Rating: 5/5
Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is amazing. It is an adaptation of Octavia Butler's novel, which I have wanted to read for a long time. The adaptation has given me more incentive to sit down and read it. This is the story of a black woman named Dana that suffers from a unique problem. She finds herself transported from her life in the 1970s to a plantation in the early 19th century. This happens multiple times throughout the book, which takes a huge toll on her.
I think the visual nature of this work makes it so powerful. The reader can see Dana deteriorate both physically and mentally as the book progresses. It gives life to the horrors of slavery in a way that other books I've read just haven't been able to capture. Dana's confusion and fear are relatable, even if it comes from a fantastic situation. The art is perfect for showing these elements of the story. I didn't love the style, but that doesn't detract from the book in any way. The use of color helps to accent things rather than taking center stage.
The cast of characters in this book are part of what made it so great to me. There is just enough of what one would expect to be able to identify certain character types, but Butler adds little things that make them feel fresh. I don't want to say much about the plot, but it does follow events on that 19th century plantation throughout the life of the plantation owner's son. This, along with the jumps in time, give a view of how things changed. It makes the book dynamic in a way. I can't recommend this book highly enough.
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