(This is the longest hc i did I kind of digressed half way through)
My latest Rykard hc is that he is the eldest child and 'parent' between the 3 carian demigods. Everything bearing his name exudes this kind of āposh' 'sophisticatedā 'I will have you know-' sass youād expect from an inquisitor-coded demigod of noble blood/one who, mind you, lives in a manor perched atop a live . f u c k i n g . VOLCANO with a crazy snake god in basement (What's with the lands between and weird basements?), I feel safe in asserting that this symbolically reflected his day-to-day persona as well: profanely hot, rich, powerful but nauseatingly prideful blonde male always a second away from hissing lava at 'haters'. He veils his barely concealed madness with an educated taste that screams refinement, if only to drown out the tortured Albinaurics screaming from his torture dungeons (or 'interrogation chambers' to the more sensibly inclined). He also seems like the type to be overbearing (his job is literally being a medieval glorified fantasy cop) and I find it difficult to imagine that some of that pride and sass didn't seep into his family dynamics.
But still, it is evident that he is a man who deeply cares for his family. Radahn's portrait nicely hung (aw), offering Tanith dementia in a bottle so she can forget her soon to be big back snake husband(aw), plotting with Ranni to kill Godwyn (aw)( common close siblings activity).
Mix love for family with his love of power, his love of prestige , of ambition. Spice up his lore with absentee divorced mother, absentee divorced TRAITOR AND ASSHOLE father and the deep turbulent hatred he simmers within himself...you get, the eldest child with fried brain matter
Close enough
I haven't forgotten the war automatons he created and named 'Abductor Virgins' Definitely cooked in the head but...some of them are found in raya lucaria š„ŗ and in caelid š„ŗ
Being the āI fuck my retainersā bisexual is just the cherry on top.
I mean look at this guy š Too much doesn't exist in his vocabulary lmao also y tf does he have chandeliers in his boss room štalk about being extra for the sake of it (Banger Villain staple)
Before we conclude this earth-shattering and momentous piece of scientific inquiry, it is only fitting that we take a moment to review the distinguished list of intimate companions he deigned to keep in close company. As the old adage goes: birds of a feather flock together. Let us now examine those whom he permitted to remain by his side, each a mirror in some fashion, of the man himself.
Tanith:
Consort's robe.
Fine robe of white silk worn by Tanith, Lady of the Volcano Manor. Long ago, when Rykard first set eyes on Tanith, she was working as a dancer in a foreign land. Soon, he made her his consort. She was the only human to remain by his side when he became the serpent of blasphemy.
In that moment, Tanith was truly charmed by him.
Daedicar(retconned to being Rya's mother) now Ghiza
Daedicar's woe(Version 1.00):
Disturbing likeness of an old noble whose skin was flayed. He smiles with a serene tenderness. Increases damage taken.
This soft-featured man's name was Daedicar, and he was one of Captain Rykard's paramours, as well an attendant in his Inquisition.
He would test new methods of torture first upon himself, making a gift of his pain and first-hand knowledge to the one he loved.
Also Serpent Eigley (????)(snake babies???)
Let Eigley eat him (verbatim no exaggeration)
Must I say more?
-----
In retrospect, Morgott's beef with him makes so much sense. Not just a clash of ideologies but also character.
Morgott: Loyal to erdtree and order, Humble, tree slave bound by shame and sense of duty, trying to maintain the status quo, weighed by grief twisted into self loathing, extinguishes flames of ambition
Rykard: not loyal to erdtree and order, not very humble, Aspiring slave not bound by any sense of shame or duty, trying to usurp the status quo, weighed by grief twisted into world loathing, Giant snake man
Tldr: hc is that Rykard is a snarky eldest sibling who had to fill in the gaps for TWO absent parents . (This is what having Mommy AND Daddy issues does to a man šPray for this individual). He needs therapy. But in the lands between...who doesn't?
And we're back! The Rich in Color team is looking forward to spending another year with you reading and reviewing books. Our first post this year is to catch up with all of the January releases on our radar:
Breath of the Dragon (Breathmarked, #1) by Shannon Lee & Fonda Lee
Wednesday Books
he first novel in a sweeping YA fantasy duology based on characters and teachings created by Bruce Lee!
Sixteen-year-old Jun dreams of proving his worth as a warrior in the elite Guardianās Tournament, held every six years to entrust the magical Scroll of Earth to a new protector. Eager to prove his skills, Jun hopes that a win will restore his fatherās honorārighting a horrible mistake that caused their banishment from his home, mother, and twin brother.
But Junās father strictly forbids him from participating. There is no future in honing his skills as a warrior, especially considering Jun is not breathmarked, born with a patch of dragon scales and blessed with special abilities like his twin. Determined to be the next Guardian, Jun stows away in the wagon of Chang and his daughter, Ren, performers on their way to the capital where the tournament will take place.
As Jun competes, he quickly realizes he may be fighting for not just a better life, but the fate of the country itself.
Reign of the Talon (Talons #3) by Sophie Kim
Entangled: Teen
How do you kill a prophecy?
The Prophecy has arrivedā¦and with her, war.
A prisoner caged within the walls of her own mind, the once-fierce assassin known as Shin Lina can do nothing but watch as a tide of blood and chaos sweeps across the Three Kingdoms. After all, Lina is the one who unleashed the malevolent Prophecy upon her world.
So many secrets. So many lies. And itās all her fault.
Yet Haneul Ruiāthe immortal Dokkaebi Emperor who stole her heartārefuses to surrender. He alone leads the armies against the dangerous, serpentine Imugi. He alone wields his scorching fire atop blood-soaked battlefields, and he alone rallies his soldiers against a terrifying future of death and destruction.
Now the red thread of fate ties them all together in love and hatredāRui, Lina, and the merciless Prophecy herself. And the more Lina fights against her destiny, the tighter the thread becomes. For they are bound in both life and death; to wound one is to wound them all. To kill the Child of Venom is to kill them all.
And soon, not even the wrathful gods themselves can stop their inevitable ruin.
The Mirror World (The Upper World, #2) by Femi Fadugba
HarperTeen
The explosive sequel to the genre-bending, time-bending YA debut The Upper World āa fast-paced, cinematic thrill ride perfect for fans of Neal Shusterman, Marie Lu, and Jason Reynolds. Eighteen-year-old Rhia is far from home in the hallowed halls of Oxford University. Struggling to find herself as a freshman, Rhia uncovers a disturbing link between the secret society recruiting her and her recent apocalyptic visions in the Upper World. But as the doomsday clock ticks louder and her worst nightmares seem destined to come true, Rhia must finally Who she is Where she belongs And if telling the truth can save her soul ā¦And the world.
Togetha (Pritty, #2) by Keith F. Miller Jr.
HarperCollins
Perfect for fans of Angie Thomas and Jason Reynolds, this highly anticipated sequel to Lambda Literary Award finalist Pritty finds Jay and Leroy togetha again as they fight to save not only their home but themselves from the powerful Bainbridge family's treacherous endgame to retake Savannah for themselves, no matter the cost.
After finally reuniting, Jay and Leroy have never been in more danger. Caught in the crosshairs of the affluent Bainbridge family, who they've learned is determined to reshape Savannah in their own image, the duo has only just survived a series of near-death experiences before reaching the safety of the Black Diamonds. But the BDs' ability to protect the Black neighborhoods of their city is slipping....
Missing the key piece of evidence that could have broken the Bainbridges' hold over Savannah, everyone is scrambling for options. But when one of their own is kidnapped, Jay and Leroy realize they can't rely on anyone but themselves to save them. Recruiting old friends, former enemies, and their most risky ally, Jay's once-upon-a-time crush, Will, they set out to do the impossible: find the evidence they lost in order to finally expose the Bainbridges' corruption to the world, by any means necessary.
But even as their plans bring them closer to revealing the Bainbridges' treacherous endgame, Jay and Leroy's own secrets from each other threaten to pull their love apart, just as old feelings between Jay and Will begin to blossom again. And as the battle for a brighter future boils over into the streets, to save their homes--and everyone they love--Jay, Leroy, and Will must decide: When the cost of justice might be each of their happiness, will they be able to make the sacrifice togetha?
This is the Year by Gloria MuƱoz
Holiday House
"In outer space, no one will know me as the girl with the dead sister." Seventeen-year-old self-proclaimed Goth and aspiring writer Julieta Villarreal is drowning. She's grieving her twin sister who died in a hit-and-run, her Florida home is crumbling under the weight of climate disaster, and she isn't sure how much longer she can stand to stay in a place that doesn't seem to have room for her.
Then, Juli is recruited by Cometa, a private space program enlisting high-aptitude New American teens for a high-stakes mission to establish humanity's first extraterrestrial settlement. Cometa pitches this as an opportunity for Juli to give back to her adopted country; Juli sees it as her only chance to do something big with her life.
Juli begins her training, convinced Cometa is her path to freedom. But her senior year is full of surprises, including new friendships, roller skating, and first love. And through her small but poignant acts of environmentalism, Juli begins to find hope in unexpected places. As her world collapses from the ramifications of the climate crisis, Juli must decide if she'll carry her loss together with her community or leave it all behind.
Told in gripping prose interspersed with poems from Juli's writing journal, this genre-bending novel explores themes of immigration, climate justice, grief, and the power of communities.
Bemused by Farrah Rochon
Disney Press
The untold origin story of the 5 Muses from Disney's Hercules is revealed in this rollicking YA fantasy filled with mythical adventure, music, and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. The Muses narrated Hercules's story. Now, in this novel for fans of the New York Times bestsellers Go the Distance and Fire & Fate, they'll narrate their own "gospel truth."
Living in a quiet seaside village with their overprotective mother, teenaged sisters Calliope, Clio, Melpomene, Terpsichore, and Thalia are talented performers with no audience. If Calli had her way, she'd pursue her dream of writing epic stories in the city of Thebes. But family comes first, and as the eldest, she'd never leave her beloved sisters behind.
Then, following a disastrous public music performance, their mother reveals a shocking secret: she is Mnemosyne, the Goddess of Memory, and for nearly two decades, she's been on the run from the gods of Mount Olympus, desperate to keep her daughters safe from their machinations. Before she can share more, she is kidnapped . . . and though the girls don't know it yet, the villain pulling the strings is none other than Hades, fiery God of the Underworld.
Under Calli's leadership, the sisters embark on a journey to save their mother and to learn more about their own divine origins. But the path ahead is filled with mythical trials and tribulations, and they'll need to rely on both their individual talents and the strength of their sisterhood to ensure that they ascend from "zeroes" to "heroes"--or more accurately, heroines.
The Wishless Ones (Dark Ascension #3) by Hafsah Faizal
Disney Press
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Hafsah Faizal comes the untold origin story of Agrabah's future royal vizier Jafar and his brother Rohan. Before Jafar became Agrabah's grand vizier, there were two brothers wishing for a different life.
Living in the shadow of their mother's death and their father's cruel whims, Jafar only longs to protect one person--his soft-hearted younger brother, Rohan. But Jafar knows he is destined for more, and if he has his way, he'll soon be an apprentice at Maghriz's elite House of Wisdom, studying alchemy.
Then a fire destroys the remains of their shattered life, and Jafar has no choice but to resort to ruses and trickery, including convincing Rohan that the House of Wisdom is their only chance at rebuilding their lives. But Maghriz holds more danger and intrigue than either brother can imagine. Its powerful Sultana is plotting a grand deception that could shape the nation's future, and she believes the brothers are the missing piece of her scheme.
For the first time, Jafar can envision a future where he puts his own desires before Rohan's--and Rohan feels ready to escape his brother's shadow. As the brothers contend with their darkest impulses, they must decide: is their ambition worth their brotherhood?
Brewed with Love by Shelly Page
Joy Revolution
Plant witch, Sage Bishop, is determined to run her familyās old apothecary one day. She spends her time trying to invent the perfect tonic to put Bishop Brews on the map. And sheās going to need one quickly, too, because their biggest competitor is drawing away customers.
Short-staffed, her nana hires Ximena Reyes, Sageās ex-best friend and first crush, whoās more of an unwelcome distraction than anything. Ximena has always dreamed of leaving their small town behind while Sage wants to tend to her roots. And during one of their first shifts together, someone breaks into Bishop Brews, stealing several tonics, including the one Sage has been working tirelessly on, the same one that wipes a councilmemberās kidās memory.
To avoid being shut down by the sheriff, Sage decides to investigate. If so much wasnāt at stake, sheād do it alone. But with her grandmotherās legacy and her future on the line, she must partner with her ever smug and unfairly pretty new coworker. As Sage begins to fall for Ximena (again), sheāll have to decide if the comfort of the familiar is worth missing out on a chance at real happiness.
Honeysuckle and Bone by Trisha Tobias
Zando - Sweet July Books
On the run from her own dark secrets, a teen girl becomes the nanny for a prestigious family on their extravagant Jamaican estateābut things aren't quite as they seem, and she quickly discovers even paradise may be haunted.
Carina Marshall is looking to reinvent herself, and what better place to do it than Jamaica, her motherās alluring homeland where she conveniently has access to an au pair gig for the wealthy and politically powerful Hall family.
After months of being the target of vicious rumors and hate online (which she just might deserve), the luxurious Blackbead House seems to hold everything she wants, a world of mango trees, tropical breezes, and glamorous partiesāand a place to disappear. Once there, Carina joins up with her fellow junior staff members, the self-named Young Birds, and finds herself sinking right into her busy, but comfortable, new life. Yes, the Halls run a tight ship, and yes, there is some tension amongst the family, but sheās content flying under the radar, doing her job, and hanging out with her new friendsānot least, the handsome and charming Aaron.
But when inexplicable things start happening to her in the house, only getting worse each night, Carina realizes that someoneāor somethingāis out to get her. Is it the house itself? The Halls? Or, worse, is it her own past catching up with her? With the help of Aaron, she must figure out what is haunting her, and fast, before she is forced out of Blackbead House for good.
Eerie, propulsive, and full of intrigue, Honeysuckle and Bone is a deliciously atmospheric, young adult novel, following an imperfect yet courageous teen as she seeks to remake herself in the homeland she always idealized, only to discover that new beginnings donāt always come easy.
First Love Language by Stefany Valentine
Penguin Workshop
Taiwanese American Catie Carlson has never fit in with her white family. As much as she loves her stepmom and stepsister, she yearns to understand more about her culture and find her biological mother.
So Catie is shocked when an opportunity comes knocking on her door: Her summer spa coworker, Toby, says he'll teach her Mandarin. In exchange, she needs to teach him how to date so he can finally work up the courage to ask out his crush. The only problem is that Catie doesn't actually have any dating experience. But she can fake it.
With her late father's copy of The Five Love Languages and all his annotated notes, Catie becomes the perfect dating coach. Or so she thinks. As she gets dangerously close to Toby and to finding out what really happened to her biological mom, she realizes that learning the language of love might be tougher than she thought.
Stefany Valentine's debut novel is both a fresh, fun romance as well as a profound, luminous story about grief, family, transracial adoption, and what it means to truly follow your heart.
Build a Girlfriend by Elba Luz
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
A teen deep-dives into her dating history to uncover her mistakes, become the perfect girlfriend, and get revenge on the wrong guy so she can ride into the sunset with the right one in this debut rom-com.
To the surprise of no one, Amelia Hernandez is once again single. Itās her family curse at work; whether itās by heartbreak, scandal, or even accidental death, every romantic relationship that a Hernandez woman has will meet its demise eventually. And that may be fine with Ameliaās sisters, mom, and aunts, but definitely not with Amelia.
So, convinced that she is the problem, Amelia decides to embark on an āEx Retrospective:ā tracking down her exes, finding out where she went wrong, and using that information to finally become un-break-up-able for whenever her next relationship comes along. Because Amelia is determined to be free of the family curseā¦and her family.
However, when Amelia is unwillingly reunited with Leon, the ex to end all exes, she canāt resist having a little revenge on the side, too. After all, what better way to test out her new persona of perfect girlfriend traits than on the boy who broke her heart?
But old loves die hard, and as Ameliaās feelings grow more complicated, she suspects that she may be in for more than she bargained for.
The Queen's Spade by Sarah Raughley
HarperCollins
In this riveting historical thriller thatās loosely inspired by true life events, The Count of Monte Cristo meets Bridgerton as revenge, romance, and twisted secrets take center stage in Victorian Englandās royal court when Sally, a kidnapped African princess and goddaughter to Queen Victoria, plots her way to take down the monarchy that stole her from her homeland.
A young lady can take only so many injuries before humiliation and insult forge a vow of revenge . . .
The year is 1862, and murderous desires are simmering in England. Nineteen-year-old Sarah Bonetta Forbes (Sally), once a princess of the Egbado Clan, desires one thing above all else: revenge against the British Crown and its system of colonial āhumanitarianism,ā which stole her dignity and transformed her into royal property. From military men to political leaders, sheās vowed to ruin all whoāve had a hand in her afflictions. The top of her list? Her godmother, Britainās mighty monarch, Queen Victoria herself.
Taking down the Crown means entering into a twisted game of court politics and manipulating the Queenās inner circleāeven if that means aligning with a dangerous yet alluring crime lord in Londonās underworld and exploiting the affections of Queen Victoriaās own son, Prince Albert, as a means to an end. But when Queen Victoria begins to suspect Sallyās true intentions, she plays the only card in Victorian society that could possibly cage Sally once again: marriage. Because if thereās one thing Sally desires more than revenge, itās her freedom. With time running out and her wedding day looming, Sallyās vengeful game of cat and mouse turns deadly as sheās faced with the striking revelation that that the price for vengeance isnāt just paid in blood. It means sacrificing your heart.
Loosely inspired by the true story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoriaās African goddaughter, The Queenās Spade is a lush and riveting historical thriller perfect for fans of A Dowry of Blood and Grave Mercy.
Bingsu for Two by Sujin Witherspoon
Union Square & Co.
Meet River Langston-Lee. In the past 24 hours, heās dumped his girlfriend, walked out of his SATs, and quit his job at his parentsā cafe in spectacularly disastrous fashionāeven for him.
Somehow, he manages to talk his way into a gig at a failing Korean cafe, Bingsu for Two, which is his lucky break until he meets short, grumpy, and goth: Sarang Cho. Sheās his new no-BS co-worker whoās as determined to make Riverās life hell as she is to save her familyās cafe.
After River accidentally uploads a video of his chaotic co-workers to his popular fandom account, they strike viral fame. The kicker? Their new fans ship River and Sarang big-time. In order to keep the Internetās attentionāand the cafeās new paying customersāRiver and Sarang must pretend that the tension between them is definitely of the romantic variety, not the considering the best way to kill you and hide your body variety.
But when Bingsu for Twoās newfound success catches the attention of Riverās ex and his parentsā cafe around the corner, he faces a choice: keep letting others control his life or stand up for the place thatās become home. And a green-haired girl whoās not as heartless as he originally thought . . .
Dreamover by Dani Diaz
Top Shelf Productions
In this captivating debut YA graphic novel, two best friends becoming more than friends feels like a dream come true. But when one sleepover literally turns into a dream, will they ever want to wake up again?
āI wish we could stay here forever.ā
Amber and Nico would make an odd couple. Sheās a headstrong goofball with a temper. Heās a shy, self-conscious emo boy. But theyāve been best friends since third grade and are both very good at video games, and she canāt hide her feelings for him any longer. During the end of their eighth-grade class beach trip, she confesses her undying love to him. To no oneās surprise except hers, the feeling is mutual! Thus begins a glorious, blissful summer of first love.
But life gets complicated once high school starts. Amber and Nico are faced with their toughest challenges yet: getting to school by 7:25 A.M. every day, dealing with bullies, and juggling their relationship, friendships, and homework. Things start to spiral out of control, causing Amber and Nico to cling to each other and neglect their friends. Soon, they find themselves stressed, depressed, and friendless. Amber wishes she could run away with Nico and escape the never-ending nightmare of high school.
One night, as they play video games together, Amber gets her wish: She and Nico mysteriously fall into a shared lucid dream where anything they imagine becomes possible and endless adventure awaits. Will they run away together forever or choose to return to the real world?
Girl, Ultra-Processed by Amara Sage
Faber & Faber
A searing look at diet culture and all its ugly consequences, from the talented writer of Influential.
New year, new me!
That's what Saffron Saldana tells herself as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve.
Her resolution is the same every year: lose weight.
Because Saffron has it hard-wired that weight loss equals happiness. It's what she's been told her whole life - online, in magazines, especially by her own diet-obsessed mother. But dieting is hard.
So to escape her own reality, Saffron creates Sydney, a super-slim, AI-generated 'perfect' version of herself. Boys online love Sydney, and for Saffron, it's just a bit of harmless fun.
Until the boundaries of her life online and offline begin to blur . . . And one boy in particular makes her question her desire to be someone she's not.
Can Saffron find a way back to herself, and learn to love who she actually is?
Girl: Ultra-Processed explores what it is like to be a teenage girl in our current body-obsessed world while juggling family drama, friend dynamics, dating, betrayals and major life changes.
Love on Paper by Danielle Parker
Joy Revolution
The daughter of two prestigious writers, Macy Descanso has decided to take her own writing seriously. So what if her mother pulled some strings to get Macy into a prestigious writing retreat? Macy belongs here. But when she arrives, she learns that the theme has been changed to romance, per the bequest of the late, prolific romance author Betty Quinn. Though a cynic, Macy lives for a challenge.
What sheās not prepared for is to be partnered with Caleb Bernard, also the child of two prestigious writers. The Descansos and Bernards notably have beefāa rivalry that has lasted generations. With something to prove, Macy and Caleb decide to put their family squabbles aside to work together as critique partners.
But this retreat is anything but ordinary. According to lore, every year, authors leave easter eggs behind for new students to find. Macy and Caleb are eager to solve Betty Quinnās mystery. And in the process, Macy and Caleb find that they have a lot in common. Still, will their connection be enough to surpass their familiesā feud? Can the relationship theyāve built continue after the retreat?
The Scorpion Queen by Mina Fears
Flatiron Books
Deep within the imperial palace at Timbuktu, Amie has suffered a devastating loss. Once the daughter of a prosperous salt merchant Amieās life was cruelly overturned in a matter of months. At sixteen, Amie now finds herself disinherited, framed for a scandalous crime, and forced to serve Princess Mariama of Mali . Her father, Emperor Sulyeman, has created a series of impossible trials for his daughter's suitors. When they fail, he publicly boils them alive, littering Mariamaās path to marriage with ninety-nine corpses.
At first, Amieās life at court is drudgeryāthe chores are difficult, the servants despise her, and Princess Mariama is prone to mood swingsābut the more she learns about the princess's circumstances, the closer the two girls become. Amie and her intended, Kader, plan to escape Timbuktu and make a new life far away from the shadow of death that has fallen upon the emperorās court, but she finds herself increasingly drawn to the princess in ways she doesnāt understand.
When a mysterious discovery forces her hand, she must choose between fleeing with the boy she loves or helping the princess to end the trials forever. Amie will need to draw on all of her strength and courage to make the perilous journey through the desert to seek the aid of an exiled god in a final, desperate attempt to take charge of her own destiny.
On the Wings of la Noche by Vanessa L. Torres
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Noche is a Lechuza by night, an ethereal jet-black owl who guides the dead to the after. Except now, Noche cannot bring herself to escort her dead girlfriend, whose soul is fading the harder Noche holds onāan aching romance about first and second loves and finding the strength to let go.
Death waits for Estrella (Noche) Villanueva. In her human form, she is a lonely science girl grieving the tragic accidental drowning of her girlfriend, Dante Fuentes. At night, she is a Lechuza who visits her dead girlfriend at the lake, desperate for more time with her. The longer Danteās soul roams the earth, the more likely it is that she will fade into the unknown, lost forever, but Noche cannot let go . . .
Thatās when a new kid comes to town, Jax, another science nerd like Noche. They connect in a way she canāt ignore, seemingly pulled together by an invisible thread. For the first time, Noche begins to imagine a life without Dante. As Nocheās heart begins to beat for two people, her guilt flares. Then, she finds herself at risk of losing both Jax and Dante, and Noche is forced to question her purpose as a lechuza and everything she has ever believed in.
I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang
HarperTeen
After getting rejected by every single Ivy League she applied to and falling short of all her Asian immigrant parentsā expectations, seventeen-year-old Jenna Chen makes a wish to become her smarter, infinitely more successful Harvard-bound cousin, Jessica Chenāonly for her wish to come true. Literally.
Now trapped inside Jessicaās body, with access to Jessicaās most private journals and secrets, Jenna soon discovers that being the top student at the elite, highly competitive Havenwood Private Academy isnāt quite what she imagined. Worse, as everyoneāincluding her own parentsāstart having trouble remembering who Jenna Chen is, or if she ever even existed, Jenna must decide if playing the role of the perfect daughter and student is worth losing her true self forever.
Perfect for fans of Angie Thomas and Jason Reynolds, this highly anticipated sequel to Lambda Literary Award finalist Pritty finds Jay and Leroy togetha again as they fight to save not only their home but themselves from the powerful Bainbridge family's treacherous endgame to retake Savannah for themselves, no matter the cost.
After finally reuniting, Jay and Leroy have never been in more danger. Caught in the crosshairs of the affluent Bainbridge family, who theyāve learned is determined to reshape Savannah in their own image, the duo has only just survived a series of near-death experiences before reaching the safety of the Black Diamonds. But the BDsā ability to protect the Black neighborhoods of their city is slippingā¦
Missing the key piece of evidence that could have broken the Bainbridgesā hold over Savannah, everyone is scrambling for options.
But when one of their own is kidnapped, Jay and Leroy realize they canāt rely on anyone but themselves to save them. Recruiting old friends, former enemies, and their most risky ally, Jayās once-upon-a-time crush, Will, they set out to do the impossible: find the evidence they lost in order to finally expose the Bainbridgesā corruption to the world, by any means necessary.
But even as their plans bring them closer to revealing the Bainbridgesā treacherous endgame, Jay and Leroyās own secrets from each other threaten to pull their love apart, just as old feelings between Jay and Will begin to blossom again. And as the battle for a brighter future boils over into the streets, to save their homesāand everyone they loveāJay, Leroy, and Will must decide: When the cost of justice might be each of their happiness, will they be able to make the sacrifice togetha?
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