Black Fantasy from The Reading Black Girls

[00:00:01] This is the Mahogany Books Podcast Network.

[00:00:33] Helps other readers discover this vibrant community where laughter, reflection, and thoughtful wrecks make reading feel fun again. Love y'all. Mean it.

[00:01:02] Decided to hit play. Why is he still here? Yikes. Oh, okay. Interesting. Welcome back to another episode of The Reading Black Girls Podcast. I'm Kayla. I'm Alex. I'm Nish. I'm Aziza and we are The Reading Black Girls. Woo! Yeah! Oh boy.

[00:01:31] We did have an agenda, but we scrapped that one. But we scrapped. Listen. She's gone. Things this week have just been very hard for the girls. I barely have had time to even do things I like, and that includes reading. So, I was doing my best. Plus, I was reading another book. Y'all know how I feel about forced reading. I just don't like that.

[00:02:01] Yeah. Reading is supposed to be fun. Yeah. And it's hard, especially when you're a mood reader. And you work full time. Yes! Like, they got their money to work out of me this week. And last week, and the week before that, and the week before that, and the week before that. And I earned every red cent this week. Like, that's for sure. I think I deserve more. Well, they don't make pennies anymore, but I'm assuming they're talking about the pennies. Oh. When they say that. Every red cent. Yeah, because copper is, I guess, reddish.

[00:02:29] I thought it was because our blood was red and it went into every cent that we make. Yeah. Is that what that means? Maybe it makes more sense. Come on. I have no clue. Please don't. This is twice in two days I've been insulted by people. Oh. Please don't ever insult. That was not an insult. Wait. It wasn't an insult? Well, everyone has a hotep moment. You called her a hotep. She won't. What? Right. Right.

[00:02:59] What's wrong with that? Embrace it. If you have to ask. Whatever. Call me a hotep anything. I'd rather be a hotep than something else. Ooh. Well. Well, what's the something else? Not a hotep. A raccoon. Oh. Emphasis on the last syllable. Do y'all know your syllables? Yeah, right. How many syllables have you read? Okay. Okay. Okay. Anyways. Anyways.

[00:03:29] Back to it. Back to it. We're here. We're here to talk about our fave Black fantasies. Fantasies we've read. Fantasies we haven't read. Fantasies we've been thinking about reading. But we're like, it's not the right time. But we're going to come to it. We're going to talk all things fantasy. Fantasies. Correct. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. So tea. Right. Faye. And I love fantasy because it's like dark academia to me is fantasy. That's fantasy too. Oh, it's usually always fantasy.

[00:03:58] The dark academia is like magic. It's a little magic in there. Yeah. A little bit. But they're at school. They're at school. That's it. As someone who does like school, I really resonate with that. You do like school the most out of, I think, all of us. She graduated school and said, okay, I'm going back to school. Girl. You know. She contemplates it still today. Even every other day. You do it for the love of the knowledge. Now I'm doing it for the love of the check.

[00:04:28] Oh. And if y'all don't know, Kayla, she'll do anything for the love of the game. And I see now we've upgraded that to the love of the check. Period. And that's real. You know, because you got to make money. You got to make money somehow. You got to. And if that means you have to get more education, therefore spend a little extra money to do it. To get the money back. So be it. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

[00:04:57] So we all have started. And I think Alex. Alex finished Air Prophecy. By Analee. Analee. Analee. Analee. Analee. I feel like I haven't heard her. I feel like I haven't seen her name. Like heard her name said. Even though. But met her in person. She is such a lovely spirit. She's such a sweet lady. We really like her. And we read Lore of the Wild. Her first duology. Correct. So good. Like. And Laura.

[00:05:27] I believe it is a bit YA too. It's. That one was. It's leaning more YA. Yeah. For sure. Even though it's not completely YA. You know. It's like. It's like new adult. It's giving like YA new adult. Right. Right. And then her second. Right. The second one in that series. Lore of the Tides. That's definitely. new adult. Yeah. Very new adult. The love. Under the water. Like they was in there. I like that one. Coconut water. Coconut water. Okay. Yeah.

[00:05:56] She was drinking her coconut water. Man. Look. And then this one is definitely new adult. And definitely a duology. The way that it leads off. It's definitely going to be a duology. It's. It was giving very much like. What would you do if you was kidnapped by Fae. And forced to go to their school. To be put in their prophecy. To find the heir that will save their kingdom. Yes. Right. I'll tell you what.

[00:06:26] I realized a few times. That I would have been making some of the wrong choices. Same. I did realize that. As I continued to read. I was like. Wait. That wouldn't have been right. Let me go back and pretend to redo. I just. It's like. Are you. Were you choosing your own adventure? I was choosing my own adventure. And I was choosing wrong. I would have gotten killed a couple times. It's okay. She literally said. You're either the heir of prophecy. Or you die. Like. It's one or the other. Correct. And I just really love you're extreme. But I guess you gotta do what you gotta do. Yes.

[00:06:56] It was very extreme. Mm-hmm. But I liked how the main character. Audra was very much like Kayla. Like. Kayla would take that so serious. Like. Even if she was kidnapped. And forced to go to a school. She was gonna excel in that school. She was studying. She was studying. She said. Actually I'm gonna be the best. Yeah. I'm gonna be the best at this. She said. I have to be successful. I'm doing this for myself. My family. My village. Okay. She's like. I've got to. She said. I got to get back to my daddy. I have to get back.

[00:07:26] Y'all hit him upside the head. My daddy. I was like. This is the only way. Opening up the inn. Right. She's going to their office hours. And everything. I'm like. But they literally said. You're either the heir of property. She has to be in war. Right. Or you die in war. They said you can get out. Mm-hmm. Like. And it's like. Okay. You can't believe that though. If those are the two choices. But also like. Could you at least like. Sell me on this. Like.

[00:07:55] Why should I be pressed to be the heir? Like. Can. Like. They were like. Okay. I'll put you in these history classes. No. Yeah. Like. No. It just seemed like she was stuck between a rock and a hard place the whole time. It was very. Yeah. She was. She was. They were just trying to tell her like what really happened. I'm like. I'm like. What is the truth here? Mm-hmm. And then she was hearing ghosts and stuff. Wait.

[00:08:24] T for timeout. Wait. T for timeout. T for timeout. We seem to be having some tech issues. Missing all of your good points, Alex. Yeah. I can't hear you, babe. Hold on. Do it, Aziza. They're going to be like. No. What's your actual problem? And I'm so fucking serious. I'm so sorry to everyone. I'm so sorry to everyone that you just had to experience that with us. I hope that. Does anyone know what that sound was? Put it in the comment. We'll tell you if you're right later.

[00:08:55] Come on. We'll tell you. It's like. Okay. Well, back to what we were talking about. She just wants to mess with me. Yes. Air Prophecy. We were having a ball, having a time. The girls are still reading it. Right. Okay. What's next? Okay. What's next after Air Prophecy? So. Well. Can we go back to. Talking about. No, I want to talk about Air Prophecy some more. Oh, you want to talk about Audra? For just a moment. Just for a second. Yeah. We can talk about. I love that girl.

[00:09:23] Because she was just so. And Zer. Zer. She just wasn't there. His little demon. I felt like. His. Him septum ring and him grilled veins. I feel good after him. Because what do you mean my daddy. Yo daddy telling you like you're the reason. That all these bad things are happening to us. You this. You that. Like damn. Now I got. I should just chew up. Right. Right. I mean. Should we start beating our fathers? Should he kill his father?

[00:09:51] Or sometimes it's just like. All I have to say. It's just like. It's the curse of being the spare. Why not? You know what? Yeah. Yeah. Because if they bully you. Bully them back. You do have to bully your parents back. Allegedly. Not me though. Not me either. Y'all's turn. I'm trying to say not me. I wouldn't. I don't think I bully them. But I do say more than I say. That I used to. Oh yeah.

[00:10:21] It's a part of growing up. Yeah. You have to do it. You have to. When you grow up. You know what? They don't act right. As they've gotten older. I'm like. Why are you. Why are you losing your mind? Why are you acting like this? Correct. I'm in the phase of starting to raise my parents. Yes. Because what are you doing? That's not how I raised you to act. Right. You're lying. No. We're not going to do that. They just kind of get out of hand. But back to Audra. Okay. Right. And Zaire. Definitely. Zaire should whoop his daddy's a**. He should actually.

[00:10:51] Just thinking about it. Because how dare you. I let my brother do one little thing for his own love and for his own joy. Okay. He died. That was an accident. It was an accident. It wasn't an accident. It wasn't an accident. It wasn't in the plan. Dad. Okay. So. Right. It was like my B but also like not my fault. That's what Zaire should have said. And not to say like it's not that serious. But like it was an accident. Like I wasn't. Like that wasn't supposed to happen. Like my bad. Damn.

[00:11:20] Like who knew that the dagger was poisoned? Am I right? Exactly. No for real. We didn't know. That wasn't in my plan. Yeah. And I think like. We should be easier on him. Can I. You know. Just say. That I really enjoyed him being this demon prince. And like him having like what those demon-esque like features. Like I found that. Oh yeah. So. Yeah. New. I don't know. The way she was describing him. And like it was like she was looking into the stars.

[00:11:49] Into like the galaxy. I said. Oh you're. Yeah. I said I can get with that. I can get with that. And then she put little. Little. Grills on his little fangs. I said. I love grill. Okay wait. Were they grills or were they tooth gems? I don't know. I hope they're both. I kind of just want them to be grills. I think they're grills. I'm going to say. If it's going to be a gem. I want it to be a real. I'm sure they were dipped. I'll circle back and I'll let y'all know. Okay. Thank you Kayla. So.

[00:12:18] I think it's gross. I kind of think it is too. But I loved it. And I love that the artwork. A lot of times I feel like the cover art doesn't help me actually visualize. I'm like. But this time I was like. I kept referring back to it. I was like. Yeah. Yep. That's who I'm listening to right now. That Zaire. It was just so good. And can I also say. I love dual narration. I love. Love. Love. Love. Same.

[00:12:47] I thought there would be more like chapters with him though. It wasn't as many as I thought there would be. But each chapter you learn like so much from his POV. Yeah. Like him belonging to another realm of sorts. Him having his dual forms. Him being a spare. And now like their heir. And like the fact that Audra had two prophecies. Right. The lore in this book. Can we agree with either one? It was just like a crazy plot to me. Okay. Yeah. All right. Let's go to the next one. I haven't finished reading.

[00:13:16] I'm still early in the book. Sorry. I'm hindering. You're in higher discussion. Right. We're going to team for time out on this book. And we'll come back to it another time. It's so great. Don't be worried, Kayla. Once you finish. I'm almost done. I have like, I have maybe an hour left. There's a lot happening right now. And I think that once you finish, this will become your personality for like at least a while. It's really like I'm mad we have to wait. Yeah. You know, it's like, I don't know.

[00:13:46] Should we DM her? I made that up way too fast. Correct. Should we DM her? Hey, sister. Right. Because I didn't expect this to be a duology. Like for real. I really didn't. I thought it was going to be like just one and done. The standalone. It was a thicky one. Like wasn't the audio book like, I don't know, 14 hours, 12 hours? Yeah. It was kind of long. And you know, 14 is not that bad because I was thinking like 17, 18, sometimes for the

[00:14:16] 20. For a dark academia? Yeah. For a dark academia. Like the first dark academia in a series. Oh, they have to explain something. 16, 17, 18 hours. Right. Yeah. There's a lot to explain. But I actually like that they didn't explain everything. Yeah. Because I think we're going to get more in the second book. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because there's still a lot of, I still have like eight minutes left on the audio book. But there's a lot of unanswered questions. And that's fine. But I did peep. I knew exactly how this book was going to end.

[00:14:46] I think like once she started talking to Zaire, like I was like, oh, I'm sure it's going to end with that way. Yeah. Yeah. But I'm still excited for the second book. I just kind of wish, I don't know, it was coming out next year or something. Maybe it is. I just need to know what's up. We just don't know what's happening. Or maybe we'll be surprised. But, you know, that's a fair point. It might come out next year. Maybe it will. It's possible. Who knows? Either way, we'll be sitting here waiting. Yes.

[00:15:15] Whenever you decide to drop it, we'll be waiting. Top on the TBR. Top on the TBR for sure. Correct. But have y'all been able to read any other dark academia books recently? There's no, but there's a few. There's a few on my list. Divine Oats by Elizabeth A. Yeah. Aguiman. Aguiman. Aguiman. You might have to double check with her website. She has like an audio clip of saying her last name. Beautiful. Divine Oats. Yes. Oh my God. Dreamweaving.

[00:15:46] Dreamweaving. Dreamweaving. An Academy for Liars or of Liars by Alexis Henderson. That one is good. I pulled out a bunch of dark academia fantasy books because I was like, it's fall. It was 90 degrees outside. It's fall. I have a pumpkin spice latte in my hand. It's time for dark academia. 90 degrees. They just get to the vibe. A little cinnamon. Ain't never hurt nobody. It's so true. So true.

[00:16:15] Give me that latte and give me them books now. Thank you. And give me a blanket. Right. Yup. Put all of those together. Put the air down and you good. Or a little fire. I'm not going to lie. I'm putting like a little fireplace up. I love putting on like a fave fireplace, like castle in the woods ambiance on the TV. Now I'm there. And then I just crack open the butt and get to business. I like the little oldie station playing sometimes with rain in the background. A little jazz.

[00:16:45] Yeah. A little jazz. Okay. You know. Either way, I'm going to be curled up. You know. Like a little cat. Mm-hmm. Just like a little cat. Like a little cat. And that's something that you just have to do for yourself. You just have to make it nice for yourself. Truly. Really and truly. Especially when it starts getting cold and the days become short. You know how I feel about that. I hate it. That's true. I hate it. We've got to start helping ourselves.

[00:17:15] You have to do preventative measures. Okay. Build your routine now. So that way once fall actually hits, things will be okay. Better transition. It's healthier. Get your vitamin D. Okay. Oh, that vitamin D. That's all I'm going to say. Very important. But. So. Dreamweaving. Is it out already? Yes. No. Maybe. No. It comes out October 20th. Okay. Period. Right on time. But in October it comes out. It'll be out shortly.

[00:17:46] Right. And let me just say. Divine Oath is out. Divine Oath is out. And it was. It's so good you guys. I know you guys would really like it. It's like very fast paced. Like all over the place. Okay. Fast paced. All over the place. We like that. Yes. I'm excited to read that one. Is there found family? Because I need that. Yeah. No found family? Well. I haven't read it. Don't listen to me. Okay. You should. Let me tell you. It's kind of found family. Love's to lie. You did not have to do that. Whoa.

[00:18:16] Dude. Don't be telling those people. I love to lie. Okay. Let me be specific. She loves to like egg you on. And then be like. What? I need to. Like. No that's true. Why would you say no found family. Immediately. You don't even know. Because no one answered yet. And the opportunity was there. No. Alex was going to tell me. I just had to think about it. Yeah. She had to think about it. Yeah. But while she was thinking. I was like. I could just lie. Like. There it isn't. Okay. Bingo.

[00:18:46] You know what? Like hello. Actually low key. There were a lot of fantasies that came out this year. There were. Actually. Quarter Queen. Witch Queen Rising. Uh huh. Death Card by Jasmine Smith. That one's good too. It's very YA. Mm hmm. Mm hmm. Don't mind. I'm just scrolling. I know. Please do. I'll never let that go. Best Throne scene. I don't care. Yeah. Nia. Nia. I just thought about that. Nia. Nia. Nia. I thought that came out last year. No.

[00:19:16] It was the beginning of the year. Like. Are you sure it came out the end of 2020? Man. Hold on. It came out in January. Hang on. Let her. Let me check. February. Let me check. Hold on. Which. Wari. It's okay. I got my phone out. I'm looking it up right now. Because it's somewhere over here. It came out the end of last year. October 2020. And you knew it. I read it. But she'll never let it go. I read it. At the beginning of this year. So for me. Thank you. It was a this year read. It was fantastic.

[00:19:45] That had some great fae scenes. Yes it did. Great black fae. What you mean? He got locks. He got grills. And they're enemies. But they f***. And they was real enemies. That was mine. They hated each other's guts. And yes. That's what I want to see. I want warring kingdoms. I want you taking me hostage. I just like that they like. Hostage situations are scary. Same. I just like that they like boned before they knew each other. I don't know. I love that. Oh my gosh.

[00:20:15] I love that. That was a little brothel. Yes. That she owned. Right. She was the lady of the home. Okay. And she just wanted to soil her royal oats. Like just before she was forced. To be married. Which yes. To someone she didn't want. Like. Right. Yeah. She said just one. She said one last time. Get your rocks off babe. Like I'm sorry. One last time. And then can you imagine you look and you're like oh. That was the stranger from last night. Right. Like we already smashed. Yes.

[00:20:42] And he's actually come to kill everybody during my wedding. Including me. Including me. Right. Huh. I don't agree. That's so rude. Wait wait wait. So rude. That is rude and nasty. Because you took my body before you tried to take my life. Fine. Just nasty. Rude and nasty. I'd like to think that in his subconscious. Like yeah he was planning on killing everybody. But then after that night. He said hold up. Maybe not her. I'm gonna just take you with me. Hold on. Come on.

[00:21:11] You're coming with me. And yeah. Oh boy. And I'm sorry. The. And this is a spoiler. Okay. If you need to read it. I'm sorry. Put it on pause. Close your ears or something. In our vicious O's. The one thing that I did really like. That I did not. I think shout enough. Was the. Surprise. A pregnancy. I'm sorry. I know. We didn't talk about that at all. Can I be honest. You either love it or you hate it. Can I be honest.

[00:21:41] People really don't like the surprise pregnancy trope. But I love it because it adds a little je ne sais quoi. Like. I don't know what it is. Like. Yes. All of a sudden. Now a baby's involved. This changes everything. It's like friends to lovers. I like that. Enemies to lovers. Like it's just. It's different. It's edgy. It is edgy. It gets people going. It closes the whole thing. Like. I don't know. It just puts a stamp on it. It's like. We're done here. They have their happy family. Like.

[00:22:09] That was a great standalone fantasy. Like. One and done. Yeah. But. Here's your baby. The end. Right. The end. Like. But if I'm being honest. I don't think I would like a secret baby in a contemporary book. Because. No. Now it's too real. First of all. Secret and surprise are different. I. Hate. A secret baby. Secret. Oh. Baby tropes. I hate it. I think you do too. There's actually only one book I've ever read where there was a secret baby trope. And I was like. No. You made the right choice girl.

[00:22:39] I would have kept the baby a secret too. Like. There was only one book I read. No. No. Oh. I like the secret baby in that. Do you remember the book? Secret Baby Genius. It was actually a Jaquel J book. Um. It might have been. Capadonna. I'm fine. Thanks. No. Oh. It might have been I'm fine. Which is her second one. Capadonna is technically a secret baby. A secret baby. Don't like that either. Because why are you keeping the baby a secret?

[00:23:09] Especially from a Delgado. I don't have time to get into that. We're not even gonna. Oh. That's true. There was a secret baby. I don't like secret baby tropes. Because most of the time it's unnecessary. And actually you know what? There was one more book I read. Where she had a secret baby. But she was an agoraphobe. And she hid. Oh. I remember that too. That one was good. That one was good. No. She had no choice but to keep it a secret. Exactly. And the fact that he found out. Because she went out that one day. Was actually really just.

[00:23:39] That was good writing. That was actually funny. Secret pregnancy baby. It was a one night stand. She wasn't obligated to tell anyone. Those soldiers were marching. Okay. Said we've got one shot at this. But I want to go back to what you said. Yeah. We didn't talk about that part of our vicious oath enough. Are you saying. What? That her pussy was so good. She saved her own life. Is that what I'm hearing? Because that's. I don't know.

[00:24:08] That is an insane conclusion. But sure. Basically. I mean. You said it. That's what Denisha said. No, no, no. That's not what I said. You said. Wait, did I say that? What if in his subconscious. After their one night stand. He was like. I'm gonna save you. In my head. He said. Oh. Too far. Gotta keep her. Yeah. I mean. Well, they were like mates. So. Right. I feel like. Yeah. But like. They were mates. And it was fated. Obviously. But. Yeah.

[00:24:38] But they slept with each other. Before. Yeah. Yeah. They knew they were mates. And she was engaged to someone else. Yeah. Terrible man. But. Horrid. Either way. Either way. Either way. I liked the order of events. I liked that we were dropped off. In the midst of her. Sowing her oats. And then boom. It was like a red wedding-esque situation. Yeah. Boom. Now you're in a new place. Boom. Now you're having. Relations. On the throne. In front of the people.

[00:25:08] And everybody loves it. And now what? They. The people wanted more. And now there's. Mind you. That was literally like the first. Maybe 30% of that book. So. That's true. And you said red wedding-esque. It was red wedding. Yeah. And I. It was good. That was good. That was crazy. Good episode. Good chapter. Yeah. It was good. So our vicious O is definitely. Hall of fame for me. I don't care. Kayla. What? It's been. Years.

[00:25:38] She's still upset about the actual. Red wedding. In game of thrones. Oh. Not necessarily the red wedding that. Well yes. The red wedding. But how it ended. I just. The show? My. My. My soul has been unsettled. You should talk about the ending of the show. Correct. Oh yeah. And we shouldn't let that go. I'm with you right there. Yeah. Yeah. Right there with you. Okay. Now. Speaking of game. Well game of thrones. I will say this. And I'm going to always say it. Coming back. Say it. No. No.

[00:26:10] Well I want to see if you're thinking the same book as me. Okay. I think we're all thinking the same book as you. We're all thinking the same book as you. Okay. You ready? We know exactly what book you're talking about. Count of three. Okay. Count of three. You said it so many times. Alex is right. Count of three. Okay. One. I actually don't really remember the title. Okay. Count of three. One. Two. Three. Birth of a Dynasty. Birth of a Dynasty. Birth of a Dynasty. Birth of a Dynasty. Right. Eight. But I thought of that book earlier. So. Right. So yes. Birth of a Dynasty is definitely for the people who like game of thrones.

[00:26:40] There was so much lore. Again. There was a prophecy. There were multiple parts. Like you know how kind of throughout game of thrones. Like you see all the Stark kids doing their own stuff. But it all is leading up to the same thing. They're not family. Okay. But. It's moving parts that are coming together. Are all doing the same thing. And it's somehow leading to the same place. Correct. I love that. And guess what? Book two comes out in November. Hello. Praise the Lord. That's exciting. That's something to live for. That's actually what the people need.

[00:27:11] Can we say it? Yeah. Huh? Never kill yourself. Never kill yourself people. Because a book might come out. Yeah. That you need. You need to read the second or third book in the series. So you must be here. You must stay on this earthly plane. Please stay here with us. To read with us. And that's imperative. Yeah. Correct. Because I. Actually the fact that I know that now. Maybe I am looking forward to a little fall weather. Because I know that's gonna. Gonna get me through.

[00:27:41] Dinesha. You see people? You see? Books heal. Books save lives. Y'all just witnessed a miracle. Dinesha's gonna stay with us. And she's going to. I'm sorry. I don't think she had plans to leave. I didn't have any plans to leave. Oh you just don't like fall. Yeah. PSA. You know she don't like the summer girl. She gets pale. That's true. She don't like the summer. Days are short. You know she does not like the fall. I can't really not force you mention that. Now you didn't have to go there.

[00:28:10] You didn't have to go there. I didn't have to go there. I just said the truth. You know how I feel about when. I get lighter in the winter. Okay. Please. That's why you gotta go outside right now. While the sun is out. Matter of fact. Dinesha has to leave the podcast. She gotta go. I'm weak. I gotta go on my little hot girl walk. Gotta go to walk. Bye. Gotta get a little bit more tan before the sun leaves. Rude. Rude gal. Yeah. No. That. That. Fantastic. I love Birth of a Dynasty.

[00:28:39] And I can't wait. Oh. You didn't stop talking about it for a solid. It's been over here. I'm still talking about it. Nope. I'm still talking about it. And honestly. Thank you for not shutting up. Because it's so good. It is really good. It is. I'm actually. Can we reread it before the second one comes out? I'm not gonna hold you. It'd be so nice. Yeah. I think I would be willing because I feel like. There are parts of the prophecy. And like. You gotta remember. Things that happened that I forgot. Yeah. Yeah. And you have to. Refresh your memory.

[00:29:09] Because if you don't understand the prophecy. Going into a fantasy. Mm-hmm. You're gonna be lost and confused. Because you're not gonna understand why people are doing the things that they're doing. And. Yeah. The prophecy guides all. Yes. So. Yes. Well speaking of new fantasy books coming out. Terry. Benton Walker. Remember Blood Debt? Mm-hmm. Yes. He's got a new book coming out called The Draken King. And let me tell you. Let me tell you. Oh yes. Yes.

[00:29:36] It's a forbidden love story between two princes of two different chords. Oh that's cool. Oh my goodness. Yeah. Doesn't that sound good? The artwork is fantastic already. I saw. He had posted like some artwork. I think maybe a week or two ago. And I said. Oh. This gonna be good. This gonna be good. So excited. Yeah. I'm very excited. Wow. That is really exciting.

[00:30:00] My favorite thing about like dark academia and fantasy is like how in depth like their romances can be. I don't know like introducing magic to it or something. I don't know. It just makes like the relationship so much more charged. Yeah. And like. Yeah. Because the stakes seem higher. Yes. It is like for them. Show me some. Bring me the stars from the galaxy. We might die tomorrow. Yeah. We might die tomorrow. Meet me in my dreams. Right. To not walk with me. Oh it's the dream sequences. Yeah.

[00:30:29] Meet me in the dreams with me. I do like a good dream walk. Like. Hello. Do y'all count that as real? Like if we smash in the dreams is it real? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. It is a body. Like it's a body. Yes. And it's public sex. Because. Ayo. You did it in the galaxy. So that's public. Oh so everyone can see. Yes. I guess if they're looking for it they can see it. Huh? Yeah. Probably.

[00:30:59] Get that Hubble telescope. Blow it up. Like what? What am I seeing? Like is anybody else seeing this? Or is it just me? Two stars smashing into one another. Meanwhile it's actually these two fools from. From the book. I can get behind that. I like that. I kind of like that. I'm actually sad. That's so beautiful. I'm sad. Yeah. Okay. Close your ears. Oh. Yeah.

[00:31:29] Kayla. Okay. We'll close your ears. Shut them. Uh oh. There you go. Because that scene with Audra and Zare in their little. Hello. That was like just icing. Like that was just a little bit on top. I know the second book is about to go down. Down. Yeah. I think you're about to actually act up. Because that was actually all about her. Yeah. Because yes. I love a man on his knees. And because she was stressed. And you know how. She was so stressed. And let me tell you something. Rightfully so. Right. Can I come back? Literally was life or death. No you can't. Stay there. Wait.

[00:31:58] She had too much going on. She still hadn't mastered none of her stuff. She was hiding. She had them trials going on. She was spanned on her little class. She was in her little class. So long. And he said. Come on. Girl they're going to catch on to you. So take a load off. No you have to. She said. You know what? Let me eat your problems away. Don't worry. I don't want to do that. Don't worry. He was like. I know exactly what to do. That boy was starving. And guess what? He knew what to do. She said. Oh I'm so relaxed.

[00:32:27] She was too relaxed. She missed class. She woke up. Boy starving. My mom. Oh. He was starving. Okay. Okay. Yeah. Come on Kayla. Okay. Come back. Hello. Oh my gosh. All I heard were your cackles. Through the headphones. So I know. The time was being had. Girl. I was rich. Oh man. I was just holding that in for a long time. You know. We had to discuss. Just briefly. I can't wait to discuss with you Kayla.

[00:32:57] Oh yay. She's going to scream. I'm coming. I'm coming. I'm coming. I'm coming. Yes. She's on her way. We're on the way. But yes. Oh my gosh. So many fun black fantasies. There's so many. New. Oh also. So I. We've been talking about this for a long time. But we do need to finally read. What is it? The fifth season by NK. Hmm. Yes. We did say we're going to get some NK. We do. Yeah. I need to get back on my classics.

[00:33:25] I feel like every time. This. This be the problem. And it's outside of my control. Okay. And don't even start rolling your eyes Aziza. This is like a legitimate problem. Okay. Okay. Every time. I go to read NK. Every time. Something else is going on in the world. Whether it's my life or real life. And I just cannot deal with that right now.

[00:33:55] And so I put it down. It's good. That's best to do that. Yeah. Because I feel like the first time. Well not the first time. Because we've read her books before. But I feel like the first time we read. The one that we've all been trying to read. We do need to all be like. Present. Mentally. Because it's a lot. Like I feel like there was so much information. Because I had started it. I tried. And then I was like wait. I have. No. There's too much other stuff in my head right now. I can't even hold on to the information that you are feeding me.

[00:34:24] And the thing is with this. With fantasies that are of that caliber. Like and there's just so much to that realm. I'm like it's really hard to hold on to the details. And just go with the flow when there's so much world building. Because it's not just regular. I don't know. I feel like there's definitely a distinction between fantasy and sci-fi. They're sisters but they're not the same. But this I think it like it's both. It's a blending of. And something with a little bit more sci-fi for me.

[00:34:54] I feel like I need. I might need a physically. I got a physically. Yeah. For it to like really. So that said. I do agree though. I do want to read that book sooner rather than later. And I think I'm just going to have to say like the rest of my little books are just going to be put on pause. All right. While I do that. Yeah. Y'all heard that lie here. It's not a lie. You're the one who admitted earlier on tape to liking to lie.

[00:35:24] I'm not lying. I just came to you and was very vulnerable. Matter of fact. I'll let you know when we're starting the book. Please do because you know I'll be ready. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I'm ready because I love to escape reality and get lost in a story. I don't care what's going on. Well, I'll let you know. So. Okay. I'm excited. If y'all want to read the fifth season with us at some point or just give us your reactions, you can. To the people. Yeah.

[00:35:54] I'm screaming. Okay, but wait. Glad we got that established. I need to talk about Dreamweaving. Not because I've read it yet, but because I'm so excited to read it. Because. Oh, oh, Sangoyomi. She. They were masquerade, which I love. That book was so good. So I am so. You know what? Excited. Yeah. Z's been screaming about that book.

[00:36:24] For. Yeah. It was really. Some years. Good. You'll mention it like in passing every now and again. Like you'll just be like, wait, masquerade, masquerade, masquerade. Yeah. Because sometimes if I come on too strong, y'all get scared and then you don't read it. So I've got to just slip it in. Well, you know, everyone here has their own like, you know. Opinion thing. Opinions. Opinions. All we can do is tell each other like, hey, babes, I read this. Loved it. Thank you all too. Yeah. No, I can't be that calm. You got to come on hard. I can't be that calm.

[00:36:53] You got to know your audience. I tried. You got to know your audience. Like, I feel like I have to threaten Aziza a little bit. Kayla absolutely needs a threat and I have to send her like 50,000 citations of why we should read this book. That's true. I feel like you can politely ask Alex to read a book with you. You can just say, hey, Alex. But you have to be ready. But you got to be ready. You have to be ready. Because that book will be done in many days. Because y'all play around. Y'all be playing around.

[00:37:23] Y'all be like, I'm trying to start. I'm like, okay, y'all say that on Monday. And then I check in on Friday and it's like, oh. You know what I've been thinking, Alex? I'm not going to even hold you. I think I want to start like just reading a book and get to maybe chapter five or six or seven and then tell you. Because then we'll end up around the same. Like, you know what I'm saying? You got to know your friends. Yeah. Alex is funny as hell. I'm sorry. Like, oh, yeah, I did around.

[00:37:54] But the way that when I took book Max to literally five star read Max, you have to read it in a short length of time. Like, you can't. Like, you're right. That will max out. You cannot drag it. No. Experience it in its completeness. Like, I think, you know what? And I feel like that is stemmed from us and our younger selves. And like how we used to read. Like, we would literally just be walking around with your book. You're just missing days.

[00:38:24] There's some good points and bad points to binge culture. But for reading, it's a good thing. As long as you know what you're reading and you like remember. I wouldn't be honest. Like, I remember books. But if we're like, if we really want to talk about a book in depth, please don't ask me a month or two later. Because I've read like four or five books since then that are on my mind. Or seven. I think it just depends on the book. Because there are some books that have stuck with me heavy.

[00:38:51] And then there's books that like I finished two weeks ago and it just didn't have that much of an impact. So I'm like, I don't really remember. Fair. That's fair. But I will say I've started using like, I've been reading a lot more on my Kindle. Because I needed glasses and I. Right. Anyway. Stop laughing at me. Please let's not get into this. But my point is. I still got 20, 20. And I do. I can see you bitches. Can't see. And I do. Talk to my. Can't see.

[00:39:21] Talk to my ophthalmologist. It's okay. I have one now. And she said I have 20, 20 vision. Okay. Just a little stigmatism. Now. I have 20, 20 vision too. With my glasses on. Please let's. Oh, I was about to. Anyways. So my main point is because I've been reading on my Kindle a whole lot more. I've been highlighting and like doing little notes to myself more.

[00:39:47] Because sometimes when I'd be trying to piece my little words together for my reviews. I'm like, wait. What? What? What? What? What? What? What? What? What? What? What?

[00:40:16] What? What? What? in order for it to get into your brain. You can't just scoop the words up and it doesn't work that way. So you do have to interact with the book if you want it to make some sort of like lasting impact. Because I feel like even the books that we've read like a while ago that I may not have written a review on,

[00:40:43] we have talked about so much that it can't be out of our heads. Like, I don't think I've ever written a review for like Ace of Spades, but I love that book because we talked about it so much. Interact with literature people. Hashtag ending the literacy crisis. Hashtag TRPG. Hashtag we read. That's fair. That's fair. Hashtag we read.

[00:41:10] There's, I feel like, and maybe it just might be a me thing. Some fantasy books like stick with me, like Our Vicious Oaths. I loved Witch Queen Rising, Quarter Queen. Witch Queen Rising. Some don't stay as long. And maybe this is a recent thing just because I've been reading more. And I know we're talking about fantasy, but I'm just contemporary fiction. I don't know what it's going on, but it's sticking with me. Oh, yeah. I've been living there. Did y'all hear that?

[00:41:40] No. Oh. Don't repeat it. If they caught it, they caught it. If they didn't, they didn't. Now, the fantasies are hitting. We love it here. I want to see some more. What do we want to see more? What do we want to see more of? Wait, wait, wait. Next year, fantasy, A Divine Rage by Roseanne Brown. Oh, yeah. Oh, my goodness. Oh, my goodness. I got it back there. Yes. The pack touchdown.

[00:42:11] Oh, by Divine Rage. Apologies. By Divine Rage. And she a thick. Thick as hell. Yeah. She's thick. And you know what? Just how we like our books. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Are you joking? And this is her debut adult? Yes. Fantasy? Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Because the other series was YA. Was that YA? Was that YA? Yes. Yeah. Ugh, so good.

[00:42:40] Song of Race and Ruin was her other. Ooh! Five stars. She's a piece of love. Sorry. I felt like that duology was very underrated, but it was so well done. I'm getting just so excited thinking about it. Do y'all think, by define, Rage is just a standalone or a part of a series? Oh, God. I pray it's a part of a series. I hope it's a series. Yes. I hope it's a series. It's so thick, I don't know. I feel like it might be a standalone, but...

[00:43:09] It was so thick, I just don't know. But we can't judge a book by its cover. We have no clue what's in there. No. It could very well be a series. I'm not one to open the back and read the last few pages either, so I don't even know. Oh, no. Do people do that? Yes. Some people do that. Some people do that. Hey, you freaks. Come out. Who's doing that? I saw someone literally say they do that because they don't like... Put it in the comments. I'm scared of you. They get anxious. They don't like not knowing what's going to go on. I'm like, girl, that's part of the fun.

[00:43:40] As an anxious person myself, I get it, but... Books aren't something to be anxious over. You're freaked out. I don't like that. If you're anxious about the book, just finish it. I can't question anyone else's anxiety, man. Put it in the comments. I need to know who y'all are. Don't yet there, yum. That's what they want to do. Here's my suggestion. I like to imagine to be a better person. Okay. Anxiety. Living with anxiety is crazy. But yeah, if that book is making you anxious, please put it down or do whatever you need to do to not feel that way because you're not in it.

[00:44:09] You're reading about someone else in it. But yeah, that can cause some anxiety if you really are attached to that character, I guess. I do have to remind myself. What do you think, Kayla? What were you saying? Oh, just finish it and then hurry up and start the next book. That's true. If they kill people off, you might see them again. Just read another one. It's fiction. They could come back. Let me tell you, that's the best part of fantasy. That thought has messed me up though.

[00:44:38] Because I'll be sitting there and I'm like, they're coming back, I'm sure. They don't. There's been times where I get to the next book and I'm like, where are they? They're dead. They're dead. And they're never coming back. Exactly. And actually, speaking of dead. Infernal Vow. The third in Tyges. Say less with that. Is that coming out this year? It comes out this year. I think in November. Stop. I'm actually not prepared. Stop.

[00:45:07] I'm about to look it up. I'm about to look it up real quick because actually, that'll be what I live for. I didn't even know. Once again. Kidan's ass. Kidana has got a lot to do. I'm definitely going to reread the second one. January 5th, 2027. Okay. That is right around the corner. Wow. That is right around the corner though. Which means we need to plan a reread. A reread? I'm going to reread the second. There was so much going on.

[00:45:37] The second one was crazy. Because I can, I remember A Lord of the Dark, but the second one I need to, Eternal Ruin, just need to refresh my screen. You could just download it into your brain. Kayla. Yes. Yeah. I wish you could just like eat a chip and then you remember every single thing that happened in the park. Kayla, please don't give anybody else ideas about what they should do to us in real life. Someone's going to come up with an idea.

[00:46:04] All you have to do is eat this and you'll remember. And then what? You think they ain't already thought about that girl? They have. I'm not going to say what I'm thinking, but it's okay. Let's move on to the next thing. We'll talk offline. Well, I can't talk here. Email me. Put it on a secure line. No, no paper trail. I'll be at your house later. Right. Yes. That, I am very excited about that. That's so exciting. I think it's exciting. Really start our year off strong. She'd love to take us through it.

[00:46:34] Yeah. Because what else is she supposed to do? Right. Right. And she's so crazy. She's so gaggy as an author. Can I be honest? Because you'd be sitting there like, huh? Anytime. Right. Like, what else? An author, it's like their debut series or their debut book and they just like do a whole bunch. And I'm like, you're crazy. What's going on in that mind of yours? I'm scared of you. And I love it. And I just love an author that concentrates on her stuff. She said, I am not writing nothing else right now. Well, maybe she is, but she's not like loud about it.

[00:47:02] But she's like, I'm just working on this series. It's what I'm going to pump out right now. Like some Legendborn. Like, come on. How are we talking about fantasy being into Legendborn? Tracy! That's the number. Like, I never talk about that as a dark academia fantasy book. But it's like, you could just expect that. Is it? You know what? I don't think of Legendborn as dark academia, but it is a secret. It kind of is. It's opening my mind to dark academia. I'm like, they don't necessarily have to be in school, but it just has to have like similar

[00:47:32] things of like history, like founding people, a society, like. And that's Legendborn. A little magic. And they are technically, like it starts with them being in school now. Yeah. They're so far from getting those degrees. They've been getting real life school. Or have they? What'd Beyonce say? She was schooling life, but life is schooling them in Legendborn series.

[00:48:02] Right, right, right. And hopefully they can come out on the other side because things are looking really dusty. Hello. I forgot that Beyonce said she was schooling life, but. She did say that. She did. But yeah, no. Legendborn is truly top tier. That's top tier. I have to admit, that was a canon event in our lives. Oh yeah. Experiencing Legendborn. I didn't think we would be the same without it. I wish I could go back and like reread it again for the very first time. Absolutely. Like have no knowledge of anything.

[00:48:32] Zero. I think I levitated. Like after I finished the first chapter. Yeah. Fell to your knees. When she finished that book, she fell to her knees. And then when we got the second one. Oh, you remember.

[00:49:13] She was hooting. And the day that I got blood marked. Period. I'm sorry. That's so real. Just saying. Waiting for the next book. Don't mind us. Yeah. We're so excited. We're so excited. And I also hope that they finish their like collector's edition stuff too. I want a collector's edition of blood marked as well. Yeah. Thank you. I would like.

[00:49:43] We need that. Yeah. I need more to add to my collection. I've got like two to three copies of each. Yeah. As long as they do that. Do that for oath bound. Do that for the last one. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Which we don't know if it's the last one. Right. We don't know if this next one's the last one. We're not limiting. It doesn't have to be it. We'll see. You can keep going, girl. I think she might have thought it was a prequel or something. It was. That was crazy. But then she needs to. The way that ended. And then we read the third book and we're like, this isn't.

[00:50:13] This isn't over. What is going on here? Things are almost just getting started again, honestly. Right. I'm a little scared with it. But yeah. So what do we want to see more of moving forward? What are we hoping that we'll get some more of? I know. I want some more. Like themes in fantasy? Yes. Like what do we want to see more in our black fantasy like ideal world? I am looking forward to more like star-crossed lovers.

[00:50:42] Like more prophecies. Like more yearning like from afar. Like I don't know. You guys know I just love that like deep, deep. Like please, you don't even need to kiss. Like I promise you don't even need to kiss. But if you guys profess your loves on different sides of the world or universes and like that's enough for me. Okay. That's nice. And then on the other side for me, I actually would like to see more smut. Kiss and f*** in the book.

[00:51:12] Like for real or astral project? Both. Both of them. I was really liking the astral projection scenes. Yeah. Those have been very fun. Those are mind blowing literally. Boy are they. I actually would like to see more enemies. Like true enemies to lovers. Yes. I think that's beautiful. I want to see more of it. And then honestly, just anything black fae or black magic adjacent.

[00:51:40] I don't even have too much of a preference. Just give it to me. I'm greedy like that. Just give it all. I'm here for that. I'm here for that. I honestly think I want to see some more trials. I want to see some more. Oh. You have to do X, Y, and Z in order to do this. But then like somehow you have to also, you know, I don't even know. I don't know. Take it there. Like battling.

[00:52:09] Like battling certain things. Yeah. Like having to solve riddles. Like having to outsmart stuff. Like I love that because I'm always just shook. Yeah. I'm always like, wait, what? And I kind of want like somebody to be cheating too. Like, I don't know. Like, come on. Yeah. Spice it up. Why not? Because if you get caught and you basically made it all the way almost to the end, they about to, what you about to do now? Right. Okay. I'd like to see that as well. Yes.

[00:52:40] Kayla. And I think I just got to do a little bit more research. I want to see more Caribbean and African inspired mythological fantasies. I think of Marlon James's duology. I think Double of the Deep. And there was, I can't remember what book it is. If y'all can remember, please let me know. We read some book about, it was like a, she was a servant. This is, it was like an African fantasy mythology.

[00:53:06] Like something, I cannot remember the book, but she ended up becoming a mermaid. She was serving ocean and. I know what book you're talking about. I cannot remember the name of the book. Okay. I know what you're talking about. I can find it. Maybe some, some more mermaids, some more sirens, some black mermaids. More sirens. I would love. Yes. Because there's more than just Fae. There is. Yes. Yeah. Okay. I love that.

[00:53:35] And we've read a few. Yeah. We've read a few books. Didn't we read a book with like, nevermind. Was it goblins or something? I can't remember. What? I don't know. Cause I read a gob, I read a goblin book recently, but it wasn't with y'all. Okay. So I can't imagine that y'all read a goblin book also. Oh, you know what? I know what book it was. Don't even worry about it. But, lol. Erase that. Erase that from your mind. Just forget. But anyway, yes.

[00:54:04] No, it was some book that we read together. Like, and she became a long time ago. It was a minute ago. It was. It was. It was. It wasn't. It wasn't. It wasn't Sing Me to Sleep, right? By Gabby Burton. Yes, it is. Is it Sing Me to Sleep by Gabby Burton? Yeah. Cause I knew it wasn't Skin of the. DZ? It was Skin of the D. Skin of the C. Skin of the D. Skin of the C. And was she a servant? That was. She didn't serve. She didn't serve a goddess. No, no. She. Yeah, she did. Oh, you meant she was serving Oshun. Yes. Yes. Servant to a goddess. Sorry. That was not Cleo.

[00:54:34] That's fair. Yes. No, that was. That was. Yep, that was. We did Sing Me to Sleep and then. Skin of the C. Yes. But I need. Which was one of the first episodes we recorded actually. Yes, and that's the book I remember. Some more Caribbean mythology. More Mami Wata. Mami Wata. We need more Mami Wata. I need it. Yeah. Okay. And I'm also. I need more black vampires too. Yeah. Yeah. Can't get enough. Never leave them out of the conversation. Marcus.

[00:55:04] Marcus. Yes, Maggie Gray. Turn up. Maggie Gray Gray. If you're black and a mythical creature, just get up here. Didn't Charlene die for me? Or die for you? But that was a fantasy. That was a succubus. Okay. See. I like that. See. And you know what? Yeah. Yeah. That. We could do a little bit more Medusa. Matter of fact, go ahead.

[00:55:33] Let's lean into the mythology. Let's lean into the mythological retellings, but make it your own. Let's do that. Make it colored. Because those have been good. Right. Yes, they have. Pretty consistently. Yeah. I heard you. Don't repeat that again. Okay. I Medusa loved it. Loved that real big. Yeah. Oof. Oh. Right. Well. That was good. We're looking forward to quite a bit. I'm excited.

[00:56:02] Yeah. I think this is a great time to be a black reader. It is. Yup. We have so many choices. We have so many like different tropes. They're coming out. And if you don't like success. Never kill yourself. I was thinking it. Oh my gosh. Never kill yourself. Okay. There's just so much to live for y'all. There's something for everyone. Okay. And hopefully listening to this episode gave you some more to add to your TBR.

[00:56:31] And when you do go and read all of our grade A TRBG approved recommendations, you come and you let us know that we were right. And if you don't agree. And if you don't, let us know why. Because maybe we overlooked something. Yeah. It won't change my mind. But I would like to hear it. We'll consider it. Yeah. So that said, shout out to y'all for sticking with us. Love y'all.

[00:57:00] This has been another episode of the Reading Black Girls podcast. If you loved it, make sure you like, you follow, you subscribe, support the girls and our reading. Leave a review too. A good one. Yup. Thanks. And we'll see you next time. Love y'all. Mean it. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye.