Shuri: A Black Panther Novel #1, written by Nic Stone, reviewed by Amanda Davies

Summary:   As Challenge Day (the day when others can challenge the rule of her brother, King T'Challa) nears, Shuri becomes increasingly worried about indicators that there might be a greater challenge to both T'Challa and Wakanda as a whole. She is desparate to find the cause of the destruction of whole swaths of the heart-shaped herb while also designing a new habit for her brother to keep him safe during Challenge Day. When all of her tests of the dying herb fail to reveal anything, she and her friend/future body guard, K'Marah, seek out Ororo (Storm from X-Men) for advice. And their stealth trip to Ororo is only the beginning of their adventure. 

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This engaging, tech-filled, and funny peak into Shuri's role in Wakanda is just the beginning of a series where she'll be the center of the story. Shuri's frustration at the lack of recognition for the princesses of Wakanda and the fact that no women have ever been the Black Panther is an important theme throughout the book. Shuri's pride in her science and technology knowledge is inspiring. While there are many references to the Marvel and X-Men universes, even readers who aren't familiar with either the comics or the movies will enjoy the action, humor, and Nic Stone's story-telling here. Shuri and K'Marah's relationship develops throughout the book in a way that feels authentic.