Recently, while browsing audiobook titles on Libby, I discovered a title by P. Djèlí Clark I hadn’t read yet that was available. I immediately checked it out without even reading the summary – sure that I would love it, based upon the other works by him that I’ve loved – this one included.

And I was right, even though it took me a while to warm up to the main character of this story, Eveene the Eviscerator. About halfway through the story, when she gets to The Shimmer, is when I really started getting engrossed in this book.

I think part of my struggles with enjoying this book more had to do with how Tal Abisi operated. It felt similar to home (in spite of the steampunk setting) with the Patriarchs being able to get away with murder.

I have never read a better ending to a book than this one!

(If I have, it was a very long time ago and I’ve forgotten it.)

The ending was so perfect, I exclaimed out loud for at least a minute. And Lynette R Freeman’s narration was amazing. Especially with the goddesses.

There are lots of gruesome scenes in this book – which stars an (un)dead character who exists to kill others. Tal Abisi is not a kind world, but kindness does exist there. Just don’t expect to find it with the Patriarchs.

What does this have to do with Roblox? The multibillion dollar company that tries to come off as family friendly, but allows predators to (continue to) prey on the young there?

My son has dreams and goals of someday being a YouTube streamer. The #freeschlep movement has been a current fixation since he heard about it maybe a week or two ago.

Sometimes I lament that his current heroes don’t seem to care very much about what’s happening off screen in the world, however I am very grateful that some continue to step up and call out Roblox. (Also super surprised to hear about the state of Louisiana, being the first state to sue the company).

I’ve been reading a lot of stories online about how boys and young men are in crisis. And I do worry about my own son’s pandemic tech savvy skills, and where they may lead him. I’m also super grateful that there are a community of young men on YouTube willing to speak up to protect their communities. Willing to put their community and values ahead of their ability to make easy money. It’s something a lot of older generations could learn. And these do not seem like young men in crisis to me.

Our world is in crisis.

And what does any of this have to do with a steampunk fantasy novel featuring a dark-skinned dead assassin woman written by an African American author?

Read the book to find out!