Dreams of Ivy

by Tiffany A. Joissin

Syanna Onyx is the most powerful mambo in Haiti since the dragons of old decided to tell the world of magic's existence at the turn of the twentieth century. She is impulsive but does good work bringing peace and happiness to the people around her.



But being the most powerful means that there are always eyes on her.



When she goes to investigate a disruption in Cap-Haitien she is scouted by the President of a magical university in the United States. Tasked with finding a secret library, Syanna travels to the magical HBCU Nevern A&M University. There she meets with other magicians of traditions like New Orleans voodoo, hoodoo, and santeria. In this magical world of secret societies and southern tradition, Syanna needs to rely on more than her own wits and magic and with Baron Samedi coming to collect she needs to pay the piper and fast.

384 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 16, 2027

About the author

Tiffany A. Joissin is an author that love all things magical and fantastical. Her first book series, the Voidbringer chronicles, brings together her love of fantasy and horror and anime and comes together in an engaging narrative that pushes boundaries. Her second series, The Word Trilogy, brings together her love for things like Narnia and romance and villains in order to make something absolutely magical.

Tiffany loves to read obviously, and when she is not lingering over books, she enjoys watching anime, playing with her two cats, and enjoying the lively city that she lives in.

Reviews

[Cat Treadwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book. As a reader who has basic knowledge of Voodoo/Santeria, I was intrigued to read of a true Haitian heroine embedded with such skills and background, and for the majority of the book found it a great ride. Imagine a world where magic is 'out' and known; how would the various cultural strands of 'Otherworld' life meld with what we call everyday normal?

I loved the depictions of the lwa, the ancestors and spirits portrayed so well along the way, and the human friendships that tie different Black traditions together on American soil. Sadly I can also see the bigotry that such beliefs could inspire, and the awfulness of the Christian Right can very well be believed as a reaction.

Unfortunately I think that's where the book rather lost me. Going from helpful healing priestess to college girl and then suddenly a domestic t*rrorist, the politics around our protagonist felt rather heavy-handed as the story moved forward. The history of dragons seemed vague and rather unnecessary (humans and human-adjacent folks could fulfil 'enemy' roles just as well!), and the ease with which the heroines decide to take on political ass*ssination seemed out of character and actually pretty extreme and shocking.

I think another editorial pass would help the book too. The writing seemed to lack flow from time to time, with a fair bit of repetition that began to grate - I hadn't forgotten a fact just a few pages from when it was first mentioned, for example.

Huge potential to be great, let down slightly by an rather irrational plot. But all the points for writing what is mostly a beautiful depiction of Haitian life and belief combined with racial challenges.

I was kindly sent an early copy of this book by the publisher, but the above opinions are entirely my own.