"To every Black reader who grew up looking for themselves on the fantasy shelves, this one's for you"
-Analeigh Sbrana
The moment Lore of the Wilds entered my life, I knew that I was in for something special. An unapologetically Black fantasy where we would delve into the importance of literature, history, as well as embracing your power. It changed my life and I was grateful when Analeigh reached out to gift me an arc copy of Lore of the Tides.
The moment I read that quote, I felt tears in my eyes.
It is no secret that Black creatives and readers have faced backlash within the fantasy space, often placed within narratives where they are delegated to the best friend, or the disposable Black girlfriend trope, or are written off in the space entirely by saying that we do not belong. Around 6% of traditionally published authors are Black and the number is even smaller within the fantasy space.
And so, I will always advocate for Black books as well as my fellow Black fantasy creatives.
Summary
Lore Alemeyu wakes up to discover she’s on a ship in the middle of the ocean. Held prisoner and with no way to escape, she’s faced with a dire set of circumstances…
A crew that’s distrustful of Lore’s magic capabilities…
Her betrayal by a Fae she thought she could trust…
A dangerous quest for the sun book, which, if placed in the wrong hands, will make the Alytherian Fae even more powerful.
Lore must navigate threats on the ship and beyond, into the ocean’s magical and mysterious depths, in order to find the sun book herself and help free the humans. All the while, Lore can’t help but feel the intense pull of one Fae male who has been helping her all along. But is she willing to risk her human heart for creatures that have burned her in the past, and jeopardize her people’s future?
Oppression and Disenfranchisment
This book, just like the first, speaks about disenfranchisement and oppression in a way that is a mirror of the current state of affairs. Lore act as a foil for the fae being a human that both wields and has a powerful bond with magic, she is a danger that must be wrought out. Of course, she is also the only one who wields Auroradel, the book of sunbeams, as she was the only one who could enter into the library in the first novel. Because of this, she is being used as a pawn in the search for the sister book, Deeping Lune.
At every turn, Lore is being used by those in power for what she can do to benefit them. This is not unlike the many ways POC and specifically Black women are used by those in power. The backbone of society, the planner, the one that consoles, this is a role that has been placed on Black women and it truly became prevalent during slavery and only enhanced after. Given the tools to succeed and further their community but are constantly disenfranchised by both those who make the rules but also those who would be seen as an ally, Lore's struggles perfectly mirrors the experience of a Black woman in today's society.
Witch. It's what the guards and sailors had begun to call her. That or abomination. Desecration, Evil. They knew she was a human with magic, something that, in their opinions, shouldn't exist. It was just another fallacious reason for the fae to despise her, not for her deeds but for what she was. To them, she [Lore] wasn't just a lowly human; but a criminal. One who had committed the most heinous crimes: discovered a way to pull herself above her "station" by pilfering magic, a resource that should only belong to, well anyone else, they didn't care3 who, as long as it wasn't her kind that benefited from it.
Whenever I think of the Black women and magic, I will always think of the Legendborn series by Tracy Deonn. Stay with me here.
Bree is a Black woman who, although has an innate sense of magic within her, root, the moment she is given the magic of the oppressors, she is then seen as a tool and a body rather than a person with her own magic. And it is with that innate knowledge that she possess as well as her sense of community is the thing that keeps her grounded and makes her powerful. This is the same for Lore.
This is also the Black woman experience.
Seen as a problem solver for all and the backbone but also hyper-sexualized, demonized, and suffer at the hands of a brutal nation that sees for only what we can contribute to the system even at the risk of losing ourselves in the process. So long as it keeps the wheel of oppression turning.
Vengeance
Lore while on the Lavender Lark experiences hardships that fully cement her rage as well as fueling her need for vengeance. Truthfully, if she was to burn the world to the ground, she would be well within her right to do so, and I know Finn would help burn it down with her.
The betrayal from Asher (Syrelle), being treated as lesser than by the guards, and nearly being thrown over the ship by the crew as they cut her body and label herself as a witch, we watch the devolving of Lore. Someone who cared for humanity in general, even found delight within the sunlight and hearing the sailor's song and stories, was now ready to drown everyone as they blamed her for a death that she did not cause. She realized in that moment that no matter what she did, she would never be seen as equal, just a pawn and a scapegoat.
She wishes to right the wrongs done to her and her people by her own terms and means, seeking the power to protect and enact justice in order to move forward.
Books
Books and the seeking of knowledge was always a theme that was prevalent within the first novel, carved as we the reader learn that Lore loves books more than anything. It is important that she more than anyone had come to the power of Auroradel and it's knowledge because she saw the book not as a weapon first, but a tool that would aid in her and her people's journey to safety. Lore furthers this within this book by deepening the connection with Auroradel, further discovering her power as well as studying to learn more about the world around her and allow it to shape her, not the other way around. It is what makes Lore so adaptable and smart. She studies as well as never shys away from knowledge as she understands its importance. She finds reverence within the written word when so many would rather choose the sword. Even when she thinks herself as weak, she never stops trying and learning, and this will forever be her strength.
Final Thoughts
his book duology will always be my favorite, so I was coming into this second book with high expectations.
This book, right out of the gate prepared me for magic.
Last year, my world was encompassed by the world of Lore and this year, we are brought a duology that matched the first. We dive deeper within the magic of words and the power that they bring within speaking life and death into existence. We see Lore grow and thrive within hardships as well as exist within the resilience and joy that was between the margins.
Reuniting with characters as well as being introduced to new ones that push the narrative forward and raises the stakes that were introduced within the predecessor. It was a sister book, a twin.
This book was one that I never wanted to put down. This was one that I will never forget and will forever be imprinted in my heart, especially the themes and messages that are present within this current climate. Let it resonate within you and start a conversation.
And, as a closer, I adore Finn.
That is all!
