitched me ………

She’s already shortening Sel 👀👀 Is he villain is he also bae??