New York is my favorite city in the world, so of course I had to read this collection of short stories taking place one summer night when a heatwave makes the city go dark. And I’m happy to say that I got all the New York vibes I was hoping for!

In essence, Blackout is a collection of six short stories (even though they are divided into more chapters to connect the different stories and characters along the way) that are all featuring Black teens dealing with relationship issues that are put to the test during a blackout in New York. Each of the story focuses on a specific relationship issue and with different characters, but along the way the six stories eventually connect and add different view points from other characters. I really loved the way the stories were interconnected, which made it closer to a novel than an anthology, and the amazing queer representation.

My two favorite stories were All the Great Love Stories... and Dust by Dhonielle Clayton and Seymour and Grace by Nicola Yoon. The first one was about two childhood friends who secretly felt more than friendship for each other. It was such a sweet story and I loved the scrap book and literature references. The second one was about two strangers meeting on an Uber ride, who end up discussing philosophy, the meaning of life, their family history, friendship and relationship in such a fun and romantic way that really warmed my heart.

The Long Walk by Tiffany D. Jackson was a story divided into several chapters that followed the two exes Tammi and Kareem as they competed for the same internship and ended up having to walk all the way to Brooklyn together. And having to talk about why their relationship really ended in the first place… Kareem was such a sweetheart, but I never really warmed to Tammi, who in my opinion didn’t take responsibility for her actions and tried to blame the failed relationship solely on Kareem, when she had just as much, or even more, to do with their breakup. But it was entertaining to follow their walk through the city while dealing with their issues!

Made to Fit by Ashley Woodfolk was a really sweet story about two girls falling in love when visiting a senior living facility, just like the residents/relatives had predicted, but with a little bit too much of instalove.

Mask Off by Nic Stone was also a story divided into several chapters about a closeted basketball player and his secret crush, who get stuck on a train during the blackout. I really liked the glimpses we got to see of their past and their history together and Tremaine was such a brave and wonderful character. The basketball player JJ on the other hand was not a favorite, in the way he didn’t stand up for himself or his beliefs.

No Sleep ‘til Brooklyn by Angie Thomas was my least favorite of the stories. It was full of cliches and I the emerging love triangle and the characters didn’t engage me enough. It all felt quite artificial and bland, sadly. Except for the bus driver, who was such a gem!

Overall, this was a sweet, hopeful, light and easy read with amazing representation and perfect New York vibes! I really enjoyed the stories and the characters, even though none of them stole my heart, and the whole concept of this anthology.

Rating:
4 stars

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​Author info:
Dhonielle Clayton

I have such mixed feelings about this book! It was sweet, adorable, emotional and perfect for the first half, then the plot twist just changed EVERYTHING and left me loathing a certain character and feeling angry and let down. Still, it was a captivating and interesting story and I rooted so much for the main character. So I’m really struggling with sorting my feelings out and rating this book…

The story is about Maddy who has been ill ever since she was born in a rare disease that makes contact with others impossible. She’s therefore lived her whole life isolated in her house together with her mother. But one day, the new neighbors moving next to them has a very cute and mysterious teenage boy, Olly, and Maddy starts to question her life.

I rooted so much for Maddy already from the start! Being a bookworm myself, I loved this extra much about her, and the way she saw the world and thought about things. I felt so sorry for her situation and could completely relate to her longing for more.

And Olly… if I’d been Maddy I’d fallen so hard for him too! He was the perfect combination of good looks and a kind heart. I loved his humor and how he was the catalyst for freedom for Maddy. Yes, it might be a bit instalove, but honestly, Maddy and Oliver were so cute together that I didn’t really mind that their friendship moved to love at lightning speed.

“Is it always like that?” I ask, breathless.
“No,” he says. “It’s never like that.” I hear the wonder in his voice.
And just like that, everything changes.”

My main problem was the huge plot twist at the end and how it changed the whole premise for the story. That thing was just so completely unforgivable that it made me loathe a certain character, but also left me with a very bitter taste in my mouth and dislike for the entire book. Some of the parts (not just the plot twist) were also a bit too unrealistic.

But trying to sort out my mixed feelings, it was nevertheless a very captivating and emotional read, and I absolutely loved the first part of it. And Maddy and Olly were some of the cutest YA couple ever. It was therefore so frustrating the way the execution of the plot twist ruined that. Without the plot twist this would easily have been a 5 star read for me, but with it I will have to take away two of those stars and settle for a 3 star rating overall. 

Rating:
​3 stars

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​Author info:
Nicola Yoon