9-28-25 — Christina Critiques
- Christina Pfeiffer
- Sep 28
- 4 min read
BLACK AF HISTORY: The Un-whitewashed Story of America
By: Michael Harriot
Release: 9/19/23
Page count: 432
KU: No Hoopla: Audio only
Synopsis: With timely humor and a want to educate, Harriot delves into history - but not the one we learned about in school - grade school, high school or college.
First line: “I have an uncle named James.”
Favorite line: “We are a beacon of freedom and liberty even though we rank first in the world’s prison population. We are the smartest nation in the world despite ranking 14th in education and 2nd in ignorance. We believe in equality and tolerance despite ranking #1 on the list of the most racist countries in the world.”
Thoughts: If you could see the amount of annotations in my physical copy, you would see not only how much I learned but how much I connected with the text, self-reflected, and left room for more uncomfortable conversations to have with myself. The humor and jokes are utilized to defuse any fear of history and he uses it so well. This isn’t an easy book to read, let alone sit with as a white reader but it is needed. He also calls to the carpet anyone he feels needs to take a moment to look past the text. Honestly, this book should be taught along side other American History texts as it will open doors to conversations that we need to have but often shy away from.
Rating: 5/5
Find it here: https://a.co/d/0k3weJo
IRON FIRST: A Perry Blackburn Bounty Hunter Western
By: Chuck Buda
Release: 11/15/24
Page count: 119
KU: Yes Hoopla: No
Synopsis: Perry Blackburn enjoys the money that comes from his job but not always the headaches. Bounty hunting isn’t for the weak or those with a conscience.
First line: “Mule Creek blended in with every other small town within the New Mexico Territory.”
Favorite line: “And Perry had no intentions of dying. Yet.”
Thoughts: Yesssssss! Buda stays in the western genre with this series. Perry is flawed AF but he is also a softy - especially if you are pretty. Otherwise, you will probably hang. Mixing what I am finding to be one the best twist writers in indie horror, the reader doesn’t know where to look because Buda is coming at the reader from all sides. I thought I was obsessed with Tombstone Taylor series, but I think Perry may be my new book boyfriend.
Rating: 5/5
Other recommendations: TOMBSTONE TAYLOR SERIES
Find it here: https://a.co/d/g2olPNq
HELL RIDERS: A Perry Blackburn Bounty Hunter Western
By: Chuck Buda
Release: 12/15/24
Page count: 123
KU: Yes Hoopla: No
Synopsis: Perry is still on the trail of his brother, Charlie. Only there seems to be a trio of killers that Perry must take down - from the inside.
First line: “Perry Blackburn arrived in Omaha, Nebraska, as the sun drifted towards the horizon.”
Favorite line: “The Mayor wants them bad. And he put up five thousand dollars to get them back. Dead or alive.”
Thoughts: Perry is back! And this time, the side quest is even more daunting. Seriously, Buda went for it in HELL RIDERS because some of the carnage will not be leaving my brain anytime soon (i.e. the ghost town alley and the road to said town). Brutal! Brutal! Brutal! HELL RIDERS is him dipping his toes into Splatterwesterns and he does it perfectly! Out of the five novellas I have read so far, this is my favorite.
Rating: 5/5
Find it here: https://a.co/d/6b8AObH
EVIL NEVER DIES: A Perry Blackburn Bounty Hunter Western
By: Chuck Buda
Release: 1/15/25
Page count: 117
KU: Yes Hoopla: No
Synopsis: Perry FINALLY runs across his brother and the meeting is nothing like either of them expected.
First line: “Denver reminded him of Dallas, Texas.”
Favorite line: “Perry’s words tore him apart. He did not need to pull the trigger, since his tongue inflicted fatal injuries.”
Thoughts: Oh, OK. So you’re going to do THAT to your readers? Especially me? No, No, Mr. Buda, I get it. Did I love this trilogy an insane amount? Absolutely. Is Perry Blackburn my new book boyfriend? Yup. But you have made a powerful reading enemy out of me and I do not forgive such trespasses easily. It’s the perfect trilogy and it’s a damn shame it’s not more well known. It’s a Top Ten for me this year. No doubt about it.
Rating: 5/5
Find it here: https://a.co/d/9RVIJPZ
MASKS: A Graphic Novel
By: Margaret Rae
Illustrated by: Beck Kubrick and Thomas Philipson
Release: 7/29/25
Page count: 240
KU: No Hoopla: No
Synopsis: Poe and her friends are on a mission to find a safe place for them to stay after their home is scheduled to be destroyed. Halloween is go time but it won’t be easy as expected.
First line: “Centuries ago, humans created a secret society called ‘The Knights of the Night.’ “
Favorite line: “This world isn’t a safe place for monsters.”
Thoughts: While this is a middle grade graphic novel, it’s a great read for anyone who enjoys a great story with even greater illustrations and a sweet message. And for books nerds, there are plenty of nods to classic authors as Easter eggs.
Rating: 4/5
Other recommendations: N/A
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