''I do love them," George agreed. 'But stories are like people, Atticus. Loving them doesn't make them perfect. You try and cherish their virtues and overlook their flaws. The flaws are still there, though."'

Being set in the Jim Crow era, this novel centers around Atticus and his family as they get sucked into the Braithwhite's world. There is no escape for Atticus or his family as the Braithwhite heir tries to solidify his position in the Order of the Ancient Dawn. Atticus, along with his relatives, become pawns in a game in which they are at a disadvantage and are seen as disposable yet valuable. The family is exposed to numerous horrors due to their involvement with the Order of the Ancient Dawn and Caleb Braithwhite.

This novel takes place in the Jim Crow era centering around Atticus, a young black man, traveling home to his father. It felt strange having a horror-esque theme set in a Jim Crow era. However, it did add an element of tension for the reader. From the start of the novel, Atticus is pulled over by a racist cop that harasses him. Despite the set back for the character and his family, it is obvious that his family is not phased by the racism instead, they adapt and overcome. Throughout the novel, the family are put into obstacle courses by the Order of the Ancient Dawn and find themselves victorious or melancholy. As the family is forced to help Caleb without fully knowing his plan and make do with the given task.

In the end, this novel does bring to light the struggles of Black people in the Jim Crow era. As well as showing the general exploitation of Black people in non Jim Crow states. The ending of the book is very telling, as the family removes themselves from Caleb's game, Caleb rages that he will make them suffer. The family's response is laughing at Caleb telling him that they already live in a world of suffering. It is an amazing novel that reflects struggle and the make do with their reality of their era.