* I got this book for review from the publisher*

I have always loved the world building in this series. I have also really enjoyed the focus African American characters as well and the rich world the morrow built. I did not love the main character in this read, and think that was sort of the point. I really did love all the side characters. She def had a arc throughout this read. I liked the second half of this read, a lot more then the first half when the "siren" drama from book 1 came back and had to addressed. I loved the side plot of the the lead cousin so much and would love to see more of him in other works in this world. It was fast pace read as we got to the end. I enjoyed it!! ( )

* I got this book for review from the publisher*

I have always loved the world building in this series. I have also really enjoyed the focus African American characters as well and the rich world the morrow built. I did not love the main character in this read, and think that was sort of the point. I really did love all the side characters. She def had a arc throughout this read. I liked the second half of this read, a lot more then the first half when the "siren" drama from book 1 came back and had to addressed. I loved the side plot of the the lead cousin so much and would love to see more of him in other works in this world. It was fast pace read as we got to the end. I enjoyed it!! ( )

I'm going to keep this one brief but explain my thoughts:

1. This book has a super cool premise. I wish I would have read the first book to get a full understanding of the series.

2. Beautiful cover. Judge it. It's gorgeous.

3. I really like the whole Influencer take with the magic powers. I've been wondering where this was hiding in books, and clearly I just haven't been looking hard enough. It gave it a really cool edge and made me very intrigued to see where the story was going.

4. I like the coming of age parts of this book too. I like seeing characters grow and learn. It's all the good parts of the high school reading I used to do - growth and experimentation. People learn and mould and grow.

Overall, I'd like to see more from Bethany C. Morrow. Excellence book!

Four out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. ( )

Naema Bradshaw is going to tell her own story. Because it is her story, and her voice will be heard. And she is a hero.

This is how to do the backstory of a villain. No matter what you may have thought of Naema in A Song Below Water, this book forces you to experience those events from her POV and empathize with her. Naema may be a spoiled brat, but her thoughts and opinions have value. She is caught between many identities, and everyone else seems to fixate upon one aspect. She will get the world to see her in full; she is complex and deserves to be treated as a person.

Also a meditation on the power of toxic social media and racism. ( )

Loved:
Naema's voice
Cuzzo Courtney
The Ancestors
The character arc ( )