Zana’s Reviews > Forged in FIYAH: Celebrating Ten Years of Black Speculative Fiction > Status Update

“The town surrounding the college had more Black Lives Matter lawn signs than Black residents. She’d heard that it used to be a predominantly Black and Puerto Rican neighborhood once, but all that flavor had been replaced by Lululemon shops and Whole Foods. The university was the biggest landlord and gentrifier.”

Real

"Redemption Is the Color of Dried Blood": What in the brotherhood of the traveling suit. This was actually kinda sad. Idk if I'm actually 100% feeling it, but I do like the hopeful ending.

"For Those Who Hunger": Wow! This is my absolute favorite so far. It reminds me of Blood Slaves by Markus Redmond. Supernatural meets historical fiction is definitely my fave.

“Boundless”: Um so what was the point of this story? Don't cat sit in a lily white neighborhood that's Midwestern nice racist??

“Flight”: The magical dragon tears were cool and all but I wanted more dragons. I did like the hero's journey but the lessons learned ending made it seem kinda pointless. Idk

“Rescue Drone D-10.191”: You have to really care about the MC and honestly I didn't really care about her as much as the story wanted me to. But I did like the space sci-fi setting and Lil Dro, the cute rescue drone that likes to rap

“Crown Hill Chronic(Les)” feels like it's more about the journey than the destination. I think I liked it despite thinking it'd be more of a typical beginning, middle and end type of story. It's a hero's philosophical journey instead of a physical journey

‘“I still hate funerals, though.” Zaire made his way over to an alcove of empty seats. “Nothing but death, death, death. We got enough in these streets.”

“I see death wherever I go.”

“That’s ’cause you on some goth shit.”

“The hood wouldn’t let me be goth.”’

Damn

‘“...We need to make a pact: Whoever dies first, the other has to wail at their funeral. You know, to get things really started. Bonus points if you throw yourself on the casket.”’

Lmao wtf

Pop up funeral parlor??