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An Humbling Reveal

Reviewed: 10-08-24

I loved and appreciated his vulnerability, humility, and challenge. I know Ta’Nehisi was certain of his review, critical analysis, and even disparage by not only those implicated but by also those teachers who employed and employ Palo Friere’s banking theory, complaining of his neglecting to mention others whom they deem more important or mentioning those who they deem less important. Or his determination not to be “objective”. I appreciate this in-depth qualitative treatise and praise Professor Coates for bearing his soul and pushing me to do the same.

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Great Ending!

Reviewed: 02-28-24

I have thoroughly enjoyed traveling this journey through Henry Adams! It is unforgettable! What a brilliant mind you have, Ms. Jenkins. This Blessings series is a blueprint for thought today of creating a better world. Although financial resources played a very prominent role, the charitable spirit of the people is really what made the wheels turn. The entire series was a page turner for me.

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The Nguzo Saba Exemplified!

Reviewed: 01-11-24

I loved everything about this story!

This is the kind of story that I’ve been waiting for all of my conscious life! I say conscious life because we all know the many problems we face as a colonized people. We’ve been made aware of this all of our lives through narrative, experiences, losses, and pain. But, Ms. Jenkins’s foresight has demonstrated a very poignant way to address some of the problems. For this, I am deeply appreciative!

Kwanzaa, the only holiday celebrating African American life created by an African man born in America, is based on seven principles called the Nguzo Saba.
Umoja, Unity
Kujichagulia, Self Determination
Ujima, Collective Work & responsibility
Ujamaa, Cooperative Economics
Nia, Purpose
Kuumba, Creativity
Imani, Faith

This book embodies ALL of these principles seamlessly! It is well written, well narrated, and anointed!

A MUST READ!

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Engaging!

Reviewed: 11-09-23

What I really liked about this book is that it dared to go deeper! I was thinking after I read the first two, what else can she possibly explore and still keep it as real as it’s been? She didn’t disappoint! I couldn’t put it down! I would go to sleep listening and have to rewind. Then I wake up listening while I’m working around the house and have to rewind. I’m reading it with my daughter and grandchildren and it’s amazing how they hold on to details that I didn’t remember. I like the multi generational reading together because we gain so much from each other. I would recommend to others to read with younger and older generations. It makes for such richer and in depth meaning.

I didn’t dislike anything, but if I would change something, it would be the long long long trip across the wilderness. The children seemed to love it, but it was much too drawn out for me. Nonetheless, it was an amazing storyline and both narrators were wonderful. The second one took a little longer to get used to and that’s probably because I had heard the same narrator for two books. But, she was great once I got accustomed to the changes particularly in Sasha’s and Orlu’s voices.

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Incredible Story and Narration!

Reviewed: 10-27-23

Akata Witch was captivating and Akata Warrior did not disappoint! This is a powerful story of trials, growth, and new understandings. I love the author’s way of weaving the threads of the story, taking parts of the characters lives, the scenes and actions of the culture and the people of the culture and then wearing them all together to put me as the reader right in the center of the story. That’s an awesome gift of storytelling and I so appreciate this author. The narrator is perfection! She gracefully changes not only from character to character, but from cultural dialect to another, from high sopranos to deep baritones. I love her! She brings you right into the room or in the air gliding on the Grasscutter or bumping the into the car ceilings from potholes in the streets of Lagos.

I am starting on Akata Woman immediately and looking forward to Sunni’s new adventures as an experienced well developed Leopard woman, along with her Krewe and their strong bonded love and support! I’m reading along with my middle school granddaughters and enjoying it just as much as then. As we share thoughts and perspectives, I learn so much from them and really value their intelligence and ways of knowing. You owe it to yourself and other young folks to read this series!

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Outstanding!

Reviewed: 07-17-23

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir! The story content and the narration was exemplary! Gina, girl, you’re a natural! You are the embodiment of everything your mom groomed in you and it’s just as it should be. I loved this story and I’m so glad you told it because no one else could have done it Justice! I can imagine how free you must’ve felt after recording this powerful history because I felt free after completing the book! I wish you much success and I’ll be looking forward to seeing you when you come to Atlanta!

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Moving, Imaginative, Redeeming

Reviewed: 05-30-23

It’s very revealing to read reviews. Reviews often help me understand the audience, the position of the audience to the author’s story, as well as the position of the characters in the story. Before reading the book, the reviews give me clues as to what to look for such as lags in the story or the boring parts or the unrealistic ideations. Then, after reading the book, I relate the reviews to the characters and events in the story such as the turn-coat George and the “the story made no sense”, the “Conduction” and the “the story was too unrealistic”, or the “I understand the fight for freedom, but the slaves need guidance and the “Corinnes” way doing things.

The book is exhilarating! The build-up to Hiram’s remembrance of his mother and his true recognition of his idyllic father-demagogue was well worth the wait. It even amazes Black people how we’ve been able to stand and survive with JOY the unbearable conditions with which we’ve had to bear globally! And while many want to call it magic, voodoo, or whatever villainous attribute they want to ascribe, it has been no less than miraculous. I so appreciate Coates (both of them) for their imagination and gifts to allow us readers to find solace that our ancestors are still with us and working through us. Looking forward to my next read!

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Magnificent! Historical! Captivating!

Reviewed: 11-16-22

This is hands down the most enjoyable book I’ve read in years! It was historical, a love story, a story of passion, faith, and fight! I’m from Birmingham, Alabama and I started college in 1969 in Nashville, Tennessee. I can vividly remember the hurt and pain of our entire community after the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, Rev. Shuttlesworth’s church, and even the burning of a cross in my own family’s yard because my dad was an entrepreneur. I can relate to the essence of the story and mitigating hatred of the time period. Celeste, you did that! Your research was on point, the music, outfits, and jargon were absolutely apropos. The narrator was exceptional! This book should be on every middle /high school booklist with the exception of the sex scene. It was definitely a page-turner or rather stimulating nonstop listening!

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2 people found this helpful

I love The Ending!

Reviewed: 10-07-22

It read like poetry! The words flowed and the Reader sounded quite authentic. I was pleasantly surprised by the uplifting ending, since this period of time leaves very little to smile about. Making associations with other publications about the power of African people like The People Could Fly and familiar stories like Anansi pulled the young readers in and made the story that much more believable! It was a delightful yet Enlightening piece of historical fiction, most worthy of recommendation.

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Disappointing!

Reviewed: 09-14-22

The storyline was somewhat intriguing as I remained interested in the story. I wanted to see how the author wove the story of a mermaid becoming an enslaved human and how she maintained the relationship between land and sea, the laws of nature and the laws of mankind. She did demonstrate that cursively showing how the water revitalized her and gave her strength, but little beyond that. I was disappointed that the parents were taken away so soon and contributed very little to the story. Yet, it seemed very important for the author to demonstrate the “helpfulness” and support of the Whites, from Tilly to Richard, to Waldo to the Uncle and his wife.

I think ultimately it was a love story but brought no development of the love or closure to the life of a mermaid turned human. Then, the story ends five years after the death of her true love with their child speaking in Spanish.

I guess I’m disappointed that the bill was promoted from a black history platform when it really just introduced some well known characters and their stories for association purposes only, ie Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, the Underground Railroad, Cuba, etc. The story focused more on the stories of Whites (positive and negative) and opposed to demonstrating how her powers help Black people in the Black Holocaust in America.

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