This cookbook is an updated version of the classic original Star Trek cookbook written in the 1980s by Ethan Phillips and William J. Birnes. Monroe-Cassel has updated the cookbook with recipes that fit the diverse eating styles of today with a twenty-fourth-century flair. 

The author has a history of combining her love of fantasy with her love of food. Her popular Game of Thrones-inspired food blog, Inn at the Crossroads, inspired publishers to choose Chelsea Monroe-Cassel to write the best-selling A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Game of Thrones Companion Cookbook.

The Star Trek Cookbook is a delightfully clever, easy-to-follow cookbook with yummy fun to make recipes for the entire family. The cookbook is aesthetically beautiful. Not only did Chelsea Monroe-Cassel update and create new recipes, but she also photographed and food styled the book exquisitely. 

The cookbook has an easy-to-follow structure, and the recipes are broken down into seven chapters that make perfect sense. Individually, the recipes are so easy that anyone can follow them and feel like an expert in the kitchen. Each recipe comes from a different film or TV show from the Star Trek universe’s timeline and is derived from a specific culture from the Star Trek canon. 

I cooked the following recipes: Fettran Sauce, Greenbread, Plomeek Soup, Katterpod Noodle Bowl,  Denobulkan Sausages, and Ratamba Stew.

Fettran Sauce 

Source: Voyager

Culture: Risan

The Risans look like humans but have a round silver button-like ornament on their foreheads. Their planet’s focus is a pleasure. Fettran sauce is a lovely expression of flavor in a sauce that can be made to be savory or sweet. I made the savory version and used it to prepare shrimp and vegetables that were simply outstanding. Each sauce recipe consists of just three ingredients and takes fifteen minutes to prepare.

Greenbread

Source: Deep Space Nine

Culture: Yaderan 

Greenbread was hands down my favorite recipe. This cookbook is a baker’s delight. I love baking but rarely take the time to do it when I can just go to my favorite bakery when I get the urge. But Greenbread rocked my world. The bread is green, not from food coloring; no, my friend. Chelsea Monroe-Cassel uses frozen peas to create this otherworldly-looking loaf. The prep time is five minutes, and the cook time is just two minutes! The result, a light soft fluffy bread, when topped with any kind of butter, will melt in your mouth. If you have kids who aren’t fond of veggies, you can sneak in the veggies through this tasty treat. 

Plomeek Soup

Source: Star Trek: The Original Series, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Enterprise

Culture: Vulcan

Plomeek soup is a wonderful reflection of the Star Trek world come to life in the kitchen. The plomeek plant is native to Vulcan, and this recipe’s description tells a compelling story of how the fruit of the plomeek plant is harvested and its place in Vulcan cuisine. I love the fruit blend of this soup, and it’s able to be served either hot or cold. Lovely for hot or cold weather.

Makapa Bread

Source: Deep Space Nine

Culture: Bajoran

I’ve never made chocolate bread, so why have I never had this magic in my life before? Makapa bread has a crunchy crust and a soft middle. It reminds me of a softer version of biscotti, perfect for afternoon tea. This recipe isn’t for you if you’re not a fan of chocolate. But if you are, make Makapa Bread this fall to get your hygge on.

Katterpod Noodle Bowl 

Source: Deep Space Nine

Culture: Bajoran

Katterpod Noodle Bowl has a fantastic blend of full-fat coconut milk, Thai red curry paste, creamy peanut butter, soba noodles, and chickpeas that is simply delicious. From the noodles to the chickpeas, this noodle bowl is packed with protein, veggies, and flavor and takes just five minutes to prepare with a twenty-minute cook time. The dish is filling, and the flavor profile is savory and just feels nourishing. The Katterpod Noodle Bowl proves that vegan recipes don’t have to be boring and flavorless.

Denobulan Sausages

Source: Enterprise

Culture: Denobulan

Denobulan Sausages are simple. Anyone can make this recipe, which can be made with animal protein or plant-based sausages. The glaze has this heavenly blend of sweet and savory that blends perfectly. The secret to these sausages is that they are hot dogs dressed up to be otherworldly. You don’t have to break your budget to have a dinner that engages your imagination.

Ratamba Stew

Source: Deep Space Nine

Culture: Bajoran

This recipe wasn’t quite my taste but gets high points for creativity. The sauce is a spinach feta cheese pesto with veggies on noodles, but the recipe doesn’t have much flavor on its own. If you try this one, I recommend adding your own spices and adding salt because on its own, this recipe was bland.

The Star Trek Cookbook: Culinary Adventures in the Final Frontier is fantastic; even the book’s construction is convenient. It opens flat on the counter, and the pages stay open so you can easily look at the recipe as you’re cooking without having to use anything to keep the pages flat. 

In the foreword, Chelsea Monroe-Cassel describes herself as a Gastrodiplomat for the Federation. She has named herself perfectly, and she doesn’t forget to include beverages, hot and cold, alcoholic and non-alcoholic. 

If you’re having a Star Trek-themed party, the cookbook ends with a few pages of menu suggestions that make planning easy. The most surprising aspect of this cookbook is how it makes baking easy. Ktarian Chocolate Puffs, Meringue Drops, and Trixian Bubble Candy are all items that can bring some fun into the kitchen. The Delvan Fluff Pastry is a chameleon recipe for baking and was used in several recipes in the cookbook. I’ve always been a little intimidated by puff pastry, but this recipe was simple and works! This recipe is a dream. 

If you’re a caregiver of any kind, to anyone, cooking can be a slog. As I made each recipe, I read the story behind the food from the Star Trek universe, and as I cooked, it set my imagination free. The kitchen is one place where the result will be delicious if you follow the directions exactly. Connecting to worlds beyond my reality as I cook makes life a little sweeter. 

The Star Trek Cookbook: Culinary Adventures in the Final Frontier brings ease, creativity, and joy to the kitchen, allowing foodies of all ages to boldly take their culinary skills to new levels of Starfleet excellence.

The Star Trek Cookbook Culinary Adventures in the Final Frontier is on sale September 20, 2022.

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Jenn Fujikawa is the lifestyle author of Star Wars: The Life Day Cookbook (Official Holiday Recipes from a Galaxy Far, Far, Away), The Goldbergs Cookbook, and The I Love Lucy Cookbook: Classic Recipes Inspired by the Iconic TV Show. Co-writer Marc Sumerak has collaborated on the Star Wars holiday cookbook with Fujikawa and The Office: The Official Party Planning Guide to Planning Parties, Cooking With Deadpool, and he’s written for video games and comic books.  

The Avengers Campus cookbook is told through the perspective of Cassie Lang (aka future Young Avenger Stinger), who starts off by telling how her father, Ant-Man, got his powers from Dr. Henry “Hank” Pym. Cassie is interested in solving world hunger and decided to experiment to see if Pym Particles could somehow be used to increase the size of food to feed more people. Cassie decides to use her idea to create an experiment. She asks Dr. Pym’s daughter Hope (the Wasp) and her research team to open up the Pym Test Kitchen to start experimenting with food particles to take “small actions on the plate that mean big impacts for a healthy planet.” Cassie spends her summer with Hope experimenting with food, and this cookbook represents the delicious fruit of their labor.  

I cooked the following recipes: Galactic Greens, Not So Little Chicken Sandwich, Harley’s Loaded Tater Tots, Peach Pym Pies, New York’s Tastiest Shawarma, Impossible Victory Falafel Shawarma, and Onome’s Outreach. Here are the highlights:

Galactic Greens: An eclectic blend of greens in a recipe shared by Taneleer Tivan, better known as the Collector, this salad is light, tasty, and unexpectedly filling. It’s all about the dressing. The combination of diced avocado, cilantro, dill, parsley, lemon juice, and other creamy ingredients make this salad sing.  

Not So Little Chicken Sandwich: The level of this sandwich is difficult, and that’s because there are several homemade components to this recipe. The result is delicious. It’s not so little because it consists of slaw, teriyaki mayonnaise, sriracha mayonnaise, and a breaded fried chicken breast, all made from scratch. The instructions are clear, and even though the prep time is an hour and the cooking time is thirty minutes, the result is a mouth-watering delight.

Harley’s Loaded Tater Tots: Harley Keener is that kid who helped Tony Stark in Iron Man 3 when Tony broke into his garage seeking a little shelter from the cold and food. Well, he’s working with Cassie at the Worldwide Engineering Brigade, conceived by Tony. Your budget will love this recipe. Tater tots are an affordable treat you can find in any grocery store frozen food aisle. Add the elements of a loaded baked potato to the mix, and you’ve got a filling snack that will leave you with a definite smile.

Peach Pym Pies: Mini peach pies make my day. The pastry element of this recipe is one of the best I’ve used in a while. Using muffin tins to create tiny pies is sheer brilliance. This treat is sweet enough to accentuate the taste of the fresh peaches, and this recipe was one of my favorites from this cookbook.

New York’s Tastiest Shawarma and Impossible Victory Falafel Shawarma: Remember after the battle of New York when Earth’s Mightiest Heroes got a bite to eat at Tony’s favorite Shawarma joint? Shawarma Palace has opened up a little food cart near the Avengers Campus and shared its recipes for this cookbook. The flavors are out of this world. I never thought of using the impossible burger for a falafel before but guess what? It works! No need to go to the Big Apple for a bite to eat; just take a little time at home to prepare these delicious dishes.

Onome’s Outreach: Onome is one of Wakanda’s brightest minds sent to the Avengers Campus by King T’Challa and Shuri to teach. Not only is she sharing technology with the Worldwide Engineering Brigade, but she’s also shared this unique drink of coconut milk, berries, vanilla, and sugar. The recipe is not too difficult to make and tastes like a dream. 

Avengers Campus: The Official Cookbook is an easy-to-use and imaginative cookbook perfect for Marvel fans of all ages. Reading through the pages and seeing all of the younger characters involved in the storylines, I wonder if this book is a preview for the introduction of the Young Avengers. Wouldn’t that be clever? Well, perhaps if you cook your way through this cookbook, you’ll discover some hidden clues. You’ll definitely love the recipes; you’ll be satisfied either way.

Avengers Campus: The Official Cookbook (Recipes from Pym’s Test Kitchen and Beyond) is available at bookstores and online booksellers.

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Once in a galaxy far and away, there was a time when Qui Gon-Jin Jedi Master made his way to a planet, tortured by time.  Somehow, a mission was left incomplete, and Mace Windu is now tasked with discovering the secret of a planet whose population has moved underground among crystalline structures illuminated by luminescent mushrooms.  Plus, whatever else is lurking in the depths of the lower-level caverns.

At its heart, Star Wars: Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss is a detective story with one of the Jedi’s best detectives on the case.  Barnes has taken great effort to put the reader in the midst of planet Metagos with a comprehensive description of the crystalline structure and geometry of this subterranean community thus establishing it as its own character.  Mace descends through each of the community’s social strata to earn the trust of the people just trying to make it as well as the tyrants that have oppressed them. 

The real question is whether this is really a Star Wars story or just a science fiction story with a protagonist with a special skill.  George Lucas’ premise about the Force and the Jedi is the fight between good and evil.   The Jedi represents the good and the Sith the bad.  So, what does it mean, when a master of the Jedi suppresses the very power that makes him a master?  Now, it is acknowledged that there is a whole series about Obi-Wan Kenobi, walking away from the Force. Of course, that is after the supremacy of the Jedi is felled by the traitorous acts of Anakin Skywalker and the issuance of the ominous Order 66 by Emperor Palpatine much later in the Star Wars universe than this story.  So is a Jedi a Jedi, without being good, without protecting the weak, and/or without the Force?

Somewhere on the internet, there is an item that suggests that Tupac Shakur was interested in auditioning for the role of Mace Windu.  Tupac was a fine enough actor, but Samuel L. Jackson provided just the right amount of swagger and maturity needed for a vaunted Jedi Master.  In the comics, animated series, and movies. Mace Windu is really the only Jedi of color – blue, green, excluded – with any major role in almost the entire franchise until the Star Wars post-quels (Episodes 9-11) with John Boyega’s Finn.  Windu is first introduced in 1999 during The Phantom Menace. 

Like many, there was eagerness in my consumption of any story with Mace in it, which was limited to mainly comics, then he appeared in the animated shorts in 2003. But it was the movie Revenge of the Sith where the real Samuel-L-Jacksonness of Mace shone through with the battle with Emperor Palpatine.  Despite being force-lightning blasted out a window, he was a bad-mother-shut-your-mouth.  So much so, I spent an entire cruise, sitting by a pool with a cool beverage and Star Wars: Revenge of The Sith: Episode III, by Matthew Stover.  Stover’s description of the battles, especially the one between Windu and Palpatine, really solidified why Windu was a Jedi Master.

This other Mace Windu history permeated throughout the rest of the Star Wars universe, maybe why I struggled with the story.  At times the plot felt like it was written based on the lyrics to Issac Hayes’ theme to the 1970’s blaxploitation film Shaft: 

Who is the man that would risk his neck for his brother man?

(Mace)

Can you dig it?

Who’s the cat that won’t cop out when there’s danger all about?

(Mace)

Right on

They say this cat Shaft is a bad mother

(shut your mouth)

I’m talkin’ ’bout Mace

(then we can dig it)

He’s a complicated man

But no one understands him but his woman

(Mace Windu)

Okay, I acknowledge that this could just be my own bias brought into the context of Mace because of Samuel Jackson’s portrayal of both characters on the big screen, but I bet I’m not the only one.  If you are looking for a Star Wars story that expands your understanding of the Force or advancing the events between Episode I: The Phantom Menace and Episode II: Attack of the Clones, this is not it.  If you are looking for a dive into the psyche of Mace Windu, you will have to read this one and make it up your own mind.

You can purchase Star Wars: Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss on Amazon or wherever books are sold.

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No worries, we got you covered. Game of Thrones: A Guide to Westeros and Beyond, The Complete Series is the perfect addition to any GoT super fan’s collection. For eight seasons, we have followed the Great Houses of Westeros as they fought for power and the Iron Throne. Lavishly illustrated, this wonderful companion piece celebrates the complete Emmy-winning series from beginning to end.

The book is comprised of two parts. We begin in the South and Essos and end in the North and Beyond the Wall. It is a literal feast for the eyes, complete with character profiles, battle depictions, and those handy family trees (between the dating habits of the Lannisters and the Targaryens, it’s hard to keep everything straight).

In the South, Robert Baratheon sits on the Iron Throne, but across the Narrow Sea in Essos whispers of the remains of the Targaryen dynasty still persist. Unbeknownst to Robert, it is Daenerys Targaryen who plots to usurp his throne and not her older brother, Viserys. In his own household, Robert contends with the likes of his wife Cersei Lannister and her brother and secret lover Jamie. Your first look into this world is a breathtaking map of Westeros, the South colored blood red — perhaps it’s a sign of things to come and all the lives lost vying for the Iron Throne. To quote our favorite Mad Queen, the throne will be reclaimed through “fire and blood.”

To understand this strange world and all its players, the show cleverly laid out its world-building in the opening credits. The iconic theme song plays as the viewer is taken on a journey across the world. Overlooking Westeros is the astrolabe. Fans of the show will be delighted to discover that this companion book beautifully illustrates the astrolabe and provides insight into the various scenes depicted. Ever wonder about the symbolism of a dragon fighting off a pack of Direwolves? This book has you covered.

Part I dives into the character profiles of our favorite and most hated players of the South and Essos. We learn of Robert’s Rebellion and “kidnapping” of Lyanna Stark — the spark that started the Rebellion and eventually brought down the Targaryen dynasty. We learn of Robert’s glory days, a far cry from the drunken king portrayed on screen. Perhaps my favorite character profile is that of Robert’s Queen Cersei Lannister and her siblings Tyrion and Jamie. The book has a chart comparing who drank more wine throughout the series, Cersei or Tyrion? It’s safe to say that despite his short stature, Tyrion drunk Cersei under the table.

Ever wondered about the ins and outs of King’s Landing? The book illustrates a detailed map of the city along with a description of the Red Keep, the Great Sept of Baelor, Flea Bottom, the oft forgotten Hills, and the notorious Dragon Pit. Music is a central part of the South. A Guide to Westeros and Beyond breaks down iconic songs such as “The Rains of Castamere” and “The Bear and the Maiden Fair.” “‘And who are you,’ the proud lord said, ‘that I must bow so low?’” will forever be my favorite line. Thanks to the book we know exactly what became of the proud lord and how Tywin Lannister crushed his house.

Speaking of proud leaders, let’s head across the Narrow Sea to the stomping grounds of the Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen. We first meet her in the city of Pentos, and we last see her in King’s Landing dying in the arms of her lover and nephew Jon Snow (we’ll get to him later). Daenerys is probably one of the most traveled characters on the show. Her journey is wonderfully illustrated from beginning to end in A Guide to Westeros. From her time in the Dothraki grasslands riding horseback alongside her husband Khal Drogo to her despair through the Red Waste to her triumphant return to Dragonstone and her valiant fight against the Army of the Dead in the North to her tragic end in the Red Keep, we are treated to the journey of our beloved Khalessi. Along the way, she met her closest advisors Jorah Mormont, Grey Worm, Missandei of Naath (Long may her curls pop!), Daario Naharis, and Lord Varys. Each of her advisors and friends has their own character profiles but my favorites of all are those of her children, the dragons. Long has the Three-Headed Dragon been the symbol of the Targaryen household. Despite the fact that they were thought to have died out, Daenerys gave “birth” to three dragons. Their names were Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal. A Guide to Westeros describes the dragons in great detail, down to their coloring, size, and their riders. “Dracarys,” indeed.

In Part II of A Guide to Westeros, we travel further north to the domain of the Starks of Winterfell. If you were to ask me which house I’d belong to, I am Team Stark all the way. Between their patriarch Ned Stark, free-spirited Arya Stark, and somber Jon Snow, there was so much to love. Perhaps almost as iconic as the Starks are their swords: Ice, Longclaw, and Needle. A Guide to Westeros does an amazing job of illustrating the Greats Sword of Westeros and Essos along with their history and owners. Despite his untimely demise by the sharp blade of Ice, Ned Stark’s presence is felt throughout the series. His ghost never quite left our minds or our hearts. The profile of the Warden of the North along with a layout of his home and large family is highlighted in A Guide to Westeros. We are reintroduced to sweet demure Sansa, precocious young Bran, mischievous Rickon, adventurous Arya, stalwart Robb, proud Catelyn. and last but certainly not least brooding Jon Snow.

The book explores the North in great detail to Bear Island, the Last Hearth, and the Wall. Much like Daenerys, Arya Stark is another world traveler whose journey is chronicled from her time on the King’s Road, serving as Tywin Lannister’s cupbearer in Harrenhal, training with the Faceless Men in Braavos, and her eventual return to the North. Just as the Dragons are the sigil of House Targaryen, the Direwolves are the symbol of House Stark. In A Guide to Westeros, we are treated to a breakdown of the six proud Direwolves of House Stark: Grey Wind, Summer, Lady, Shaggydog, and the remaining wolves — Nymeria and Ghost. Fans of the series will enjoy a refresher course of the Direwolves, their status, and their owners. Much like their Direwolves, the Starks endured loss and tragedy (cue the Red Wedding), yet the remaining Starks managed to thrive. “When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives.”

Finally, our journey ends at the Wall and beyond into the domain of the White Walkers. Ever has the Night King tormented our fearless Jon Snow (later revealed to be a Targaryen prince). The two Kings of the North battled it out in the Hardhome and later had a rematch on the fields outside of Winterfell atop the back of their respective Dragons. In the end, young Arya Stark was the one who took out the Night King, but if you were ever wondering the difference between the White Walkers and wights, this is the book for you. Their physical characteristics, abilities, and weaknesses are documented in a handy table. It is like having the ultimate cheat code. If battles are your jam, A Guide to Westeros is filled with hand-drawn, Dragon’s eye views of each significant battle in Game of Thrones.

Game of Thrones: A Guide to Westeros and Beyond, The Complete Series is the ultimate companion book for any Game of Thrones super fan. You will pour over every inch of this masterpiece. Be sure to grab your own copy wherever books are sold starting November 5. Until then, just remember, “When you play the Game of Thrones, you win or you die.”

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Author: Myles McNutt

Currently available on Amazon or wherever books are sold.

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Jim is a lowly employee at a bank. He is sent down to the vault to complete a task where the door suddenly closes on him. When he finally emerges from the vault, everyone in the bank and everyone in the street is dead. He will only find another person who is alive: a rich white heiress named Julia. But Jim is a Black man.

DuBois was a sociologist and civil rights activist. The Comet, one of his few fiction works, was originally published in a collection of essays and poems. As such, it is obviously a work of fiction that claims its metaphorical nature within an ensemble that aims to educate about racial discrimination in America. More than that, it can be read as a parable with a plague of biblical proportion, the comet, and an Adam and Eve in a New York full of corpses. The short story is full of symbolism, which has been extensively studied in many interesting academic studies.

Obviously, the racial discrimination is at the heart of the short story. The divide between Jim and Julia is not only a racial one but also one of class, inherent to the racial dynamics of the 1920’s.

The dynamics in the short story are extremely interesting and expose the hypocrisy at the heart of them: think you’re the only two survivors in the world and suddenly realize your common humanity! But, like an elastic band, discrimination always comes back to slap your fingers.

The ending adds both a bitter and a sweet note–bitter in how the elastic comes back and sweet because, despite it all, there is some consolation.

The Comet is a very early sci-fi novel and the science in it isn’t exactly (to put it mildly) accurate. But it’s more of a pretext for a rational explanation to the situation rather than “and then everybody just died”. By being a scientific explanation, it also adds a touch of futurism, something that came from the stars. There are no ancient powers, no mysticism, no magic. Instead, there are banks, cars, and a comet. DuBois aimed to write a story fully in the modern era and to place Black people in it. In this, he truly is one of the founders of Afrofuturism.

To the modern reader, The Comet may lack some character development. But the writing is often brilliant, particularly when Jim roams the streets of New York in search of another survivor.

It’s a short story that will, of course, be of interest to anyone interested in the classics and in the history of sci-fi. And, obviously, it will be of interest to anyone interested in how racial issues are discussed within sci-fi and fantasy stories.

But beyond that, The Comet, a story which is now 98 years old, remains an incredibly modern and engaging short story that I recommend to everyone.

W.E.B. DuBois, “The Comet”, Darkwater, 1920. Reprinted in Dark Matter: The Anthology of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Speculative Fiction by Black Writers, edited by Sheree Thomas and Martin Simmons (2000).

C. has been reading science-fiction and fantasy for about 30 years and tries to have a life in between books, though it’s often less interesting than fictional worlds. You can find more science-fiction and fantasy books reviews by C. on http://www.themiddleshelf.org or on Twitter: @themiddleshelf1

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Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror is a horror anthology by Black authors edited by Jordan Peele and I was so excited to read this. As we know, Peele definitely has an eye for a good story so I was very intrigued. The collection is a mix of horror, science fiction, folklore, and social commentary from the perspective of Black experiences that grapple with death, grief, racism, technology, and spirituality. Overall, this was a brilliant anthology filled with cosmic horror to psychological horror to your typical hauntings and haunted houses.

One thing that works for this collection is how differently the stories are. I wouldn’t be able to put any two stories from this collection together and say they felt similar, so I think anyone who picks this collection up will be able to find something they like.

With anthologies, my intention is to read two or three stories a day instead of trying to read it in big chunks. I managed to do that and it helped my enjoyment of it, as I never felt weighed down. Some of these stories are a little heavier in theme so reading them back-to-back wouldn’t have been the best idea. 

This book was a great introduction to several new-to-me authors in a genre I’ve started to delve into more deeply. It’s also an outstanding example of the diversity of storytelling that exists within it. There were a few standout stories and authors I’m especially excited to read more from, but the anthology as a whole captivated my attention.

From psychological horror to monster hunting to alien abduction to folk/spiritual horror to contemporary history, this collection has varied ideas. Some of the stories were gut punches but perfectly paced and focused. Others felt like they could have benefitted from 50 more pages and being made into novellas.

The first story in the collection is Reckless Eyeballing by N.K. Jemisin. Black cop Carl sees eyes on car headlights which leads him to suspect that the drivers are guilty of crimes. Jemisin knows how to tell a story! The ending was a bit of body horror.

Eye & Tooth by Rebecca Roanhorse is about a sibling duo, Zelda and Atticus, who are supernatural hitmen, if you will. They accept a job in rural Texas from a woman with a supernatural creature problem. So, think creepy farmhouse, creepy cornfields, and creepy child galore. The atmosphere and setting were spooky. All of these elements drew me in quickly. But the ending was too abrupt for me. I wish there were more hints for Zelda’s powers. It felt like it came out of nowhere, but for a short story, I suppose it worked.

The Rider by Tananarive Due is a story of two sisters, Pat and Priscilla, who are involved in the Freedom Riders movement during the Civil Rights era. They take a bus to Montgomery, Alabama (or try to, anyway). I loved the historical aspect combined with a creepy monster devil. Thank goodness their plans didn’t work out!

My other favorites in this collection are The Most Strongest Obeah Woman of the World by Nalo Hopkinson. Yenderil swims to the bottom of the blue hole to kill the beast that haunts her village. But instead, the beast latches itself to her. It’s a combination of body horror and cosmic horror. It was gross and cool at the same time. The Norwood Trouble by Maurice Broaddus is about a young girl who experiences a lynch mob in the years before civil rights was initiated in the United States. I was expecting a short story with a historical setting where racism itself is the monster and this was definitely it. There is a quote from this story that stood out for me:

“Know your place. Stay in your place. But if you build your place into something nice, they want to take it from you. All they needed was an excuse.”

Within the 19 stories, some paint a bright image, some just get under your skin, some are bleak and dark, and some came through with a sense of hope, but they all force you to ask yourself, what is it that horrifies you? What is more frightening to you: a supernatural entity, or a police officer in a small town? What about your place in history? Regardless of what you see when you stare at the horrific, there is something in this collection to excite you, and something that will dig its way into your mind, blurring what you thought you knew to be safe.

In 1973, The Exorcist appeared in movie theaters. Three years later, writer James Baldwin shared his thoughts about the film in The Devil Finds Work, a book-length essay about racism in American cinema. Baldwin felt that the most memorable scene, a young girl twisting her head 360 degrees, was horrific but not for the obvious reason: that white Americans could watch it but have no real fear, by contrast, when imagining the everyday horrors of life as a Black American.

To Baldwin, the film was designed to horrify white Americans, who would have no idea of what it was like to be treated as inhuman. “The mindless and hysterical banality of the evil presented in The Exorcist is the most terrifying thing about the film,” he writes. “The Americans,” he continues, “should certainly know more about evil than that; if they pretend otherwise, they are lying, and any Black man … can call them on this lie; he who has been treated as the devil recognizes the devil when they meet.”

What I appreciate about Peele is that he is using his immense platform and influence to elevate the work of Black horror writers and stories. These stories are grounded in many different aspects of the Black experience, although not always explicitly, and this is what connects all of these diverse stories. I loved the inclusion and discussion of race and being Black in America in some of these stories. It really goes back to the question: What is it that horrifies you? Because for Black people, our answers will be quite different than others.

I highly-recommend this book for those that love horror stories, as well as those starting to dip their toes into the horror waters. It blends non-fictional themes with social and psychological aspects of the Black experience. The quality of the stories and the variety of horror represented makes this a 5/5 star read for me.

Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror is available October 3, 2023 wherever books are sold.

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Enter these new titles Vigilante: Southland, Mosaic, and Prowler featuring Black superheroes.

Vigilante: Southland

While DC has pretty much stuck to its roots during its rebirth — except for all the Robins (see We Are Robin) — they are trying out the latest reincarnation of Vigilante.

From the Old West to Manhattan, this anti-hero lives again in a six-issue miniseries, Vigilante: Southland. In this iteration, Vigilante is a professional basketball player-turned-janitor who goes on the hunt for the killer of his professor girlfriend, Dorrie, after she poked her nose where it didn’t belong. Elena Casagrande (Suicide Risk, Angel) does a great job on the pencils and inks, but I hope the angry Black man isn’t the only visage to be portrayed. I haven’t seen a real-crime title from DC in several years; some independent publishers have some (including a James Bond title), covers of TV shows like Blacklist and Orphan Black, and the lunar crime fighters in The Fuse. As this is written by crime novelist Gary Phillips (GI Joe, Frontline, Shot Callerz), we are assured of a well-developed story.  The question is whether this will be a good comic.  After the issue, the weed-smoking, video-game-playing protagonist checks a lot of the boxes on Black stereotypes, so I await Issue 2 and further plot development.

Mosaic

Marvel’s newest arrival from the terrigenous cocoon is Morris Sackett, and (you guessed it) he is a Black basketball player. Written by Geoffrey Thorne (Solo, Knight Rider), the Mosaic prequel was very entertaining as an already-emerged Sackett breaks into a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility, makes fools of the stalwart Agent May, the powerful Agent Daisy a.k.a Quake, and super agent Phil Coulson, by stealing Coulson’s car.

Issue 1 shows his origin story: the loss of his physical form and the ability to jump from one person to another, taking with him the memories of those he inhabits wherein he ends up helping his new persona rob the Russian mob and then moves on. There’s not much story, but there is an entire planet of people to inhabit.  Khary Randolph (Quixote, Spider-Man, X-Men) pens some amazing panels, providing a great deal of depth to the character.

Prowler

Prowler, another title from Marvel, continues the story from Amazing Spider-Man #17. In Amazing, the Jackal, one of Spider-Man’s foes, has set up a medical company called New U, which has been cloning the loved ones of various supervillains in exchange for their services. Hobie Brown (Prowler), who has been working for Spider-Man, goes to investigate the development and is killed by the new Electro, Francine. Hobie is cloned and is convinced to join the Jackal, especially because he finds out that he must take a pill daily to stay alive.

In the first issue of Prowler, Hobie manages his new duties as head of New U security by wrangling the Jackal’s new supervillain clone lineup. He steps out to do a little crime fighting and is rebuffed by his new boss. If you’re not familiar, Hobie Brown is a smarter than average guy who was working as a window washer until he invented the tech to support his alter-ego Prowler. Initially, he started out as a criminal and then reformed and helped protect Spider-Man’s identity by sometimes impersonating the wall-crawler. The first issue seems to suggest New U is on a humanitarian mission, but come on with all the supervillains in the basement. Who are they trying to kid?

Sean Ryan (Nova, Convergence: Flash) takes the lead as we explore Prowler’s journey into the current Spider-Man storyline, the Clone Conspiracy. This is a well drawn, beautifully inked issue by Jamal Campbell (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Guardians of Infinity).

These three titles provide Black men in the lead and are written and drawn well, mostly by Black men. However just having Black characters is not enough. When I suppress my joy and take a step back, these characters still feel to me like the Blaxploitation characters from the 1970s. As Marvel and DC explore diversity, it should be remembered that diversity is more than race. I am hoping these characters can rise above the stereotypes found in each of these books and provide a more representative model of Black men.

So just to help out, there are about 300 players in the NBA, with about 224 or them being Black, so the other 21 million Black men are obviously in other professions. About a half a million are in jail, so as we venture into diversity in the 21st century, I would like a couple of titles to reflect those good 20 million Black men who go to work every day, punch a clock, pick up their kids, love their wife, and wander into the terrigenous mists, get bit by something, get irradiated by something else, and become a superhero.

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Cookbooks of favorite TV shows are all the rage these days. Fans of Outlander have Outlander Kitchen. Fans of Game of Thrones have A Feast of Ice and Fire. I myself am the proud owner of True Blood: Eats, Drinks, and Bites from Bon Temps. Now, all the fannibals and foodies out there can enjoy the same thing for Hannibal, thanks to the show’s incredibly talented food stylist, Janice Poon.

Admittedly, I’ve only seen a few episodes of the show and never got an opportunity to enjoy it like other people, but I will say that one of my first impressions of the show when I first watched it was how beautiful the food looked. Food apparently played a significant role in the show — considering the protagonist is a sophisticated gastronome — so it makes perfect sense that there would be a cookbook to accompany the series.

Feeding Hannibal: A Connoisseur’s Cookbook is complete with appetizers, meats, fish, soups, salads, side dishes, desserts, and drinks, but the best parts of the cookbook, in my opinion, are the “How to Hannibalize Your Table” section, which gives tips and ideas for garnishing your table and designing your food, the beautiful pictures from the set, and the small anecdotes about the show. Sample dishes include:

• Paella on the Rocks
• Freddie’s Ginger Carrot-Top Slaw
• Seared Foie Gras with Sage Plum Berry Sauce
• Ravenstag Stew
• Reba’s Cherry Berry Pie

You don’t have to be a fan of the show to enjoy this cookbook, though it certainly helps if you are! Anyone who enjoys art, design, and food (especially all of that wrapped into one) will get a kick out of trying these dishes.

Don’t worry; there are no human parts required, but there are several recipes that call for the use of animal blood. It’s true that animal blood has been used since early history to thicken sauces, and many French and Southeast Asian dishes today incorporate that process. However, if that’s not your cup of tea, then don’t worry. There aren’t that many recipes in the book that call for it. You’re also going to need to carve out some time to make most of these dishes. There are no simple 30-minute meals unless you’re making drinks or one of the breakfast recipes, so it’s great to use if you’re throwing a dinner party and want to impress your guests.

Janice Poon served as a food stylist for American Gods.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Feeding Hannibal: A Connoisseur’s Cookbook can be purchased here.

Kyndal is a free spirit who finds it very hard to describe herself. Tea Snob. Daydreamer. History, Fantasy, & Book Blerd. Cursed with Wanderlust. Jams to show tunes. Obsessed with Hamilton (the musical). Always on the advent of her next adventure. 

Twitter: @ladykyndal 

IG: @ladykyndal

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Starting with the author’s note, McCullough takes readers on a relatable journey grounded in history, self-awareness, social justice, and community care. Straight out of the gate, the author’s notes chapter is a succinct and moving recap of the losses Black communities experienced alongside the racial awareness and uprising during the pandemic. We get this recent history through the lens of the pandemic’s impact on McCullough’s career as a therapist and her personal life.

McCullough found herself bombarded on all sides and decided to step away from a practice that was not in alignment with her ethics and values, realizing that if she did not leave her job, her mental and physical health would suffer. So, with the added attention of the need for Black therapists during the pandemic, she took the brave step of leaving a soul-draining practice and stepping out on her own. The writing in this book is impressive. McCullough’s tone is like she is in the room, having a loving and informed conversation with you. 

Reclaiming the Black Body: Nourishing the Home Within is part history lesson, part inspirational text that educates as it takes the time to work through the nuances of the challenging items discussed. A key element of this self-care resource is that before the author dives into a subject using “social-justice lingo,” she takes the time in the early chapter “A Few Key Terms and Concepts to Situate Us” to define the terms and concepts she will be using throughout the book. She describes the terms eating disorder vs. eating imbalance, colonization, capitalism, trauma, epigenetics, and what it means to be embodied in ways that are informative and engaging for people who use these terms regularly or not.

The book is a perfect example of how to engage complex topics from a trauma-informed perspective. Some chapters come with deeply thought-out content warnings at the beginning of the chapter to prepare the reader for what is to come.  One that stood out for me was Chapter 5: “Fatphobia and the Black Community.”  The content warning states, ”This chapter will discuss examples of fatphobia, anti-fat sentiments, and weight stigma. While I intend to describe these terms and experiences to offer more content and aim to discuss these things in an honest and responsible way, I understand that this topic may be triggering or activating for those who are fat or in larger bodies and for those who live with eating imbalances.” At the end of each chapter, there are questions for reflection where readers can pull out their journals and use the writing prompts to dive deeper into the material. McCollough writes in a kind and loving style that welcomes readers with clarity, deep knowing, wisdom, empathy, and compassion. 

Instead of just being a book that gives unrealistic exercises that are hard to execute and understand, Reclaiming the Black Body: Nourishing the Home Within recognizes the challenges that Black people face every day as human beings on this planet, folds in how systems impact the Black community’s ability to nourish ourselves while we also coexist with systemic racism, and then celebrates the fact that we are still here, and does so in a relatable way. The wisdom is down-to-earth and accessible.

Eating disorders in Black communities do manifest in ways that we commonly see in other communities, but what Alisha McCullough exposes are the unique and subtle ways we see eating disorders appear in Black communities that are traditionally ignored. For example, how abstinence culture in conservative Christian Black culture defines a young Black woman’s worth by her ability to limit her calories and keep her dress size as small as possible, factoring into her worthiness and ability to attract a mate. The book also discusses the impact of a hip-hop culture that created a body image for women that negatively impacted generations of Black girls attempting to achieve an almost impossible big bust, thick thigh, small waist combination to be considered to be attractive, worthy, and dateable. It also gives a candid look at the rise of toxic veganism in Black communities as a class issue, as well as the illusion that one style of eating is the only style of eating that all humans need to achieve optimum health and wellness.

Many people in Black communities love talking about cooking and eating soul food, but beyond fat shaming, most Black folks have not had time to discuss eating disorders. Early on, when defining the terms she will be using in Reclaiming the Black Body, McCullough talks about how, in order to survive, Black people have had to be disembodied. Our ancestors were placed under such extreme physical trauma that their coping mechanisms were to be disembodied from the pain and suffering that their physical bodies were going through, without the proper nutrition to survive. These coping mechanisms have been passed down through family lines, and in some cases, this kind of disembodiment is perceived to be strength. Only recently have we begun to scratch the surface of how to process this trauma in different ways. 

After Reclaiming the Black Body: Nourishing the Home Within lays out the history, challenges, and complexities, it gives the reader different perspectives and provides the opportunity for readers to start the process of formulating how to create individual solutions and connect to community. I’ve been practicing yoga asana since 2001 and recently completed my 500-hour yoga guide certification. I’ve always liked yoga and recognize the African roots of the practice. I always have to translate the teachings to be relevant to my experience as a Black American woman descendant of enslaved Africans from South Carolina and the West Indies.

Reading Reclaiming the Black Body: Nourishing the Home Within did not require additional mental gymnastics; this book felt like coming home. McCullough was able to capture a knowing that has always been inside me, but no one has dared to articulate. I’m so grateful that McCullough had the knowledge, compassion, and wisdom to be the vehicle through which this powerful wisdom can enter the world, particularly now.

Black people have continuously educated one another beyond systems. Reclaiming the Black Body: Nourishing the Home Within is like the Our Bodies, Ourselves for Black folks. A must-read, essential for any Black person who feels a gap in self-care beyond rest, plant-based diets, potions, and lotions.

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It’s gone on to win a countless amount of awards from Pulitzer, NAACP Image, Ignatz, and so many more. I can’t stress just how much the book is more than just a story; it’s an experience that can’t be portrayed solely by reading text. The elements that were used in the audiobook immersed the reader into the very moments Bell was describing, causing you to feel exactly what he was feeling as he recounts the events that took place. It plays like a production as if you’re listening to a man narrating a movie that you can’t see, but the images it leads you to envision are powerful.

Bell begins his story by detailing how his mom wouldn’t allow him to carry a water gun when he was six years old out of fear that it would appear real to the police and make him a target of a racist act. It was a moment that made you truly sad that a kid couldn’t simply be a kid today the way they once were.

One thing that remains constant throughout The Talk is the metaphor Bell uses to represent police: the sounds of aggressive dogs barking. The first few references would initially have you thinking there are really dogs present, but as the story unfolds, you see what his true intentions were. It’s thought-provoking when you see how different life was for him and get a true glimpse of what it is for most Black men today.

His autobiography is raw inside and out from the graphic descriptions to the way white people spoke to him as though he was not their equal. While he realizes the discrimination he experiences in school and workplaces is unfair, he battles with how or if he will even give his own son “the talk.” His little one had deep questions worthy of honest responses like, “Dad, who is George Floyd?” Bell recalls getting nervous and all the feels of wanting to paint a picture without being overly descriptive. While he goes on to briefly discuss the issues he faced throughout his life, he gives a rather sugar coated breakdown so that his son understands.

There are moments in the book where Bell could elaborate more and sacrifice some of the relationship details he chose to share. It would have been a great and relevant addition to include a deeper dive into his conversations with the girlfriend he had who was white. He touches on how she didn’t understand the times that he would panic or seem uneasy around cops such as an incident when they got pulled over. Seeing how biracial couples are a norm today versus earlier times, it would have been worthy to explore that a little deeper.

The other important woman he discusses is his mom, who is extremely relatable and sounds just as strong and protective of her son as any Black woman you may know personally. When Bell tells her things a teacher would say to him, she doesn’t hesitate to drag him to the school to point out the teacher and confront her. While embarrassed and unable to understand at the time, his recount is heartwarming in a way, knowing he has a mother that didn’t let anyone walk over him or disrespect him just because of the color of his skin.

Having a bit more understanding of what was going through his mind during some of the pivotal moments would have been a nice touch. He seems to shrug off some major moments due to his discipline and self-control. Although he is very mature and carries himself well, you are constantly waiting for the moment he explodes or goes off on someone. But that moment doesn’t come and you’re left wondering, “Why didn’t he snap on them?” Nonetheless, you grow to respect his ability to shake things off and take the high road, which is something a lot of men have a hard time doing when they feel they’ve been tested.

Overall, The Talk is a great recollection of one man’s journey through life as he finds his place within society as a well-established comic strip cartoonist and later down the line, a dad. His details about his experiences with police is something that needs to be told because he lived through it. It teaches what it means to make smart choices to avoid causing any excess attention and giving a reason for a cop to see you as a threat.

While the text is profound and leaves you feeling mixed emotions of sadness, ache, and rage, you finish the book being proud of Bell for enduring what he went through and not “popping off” at the many times he was very much pushed to do so. The audiobook truly is next-level and adds a cinematic tone that is worthy of listening to even if you have already read the book. The voice actors coupled with the background noise and sound effects really toss you right into the mix of Bell’s life. More novels should take this approach as it really brings the story to life.

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