The Prophets - Robert Jones, Jr.

⭐ 8.5/10

(Originally written by Beans)

This book is about a plantation in the Deep South shortly after Africans were brought to America and sold into slavery. It follows a host of people and each chapter is a different perspective from someone on the farm. Two of the young boys are in a relationship, and when one of the older slaves takes on the white man’s religion to get favour, their relationship is seen as an abomination, and all hell breaks loose.

I really enjoyed this one. It was really engrossing and you fall deeply for the characters. It was written rather poetically which felt beautiful. The way it jumped around perspectives was also interesting. It tied together some of the African roots of the slaves into the story which I had never really heard before that felt unique.

Ultimately this book is about love and betrayal, the black person’s endless battle in America, and the grief and beauty that comes out of that. The climax to this was literally insane and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.