"Blackout," a collaborative effort by some of the brightest voices in young adult literature, is a stunning collection of interconnected short stories that captivate the reader from start to finish. As a librarian, I often seek out books that not only entertain but also engage readers in meaningful discussions, and "Blackout" achieves just that.

The novel unfolds during a power outage in New York City, a setting that adds a layer of tension and excitement to the narratives. Each author brings a unique perspective, contributing a distinct story that seamlessly weaves into the overarching theme of connection and self-discovery.

Dhonielle Clayton's tale introduces us to Tavia, a girl with a unique ability that sets her apart. Tiffany D. Jackson explores the impact of the blackout on a relationship, while Nic Stone delves into the world of protests and activism. Angie Thomas, known for her powerful storytelling, introduces a character wrestling with identity and acceptance. Ashley Woodfolk's story beautifully explores the complexities of family relationships, and Nicola Yoon wraps up the collection with a heartwarming and thought-provoking conclusion.

What makes "Blackout" truly exceptional is how the authors skillfully interconnect their stories, creating a tapestry of characters and emotions. The characters' lives intersect in unexpected ways, reminding us of the intricate threads that bind us together, even in the vastness of a city that never sleeps.

The representation of diverse voices is a standout feature of the novel. Each author brings their own cultural perspective, enriching the storytelling with authenticity. The characters are relatable and well-developed, making it easy for readers to connect with their experiences and emotions.

As a librarian recommending books to young adults, I appreciate how "Blackout" addresses important themes such as identity, love, friendship, and social justice. The stories are not only engaging but also serve as a springboard for discussions on these relevant topics.

In conclusion, "Blackout" is a masterfully crafted collection that showcases the talent of these esteemed authors. It is a must-read for young adults seeking a compelling narrative with a diverse cast of characters. The collaborative effort pays off, resulting in a book that is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking and socially relevant.

This was great! I really like the interconnected short stories, and also having the one story that was longer and throughout to help give it a little more cohesiveness. All the authors involved are super talented and I also listened to some of it on audio and the narrators were fantastic.

As I noted about Whiteout, I have used this book in my courses! I really appreciated reading it in advance, and it allowed me to adopt a book to our university that had just come out at the start of the semester! This collection continues to stick with me, and I talk about it often.

I loved how each of these short stories conveyed such meaningful relationships in such a small amount of time. I will definitely be checking out some of the new-to-me authors.

This was such a cute, summery book! I loved how unique each love story was, how they all connected together, and even the side characters. All of the stories wrapped up beautifully, but also had me wishing for more with each story.

A great collection of short stories from some fantastic YA authors. I love how all of the stories intersect at the block party and that there was a mix of new beginnings, happy ever afters, and meet cutes.

Enjoyed this. Some of the stories resonated more than others, but overall it was a great snapshot of NYC and young love.

The interconnected short story collection Blackout, written entirely by some of the most talented black authors out there, is a YA anthology done right. These six unique tales are centered around a New York City blackout and spin stories around love, coming of age, family, culture, and identity. The common thread of NYC's blackout is woven throughout each story and draws these narratives together in a way that is utterly compelling and engaging.

Perhaps what I loved best about this collection is that each story felt original, while still contributing to the cohesiveness of the anthology. One story flowed into the next, yet provided a distinct voice and perspective to the issue of the citywide blackout.

After finding myself terribly disappointed with the one-track, agenda-pushing angle that YA anthologies seem to be pursing these days, Blackout was a breath of fresh air. While still relevant and at times, issue-oriented, these stories never get too preachy or feel as if the author is checking off boxes to meet a quota for social issues. Yes, there is LGBTQIA-diversity sprinkled throughout the collection, but for the most part, it feels organic and doesn't become the sole focus of this book, which I appreciate.

If you enjoy this collection, check out Whiteout, written by this same group of award-winning authors, set to be published in November 2022.

An unstoppable force of talent combined into one book? Absolutely incredible. These authors can do no wrong.

Powerful. Moving. Well written.
Adding to my classroom library for the fall.
An intertwined novel about the meaning of friendship, family, trust and love.

A beautiful and inspiring collection of stories from a variety of prolific young adult authors. Each authors voice is different but all bring their incredible writing skills to the table. It is a book relevant to today's youth and is probably a good text for adults to read as well. Highly recommend! We will be adding this book to our library shelves.

This connected collection of short stories looks into several lives during a blackout in NYC. The stories all seem to be separate until common threads and characters slowly appear.

Great read! Love the compilation of stories and authors! Would definitely recommend to others. I will be adding this book to our library.

This book is one for the ages. It has love stories everyone can relate to. It gives you all the feels of being in love. These lady’s bring their A-game to writing. This is a must read!

A stunning collection of authors come together to bring a stunning collection of stories that's tied together by a blackout in the city. I loved the story, I loved following all these different points of view, and I think this was such a unique project!

A compilation of some amazing authors, each with a unique story to tell! Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!

I recommend this one. My favorite authors are in this books, there was no way this to not be good, and I am relieved this is not the case. It's loveable.

I love when authors come together and can write fantastic stories that just come together in an even more beautiful way. What happens when the lights go out in NYC? This beautiful collection.

This was a very enjoyable read. The 6 authors write such different stories on their own, but this novel was a lovely culmination of 6 different love stories. The ways that each story found a way to be interwoven with the others was fun to see--finding the little Easter eggs in the various stories were nice surprises. I can't wait to book talk this with my students, especially since it's also a quick read. 5/5

My Thoughts

I liked the way the stories all connected through the characters

I likes how the story reminded me of when I experienced the Blackout in the early 2000's

I didn't like the use of so much plain language, I know this is how people talk right now, but later on when people don't say things like "bet" anymore, will the writing still hold up? I also just don't like when people talk like that, it feels lazy and uneducated. And I guess I expect more from a book when it comes to language. Again, I understand that this is how people talk, and it's true to the characters, I'm just not a fan.

Some of the female characters were annoying, I especially didn't like Tammi, however I've read other reviews that described The Long Walk Home story as a miscommunication trope, so if thats what that was, I'm pretty sure I'll never read one of those again.

I also really didn't like how Kayla was portrayed in No Sleep Till Brooklyn, however she does redeem herself at the end of story so she wasn't too bad.

As a book focused on Black teen romance, I feel the goal met. I felt it had good LGBTQ representation, and not in an in your face, over the top kind way.

Curious to see what the movie/show turns into, as it's said Michelle Obama is adapting it.

The dust cover is beautiful and the hardcover underneath is stunning as well

My Top 3 Favourite Stories From This Book
Seymour and Grace
Made to Fit
All The Great Love Stories

Many Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for my advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.