After another incident of sleepwalking, Aiyana Gamelle wakes up lying under the stars on the Beach of Sa’Fyre Island, an island off the coast of South Carolina with a rich Gullah and Native American history.
Knowing these incidents of sleepwalking have something to do with her long awaited transition into queen of the island, Aiyana shrugs them off as little more than a nuisance to be expected since her lineage leads to a mysterious African goddess.
Aiyana moves forward with plans to host a week long festival that will end with her succession to the island throne, but the murder of an important guest and the passing of her grandmother threaten to bring the festivities to a screeching halt. Then Aiyana learns that the transition involves an unwanted possession and the revelation of a dark family curse.
October 1 – Black Science Fiction Society
October 3 – Underground Reviews
October 6 – SN Petro
October 10 – Black Nerd Problems
October 13 – Armand Rosamilia
October 17- Juniper Grove
October 20 – LN Gibson
October 24 – Opinions of a Wolf
October 27 – Are You Afraid of the Dark
October 29 – A Well Read Woman
October 31 – Rebel Ragdoll
“What it must be like to be young an free on the island, unburdened by the worry and responsibilities Aiyana juggled on a daily basis.” Aiyana and her four siblings run a large scenic vacation resort, and are planning a five day music festival for their guests. As their visitors arrive via ferry, Aiyana is surprised to see her old love interest, Caleb, on the island.
Initially, Aiyana isn’t interested in rekindling their relationship. She doesn’t want to see history repeat itself, and more importantly, Aiyana is encumbered with bigger problems.
Aiyana goes outside her family to learn the truth behind the strange occurrences and whirlwind of murders. What she learns makes her wish she was dead…
My Thoughts
I loved Author Rasheedah Prioleau’s fresh perspective on her island horror story. So many authors would choose an island resort as the setting of a romance, but not Rasheedah! She crafted an urban fantasy on Gullah territory, with Gullah characters who speak the Gullah language of sea island creole, giving this novel a breath of fresh air. Everlasting Da Eb’Bulastin is unlike any other novel I have ever read set on an island.
The novel is told in third person perspective, and focuses on the main character, Aiyana. There is a sub-plot of romance between her and Caleb, but the main focus of this book is on Aiyana who is unexpectedly drawn into an otherworldly struggle.
My favorite scene was when Aiyana woke up by the ledge, naked, and tourists snap pictures of her with their camera phones. Her response, “Oh, God,” felt real to me in a way that is hard to explain. Something about the actions of the tourists coupled with her reaction grounded this book for me. It was the blending of supernatural fiction with mundane reality that made this dark fantasy feel real.
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“I love to write because there are no limits. All it takes is a finite space of time and I can create a story from infinite possibilities.”
Writers who have influenced her include: Judy Bloom, Jude Deveraux, V.C. Andrews, Octavia Butler, Stephanie Meyer, Charlaine Harris, Joss Whedon, William Nicholson, Shonda Rhimes, Quentin Tarantino, Tyler Perry, Mike Kelley, and J.J. Abrams… just to name a few.
Rasheedah Prioleau currently resides in her hometown of Washington, Georgia.
A Well Read Woman 
I was literally was consumed by Rasheeda’s imagination of this story! I REALLY hope there’s a sequel.
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I have good news for you! There will be! 🙂 And yes, I really enjoy her writing also! I’m lucky to be one of her book reviewers. 🙂
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Certainly sounds very different. Not sure it’s for me, though I’m intrigued by the Gullah culture aspect of it.
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It was fascinating! Definitely added an exotic flair!
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