Lily's identity as a Chinese American lesbian brings multiple dimensions to her experiences. The book follows her journey through navigating her identity, both as a Chinese American and as a young lesbian woman. The entire book is rich in themes of self-discovery, identity formation, and the challenges faced by marginalized individuals.

Set against the backdrop of the Nigerian-Biafran War, "Under the Udala Trees" incorporates elements of political unrest and conflict. We get to experience how the war affects the characters' lives and shapes their journeys through life.

This Poison Heart is a young adult, fantasy novel about a 17-year-old girl, Briesis, who has the ability to control plants with her mind. In addition, she’s immune to poisons. What this means is not only does she have her black girl magic going for her, but she also has a pretty badass power that would make anyone pause.