Book Review: Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

Title: Allegedly
Author: Tiffany D. Jackson
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Contemporary
Pages: 390
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Year Published: 2017
Format: Audiobook (Own the Physical Copy)

"Mary B. Addison killed a baby. 

Allegedly. She didn't say much in that first interview with detectives, and the media filled in the only blanks that mattered: A white baby had died while under the care of a churchgoing black woman and her nine-year-old daughter. The public convicted Mary and the jury made it official. But did she do it? She wouldn't say.

Mary survived six years in baby jail before being dumped in a group home. The house isn't really 'home'- no place where you fear for your life can be considered a home. Home is Ted, who she meets on assignment at a nursing home.

There wasn't a point to setting the record straight before, but now she's got Ted- and their unborn child- to think about. When the state threatens to take her baby, Mary must find the voice to fight her past. And her fate lies in the hands of the one person she distrusts the most: her Momma. No one knows the real Momma. But who really knows the real Mary?"

My Rating: 4.5/5

This author's writing is truly out of this world! It constantly amazes me with the twists, turns and the writing is all remarkable. I just wished that there had been some different writing at the start to hook me into the plot earlier on. That being said by a quarter of the way through the book I was incredibly excited to continue on and was unsure of where the plotline was going. I think that the characters in both of the Tiffany D. Jackson books I've read have been intricately written, but also incredibly unreliable. I look forward to reading more of work and would strongly recommend them to lovers of mystery. 

Thanks for, reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Let Me Hear A Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson

Title: Let Me Hear A Rhyme
Author: Tiffany D. Jackson
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 384
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Year Published: 2019
Format: Audiobook

"Biggie Smalls was right. Things done changed. But that doesn't mean that Quadir and Jarrell are okay letting their best friend Steph's tracks lie forgotten in his bedroom after he's killed- not when his beats could turn any Bed-Stuy corner into a celebration, not after years of having each other's backs. 

Enlisting the help of Steph's younger sister, Jasmine, Quadir and Jarrell come up with a plan to promote Steph's music under a new rap name: The Architect. Soon, everyone in Brooklyn is dancing to Steph's voice. But then his mixtape catches the attention of a hotheaded music rep and- with just hours on the clock- the trio must race to prove Steph's talent from beyond the grave. 

Now, as the pressure- and danger- of keeping their secret grows, Quardir, Jarrell, and Jasmin are forced to confront the truth about what happened to Steph. Only each has something to hide. And with everything riding on Steph's fame, together they need to decide what they stand for before they lose everything they've worked so hard to hold on to- including each other."

My Rating: 4/5

This is a book that has been recommended to viewers frequently by emmmabooks on Youtube and I wasn't too sure if it would be my cup of tea. Needless to say that it is extremely looked over and should have a way larger fan base than it does. This story really comes down to friendship and loyalty that transcends death. What would you do to make your best friends dreams come true, living or dead? I also think that the author did a great job of adding different plot points to keep the story moving (lying to a music exec, finding out who killed Steph, etc). I really enjoyed this book, and it was eye-opening to read about the 90s in Brooklyn. I'm interested in reading more works by the author and hope to get to them soon.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis

Title: The Female of the Species
Author: Mindy McGinnis
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Thriller
Pages: 352
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Year Published: 2016
Format: Audiobook

"A contemporary YA novel that examines rape culture through alternating perspectives.

Alex craft knows how to kill someone. And she doesn't feel bad about it.

Three years ago, when older sister, Anna, was murdered and the killer walked free, Alex uncaged the language she knows best- the language of violence. While her own crime goes unpunished, Alex knows she can't be trusted among other people. Not with Jack, the star athlete who wants to really know her but still feels guilty over the role he played the night Anna's body was discovered. And not with Peekay, the preacher's kid with a defiant streak who befriend Alex while they volunteer at an animal shelter. Not anyone.

As their senior year unfolds, Alex's darker nature breaks out, setting these three teens on a collision course that will change their lives forever."

My Rating: 5/5

This book caught me off guard. I wasn't ready to feel so many things and to be shocked by the honesty that Mindy McGinnis put into this book. Was it shocking to read from these perspectives and the things that these characters go through, yes, but it was an extremely important read. I would highly suggest this to men and women of almost all ages. There is a trigger warning for sexual assualt, rape and physical assault. I really was blown away by this story and hope to read more by Mindy McGinnis.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis

This book totally blew me away, I couldn't get over the correlation with my small town and the way Mindy McGinnis really thinks deeper about how deep rape culture runs in our society. It was shocking, but not in the way I expected. The story has a huge trigger warning for violence, rape and sexual assault. The story follows Alex, PeeKay and Jack. All characters who have a different background in this small town. 

Characters:
Alex: I can see how people would be distressed about how she handles her life and people in her home town. I can't blame her, but it was hard to imagine someone who was using their instinct for good, instead of for rape how most of the rest of the town acts. I was surprised to see how her storyline ended, and to see her in the animal shelter broke my heart.

PeeKay: I could relate to her need to break out of the mold and to be more than just the preacher's kid. But at the same time she was so willing to let people use that nickname. At the same time she deserves to be happy, and to find someone who is interested in her not her past or the challenge to get her.

Jake: I was turned off from his point of view at start, but he slowly won me back. He was starting to understand how the women in his life felt throughout their life. I could also understand the need to get out of the small town.

Branley: I tried really hard to understand her and how she felt in society, but she was really frustrating as she just continued to "mess up". I hope that she learned her lesson.

Ray: In my opinion he got what he deserved.

Sarah:  I liked that we got the perspective of someone who wasn't interested in men romantically. It was an important perspective to have