Jennifer Mason-Black

Mason-Black has told a lyrical story about making deals with the devil and the ghosts that inhabit America. It's a story of music and family (both blood and not), and wandering, and finding the good and joy where one can. It is about being true to yourself, and making the music that can change a person's life, and the price of a soul.

This book was music, which is apt because of the running theme of music serving as a common language and an outlet for the soul. A lot of times, I finish a book show more and feel unsatisfied because I wanted more, to find out more, to keep reading and for the book to never end. This book was different. When it ended, I sighed. I smiled. It was perfect. The journey that Blue started had ended and there wasn't any further need to know what happens next because that ending was completely satisfying and I was content knowing that no matter what, Blue had learned and grown enough during the course of the book that she'll be okay.

Reminiscent of Neil Gaiman's AMERICAN GODS and Seanan McGuire's SPARROW HILL ROAD, DEVIL AND THE BLUEBIRD shows a side of America which harkens back to the days of the folk music revolution, where music reigned and had the power to change the world. Shades of Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie (literally) pass through the book's pages and just like Blue, I remembered how powerful music - music that is true and heatfelt and from the soul - can be.

This book was absolutely gorgeous and I knew partway through that this was something special I haven't seen in the YA genre in a long time, if ever.

The only thing missing from this was a soundtrack. I would have loved a list of songs to listen to while reading this.

Review copy courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley. show less

teen gets a job organizing and cataloging a chronically ill author’s possessions, an experience that helps her find her voice as a writer.

Pulitzer Prize–winning author Elsie McAllister has a “permanent A+” reputation thanks to her one novel, which is “read in every high school” in America. The recalcitrant and reclusive older woman has two goals: safeguarding her privacy and ensuring that the person she hires will do exactly as she wishes with her belongings. Holiday Burton’s show more desire to earn enough to go to New Zealand and work on farms with ex-girlfriend Maya is an incentive to take the well-paid job. Both McAllister and Holi have been manipulated by male gatekeepers who had their own selfish reasons to stunt each woman’s creativity. While sorting through McAllister’s possessions, Holi discovers secrets from her past that were suppressed to make way for her “Great American Novel.” Holi sees an echo of her own artistic self-doubts and vulnerability in the face of a similar exploitative power dynamic. Mason-Black’s prose sparkles with poetic beauty as Holi engages in introspective musings about collective mourning and how individual healing is possible only in community. The stunning descriptions bring vitality to and convey the languid beauty of the Amherst, Massachusetts, setting. This striking work shows the power of intergenerational relationships to fortify queer artists against erasure. The protagonists present as white.

Beautifully written and powerfully uplifting. (content note, resources) (Fiction. 14-18)

-Kirkus Review show less

An eclectic mashup of contemporary fiction and fantasy, Mason-Black’s premier effort follows Blue Riley as she scores a deal with the devil: her voice in exchange for the opportunity to find her runaway sister, Cass. Fueled by perplexing hints from the devil, Blue journeys across the Northeast searching for clues from her sister. As deals with the devil so often are, Blue's agreement is fraught with deadlines and catches. Along the way, Blue meets and occasionally travels with a medley of show more characters who steal the narrative: hippy-dippy Amy whose soul the devil literally eats; an unnamed kind librarian paying her father's debt forward; gay stranger Steve turned great friend who hitches a ride with Blue to Chicago; criminal-minded Rat, who kidnaps Blue and Steve; abused mother Andrea, who leads Blue to an underground safe shelter; frenetic Tish, Blue's mom's old music partner living on a farm in Wyoming; and romantic interest Dill who teaches Blue how to hop freight trains. Through all of this, Blue hangs onto her trusty guitar, learning to "speak" through its strings. The ending is relatively satisfactory, although many questions remain about Blue's fate. VERDICT: Read this book for its colorful and memorable cast of transient characters. Fans of Everybody Knows Your Name and Mosquitoland will enjoy The Devil and the Bluebird. (Reviewed for School Library Journal) show less

*NOTE: We (The Readdicts) received a copy of Phoenix from Musa Publishing in exchange for an honest review. We thank the publishing house for the book!

I was looking forward to reading Phoenix as it is my first proper LGBT read. Plus, 'phoenix' is such a pretty word and the book has such a fiery cover!
The three adjectives that best describe Phoenix are- complex, mature and stupefying.
Tucker, Gabriel and Kelsey have their own fears, difficulties and complexities. Their lives are intertwined show more which makes them a composite trio. Spark, fire, thunder are words I like to associate with the protagonists.
I have a feeling that whatever I have to say about Phoenix isn't going to be enough. It was just that amazing!
Tucker was such a sweetheart. He faced so much of humiliation and torture that at times, I found some things a little hard to comprehend. I loved how he explained the subtle blush on his cheeks and the the slight warmth in his body when he encounters other men.
The other two characters, Kelsey and Gabriel were like a spark of fire. Though they seemed confused, it was justifiable as they were still figuring things out for themselves. Their bond was strong and simply beautiful.
Gabriel is, as the summary aptly puts, beautiful. He had a very magnetic quality that made me want to get to know him better. As for Kelsey, I can think of the phrase 'setting fire to the rain' to describe her, and yet it won't be enough. She was magical and absolutely stunning.
Phoenix portrays abuse and homosexuality. It is a complex book. It's a little hard to explain everything about it. I think Phoenix should be read for the amazing style in which it has been written.
Phoenix is from Tucker's POV. His voice is simply astonishing. The flow of his thoughts put into words is just beautiful. I loved loved loved author Jennifer Mason-Black's style of writing! It is different, refreshing and so in tune with literature.
Though a complicated and mature read, Phoenix pulls you right into the focal point from the moment you begin reading it. The book has an intriguing aspect to it that makes it so irresistible.
A very short read, I wish the book was a little longer and more detailed because I would have loved to keep going with it and read more about Tucker.

"Somehow there's always a bird singing for me when morning comes."
- Tucker show less