Blackout

A summer blackout hits New York City just as six Black teenagers' lives intersect through encounters at a block party in Brooklyn. The power outage sets the stage for connections, revelations, and chance meetings as the teens navigate the darkened city streets. The story follows multiple perspectives, centering on aspiring singer Tammi and her ex-boyfriend Kareem, along with their friends and acquaintances. Past relationships, current crushes, and future dreams surface as these characters make their way through the unpredictable night. Blackout interweaves romance with broader themes of community resilience, self-discovery, and the unexpected magic of New York City after dark. The novel explores how moments of disruption can create opportunities for connection and personal transformation.

Readers appreciate the realistic portrayal of addiction and how substance abuse impacts relationships, with many noting the book provides important cautionary messages for teens. Multiple reviews highlight the effective use of alternating timelines and unreliable narration to build suspense. Readers praise: - Complex character development - Authentic dialogue - Strong messages about consent and peer pressure - Representation of Black protagonists in YA thriller genre Common criticisms: - Pacing feels slow in first third of book - Some found the ending unsatisfying - Multiple POVs can be confusing - Romance subplot feels rushed Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (450+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (100+ ratings) "The dual timeline structure kept me guessing until the end" - Goodreads reviewer "Important story but hard to connect with main character" - Amazon reviewer "Perfect balance of thriller and social commentary" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson A teen investigates her best friend's disappearance while facing systemic barriers and adult indifference to missing Black girls.

When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk The dissolution of a close friendship between two Black teen girls unfolds through past and present timelines in New York City.

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus Five students enter detention, one dies under suspicious circumstances, and the survivors must uncover the truth while protecting their secrets.

Far From You by Tess Sharpe A bisexual teen recovers from addiction while searching for her best friend's killer in a case the police have closed.

You're Next by Kylie Schachte A teen boxer investigates her ex-friend's murder through the underground party scene after the police dismiss the case.

🌟 Author Tiffany D. Jackson was inspired to write Blackout after experiencing the real Northeast blackout of 2003 in New York City 🌟 The novel features six interconnected love stories written by six different Black YA authors, including Nicola Yoon and Angie Thomas 🌟 The citywide blackout in the story occurs during a sweltering summer heatwave, when temperatures reach over 100°F in New York City 🌟 The book's format follows multiple characters across a single day, with their stories weaving together as they navigate Brooklyn during the power outage 🌟 Blackout celebrates Black joy and love, deliberately moving away from trauma narratives to focus on positive representations of Black teen experiences