The Perishing by Natashia Deón is an astonishing work of historical science fiction. When Lou wakes up in 1930s Los Angeles with no memory of where she came from, she focuses on living her best possible life, and even becomes the first Black female journalist at the Los Angeles Times. However, she begins to realise she has a much larger purpose when she meets a man whose face she has been drawing for years, and suddenly understands she is an immortal destined to save all of the people she loves.