This book reminds me a lot of an epic poem I read a couple months back titled The Half God of Rainfall, in the way that both narratives create a link between pre-colonial traditions (e.g. the hunting practices, the spiritual beliefs of Native Americans and Nigerians) and the stereotypically American sport of modern-day basketball. It’s an interesting way to explore how the ease of one’s movement may not just be an outcome of practice, but can also be a manifestation of their ancestors using them as a vessel, a manifestation of movement that pre-dates the sport finally being tapped into on the court. I think that’s such a unique way to look at inheritance, the way people of colour must adapt in order to succeed in this new world and how, sometimes, it’s their connection to their roots that actually aids in said success.

I thought this was a solid revenge story, one that I couldn’t even predict no matter how much I tried. I was thoroughly impressed by the use of second person POV in this book. It’s a POV that not many authors delve into so whenever I come across it, and whenever I come across it used so effectively, I’m always left in awe. It made this read so much more impactful and it was just another stark example of all the amazing choices Stephen Graham Jones made while drafting this text.