Slay

Imagine a universe with only Black people in it, a celebration of Blackness full of in-jokes and superpowers. That's what protagonist Kiera coded into a magical dueling game. It's a happy place, until someone gets killed for their in-game riches.

Oops. I finished the YA novel more than a week ago and failed to bookmark any favorite passages (or the bookmarking function failed me), so I'm not sure what else to say about it. Morris's friendship and family games are strong, and the boy, though sexy af, is on the side. Kiera's white friends disappoint her, but bless them do their best. The white friends don't feel like they're in the novel to be relatable to white people.

Kiera is strong, smart, vulnerable, and a heroine I'd love to see more of.