This first book was mostly world-building but I could still appreciate that. I enjoyed watching the crew traverse this new world and creating strong relationships, learning their history, and [SLOWLY] coming to terms with what they were. This was funny, witty, adventurous, stressful, and unapologetically black which is how I love my mythical creatures and spaces.

With that said, those things are what carried me toward the end. Even 400 pages in, it still felt like I was at the beginning of the story (one could take that either way). It goes by so fast, I just wished we’d gotten more of the murder mystery element throughout the story. There was nary a plot in sight, but I think this book was a decent setup for what’s coming.

I wasn’t a fan of some POVs. There were a few that weren’t necessary and just served to drag the story out. I wasn’t a fan of the pacing throughout because of that. And there were times I had no clue whose head I was in and had to figure it out based on context clues. All the men pissed me off. That’s all I have to say about that. I didn’t like any of them! Especially that Akeem, EUGH! There was a point where Asha was making this experience insufferable for me and I think we all know what I’m talking about. She was being a big hater, and I can force myself to understand the frustration but taking it out on your friends and being all nasty was not it. I lost respect for her at that point.

Outside of all the mechanics, I am looking forward to The First Family. I kept wishing someone would make an appearance and shake shit up. I’m hoping more starts happening and I have high hopes that it will. I absolutely adore what we’ve seen in the history and lore of this world and its people. I’m eager to learn more and see more gore involved.