A review by minimicropup
The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Complex, candid, chilling

We follow the perspectives of three high school students leading up to prom. We get their thoughts, motivations, and interpretations of events leading up to the final prom night. 
  • Set in small town Georgia in the 2010s

Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags πŸΊπŸ•: 
  • The character depth and development was stunning. The characters aren't built on stereotypes and the thoughts, feelings, and expressions of each POV is morally grey and often relatable. 
  • The commentary about bullying, allies, problematic motivations, rejecting culture and race, ableism, parental motivation, and racism is not heavy handed or judgemental. It is nuanced, relatable, challenging, and symbolic. 
  • This does not read as a young adult novel. Although I'd recommend it for young adults, it is mature and deep enough to resonate with adults too. The characters and writing style aren't immature or overly explained (none of the "I did this, then I did this, then I thought this, then I saw this." typical of YA novels).
  • This will probably be a challenging story, but in an introspective, gentle way. I cringed after seeing myself in some of these characters.

Cred Rating πŸ‘ŒπŸ©Έ: Magical realism with realistic horrors
  • The events, how they unfold, and how people interpret them are fully developed and realistic, interwoven with magical and science fiction realism

Mood Reading Match Up: 
  • IRL horrors with magical realisms/subtle sci-fi on telekinesis
  • Literary fiction vibes with symbolic commentary on race, bullying, and problematic motivation
  • Podcast / true crime media mixed with multiple POV narratives
  • Introspective, nostalgic coming-of-age stories
  • "Good for them" bullied/abused revenge trope

Content Heads-Up: Racism. Bullying. Confinement. Religious abuse. Physical and emotional abuse from a parent.

Format: Hardcover
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