Description: Jessie Archer is a member of the Athena Protocol, an elite organization of female spies who enact vigilante justice around the world. Athena operatives are never supposed to shoot to kill—so when Jessie can’t stop herself from pulling the trigger, she gets kicked out of the organization, right before a huge mission to take down a human trafficker in Belgrade. Jessie needs to right her wrong and prove herself, so she starts her own investigation into the trafficking. But going rogue means she has no one to watch her back as she delves into the horrors she uncovers. Meanwhile, her former teammates have been ordered to bring her down. Jessie must face danger from all sides if she’s to complete her mission—and survive. Review: I have always been frustrated with the James Bond and Mission Impossible movie franchises especially with their reductive treatment of women who are either the femme fatale caricuture or an "agent" who is suppose to be capable an...
Review: Tyler Johnson Was Here is another debut novel that tackles the timely topic of police brutality. Marvin and Tyler Johnson are twin high school seniors at a crossroads. Marvin is on the road to attend college while Tyler finds himself involved in gang life. When a police officer shoots Tyler dead after he attends a questionable neighborhood party, Marvin's life is thrown off track. Unfortunately, this is not the first time nor the last that Marvin and his friends have witnessed police violence. They’ve seen officers lift firearms at children, slam them to the ground, and verbally abuse them, with no consequences. Deep down, Marvin knows that he cannot become the hate that he senses in the world around him. He and his family struggle to find justice, peace, and justice.
Cole's debut novel effectively shows the human experience and ethical questions that drive the Black Lives Matter movement. The book does have flaws such as lack of character development in particular of the relationship between Marvin and Tyler. I did not have a good grasp on what their relationship was like and Tyler was not given enough time to develop into a three dimensional character when he was tragically killed. I also felt like Marvin was a passive character and his decision about his future did not make sense to me. Similarly, Marvin's friends and love interest were very one-dimensional. The added romance was completely unnecessary in the book and did not add any importance to the story. Despite these flaws, Tyler Johnson Was Here adds another voice and shines more light on an important and often misunderstood movement.
Rating: 3 stars
Words of Caution: There is strong language throughout the book, allusions to sex, drug use, and gang violence. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.
If you like this book try: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
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