A review by cozyhosie
The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

challenging emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

 When I heard there was a reimagining of Stephen King’s Carrie, I knew I had to pick it up. Carrie is one of my all-time favorite books. I actually recently reread it as a comfort read. Tiffany D. Jackson’s The Weight of Blood is the perfect reimagining of the source material. The characters have more depth, their motivations are clearer, and the growth they experience is more realistic. Jackson includes small homages to King’s original work, such as giving Maddy’s father Ralph as his middle name, Maddy’s ignorance of menstrual cycles, and researchers of TK (an acronym for telekinesis King used in Carrie). She displays a masterful manipulation of her characters that causes you to feel what they feel. You will feel their pain and cringe at the microaggressions that Black people experience daily. I was so invested in the story that around 25% through, I stopped using tabs to mark things I wanted to remember and just let Jackson tell her story. I would recommend this book for fans of Carrie, people who enjoy mixed media stories (part of the story is told through interviews on a podcast), or anyone who is just looking for a good read. I finished this book over the course of an afternoon and evening and, considering I have a busy toddler at home, I attribute that to Jackson’s mastery of language and her excellent writing skills. I’m looking forward to reading more of her work in the future. 
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