STELLAR BIOGRAPHY OF CIVIL rights legend Constance Baker Motley highlights the life and achievements of this influential activist, lawyer, politician, and judge and deftly fills out the historical context. Wonderfully readable and informative. A MINUS

CIVIL RIGHTS QUEEN
Pantheon
2022

A HIGH-ENERGY THRILLER GOES to unexpected places and takes on some big ideas. Lots of action as well as an added science-fiction dimension; imagine a National Treasure/Matrix intersection with a focus on the Black community. SOLID B

THE RECRUITER (THE REWIRED SERIES BOOK 1)
Three to Five Publishing, LLC.
2021

A WILDLY IMAGINATIVE FANTASY thriller captures themes of love, magic, trauma, oppression, collective action, secret societies, monsters, and more in the shimmering labyrinths of its prose. B PLUS

NO GODS, NO MONSTERS (CONVERGENCE SAGA #1)
Blackstone Publishing
2021

THE POWER OF STORYTELLING to unite families, friends, and nations is the central truth at the heart of this charming novel set in a (fictional) African autocracy. Lovely, dreamlike, moving prose. B PLUS

SEASONS IN HIPPOLAND (THE AFRICA LIST)
Seagull Books
2021

A FAMILY’S DISINTEGRATION MIRRORS the collapse of the South African apartheid regime under which they had prospered. Passionately insightful prose frames a brilliant kaleidoscope of characters and perspectives. SOLID A

THE PROMISE
Europa Editions
2021

WARRIORS TURNED RESTAURATEURS find themselves on a sentient, living spaceship heading for a confrontation with an old enemy. Wonderful characterization, lots of humor, and a high-stakes plot combine the fun of Star Trek and Hitchhiker’s Guide. B PLUS

YOU SEXY THING
Tor Books
2021

AN INTERSTELLAR ARCHAEOLOGIST and an alien AI fight a space pirate and a killer android in a high-energy, far-future science fiction thriller. Lots of excitement, strong characters, great worldbuilding! B PLUS

ASTRAY (THE ADVENTURES OF A XENO-ARCHAEOLOGIST BOOK 1)
Jenny Schwartz
2021

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING NOVEL drops us into the lives of a group of enslaved people as they build a close-knit community and dream of freedom. Unforgettable characters, powerful prose. A MINUS

YONDER
Simon & Schuster
2022

INTRICATE HISTORICAL THRILLER set in 17th century London ties together scientific and political controversies of the age. Memorable characters and rich descriptions of a remarkable era. B PLUS

THE BLOODLESS BOY (A HUNT AND HOOKE NOVEL #1)
Melville House
2021

HACKING THE GLOBAL “INFOSPHERE” in a future world where almost everyone is connected is an unlikely, risky adventure for a team of four friends. Intriguing, imaginative worldbuilding but stiff characterization. B MINUS

INTERFACES: A PSY-FI THRILLER ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE MIND
P. Anilak
2021