Audacity Book Club: October Read
By Celeste Daniels
TW for Deja Brew: Mentions of grief and fatphobia
TW for The Quarter Queen: Racism, prostitution, body mutilation, slavery, lynching
Hello, audacious readers!
October offers up a unique choice every year as Halloween approaches: To go cute and nostalgic or dark and spooky. This year, why not try both? Last month, we’re exploring the power of love and healing in Once Upon a Time in Dollywood by Ashley Jordan. This month, we have a 2-for-1! For those who wanna get cute and cuddly for the season, we have Deja Brew by Celestine Martin. For those who prefer to be spooky in the bayou, we have The Quarter Queen by Kayla Hardy.
In Deja Brew, Sirena Caraway needs a re-do for October. As a kitchen witch, she’s always taken pride in her cooking abilities. But after losing her grandmother, things have been out of wack. Her cooking powers aren’t working, she failed an interview for a career-saving job, and she embarrassed herself at the town’s Halloween party. With nothing left to lose, she makes a wish on Halloween to start over—and it comes true. When she wakes up, it’s October 1st and she is determined not to waste her second chance. What she doesn’t anticipate on her second go around is Gus Dearworth entering her life.
Former magician now turned historian, Gus is doing his best to shed his past. He’s turning his back on “Good Time Gus” and is focused on figuring out what truly makes him happy. But when he crosses paths with Sirena, his playful side is awoken along with his long-time crush on her. When Sirena asks him for help fixing her powers, they go on a series of adventures that make them realize that everything they need may be much closer than they thought.
Swoony and magical, Deja Brew is a fun romp that reminds us of the magic of autumn and falling in love.
In The Quarter Queen, a different kind of magic is at play. Marie Leveau takes pride her position as the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. As a third generation free Black woman, she understands the power of her position and is determined to protect her community. However, her efforts are constantly undermined by her reckless daughter, Marie “Ree” Leveau the Second. Resentful of her mother’s overprotective and strict personality, Ree is determined to have a good time. Between spending time at whore houses and drinking at bars, she has no desire to be the next Quarter Queen, despite the immense power she wields.
However, when a prophecy predicts the downfall of New Orleans and return of Marie’s long-time enemy, Jon the Conjurer, things quickly turn upside down for the Leveau women. Split between Marie and Ree’s points of view, we explore Marie’s rise to Quarter Queen and how Ree has to now has to pay for the sins of her mother’s choices. Reality is knocking on their door, and it refuses to be turned away any longer.
Haunting and captivating, The Quarter Queen shows us how the weight of our past decisions cannot be outrun and that sometimes, the only way out is through.
Both books are available online, at your local bookstore, on Bookshop.org as well as your local library. Make sure to also check out Audacity’s book club merch. Until Hallow’s Eve, I hope you read audaciously!
Audacity Magazine & Events is an affiliate partner of Bookshop.org. If you click the link and make a purchase, we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. All books are selections of the Audacity Book Club curator.
