This piece of literature truly serves as a symbol of remembrance and teaches the importance of equality ( )

Poignant and harrowing, this narrative of early America alternates between the voices of enslaved Amari and indentured servant Polly, building a believable interracial friendship centered on the common goal of freedom. Amari is captured from her idyllic home in Africa, and sold into slavery in the New World. While accounts of the attack on the tribe and the Middle Passage are ephemeral, the story hits its stride upon Amari’s arrival in colonial South Carolina. At the slave auction, the reader is introduced to Amari’s new masters and Polly, who is a new servant in their household. Polly initially dislikes the African slaves, viewing them as strange competition for limited work, yet grows to sympathize with Amari’s plight when she is repeatedly raped by the master’s son, Clay. Polly’s cynicism and realistic outlook on life provides a welcome contrast to the lost innocence of Amari, whose voice often disappears beneath the misery of her circumstances (save for in one unforgettable passage at the end, where she encounters her betrothed from her village, and mourns the loss of what might have been). Sobering, yet essential. (Historical fiction. YA)

-Kirkus Review

Very emotional read~ ( )

Amari is a young Ewe girl in West Africa, Ghana I assume since she was taken to Cape Castle and is part of Asanteland. Her village welcomes a group of Ashanti warriors and their pink skinned guests. After exchanging gifts they attack and kill most of the village. Amari is the only member of her immediate family to survive. She is marched to the coast shackled, kept in Cape Castle until she passes through the 'door of no return' into the belly on a slaving vessel. She meets an older woman who gives her knowledge and courage. After the Middle Passage she lands on Sullivan Island and her new very different life begins in a new and dangerous land.
I liked that the author used real places and policies. It added richness and depth to the story which this novel truly needed. Also appreciate the 'gator bait' scene this fact, that enslaved black children were used to entice gators, is often disputed so I appreciate the inclusion.
I dislike Polly being a POV character and I dislike the storyline with Mrs Derby and Noah. It felt unnecessary. Also the walk to Fort Mose felt odd as they really had no directions and would have little idea of where they were going.
I appreciate the author including books, websites and TV shows she used for reference. However I completely disagree with her stance that white women slave owners were little more than slaves themselves. She must've read different slave narratives and history than I read. White women are complicit for what happened during slavery; in fact as the wives and daughters of slave owners, they themselves were slave owners. They were brutal too: took part in whipping, raping, terrorizing, oppressing, murdering and had children and families sold and split up. They do not deserve a pass. Like female SS officers, they deserve to be held accountable for their complicity.
Decently written but I find myself concerned about Amari but not invested in her character. Perhaps the writing style? I didn't much care for the writing style of this author. ( )