A review by largeicedtea
Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley

dark sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Writing a review for Leila Mottley's "Nightcrawling" is going to be a real challenge. I have to acknowledge this novel would be a triumph for any artist, let alone one who is so young. You can tell it was written by a poet by the careful crafting of each sentence, the beautiful turns of phrase, the vivid imagery and tenderness toward our protagonist Kiara. Mottley has an ear for language and I think she's going to make even more profound and award-winning work in the future.

That said, this was an absolutely brutal read. I was drawn in by the gorgeous book cover and mysterious one-word title, neither of which clued me in to how heartrending Kiara's story would be. There were times I had to set down the book and close my eyes for a moment's peace. While I understood Mottley's message and knew there could be no happy ending when one teenaged Black girl goes up against the Oakland Police Department, it was still punishing. I do not mean to be flip when I say I'll need to read several upbeat books to cleanse my mind after "Nightcrawling."

I wish this author the best and look forward to seeing what's next for her.
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