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4.56 AVERAGE
4.56 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.5 ⭐️
I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would. It feels to me very much like historical fiction but with a touch of paranormal elements. I could actually see the events in this book happening with the way segregation of colour was back in the day. I really loved the characters and their development throughout the story and felt like I really knew them by the end of the book.
I felt so sorry for Robert and what he had to go through after such a small act caused him to be sent to the reformatory and at such a young age.
There was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions through this book where I felt happy, sad and angry which I love in the book.
Overall, I think this is a book that so many readers from different genres can read and enjoy.
I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would. It feels to me very much like historical fiction but with a touch of paranormal elements. I could actually see the events in this book happening with the way segregation of colour was back in the day. I really loved the characters and their development throughout the story and felt like I really knew them by the end of the book.
I felt so sorry for Robert and what he had to go through after such a small act caused him to be sent to the reformatory and at such a young age.
There was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions through this book where I felt happy, sad and angry which I love in the book.
Overall, I think this is a book that so many readers from different genres can read and enjoy.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Pros:
- I absolutely adored the characters!! Gloria and Robbie were both so instantly lovable, and I was so invested in everything that happened to them. I also liked the complex side characters like Miss Anne, Redbone, and Crutcher
- I was so enraptured by the story, which was a well-crafted eery ghost story that also had some larger things to say about racism and the institutions and people who uphold it
Recommendation: Highly recommend to fans of literary and historical fiction, especially if you are open to a supernatural or spooky element. While horror and fantasy are not my typical genres, this felt like more of a literary novel with elements of the other genres, so I had no trouble adjusting at all. Basically this ticked all the boxes for me: great characters, well-crafted and suspenseful story, strong but engaging writing, and a wider thematic purpose. I will be thinking about this one for a long time!! Some content warnings: death, racism, child abuse, sexual assault. Most of the violence is not too detailed but be aware this is not a sunshiney book. Avoid if you’re looking for something that is primarily about supernatural elements or super fast-paced.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I don’t like ghost stories but the historical fiction aspect of this book was excellent
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Classism
I think this might be my favorite jim crow horror and maybe even general horror novel of all time. It had me on the edge of my seat and shaking in my boots. Brava Tananarive!
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No