Imani, is a young black girl who is raised by nuns on a remote Northumbrian island. She grows up with strong feelings of displacement as she is cut off from her family, her heritage and her identity. At nineteen she answers a call that will take her away from her sheltered life at the nunnery to Accra following the death of her biological mother. Here she starts to understand and explore her identity and find her family.

The novel structure is rather non-linear as at times it skips between past and present and was a little difficult to initially follow. It also splits into three parts which covers Imani's time between Northumbria, Ghana and New York.

I have to say initially I was a little sceptical as to whether I was enjoying the book and wasn't sure I was going to like it. However, as the story developed and Imani went to Ghana, I became immersed in the story, her experiences and her struggles.

It's only by the end of the novel did many of the threads I struggled to understand initially really come together. This is as Imani herself really started to work out and deal with her own history of identity issues and conflict surrounding her blackness.

There was a lot to like about this novel and Imani's arc was very well done. It also raised some important questions surrounding race as it examined the impact on Imani's relationship with her blackness after being raised by white nuns.

My favourite parts of the book centered on Imani's time with her Aunt Esi and Maame Yaa. The bonds she built, the stories she learnt and the family she created.

Overall, I think this is a strong debut that has a lot to offer and one I'd definitely recommend.

Out in February, thanks to @sarabandbooks for the arc (ad-pr product).