The main character, Maryse, was entrusted with a magical sword to ward off the Ku Kluxes. The sword harnesses the pain of her ancestors, transforming it into a rage capable of defeating numerous heinous Ku Kluxes.

The ku kluxes are monsters in the literal sense that feed on the hatred of the Ku klux klan. After members of the Ku Klux Klan are turned into monsters, their will to kill stopped at nothing. Obviously, as you may have guessed by now their target is black people.

Let me start by saying that the book is great. The writing, the plot, the characterizations of the characters, and the pace are all excellent. The only thing I think could have been better handled is the dilemma the main character had to face at some point. I won’t spoil it for you, though.

The story is narrated by the main character who speaks in African American English dialect known as Ebonics or AAVE (African American Vernacular English). Despite English being my second language, I found it challenging to read at first but eventually got the hang of it. Surprisingly, I became even more engrossed in the story because of it. The use of Ebonics made the characters feel very authentic to me. I believe Ebonics has a straightforwardness that I find appealing in a positive way. Overall, I really enjoyed reading it.

In this alternate history of 1922, the fantastical element is unusual but makes a lot of sense. The Ku Kluxes are a demonic entity that grows out of hatred and feeds into it. And the cycle continues.

The main character undergoes an interesting arc. Despite the many historical elements such as the birth of a nation, slavery, World War 2, the journey of personal discovery, the harshness of a reality that once existed, and the African and African American references, the book is digestible and focused. We not only follow a woman who kills monsters, but we also embark on a journey along with her.

Thanks  P. Djélì Clark for emphasizing the importance of self-reflection in the context of hatred. This book taught me a valuable lesson. I experienced a range of emotions while reading it – I laughed, seethed with anger, and sometimes felt overwhelmed by hatred and sadness. I felt exposed, seen, and understood. Most unexpectedly, I learned something about myself. P. Djélì Clark crafted a story that is not only uniquely interesting but also leaves a profound and lasting impact.