Fantasy not quite fantastic
Associated Press music editor Mesfin Fekadu lists his picks for 2020
The Or’in of Tane, The Sasori Empire and The Last Tree By Yvette Carol, Shining River Press, $19.99 each
This fantasy trilogy by Yvette Carol is designed for children aged 9 to 13.
Aden Weaver lives with his grandparents and is 11 when he discovers all is not as he believed in his life. He learns he is the Son of Kal, a descendant of the first chief of the shapeshifting dragonfly tribe.
It is his destiny to restore the Or’in of Tane, missing for thousands of years, back to the Order of Twenty-four.
Of course there’s a baddie looking for it too, who eventually finds it.
He’s Chief Wako, leader of the Sasori, only partially sane and a scorpion shapeshifter. His regime is the one in charge and features slavery of the weaker species. His ultimate aim is, of course, world domination.
Aden is helped on his quest by his friends Te Maia and the brothers Stingray and Pums and his mentor Geo.
By book three Aden is 13 and he and his friends have narrowly escaped death several times.
The Sasori are bringing the Or’in across the land. The issue is now bigger than just Aden and his own fears — now the whole world is in danger.
This series is full of action, as well as the emotional issues Aden has to go through and some wider moral issues as he finds his way.
I’d love to say it was a gripping read, but I actually found it a bit tedious. —
1
Keedron Bryant, I Just Wanna Live: During times of turmoil and unrest, people respond differently. Some protest. Some cry. And some sing. Following the gruesome death of George Floyd, Johnnetta Bryant turned to God and asked for a prayer — and the lyrics to Ijust Wannalive were born. She asked her son, then 12-year-old Keedron Bryant, to sing the song and the rest is for the history books. Keedron Bryant’s powerful performance about being a young Black man in today’s world went viral, with everyone from Barack Obama to Lebron James praising the future superstar and his family for their strength and positive message. The song not only helped Bryant land a record deal, it helped heal the world at a time when music is a language that unites us all.
2
Chloe x Halle, Do It: To the window, to the walls, till the sweat drops down my . . . Chloe x Halle took us to the clubs — aka the living room — during a pandemic year when we desperately needed an epic dance tune to help us get through the day.
3
Mickey Guyton, Black Like Me: Digging deep to write personal lyrics about her upbringing — and being that rare Black singer on the country music scene — Mickey Guyton birthed a beautiful, touching song that is bound to become a country classic.
4
Kelly Rowland, Coffee: A smooth, sexy number from a R&B goddess.
5
Charlie Wilson featuring Smokey Robinson, All of My Love: Uncle Charlie plus Uncle Smokey equals musical bliss. The soul icons joined forces for one of the year’s best collaborations that will surely put a smile on your face.
6
Roddy Ricch, The Box: Insert fire emoji here.
7
Dua Lipa, Don’t Start Now: With this addictive pop gem and updated dance moves, Dua Lipa is well on her way to world domination.
8
Gabby Barrett featuring Charlie Puth, I Hope: Breakthrough country singer Gabby Barrett already had a hit with the original version of
I Hope, but then Charlie Puth asked to add his vocals to the song and update the beat. The result is an undeniable pop smash.
9
Pop Smoke featuring Dababy and Lil Baby, For the Night: Late rapper Pop Smoke clearly had a knack for hip-hop melodies, which explains why most of his songs have exploded on Tiktok. Forthenight is a monster hit that also featured other acts leading the new class of rap.
10
BLACKPINK featuring Selena Gomez, Ice Cream: This trap-pop bop is as sweet and irresistible as icecream.