Larissa Irankunda, Author at The Mary Sue

Larissa Irankunda

Larissa Irankunda (she/her) is an East African star child and writer based in Brooklyn. Fantasy and Science-Fiction are her first loves, and her writing focuses on amplifying diversity and inclusion in storytelling. You are most likely to find her nose-deep in a good book, or professing her love for Danny Devito and Jeff Goldblum on the interwebs.

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Brian Broome and his debut memoir, Punch Me Up To The Gods

Interview: Brian Broome’s Punch Me Up to the Gods Is a Stunning Introspection of Black Boyhood

Brian Broome's memoir Punch Me Up to the Gods is one of the most stunning debuts I've had the pleasure of reading.

Eloisa James' Wilde Child giveaway

GIVEAWAY: Win a Copy of Wilde Child by Eloisa James, Your New Favorite Historical Rom-Com

Ten lucky readers of The Mary Sue will receive a copy of bestselling author Eloisa James' latest Wildes of Lindow Castle romance, 'Wilde Child'!

Book cover for Minecraft: The Mountain by Max Brooks

Minecraft: The Mountain Is a Fast-Paced and Endearing Adventure Book That Brings the Beloved Video Game to Life

The second installment of Max Brooks' Minecraft novel series feels very much like entering the new level of a video game.

Witches Steeped in Gold, Ariadne, In Deeper Waters

The Mary Sue Book Club, April 2021: Myths, Romcoms, and Murder Mystery-Solving Aunties

Happy April! This month's reads are chock-full of imaginative worlds, beautiful myths (and mythological retellings) and some really clever laugh you right off the page family comedies. No matter what mood I find myself in reading-wise, there's something for every type of vibe in these titles, which definitely makes for a good day (or week) of reading.

Magic and Science Blend Together in a Time-Warping Adventure in D.O.D.O.’s Sequel, Master of the Revels

The first installment of Neal Stephenson and Nicole Galland's The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. threw me into the most zany and wondrous loop of witches, quantum physics, secret government societies, and everything in between.

“Race-Fishing” Book Covers Is Not Only Problematic—It Directly Hurts Authors of Color

Discourse erupted when David Bowles revealed the new cover for his book, The Blue-Spangled Blue. On the cover was a beautiful dark-skinned Black girl with braids, standing in front of a deep indigo background and starry outline of a man. An intriguing-looking story no doubt, obviously appearing to be about a Black protagonist embarking on a sci-fi tale amongst the cosmos, or a star-crossed romance featuring a Black female lead. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

Xio Axelrod and her novel, The Girl With Stars In Her Eyes

INTERVIEW: Black Girls Rock (Literally) In Xio Axelrod’s Romance-Infused Rock & Roll Novel, The Girl With Stars In Her Eyes

The Mary Sue got the wonderful opportunity to chat with Axelrod about her new book, her journey as a musician, and why it's important for Black girls to know that they belong in these spaces. Check it out!

Book cover for Small Magic by Terry Brooks

Shannara Author and Fantasy Master Terry Brooks Returns to Worlds of Magic in First Short Story Collection, Small Magic

Fans of the Shannara series are familiar with the specific brand of magic Terry Brooks crafts in his stories. Memorable universes and whimsical tales filled with adventure, love, and dazzling mythical mysteries, there was always something new and fantastic to fall in love with in each tale.

Book cover for Geek Elders Speak: In Our Own Way byForest Path Books

Geek Elders Speak: In Our Own Voices Beautifully Shows That Women Always Had a Voice in Fandom

During the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s, fandom, or "fannishness" was considered a niche community, with participants connecting through snail mail, small gatherings, and the very first structures of what we would now recognize as conventions and comic cons. For women especially, navigating the community often felt like being an "other" in an already "othered" space, which, as you can imagine, was frustrating beyond belief.

Book cover for Geek Elders Speak: In Our Own Way byForest Path Books

Geek Elders Speak: In Our Own Voices: A Conversation on Fandom With Maggie Nowakowska & Jenni Hennig

There's no better time than Women's History Month to talk about the contributions that women have made in fandom.