4 stars
| This book is weird, creepy, and unexpected in all the right ways. I’ll admit, at first I didn’t really like Hoodoo’s narration and was just going along with things. However it quickly grew on me and, as the plot picked up, I was hooked. I flew through reading this faster than I’d anticipated. I just kept reading because I wanted to know what would happen next. There is so much strangeness packed into the pages that I instantly wanted more. I could see this being a good fit for some reluctant readers. It is pretty fast-paced and the majority of the chapters end in a way that makes you want to keep reading. The book also does a good job of being creepy without being overly scary. There are many eerie scenes but I wouldn’t say it is necessarily a scary book. Dogs howling in the night, mysterious strangers, dream travel, talking crows, and the Hand of Glory. It’s also so weird and fantastic. Plus, it’s set in the 1930s and does a great job incorporating historical elements. It is a nice way for young readers to learn a little bit more about the history of racism and segregation in America. A great read that keeps the reader engaged and wanting more. This is a very impressive debut novel. Goodreads |