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safirefire · 2 months

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Nesta Archeron fans, Naema Bradshaw is for you

Read A Song Below Water and then A Chorus Rises to follow a confident, self-assured Black teenager who is blunt and doesn’t feel like anyone is owed her insecurities or trauma and watch her tremendous growth with an author that makes clear systems of oppression are vastly different from interpersonal disagreements. The first book is so interesting and the second book delves much deeper into the world building and whatever faults Naema has she is never villanized by the narrative, because in this fantasy world that mirrors ours (with the addition of mythical creatures) a bold, powerful teenage girl is not a scapegoat for systemic failures.

The audiobooks are excellent too.

[Book Link | Image | Image]

#a song below water #a chorus rises #bethany c morrow #bookblr #ya fantasy #nesta archeron #nesta #acotar #I’m sorry to compare this excellent story by a Black woman to acotar but naema is what nesta could have been

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bookishfreedom · 2 years

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"We should all speak like sirens. Use our voices to make a difference, because all of them matter.”

#a song below water #bethany c morrow #book #books #booklr #read #reading #reader #bookish #mine #bookblr #bookworm #reading outside #black voices #ya fantasy

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haveyoureadthisfantasybook · 3 months

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vote YES if you have finished the entire book.

vote NO if you have not finished the entire book.

(faq · submit a book)

#fantasy #books #A Chorus Rises #A Song Below Water #Bethany C. Morrow #poll #result: no #l: English

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the-knights-who-say-book · 1 year

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waving a pocket watch in front of your eyes. you want to read these books. you want to buy them and/or check them out of your library soooooo bad

the audiobooks are v good by the way

#i wonder if i would like Naema as much as i do if it wasnt for the charisma of the voice actress for Chorus Rises #i think she does a fantastic job of making Naema as charming as she's supposed to be #A Song Below Water #A Chorus Rises #Bethany C Morrow

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patheticbatman · 4 months

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Part Two

I’m very proud of these dolls, and I’m also leaving them at my parents’ house, so I did a little photoshoot with some books as background so I can have nice pictures of them.

This is the second post, so check out the first for more info!

First up we have Pocahontas (real name Matoaka) with Elatsoe, by Darcie Little Badger. It’s a why-dunnit, not a who-dunnit, about a Lipan Apache girl who has some serious ghost powers. Pocahontas was a tough one, but I decided to go with a book I love about a modern Lipan Apache (Indigenous) girl, written by a modern Lipan Apache (Indigenous) woman. I know a lot of people have strong feelings on both the real life Matoaka and the cartoon Pocahontas, and how she symbolizes a lot of sad and terrible changes for Turtle Island. So I thought putting the doll and this book together would provide an interesting contrast, one that the real life Matoaka may find horribly interesting.

Second is Esmeralda with At Night All Blood Is Black, by David Diop (the French title means Soul Brother - I believe that the title is a play on the English Idiom, At Night All Cats Are Grey, meaning you cannot see meaningful differences in the right circumstances). It’s a very interesting though sorrowful novel about a Senegalese Tirailleur (Infantryman) who was sent to France during WWI. I don’t think Esmeralda would read this normally, but if she was in a sad mood, I think the theme of fluctuating humanity during conflict, and being a Person of Color in France (even centuries later!) would interest her.

Third up is Mulan with Lady of Ch’iao Kuo: Warrior of the South, by Laurence Yep. When I drew pictures for Mulan’s poem (years ago now!) I headcanoned in my explanation that Mulan and Lady Xian, princess of the Li Xian people in modern day Guangdong, were close enough in history that they *might* have met and been friendly. Mulan is typically from further North and West than Guangdong, and would be part of the colonizing side in this case sadly, but I feel like they would respect each other as fellow powerful women.

Fourth is Melody (Ariel’s daughter) with A Song Below Water, by Bethany C. Morrow. I think she’d go into the book with certain expectations, like I did, about the plot, and then get drawn in by the real story. Let’s just say the cover gave me assumptions that lead to a great twist for me personally. Also, I think Melody would relate to the mystery of her magical parent’s true background. The book celebrates the lesser known fantasy species, and approaches the danger of traffic stops, police brutality and protesting for Black people, and how that intersects with being a woman, with care and love. If they ever make a live action Little Mermaid 2, I feel like that would also speak to Melody.

Fifth is Kida with The Ones We’re Meant To Find, by Joan He. Kida is from a fantasy ancient civilization, and this book depicts a sci-fi futuristic one, but there’s more similarities than one might initially think. Both exist due to the hubris of humanity, and in reaction to serious pollution topside. And both explore (or at least mention) a relationship between two women separated by the change in their civilization, and with a boy who seems to know too much. I’m not sure Kida would necessarily read this story, aside from its attractive and exotic (to her, at least) take on the world above, which she has not seen for millennia, but this story is similar enough to Kida’s movie that I felt it fell under the adaption category instead.

Sixth is Jane (from Peter Pan 2, Wendy’s daughter) with Peter Pan on Scarlet, by Geraldine McCaughrean. The Disney movie is NOT based on this book, but both do mention Wendy’s family being affected by a World War, though this one has WWI and the movie has WWII. Interestingly, both have a sympathetic Hook initially. ‘Twas a lovely read, and in my opinion matched the original book based on the play.

Seventh is Giselle with The Wind in the Willow, by Kenneth Grahame. I just felt Giselle would enjoy the idea of cute talking animals (but not so much the war storylines of Redwall) so I put her with this book.

Eighth is Tiana (<3) with Wildwood Dancing, by Juliet Marillier. Funnily enough, I do actually have the *sequel* to the book her movie was based off of, but I’ve never read the original, so I decided it doesn’t count. But this is my favorite mixed up fairy tale novel that features a Frog Prince storyline, so I went with it. The villain is also a greedy butt who doesn’t care for his own people, and the protagonist is often underestimated, due to her appearance and gender. In any case, I love this book so much that I illustrated the first chapter, lol.

Ninth is Rapunzel with Rapunzel’s Revenge, by Shannon, Dean and Nathan Hale. I loved this adaption since I was a kid (honestly more than Tangled) and I’m pleased to finally own it.

Last is Merida, with The Edge on the Sword, by Rebecca Tingle. The book is about a warrior princess a thousand years ago in what is England today, with a forced engagement storyline, so I figured this would be right up Merida’s alley.

Part One

Part Three

Part Four

#dp dolls book photoshoot #elatsoe #at night all blood is black #Frère d'âme #lady of ch’iao kuo #a song below water #the ones we’re meant to find #Peter pan in scarlet #the wind in the willows #wildwood dancing #Rapunzel’s revenge #the edge on the sword #Esmeralda Melody Kida and Jane #oh and Giselle and arguably Tiana were all painted by me

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slaughter-books · 10 months

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Day 21: JOMPBPC: Hello, Summer Winter

It's currently Winter in Australia and I decided to make the non-binary pride flag out of books! 💛

Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈

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blacknerdscreate · 1 year

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Excited about Black Magical History Month? Us, too! Get ready for February by throwing it back to some of our favorite content celebrating Blackness and fantasy with this two-part panel, "Black Girls, Fantasy Worlds," featuring Black fantasy authors: @roseanneabrown, Namina Forna, Jordan Ifueko, Tracy Deonn, Bethany Morrow, Nandi Taylor, and Kalynn Bayron.

#a song of wraiths and ruin #the gilded ones #raybearer #legendborn #a song below water #given #cinderella is dead #black fantasy #Youtube

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black-is-beautiful18 · 2 years

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I’m trying to read more books by Black authors, and was wondering if you had some good recommendations to add to my list? I just found your blog, and it’s really awesome! Also Thank you for spreading the word about how horrible the hate has gotten towards Leah. I would have had no idea otherwise.

You’re welcome. And as for books I’ll give you a list. Warning, I read most YA but I’m sure there’s some adult and other genres mixed in there:

1. You Made A Fool Of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

2. LegendBorn by Tracy Deonn

3. BloodMarked by Tracy Deonn (Out November 8th)

4. A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Marrow

5. A Chorus Rises by Bethany C. Marrow

6. So Many Beginnings: The Little Women Remix by Bethany C. Marrow

7. A Blade So Black by L. L. McKinney

8. A Dream So Dark by L. L. McKinney

9. Wings Of Ebony by J. Elle

10. Ashes Of Gold by J. Elle

11. The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

12. The Everlasting Rose by Dhonielle Clayton

13. Charming As A Verb by Ben Philippe

14. Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon (Adult)

I have more, cuz my TBR is pretty long, so let me know if you want more.

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afropuffsstudios · 3 months

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT 📖

Title: A Song Below Water

Author: Bethany C. Morrow

We are Black History ✌🏿

#a song below water #bethany c. morrow #afropuffsstudios #afropuffs studios #books #reading #black writers #black history #black history month #bhm #bhm24 #bhm2024 #black history month 24

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marshmyers · 3 months

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"An enthralling tale of Black girl magic and searing social commentary ready to rattle the bones." — Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles

In a society determined to keep her under lock and key, Tavia must hide her siren powers. Meanwhile, Effie is fighting her own family struggles, pitted against literal demons from her past. Together, these best friends must navigate through the perils of high school junior year.

But everything changes in the aftermath of a siren murder trial that rocks the nation, and Tavia accidentally lets out her magical voice at the worst possible moment. Soon, nothing in Portland, Oregon, seems safe.

To save themselves from drowning, only Tavia and Effie's unbreakable sisterhood proves to be the most potent magic of all.

PURCHASE THIS TITLE ON BOOKSHOP

#yabooks #youngadultbooks #yabookstagram #yalit #teenbooks #laughing boy books #a song below water #bethany c. marrow #superatural ya #fantasy books #fantasy novel #fantasy ya #supernatural creatures #black girl magic #black girls are beautiful #black girl beauty

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bookcoversonly · 1 year

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Title: A Song Below Water | Author: Bethany C. Morrow | Publisher: Tor (2020)

#books #A Song Below Water #Bethany C. Morrow

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safirefire · 2 months

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A Song Below Water Book 3— with Courtney as an Oracle starring Tavia and Naema as reluctant allies once again this time with Effie and learning how Eloko drowned out ancestral voices by aligning with White Supremacy even as well intentioned Portland hipsters— when?

#you can’t tell me there’s no oracles anymore and expect me to ignore how insightful Courtney was #Or I’ll take a completely new character honestly I just want to see more Courtney and Tavia #a song below water #a chorus rises #bethany c morrow #or maybe ms Dona

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deathsmallcaps · 1 year

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Ok I’m probably not the best person to say this, but I’ve been seeing a lot of (as of right now) accurate insults on how the CGI approach for the Live Action Little Mermaid movie, but please be mindful that you don’t take things too far, and *especially* don’t start going after Halle Bailey (Ariel’s actress) and to a lesser extent, Ariel the character.

Antiblackness is still an issue in a lot of fandom spaces, and it doesn’t just come out as using nasty slurs or stereotypes. It manifests as drawing Black characters lighter and/or with more white features, it comes out as removing Black partners from ships, and it starts out as plausibly deniable insults that get the door open to microaggressions and outright nasty comments.

I’m not saying that all discussion of the movie should be stalled, or even if it turns out to be an artistic failure, that it doesn’t merit discussion. I’m saying that you shouldn’t extend your vitriol to the characters and actors.

If you really feel the need to insult her, it might be worth a little introspection. Ask yourself, “Do I resent that they changed Ariel, or that they changed Ariel in this way?”. You’re not irredeemable if your personal answer isn’t kind. Just be more careful, try and observe how that sort of world view affects your behavior to others, and then course correct.

A lot of little kids would love to see another Black Princess. A lot of little kids would love to have a Black mermaid as a main character. Hell, a lot of adults would love those too. Black fantasy characters have long been excluded, transformed, killed, merely in the background, relegated to stereotypes, villainized and have hardly ever in the spotlight, especially in major productions.

Don’t make it harder for kids (and adults!) to see themselves on screen. Don’t ruin their wonder. So don’t make unkind comments. Keep it to yourself. Frankly, Halle looks beautiful, and I can’t wait to see the sparkles in her fans’ eyes as she swims across the screen.

#live action little mermaid #the little mermaid 2023 #Halle Bailey #I’m a white girl but the concept of a Black Ariel is near and dear to my heart #my best friend in elementary loved H20:Just add water and introduced it to me #and she dreamed (at least half then #we haven’t kept in touch) of ordering herself a mermaid tail to swim around in #and I really hope that she has. if she didn’t fuck up a year of college like I did (she was damn smart so I doubt it)#then she’s likely just about to graduate #M I hope you get a great paying job and can order yourself a beautiful quality tail and live out that little girl dream #you deserve it. I don’t think you had near enough #black girl Magic growing up. miss you #i doubt you’re on tumblr but just in case you’re wondering #‘is that me?’ I’ll give you a hint:#I used to say floober doober instead of cursing when we played Mario kart #I mean I did start cursing heavily later. but at first I said that #in any case idk if you’re still into mermaids but we both know you would’ve loved to watch this movie when you were little #this was both spurred on by all the flounder posts I’ve been seeing and ‘A Song Below Water’ by Bethany C. Morrow #one of the main characters Effie works as a Renaissance Faire mermaid and she talks a lot about #how people write fiction about her character but whitewash her or body swap her or would rather do self inserts #or the only comments made about her beauty are just about her tail and never about her Black skin or features #and how she (and her Mom before her death) were usually the only Black characters at the fair #and how she feels so beautiful and incredible being her mermaid self #also again I’m white so I don’t have personal experience but my younger brother is mixed #and he’s always been really lowkey about his feelings but #I took him to see Into the Spiderverse when it first came out #and he’s loved it since #here was this (adorable - don’t tell my brother I said that lol) lanky smart awkward hurting courageous Black boy on screen #and I can see in his heart how he’s been affected by it. he’s not a super fan or anything but I can just tell (big sister thing.) Anyways I #really hope that joy will happen more and more for everyone.

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haveyoureadthisfantasybook · 3 months

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vote YES if you have finished the entire book.

vote NO if you have not finished the entire book.

(faq · submit a book)

#fantasy #books #Bethany C. Morrow #A Song Below Water #poll #result: no #l: English

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the-knights-who-say-book · 1 year

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i know i’ve only really posted about A Chorus Rises but A Song Below Water was also good and when you put the two books together it’s SUCH a good dualogy! like the CHARACTER ARCS the WORLDBUILDING the LONGLASTING RAMIFICATIONS! i’m so mad i never see people talking about them. what am i supposed to have a conversation with MYSELF

#Abi reads A Chorus Rises #A Song Below Water #A Chorus Rises #Bethany C Morrow

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vmures · 9 months

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On the topic of things that don't stop being awesome even as you age: putting on a playlist of songs you like to sing along with/jam out to for any reason whatsoever (you had a shit day, you're in a particular mood, you need a boost, you just want some music).

We don't think anything of doing that as kids or teens. Hell, it's generally expected that we'll listen to our music too loud and annoy the shit out of our parents. But a lot of people treat it as cringe to do the older you get. But the endorphins and power of music don't stop just because you got older. So pick out new faves and old faves, turn the volume up, and let yourself have fun with it.

Sing your heart out. Dance with wild abandon. Rage along with Rage Against the Machine. Feel your eyes well up as you belt along with "This is Me." Let yourself be transported to another place in time by the memory of the first time you heard a song.

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