Tag: book reviews

Robert Jones Jr’s — The prophets *****

Isaiah and Samuel only know the names they’ve been given by their master, Paul, who owns a southern cotton plantation. They know nothing of their past. They are assigned to the barn to tend the animals where Paul plans to use them as breeding stock to enrich his plantation with more slaves. But once the pair mature, their love for each other deepens. When Amos learns of their conduct behind closed doors, he preaches to the rest of the slaves that they are evil. Many turn their backs of Isaiah and Samuel and they become more isolated. But their love for each other sustains them until Timothy, Paul’s only son, returns from the north after completing his education. One night, when he spies the pair entwined in each other arms, their lives change, and will never be the same again.

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Sophie Perinot’s — Medicis daughter *****

This novel has an average rating from my local library readers, but I found it a fascinating insight into the Valois dynasty seen through the eyes of Marguerite de Valois during the 16th century. Although King Charles heads the French dynasty, his mother, Catherine de Medicis, is the one who makes all the political decisions. Her schemes to maintain and increase her family’s rule include marrying her off to any man if it will increase the family’s power. The Queen’s desire to maintain a stronghold on its kingdom culminates in the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre when thousands of Huguenot are slaughtered.

Will Margurerite realize what kind of a person her mother really is, and overcome her desire to please her?

Melinda Haynes’s — Mother of Pearl *****

African American Evan grew up an orphan in a small Mississippi town. When he meets Valuable, the daughter of the town whore who doesn’t know who her father is, their lives change. Both want a family, something neither of them have, but can this racial combination survive in the 1950’s racist south?

Saleema Nawaz’s — Bone and Bread *****

Set in Montreal, Beena and Sadhana are close because of the death of their parents in their teens. While their uncle takes care of them, Beena sees a change in her sister. It’s only with Sadhana’s death, that Beena tries to unravel the cause of her sister’s life.

This is a well written powerful story, but because of Sadhana’s tragic decline and eventual death it sometimes made this emotionally hard to read.