What do you think?
Rate this book
Cinnamon Jones #2
Archangels of Funk
Run from your past. Hide from your future. Protect your present.
The Water Wars have scrambled the world. Flood refugees are on the run. Disruptors and the nostalgia militia roam the roads wreaking havoc. Invisible Darknet Lords troll the internet solidifying their power, while Cinnamon her three Circus-Bots, and two dogs, work with a community of Farmers, Motor Fairies and Wheel-Wizards to provide housing, healthcare and education for flood refugees.
Slipping into periodic despair, Cinnamon’s been hiding out. She’s ready to ditch the Next World Festival she runs―a sci-fi carnival jam featuring music, dance, masked revelers, drum circles and storytellers in a grassy amphitheatre on the farm she inherited. Her elders haunt her, insisting she do the Festival no matter what.
As she confronts threats from the Darknet Lords and the nostalgia militia, Cinnamon must determine how best to honor her elders and her history, while building a future for herself and her charges.
It’s not going to be easy.
The Water Wars have scrambled the world. Flood refugees are on the run. Disruptors and the nostalgia militia roam the roads wreaking havoc. Invisible Darknet Lords troll the internet solidifying their power, while Cinnamon her three Circus-Bots, and two dogs, work with a community of Farmers, Motor Fairies and Wheel-Wizards to provide housing, healthcare and education for flood refugees.
Slipping into periodic despair, Cinnamon’s been hiding out. She’s ready to ditch the Next World Festival she runs―a sci-fi carnival jam featuring music, dance, masked revelers, drum circles and storytellers in a grassy amphitheatre on the farm she inherited. Her elders haunt her, insisting she do the Festival no matter what.
As she confronts threats from the Darknet Lords and the nostalgia militia, Cinnamon must determine how best to honor her elders and her history, while building a future for herself and her charges.
It’s not going to be easy.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published May 7, 2024
57 people are currently reading
4883 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Hairston
20 books375 followersAndrea Hairston is an African-American science fiction and fantasy playwright and novelist who is best known for her novels Mindscape and Redwood and Wildfire. Mindscape, Hairston's first novel, won the Carl Brandon Parallax Award and short-listed for the Philip K. Dick Award and the James Tiptree, Jr. Award.
She is the Artistic Director of Chrysalis Theatre and has created original productions with music, dance, and masks for more than a decade. Hairston is also the Louise Wolff Kahn 1931 Professor of Theatre and Afro-American Studies at Smith College. She teaches playwriting, African, African American, and Caribbean theatre literature. Her plays have been produced at Yale Rep, Rites and Reason, the Kennedy Center, StageWest, and on public radio and television. In addition, Hairston has translated plays by Michael Ende and Kaca Celan from German to English.
(source: Wikipedia)
She is the Artistic Director of Chrysalis Theatre and has created original productions with music, dance, and masks for more than a decade. Hairston is also the Louise Wolff Kahn 1931 Professor of Theatre and Afro-American Studies at Smith College. She teaches playwriting, African, African American, and Caribbean theatre literature. Her plays have been produced at Yale Rep, Rites and Reason, the Kennedy Center, StageWest, and on public radio and television. In addition, Hairston has translated plays by Michael Ende and Kaca Celan from German to English.
(source: Wikipedia)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
December 4, 2023
The core of the novel is the Next World Festival -- a welcoming celebration of dance, storytelling, music, and more -- that invites people to remember their pasts and choose their future. Cinnamon Jones promised her family she'd continue the tradition after they'd gone, but environmental disaster, a string of kidnappings, and a flood of sad memories have doused her creativity.
But Cinnamon helped create a charitable, kind community that hides inside a country largely controlled by greed and callousness. Neither the ghosts of her family or her still living (or living-ish) friends will let her fall.
While there is tension from corporate spies and attacks from desperate people, much of the novel flows in a delightful eddies. There is music in Hairston's prose and as the perspectives jump from character to character, readers may feel like they're buffeted by the crowd at a massive party. They'll catch a piece of drama here, a fond reminisce there, a bit of new drama, and then maybe peek at a budding romance. It's a little hectic and confusing, but the vibes feel so right that they'll know it will all come together in the end. And it does, in a moving and joyful way.
The conflict resolution in the novel is fascinating, because while no one is a doormat, forgiveness and understanding are incredibly important. There's a theme about how even very recent mistakes don't make someone a bad person necessarily, that people can be pulled onto a better path if they want.
It's also one of my favorite micro-genres -- apocalyptic (or near-to) science fiction with a heavy dose of magic. This one is also sprinkled liberally with whimsy, making this feel a bit like Kiki's Delivery Service crossed with Fahrenheit 451.
This was my first novel by Hairston, but I recognized references to some of her other books, so I am excited to go back and read those and see how they tie into this.
Also, I should note that the wonderful diversity of the cast. Many have mixed heritage, the traditions of their families and cultures matter, and queerness seems completely accepted. The few characters who place too much importance on a binary gendered view are quickly educated and judged accordingly.
But Cinnamon helped create a charitable, kind community that hides inside a country largely controlled by greed and callousness. Neither the ghosts of her family or her still living (or living-ish) friends will let her fall.
While there is tension from corporate spies and attacks from desperate people, much of the novel flows in a delightful eddies. There is music in Hairston's prose and as the perspectives jump from character to character, readers may feel like they're buffeted by the crowd at a massive party. They'll catch a piece of drama here, a fond reminisce there, a bit of new drama, and then maybe peek at a budding romance. It's a little hectic and confusing, but the vibes feel so right that they'll know it will all come together in the end. And it does, in a moving and joyful way.
The conflict resolution in the novel is fascinating, because while no one is a doormat, forgiveness and understanding are incredibly important. There's a theme about how even very recent mistakes don't make someone a bad person necessarily, that people can be pulled onto a better path if they want.
It's also one of my favorite micro-genres -- apocalyptic (or near-to) science fiction with a heavy dose of magic. This one is also sprinkled liberally with whimsy, making this feel a bit like Kiki's Delivery Service crossed with Fahrenheit 451.
This was my first novel by Hairston, but I recognized references to some of her other books, so I am excited to go back and read those and see how they tie into this.
Also, I should note that the wonderful diversity of the cast. Many have mixed heritage, the traditions of their families and cultures matter, and queerness seems completely accepted. The few characters who place too much importance on a binary gendered view are quickly educated and judged accordingly.
October 10, 2025
Embrace the future by celebrating the past, art, and communitarianism. The world and the characters of this novel are wonderful, with the larger world-building showing the leaning-toward dystopic potential for our technological future marked by climate devastation and wealth inequality, but then within that we focus on a group who have carved out a living for themselves that doesn’t deny the difficulties of the world but refuses to let destructive culture mitigate their dedication to love and each other. The world is built out slowly, in such a way that you quickly get the big picture but are constantly finding new details, which is skillful and inviting. There is a large cast of characters, and they all fit into this world. They are eccentric and talk in aphorisms and song, combining their interpretation/appropriation of ancient wisdoms with future technology, all filtered through art and love.
What fell short for me was that this story felt like it lacked a real narrative. Our main character is experiencing a crisis that she is working through, and other characters have their own inner journeys, but to some extent that is accidental. With a world so expansive, a cast of characters so diverse, and a writing style so ethereal and stylized there needs to be something to keep everything bound together and moving in one direction or another, and a strong narrative would have filled that role here, but it was lacking. It seems like there are multiple competing narratives happening, which is fine, there is a beatific chaos style to the whole enterprise, but they feel scattershot, not coalescing to something you can grasp on to. I think because of this I have a dissatisfaction with the ending, one which seems fine on its face but the more I think about it the more it goes against what so many of these characters have expressed as their guiding ethos, and so I can’t find myself celebrating with the characters at the end. If the plotting and narrative had been tighter than maybe the pieces would have fit together for me in a more meaningful way. I enjoyed the whole time I was reading, and I cared about the characters, but I was never particularly compelled to pick it up when I had put it down, if that makes sense.
This may be an odd comparison, but if you know the musical “Rent,” the final scene/song of the first act has the entire cast performing “La Vie Boheme” at the Life Café. This entire book feels like it is happening in the Life Café, with the same spaced-out optimism running on vibes and poetry, rooted in ancestor worship and communalism, all the while considering how good the offer needs to be to shake hands with the capitalists and tech-billionaires who perpetuate wage-theft and economic and environmental collapse. I wish there was more there there, because I really enjoyed the vibes and characters and world. I still had a good time reading this, and I think it models ideas of love and compassion, showing what politics based in solidarity and found family, instead of punishment or exclusion, can bring about. It is full of optimism and heart, overflowing with genuine affection for what it means to be of service to others. If the narrative was a little stronger and the plotting a little tighter I think it would have been even more compelling, but as it is I still think it is an inspiring and elevated read.
(Rounded from 3.5)
What fell short for me was that this story felt like it lacked a real narrative. Our main character is experiencing a crisis that she is working through, and other characters have their own inner journeys, but to some extent that is accidental. With a world so expansive, a cast of characters so diverse, and a writing style so ethereal and stylized there needs to be something to keep everything bound together and moving in one direction or another, and a strong narrative would have filled that role here, but it was lacking. It seems like there are multiple competing narratives happening, which is fine, there is a beatific chaos style to the whole enterprise, but they feel scattershot, not coalescing to something you can grasp on to. I think because of this I have a dissatisfaction with the ending, one which seems fine on its face but the more I think about it the more it goes against what so many of these characters have expressed as their guiding ethos, and so I can’t find myself celebrating with the characters at the end. If the plotting and narrative had been tighter than maybe the pieces would have fit together for me in a more meaningful way. I enjoyed the whole time I was reading, and I cared about the characters, but I was never particularly compelled to pick it up when I had put it down, if that makes sense.
This may be an odd comparison, but if you know the musical “Rent,” the final scene/song of the first act has the entire cast performing “La Vie Boheme” at the Life Café. This entire book feels like it is happening in the Life Café, with the same spaced-out optimism running on vibes and poetry, rooted in ancestor worship and communalism, all the while considering how good the offer needs to be to shake hands with the capitalists and tech-billionaires who perpetuate wage-theft and economic and environmental collapse. I wish there was more there there, because I really enjoyed the vibes and characters and world. I still had a good time reading this, and I think it models ideas of love and compassion, showing what politics based in solidarity and found family, instead of punishment or exclusion, can bring about. It is full of optimism and heart, overflowing with genuine affection for what it means to be of service to others. If the narrative was a little stronger and the plotting a little tighter I think it would have been even more compelling, but as it is I still think it is an inspiring and elevated read.
(Rounded from 3.5)
August 20, 2024
This audiobook was made available for me to listen to and review by Andrea Hairston, RB Media, and NetGalley.
This is a fun and unique novel, almost like a podcast in a way. This starts off with an ad for the Next World Festival. The Next World Festival is a celebration of life; focusing on dance, storytelling, music, and more. At this festival attendees both honor the past and dream the future. It's incredibly unique and I would LOVE to attend this festival!
This is set in a dystopian future of water shortages with resulting wars and deep income inequality exacerbated by the resource hoarding of the wealthy living in enclaves. This addresses how the world responds to these crisis', largely resulting in mass societal mayhem. So this novel features the joy of the festival juxta positioned with the side by side overwhelming despair of a world in climate and political crisis. What does it mean to live in such harrowing times?
This weaves seamlessly into the narrative mythology and mythological beings from West African/Black Diaspora and Native American/First Nations cultures. This is a fun festival set in an Octavia Butler-esque dystopian future. Cinnamon has created a tiny utopia inside of this dystopic hell scape, with notes of Parable of the Talents' Acorn. A place where community means no one is left out and everyone respects and honors everyone else. This enclave is threatened and stressed by outside forces like the corporate spies and desperate folks surrounding them. The novels tone is light allowing the stress of this world to feel manageable and dreamy. It's heady stuff, almost a cozy dystopia🤔 What a fun and wild mix.
This novel is narrated by January LaVoy. January narrated an audiobook by Shari Lapena that I listened to awhile ago so I was already familiar with her work. Her ability to be light but serious was crucial to narrating a book like this. Cinnamon and her crew of 2 dogs and 3 circus-bots came to life with January's narration. It truly enhanced the listening experience.
Thank you to Andrea Hairston, RB Media, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
This is a fun and unique novel, almost like a podcast in a way. This starts off with an ad for the Next World Festival. The Next World Festival is a celebration of life; focusing on dance, storytelling, music, and more. At this festival attendees both honor the past and dream the future. It's incredibly unique and I would LOVE to attend this festival!
This is set in a dystopian future of water shortages with resulting wars and deep income inequality exacerbated by the resource hoarding of the wealthy living in enclaves. This addresses how the world responds to these crisis', largely resulting in mass societal mayhem. So this novel features the joy of the festival juxta positioned with the side by side overwhelming despair of a world in climate and political crisis. What does it mean to live in such harrowing times?
This weaves seamlessly into the narrative mythology and mythological beings from West African/Black Diaspora and Native American/First Nations cultures. This is a fun festival set in an Octavia Butler-esque dystopian future. Cinnamon has created a tiny utopia inside of this dystopic hell scape, with notes of Parable of the Talents' Acorn. A place where community means no one is left out and everyone respects and honors everyone else. This enclave is threatened and stressed by outside forces like the corporate spies and desperate folks surrounding them. The novels tone is light allowing the stress of this world to feel manageable and dreamy. It's heady stuff, almost a cozy dystopia🤔 What a fun and wild mix.
This novel is narrated by January LaVoy. January narrated an audiobook by Shari Lapena that I listened to awhile ago so I was already familiar with her work. Her ability to be light but serious was crucial to narrating a book like this. Cinnamon and her crew of 2 dogs and 3 circus-bots came to life with January's narration. It truly enhanced the listening experience.
Thank you to Andrea Hairston, RB Media, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
May 4, 2024
Different and I don’t think it’s going to be for everyone but it’ll work very well for the right readers. It’s very slow paced and takes its time tell the story of just a few days. It describes the life of those living in a slow apocalypse well and the tone of the writing suits the characters and setting. But a lot of science fiction tends to be Adventure! Action! So for readers that want that, this probably isn’t the book. But for a reader who is looking for something slower paced and more towards the literary end of the genre this is a solid choice and the four star rating is for that reader.
January 1, 2025
I tried. I really did. I got up to page 100 but the story/writing didn’t get any better or easier to decipher. It was like reading something in a second language that my brain kept trying to translate and then piece together to come up with something that resembles a coherent storyline. It was so very taxing. And reading shouldn’t be this labour-intensive.
An example of a cerebral read for me would be any Oscar Wilde book, Anne Rice’s vampire books, even Wicked is a bit word-heavy. The difference is, once I’ve read and translated in my brain, the imagery is easy and beautiful. Archangel Funk on the other hand? Syntax error. I’m sorry I cannot understand this book. I’m sure the author slaved over writing this. I’m sorry I’m not the target audience.
An example of a cerebral read for me would be any Oscar Wilde book, Anne Rice’s vampire books, even Wicked is a bit word-heavy. The difference is, once I’ve read and translated in my brain, the imagery is easy and beautiful. Archangel Funk on the other hand? Syntax error. I’m sorry I cannot understand this book. I’m sure the author slaved over writing this. I’m sorry I’m not the target audience.
May 13, 2024
I loved Will Do Magic for Small Change. It was instantly one of my favorite books of the year, and it made this an auto-buy. But... I just don't think this one was for me. The acknowledgements reveal this was originally a short story, then another, then tied together as a play, then turned into a novel, and something about that clicked for me. The writing was good. The world was solid. But I just couldn't find a foothold for the story. I couldn't get settled with it. I think the patchwork nature of its creation may have been the reason. I'm still going to keep Hairston on my watch list because even when I was struggling through this, I really, really wanted to connect. I just couldn't find it this time.
April 9, 2024
It took me awhile to finish, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'll be looking for more of this author's work.
I'm thankful to have received this ARC.
I'm thankful to have received this ARC.
June 6, 2024
Well, I'm a dummy because I didn't realize this was the second book. 😅😂 While it stands alone fairly well, knowing the broader context from the first book would have likely enhanced my understanding.
This is a richly imagined dystopian future, shaped by the catastrophic Water Wars. Hairston's writing is undeniably powerful and evocative, painting a vivid picture of a world grappling with profound inequality and resource scarcity. This has an imaginative setting and a lyrical, almost poetic prose. Each sentence is meticulously crafted, demanding thoughtful engagement from the reader. This style, while beautiful, does contribute to a slower pacing that might not suit everyone, especially those seeking a more straightforward dystopian adventure. But honestly, it's beautiful to read and I found it charming.
The blending of sci-fi elements with a community-focused story adds a unique flavor to the dystopian genre. The diverse cast of characters, dogs, refuges, and robots enrich the story, though the sheer number of characters can sometimes make it challenging to keep track of who’s who and what’s happening.
Cinnamon’s internal struggles and her interactions with the various characters around her form the crux of the story. Her journey is less about action and more about introspection. This character-driven approach provides deep emotional and psychological insights but can feel slow-moving. I also struggled a bit to maintain interest.
Despite these strengths, the book may not resonate with everyone. The concentration of quirky and unconventional elements, while intriguing, might have been more effective in a shorter format. The pacing felt stretched, making it harder to maintain attention, and the poetic nature of the writing, while beautiful, further decelerated the story’s momentum.
In conclusion, this is a beautifully written, character-driven dystopian novel that demands patience and thoughtful reading. Andrea Hairston’s lyrical prose and imaginative world-building offer a unique experience, but the slow pacing and dense character roster might not be for everyone. If you appreciate poetic narratives and deep character explorations set against a backdrop of societal upheaval, this book will captivate you. However, if you prefer fast-paced, action-oriented dystopian tales, you might find it a bit of a challenge to get through.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. This review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary.
This is a richly imagined dystopian future, shaped by the catastrophic Water Wars. Hairston's writing is undeniably powerful and evocative, painting a vivid picture of a world grappling with profound inequality and resource scarcity. This has an imaginative setting and a lyrical, almost poetic prose. Each sentence is meticulously crafted, demanding thoughtful engagement from the reader. This style, while beautiful, does contribute to a slower pacing that might not suit everyone, especially those seeking a more straightforward dystopian adventure. But honestly, it's beautiful to read and I found it charming.
The blending of sci-fi elements with a community-focused story adds a unique flavor to the dystopian genre. The diverse cast of characters, dogs, refuges, and robots enrich the story, though the sheer number of characters can sometimes make it challenging to keep track of who’s who and what’s happening.
Cinnamon’s internal struggles and her interactions with the various characters around her form the crux of the story. Her journey is less about action and more about introspection. This character-driven approach provides deep emotional and psychological insights but can feel slow-moving. I also struggled a bit to maintain interest.
Despite these strengths, the book may not resonate with everyone. The concentration of quirky and unconventional elements, while intriguing, might have been more effective in a shorter format. The pacing felt stretched, making it harder to maintain attention, and the poetic nature of the writing, while beautiful, further decelerated the story’s momentum.
In conclusion, this is a beautifully written, character-driven dystopian novel that demands patience and thoughtful reading. Andrea Hairston’s lyrical prose and imaginative world-building offer a unique experience, but the slow pacing and dense character roster might not be for everyone. If you appreciate poetic narratives and deep character explorations set against a backdrop of societal upheaval, this book will captivate you. However, if you prefer fast-paced, action-oriented dystopian tales, you might find it a bit of a challenge to get through.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. This review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary.
May 25, 2024
I finally finished listening to "Archangels of Funk: Episodes from the Continuing Drama of Cinnamon Jones, A Scientist, Artiste, and Hoodoo Conjuror, A Novel of What Might Be" by Andrea Hairston. It was so so long!! I meant the book, but hey, that title, too! The audiobook is 15 hrs, 22 minutes at 1.0 speed. I listened to it at 1.75 to 2.0. I have listened to much longer books and haven't had the length of those bother me, so let's dig in here.
The whole thing was confusing and disjointed! I think it is more like short stories strung together rather than a consistent book. It is set in the future after terrible floods of the future and somewhere in Western Massachusetts.
The main character is Cinnamon Jones, who at first seems to be a young adult. Later, we find it she is in her 50s. She hosts an annual festival, the Next World Festival, with music and dancing and lots of masks and costumes like a carnival. She has two dogs, Spook (ghost dog), who is half cybernetic, and Bruja (witch dog), who can find anything.
She has three circus bots that she created with junk and functioning with AI programming. One looks like a mermaid, sort of, and is called Mami-Wo. Cinnamon sees her relatives inhabit the three bots to haunt her and nag or guide her.
There is a weak plot here, but the book is primarily character driven.
Characters - 5/5
Writing - 3/5
Plot - 2/5 Very weak
Pacing - 3/5
Unputdownability - 1/5
Enjoyment - 2/5
Narration - 5/5 January LaVoy
Cover - 4/5
Overall - 25/8 = 3.1
Thank you to Netgalley, RB Media, and Andrea Hairston for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
The whole thing was confusing and disjointed! I think it is more like short stories strung together rather than a consistent book. It is set in the future after terrible floods of the future and somewhere in Western Massachusetts.
The main character is Cinnamon Jones, who at first seems to be a young adult. Later, we find it she is in her 50s. She hosts an annual festival, the Next World Festival, with music and dancing and lots of masks and costumes like a carnival. She has two dogs, Spook (ghost dog), who is half cybernetic, and Bruja (witch dog), who can find anything.
She has three circus bots that she created with junk and functioning with AI programming. One looks like a mermaid, sort of, and is called Mami-Wo. Cinnamon sees her relatives inhabit the three bots to haunt her and nag or guide her.
There is a weak plot here, but the book is primarily character driven.
Characters - 5/5
Writing - 3/5
Plot - 2/5 Very weak
Pacing - 3/5
Unputdownability - 1/5
Enjoyment - 2/5
Narration - 5/5 January LaVoy
Cover - 4/5
Overall - 25/8 = 3.1
Thank you to Netgalley, RB Media, and Andrea Hairston for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Read
December 5, 2025so much going on, too much. don't know what happened, maybe it's just not for me, maybe I'm not there yet, but it didn't appeal to me at all and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone unforch.
May 29, 2024
Archangels of Funk is a dazzling, kaleidoscopic adventure that pulses with life, rhythm, and soul. Each character leaps off the page, every idiom crackles with energy, and every lyric and melody swirls in a symphony of emotion. The narrative is a masterfully crafted whirlwind, offering a thrilling, nostalgic, and hopeful journey through a world bursting with imagination and heart.
From the first page, the story grips you with nail-biting tension and lifts you to euphoric heights. The dialogue is sharp, witty, and unforgettable, sparking belly laughs and wake-up calls. Marvel at a world where gender nonconformity is celebrated and woven into the fabric of life. A world where lofty ambitions, heart-pounding polyrhythms of desire, and selfless sacrifices for love exist right alongside all the hope we can muster. Every character, every idiom, every mouthwatering morsel, every lyric, every melody, every bit of tech is swirling with life and wonder.
Every page of Archangels of Funk is infused with wisdom, hope, and love. The book brims with timeless wisdom: "We become the people we’ve known," "Freedom is the air we breathe together," offering deep, resonant truths. This novel is a testament to Andrea Hairston’s boundless creativity and heartfelt dedication, creating a magical experience that captivates and inspires.
Thank you, Andrea, for conjuring this extraordinary story and for filling our world with your unique magic. Archangels of Funk is a vibrant celebration of life and love, a spellbinding journey that leaves an indelible mark on the soul.
From the first page, the story grips you with nail-biting tension and lifts you to euphoric heights. The dialogue is sharp, witty, and unforgettable, sparking belly laughs and wake-up calls. Marvel at a world where gender nonconformity is celebrated and woven into the fabric of life. A world where lofty ambitions, heart-pounding polyrhythms of desire, and selfless sacrifices for love exist right alongside all the hope we can muster. Every character, every idiom, every mouthwatering morsel, every lyric, every melody, every bit of tech is swirling with life and wonder.
Every page of Archangels of Funk is infused with wisdom, hope, and love. The book brims with timeless wisdom: "We become the people we’ve known," "Freedom is the air we breathe together," offering deep, resonant truths. This novel is a testament to Andrea Hairston’s boundless creativity and heartfelt dedication, creating a magical experience that captivates and inspires.
Thank you, Andrea, for conjuring this extraordinary story and for filling our world with your unique magic. Archangels of Funk is a vibrant celebration of life and love, a spellbinding journey that leaves an indelible mark on the soul.
July 19, 2024
so full of joy and love and shooting stars
May 13, 2024
I requested this one both for the title/cover imagery and the narrator. I love the way January Lavoy handles narration, and always try to choose titles she has narrated - even if they are, like this one, somewhat outside of my typical genre preferences. She has a magical ability to draw me in and to bring a story to life, and that magic is definitely in evidence here.
I don't tend to prefer dystopian or futuristic tales, or things with heavy technological components, both of which are major elements in this story. Yet somehow, the combination of writing and narration blended together here in a way that not only held my attention, but secured it. This is a wholly original, unique tale that takes the reader on a wild adventure into a future full of magic and tech and unlikely sassy saviors. Post-apocalyptic fiction is still not my jam, but this is a take on it that I found fresh and entertaining.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
I don't tend to prefer dystopian or futuristic tales, or things with heavy technological components, both of which are major elements in this story. Yet somehow, the combination of writing and narration blended together here in a way that not only held my attention, but secured it. This is a wholly original, unique tale that takes the reader on a wild adventure into a future full of magic and tech and unlikely sassy saviors. Post-apocalyptic fiction is still not my jam, but this is a take on it that I found fresh and entertaining.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
August 23, 2024
appreciated the creativity and message, but could not get into the writing style at all.
Read
October 3, 2024Station Eleven meets Parable of the Sower. A neat concept that unfortunately didn't come together for me as an audio book, but I have a hard copy and look forward to revisiting it.
March 7, 2025
This was funky as hell. Hairston is a talented writer the can touch all the sense through her writing.
October 8, 2025
TW graphic classism. Moderate blood, death, grief, gun violence, police brutality, violence, kidnapping. Minor death of parents, dementia, drug use,.
Can a dystopian book be too fun? Can there be hope when the world has crashed?
I didn’t realise that this is book 2 in the series when I started this. Reading other’s reviews I’m not the only one. Perhaps my few complaints about this book will be erased when I read Will Do Magic for Small Change and Redwood and Wildfire.
First of all this is a fun book. I loved the writing style and played astorpop music while reading it. Cinnamon Jones is a fun character who I related to even though I couldn’t build circus robots or code to save my life. The reader is dropped into the world abruptly which is probably due to not having read book 1 first.
Also while there was deep character work on Cinnamon and some others I would have liked more backstory on Game Boy and his Back From the Dead Gang. Maybe there will be a book 3?
One more note. I have a personal trigger with animal endangerment. In particular a certain breed of dog. I now know this extends to dog bots as well. In case anyone else shares this no good boys are harmed in the book. And they are indeed a very good boy.
Can a dystopian book be too fun? Can there be hope when the world has crashed?
I didn’t realise that this is book 2 in the series when I started this. Reading other’s reviews I’m not the only one. Perhaps my few complaints about this book will be erased when I read Will Do Magic for Small Change and Redwood and Wildfire.
First of all this is a fun book. I loved the writing style and played astorpop music while reading it. Cinnamon Jones is a fun character who I related to even though I couldn’t build circus robots or code to save my life. The reader is dropped into the world abruptly which is probably due to not having read book 1 first.
Also while there was deep character work on Cinnamon and some others I would have liked more backstory on Game Boy and his Back From the Dead Gang. Maybe there will be a book 3?
One more note. I have a personal trigger with animal endangerment. In particular a certain breed of dog. I now know this extends to dog bots as well. In case anyone else shares this no good boys are harmed in the book. And they are indeed a very good boy.
August 29, 2024
You've got a real type of thing going down, gettin' down
This was a fun read. I loved the hoodoo physics between the spaces. The world building was a great collage of many powerful ancestral traditions counterpointing the post-apocalyptic climate, tech, and economic crises.
As an older reader, I got all the musical references and they formed a great soundtrack in my mind, heavy on George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, and Pfunk. I’m not sure if a much younger reader would have quite the same delightful experience.
The trials and tribulations that Cinnamon and her tribe went through made an interesting story against the backdrop of Festival planning and execution.
I liked seeing the Pearl Cleage quote, having lived in Atlanta and appreciated her plays.
I still believe that theatre has a ritual power to call forth spirits, illuminate the darkness and speak the truth to people.
Above all, I loved the dogs, Bruja and Spook. It’s amusing to be herded by a border collie. In my experience, they’re usually extremely bright and energetic. Bruja was no exception. Her joy and excitement in finding lost things was delightful. 😊
I think the story could’ve gone further down some of the many patchy broken civilization’s rabbit holes, but that treatment could’ve diluted some of the joy and compassion that Cinnamon and her tribe carried through the story.
This was a fun read. I loved the hoodoo physics between the spaces. The world building was a great collage of many powerful ancestral traditions counterpointing the post-apocalyptic climate, tech, and economic crises.
As an older reader, I got all the musical references and they formed a great soundtrack in my mind, heavy on George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, and Pfunk. I’m not sure if a much younger reader would have quite the same delightful experience.
The trials and tribulations that Cinnamon and her tribe went through made an interesting story against the backdrop of Festival planning and execution.
I liked seeing the Pearl Cleage quote, having lived in Atlanta and appreciated her plays.
I still believe that theatre has a ritual power to call forth spirits, illuminate the darkness and speak the truth to people.
Above all, I loved the dogs, Bruja and Spook. It’s amusing to be herded by a border collie. In my experience, they’re usually extremely bright and energetic. Bruja was no exception. Her joy and excitement in finding lost things was delightful. 😊
I think the story could’ve gone further down some of the many patchy broken civilization’s rabbit holes, but that treatment could’ve diluted some of the joy and compassion that Cinnamon and her tribe carried through the story.
April 13, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
DNF 13%.
It almost doesn't seem fair to write a review for this one - I think it just wasn't for me. I had a hard time paying attention, a hard time figuring out who and what was happening. The imagery and inner monologue were beautiful, but after two-ish weeks of forcing myself to read one more page, I admit defeat for the moment.
Perhaps I will pick it up again. Perhaps it will make sense after reading earlier books by this author.
2.5/5 rounded up to 3
DNF 13%.
It almost doesn't seem fair to write a review for this one - I think it just wasn't for me. I had a hard time paying attention, a hard time figuring out who and what was happening. The imagery and inner monologue were beautiful, but after two-ish weeks of forcing myself to read one more page, I admit defeat for the moment.
Perhaps I will pick it up again. Perhaps it will make sense after reading earlier books by this author.
2.5/5 rounded up to 3
June 23, 2024
I was so thrilled to listen to this Afrofuturistic adventure in audiobook form, but it didn't work for me. This is a slice of some future life, a day in the drudgery and disco-funk of a fantastic and motley party. What even happened? I don't know. I'm never sure how to engage with these kinds of texts. This is perhaps speculative at its most real. I kept feeling like ... if only this was a movie ... or a video game ... or virtual reality experience. There's so much description and techno-babble. The narrator does an admirable job of distinguishing who and where, but there's only so much that can be described when it comes to such a variegated and futuristic world. At times, I felt like this was riffing from cinematic games like BioShock and the later offerings in the Fallout series, with random interjections in the form of advertisements and warning beacons and literal shows on stage. At the centre of the narrative is a gigantic bash with roots deep in Afro/Black and of course funk+ culture from the present day and near past. Again, I kept wishing to hear it! To see it! To experience it myself! At the same time, I kept wondering where the story was. Like I said, this type of novel is just not for me, as imaginative as the material is.
Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media | Recorded Books for the advance copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media | Recorded Books for the advance copy.
March 3, 2024
Archangels of Funk is packed full of great ideas, vivid world building, and lyrical prose that is rhythmic throughout - I would have loved to have seen it in its original theatrical incarnation, which I didn't know about until the acknowledgements. I can really imagine it working well in this format.
As a novel, it felt ambitious and fresh to me. My only quibble is the pacing - the combination of slow plot progression, coupled with very short chapters, meant that this book took me a very long time to read. I found myself dipping in and out, rather than ploughing through in one sitting - and I worry it may have lost some of its impact because of this.
However, when I was reading, the world felt so real and fully fleshed out. I was attached to all of the characters, no matter how minor - and I loved the Bruja and Scout POV chapters. These brought a brilliant perspective, that was so different from the human characters but, as with the rest of the book, bursting with feeling - particularly love.
Thanks to Tor and Edelweiss for the ARC.
As a novel, it felt ambitious and fresh to me. My only quibble is the pacing - the combination of slow plot progression, coupled with very short chapters, meant that this book took me a very long time to read. I found myself dipping in and out, rather than ploughing through in one sitting - and I worry it may have lost some of its impact because of this.
However, when I was reading, the world felt so real and fully fleshed out. I was attached to all of the characters, no matter how minor - and I loved the Bruja and Scout POV chapters. These brought a brilliant perspective, that was so different from the human characters but, as with the rest of the book, bursting with feeling - particularly love.
Thanks to Tor and Edelweiss for the ARC.
May 10, 2024
Loved that this book focused on characters that are often ignored in sci fi.
The narrators jump from character to character but not in a way that distracts or confuses. Cinnamon is queer, black, and an older woman; and 2 of the other narrators are dogs, one of which is a ghost.
Overall I enjoyed the book. I didn't mind the slow pacing, although I do prefer a bit more action. I did find it a little jarring to read about current technology and social media platforms in a post apocalyptic type book.
The narrator of the audiobook also did a great job with differentiating the characters.
There also was a good amount of singing and rapping (lol) and the narrator didn't make me cringe while listening so that was another plus.
3.5/5 rounding up
The narrators jump from character to character but not in a way that distracts or confuses. Cinnamon is queer, black, and an older woman; and 2 of the other narrators are dogs, one of which is a ghost.
Overall I enjoyed the book. I didn't mind the slow pacing, although I do prefer a bit more action. I did find it a little jarring to read about current technology and social media platforms in a post apocalyptic type book.
The narrator of the audiobook also did a great job with differentiating the characters.
There also was a good amount of singing and rapping (lol) and the narrator didn't make me cringe while listening so that was another plus.
3.5/5 rounding up
May 19, 2024
Reminds me of Nalo Hopkinson in the best way
June 27, 2024
A funky sci-fi adventure with heart and soul. There’s music and performance and magic and ghost dogs and circus bots and inter-dimensional trees and water spirits and adaptive AI. There’s also love and family and loss and the past and the present and the future. These characters are learning and growing and challenging themselves to be better, despite their fears and their past failures. And most of all, they want to be true to themselves, to honor the ancestors who have guided and protected them, to build the kind of future they want to live in, to trust that those around them truly have their backs.
Honestly, there’s so much going on in this book, I’m not sure I can even describe it. It was almost too much for me at times - I had a hard time following how the tech worked, and which characters were the bots and which were the ghosts of those they’d lost. The festival was the main centerpiece of the book, but as someone who has difficulty picturing things when I read, a lot of those rich descriptions of magical beings and leaping dogs and alien spaceships were lost on me. She described the circus bots so many times, but I still can’t picture what they looked like, and I think that’s part of why I was always getting confused.
I enjoyed the rhythmic flow of the songs/raps everyone was continuously inventing and jumping into, which sort of translated into the audiobook, but I wish they flowed smoother or were more clear about whether it was song or rap or spoken word poetry. I wonder if I would have enjoyed it more if I was reading it and could hear it however I wanted?
My favorite parts of the books were the dogs’ perspectives - I loved seeing what they were focused on and how much their loved everyone who was in their circle, and the lengths they’d go to to protect their people. I just wanted to give them a big hug, ear rub, and all the human food they can eat. Much love to Bruja and Spook!
All in all, I would recommend this one to those who enjoy sci-fi, and specifically Afrofuturism. There was a great blending of cultures, from African to indigenous American to German, etc, and it was fascinating to see those influences play out in a futuristic sci-fi environment. If I had any advice, I’d recommend you first read Hairston’s previous Cinnamon Jones book, set during her teenage years. I didn’t realize this was the second in a sort-of series until I was well into the book, and I wonder if that would have helped me understand it a bit more.
“What is the absolute worst you can imagine?” Indigo asked no one in particular. “Besides losing you all? Making no difference whatsoever to this world or the next,” Cinnamon rasped.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.
Honestly, there’s so much going on in this book, I’m not sure I can even describe it. It was almost too much for me at times - I had a hard time following how the tech worked, and which characters were the bots and which were the ghosts of those they’d lost. The festival was the main centerpiece of the book, but as someone who has difficulty picturing things when I read, a lot of those rich descriptions of magical beings and leaping dogs and alien spaceships were lost on me. She described the circus bots so many times, but I still can’t picture what they looked like, and I think that’s part of why I was always getting confused.
I enjoyed the rhythmic flow of the songs/raps everyone was continuously inventing and jumping into, which sort of translated into the audiobook, but I wish they flowed smoother or were more clear about whether it was song or rap or spoken word poetry. I wonder if I would have enjoyed it more if I was reading it and could hear it however I wanted?
My favorite parts of the books were the dogs’ perspectives - I loved seeing what they were focused on and how much their loved everyone who was in their circle, and the lengths they’d go to to protect their people. I just wanted to give them a big hug, ear rub, and all the human food they can eat. Much love to Bruja and Spook!
All in all, I would recommend this one to those who enjoy sci-fi, and specifically Afrofuturism. There was a great blending of cultures, from African to indigenous American to German, etc, and it was fascinating to see those influences play out in a futuristic sci-fi environment. If I had any advice, I’d recommend you first read Hairston’s previous Cinnamon Jones book, set during her teenage years. I didn’t realize this was the second in a sort-of series until I was well into the book, and I wonder if that would have helped me understand it a bit more.
“What is the absolute worst you can imagine?” Indigo asked no one in particular. “Besides losing you all? Making no difference whatsoever to this world or the next,” Cinnamon rasped.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.
February 8, 2025
I was so excited when this book came out. the title is amazing, the story seemed like it would be exactly what I enjoy. It turns out Archangels of Funk: Episodes from the Continuing Drama of Cinnamon Jones, A Scientist, Artiste, and Hoodoo Conjuror, A Novel of What Might Be - is the second in a series, and I did not realize this until I started to review it. Whoops. This book vaguely fit into my water theme as it explores a world after a series of wars over water.
In short, I did not like this novel. I might have liked it more had I read the first, but as it stands, it was essentially a slice of life type novel, where Cinnamon is an older woman getting ready for a festival and interacting with her futuristic neighborhood and a little but haunted by her past. There's lots of action, and a lot of terrifying surveillance and discussion of corporate greed etc, but it almost seemed to be missing essentially a central plot with a beginning, middle and end that I could discern. I felt more like I was reading a series of journal entries with extra dialog than a novel. Perhaps that was the point?
The thing is, there were SO many beautiful references to wonderful music and pop culture that I really wanted to love this, and yet, I just...did not.
in addition... the quotes stuck me as amazing.
"Collect the stars in people's eyes, you'll know which ones are shining for you"
"Trouble is the Fuel you use to burn your way across the sky"
And....
"The most a person can do for another is to believe in them until they come true"
I mean... gorgeous! I keep thinking about those three quotes all the time, with an emphasis on the last one, we really should be believing in people as they claw away at their dreams, but often we just dismiss their hopes as something that's aspirational but not going to happen. Maybe if we believed harder, others could have more success. Maybe not. So while I listened to this one on audio for a whole whopping 15 hours, I think it was worth it just for that one quote.
So.... I did not enjoy this novel, but that does not mean that someone else will have the same reaction!
In short, I did not like this novel. I might have liked it more had I read the first, but as it stands, it was essentially a slice of life type novel, where Cinnamon is an older woman getting ready for a festival and interacting with her futuristic neighborhood and a little but haunted by her past. There's lots of action, and a lot of terrifying surveillance and discussion of corporate greed etc, but it almost seemed to be missing essentially a central plot with a beginning, middle and end that I could discern. I felt more like I was reading a series of journal entries with extra dialog than a novel. Perhaps that was the point?
The thing is, there were SO many beautiful references to wonderful music and pop culture that I really wanted to love this, and yet, I just...did not.
in addition... the quotes stuck me as amazing.
"Collect the stars in people's eyes, you'll know which ones are shining for you"
"Trouble is the Fuel you use to burn your way across the sky"
And....
"The most a person can do for another is to believe in them until they come true"
I mean... gorgeous! I keep thinking about those three quotes all the time, with an emphasis on the last one, we really should be believing in people as they claw away at their dreams, but often we just dismiss their hopes as something that's aspirational but not going to happen. Maybe if we believed harder, others could have more success. Maybe not. So while I listened to this one on audio for a whole whopping 15 hours, I think it was worth it just for that one quote.
So.... I did not enjoy this novel, but that does not mean that someone else will have the same reaction!
May 29, 2024
Audio review: What an interesting book to try to describe. I’d say this is a funky, slice-of-life-ish, hopeful cyberpunk. Hopeful because in the near future after the Water Wars, there is a community bursting with creativity, care, found family and love. In this high tech world where the resources we know now are low there are also haints and spirits and a Boneyard Barron from another universe. The “plot” takes place over a few days when our MCs are trying to prepare for the annual Next World Festival. There are also threats to the community that emerge and drive the book forward.
Overall I was really transported to this community and came to deeply care for it. I was entranced by the writing, especially the dialogue, which often made me feel like I was part of a poetry slam or spoken word performance (possibly especially amplified by January Lavoy’s narration). In some ways Festival is where I was disappointed, because it all felt a bit anti-climactic and was hoping for more on-page pizzazz and magic from the celebration and performances, which were overshadowed by the character goings-on and threats. It’s not a book one gobbles down, but it’s like slowly drinking tea or coffee and being gratified by every sip. I fell in love with Cinnamon, Zaneesha, Spook and Bruja (the latter two are canine friends).
Obviously I’d recommend this for folks who like cyberpunk or post-apocalyptic with high-tech, especially if you don’t want just doom and gloom, but I’d also rec this for the theater kids, artists, poets, funk fans, music fans, or anyone looking for those types of stories that are doing something different and/or influenced by US Southern and African-American culture. I wouldn’t rec this for people who NEED an obvious plot arc or action. I’m rooting for this book to find its audience and curious to see if it ends up on any award nomination lists.
Overall I was really transported to this community and came to deeply care for it. I was entranced by the writing, especially the dialogue, which often made me feel like I was part of a poetry slam or spoken word performance (possibly especially amplified by January Lavoy’s narration). In some ways Festival is where I was disappointed, because it all felt a bit anti-climactic and was hoping for more on-page pizzazz and magic from the celebration and performances, which were overshadowed by the character goings-on and threats. It’s not a book one gobbles down, but it’s like slowly drinking tea or coffee and being gratified by every sip. I fell in love with Cinnamon, Zaneesha, Spook and Bruja (the latter two are canine friends).
Obviously I’d recommend this for folks who like cyberpunk or post-apocalyptic with high-tech, especially if you don’t want just doom and gloom, but I’d also rec this for the theater kids, artists, poets, funk fans, music fans, or anyone looking for those types of stories that are doing something different and/or influenced by US Southern and African-American culture. I wouldn’t rec this for people who NEED an obvious plot arc or action. I’m rooting for this book to find its audience and curious to see if it ends up on any award nomination lists.
May 27, 2024
This is a fun, creative hopepunk story incorporating diverse cultures. I was initially confused about what was happening and which characters were and were not human, but I’m so glad I stuck with it. Be patient and go with the flow and watch the characters and the story unfold.
The characters (human and otherwise) were complex and interesting, and the imagery was vivid. The setting is a dystopian future where economic inequality, environmental problems, and pandemics have caused many people to lose everything, including hope, but Cinnamon Jones and her friends are determined to work together to create a better life. The story includes various mysteries and challenges to be resolved, but the focus is on the characters and their choices more than the plot.
The story is told from multiple points of view, including the dogs and AI circus bots as well as Cinnamon and her friends. I love the ethnic, socioeconomic, religious, gender, and sexual diversity of the characters and watching how they learn to trust each other and work together.
The audiobook production was excellent, and I loved the skillful narration by January LaVoy. She has good pacing and pronunciation, distinctive voices and speech patterns to suit each character, and the ability to convey mood and emotion effectively. Because there’s a musicality to so much of the dialog, it’s wonderful to hear it performed by a talented narrator. I definitely recommend enjoying this story as an audiobook.
I received a free advanced review copy of the audiobook through NetGalley. I volunteered to provide an honest review.
The characters (human and otherwise) were complex and interesting, and the imagery was vivid. The setting is a dystopian future where economic inequality, environmental problems, and pandemics have caused many people to lose everything, including hope, but Cinnamon Jones and her friends are determined to work together to create a better life. The story includes various mysteries and challenges to be resolved, but the focus is on the characters and their choices more than the plot.
The story is told from multiple points of view, including the dogs and AI circus bots as well as Cinnamon and her friends. I love the ethnic, socioeconomic, religious, gender, and sexual diversity of the characters and watching how they learn to trust each other and work together.
The audiobook production was excellent, and I loved the skillful narration by January LaVoy. She has good pacing and pronunciation, distinctive voices and speech patterns to suit each character, and the ability to convey mood and emotion effectively. Because there’s a musicality to so much of the dialog, it’s wonderful to hear it performed by a talented narrator. I definitely recommend enjoying this story as an audiobook.
I received a free advanced review copy of the audiobook through NetGalley. I volunteered to provide an honest review.
May 14, 2024
This book was fun and out of this world in so many ways. I've never been on any sort of "trip" but I certainly hope they can be as wildly imaginative as this book played out. This was my first foray into a world crafted by Ms. Hairston and it will certainly not be my last. I was intrigued from beginning to end by the choice of words, the flow of the prose, and how I was able to picture so much of the setting in my mind,
Ms. Cinnamon has a lot on her plate. Not only is she no longer young and spry any more, She has circus-bots, dogs, farmer, motorcycle faeries, and a host of other people circling around her. Each year, she hosts a "Next World Festival which seems to blend the sci-fi with the intrigues of circus acts and music. She is kind in a gruff sort of way, and she has worked to create a community of inclusion which isn't as ruled by greed as the outside world.
I think my only real question is whether this is a stand alone or if it was meant to be part of a series I was unaware. I did feel a bit lost at times thinking I was missing something and wasn't sure if there was a book before this I should have read.
Overall, I think this book could hit some people in all the right places if they are looking for an incredibly diverse cast of characters , family issues, and cultural inclusion. However, for others, there may be a lot going on, so give it a chance and see what you think of this out of this world sci-fi, dystopian, psychedelic festival of new wave traditions.
Ms. Cinnamon has a lot on her plate. Not only is she no longer young and spry any more, She has circus-bots, dogs, farmer, motorcycle faeries, and a host of other people circling around her. Each year, she hosts a "Next World Festival which seems to blend the sci-fi with the intrigues of circus acts and music. She is kind in a gruff sort of way, and she has worked to create a community of inclusion which isn't as ruled by greed as the outside world.
I think my only real question is whether this is a stand alone or if it was meant to be part of a series I was unaware. I did feel a bit lost at times thinking I was missing something and wasn't sure if there was a book before this I should have read.
Overall, I think this book could hit some people in all the right places if they are looking for an incredibly diverse cast of characters , family issues, and cultural inclusion. However, for others, there may be a lot going on, so give it a chance and see what you think of this out of this world sci-fi, dystopian, psychedelic festival of new wave traditions.
June 3, 2024
The writing style was not the easiest for me to read, and it was really hard to grasp the world building. In reading the acknowledgments, it seems as if these characters were from another book by the author, so maybe if I had read that first it might have been easier here. It also mentioned that this started as several short stories and that makes sense because the plot felt like it was a lot of random ideas cobbled together but missing some cohesiveness.
The writing is lyrical and poetic, but at times it felt almost abstract and I had a difficult time trying to piece together the meaning. There is a lot of repetition and internal thought which isn’t my fav. Cinnamon (the MC) frequently describes herself as having a motor mouth blather or a story storm taking over her tongue, and unfortunately it’s true bc she rambles on and on which was a lot. Formatting wise it was a bit odd as well - random words would be in all caps or italicized but not consistently and it didn’t seem to be for emphasis either. It was distracting for me.
I appreciate the creative story and characters and while it wasn’t the best fit for me, I’d definitely check out some of the author’s other work. Thanks to @tordotcompub for the gifted copy!
The writing is lyrical and poetic, but at times it felt almost abstract and I had a difficult time trying to piece together the meaning. There is a lot of repetition and internal thought which isn’t my fav. Cinnamon (the MC) frequently describes herself as having a motor mouth blather or a story storm taking over her tongue, and unfortunately it’s true bc she rambles on and on which was a lot. Formatting wise it was a bit odd as well - random words would be in all caps or italicized but not consistently and it didn’t seem to be for emphasis either. It was distracting for me.
I appreciate the creative story and characters and while it wasn’t the best fit for me, I’d definitely check out some of the author’s other work. Thanks to @tordotcompub for the gifted copy!
October 9, 2024
“Cinnamon Jones Invites You to an Outdoor Sci-Fi Carnival Jam at the Amphitheatre.” The New World Festival is coming up, and Cinnamon and her three Circus-Bots must get to the Co-op for rehearsal. But with the weight of responsibility for providing shelter to the flood refugees while dealing with threats from the Darknet Lords, nostalgia militia, and desperados, Cinnamon is in a funk. With the help of her friends and the promise to her elders, Cinnamon will make sure that the show goes on.
Archangels of Funk is the latest novel by award-winning author Andrea Hairston. This very original tale is a beautiful mix of cyberpunk and old-world folklore. Or, as Cinnamon elegantly put it, “a blast from the past and a holler at tomorrow.” Hairston’s Afro-futuristic masterpiece combines larger-than-life characters with a near-future landscape that feels very utopian despite the conflicts. This book is a breath of fresh air compared to many near-future works. Hairston’s writing has the rhythm of a solid funk jam combined with her poetic imagery. If this novel were a concert, it would deserve the loudest standing ovation.
this review was originally published at https://portlandbookreview.com/produc...
Archangels of Funk is the latest novel by award-winning author Andrea Hairston. This very original tale is a beautiful mix of cyberpunk and old-world folklore. Or, as Cinnamon elegantly put it, “a blast from the past and a holler at tomorrow.” Hairston’s Afro-futuristic masterpiece combines larger-than-life characters with a near-future landscape that feels very utopian despite the conflicts. This book is a breath of fresh air compared to many near-future works. Hairston’s writing has the rhythm of a solid funk jam combined with her poetic imagery. If this novel were a concert, it would deserve the loudest standing ovation.
this review was originally published at https://portlandbookreview.com/produc...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews