What do you think?
Rate this book
She Drinks the Light
For fans of Sinners and Immortal Dark, a teen girl must uncover her family’s deadly secrets in order to save her best friend and her island in this heart-pounding YA debut.
Addae has spent her whole life on the Golden Isle, a private island off the coast of South Carolina that has been in her family for centuries. Island residents don’t really fraternize with mainlanders, and for good reason. Golden Isle was founded by the Kinfolk, descendants—including Addae and her Nana Ama, the island matriarch—of escaped enslaved Black people.
But the Isle and the Kinfolk have secrets that must be protected from the outside world. Secrets of spirituality, mythology that are deeply rooted in their West African culture, beliefs, and traditions. The Kin are bound to protect the Golden Isle and, in turn, it protects them.
When Addae’s best friend Naria goes missing and one of the Kin turns up drained of blood, Addae's way of life is threatened. It looks like the work of the Adze, West African supernatural beings that drink human blood in order to survive—also known as vampires.
Believing Naira is alive, Addae travels to the mainland. But as Addae gets closer to finding Naria, she uncovers deep secrets about Nana Ama’s past, and about her own… secrets that could change how she feels about the Golden Isle and her lineage.
Torn between two worlds, Addae will have to decide how far she is willing to go—and who she is willing to cross—to save her best friend, and even herself.
Addae has spent her whole life on the Golden Isle, a private island off the coast of South Carolina that has been in her family for centuries. Island residents don’t really fraternize with mainlanders, and for good reason. Golden Isle was founded by the Kinfolk, descendants—including Addae and her Nana Ama, the island matriarch—of escaped enslaved Black people.
But the Isle and the Kinfolk have secrets that must be protected from the outside world. Secrets of spirituality, mythology that are deeply rooted in their West African culture, beliefs, and traditions. The Kin are bound to protect the Golden Isle and, in turn, it protects them.
When Addae’s best friend Naria goes missing and one of the Kin turns up drained of blood, Addae's way of life is threatened. It looks like the work of the Adze, West African supernatural beings that drink human blood in order to survive—also known as vampires.
Believing Naira is alive, Addae travels to the mainland. But as Addae gets closer to finding Naria, she uncovers deep secrets about Nana Ama’s past, and about her own… secrets that could change how she feels about the Golden Isle and her lineage.
Torn between two worlds, Addae will have to decide how far she is willing to go—and who she is willing to cross—to save her best friend, and even herself.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2026
25 people are currently reading
16305 people want to read
About the author
Yasmin Angoe
7 books690 followersYasmin Angoe is an action and psychological suspense thriller author, Library of Virginia People’s Choice Award Fiction Finalist, and Anthony-award nominee of the critically acclaimed Her Name is Knight and Not What She Seems. Her Knight series has been featured in The New York Times, Oprah Daily, The Guardian, PopSugar, and Woman’s World book club, and the series is currently optioned for a feature. Yasmin is the recipient of the 2020 Eleanor Taylor Bland Award for Emerging Writers of Color and has been nominated for the Anthony Awards and the Library of Virginia’s People’s Choice Award. She is a proud member of organizations such as Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Crime Writers of Color, International Thriller Writers, and the Women’s National Book Association. Hailing from Northern Virginia, Yasmin Angoe is a first-generation Ghanaian American and a former English teacher and instructional coach,
She received a Kirkus review calling Her Name Is Knight, “A parable of reclaiming personal and tribal identity by seizing power at all costs".
She received a Kirkus review calling Her Name Is Knight, “A parable of reclaiming personal and tribal identity by seizing power at all costs".
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
October 13, 2025
She Drinks the Light is a book brimming with culture, it is vivid and bright in its descriptions and writing, with just a smidge of romance to make you smile in the middle of feeling the rage for what was done to these people.
We follow a teenage girl as she tries to uncover what happened to her best friend that mysteriously went missing and is now being considered dead while she is sure this isn't true.
The beginning of the book had me, I couldn't stop reading and I was sure I knew where we were headed and boy was I wrong! The book has a big mood shifting at about 60% and I couldn't look away after that until the end, that felt a little rushed I must admit.
I think this book could start a lot of discussions and I desperately need people to read it because I have so much to talk about.
Thank you Netgalley and Feiwel and Friends for the ARC.
We follow a teenage girl as she tries to uncover what happened to her best friend that mysteriously went missing and is now being considered dead while she is sure this isn't true.
The beginning of the book had me, I couldn't stop reading and I was sure I knew where we were headed and boy was I wrong! The book has a big mood shifting at about 60% and I couldn't look away after that until the end, that felt a little rushed I must admit.
I think this book could start a lot of discussions and I desperately need people to read it because I have so much to talk about.
Thank you Netgalley and Feiwel and Friends for the ARC.
March 7, 2026
Addae's life is different—she's grown up off the coast of South Carolina, in something of an enclave. Her grandmother is the most powerful person on the Golden Isle, and Addae is poised to, eventually, take over. But if the Golden Isle is home, and is safe, the outside world is...something else.
Conceptually I love this: pulling from West African mythology; Black characters running the show; an emphasis on friendship and family rather than (as is so common in YA) romance. There's also a tie-in to slavery, and though that part of the book is hard to read it feels like an important part of history to include, not least given the context of the book. Addae is a satisfying character, too; she makes impetuous (teenaged) choices, but she's also really determined and focused when it's about things that count.
Other things I was more ambivalent about. First, I didn't love the surprise . This is part of the Ghanaian mythology used in the book, so I'll give it a pass, but I think I'm just past that part of my YA reading; maybe it's on me for not knowing much about African mythology (or I would have figured it out sooner), but I sort of wish that had been up front in the book description. Second, I'd have loved to know more about that mythology. Addae occasionally drops concepts that aren't fully introduced or explained, and I just wanted to know more. I was fully invested for the first half or so of the book and then lost some steam.
I'm not sure whether related books are planned, but this feels like it could be the start to a series—the main plot is wrapped up, but there are a number of plot points that aren't fully wrapped up, in a way that reads like leaving space open for the future if the author so desires.
3.5 stars; this is something of a departure from my usual reading habits, but intriguing.
Thanks to the author and publisher for inviting me to read a review copy through NetGalley.
Conceptually I love this: pulling from West African mythology; Black characters running the show; an emphasis on friendship and family rather than (as is so common in YA) romance. There's also a tie-in to slavery, and though that part of the book is hard to read it feels like an important part of history to include, not least given the context of the book. Addae is a satisfying character, too; she makes impetuous (teenaged) choices, but she's also really determined and focused when it's about things that count.
Other things I was more ambivalent about. First, I didn't love the surprise . This is part of the Ghanaian mythology used in the book, so I'll give it a pass, but I think I'm just past that part of my YA reading; maybe it's on me for not knowing much about African mythology (or I would have figured it out sooner), but I sort of wish that had been up front in the book description. Second, I'd have loved to know more about that mythology. Addae occasionally drops concepts that aren't fully introduced or explained, and I just wanted to know more. I was fully invested for the first half or so of the book and then lost some steam.
I'm not sure whether related books are planned, but this feels like it could be the start to a series—the main plot is wrapped up, but there are a number of plot points that aren't fully wrapped up, in a way that reads like leaving space open for the future if the author so desires.
3.5 stars; this is something of a departure from my usual reading habits, but intriguing.
Thanks to the author and publisher for inviting me to read a review copy through NetGalley.
February 8, 2026
I genuinely don’t understand the lower ratings, this was sooo enjoyable! It’s rich in culture , personality and mystery, there’s a light romance plot (sapphic) but that’s really not the focus. I was gifted the audio book from netgalley and the narrator did an excellent job with different voices for characters, pronunciation (because I know I probably would have butchered so much) and tone and emotion. I feel like I got a lesson on another culture and to peer into a life experience so different from mine! It really adds a layer of understanding and empathy for others! The story was addictive and I loved the touch of modern mystery, mythology and interesting take on vampires!
October 21, 2025
I tried very hard to get into this story, but I just couldn't. It didn't hold my interest, and I kept getting distracted. I think it was mostly due to the choppy and immature writing style. I was kind of relieved when it was over. I probably would have DNFed if I hadn't been granted a copy from NetGalley. I was honestly quite disappointed because based on the cover and blurb, this is normally a book that would be right up my (book) alley.
Thank you to NetGalley for offering this title in their catalog. The opinions expressed above are entirely my own.
Thank you to NetGalley for offering this title in their catalog. The opinions expressed above are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.25 stars.
I absolutely loved the setting of this story. An island by South Carolina that was founded by former enslaved people who worked the land for generations and passed down their beliefs and traditions? Hell yeah, sign me up!
While I enjoyed this story (the action scenes and monster scenes were great!), I didn't rate this higher because other than the really cool plot twist with the FMC (the midpoint reveal was definitely my favorite part of the novel), this ended up being your typical teens fighting evil type of story. I wanted a lot more lore about the island and its inhabitants. The writing style was also a little too young YA for me.
But despite my complaints, I think this would be a great story for young teens who want to dive into more mature subjects (the legacy of American slavery) in the low fantasy subgenre. The author created a relatable FMC and a really cool supernatural meets history story.
Thank you to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for this arc.
I absolutely loved the setting of this story. An island by South Carolina that was founded by former enslaved people who worked the land for generations and passed down their beliefs and traditions? Hell yeah, sign me up!
While I enjoyed this story (the action scenes and monster scenes were great!), I didn't rate this higher because other than the really cool plot twist with the FMC (the midpoint reveal was definitely my favorite part of the novel), this ended up being your typical teens fighting evil type of story. I wanted a lot more lore about the island and its inhabitants. The writing style was also a little too young YA for me.
But despite my complaints, I think this would be a great story for young teens who want to dive into more mature subjects (the legacy of American slavery) in the low fantasy subgenre. The author created a relatable FMC and a really cool supernatural meets history story.
Thank you to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for this arc.
February 20, 2026
Before we get into anything, I want to say THANK YOU Netgally and the publisher for approving my request of this book! This is my third ARC, and my first ARC in the form of an audiobook :)
Review
-----------------
Age rating: 14+
Language: 4/10 (a wide variety used, but not a lot at all)
Romance: 4/10 (les kissing)
Violence: 4/10 (not bad, but some aspects of vampires and blood sucking and death and missing people)
Trigger warnings: missing people, talk of death, blood, monsters
2.4 stars rounded down
I really, really wanted to love this book. The cover was so, so pretty, and the blurb of wat it was about excited me. However... i was pretty let down. A lot of it is, admittedly, just that it does not have the right story factors for me. I expected a full on romantasy, but what I got was the real world with a touch of vampire.
The characters had phones and were texting and calling each other, and while I do not remember exactly what store, I know the story mentioned something like Walmart. For me, that's a red flag or a novel labeled as fantasy. I hate it when the real world and modern civilization is mixed with 'fantasy.' If a book is fantasy I want castles and sword fights and queens and kings- not real world with iphones and Los Angeles and Disney Land with some vampire/werewolf creature things here and there.
The other big thing that I did not love the story for was how... uh... progressive(?) it was. I don't want to say the wrong words, but... let's just say I like more traditional romantasy and did not think I was signing up for... well, this. I'm going to leave it at that.
PLOT:
If your best friend went missing, how far would you go to save her? What if everyone else deemed her dead but you just knew she could be alive? What if you needed help from others, but they are not exactly the most trustworthy people? What if you lived on a private island and had a family with a secret- that you're not exactly 100% human and are more like a monster on the inside- that you couldn't let loose to save yourself? This is the sticky situation Addae, the main character, is in.
CHARACTERS:
- Addae: the main character. very, uh... defiant, and... yah.
- Hailey: a female character Addae needs help from and is attracted to.
- Naira: Addae's missing best friend.
- Luke: If I understood correctly- forgive me if I'm wrong- this is Naira's brother?
- Nana Ama: Addae's grandmother. Int he audioook, every time i heard this girls name, it sounded like Nanat. And EVERY TIME in my head I heard the scene in avatar where Neytiri is all "we have many fine women. Nanat is a good singer." And Jake is all "well I don't want nanat." Like- ACHAHAHAH.
[image error]
- there are way more characters but frankly i don't remember nor care about them lol
WRITING:
Well, the description and stuff was... well, mediocre. It wasn't too over the top boringly descriptive, but also the descriptions were sometimes lacking to where I had to make up the scenery and stuff in my mind.
OTHER THINGS:
A *HUGE* part of why I only gave this book 2 stars is because of the audiobook. I am pretty sure this is not the author's fault, and must have something to do with the Netgally app, but huge sections of chapters were just dead silent, and the story cut out. then it continued on and I missed like 6 minutes of what happened. Also, the audiobook would say "chapter 48" but on the app it said it was chapter 50. So something definitely screwed up there. The audiobook actually ended mid-sentence, and wasn't over before it said "Thank you for listening to She Drinks the Light!" and some chapters literally started, played for 5 seconds, and moved to the next. So whatever was happening there was weird, and missing a lot of the story is a huge chunk of why I gave this 2.4 stars.
CONCLUSION:
Never judge a book by its cover. The cover is so so so so pretty, and I love it, and the description seemed cool enough, but it was way to contemporary and progressive for my personal preferences. However if the right person finds this, I think they could love it.
thank you again, Netgally and Yasmin Angoe! And this is my honest review! :) THANK YOU! Byeee! 💗💗💗
Pre-read:
My third ARC ever on NetGally! And my first one in the media of an audiobook! The cover of this book is SOOOO pretty! And the description sounds cool enough! I am actually really excited for this! Only thing- I started listening to chapter 1 and not even halfway through it cut out and went silent for the rest of the chapter. So I have no idea what happened in the second part of chapter one, but hopefully the other chapters will have a full audio the whole way through!
Review
-----------------
Age rating: 14+
Language: 4/10 (a wide variety used, but not a lot at all)
Romance: 4/10 (les kissing)
Violence: 4/10 (not bad, but some aspects of vampires and blood sucking and death and missing people)
Trigger warnings: missing people, talk of death, blood, monsters
2.4 stars rounded down
I really, really wanted to love this book. The cover was so, so pretty, and the blurb of wat it was about excited me. However... i was pretty let down. A lot of it is, admittedly, just that it does not have the right story factors for me. I expected a full on romantasy, but what I got was the real world with a touch of vampire.
The characters had phones and were texting and calling each other, and while I do not remember exactly what store, I know the story mentioned something like Walmart. For me, that's a red flag or a novel labeled as fantasy. I hate it when the real world and modern civilization is mixed with 'fantasy.' If a book is fantasy I want castles and sword fights and queens and kings- not real world with iphones and Los Angeles and Disney Land with some vampire/werewolf creature things here and there.
The other big thing that I did not love the story for was how... uh... progressive(?) it was. I don't want to say the wrong words, but... let's just say I like more traditional romantasy and did not think I was signing up for... well, this. I'm going to leave it at that.
PLOT:
If your best friend went missing, how far would you go to save her? What if everyone else deemed her dead but you just knew she could be alive? What if you needed help from others, but they are not exactly the most trustworthy people? What if you lived on a private island and had a family with a secret- that you're not exactly 100% human and are more like a monster on the inside- that you couldn't let loose to save yourself? This is the sticky situation Addae, the main character, is in.
CHARACTERS:
- Addae: the main character. very, uh... defiant, and... yah.
- Hailey: a female character Addae needs help from and is attracted to.
- Naira: Addae's missing best friend.
- Luke: If I understood correctly- forgive me if I'm wrong- this is Naira's brother?
- Nana Ama: Addae's grandmother. Int he audioook, every time i heard this girls name, it sounded like Nanat. And EVERY TIME in my head I heard the scene in avatar where Neytiri is all "we have many fine women. Nanat is a good singer." And Jake is all "well I don't want nanat." Like- ACHAHAHAH.
[image error]
- there are way more characters but frankly i don't remember nor care about them lol
WRITING:
Well, the description and stuff was... well, mediocre. It wasn't too over the top boringly descriptive, but also the descriptions were sometimes lacking to where I had to make up the scenery and stuff in my mind.
OTHER THINGS:
A *HUGE* part of why I only gave this book 2 stars is because of the audiobook. I am pretty sure this is not the author's fault, and must have something to do with the Netgally app, but huge sections of chapters were just dead silent, and the story cut out. then it continued on and I missed like 6 minutes of what happened. Also, the audiobook would say "chapter 48" but on the app it said it was chapter 50. So something definitely screwed up there. The audiobook actually ended mid-sentence, and wasn't over before it said "Thank you for listening to She Drinks the Light!" and some chapters literally started, played for 5 seconds, and moved to the next. So whatever was happening there was weird, and missing a lot of the story is a huge chunk of why I gave this 2.4 stars.
CONCLUSION:
Never judge a book by its cover. The cover is so so so so pretty, and I love it, and the description seemed cool enough, but it was way to contemporary and progressive for my personal preferences. However if the right person finds this, I think they could love it.
thank you again, Netgally and Yasmin Angoe! And this is my honest review! :) THANK YOU! Byeee! 💗💗💗
Pre-read:
My third ARC ever on NetGally! And my first one in the media of an audiobook! The cover of this book is SOOOO pretty! And the description sounds cool enough! I am actually really excited for this! Only thing- I started listening to chapter 1 and not even halfway through it cut out and went silent for the rest of the chapter. So I have no idea what happened in the second part of chapter one, but hopefully the other chapters will have a full audio the whole way through!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
that ending 😭
----
⭐4.5
🌶️0
This engulfs the very heart of what a YA novel is, including all my favorite parts, and giving it a unique and unputdownable storyline. It has a bit of unreliable narration going on, as we are unaware of all the facts when it comes to our main character, which made the twist at the end be a bit more surprising. Especially, given everything that happened leading up to that moment. This book also has a light sapphic romance to it; just starting to dive into it, but giving the relationship solid roots. I listened to the audio of it, and the narrator did a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life!
This book follows Addae, who has spent her whole life on the Golden Isle. But when her friend Naria goes missing, she leaves the isle to go search for her missing friend. However, it leads to more questions and reveals more secrets, and she finds herself, for the first time, lying to the people she has always trusted--and hoping they will forgive her later. If there's a chance her friend is alive and she can bring her back, she will take it.
What You Can Expect:
📖Ancient Conflicts
📖Private Magical Island
📖Vampires
📖Ancestral Powers
📖Budding Sapphic Romance
📖Betrayal and Secrets
Thank you Macmillan Audio, for the ALC
----
⭐4.5
🌶️0
This engulfs the very heart of what a YA novel is, including all my favorite parts, and giving it a unique and unputdownable storyline. It has a bit of unreliable narration going on, as we are unaware of all the facts when it comes to our main character, which made the twist at the end be a bit more surprising. Especially, given everything that happened leading up to that moment. This book also has a light sapphic romance to it; just starting to dive into it, but giving the relationship solid roots. I listened to the audio of it, and the narrator did a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life!
This book follows Addae, who has spent her whole life on the Golden Isle. But when her friend Naria goes missing, she leaves the isle to go search for her missing friend. However, it leads to more questions and reveals more secrets, and she finds herself, for the first time, lying to the people she has always trusted--and hoping they will forgive her later. If there's a chance her friend is alive and she can bring her back, she will take it.
What You Can Expect:
📖Ancient Conflicts
📖Private Magical Island
📖Vampires
📖Ancestral Powers
📖Budding Sapphic Romance
📖Betrayal and Secrets
Thank you Macmillan Audio, for the ALC
December 15, 2025
First, i would like to thank NetGalley, Yasmin Angoe, & Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this ARC.
She Drinks the Light follows Addae as her life gets turned upside down the day her best friend Naira goes missing and she learns that her own family secrets just might be the cause. Will Addae be able to uncover the mystery and find her best friend, whom she still believes to be alive, despite others insisting her friend is gone for good? And can Addae accept that the cause of local mysterious disappearances are from the adze, aka West African vampires?
i think this story was good! i loved how all of the West African culture references are based on real research conducted by the author, and the take on vampires was an interesting one for sure. i think Addae was a decent main character, and i liked the journey she went on as her family secrets were exposed.
However, the parts of this book that didn’t work for me personally were the writing style and language usage. Some sentences felt very choppy and hard to get into, and the author chose to include many pop culture references that personally took me out of the story more than once. I also think the pacing was a little off towards the end; i think the main conflict was resolved quickly in comparison to the rest of the novel, and i would have liked just a bit more action before the abrupt resolution.
But overall, i think this was a good story, and i liked the various tidbits about African culture i learned from reading this.
She Drinks the Light follows Addae as her life gets turned upside down the day her best friend Naira goes missing and she learns that her own family secrets just might be the cause. Will Addae be able to uncover the mystery and find her best friend, whom she still believes to be alive, despite others insisting her friend is gone for good? And can Addae accept that the cause of local mysterious disappearances are from the adze, aka West African vampires?
i think this story was good! i loved how all of the West African culture references are based on real research conducted by the author, and the take on vampires was an interesting one for sure. i think Addae was a decent main character, and i liked the journey she went on as her family secrets were exposed.
However, the parts of this book that didn’t work for me personally were the writing style and language usage. Some sentences felt very choppy and hard to get into, and the author chose to include many pop culture references that personally took me out of the story more than once. I also think the pacing was a little off towards the end; i think the main conflict was resolved quickly in comparison to the rest of the novel, and i would have liked just a bit more action before the abrupt resolution.
But overall, i think this was a good story, and i liked the various tidbits about African culture i learned from reading this.
August 20, 2025
I absolutely CANNOT WAIT!!!!!
March 6, 2026
You think you know vampire stories and then this book drinks the light out of every trope you’ve ever read.🩸✨🌊
Set on the Golden Isle a secluded community off South Carolina rooted in West African spirituality this story blends supernatural horror with a deep exploration of ancestry and legacy. When a friend goes missing and the Adze blood-drinking spirits emerge from myth into reality, Addae is forced to leave her hidden home to uncover a truth far messier than she imagined.
Why I’m obsessed:
✨The Setting: Immersive, atmospheric, and rich with heritage.
✨The Conflict: High-stakes mystery meets "don't go in there!" energy.
✨The Mythology: West African lore used with power and intention.
This isn’t just about monsters in the dark it’s about the stories we inherit and the courage it takes to rewrite them.
✨️Thank you, Toppling Stack Tours, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Yasmin Angoe for sharing She Drinks the Light with me!
❓️Tell me: Would you leave the safety of a hidden homeland to chase a truth that might unravel everything you believe? 🌙🔥
#SheDrinksTheLight #DarkFantasy #VampireLore #Bookstagram #SpeculativeFiction
6 hours ago
Set on the Golden Isle a secluded community off South Carolina rooted in West African spirituality this story blends supernatural horror with a deep exploration of ancestry and legacy. When a friend goes missing and the Adze blood-drinking spirits emerge from myth into reality, Addae is forced to leave her hidden home to uncover a truth far messier than she imagined.
Why I’m obsessed:
✨The Setting: Immersive, atmospheric, and rich with heritage.
✨The Conflict: High-stakes mystery meets "don't go in there!" energy.
✨The Mythology: West African lore used with power and intention.
This isn’t just about monsters in the dark it’s about the stories we inherit and the courage it takes to rewrite them.
✨️Thank you, Toppling Stack Tours, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Yasmin Angoe for sharing She Drinks the Light with me!
❓️Tell me: Would you leave the safety of a hidden homeland to chase a truth that might unravel everything you believe? 🌙🔥
#SheDrinksTheLight #DarkFantasy #VampireLore #Bookstagram #SpeculativeFiction
6 hours ago
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The story was difficult to connect with due to missing chunks of the audio. Some chapters would have upwards of 5 minutes of dead air and would pick up in the middle of a dialogue. With that being said, I found the book interesting enough to either pick up a physical copy or grab another audio file after publication. I would like to know the full story.
While there were missing portions of the audio, I can still say the narrator did a wonderful job. They helped bring depth to the characters and I would have been totally captured by the story if there weren't missing pieces.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
While there were missing portions of the audio, I can still say the narrator did a wonderful job. They helped bring depth to the characters and I would have been totally captured by the story if there weren't missing pieces.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
March 6, 2026
This was a good young adult fantasy. I liked the overall concept of this story, but I did struggle to get into it at first. That being said, the pacing did pick up and the story got more engaging as the book went on. I liked how this book incorporated West African culture and folklore into the story. I loved this book’s atmospheric setting as well as the author’s world building. Overall this was a pretty good read.
Read this if you like:
📖 Atmospheric settings
📖 West African folklore
📖 Vampires
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.
Read this if you like:
📖 Atmospheric settings
📖 West African folklore
📖 Vampires
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.
February 18, 2026
It’s hard to give a review for this book since the audio file I received was missing large parts of it. The idea of this story was great but wasn’t a fan of the writing. It was very choppy and jumped around. We start off with the main character looking for a friend that is missing and her story to find them. The narrator Ashley J Hobbs did a great narration, I did enjoy listening to her.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this arc of this story!
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this arc of this story!
Want to read
May 12, 2025"A Black vampire story inspired by Ghanaian folklore and West African mythology, the book follows a teen girl whose investigation after her best friend goes missing uncovers long-buried family secrets and threatens to destroy the way of life of everyone she loves."
March 5, 2026
**3.5 stars**
Content Warning: violence, death, slavery history, cursing
** I listened to this as an ALC but I also had the ebook arc, and I’m glad I had the ebook because the audiobook had issues and I don’t know if it’s on my end, but many chapters would cut out or skip. Parts of the audio would go silent and come back again. I did mostly listen to it though because I love how the narrator brought the story to life. But for me, this ALC copy wasn’t the best and it was helpful that I had the ebook. **
+ Addae lives on Golden Isle, off the coast of South Carolina and her family’s West African roots are preserved on this island. Her grandmother, her only guardian used to be a slave so she has come a long way to owning her own island. So there is a lot of anger, resentment and a need to protect themselves and the island from mainlanders. But when Addae’s best-friend Naira goes missing, she has to find help on the mainland where she discovers her cousin was involved with a boy, Luke, who’s family was all about collecting artifacts and maybe wanted something from Golden Isle. I think there is a lot of growth for Addae. She didn’t like that Naira wanted to leave the island because she didn’t see any reason to want to be anywhere else, or that she was dating a white boy. But her search for Naira opens her eyes to a lot of things. Also, her relationship with her grandmother is one of respect, but there is a lot of secrets between them that gets revealed in the end.
+ I don’t know much about West African culture, but I did hear some familiar mythological names like Anansi (I used to read my kids the story about Anansi the spider) and Nyame. I kind of got excited that those names were familiar to me and it made me more interested in the story to see what more I could learn about them. Also I didn’t expect the paranormal elements in the story, the vampires and zombies.
~ The first half off the book is slower than the second half. We meet Addae, and see her life on the island with her grandmother and other families. But Naira goes missing, and she goes missing for awhile. It seems people are quick to say she is gone except Addae. So Addae is basically trying to find Naira on her own until she runs into Luke’s sister, Hailey. Still, there doesn’t seem much urgency in finding Naira and except for some stories of strange sighting or going-ons, there are no leads. I found that part slow. But things pick up in the second half because it’s like the story turns in another direction.
~ The ending feels rushed because so many things are revealed and happening at once. I do wish more hints about vampires were dropped earlier in the book.
Final Thoughts:
I love the West African history and heritage that was represented in this story and it also doesn’t shy away from slavery that was part of South Carolina’s past. I do think pacing was an issue, first half went a little too slow but it switches up and picks up but then the ending feels rushed. I really liked the family and vampire elements of the story. I thought Addae had a lot of character growth throughout the book. Definitely check this one out if you are into vampire stories.
Content Warning: violence, death, slavery history, cursing
** I listened to this as an ALC but I also had the ebook arc, and I’m glad I had the ebook because the audiobook had issues and I don’t know if it’s on my end, but many chapters would cut out or skip. Parts of the audio would go silent and come back again. I did mostly listen to it though because I love how the narrator brought the story to life. But for me, this ALC copy wasn’t the best and it was helpful that I had the ebook. **
+ Addae lives on Golden Isle, off the coast of South Carolina and her family’s West African roots are preserved on this island. Her grandmother, her only guardian used to be a slave so she has come a long way to owning her own island. So there is a lot of anger, resentment and a need to protect themselves and the island from mainlanders. But when Addae’s best-friend Naira goes missing, she has to find help on the mainland where she discovers her cousin was involved with a boy, Luke, who’s family was all about collecting artifacts and maybe wanted something from Golden Isle. I think there is a lot of growth for Addae. She didn’t like that Naira wanted to leave the island because she didn’t see any reason to want to be anywhere else, or that she was dating a white boy. But her search for Naira opens her eyes to a lot of things. Also, her relationship with her grandmother is one of respect, but there is a lot of secrets between them that gets revealed in the end.
+ I don’t know much about West African culture, but I did hear some familiar mythological names like Anansi (I used to read my kids the story about Anansi the spider) and Nyame. I kind of got excited that those names were familiar to me and it made me more interested in the story to see what more I could learn about them. Also I didn’t expect the paranormal elements in the story, the vampires and zombies.
~ The first half off the book is slower than the second half. We meet Addae, and see her life on the island with her grandmother and other families. But Naira goes missing, and she goes missing for awhile. It seems people are quick to say she is gone except Addae. So Addae is basically trying to find Naira on her own until she runs into Luke’s sister, Hailey. Still, there doesn’t seem much urgency in finding Naira and except for some stories of strange sighting or going-ons, there are no leads. I found that part slow. But things pick up in the second half because it’s like the story turns in another direction.
~ The ending feels rushed because so many things are revealed and happening at once. I do wish more hints about vampires were dropped earlier in the book.
Final Thoughts:
I love the West African history and heritage that was represented in this story and it also doesn’t shy away from slavery that was part of South Carolina’s past. I do think pacing was an issue, first half went a little too slow but it switches up and picks up but then the ending feels rushed. I really liked the family and vampire elements of the story. I thought Addae had a lot of character growth throughout the book. Definitely check this one out if you are into vampire stories.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
In “She Drinks the Light,” Yasmin Angoe explores supernatural mythology, family secrets, and emotional coming-of-age in a YA fantasy that feels both deeply rooted and refreshingly original. The story follows Addae who has grown up on the secluded Golden Isle off the coast of South Carolina in an enclave shaped by West African traditions, history, and lingering power. Her grandmother Nana Ama is the island’s formidable leader, and Addae is expected to inherit that mantle one day. But her life is thrown into turmoil when her best friend Naira disappears, setting Addae on a journey that forces her to confront both the outside world and the buried truths in her own family.
Once Addae crosses to the mainland in search of Naira, the story widens into a tale of loyalty and self-discovery. Her determination to believe her friend is still alive despite others insisting otherwise grounds the book emotionally, drawing you through mysteries involving the Endowment, a secretive organization whose influence complicates Addae’s mission. Her interactions with Hailey, the leader’s niece, offer welcome depth and tenderness, adding nuance without overshadowing the story’s central focus on friendship and identity. Angoe also brings in a bold reinterpretation of Ghanaian folklore, particularly the adze, which is the vampiric force behind local disappearances, and gives the supernatural elements real texture and significance.
One of the story’s greatest strengths is how it balances cultural specificity with accessibility. I really liked how Angoe’s research enriches the story as it offers glimpses into West African beliefs, history, and language without feeling overwhelming. There’s a palpable sense of heritage and weight here: the book does not shy away from the legacy of slavery or the responsibilities that accompany inherited power. Addae’s choices feel fully earned as they’re rash at times, but always driven by heart and conviction.
That said, “She Drinks the Light” had choppy writing at times and the pop culture references were occasionally distracting. Also, I felt that the rich setup deserved a more expansive conclusion. The ending wraps up key threads, but quickly, enough that the ending makes me wonder if this may be the start of a series, especially with lingering questions and unresolved worldbuilding.
Still, the journey leaves an impact. Addae’s growth, like her resilience, doubt, and hard-won clarity, anchors a story that blends atmospheric fantasy with emotional resonance. The twists land, the stakes feel personal, and the mythology hums beneath every page, even though I wish they could linger in it longer.
Overall, “She Drinks the Light” is an immersive, culturally rich fantasy about courage, connection, and the cost of truth. Even with some uneven pacing, it offers a compelling story that lingers and leaves just enough room for more light to be revealed.
In “She Drinks the Light,” Yasmin Angoe explores supernatural mythology, family secrets, and emotional coming-of-age in a YA fantasy that feels both deeply rooted and refreshingly original. The story follows Addae who has grown up on the secluded Golden Isle off the coast of South Carolina in an enclave shaped by West African traditions, history, and lingering power. Her grandmother Nana Ama is the island’s formidable leader, and Addae is expected to inherit that mantle one day. But her life is thrown into turmoil when her best friend Naira disappears, setting Addae on a journey that forces her to confront both the outside world and the buried truths in her own family.
Once Addae crosses to the mainland in search of Naira, the story widens into a tale of loyalty and self-discovery. Her determination to believe her friend is still alive despite others insisting otherwise grounds the book emotionally, drawing you through mysteries involving the Endowment, a secretive organization whose influence complicates Addae’s mission. Her interactions with Hailey, the leader’s niece, offer welcome depth and tenderness, adding nuance without overshadowing the story’s central focus on friendship and identity. Angoe also brings in a bold reinterpretation of Ghanaian folklore, particularly the adze, which is the vampiric force behind local disappearances, and gives the supernatural elements real texture and significance.
One of the story’s greatest strengths is how it balances cultural specificity with accessibility. I really liked how Angoe’s research enriches the story as it offers glimpses into West African beliefs, history, and language without feeling overwhelming. There’s a palpable sense of heritage and weight here: the book does not shy away from the legacy of slavery or the responsibilities that accompany inherited power. Addae’s choices feel fully earned as they’re rash at times, but always driven by heart and conviction.
That said, “She Drinks the Light” had choppy writing at times and the pop culture references were occasionally distracting. Also, I felt that the rich setup deserved a more expansive conclusion. The ending wraps up key threads, but quickly, enough that the ending makes me wonder if this may be the start of a series, especially with lingering questions and unresolved worldbuilding.
Still, the journey leaves an impact. Addae’s growth, like her resilience, doubt, and hard-won clarity, anchors a story that blends atmospheric fantasy with emotional resonance. The twists land, the stakes feel personal, and the mythology hums beneath every page, even though I wish they could linger in it longer.
Overall, “She Drinks the Light” is an immersive, culturally rich fantasy about courage, connection, and the cost of truth. Even with some uneven pacing, it offers a compelling story that lingers and leaves just enough room for more light to be revealed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📚She Drinks the Light
✍🏻Yasmin Angoe
Blurb:
For fans of Sinners and Immortal Dark, a teen girl must uncover her family’s deadly secrets in order to save her best friend and her island in this heart-pounding YA debut.
Addae has spent her whole life on the Golden Isle, a private island off the coast of South Carolina that has been in her family for centuries. Island residents don’t really fraternize with mainlanders, and for good reason. Golden Isle was founded by the Kinfolk, descendants—including Addae and her Nana Ama, the island matriarch—of escaped enslaved Black people.
But the Isle and the Kinfolk have secrets that must be protected from the outside world. Secrets of spirituality, mythology that are deeply rooted in their West African culture, beliefs, and traditions. The Kin are bound to protect the Golden Isle and, in turn, it protects them.
When Addae’s best friend Naria goes missing and one of the Kin turns up drained of blood, Addae's way of life is threatened. It looks like the work of the Adze, West African supernatural beings that drink human blood in order to survive—also known as vampires.
Believing Naira is alive, Addae travels to the mainland. But as Addae gets closer to finding Naria, she uncovers deep secrets about Nana Ama’s past, and about her own… secrets that could change how she feels about the Golden Isle and her lineage.
Torn between two worlds, Addae will have to decide how far she is willing to go—and who she is willing to cross—to save her best friend, and even herself.
My Thoughts:
Suspenseful and steeped in supernatural lore, She Drinks the Light pulled me in from the first chapter. Set on a private island in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, the story follows Addae and her Kinfolk, a private community devoted to protecting their traditions and way of life from outsiders. When Addae’s best friend disappears and another member of the community is found drained of blood, she is forced to leave the safety of the island and search for answers on the mainland, only to uncover dangerous truths about her family and the origins of their power. This book follows Addae, who has spent her whole life on the Golden Isle. But when her friend Naria goes missing, she leaves the isle to go search for her missing friend. However, it leads to more questions and reveals more secrets, and she finds herself, for the first time, lying to the people she has always trusted--and hoping they will forgive her later. If there's a chance her friend is alive and she can bring her back, she will take it.This story is mysterious and somewhat creepy at times with a plot twist that I didn’t see coming.
Thanks NetGalley, Feiwel & Friends Publishing and Author Yasmin Angoe for the complimentary copy of "She Drinks the Light" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#Feiwel&FriendsPublishing
#YasminAngoe
#SheDrinkstheLight
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Yasmin Angoe
Blurb:
For fans of Sinners and Immortal Dark, a teen girl must uncover her family’s deadly secrets in order to save her best friend and her island in this heart-pounding YA debut.
Addae has spent her whole life on the Golden Isle, a private island off the coast of South Carolina that has been in her family for centuries. Island residents don’t really fraternize with mainlanders, and for good reason. Golden Isle was founded by the Kinfolk, descendants—including Addae and her Nana Ama, the island matriarch—of escaped enslaved Black people.
But the Isle and the Kinfolk have secrets that must be protected from the outside world. Secrets of spirituality, mythology that are deeply rooted in their West African culture, beliefs, and traditions. The Kin are bound to protect the Golden Isle and, in turn, it protects them.
When Addae’s best friend Naria goes missing and one of the Kin turns up drained of blood, Addae's way of life is threatened. It looks like the work of the Adze, West African supernatural beings that drink human blood in order to survive—also known as vampires.
Believing Naira is alive, Addae travels to the mainland. But as Addae gets closer to finding Naria, she uncovers deep secrets about Nana Ama’s past, and about her own… secrets that could change how she feels about the Golden Isle and her lineage.
Torn between two worlds, Addae will have to decide how far she is willing to go—and who she is willing to cross—to save her best friend, and even herself.
My Thoughts:
Suspenseful and steeped in supernatural lore, She Drinks the Light pulled me in from the first chapter. Set on a private island in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, the story follows Addae and her Kinfolk, a private community devoted to protecting their traditions and way of life from outsiders. When Addae’s best friend disappears and another member of the community is found drained of blood, she is forced to leave the safety of the island and search for answers on the mainland, only to uncover dangerous truths about her family and the origins of their power. This book follows Addae, who has spent her whole life on the Golden Isle. But when her friend Naria goes missing, she leaves the isle to go search for her missing friend. However, it leads to more questions and reveals more secrets, and she finds herself, for the first time, lying to the people she has always trusted--and hoping they will forgive her later. If there's a chance her friend is alive and she can bring her back, she will take it.This story is mysterious and somewhat creepy at times with a plot twist that I didn’t see coming.
Thanks NetGalley, Feiwel & Friends Publishing and Author Yasmin Angoe for the complimentary copy of "She Drinks the Light" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#Feiwel&FriendsPublishing
#YasminAngoe
#SheDrinkstheLight
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 4, 2026
If you are a fan of the atmospheric, culturally rich vibes of Sinners, Yasmin Angoe's She Drinks the Light needs to be on your radar. Set against the moody, Southern Gothic backdrop of Charleston, SC, this book delivers an astoundingly vibrant culture and a genuinely beautiful story for a solid 3.5 ⭐️ (rounded up) read!
Rather than relying on mainstream supernatural tropes, Angoe breathes new life into the genre by seamlessly weaving in rich West African folklore. The story anchors its magic in a compelling twist surrounding the main character’s lineage, creating a deep, unbreakable tie between her existence and the community she hails from. The result is a vibrant community, a beautifully crafted narrative, and a thrilling plot twist.
Beyond its striking world-building, the novel truly shines through its profound thematic depth and character dynamics. Angoe delivers a sharp, poignant commentary on how systemic racism persists in United States culture, illustrating it as a tangible, insidious barrier to both justice and healing for the marginalized communities most affected. This social commentary beautifully mirrors the story's overarching exploration of Community versus Identity – a nuanced look at how our surroundings, history, and people shape us, even when those external expectations clash heavily with our own internal sense of self. Woven through these thought-provoking themes is a tender sapphic romance subplot that adds a vital layer of emotional vulnerability and humanity to the story.
The absolute best way to consume this atmospheric tale is undoubtedly through the audiobook edition. The narrator delivers a phenomenal performance that elevates the material, making the Charleston setting and the characters' complex emotions feel real and lived-in. However, the reason this novel ultimately sits at 3.5 stars rather than a higher rating comes down to its execution in the final act. As the story hurdles toward its conclusion, the intricate plot threads become deeply integrated together, which left me to do some mental gymnastics to keep track of how the lore and conflicts actually resolve. Despite the feeling that I stumbled slightly at the finish line, it remains a fresh, unique paranormal read that is absolutely worth picking up or listening to!
🌙 Perfect for fans of “Sinners”
🌙 West African Folklore
🌙 Southern Gothic setting (Charleston, SC)
🌙 Themes of systemic racism, community vs. identity, and tradition
🌙 Sapphic sub-plot
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and the author for a thrilling ARC in return for my honest thoughts!
Rather than relying on mainstream supernatural tropes, Angoe breathes new life into the genre by seamlessly weaving in rich West African folklore. The story anchors its magic in a compelling twist surrounding the main character’s lineage, creating a deep, unbreakable tie between her existence and the community she hails from. The result is a vibrant community, a beautifully crafted narrative, and a thrilling plot twist.
Beyond its striking world-building, the novel truly shines through its profound thematic depth and character dynamics. Angoe delivers a sharp, poignant commentary on how systemic racism persists in United States culture, illustrating it as a tangible, insidious barrier to both justice and healing for the marginalized communities most affected. This social commentary beautifully mirrors the story's overarching exploration of Community versus Identity – a nuanced look at how our surroundings, history, and people shape us, even when those external expectations clash heavily with our own internal sense of self. Woven through these thought-provoking themes is a tender sapphic romance subplot that adds a vital layer of emotional vulnerability and humanity to the story.
The absolute best way to consume this atmospheric tale is undoubtedly through the audiobook edition. The narrator delivers a phenomenal performance that elevates the material, making the Charleston setting and the characters' complex emotions feel real and lived-in. However, the reason this novel ultimately sits at 3.5 stars rather than a higher rating comes down to its execution in the final act. As the story hurdles toward its conclusion, the intricate plot threads become deeply integrated together, which left me to do some mental gymnastics to keep track of how the lore and conflicts actually resolve. Despite the feeling that I stumbled slightly at the finish line, it remains a fresh, unique paranormal read that is absolutely worth picking up or listening to!
🌙 Perfect for fans of “Sinners”
🌙 West African Folklore
🌙 Southern Gothic setting (Charleston, SC)
🌙 Themes of systemic racism, community vs. identity, and tradition
🌙 Sapphic sub-plot
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and the author for a thrilling ARC in return for my honest thoughts!
March 6, 2026
She Drinks the Light is a West African inspired fantasy story centered on magic, identity, and navigating family expectations.
——————————————
Unfortunately, this one really didn’t work for me.
Very early on I was already struggling with the writing style. Certain word choices and repetition in phrasing pulled me out of the story immediately, and while the opening chapters had moments that intrigued me, I often found myself more confused about the rules of the world than invested in them.
There were a few moments that I did enjoy. The graduation scene early in the book particularly stood out to me and emotionally resonated. The main character’s longing to hear her small family cheering her name felt very real and reminded me of similar feelings from my own graduation. It was the only moment where I felt genuinely connected to the story.
Unfortunately, that connection didn’t last long and I struggled a lot with the main character. Her reactions to situations, particularly involving her friend early in the book, felt overly immature and frustrating. She also often framed her personal “growth” in a way that felt self-congratulatory, which made it difficult for me to root for her. I was hoping this would turn into meaningful character development but unfortunately I don’t feel like there was much change other than a few moments where she felt regretful of her actions.
The plot itself had moments that briefly pulled my interest back in, particularly when a body washes up on shore and hints at a larger mystery. There were also moments where we saw the emotional weight of expectations placed on the main character regarding her grandmother, and those scenes did make me empathize with Ada.
The strangest part to me was that the story continued to introduce major elements very late in the narrative. Discoveries about the main character’s identity and abilities appear far into the book, with each new reveal feeling confusing and jarring. Instead of adding depth, these twists made the story feel increasingly overcomplicated and unbelievable and by the final stretch I found myself ready for the book to just end.
While the premise has interesting ideas and a few emotional moments, the execution ultimately didn’t work for me. I struggled to connect with the characters, the world-building felt uneven, and the late reveals made the story feel chaotic and unorganized.
——————————————
Unfortunately, this one really didn’t work for me.
Very early on I was already struggling with the writing style. Certain word choices and repetition in phrasing pulled me out of the story immediately, and while the opening chapters had moments that intrigued me, I often found myself more confused about the rules of the world than invested in them.
There were a few moments that I did enjoy. The graduation scene early in the book particularly stood out to me and emotionally resonated. The main character’s longing to hear her small family cheering her name felt very real and reminded me of similar feelings from my own graduation. It was the only moment where I felt genuinely connected to the story.
Unfortunately, that connection didn’t last long and I struggled a lot with the main character. Her reactions to situations, particularly involving her friend early in the book, felt overly immature and frustrating. She also often framed her personal “growth” in a way that felt self-congratulatory, which made it difficult for me to root for her. I was hoping this would turn into meaningful character development but unfortunately I don’t feel like there was much change other than a few moments where she felt regretful of her actions.
The plot itself had moments that briefly pulled my interest back in, particularly when a body washes up on shore and hints at a larger mystery. There were also moments where we saw the emotional weight of expectations placed on the main character regarding her grandmother, and those scenes did make me empathize with Ada.
The strangest part to me was that the story continued to introduce major elements very late in the narrative. Discoveries about the main character’s identity and abilities appear far into the book, with each new reveal feeling confusing and jarring. Instead of adding depth, these twists made the story feel increasingly overcomplicated and unbelievable and by the final stretch I found myself ready for the book to just end.
While the premise has interesting ideas and a few emotional moments, the execution ultimately didn’t work for me. I struggled to connect with the characters, the world-building felt uneven, and the late reveals made the story feel chaotic and unorganized.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Let me just say this first: the atmosphere in this book?
Thick. Lush. Protective. Like the island itself is watching you. 🌴👀
Addae has grown up on Golden Isle which is a private island off South Carolina founded by descendants of escaped enslaved people. The Kinfolk don’t mix with mainlanders, and they definitely don’t spill their secrets. Their spirituality, their lineage, their power? Protected at all costs.
And then Addae’s best friend Naria goes missing.
And a member of the Kin turns up drained of blood.
We’re talking Adze. West African vampiric folklore.
Not sparkly. Not romanticized. Ancient. Hungry. Dangerous. 🩸
What I loved most is how rooted this story feels in culture. The West African mythology isn’t just aesthetic it’s the backbone.
The weight of ancestry.
The pressure of legacy.
The expectation that Addae will one day inherit leadership from her Nana Ama? That tension runs deep.
There’s a shift about halfway through that completely changes the game. I thought I knew where this was going. I absolutely did not. And once the story pivots, I could not put it down.
It’s not romance heavy (there’s a light sapphic thread that’s sweet but not center stage), because this is really about loyalty, lineage, and asking: what happens when the people who raised you aren’t telling you the full truth?
Addae isn’t perfect. She’s impulsive. Protective. Stubborn in that “I will burn this down for my best friend” kind of way. And I respect it.
The book dives into some heavy themes... inherited trauma, generational silence, the cost of protection but it never feels preachy. It feels urgent.
And there’s something powerful about this line of thought that hums under the surface:
What if the monsters we fear are the ones guarding us?
The ending moved quickly, I won’t lie...I wanted just a little more breathing room with some of the emotional fallout.
But the impact? Still there.
If you love:
🌴 moody island settings
🩸 folklore rooted vampire mythology
🔥 generational secrets
👯♀️ ride or die friendship
🖤 culturally rich YA fantasy
This one deserves attention.
It’s atmospheric. It’s layered. It’s protective in the way daughters of powerful women often are.
Thick. Lush. Protective. Like the island itself is watching you. 🌴👀
Addae has grown up on Golden Isle which is a private island off South Carolina founded by descendants of escaped enslaved people. The Kinfolk don’t mix with mainlanders, and they definitely don’t spill their secrets. Their spirituality, their lineage, their power? Protected at all costs.
And then Addae’s best friend Naria goes missing.
And a member of the Kin turns up drained of blood.
We’re talking Adze. West African vampiric folklore.
Not sparkly. Not romanticized. Ancient. Hungry. Dangerous. 🩸
What I loved most is how rooted this story feels in culture. The West African mythology isn’t just aesthetic it’s the backbone.
The weight of ancestry.
The pressure of legacy.
The expectation that Addae will one day inherit leadership from her Nana Ama? That tension runs deep.
There’s a shift about halfway through that completely changes the game. I thought I knew where this was going. I absolutely did not. And once the story pivots, I could not put it down.
It’s not romance heavy (there’s a light sapphic thread that’s sweet but not center stage), because this is really about loyalty, lineage, and asking: what happens when the people who raised you aren’t telling you the full truth?
Addae isn’t perfect. She’s impulsive. Protective. Stubborn in that “I will burn this down for my best friend” kind of way. And I respect it.
The book dives into some heavy themes... inherited trauma, generational silence, the cost of protection but it never feels preachy. It feels urgent.
And there’s something powerful about this line of thought that hums under the surface:
What if the monsters we fear are the ones guarding us?
The ending moved quickly, I won’t lie...I wanted just a little more breathing room with some of the emotional fallout.
But the impact? Still there.
If you love:
🌴 moody island settings
🩸 folklore rooted vampire mythology
🔥 generational secrets
👯♀️ ride or die friendship
🖤 culturally rich YA fantasy
This one deserves attention.
It’s atmospheric. It’s layered. It’s protective in the way daughters of powerful women often are.
March 7, 2026
3.5/5
A private island founded by descendants of escaped enslaved people, with its own rules, traditions, and supernatural protections. I was immediately intrigued. I loved how the story centers West African mythology instead of defaulting to the usual European monster lore. I also really appreciated the themes woven into the plot: assimilation, stolen artifacts, and what it means to protect culture while still advancing it.
Addae is an interesting narrator to follow, though she isn’t always forthcoming with the reader. There’s a layer of withheld information that means when the midpoint twist finally lands, it completely recontextualizes much of what came before. I genuinely had to pause for a moment to process it, and it ended up being my favorite moment in the entire book. It shifts how you view Addae and the larger story in a really satisfying way. The bit of a sapphic romance was another highlight.
That said, the ending felt rushed compared to how carefully the rest of the book unfolds. I was so invested in the mystery and the emotional stakes that I wanted more space for the resolution; more time to sit with the fallout of everything that’s revealed. The book also reads on the younger side at times, especially with how quickly certain conflicts wrap up. It didn’t ruin the experience for me, but it did leave me wishing for a little more depth and darkness.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. The world-building pulled me in immediately, the cultural elements felt meaningful and refreshing within the fantasy genre, and that mid-book reveal completely worked on me. Even with a rushed finale (imo), She Drinks the Light is an engaging YA fantasy that blends mythology, mystery, and identity.
I also think the narrator did a fantastic job in the audiobook. Highly recommend that version.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Storygram Tours, and Fierce Reads for the complimentary copy and the author for the opportunity to read and review. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
A private island founded by descendants of escaped enslaved people, with its own rules, traditions, and supernatural protections. I was immediately intrigued. I loved how the story centers West African mythology instead of defaulting to the usual European monster lore. I also really appreciated the themes woven into the plot: assimilation, stolen artifacts, and what it means to protect culture while still advancing it.
Addae is an interesting narrator to follow, though she isn’t always forthcoming with the reader. There’s a layer of withheld information that means when the midpoint twist finally lands, it completely recontextualizes much of what came before. I genuinely had to pause for a moment to process it, and it ended up being my favorite moment in the entire book. It shifts how you view Addae and the larger story in a really satisfying way. The bit of a sapphic romance was another highlight.
That said, the ending felt rushed compared to how carefully the rest of the book unfolds. I was so invested in the mystery and the emotional stakes that I wanted more space for the resolution; more time to sit with the fallout of everything that’s revealed. The book also reads on the younger side at times, especially with how quickly certain conflicts wrap up. It didn’t ruin the experience for me, but it did leave me wishing for a little more depth and darkness.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. The world-building pulled me in immediately, the cultural elements felt meaningful and refreshing within the fantasy genre, and that mid-book reveal completely worked on me. Even with a rushed finale (imo), She Drinks the Light is an engaging YA fantasy that blends mythology, mystery, and identity.
I also think the narrator did a fantastic job in the audiobook. Highly recommend that version.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Storygram Tours, and Fierce Reads for the complimentary copy and the author for the opportunity to read and review. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
She Drinks the Light is a spectacular YA novel that tackles mythology, supernatural elements and folklore told through the lens of Addae, a descendent of enslaved people who escaped and came to their island years before her.
Upheld by ancient West African culture, the island protects the Kinfolk, and the Kinfolk in turn protect the Isle. When Addae's friend Naira goes missing, Nana Ma wants her to let it go, but Addae must at least try to search for her. Her investigation leads to her discovery of secrets she wasn't previously aware of with the Isle, her Kin, and her Nana Ma, and culminates in a greater understanding of herself.
It's worth going into it with only that much knowledge, because the reveals are well paced, and fun to discover on your own. I loved how Angoe interwove West African culture, spirituality, and her own take on a popular fantasy figure into this mysterious, supernatural coming of age tale. My fingers are also crossed that this becomes a series, because I need more of Addae's story!
Ashley J Hobbs has become one of my favorite narrators, and her performance is this story really brought Addae and the Isle to life!
Fans of supernatural elements mixed with history in YA like The Sundown Girls by L. S. Stratton will love this one.
And if The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones was a little too heavy and dark, She Drinks the Light is a much more accessible companion that also uses supernatural elements to discuss historic oppression.
Upheld by ancient West African culture, the island protects the Kinfolk, and the Kinfolk in turn protect the Isle. When Addae's friend Naira goes missing, Nana Ma wants her to let it go, but Addae must at least try to search for her. Her investigation leads to her discovery of secrets she wasn't previously aware of with the Isle, her Kin, and her Nana Ma, and culminates in a greater understanding of herself.
It's worth going into it with only that much knowledge, because the reveals are well paced, and fun to discover on your own. I loved how Angoe interwove West African culture, spirituality, and her own take on a popular fantasy figure into this mysterious, supernatural coming of age tale. My fingers are also crossed that this becomes a series, because I need more of Addae's story!
Ashley J Hobbs has become one of my favorite narrators, and her performance is this story really brought Addae and the Isle to life!
Fans of supernatural elements mixed with history in YA like The Sundown Girls by L. S. Stratton will love this one.
And if The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones was a little too heavy and dark, She Drinks the Light is a much more accessible companion that also uses supernatural elements to discuss historic oppression.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An advance copy was provided to me for free by the publisher.
Suspenseful and steeped in supernatural lore, She Drinks the Light pulled me in from the first chapter. Set on a private island in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, the story follows Addae and her Kinfolk, a private community devoted to protecting their traditions and way of life from outsiders. When Addae’s best friend disappears and another member of the community is found drained of blood, she is forced to leave the safety of the island and search for answers on the mainland, only to uncover dangerous truths about her family and the origins of their power.
What I loved most was how Angoe blends West African spirituality and myth with modern fantasy and suspense. The island itself feels alive with history and purpose, founded by formerly enslaved people as a refuge from violence, and the story thoughtfully explores the tension between preserving that legacy and the pressure placed on the next generation to remain and protect it. As the stakes rise, the plot balances action and emotional revelations, especially as Addae races to save her friend while confronting secrets that challenge everything she thought she knew.
🎧 Audiobook Commentary:
Narrated by Ashley J. Hobbs, the audiobook allows you to immerse yourself in the tension and action effortlessly. Her delivery captures both the urgency of Addae’s search and the layered mystery surrounding the Kinfolk, making it easy to stay immersed through every twist and revelation.
Suspenseful and steeped in supernatural lore, She Drinks the Light pulled me in from the first chapter. Set on a private island in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, the story follows Addae and her Kinfolk, a private community devoted to protecting their traditions and way of life from outsiders. When Addae’s best friend disappears and another member of the community is found drained of blood, she is forced to leave the safety of the island and search for answers on the mainland, only to uncover dangerous truths about her family and the origins of their power.
What I loved most was how Angoe blends West African spirituality and myth with modern fantasy and suspense. The island itself feels alive with history and purpose, founded by formerly enslaved people as a refuge from violence, and the story thoughtfully explores the tension between preserving that legacy and the pressure placed on the next generation to remain and protect it. As the stakes rise, the plot balances action and emotional revelations, especially as Addae races to save her friend while confronting secrets that challenge everything she thought she knew.
🎧 Audiobook Commentary:
Narrated by Ashley J. Hobbs, the audiobook allows you to immerse yourself in the tension and action effortlessly. Her delivery captures both the urgency of Addae’s search and the layered mystery surrounding the Kinfolk, making it easy to stay immersed through every twist and revelation.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I won this book from a goodreads giveaway. I am very grateful for the opportunity and to have received an ARC of this book. This is an honest review.
I hadn’t realized this book was more geared towards teens so I gave it to my fantasy loving 16 year old sister, this is her review:
I really liked this book. I loved the characters, and the magic was really cool. I do have some notes, however. The dialogue was kind of weird, there were times when quotation marks were placed in a weird way, making it hard to tell who was talking and when. Also, the descriptive language was not great. There were times when I had no idea what was happening, but my biggest critique is this: for half the story I had completely forgotten that Addae was trying to save Naira. It felt like a smaller irrelevant part of the story and when Addae and Naira reunited, they barely spoke to each other. I kept waiting for them to make up or at least acknowledge their fight, but it never happened. Also, the ending was a little unsatisfying, sure, the villain was defeated, but that scene felt anticlimactic. Not only that, but it wasn’t as emotional as I’d hoped. Addae seemed to have no problem with killing a member of her family. Despite these problems, I loved the book. I love Addae’s personality and thought her powers were really cool. I wish I could have seen more from Addae’s adze side.
I hadn’t realized this book was more geared towards teens so I gave it to my fantasy loving 16 year old sister, this is her review:
I really liked this book. I loved the characters, and the magic was really cool. I do have some notes, however. The dialogue was kind of weird, there were times when quotation marks were placed in a weird way, making it hard to tell who was talking and when. Also, the descriptive language was not great. There were times when I had no idea what was happening, but my biggest critique is this: for half the story I had completely forgotten that Addae was trying to save Naira. It felt like a smaller irrelevant part of the story and when Addae and Naira reunited, they barely spoke to each other. I kept waiting for them to make up or at least acknowledge their fight, but it never happened. Also, the ending was a little unsatisfying, sure, the villain was defeated, but that scene felt anticlimactic. Not only that, but it wasn’t as emotional as I’d hoped. Addae seemed to have no problem with killing a member of her family. Despite these problems, I loved the book. I love Addae’s personality and thought her powers were really cool. I wish I could have seen more from Addae’s adze side.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and MacMillan Children's for the e-ARC!
I am aware that what I read wasn an ARC. However, this book needed another round of series line and developmental editing before publication was discussed. It's truly a shame as the premise for this story was fantastic. With more time and attention to detail, 'She Drinks the Light' could have been truly special.
Unfortunately, the world building was half baked and not fleshed out. The plot was just a hot mess. We meandered for the first 2/3 of the book and then had two twists back to back that came out of left field with zero set up. The character work was semi-decent but our main character felt like a passive observer in her own story. And there was a romance? Sort of? With zero chemistry? And the line by line prose needed serious work as it was quite clumsy and repetitive. (Why do authors feel the need to repetitively spell out a character's thought patterns or emotions instead of letting the reader pick up on context clues? It's my biggest pet peeve in literature and this book had it in spades!)
I would not recommend this story sadly because again, the premise had so much potential!
I am aware that what I read wasn an ARC. However, this book needed another round of series line and developmental editing before publication was discussed. It's truly a shame as the premise for this story was fantastic. With more time and attention to detail, 'She Drinks the Light' could have been truly special.
Unfortunately, the world building was half baked and not fleshed out. The plot was just a hot mess. We meandered for the first 2/3 of the book and then had two twists back to back that came out of left field with zero set up. The character work was semi-decent but our main character felt like a passive observer in her own story. And there was a romance? Sort of? With zero chemistry? And the line by line prose needed serious work as it was quite clumsy and repetitive. (Why do authors feel the need to repetitively spell out a character's thought patterns or emotions instead of letting the reader pick up on context clues? It's my biggest pet peeve in literature and this book had it in spades!)
I would not recommend this story sadly because again, the premise had so much potential!
March 4, 2026
2.5, DNF at 41% - The rep (lesbian, West African) was noteworthy, but in terms of storytelling and craft, this didn't stand out among other YA vampire stories. The protagonist was annoying and didn't feel like a real teen to me, and the key theme of restoring stolen artifacts felt like a topic adults want teens to care about more than a thing real teens are into. The pacing of information was also a problem, especially as it pertained to the magic system and world-building. Most of the references to the grandma's magic were vague in the first half, which made it both unengaging and hard to parse: what are the limits of her powers? What's in the range of normal and expected and what isn't? These are not questions I should have about the magic system at the halfway point of a book!
Ultimately, I don't think this book will remain relevant once the Sinners hype dies down, especially since they're not sexy, romance vampires but instead evil fake-woke cultural appropriating vampires.
Ultimately, I don't think this book will remain relevant once the Sinners hype dies down, especially since they're not sexy, romance vampires but instead evil fake-woke cultural appropriating vampires.
March 7, 2026
Follow Addae as she uncovers the secret of missing people from the mainland and her family island. If you enjoy family secrets and African mythology this may be a good read for you.
I personally did not enjoy this audiobook. There were some aspects I did enjoy, but as a whole it was painful for me to "read". The timber of the reader was sharp on my ears, and the main character was very judgmental which I found obnoxious. This is not a book I will likely recommend to students, but I understand why it is attractive to many readers.
Pros:
Cultural perspectives
Mythological references
Mystery aspect of plot
Cons:
Main character
Constant racist comments/assumptions from both sides
The constant mistrust of everyone (friends and family included)
The faux relationship between two of the characters (did not add to plot)
The "s" sound of words from the reader were high pitched and hard to listen to
**NetGalley ARC Audiobook**
I personally did not enjoy this audiobook. There were some aspects I did enjoy, but as a whole it was painful for me to "read". The timber of the reader was sharp on my ears, and the main character was very judgmental which I found obnoxious. This is not a book I will likely recommend to students, but I understand why it is attractive to many readers.
Pros:
Cultural perspectives
Mythological references
Mystery aspect of plot
Cons:
Main character
Constant racist comments/assumptions from both sides
The constant mistrust of everyone (friends and family included)
The faux relationship between two of the characters (did not add to plot)
The "s" sound of words from the reader were high pitched and hard to listen to
**NetGalley ARC Audiobook**
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.
I was very excited to read this book. It sounds great and has strong fantasy world building. However this one didn't work out for me. I dont know if it was just the copy I had or not, but during page breaks, the narration would pause for minutes at a time before continuing again. Thr narrator did do. Good job with this book though and I enjoyed the narrator's performance. I felt that the world building was interesting and that smwas the strongest part of this book. I really liked how much went into the world building. However I did a little bit with the writing style itself which ended up being a bit choppy which made it more difficult to follow. Nonetheless I did find this book to be interesting even if it wasn't a perfect read.
I was very excited to read this book. It sounds great and has strong fantasy world building. However this one didn't work out for me. I dont know if it was just the copy I had or not, but during page breaks, the narration would pause for minutes at a time before continuing again. Thr narrator did do. Good job with this book though and I enjoyed the narrator's performance. I felt that the world building was interesting and that smwas the strongest part of this book. I really liked how much went into the world building. However I did a little bit with the writing style itself which ended up being a bit choppy which made it more difficult to follow. Nonetheless I did find this book to be interesting even if it wasn't a perfect read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
I really enjoyed She Drinks the Light. Yasmin Angoe delivers a dark, emotionally layered story with a morally gray heroine who isn’t afraid to make difficult — and sometimes messy — choices. I love when a main character feels real instead of perfect, and this book definitely gives us that.
The supernatural elements were woven naturally into the contemporary setting, and the tension never let up. There’s a strong revenge thread running through the story, along with themes of power, loyalty, and what it really costs to survive. I also appreciated the found-family dynamics and the way trust and betrayal played such a big role.
If you enjoy urban fantasy with high stakes, hidden powers, complicated relationships, and a strong female lead who doesn’t always take the easy road, this one is worth picking up.
I really enjoyed She Drinks the Light. Yasmin Angoe delivers a dark, emotionally layered story with a morally gray heroine who isn’t afraid to make difficult — and sometimes messy — choices. I love when a main character feels real instead of perfect, and this book definitely gives us that.
The supernatural elements were woven naturally into the contemporary setting, and the tension never let up. There’s a strong revenge thread running through the story, along with themes of power, loyalty, and what it really costs to survive. I also appreciated the found-family dynamics and the way trust and betrayal played such a big role.
If you enjoy urban fantasy with high stakes, hidden powers, complicated relationships, and a strong female lead who doesn’t always take the easy road, this one is worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5/5 rounded up because maybe it's just me.
I just couldn't get invested in this story. Like, at all. And I really don't know why.
There was a sort of monotony to this story. And that's the only thing I can really attribute my not really caring to. I found that to be the case with both the story and the audiobook narration.
The summary made this sound really fun and interesting and mysterious, but I just didn't find that to be the case in actuality.
I found the writing style to also be a bit awkward at times.
I did think this cover was so pretty and spooky though!
(The audiobook also kept cutting out, but that could just be an ARC thing and not a final product thing, but that did take away from the experience of reading a bit. But my star rating is not impacted by that.)
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I just couldn't get invested in this story. Like, at all. And I really don't know why.
There was a sort of monotony to this story. And that's the only thing I can really attribute my not really caring to. I found that to be the case with both the story and the audiobook narration.
The summary made this sound really fun and interesting and mysterious, but I just didn't find that to be the case in actuality.
I found the writing style to also be a bit awkward at times.
I did think this cover was so pretty and spooky though!
(The audiobook also kept cutting out, but that could just be an ARC thing and not a final product thing, but that did take away from the experience of reading a bit. But my star rating is not impacted by that.)
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews