978-059-356-8575 (PB)
Nova Albright, the first Black homecoming queen at Lovett High, is dead. Murdered the night of her coronation, her body found the next morning in the old slave cemetery she spent her weekends rehabilitating.
Tinsley McArthur was supposed to be queen. Not only is she beautiful, wealthy, and white, it’s her legacy—her grandmother, her mother, and even her sister wore the crown before her. Everyone in Lovett knows Tinsley would do anything to carry on the McArthur tradition.
No one is more certain of that than Duchess Simmons, Nova’s best friend. Duchess’s father is the first Black police captain in Lovett. For Duchess, Nova’s crown was more than just a win for Nova. It was a win for all the Black kids. Now her best friend is dead, and her father won’t face the fact that the main suspect is right in front of him. Duchess is convinced that Tinsley killed Nova—and that Tinsley is privileged enough to think she can get away with it. But Duchess’s father seems to be doing what he always does: fall behind the blue line. Which means that the white girl is going to walk.
Duchess is determined to prove Tinsley’s guilt. And to do that, she’ll have to get close to her.
But Tinsley has an agenda, too.
Everyone loved Nova. And sometimes, love is exactly what gets you killed.
Tinsley McArthur was supposed to be queen. Not only is she beautiful, wealthy, and white, it’s her legacy—her grandmother, her mother, and even her sister wore the crown before her. Everyone in Lovett knows Tinsley would do anything to carry on the McArthur tradition.
No one is more certain of that than Duchess Simmons, Nova’s best friend. Duchess’s father is the first Black police captain in Lovett. For Duchess, Nova’s crown was more than just a win for Nova. It was a win for all the Black kids. Now her best friend is dead, and her father won’t face the fact that the main suspect is right in front of him. Duchess is convinced that Tinsley killed Nova—and that Tinsley is privileged enough to think she can get away with it. But Duchess’s father seems to be doing what he always does: fall behind the blue line. Which means that the white girl is going to walk.
Duchess is determined to prove Tinsley’s guilt. And to do that, she’ll have to get close to her.
But Tinsley has an agenda, too.
Everyone loved Nova. And sometimes, love is exactly what gets you killed.
Emill's debut YA novel catches the reader's attention and leaves them wanting to know what he has coming out next (answer: Wander in the Dark, out last month). The story line pulls you in and keeps your attention throughout. Going beyond the murder mystery thriller genre, it covers everything from racial bias and white savior syndrome to child sexual abuse to wealth/power disparity to teen pregnancy. Sound like a lot? It can be, at times. There is a lot going on, but then, there IS a lot going on in many teens' lives.
The many twists and turns keep the reader guessing, but leave little time to really flesh out many of the characters. Told in Duchess and Tinsley's alternating viewpoints, at the beginning I had to check the chapter headings to make sure I knew who was talking. Creating distinct narrative voices is difficult for any author, and writing from the POV of a different gender (all characters appear to be cisgender) can make it more difficult. By the end of the book, I had a strong sense of who Duchess is, but Tinsley still felt a bit one-dimensional, as did most of the secondary characters. I actually felt like I knew Nova better than anyone. I haven't found anything stating it definitively, but it looks like Emill's next book is also told in two viewpoints - half brothers - so I am looking forward to seeing how he hones this skill.
Current slang (no cap, booed up, lit) along with the secondary topics make it extremely relevant...right now. Three years from now, I can see teens picking it up and asking, "Who says 'no cap' any more"?? The story line and subthemes will continue to make it a great read, but the author might want to reconsider vocabulary that will make it feel outdated down the line.
My nitpicking aside, I found it a very enjoyable read, and immediately recommended it to coworkers. I will be ordering Wander in the Dark for the library, and The Black Queen will most likely make it into a few displays. I predict this will be an author to keep an eye on!
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