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Junie
A young girl must face a life-altering decision after awakening her sister’s ghost, navigating truths about love, friendship, and power as the Civil War looms.
Sixteen years old and enslaved since she was born, Junie has spent her life on Bellereine Plantation in Alabama, cooking and cleaning alongside her family, and tending to the white master’s daughter, Violet. Her daydreams are filled with poetry and faraway worlds, while she spends her nights secretly roaming through the forest, consumed with grief over the sudden death of her older sister, Minnie.
When wealthy guests arrive from New Orleans, hinting at marriage for Violet and upending Junie’s life, she commits a desperate act—one that rouses Minnie’s spirit from the grave, tethered to this world unless Junie can free her. She enlists the aid of Caleb, the guests� coachman, and their friendship soon becomes something more. Yet as long-held truths begin to crumble, she realizes Bellereine is harboring dark and horrifying secrets that can no longer be ignored.
With time ticking down, Junie begins to push against the harsh current that has controlled her entire life. As she grapples with an increasingly unfamiliar world in which she has little control, she is forced to ask herself: When we choose love and liberation, what must we leave behind?
Sixteen years old and enslaved since she was born, Junie has spent her life on Bellereine Plantation in Alabama, cooking and cleaning alongside her family, and tending to the white master’s daughter, Violet. Her daydreams are filled with poetry and faraway worlds, while she spends her nights secretly roaming through the forest, consumed with grief over the sudden death of her older sister, Minnie.
When wealthy guests arrive from New Orleans, hinting at marriage for Violet and upending Junie’s life, she commits a desperate act—one that rouses Minnie’s spirit from the grave, tethered to this world unless Junie can free her. She enlists the aid of Caleb, the guests� coachman, and their friendship soon becomes something more. Yet as long-held truths begin to crumble, she realizes Bellereine is harboring dark and horrifying secrets that can no longer be ignored.
With time ticking down, Junie begins to push against the harsh current that has controlled her entire life. As she grapples with an increasingly unfamiliar world in which she has little control, she is forced to ask herself: When we choose love and liberation, what must we leave behind?
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2025
951 people are currently reading
66.2k people want to read
About the author
Erin Crosby Eckstine
1book312followersErin Crosby Eckstine is the author of Junie, forthcoming from Ballantine Books in January 2025. She writes speculative historical fiction, personal essays, and anything else she’s in the mood for.
Born in Montgomery, AL, Erin grew up between the South and Los Angeles before moving to New York City to attend Barnard College. Eckstine worked in a variety of digital media internships and jobs before pivoting to education and earning a master’s in secondary English education from Stanford University.
Eckstine went on to teach high school English in Brooklyn, NY for six years before becoming a full-time writer. When she’s not writing, she’s usually making pottery, reading, cooking, or playing The Sims. She lives in Brooklyn with her partner and cats.
Erin is represented by Danya Kukafka at Trellis Literary Management.
Born in Montgomery, AL, Erin grew up between the South and Los Angeles before moving to New York City to attend Barnard College. Eckstine worked in a variety of digital media internships and jobs before pivoting to education and earning a master’s in secondary English education from Stanford University.
Eckstine went on to teach high school English in Brooklyn, NY for six years before becoming a full-time writer. When she’s not writing, she’s usually making pottery, reading, cooking, or playing The Sims. She lives in Brooklyn with her partner and cats.
Erin is represented by Danya Kukafka at Trellis Literary Management.
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February 22, 2025
My head says 3, but my heart says 4—so naturally, I have to go with 4⭐️!
As my first sentence makes clear, it wasn’t exactly easy to decide how I ultimately felt about this book, but I loved all the emotions it evoked in me. It was a slow-paced read, which left me a little bored at times, but I still found the story interesting, sad, and even angering. I’d also dare to call this story unique because, unfortunately, most of us—myself included—go into these kinds of stories with certain expectations, especially when they’re set during such a horrific time in history. But this book surprised me by not giving me what I expected. Instead, I got a fascinating main character who carried so much passion, love, and, anger even when no one believed she had any right to. There were moments when I found myself thinking, “Junie, please calm down. These people are only going to hurt you,� and that’s when I realized how deeply this book had impacted me. It challenged me to think beyond my preconceived notions about this period in history.
That said, I still feel like straying from historical accuracy in stories like this can be risky, given how sensitive the subject matter is. Not that I’m claiming to know everything about the past—I’m still learning so much—but I could tell the author was aiming to write something different from what we might expect. And while the pacing was slow at times, the story was still invigorating. There were enough intense moments that kept the book engaging overall.
The paranormal elements didn’t surprise me because I actually hate going into a book blind. If I hadn’t known about the paranormal aspects beforehand, I would’ve been completely thrown off! As for how much of an impact those elements had� honestly, I couldn’t really tell you. I didn’t love or hate them—they were just there, and I was like, “Okay, sure.�
A lot of the characters seemed simple on the surface, but they definitely had layers of complexity if you really thought about them. Overall, though, they all played integral roles in the kind of story the author was trying to tell. I really enjoyed reading this perspective on American history, and I appreciated how the author sprinkled in some reveals to add a touch of mystery. The mix of romance and deep family love was also a nice touch. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what else this author has in store!
As my first sentence makes clear, it wasn’t exactly easy to decide how I ultimately felt about this book, but I loved all the emotions it evoked in me. It was a slow-paced read, which left me a little bored at times, but I still found the story interesting, sad, and even angering. I’d also dare to call this story unique because, unfortunately, most of us—myself included—go into these kinds of stories with certain expectations, especially when they’re set during such a horrific time in history. But this book surprised me by not giving me what I expected. Instead, I got a fascinating main character who carried so much passion, love, and, anger even when no one believed she had any right to. There were moments when I found myself thinking, “Junie, please calm down. These people are only going to hurt you,� and that’s when I realized how deeply this book had impacted me. It challenged me to think beyond my preconceived notions about this period in history.
That said, I still feel like straying from historical accuracy in stories like this can be risky, given how sensitive the subject matter is. Not that I’m claiming to know everything about the past—I’m still learning so much—but I could tell the author was aiming to write something different from what we might expect. And while the pacing was slow at times, the story was still invigorating. There were enough intense moments that kept the book engaging overall.
The paranormal elements didn’t surprise me because I actually hate going into a book blind. If I hadn’t known about the paranormal aspects beforehand, I would’ve been completely thrown off! As for how much of an impact those elements had� honestly, I couldn’t really tell you. I didn’t love or hate them—they were just there, and I was like, “Okay, sure.�
A lot of the characters seemed simple on the surface, but they definitely had layers of complexity if you really thought about them. Overall, though, they all played integral roles in the kind of story the author was trying to tell. I really enjoyed reading this perspective on American history, and I appreciated how the author sprinkled in some reveals to add a touch of mystery. The mix of romance and deep family love was also a nice touch. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what else this author has in store!
January 4, 2025
First, all the stars go to the cover artist for this novel—it’s absolutely stunning and deserves recognition!
Junie is a deeply layered story about a 16-year-old enslaved girl living on an Alabama plantation. Junie’s life is shaped by her unique bond with Violet, the plantation owner’s daughter, who teaches her to read and sparks her love for literature. Beneath the surface, Junie battles overwhelming guilt, believing she caused her older sister’s death.
The plot takes a dramatic turn when Violet’s father invites a young man and his sister to the plantation. Junie wrestles with her growing feelings for the man’s valet, while Violet faces the pressure of securing the plantation’s future through a potential match with the guest. The story offers unexpected twists, especially involving Violet, that keep the reader intrigued.
While I appreciated the complexity of Junie’s journey, the supernatural elements—particularly her conversations with her sister’s ghost—didn’t resonate with me. That aside, the book explores love, guilt, survival, and hope under extraordinary circumstances.
Junie is a deeply layered story about a 16-year-old enslaved girl living on an Alabama plantation. Junie’s life is shaped by her unique bond with Violet, the plantation owner’s daughter, who teaches her to read and sparks her love for literature. Beneath the surface, Junie battles overwhelming guilt, believing she caused her older sister’s death.
The plot takes a dramatic turn when Violet’s father invites a young man and his sister to the plantation. Junie wrestles with her growing feelings for the man’s valet, while Violet faces the pressure of securing the plantation’s future through a potential match with the guest. The story offers unexpected twists, especially involving Violet, that keep the reader intrigued.
While I appreciated the complexity of Junie’s journey, the supernatural elements—particularly her conversations with her sister’s ghost—didn’t resonate with me. That aside, the book explores love, guilt, survival, and hope under extraordinary circumstances.
February 17, 2025
Title/Author: JUNIE by Erin Crosby Eckstine
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Ballantine Books/ Penguin
Format: Hardcover review copy and NetGalley (I read it as the eBook)
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author:DEBUT
Affiliate Link:
Release Date: February 4th, 2025
General Genre: Literary
Sub-Genre/Themes: Pre-Civil War, Enslaved people, Family, Arranged Marriage, Death/Grief/Loss, Plantation (cotton crops), Housemaids and Servants, Romance, Freedom, Ghosts, Coming-of-age, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Paranormal
Writing Style: Character-driven, high-stakes/emotional investment
What You Need to Know: "A young girl must face a life-altering decision after awakening her sister’s ghost, navigating truths about love, friendship, and power as the Civil War looms."
My Reading Experience: "See, in this life, we're all just floating down the river. You might have somewhere you wanna be, but like it or not, that river's taking you where it wants to go. Fighting the current don't hurt the river, it just wears you out."
In the same vein as Beloved by Toni Morrison, Junie is a haunting ghost story rooted in historical horror. Erin Crosby Eckstine pulls readers into a past confronting the brutality of pre-Civil War America, where history itself is the most terrifying threat of all. At its heart, Junieis a coming-of-age ghost story. The main protagonist, sixteen-year-old Junie, is a housemaid for a teen girl of the same age named, Violet. Junie's whole family lives on Bellereine Plantation in Alabama and just recently, Junie lost her older sister, Minnie to some kind of health complication after rescuing Junie from drowning. Minnie's ghost calls to Junie from the woods, insisting that three tasks be completed before it’s too late.
What makes Junieespecially difficult is its unflinching portrayal of the period. There is no way to soften the realities of racism and violence against enslaved people or the cruelty that thrives in a society built on oppression and subjugation. Domestic abuse against women and enslaved people is woven into the fabric of daily life...and yet, through all of the trauma, there are moments of care, love, and quiet resilience.
" It's what we can choose that makes this life special."
The romance is especially endearing and accounts for the high stakes and the emotional investment. Eckstine’s writing is so immersive and compelling.
"You're wrong, " Junie says, "There's a life in this. There's a life in everything, even if you have to squeeze in to find it. And even if it's on the edges...it's room for love. We just gotta carve it out ourselves."The atmosphere is thick with tension and dread, and the supernatural blends seamlessly with the horrors of reality.
Final Recommendation: If you’re drawn to ghost stories that carry weight beyond their hauntings, Junieis a book that will stay with you. Erin Crosby Eckstine has created something arresting, haunting, and deeply affecting. Read it, but know that you will walk away with a broken heart and a severe bookish hangover.
"There ain't no good and evil in this world, not when the devils are the ones setting the rules."
Comps: Beloved by Toni Morrison, Kindred by Octavia Butler, The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Ballantine Books/ Penguin
Format: Hardcover review copy and NetGalley (I read it as the eBook)
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author:DEBUT
Affiliate Link:
Release Date: February 4th, 2025
General Genre: Literary
Sub-Genre/Themes: Pre-Civil War, Enslaved people, Family, Arranged Marriage, Death/Grief/Loss, Plantation (cotton crops), Housemaids and Servants, Romance, Freedom, Ghosts, Coming-of-age, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Paranormal
Writing Style: Character-driven, high-stakes/emotional investment
What You Need to Know: "A young girl must face a life-altering decision after awakening her sister’s ghost, navigating truths about love, friendship, and power as the Civil War looms."
My Reading Experience: "See, in this life, we're all just floating down the river. You might have somewhere you wanna be, but like it or not, that river's taking you where it wants to go. Fighting the current don't hurt the river, it just wears you out."
In the same vein as Beloved by Toni Morrison, Junie is a haunting ghost story rooted in historical horror. Erin Crosby Eckstine pulls readers into a past confronting the brutality of pre-Civil War America, where history itself is the most terrifying threat of all. At its heart, Junieis a coming-of-age ghost story. The main protagonist, sixteen-year-old Junie, is a housemaid for a teen girl of the same age named, Violet. Junie's whole family lives on Bellereine Plantation in Alabama and just recently, Junie lost her older sister, Minnie to some kind of health complication after rescuing Junie from drowning. Minnie's ghost calls to Junie from the woods, insisting that three tasks be completed before it’s too late.
What makes Junieespecially difficult is its unflinching portrayal of the period. There is no way to soften the realities of racism and violence against enslaved people or the cruelty that thrives in a society built on oppression and subjugation. Domestic abuse against women and enslaved people is woven into the fabric of daily life...and yet, through all of the trauma, there are moments of care, love, and quiet resilience.
" It's what we can choose that makes this life special."
The romance is especially endearing and accounts for the high stakes and the emotional investment. Eckstine’s writing is so immersive and compelling.
"You're wrong, " Junie says, "There's a life in this. There's a life in everything, even if you have to squeeze in to find it. And even if it's on the edges...it's room for love. We just gotta carve it out ourselves."The atmosphere is thick with tension and dread, and the supernatural blends seamlessly with the horrors of reality.
Final Recommendation: If you’re drawn to ghost stories that carry weight beyond their hauntings, Junieis a book that will stay with you. Erin Crosby Eckstine has created something arresting, haunting, and deeply affecting. Read it, but know that you will walk away with a broken heart and a severe bookish hangover.
"There ain't no good and evil in this world, not when the devils are the ones setting the rules."
Comps: Beloved by Toni Morrison, Kindred by Octavia Butler, The Color Purple by Alice Walker
March 30, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ Mesmerizing, haunting, and unforgettable!
JUNIE by Erin Crosby Eckstine wrapped itself around me from the very first page, weaving a story as breathtaking as it is heartbreaking. The setting is steeped in history, every shadow whispering with secrets, and the presence of Minnie’s spirit lingers in a way that feels both beautiful and devastating. I absolutely loved the ghostly element here, the way it entwines with Junie’s journey, pulling her deeper into long-buried truths and impossible choices.
This is an evocative and richly layered story, filled with longing, love, and the quiet strength of a girl who dares to want more. I was completely captivated by Junie’s voice, her poetry-filled dreams, and the fierce bond she shares with her sister, even beyond death. The tension builds with every page as she uncovers the chilling realities hidden within Bellereine, her world shifting beneath her feet as she begins to see things as they truly are.
What makes JUNIE stand apart is how deeply it pulled me into its world, making me feel the weight of every whispered secret, every impossible decision. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t just tell a story but immerses you so completely that you can almost hear the rustling trees, feel the pulse of something unseen just beyond reach. The way history, love, and the supernatural intertwine here is nothing short of masterful, leaving an ache that lingers long after the final page.
The storytelling here is masterful, lush, immersive, and deeply emotional. There’s a sense of urgency thrumming beneath every chapter, an ache that lingers as Junie is forced to confront painful truths and make a choice that will alter everything she has ever known. The ending had my heart racing and rooting for Junie every step of the way. And at its heart, this is a story about love, the kind that binds, the kind that frees, and the kind that refuses to be forgotten.
I was completely swept away by JUNIE, lost in its pages, and left changed by the end. An absolutely stunning, powerful read!
JUNIE by Erin Crosby Eckstine wrapped itself around me from the very first page, weaving a story as breathtaking as it is heartbreaking. The setting is steeped in history, every shadow whispering with secrets, and the presence of Minnie’s spirit lingers in a way that feels both beautiful and devastating. I absolutely loved the ghostly element here, the way it entwines with Junie’s journey, pulling her deeper into long-buried truths and impossible choices.
This is an evocative and richly layered story, filled with longing, love, and the quiet strength of a girl who dares to want more. I was completely captivated by Junie’s voice, her poetry-filled dreams, and the fierce bond she shares with her sister, even beyond death. The tension builds with every page as she uncovers the chilling realities hidden within Bellereine, her world shifting beneath her feet as she begins to see things as they truly are.
What makes JUNIE stand apart is how deeply it pulled me into its world, making me feel the weight of every whispered secret, every impossible decision. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t just tell a story but immerses you so completely that you can almost hear the rustling trees, feel the pulse of something unseen just beyond reach. The way history, love, and the supernatural intertwine here is nothing short of masterful, leaving an ache that lingers long after the final page.
The storytelling here is masterful, lush, immersive, and deeply emotional. There’s a sense of urgency thrumming beneath every chapter, an ache that lingers as Junie is forced to confront painful truths and make a choice that will alter everything she has ever known. The ending had my heart racing and rooting for Junie every step of the way. And at its heart, this is a story about love, the kind that binds, the kind that frees, and the kind that refuses to be forgotten.
I was completely swept away by JUNIE, lost in its pages, and left changed by the end. An absolutely stunning, powerful read!
March 5, 2025
what a debut!! this was such an enjoyable read and definitely one of my faves from february.
i listened to this on audio and really enjoyed the narrator—i highly recommend that format! 🎧
what i liked most about this book is how it spans across nearly every genre. you have some historical fiction as it’s set in the pre-civil war era, you have a mystery element, there is a few different romance plots, you have friendship + family themes and drama and even magical realism elements! it really has it all and i loooved that. i also think this would be a great bookclub choice as well as there’s so much to chat about, although the subject matter at its core pretty emotional and heavy given it follows the life of a slave.
one thing i think was a little bit of a miss for me was the magical realism/ghost element. although that part of the synopsis captivated my attention and made want to read it even more as i looooove magical realism, i don’t think the execution was my favorite. i think that element could’ve been brought forth in different ways vs as a ghost (maybe a letter? a dream?) but it was a minor critique to the overall story.
the only thing i’ll say is heads up on the pacing—i think the first half was a bit of a slow burn and it took me a solid 30- 40% to become really invested. but i absolutely flew through the back half and found myself trying to listen to any free moment so i could see how the story wrapped up. i had no idea where it would go and the last 15% had my heart RACING!
definitely recommend this one!!!🎧 and this cover will be a fave of 2025 without a doubt 👏🏼
will certainly read whatever she puts out next 📖
i listened to this on audio and really enjoyed the narrator—i highly recommend that format! 🎧
what i liked most about this book is how it spans across nearly every genre. you have some historical fiction as it’s set in the pre-civil war era, you have a mystery element, there is a few different romance plots, you have friendship + family themes and drama and even magical realism elements! it really has it all and i loooved that. i also think this would be a great bookclub choice as well as there’s so much to chat about, although the subject matter at its core pretty emotional and heavy given it follows the life of a slave.
one thing i think was a little bit of a miss for me was the magical realism/ghost element. although that part of the synopsis captivated my attention and made want to read it even more as i looooove magical realism, i don’t think the execution was my favorite. i think that element could’ve been brought forth in different ways vs as a ghost (maybe a letter? a dream?) but it was a minor critique to the overall story.
the only thing i’ll say is heads up on the pacing—i think the first half was a bit of a slow burn and it took me a solid 30- 40% to become really invested. but i absolutely flew through the back half and found myself trying to listen to any free moment so i could see how the story wrapped up. i had no idea where it would go and the last 15% had my heart RACING!
definitely recommend this one!!!🎧 and this cover will be a fave of 2025 without a doubt 👏🏼
will certainly read whatever she puts out next 📖
March 12, 2025
Junie, Erin Crosby Eckstine’s haunting debut, is the story of an enslaved young woman in Alabama, pre civil war, who loves literature and poetry and dreams of a future where she and her family are free. When her master’s daughter receives a new suitor and his family, Junie and the guest’s coachman, Caleb, develop a friendship that deepens into more. But her free spirit is squelched when things become violent and painful family secrets come to light.
This incredibly moving novel is based on the ancestral history of the author’s own family. Because of this, there is a very strong connection between the writer and her story which the reader is able to tap into. The story has an incredible blend of genres including elements of mystery, romance and magical realism. Beyond that, the writing is evocative; the prose exquisite. The characters are all so well developed, it is hard not to become emotionally invested in their futures. This story is full of heartbreak and hope, and ultimately one that will stick with me long after reading it and it’s included author’s note (which may or may not have made me tear up).
Read if you like:
▪️fantastic debut novels
▪️Black American History
▪️magical realism
▪️emotional reads
▪️romance subplots
▪️This Cursed House by Del Sanders
Thank you PRH Audio for the gifted copy.
This incredibly moving novel is based on the ancestral history of the author’s own family. Because of this, there is a very strong connection between the writer and her story which the reader is able to tap into. The story has an incredible blend of genres including elements of mystery, romance and magical realism. Beyond that, the writing is evocative; the prose exquisite. The characters are all so well developed, it is hard not to become emotionally invested in their futures. This story is full of heartbreak and hope, and ultimately one that will stick with me long after reading it and it’s included author’s note (which may or may not have made me tear up).
Read if you like:
▪️fantastic debut novels
▪️Black American History
▪️magical realism
▪️emotional reads
▪️romance subplots
▪️This Cursed House by Del Sanders
Thank you PRH Audio for the gifted copy.
February 21, 2025
Finished Reading
Pre-Read notes
I requested this book because I love stories about people and their communities, and I love coming of age stories. Seems like a win-win here. This wonderful story is beautifully atmospheric and filled with authentic character work.
Final Review
She has [her favorite poem] memorized, but keeping it in her pocket makes her feel like the limitlessness of the poet’s world is within reach. p13
Review summary and recommendations
If Beloved and Roots had a book baby, it would be Junie. Just a gorgeous read! Honestly, anything I write about this book just won't do it justice.
Recommended to fans of southern drama lit fic, like Gone with the Wind.
Reading Notes
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. She holds her hands up, measuring the sun’s distance from the field line. It sits on the horizon like a freshly cracked yolk, and on days as hot as this one, the McQueens won’t wake for breakfast until the sun’s at least a half-hand above the horizon. p10 The descriptive writing here is gorgeous.
2. "Miss Big-Words" is my favorite insult of all time!
3. A kernel for the audience: “You ain’t the only one with hurt, Junie. This world is full of it, and going through it thinking you’re the only one carrying something is an easy way to lose the bit of love you might have.� p63
4. I love the turn at 25%! At this point, the story introduces supernatural elements, landing this one squarely in magical realism territory. It's quite good plot work.
5. This book is as beautiful and romantic a testament to pre-Civil War Southern life as was Gone with the Wind. Only better, because not racist.
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. “You gotta be sure you look your finest and keep a big smile on that pretty face all day, you hear? No nose in the books, either . Nobody likes a bookworm.� p41 Here, a plantation owner and father of a young girl, Violet, discusses his expectations for her behavior during an upcoming visit with a potential suitor. It's a deeply unsettling scene considering Violet's age and lack of maturity. And what does her mother have to say about it? Only this: “I’d prefer her to appear a nun than a harlot. Her figure is already more indecent than I’d like.� p41 This book is honest about the many forms of discrimination one encounters in the rural South of the US. The beginning of the story takes place just before the onset of the Civil War.
Rating: 👩🏼🤝👩🏾👩🏼🤝👩🏾👩🏼🤝👩🏾👩🏼🤝👩🏾👩🏼🤝👩� /5 friendships torn asunder
Recommend? definitely!
Finished: Jan 25 '25
Format: accessible digital arc, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
👩🏼🤝👩� stories of friendship
👨👩👧� family stories / family drama
🕰 historical fiction
📜 literary fiction
🗝 stories about slavery
👻 ghost stories
Thank you to the author Erin Crosby Eckstine, publishers Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of JUNIE. All views are mine.
---------------
Pre-Read notes
I requested this book because I love stories about people and their communities, and I love coming of age stories. Seems like a win-win here. This wonderful story is beautifully atmospheric and filled with authentic character work.
Final Review
She has [her favorite poem] memorized, but keeping it in her pocket makes her feel like the limitlessness of the poet’s world is within reach. p13
Review summary and recommendations
If Beloved and Roots had a book baby, it would be Junie. Just a gorgeous read! Honestly, anything I write about this book just won't do it justice.
Recommended to fans of southern drama lit fic, like Gone with the Wind.
Reading Notes
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. She holds her hands up, measuring the sun’s distance from the field line. It sits on the horizon like a freshly cracked yolk, and on days as hot as this one, the McQueens won’t wake for breakfast until the sun’s at least a half-hand above the horizon. p10 The descriptive writing here is gorgeous.
2. "Miss Big-Words" is my favorite insult of all time!
3. A kernel for the audience: “You ain’t the only one with hurt, Junie. This world is full of it, and going through it thinking you’re the only one carrying something is an easy way to lose the bit of love you might have.� p63
4. I love the turn at 25%! At this point, the story introduces supernatural elements, landing this one squarely in magical realism territory. It's quite good plot work.
5. This book is as beautiful and romantic a testament to pre-Civil War Southern life as was Gone with the Wind. Only better, because not racist.
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. “You gotta be sure you look your finest and keep a big smile on that pretty face all day, you hear? No nose in the books, either . Nobody likes a bookworm.� p41 Here, a plantation owner and father of a young girl, Violet, discusses his expectations for her behavior during an upcoming visit with a potential suitor. It's a deeply unsettling scene considering Violet's age and lack of maturity. And what does her mother have to say about it? Only this: “I’d prefer her to appear a nun than a harlot. Her figure is already more indecent than I’d like.� p41 This book is honest about the many forms of discrimination one encounters in the rural South of the US. The beginning of the story takes place just before the onset of the Civil War.
Rating: 👩🏼🤝👩🏾👩🏼🤝👩🏾👩🏼🤝👩🏾👩🏼🤝👩🏾👩🏼🤝👩� /5 friendships torn asunder
Recommend? definitely!
Finished: Jan 25 '25
Format: accessible digital arc, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
👩🏼🤝👩� stories of friendship
👨👩👧� family stories / family drama
🕰 historical fiction
📜 literary fiction
🗝 stories about slavery
👻 ghost stories
Thank you to the author Erin Crosby Eckstine, publishers Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of JUNIE. All views are mine.
---------------
April 5, 2025
I put this book down only once when I started and if it was up to me I would have read the whole thing through in one sitting
February 5, 2025
Thanks to Ballantine for the gifted copy of this book!
This book is incredible. Based on the author’s generational family history, JUNIE is a book that I just didn’t want to put down. I love that Junie is so whimsical and connected to nature and words. Her rose-colored glasses are quickly broken as events change the plantation and she experiences more of the horrors connected with slavery and ownership. Caleb is a gem in this book and too good for us. I just adored his character, and how he was with Junie (“my middle C� 🥹). The magical realism element was excellent and truly elevated the story into a haunting historical fiction read. I don’t want to say too much more because I think it’s best to go in more blind, but let me say that you need to read this. I cried at the end for REASONS and the author’s note helped, but UGH. My heart.
“There’s a life in this. There’s a life in everything, even if you have to squeeze in to find it. And even if it’s on the edges, Caleb, it’s room for love. We just gotta carve it out ourselves.�
This book is incredible. Based on the author’s generational family history, JUNIE is a book that I just didn’t want to put down. I love that Junie is so whimsical and connected to nature and words. Her rose-colored glasses are quickly broken as events change the plantation and she experiences more of the horrors connected with slavery and ownership. Caleb is a gem in this book and too good for us. I just adored his character, and how he was with Junie (“my middle C� 🥹). The magical realism element was excellent and truly elevated the story into a haunting historical fiction read. I don’t want to say too much more because I think it’s best to go in more blind, but let me say that you need to read this. I cried at the end for REASONS and the author’s note helped, but UGH. My heart.
“There’s a life in this. There’s a life in everything, even if you have to squeeze in to find it. And even if it’s on the edges, Caleb, it’s room for love. We just gotta carve it out ourselves.�
March 3, 2025
My first five star read of 2025! Junie was such an emotional and powerful story. I was completely invested in Junie’s journey, and the writing made me feel everything so deeply. What made it even better was the author’s note at the end, learning that the story was inspired by the authors real ancestors made it even more impactful. This book will stay with me for a long time, and I highly recommend it!
February 23, 2025
This book will stick to my soul bones for a while. Junie is without a doubt one of my new favorite characters. I loved the ghost element because honestly, I feel like there was a lot of this back during enslaved times from the deceased wanting to help their family that was still alive. There’s not enough words to gather from my mind because I am still ruminating on this one. Just know that it is super important and you should read it.
October 13, 2024
What an incredibly powerful book! Junie is a slave in Alabama just before the Civil War. She is maid to Violet the daughter of the McQueen family who own a plantation. Junie is grieving the loss of her sister and believes it is her fault she is dead. One day she sees her sister's ghost and she sends her on a mission that will have far reaching consequences.
My heart broke when I read Junie's story. She was an incredible character and I wanted her to find all the happiness in the world. This book is a powerful reminder about our countries past and the fact that no one should ever have to be controlled by someone else. This is great historical fiction with a touch of magic. I love a story with a strong female character and I don't think I could ever find a character stronger than Junie. Even more powerful than the story was the historical note at the end. The fact that Junie is based on the author's actual ancestor is an amazing twist. I highly recommend this historical fiction book!
Thank you to Ballantine Books/Random House Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.
My heart broke when I read Junie's story. She was an incredible character and I wanted her to find all the happiness in the world. This book is a powerful reminder about our countries past and the fact that no one should ever have to be controlled by someone else. This is great historical fiction with a touch of magic. I love a story with a strong female character and I don't think I could ever find a character stronger than Junie. Even more powerful than the story was the historical note at the end. The fact that Junie is based on the author's actual ancestor is an amazing twist. I highly recommend this historical fiction book!
Thank you to Ballantine Books/Random House Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.
February 7, 2025
Junie takes place in 1860 Alabama, it’s right before the Civil War begins and we follow the titular character Junie. Junie is 16-years old and has been enslaved since she was born, we see her coming of age story and her complex relationships.
This book is a historical fiction but it does read younger at times and feels almost YA-adjacent, it also has some supernatural/magical realism moments to the story. The cover for this book is a stunner and while I was initially invested in Junie’s story, I’m not sure the writing style worked for me and halfway through the story I was starting to lose interest. Not sure what exactly was missing for me with this one.
This book is a historical fiction but it does read younger at times and feels almost YA-adjacent, it also has some supernatural/magical realism moments to the story. The cover for this book is a stunner and while I was initially invested in Junie’s story, I’m not sure the writing style worked for me and halfway through the story I was starting to lose interest. Not sure what exactly was missing for me with this one.
March 20, 2025
Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine is a Historical Fiction novel about the life of a slave girl in pre-Civil War Alabama. Junie, a sixteen-year-old slave girl learns the difficulties of life on the Bellereine Plantation. The novel has strong, well developed characters with a element of magical realism with Junie’s interactions with dead sister.
This is the authors first novel. I was completely immersed. I can’t wait to read more by her in the future!
This is the authors first novel. I was completely immersed. I can’t wait to read more by her in the future!
January 29, 2025
Junie. A name that is destined to become part of the timeless characters in Black fiction. Junie will take her place in the canon besides Pecola, Sula, Sugar, etc. I know I’m putting her in rare company but I think it’s well deserved. Junie will grab a piece of you, and not let you go. She is but 16, when we meet her, yet has an imagination that is far greater than her lived years.
She is enslaved on an Alabama plantation yet yearns for a life beyond the margins. And that yearning is fueled by her literacy, for she was taught to read by the “master’s� daughter.
Junie becomes maid to Violet and naively believes they have developed a friendship. It takes awhile for the novel to clearly disabuse Junie of that notion, while readers will be screaming “chile please, get a grip.�
Despite the flimsy nature of their friendship, Junie soldiers onward buoyed by Violet’s duplicity. When one egregious incident takes place, along with an explanation from an enslaved visitor that Junie takes a liking to, Junie’s eyes are finally opened to the true nature of her relationship to Violet,his simple words; “We’re like little dolls or something to her, just something to amuse her when she’s bored.�
Her desire to want more from life, despite her family urging her to settle into “this life� intensifies as the novel progresses. She communes with her dead sister and is given instructions on how to proceed and to free her sister’s spirit from the “in between.�
IMHO I believe the ghost thread distracts from the novel and derails the momentum somewhat. Perhaps if it was done in a different way, using voices, intuition, sounds, etc., pulling on actual African spiritual practices, it could have worked a bit better. In any event, Junie manages to keep you interested and inspired and rooting to the end. A good read, and the brutality of slavery is more highlighted by the mental and emotional trauma as opposed to the physical.
She is enslaved on an Alabama plantation yet yearns for a life beyond the margins. And that yearning is fueled by her literacy, for she was taught to read by the “master’s� daughter.
Junie becomes maid to Violet and naively believes they have developed a friendship. It takes awhile for the novel to clearly disabuse Junie of that notion, while readers will be screaming “chile please, get a grip.�
Despite the flimsy nature of their friendship, Junie soldiers onward buoyed by Violet’s duplicity. When one egregious incident takes place, along with an explanation from an enslaved visitor that Junie takes a liking to, Junie’s eyes are finally opened to the true nature of her relationship to Violet,his simple words; “We’re like little dolls or something to her, just something to amuse her when she’s bored.�
Her desire to want more from life, despite her family urging her to settle into “this life� intensifies as the novel progresses. She communes with her dead sister and is given instructions on how to proceed and to free her sister’s spirit from the “in between.�
IMHO I believe the ghost thread distracts from the novel and derails the momentum somewhat. Perhaps if it was done in a different way, using voices, intuition, sounds, etc., pulling on actual African spiritual practices, it could have worked a bit better. In any event, Junie manages to keep you interested and inspired and rooting to the end. A good read, and the brutality of slavery is more highlighted by the mental and emotional trauma as opposed to the physical.
June 12, 2024
A big thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC as well as Erin Crosby Eckstine.
This book is why I love historical fiction. Erin Crosby Eckstine wrote such a beautifully crafted story of life on Bellereine Plantation told from the eyes of Junie, a sixteen year old enslaved girl since birth. Battling not only physical demons during her waking hours but ones that plague her sleep from the loss of her sister Minnie, Junie blames herself and she must come to terms with the truth and what actually happened to Minnie
Junie is headstrong and carefree and this at times is her undoing. She never gave up and fought for herself and her family till the end.
A quote taken from the author's note that I loved:
I wrote this book as a love letter to the culture I'm proud to be part of, and as a way of continuing my grandmother's legacy. She never got to read this book, but I like to think that, like Minnie, she's watching, ever-present on the horizon.
I loved this book and cannot wait to buy a physical copy.
This book is why I love historical fiction. Erin Crosby Eckstine wrote such a beautifully crafted story of life on Bellereine Plantation told from the eyes of Junie, a sixteen year old enslaved girl since birth. Battling not only physical demons during her waking hours but ones that plague her sleep from the loss of her sister Minnie, Junie blames herself and she must come to terms with the truth and what actually happened to Minnie
Junie is headstrong and carefree and this at times is her undoing. She never gave up and fought for herself and her family till the end.
A quote taken from the author's note that I loved:
I wrote this book as a love letter to the culture I'm proud to be part of, and as a way of continuing my grandmother's legacy. She never got to read this book, but I like to think that, like Minnie, she's watching, ever-present on the horizon.
I loved this book and cannot wait to buy a physical copy.
July 12, 2024
This book is about so much more than a sixteen year old enslaved girl who speaks to her sister’s ghost. That relationship allows her to see and confront all the aspects of her very difficult life. The author addresses the emotions that are common to all humans as her captivating characters move through the story. They each drop tidbits and jewels of insight that are valuable to everyone, including the readers. Some of her conversations include descriptions of emotions that are precisely what I’ve felt but in such beautiful language. I felt connected in some way to each character.
On top of all that, there is a fast paced story of a family and the events happening around them which are out of their control. There’s so much crammed into this book that it felt like it surely must be a series. I highly recommend this book and I’ll be watching for other books from this author.
Thank you to Ballantine and Random House for allowing me to become an advanced copy reviewer and this is my honest opinion.
On top of all that, there is a fast paced story of a family and the events happening around them which are out of their control. There’s so much crammed into this book that it felt like it surely must be a series. I highly recommend this book and I’ll be watching for other books from this author.
Thank you to Ballantine and Random House for allowing me to become an advanced copy reviewer and this is my honest opinion.
Read
February 17, 2025DNF @ 20%
Not for me!
I wasn’t expecting the paranormal element which didn’t work for me. Once that was introduced, I lost all connection, investment and interest.
Audio rating: 4 stars! The audio narrator was really good and enhanced my initial connection to the story (but not enough to make me want to continue on)!
Not for me!
I wasn’t expecting the paranormal element which didn’t work for me. Once that was introduced, I lost all connection, investment and interest.
Audio rating: 4 stars! The audio narrator was really good and enhanced my initial connection to the story (but not enough to make me want to continue on)!
February 19, 2025
PHENOMENAL
January 24, 2025
I found this to be just okay.
Ultimately this would work better as a young adult novel as the coming of age angle, language, and tone read very YA.
Solid characters. Quirky use of magical realism. Interesting plot turns, albeit some rather surprising...
The modern language is jarring at first. The first half feels like an almost sanitized version of slavery, while the second half is utterly dramatic (yet somewhat more realistic), which also kind of threw off this read for me. The author makes note that she wanted well rounded characters, but felt like a slight disservice to somewhat simplify the experience.
Ultimately this would work better as a young adult novel as the coming of age angle, language, and tone read very YA.
Solid characters. Quirky use of magical realism. Interesting plot turns, albeit some rather surprising...
The modern language is jarring at first. The first half feels like an almost sanitized version of slavery, while the second half is utterly dramatic (yet somewhat more realistic), which also kind of threw off this read for me. The author makes note that she wanted well rounded characters, but felt like a slight disservice to somewhat simplify the experience.
June 2, 2024
I am legitimately at a loss for words. Junie is the most vibrant, brilliant character I’ve come across in a long time. Her relationships, both with her family and beyond, are so sharp and dynamic. The way she juggles her role as an enslaved woman with her role as a strong-willed, kind hearted, caring human being is beautifully detailed and absolutely heartbreaking. I have never seen such determination and will to survive as I have in Junie. A truly life changing novel, I can’t wait to recommend it a million times over
February 10, 2025
I can hardly believe this is a debut, this is a wonderful and enriching story set in the pre civil war South. The Good Morning America pick, I bet Jenna and Oprah and Reese wanted it as well. It checks all the boxes- strong female main character, tragedy, hope, a lesson for all of us and cross-genre. With beautiful sweeping descriptions, readable internal dialogue, this novel invests time into character development and a solid plot. It reads almost like a mystery, although there are elements of magical realism, romance, and literary fiction. I would shelve it under historical fiction, as the setting is necessary to the history of the time.
This doesn't whitewash the horrors of enslaved people in the American south, it covers the time in a respectful yet haunting way. The splitting up of families is heartbreaking and a warning siren for our dark days today.
Junie is a 16 year old maid to Violet McQueen, the daughter of the plantation. They are living with debt and the way out is to marry Violet off to Mr. Taylor. It never occurred to me that when a girl was married her maid would leave the farm and go to the new home, away from her family. Junie's sister Minnie died suddenly, leaving a hole in her heart and family. June blames herself for her death, and cannot come to terms with her present circumstances and future hope. There is also a heartwrenching theme of colorism, or the racism even within the community of enslaved people with a preference for lighter color skin rather than a darker complexion.
I loved the complicated relationship between Violet and Junie, who taught Junie to read. Other characters; Minnie, Bess, Caleb, were all such strong voices and rounded out her community.
If you enjoy historical fiction about female friendships, this is not one to miss.
This doesn't whitewash the horrors of enslaved people in the American south, it covers the time in a respectful yet haunting way. The splitting up of families is heartbreaking and a warning siren for our dark days today.
Junie is a 16 year old maid to Violet McQueen, the daughter of the plantation. They are living with debt and the way out is to marry Violet off to Mr. Taylor. It never occurred to me that when a girl was married her maid would leave the farm and go to the new home, away from her family. Junie's sister Minnie died suddenly, leaving a hole in her heart and family. June blames herself for her death, and cannot come to terms with her present circumstances and future hope. There is also a heartwrenching theme of colorism, or the racism even within the community of enslaved people with a preference for lighter color skin rather than a darker complexion.
I loved the complicated relationship between Violet and Junie, who taught Junie to read. Other characters; Minnie, Bess, Caleb, were all such strong voices and rounded out her community.
If you enjoy historical fiction about female friendships, this is not one to miss.
March 19, 2025
PERFECTION
video review:
video review:
March 9, 2025
Wow! I powered through this book in two days. The thought I repeatedly had is that there’s something for everyone in it. It’s vivid and well researched historical fiction with lots of sensory detail. There are lovely descriptions of nature. There is a paranormal/magical realism element that I did not find overwhelming. There are action-packed scenes as well as domestic or introspective scenes. There is romance, as well as both loving and complicated friend and family relationships, including sisterhood. There is grief. There are scary villains and there is suspense and fear.
And then there is Junie, a protagonist who jumps right off the page, a sensitive, passionate, and imaginative young woman who is enslaved. Dreamy, internally conflicted, and a bit frustrating at times, Junie reminded me of Jo March, and this book sometimes felt like a mix of elements from Little Women and Beloved. It’s essentially a Bildungsroman giving us the voice, experience, and identity formation of a teen girl growing into adulthood while living under conditions of slavery. Although the style is extremely different, it also reminded me a bit of Demon Copperhead since both books try to give authentic voice to marginalized and nontraditional young protagonists.
In the beautiful afterword and author’s note, which I strongly recommend not skipping, Erin Crosby Eckstine relates some of the family and local history that inspired her writing and also describes a goal of telling a kind of story she was having trouble finding, one about realistically complex and unique people - with all the fully human thoughts and emotions, goals, talents, interests, quirks, relationships, etc. - who also happen to be enslaved. In this sense, this book was a great one to read after James, which does something similar, although again in a very different way. How is Eckstine a debut author? Surely this will be a standout debut novel of the year.
Books like this are reasons it’s wonderful that book clubs exist. Not being one to gravitate toward historical fiction, I never would have read it had it not been a selection of a book discussion group I’m in. I’m SO grateful I read it!
And then there is Junie, a protagonist who jumps right off the page, a sensitive, passionate, and imaginative young woman who is enslaved. Dreamy, internally conflicted, and a bit frustrating at times, Junie reminded me of Jo March, and this book sometimes felt like a mix of elements from Little Women and Beloved. It’s essentially a Bildungsroman giving us the voice, experience, and identity formation of a teen girl growing into adulthood while living under conditions of slavery. Although the style is extremely different, it also reminded me a bit of Demon Copperhead since both books try to give authentic voice to marginalized and nontraditional young protagonists.
In the beautiful afterword and author’s note, which I strongly recommend not skipping, Erin Crosby Eckstine relates some of the family and local history that inspired her writing and also describes a goal of telling a kind of story she was having trouble finding, one about realistically complex and unique people - with all the fully human thoughts and emotions, goals, talents, interests, quirks, relationships, etc. - who also happen to be enslaved. In this sense, this book was a great one to read after James, which does something similar, although again in a very different way. How is Eckstine a debut author? Surely this will be a standout debut novel of the year.
Books like this are reasons it’s wonderful that book clubs exist. Not being one to gravitate toward historical fiction, I never would have read it had it not been a selection of a book discussion group I’m in. I’m SO grateful I read it!
April 10, 2025
This was a 3.5 for me and a powerful family story Crosby Eckstine has brought to life. In her author’s notes she shares the inspiration for the story, an ancestor who managed to escape her slavers plantation in the American South.
One of the key changes she made was making her heroine, Junie, a well-read woman with deep literary talent, despite the reality being very different. This put a whole different spin on her character and made her way too modern to bring more depth to her brave decision to flee. While this probably made her more relatable to young women today, I feel like it really missed the mark on the depths an uneducated, illiterate enslaved woman would have had to plumb to find the spirit to build a new world for herself, alone.
I recently read which was able to use a different narrative approach how black characters spoke with each other and with the clueless white people around them. It was excellently executed and also allowed for the explosive ending feeling authentically cathartic.
Despite this, Junie is a wonderful story about coming home to yourself, and allows for a modern audience to be able to see themselves in the love, disappointment and bitterness of being treated as less than human.
One of the key changes she made was making her heroine, Junie, a well-read woman with deep literary talent, despite the reality being very different. This put a whole different spin on her character and made her way too modern to bring more depth to her brave decision to flee. While this probably made her more relatable to young women today, I feel like it really missed the mark on the depths an uneducated, illiterate enslaved woman would have had to plumb to find the spirit to build a new world for herself, alone.
I recently read which was able to use a different narrative approach how black characters spoke with each other and with the clueless white people around them. It was excellently executed and also allowed for the explosive ending feeling authentically cathartic.
Despite this, Junie is a wonderful story about coming home to yourself, and allows for a modern audience to be able to see themselves in the love, disappointment and bitterness of being treated as less than human.
March 1, 2025
This book has me slightly conflicted. I have a lot of thoughts, but ultimately, nothing that changes my overall stance—it was just okay for me. I won’t go on a rant about the negatives, so let’s keep this short.
I went into this with high hopes, especially since the author had mentioned wanting to approach this kind of story from a fresh perspective. Unfortunately, nothing about Junie felt particularly revolutionary. I also didn’t care much for her relationship with Violet. It felt forced and only further cemented my feelings about the read.
My biggest issue with this book is that it should have been marketed as YA. While it’s written well enough, it reads exactly like a young adult novel—the characters, the dialogue, and even the way modern teen angst is injected into a historical setting. If this had been officially categorized as YA, I think I would have been more forgiving of Junie’s lack of character development.
That said, I’m sure there will be readers who love this book, especially with its paranormal elements used to explore heavy themes. In fact, I wish those elements had been pushed even further. While this wasn’t a favorite for me, I still see potential in the author’s future works outside of this debut. I hope to see them push their narratives further and explore storytelling in the future instead of the past.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this egalley.
I went into this with high hopes, especially since the author had mentioned wanting to approach this kind of story from a fresh perspective. Unfortunately, nothing about Junie felt particularly revolutionary. I also didn’t care much for her relationship with Violet. It felt forced and only further cemented my feelings about the read.
My biggest issue with this book is that it should have been marketed as YA. While it’s written well enough, it reads exactly like a young adult novel—the characters, the dialogue, and even the way modern teen angst is injected into a historical setting. If this had been officially categorized as YA, I think I would have been more forgiving of Junie’s lack of character development.
That said, I’m sure there will be readers who love this book, especially with its paranormal elements used to explore heavy themes. In fact, I wish those elements had been pushed even further. While this wasn’t a favorite for me, I still see potential in the author’s future works outside of this debut. I hope to see them push their narratives further and explore storytelling in the future instead of the past.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this egalley.
January 17, 2025
Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Junie has been a slave since birth at the Bellereine plantation. Her days are consumed of caring for the master’s daughter, reading poetry, daydreaming, and grieving her older sister Minnie’s sudden death. When wealthy guests come to stay, stay she rouses Minnie’s spirit in a desperate act.
I do enjoy a good civil war historical fiction, especially when it’s from the African American perspective. Junie is such a character- modern, brave, and as her family calls her “carefree�. She is sixteen in the story, but we see her mature and age as she realizes the boundaries of her enslavement. Her relationship with her mistress, Violet, is very interesting dynamic and the changes it goes through really show her lack of power in the end, which was an enlightenment moment for her. There was light magical realism and paranormal activity to the story but the main theme was the history and romance in the story.
“You deserve to take all the beauty of this world and hold it in your hands. You deserve to bite it like a peach and let the juice drop til your fingers get sticky.�
Junie comes out 2/4.
Junie has been a slave since birth at the Bellereine plantation. Her days are consumed of caring for the master’s daughter, reading poetry, daydreaming, and grieving her older sister Minnie’s sudden death. When wealthy guests come to stay, stay she rouses Minnie’s spirit in a desperate act.
I do enjoy a good civil war historical fiction, especially when it’s from the African American perspective. Junie is such a character- modern, brave, and as her family calls her “carefree�. She is sixteen in the story, but we see her mature and age as she realizes the boundaries of her enslavement. Her relationship with her mistress, Violet, is very interesting dynamic and the changes it goes through really show her lack of power in the end, which was an enlightenment moment for her. There was light magical realism and paranormal activity to the story but the main theme was the history and romance in the story.
“You deserve to take all the beauty of this world and hold it in your hands. You deserve to bite it like a peach and let the juice drop til your fingers get sticky.�
Junie comes out 2/4.
September 22, 2024
Junie has lived a gard life for a sixteen year old. She is a slave who is dreaming of a different life. This was an emotional read.
January 19, 2025
This was a powerful and difficult book to read, but also beautiful and layered with complex characters. I went into it thinking it would be spooky and heavy on horror like The Reformatory, but Junie's sister's ghost stayed more in the background guiding events from behind the scenes. This was more speculative historical fiction, and I thought of it as Gone With the Wind from an enslaved person's perspective. It had that kind of melodrama, but with more layers and depth. It reminded me of the style of The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois.
The author wrote this to give more complex characterization to enslaved people and I felt this definitely succeeded in that intention. I was drawn to the main character, Junie, a house maid, and her fraught friendship with the naive white daughter of the house, Violet, on the brink of the Civil War. Violet teaches her to read and write in secret and Junie develops a talent for poetry and a passion for literature, which ignites in her a passion for seeking the sublime; that predilection drew me to her character, and I loved her rebellious streak and her love for her family. This showed very well the complex holds that family, love and friendships had in attaching people to the horrific institution of slavery, which poisons the humanity of all those who see other people as their property.
Junie was close with her sister, Minnie, but it was also a difficult relationship, and Minnie was secretive. I loved how Junie was known as the "carefree" one, a play on the word careless. But Minnie dies tragically and Junie sinks into grief, until an abusive suitor for Violet comes into their lives and changes their trajectory forever. Minnie's ghost appears to set for her tasks to set her spirit free, but it is more of a protective presence than a spooky one, there to guide Junie to the choice that the only path forward for her is escape from all she has held dear. This very starkly showed how slavery will force people to choose love and family in the margins and whittle away their sense of self.
I also loved her sweet romance with the valet Caleb, and how the best kind of love makes us feel seen.
The writing in this was absolutely gorgeous and compelling, but the characters in this were the best part. They were complex, veering on unlikable to likable, with layered motivations. No one was purely evil or purely good or a stereotype. This book really brought history to life in all its lurid, horrific details. I actually liked how it didn't use the supernatural as a crutch to replace the horrific actions of real humans. It showed how horrible humans can be without supernatural intervention. The spirits were just there to open the eyes of those who were enslaved in both body and spirit.
So this had many heavy and depressing themes, but this is our devastating legacy and we should not look away from it. Books like this make us look at the horrors and not turn away in shame because the characters draw us in.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The author wrote this to give more complex characterization to enslaved people and I felt this definitely succeeded in that intention. I was drawn to the main character, Junie, a house maid, and her fraught friendship with the naive white daughter of the house, Violet, on the brink of the Civil War. Violet teaches her to read and write in secret and Junie develops a talent for poetry and a passion for literature, which ignites in her a passion for seeking the sublime; that predilection drew me to her character, and I loved her rebellious streak and her love for her family. This showed very well the complex holds that family, love and friendships had in attaching people to the horrific institution of slavery, which poisons the humanity of all those who see other people as their property.
Junie was close with her sister, Minnie, but it was also a difficult relationship, and Minnie was secretive. I loved how Junie was known as the "carefree" one, a play on the word careless. But Minnie dies tragically and Junie sinks into grief, until an abusive suitor for Violet comes into their lives and changes their trajectory forever. Minnie's ghost appears to set for her tasks to set her spirit free, but it is more of a protective presence than a spooky one, there to guide Junie to the choice that the only path forward for her is escape from all she has held dear. This very starkly showed how slavery will force people to choose love and family in the margins and whittle away their sense of self.
I also loved her sweet romance with the valet Caleb, and how the best kind of love makes us feel seen.
The writing in this was absolutely gorgeous and compelling, but the characters in this were the best part. They were complex, veering on unlikable to likable, with layered motivations. No one was purely evil or purely good or a stereotype. This book really brought history to life in all its lurid, horrific details. I actually liked how it didn't use the supernatural as a crutch to replace the horrific actions of real humans. It showed how horrible humans can be without supernatural intervention. The spirits were just there to open the eyes of those who were enslaved in both body and spirit.
So this had many heavy and depressing themes, but this is our devastating legacy and we should not look away from it. Books like this make us look at the horrors and not turn away in shame because the characters draw us in.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 27, 2025
Junie is extremely atmospheric and I think that’s what I loved the most about it! It was captivating and the writing just flowed. It’s a historical fiction in a tough time � Alabama in the 1860’s before the Civil War. I loved the magical realism involved, but it felt so much tell and not show. Junie is 16 years old and since she’s so young, the experience of reading this felt YA, and that’s okay! I loved Erin’s writing and LOVED the acknowledgements :�) a must read. A beautiful cover too.
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