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

5.0

4.5 stars 
TW: The most horrendous use of
blackface  I have ever read about in a modern setting. The bullying in this scene made me have to put the book down and walk around my apartment-
I was so angry about what I just read and the characters response to it. (slow clap to Tiffany D Jackson for getting that much of an emotional reaction from me)

The only reason this is not a full 5 star is mostly due to my issues with the writing of many YA books, I don't like writing that feels like the author is holding my hand to explain the themes and message of the book. So some of the dialogue (to me) felt preachy  - and there is nothing wrong with that. Some books don't need subtlety, go ahead and write a mad max moment where you spell out the themes and message in big red letters. 

As a Carrie retelling it did a wonderful job at reimagining the story with the concept of race in mind. The plot itself follows the original novel very loyalty, though they changed the investigation to a podcast which I was not the biggest fan of.  

Characters were well developed
except for one incident of insta-love which I will forgive
, and it was well paced.  
My biggest criticism is where as Carrie felt like a tragedy, The Weight of Blood was more a slow mystery/thriller/YA Horror that I am used to reading from the genre. Different vibes. 

I am a MASSIVE fan of the original Carrie book, so I was constantly comparing the events and characters to the original and while it lacks elements I loved about the original the Weight of blood more then stands on its own!