Prose & Cons | 4.4.25
a light week, but we hit three different genres and had a 6 star read, so there's no complaints!
This was a light reading week for me—but for good reason. I’ve been deep in planning mode behind the scenes, working on the next evolution of the Substack, and I can’t wait to share what’s coming later this month.
That said, it was still a quality week—we hit three different genres and had a 6-star read, so there are definitely no complaints. Let’s get into this week’s reads!
When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole
When the place you’ve always called home begins to shift before your eyes, it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s being erased. Gifford Place, a once-thriving Brooklyn neighborhood, is now under siege by rapid gentrification. When Sydney Green returns after a painful divorce, she barely recognizes the community she grew up in. Longtime neighbors are vanishing under suspicious circumstances, and something about it all feels…off. Determined to protect the legacy of her neighborhood, Sydney launches a historical walking tour to honor its past. In the process, she forms an unlikely bond with Theo, a white newcomer harboring secrets of his own. But as the two dig into Gifford Place’s hidden history, they begin to unravel a chilling conspiracy—one that makes it clear the disappearances are no coincidence.
Umm… calling this book disturbing feels like an understatement. This isn’t your typical thriller—it’s more unnerving than anything else. The story felt way too real, like something that could easily be happening in a neighborhood near you.
Alyssa Cole didn’t just write this to entertain—this was a calculated education wrapped in a psychological thriller. She uses the genre to shine a light on the very real, very chilling impacts of gentrification. I really appreciated the way she blended fictional storytelling with real historical context. However, instead of grounding the suspense, it actually made the book harder to get through at times. The heavy infusion of educational moments slowed the pacing for me, especially as someone already familiar with many of the topics she covered.
Now let’s talk Sydney—sis was going through it from the jump. I was rooting for her for most of the book, but around the last 30%, she lost me a little. She started being unnecessarily mean to my guy Theo. And yes, he was white and came off shady at times, but by then it was clear he was a real one. I was fully prepared for him to turn into a problem (based on how he’s introduced), but our Taupe king (IYKYK) turned out to be my favorite character—especially because he was one of the only people who actually got some real character development.
Now… these other white folks? Yeah, they can move TF around. I knew they were off from chapter one, but baby—I was not prepared for how wild it all got. The ending had me wide-eyed.
All in all, I didn’t love this one and it was hard to rate, but I’ll give you this tidbit for if you decide to read: the first 75% is a slow build that leads into a rapid-fire avalanche of plot twists that absolutely blew my mind. You get little clues about what’s coming, but never quite enough to feel like you know what’s really going on. I really respect what Alyssa Cole set out to do—and there were definitely moments that hit. But on the other hand, the pacing, tone shifts, and heavy-handed messaging made it a bit of a struggle to get through. I’m not sure I’d recommend it across the board—it really depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a socially conscious, slow-burn thriller with a heavy dose of reality, this might be for you. But if you’re expecting a fast-paced, twisty read from start to finish… you might want to leave this one on the shelf.
Kylo, the youngest of the Lewis brothers, runs the darker, illegal side of the family business. He has everything money can buy—but what he really craves is something priceless: joy and peace. While handling business in the streets, he finds himself in a dice game with an unexpected opponent. It’s only after his first-ever loss that he truly notices the one person who managed to shake him.
Enter Innocent. Despite her name, she’s no stranger to the grit and grind of New Orleans street life. Battling both mental and physical adversity, all she truly wants is security and a sense of peace. From their very first encounter, the connection between them is magnetic—two twin flames drawn together by pain, passion, and an unspoken understanding. Their bond defies logic, flipping both their worlds upside down.
From me, this book is the newest—and very deserving—inductee into the 6-star club. I loved Kaivon and Harlee’s story in All In, but Kylo and Innocent? I was obsessed.
First things first: check the trigger warnings. I didn’t, and I was definitely triggered and had to take a breather. But even through the emotional weight, this story was unequivocally beautiful.
There’s something about Kylo’s vulnerability that pulled at my heartstrings in a way I didn’t expect. He was fighting demons I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. And yet, despite being completely unhinged, he was soft. That level of raw emotion and tenderness from a man who’s otherwise a total menace? I wasn’t ready. And the way he loved Innocent? Whew. Talk about intentional. Talk about consistent. That’s a GOOD man, Savannah!
And Innocent… I loved her down. She was so strong, so grounded in herself—even in moments when she felt like she was falling apart. Her resilience was quiet but powerful.
Together, these two were one of the funniest couples I’ve ever read. The humor was top tier—and necessary, because the topics in this book are heavier than heavy. It’s a story that shows what it means to love someone fully: flaws and all, in sickness and in health, through every storm life throws at you.
It’s messy, it’s raw, it’s healing—and it proves there really is beauty on the other side of troubled waters.
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice is usually a time of celebration and renewal. But this year, it aligns with a solar eclipse—an ominous celestial event the Sun Priest warns will unbalance the world.
At the same time, a ship departs from a distant city, set to arrive in Tova on the solstice. At its helm is Xiala, a disgraced Teek with the power to soothe turbulent waters—or unravel a man’s mind—with her song. Onboard is just one passenger: Serapio. Blind, scarred, and cloaked in mystery, he’s been described as harmless... which, as Xiala knows, usually means anything but.
With unforgettable characters and lush, immersive worldbuilding, this is an epic tale of prophecy, power, and identity. It asks: what happens when destiny crashes into the weight of history—and the bold few dare to push back?
Black Sun gives ancient power, celestial chaos, and political scheming in a pre-Columbian-inspired fantasy world…Let’s just say I was hooked. The story kicks off with a prophecy and a solar eclipse that’s about to shake everything up. We’re following multiple POVs (don’t worry, it’s not confusing—it’s juicy), but at the center of it all is Serapio, a blind man with a destiny so dark and divine it’ll leave your jaw on the floor.
Then there’s Xiala, a Teek sailor with siren-like powers and a “don’t f*ck with me” vibe that completely steals the show. Her dynamic with Serapio? Unexpected but so compelling. The politics, the mythology, the tension—chef’s kiss. It’s a slow burn in the best possible way, simmering toward a finale that’ll have you reaching for book two immediately.
That said, this book is very much a setup for what’s to come in the rest of the trilogy, so don’t expect nonstop action from start to finish. It’s a build—deliberate, layered, and totally worth the patience.
I actually picked this one up to help plan a book club meeting for my aunt—and I’m so glad she asked. I hadn’t heard of this book before, so it probably would’ve never crossed my radar otherwise. Total hidden gem.
If you love morally gray characters, a richly imagined world that’s not your average Euro-fantasy, and storylines that blend the mystical with the messy... Black Sun is for you.
That’s all I’ve got for this week, y’all! As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts—what you’re reading, what you’re loving (or not), and what should be on the radar next.
xx, Tay