MY RATING:★★★★,5/5

I’ve been on a really good reading ride lately, my last reads were always 4 or 5 stars and they were all ARCs (Advanced Copies) which is surprising because I tend to give a 3 stars average when I’m binging on ARCs. I guess Fall is starting well for me 😉 

I just loved everything about this book, but the one thing I was completely head over heels was the novelty of the theme. 

This novel is narrated by Jojo, a child who has to take care of his toddler sister Kayla while dealing with his drug addicted Leonie, and a mysterious sinister grandfather, Pap. When you start reading the book, you can feel the dynamic of the family. It’s very unique and disturbing at the same time. But as you read and turn the pages.. there’s A SUPERNATURAL SIDE that I found absolutely brilliant!! I really don’t want to spoil what it is but let me tell you it’s one of the times that make you wish you had read more about sorcery and African traditions.

However, I’m removing half a star from the rating because I wish the author would further develop the supernatural side. I think there was a great potential there to build an entire portal to the supernatural world. But I guess it wasn’t the main point of the novel hehe.

Adding to that, the characters were complex and three dimensional. You know how it’s important to readers to feel that the author breathe life into characters via his writing? Well Jesmyn Ward did the job alright. The characters were so real, raw, cruel, that sometimes I’m asking myself if I’m REALLY reading a book because the imagery and emotions are so intense, you feel it like it’s happening to you, AND THAT IS AMAZING.

A mix of violence, unfinished bussiness and murders, this is reading like a thriller but also like an adult fantasy story. A must read for anyone who likes a more disturbing and darker modern- supernatural story. 

Big thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! 

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