Milk Blood Heat by Dantiel W. Moniz is a collection of short stories that illustrates a tapestry of intergenerational tales that, “contemplate human connection, race, womanhood, inheritance, and the elemental darkness in us all.” Moniz chooses words as if she is holding your face in her hands, while staring into your eyes with an unrelenting intimacy. She weaves thoughts with experiences in a way that is so specific that you somehow see yourself and her world, as if you are living it with her. This collection of stories will have you wanting to be present in the room with her characters so as to not miss a single moment of their exposed humanity.