Reviews

Not much to say, but this is a really great book and I think it should be required reading. The characters were all human and real and you felt for them. It was also great for each chapter to not only provide a new character, but a bit of a history lesson. I learned so much about the beginnings of the slave trade, the Cape Coast Castle, the Great Migration, cacao in Ghana, etc. I couldn't put the book down, which is really surprising because I'm usually not a fan of short stories, which is really what this book is. Every chapter can hold its own as a short story. This book is almost perfect but I did wish that the ending was a bit happier and maybe even a bit magical. I wish there was some way that everything could come together a bit more for a more satisfying ending.

talknerdybookblog's review

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adventurous dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Representation: Ghanaian main characters, Ghanian biracial gay main character, Black main characters, Ghanian supporting characters, Ghanian mlm supporting character, Black supporting characters, Ghanian side characters, Black side characters

Mature Themes:

• Sexual content is described but doesn't linger
• Swearing
• Alcohol and drug consumption / abuse

Possible Triggers: Yes

• Enslavement
• Child abuse
• R@pe
• Racism
• Racial slurs
• Death of children in a fire
• Kidnapping
• Confinement
• Murder
• Lynching
• Colonialism
• Physical assault (including recounting of whipping)
• Drug addiction
• Parental abandonment
• Burning someone alive recounted and attempted burning someone alive
• Ableism
• Sexism
• Classism
• War themes
• Colourism
• Infidelity

Ending:

Comes full circle and evokes a sense of 'coming home' despite all the trauma that the two families went through.

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