Diversity Spotlight Thursday: #OwnVoices Books by Black Women

Diversity Spotlight Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Aimal from Bookshelves and Paperbacks. Every week, you choose a book for each of these three categories: a diverse book you’ve read and enjoyed, a diverse book on your tbr, and a diverse book that hasn’t been released yet. This week all my picks are #OwnVoices fantasy books by black women.

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

12 year old Sunny lives in Nigeria, but was born in America. Sunny’s albino and thus incredibly sensitive to the sun. All she wants is to be able to play football and get through another day of school without being bullied. But once she befriends Orlu and Chichi, Sunny is plunged in to the world of the Leopard People, where your worst defect becomes your greatest asset. Together, Sunny, Orlu, Chichi and Sasha form the youngest ever Oha Coven. Their mission is to track down Black Hat Otokoto, the man responsible for kidnapping and maiming children. Will Sunny be able to overcome the killer with powers stronger than her own?

Akata Witch was the first book I read by Nnedi Okorafor, who’s become one of my favorite SFF authors. It was so refreshing to read a book about witches and magic that’s not set in the West or centered around Western myths and folklore. Like the Wizarding World in Harry Potter, the society of the Leopard People exists secretly alongside our world and has it’s own culture, traditions and even sporting events. This book is a must read for all fantasy fans.

 

The Blazing Star by Imani Josey

When 16 year old Portia holds an Egyptian scarab beetle during history class she faints an wakes up stronger, faster, and braver than before. When she accidentally touches the scarab again – she wakes up in ancient Egypt, her sister and an unwitting freshman in tow.

Mysterious and beautiful, Egypt is more than they could’ve imagined from their days in the classroom. History comes alive as the teens realize that getting back to the present will be the most difficult thing they’ve ever done. Stalked by vicious monsters called Scorpions, every step in the right direction means a step closer to danger.

First of all: look at that cove. Isn’t it gorgeous? The main reason I’m interested in reading this book is the setting. I love time travel plots, especially when characters from our time are sent back in time and while I’ve read a few things like that – I’ve never read one set in ancient Egypt before, so that will be really interesting.

 

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zelie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls. But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were targeted and killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now, Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

I feel like this is everyone’s most anticipated 2018 release and with good reason – it sounds absolutely amazing and I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things. Judging by the cover and blurb it’s going to be an epic fantasy adventure. I’m so excited to get my hands on it!

Have you read any of these books? What diverse books are on your tbr?