A review by thecriticalreader
When the Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen

dark tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

Context: 
I borrowed When the Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen from my library through the Libby App.
 
Review:
When the Reckoning Comes is a straightforward and well-executed novel that emphasizes the horrors of American slavery and racism and the importance of confronting the past. The book’s strength lies in its ability to balance the horror and plot elements with the relationships between its characters, Mira, Jesse, and Celine. Without this grounding in the characters and the relationships, When the Reckoning Comes might have been rather generic. The complex dynamics between these childhood friends lend the story its stakes and authenticity, which blend seamlessly with the novel’s commentary on modern racism and the malicious glorification of America’s monstrous history. 
 
I found myself engaged with the novel throughout, and I am especially impressed with McQueen’s ability to mess with the reader’s sense of time. My only qualm with the book is that it ends too soon. I would have liked another couple of chapters for the main characters to work through their experiences and their relationships with one another; as it stands, McQueen somewhat neglects the fascinating interplay between Mira, Jesse, and Celine in favor of a more traditional horror ending.
In particular, I was disappointed that Celine got killed off in service of the plot. I would have liked to have seen a final confrontation between the three as they grapple with the role race, circumstance, and outlook shaped the course of their friendship. 
 
The Run-Down: 
You will probably like When the Reckoning Comes if . . . 
·      You are looking for a solid horror book about race, slavery, and how history haunts the present
·      You want to read a book that asks questions about how we choose to remember history, especially when it comes to Southern plantations
 
You might not like When the Reckoning Comes if . . . 
·      You are hoping for a story that takes risks with its plot and premise
·      You want a book that maintains an even level of character development 
·      You want a smart, strong-willed protagonist
 
A Similar Book: 
Kindred by Octavia Butler (a spectacular book and a must-read, if you haven’t already) Similarities include:
·      A Black female main character who finds herself confronting the horrors of slavery on a Southern plantation
·      Commentary on how America’s past infects its present
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