(4.5) This book is powerful and beautifully written and heartbreaking to a degree that any book about slavery in America would be, and it shows the roots that still cause harm and pain and death for black americans today.

For example: "That was all it took to enact Varina's curse upon Miss May Belle, revenge for her refusal to heal her of the baby she did not want. Lily-white conjure. Simple as pointing a finger." Sound familiar?

With fully realized characters and some suspense too, this novel is simply extraordinary.