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A review by shawna_reads
When the Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"To believe, one must care, and who's to say anyone ever cared?"
Mira fled her segregated hometown to forget her past - her best friend Celine who was the only white girl with black friends, her old neighbourhood, her memory of a ghost the day her crush Jesse got arrested, and the Woodsman plantation rumoured to be haunted by the spirits of slaves. But Mira is now back to attend Celine's wedding at the plantation that has been revamped into a resort. Mira hopes to reconnect with her friends, but things aren't as they appear.
This was a well written historical fiction horror that tackled the themes of racism, slavery, and oppression. It was dark, haunting, and atmospheric with some pretty graphic scenes.
I liked that the story included multiple timelines, going back and forth from the past to the present. This gave the reader an idea of what Mira, Jesse, and Celine were like as kids in a racist town, the events that occured at the plantation, and how it effected them in the present with racism still prevalent. It also gave a voice to the spirits of the slaves to include their POV and the brutality they faced.
While disturbing and graphic, the author did an amazing job taking real life social issues and turning it into a haunting novel.
Mira fled her segregated hometown to forget her past - her best friend Celine who was the only white girl with black friends, her old neighbourhood, her memory of a ghost the day her crush Jesse got arrested, and the Woodsman plantation rumoured to be haunted by the spirits of slaves. But Mira is now back to attend Celine's wedding at the plantation that has been revamped into a resort. Mira hopes to reconnect with her friends, but things aren't as they appear.
This was a well written historical fiction horror that tackled the themes of racism, slavery, and oppression. It was dark, haunting, and atmospheric with some pretty graphic scenes.
I liked that the story included multiple timelines, going back and forth from the past to the present. This gave the reader an idea of what Mira, Jesse, and Celine were like as kids in a racist town, the events that occured at the plantation, and how it effected them in the present with racism still prevalent. It also gave a voice to the spirits of the slaves to include their POV and the brutality they faced.
While disturbing and graphic, the author did an amazing job taking real life social issues and turning it into a haunting novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Slavery
Moderate: Rape