This is the most brilliant book to come out of 2021.
I don’t think the genius was in the plot-twist(s) - I was able to predict every single one of them, though maybe that's because I'm not white and naive. The genius lies in how the horror is crafted, and the racism/anti-Blackness written so chillingly realistic. I also appreciated the forward and the general message of the book - Black children are not to be blamed for their internalized racism, and deserve to be protected and saved from it, which they only will be by other Black people. It's a celebration of overcoming internal and external racism and making a better world for other people who face it, a far cry from the often disparaging attitude towards kids with internalized racism.
Black horror books are few and far between. They really shouldn't be. Faridah has created a dazzling debut and I will be watching for her works in the future.
I don’t think the genius was in the plot-twist(s) - I was able to predict every single one of them, though maybe that's because I'm not white and naive. The genius lies in how the horror is crafted, and the racism/anti-Blackness written so chillingly realistic. I also appreciated the forward and the general message of the book - Black children are not to be blamed for their internalized racism, and deserve to be protected and saved from it, which they only will be by other Black people. It's a celebration of overcoming internal and external racism and making a better world for other people who face it, a far cry from the often disparaging attitude towards kids with internalized racism.
Black horror books are few and far between. They really shouldn't be. Faridah has created a dazzling debut and I will be watching for her works in the future.