October Book Review 1: "The Weight of Blood" by Tiffany D. Jackson

Why not start the spooky season off with a horror book review? Well, you got it, and you don't want to miss this review. I simply knew what I was going to rate this book and it was an easy 5 stars. I just enjoy a good horror atmosphere and sometimes retellings/adaptations too. And yes, I know that most times retellings/adaptations don't always hit that original peace of beautiful work as the classic copy does but with this book you won't be disappointed. You see this retelling is a retelling of the Stephan King's classic novel "Carrie". So yes, you won't be let down with this one.

Book Background:

This YA novel follows a teenager in Springville, Georgia whose high school is hosting their first integrated prom. But when Springville residents who are still alive are questioned about what really happened that night at prom, they all state the same, "Maddy did it"...

Maddison Washington has always been an outcast and an easy target for bullies. But throughout the years, she dealt with the constant harassment because she had other problems to handle. Until one morning a rainstorm reveals her most kept secret: Maddy is biracial. She has been passing as white her whole life by her fanatical white father, Thomas Washington.

After a bullying video goes viral throughout social media, this pulls back the reveal on Springville High's racist history, as student leaders try to come up with an idea to change their school's image, the idea sets on them hosting an integrated prom to show a united front.

Meanwhile, the popular white class president convinces her black superstar quarterback boyfriend to ask Maddy to be his date. But is leaving Maddy wondering if it's possible to have a normal life. However, her classmates aren't done with her just yet. But what they don't know is that Maddy is harboring another secret of hers...a secret that will cost them all their lives.

Let me just say this, I could not put this down. I read it in 2 days, and it wasn't anything boring either. It almost felt like I was in the story, watching everything that was happening. I was so rooting for the main character while I also couldn't stand other characters as well. Tiffany D. Jackson did not disappoint with this retelling/adaptation of "Carrie". At first, I was superstitious about it but then as I started reading, it became something that I loved. The character development was fantastic, and the emotions were running at a high level. After reading it, I immediately started crying...no I seriously started crying. As I said a few minutes ago, emotions were running high, and I meant that. Honestly it was just the impact of the story and then there was still a mystery but overall, the book was just phenomenal.

But I also want to talk about what surrounds this story: segregation and racism. After reading, I was wondering if this issue with segregation was still going on besides racism who is still here and always will be. So, I did a few searches in the year of 2014 about segregated proms and yes, there was still segregation going on, except it was dealing with high school proms.

Deep in the south, a high school in Wilcox County, Georgia was still secretly segregating activities like prom for an example. Here is a video of the issue that was dated back in April 2013 where a group of students had to come together to break the cycle that was still going on behind closed doors.

If you go to actual YouTube, you will hear that one of the "white" residents were not okay with things changing. This captures a moment in time where people have fault for freedom and still is to this very day. After looking into this, I like how the author of the book combined her retelling with this non-fictional issue. In my opinion a prom is a prom, and no one should go through something like this. Remember that change can be anywhere, and everywhere. Anyone can change an old hatred tradition and make it into a positive outcome if people could just come together as one.