Reviews tagging 'Trafficking'

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

1 review

internalnonsense's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This is an intimate look at the intense pressure black women feel in spaces pushing against them. It is about racism through microaggressions, ignorance, exclusion, specifically in publishing. The story works best in the minutia of that, but stumbles in building the larger conspiracy that ultimately drives the plot. Similarly, the tone wobbles--not quite unsettling, not quite satirical, not quite righteous, the writing mostly washes by without a lasting impression. It's worth a read, but ultimately more for its potential than its pay off. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Racial slurs, Toxic friendship, and Trafficking

Minor: Police brutality and Sexual content

The main threat of the novel is mind control, with the MC being unknowingly targeted, hence the trafficking tag. A character is even snatched off the street and forced into a car, though she's ultimately fine. The trafficking isn't graphic or violent or sexual, but there's a lot of potential unpleasant subtext to it.