This book was a tough pill to swallow. James takes the familiar topics of Jamaican slave revolt and focuses in through the lens of language and sexuality. Greek myth and black magic also become familiar motifs, and the usual themes of racism, misogyny, classism, and the depths of human cruelty rear their ugly, blood-soaked heads.

And boy, was this book full of gore. Absolutely not for the faint of heart. In some chapters, every word was a violence.

Yet, James' mastery shows. His characters don't just leap off the page, they are a living, breathing word. Everyone felt authentic and real. Lilith was an interesting choice of POV because she's not the center of the rebellion. She's awkwardly in the middle throughout the novel, and it's amazing how my feelings about this changed from frustration to relief. James had me wrapped around his little finger, and I felt I was in good hands, despite the need to vomit several times.

Seriously, though, don't read this if you're at all triggered by sexual violence, body horror, slurs, torture, or the n-word. The reason I didn't give THE BOOK OF NIGHT WOMEN 5 stars is I couldn't take it at some points and wished James hadn't lovingly gone over every detail. I'm torn between remembering the horrors of slavery and keeping my lunch in my stomach. I never want this book silenced: with all its terror, it's beautiful too. A beautiful, dripping, cursed heart.