Pariah -

The first book in Anthony Ryan’s Covenant of Steel trilogy, this dark fantasy follows Alwyn Scribe, a sharp-witted outlaw whose life is upended by betrayal and religious war.

Directed by Dee Rees, this coming-of-age drama follows Alike, a 17-year-old Black teenager in Brooklyn navigating her identity as a lesbian while living under the roof of her devoutly religious parents.

: Shot by Bradford Young, the cinematography uses tight framing to create a sense of intimacy and "immediacy," though some critics noted that night scenes can be too dark for low-budget film standards .

The Pariah by Anthony Ryan is a Gripping Dark Fantasy | Book Review

: While some consider the "strict parent" trope predictable, the film's unflinching honesty and emotional depth make it a landmark in LGBTQ+ cinema . The Pariah (2021 Novel)