Prompt: Horror novel written by a BIPOC
My Choice: In Every Generation by Kendare Blake
Although this makes my brain cringe (I know this is impossible but y’all get it), clearly it is silly to try to post thoughts on my Read Harder Challenge reads in order when I’m not reading them in order! This was actually the only challenge prompt I was really nervous about because I don’t read horror. Rather, I generally can’t read horror. It doesn’t take much for me to get a one-way ticket on the nightmare train. Not to mention, the extreme anxiety I deal with during.
Anyway, I’m so glad that I was approved for an ARC of In Every Generation (thanks NetGalley and Disney Hyperion) just in time for this challenge to start. Okay, so this one is for all of the Buffy fans out there! From Goodreads:
“A new Slayer for a new generation…
Frankie Rosenberg is passionate about the environment, a sophomore at New Sunnydale High School, and the daughter of the most powerful witch in Sunnydale history. Her mom, Willow, is slowly teaching her magic on the condition that she use it to better the world. But Frankie’s happily quiet life is upended when new girl Hailey shows up with news that the annual Slayer convention has been the target of an attack, and all the Slayers—including Buffy, Faith, and Hailey’s older sister Vi—might be dead. That means it’s time for this generation’s Slayer to be born.
But being the first ever Slayer-Witch means learning how to wield a stake while trying to control her budding powers. With the help of Hailey, a werewolf named Jake, and a hot but nerdy sage demon, Frankie must become the Slayer, prevent the Hellmouth from opening again, and find out what happened to her Aunt Buffy, before she’s next.”
Ummm…amazing, right? I’ll be honest, I’m a fan of the show who has actually not finished the show–remember that anxiety I mentioned above lol? I will finish it someday, but I will say that while this book does take place several years after the end of the show, not having finished the show doesn’t ruin this reading experience or story for me, nor did I think that reading this really spoiled the show for me. Instagram does that on the daily!
This book was so fun. It was nostalgic but fresh. Even though it definitely has horror elements, I was more excited to see what was going to happen next that my anxiety wasn’t triggered *much*. I really liked Frankie (even though I found the reasoning for her conception pretty odd) and the new “Scoobies.” I think her struggles, fears, triumphs, and friendships were authentic and anchored the story throughout all of the supernatural shenanigans going on. Blake’s writing was perfect–it definitely has the feel of the show’s style while also staying true to the present. Plus, fans of the show will enjoy some classic characters!
I have heard this is the first of a trilogy which is EXCITING. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Frankie and her friends!
Click here to to visit Kendare Blake’s website!
Keep reading!
The Bookish Bird 