I have sooo much to say but I don’t know where to start! Profit and money dehumanize people!

Here a few of my thoughts and quotes from the book!
"The tragedy Hurricane Katrina was a gold mine for capitalist and believers of the shock therapy. Private companies went into New Orleans and impacted not only their school system but their economy. Chicago shock therapy in Chile thoroughly impacted the culture, land, and economy. Shock therapy is used to ferociously empower the rich and dismantle the working class. Nixon was the most socialist of presidents. Military agencies knew the dangers of shock therapy and mental health and scientist has been used to study how to manipulate humans and break them."

Economical self-interests is the root of all evil of the shock therapy is.

Absolution of the Soviet Union was apart of shock therapy

Wealth is so stratified that it appears that people in Russia are living in two different time zones. Due to sick therapy millions has died, addicted to drugs, and HIV increased.

Kuwait and Baker (Bush administration officials) were profiting had many conflicts of interests

Bush administration used military and fear to shock the country, hurt the economy, and fatten the pockets of government officials

The state did not come for those who needed help in New Orleans. New Orleans asked FEMA for an in-depth plan and the request was declined.

FEMA could not locate the super dome.

Democratic, spreading freedom, and promoting capitalist agenda....through oil reserves.

Those who fucked up in Iraq went to New Orleans. Mistakes made in Iraq was made in New Orleans. “No opportunity for profit was left up tapped.” A year after the flood bodies were still found in homes in New Orleans

....Automatic suspend David Baker, give parents vouchers to give to charters school, Katrina was due to climate change, 3.4 billion dollar wtf.

Those who fucked up in Iraq went to New Orleans. Mistakes made in Iraq was made in New Orleans. “No opportunity for profit was left up tapped.” A year after the flood bodies were still found in homes in New Orleans.

One culture was being torn to pieces another on was ready to move in.
Iraq had a more radical version of shock therapy than Russia.

New Orleans escaped “reconstruction” by helping itself. Communities started recreated itself

The way Shawn death was described reminded of how people describe death in the streets of New Orleans. Murders and killings happen and no one says anything. I can’t help but wonder if staying silent while a human being lost their life is the right? Is silence better for the deceased or the person who killed them?

The way the author talks about beef is heartbreaking. Beef = words. Beef has caused too many souls to be lost at such a young age. What happened to the phrase “sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you?”

“The invention of the rules…they weren’t meant to be broken.” This resonated with me. The author knows how to make strong, vibrating, and heart touching statements. “Get down with somebody or get beat down with somebody.” Another line in the book that shook me.

Black mothers are always praying for their children, especially their boys. It a cold world we live in. Not only do you have to pray for a healthy delivery but once you find out your brown baby will be male, you have to pray harder.

The back and forth narrative between death, the rules, life, and the questions about the gun in the elevator gave me a few thoughts. It reminded me of the parts of your conscious that comes to you before you decide to do something that you may regret.

When Will saw the ghost of Shawn, Shawn was crying. He kept crying when Will was telling him about the revenge he hopes to get from Shawn’s death. When I read that, I knew that the rules do not matter if you are hurting someone you love. I believe that Shawn had no words Will. Shawn must not have wanted Will to disrupt his life to revenge Shawn’s life. On the other hand, maybe Shawn was mourning the death of Will. I say this because of Shawn's last words to Will on the elevator.

I guess a lot of lessons can be taught in an elevator.

Seriously! The first classics that I enjoyed. It was not too long and dragging. I kept waiting for Ulysses' revenge and it didn't disappoint.

This book had me enraged, shocked, and intrigued at the same time. This author has a true gift with explaining history in a detailed clear manner. The only thing that was constantly confusing was the changing of characters and plots throughout the book.

The following are excerpts from the book (most shocking) and thoughts:

Father and sons were not accused of witchcraft.

Less than 200 people were accused of wizards and witches.

The most shocking revelation of the book was that there was no evidence of the witch trials in Salem during this time.

Witch cake (please pay attention to this section of the book, I had to pick my mouth from off the ground).

Parrish talked about the different forms (Judice). He believed the devil could not form in an innocent body. He did not believe you could be good or evil. You were either one or the other.

Lawson said the devil raged amongst them. Lawson believed prayer helped things and helped them embrace their faiths. The villagers should prepare for spiritual warfare.

The innocent could prove they are innocent by drowning

The devil can not read the Bible

Bishop was prosecuted to the highest degree for claiming to perform witchcraft on 5 village girls. She was subjected to the law of Deuteronomy that you only need two witnesses to find someone guilty. She was also charged with performing witchcraft on people she never met.

If you poke a person and they don’t bleed, you were accused of being a witch. "The devil does need human things like blood to do his bidding."

I am going to start by saying that I am very thankful and appreciative of Michelle Obama and the "let girl learn" initiative that I currently use throughout my Peace Corps experience. Reading this book soothe my soul and stirred up an array of emotions within myself.

Michelle, a woman who was raised quite differently than me. I kept thinking to myself, "wow, we are so different yet similar in this experience of being a black woman." I do not know how Michelle was able to articulate herself in a manner that showed anger and compassion. She was not afraid to call out the people who mocked her or threaten the safety of her family. In addition, she was not afraid to tackle and dive into unfamiliar territory (U.S military).

As a black woman myself, I find myself trying hard not to succumb to the "imposter syndrome" or "stereotype threats." It relieving to know that our beloved FLOTUS has felt similar in these regards. Although those emotions can be gripping, Michelle searched within and outward to reground herself in what she believed in, in order to move forward.

This book should be a required read for all young brown girls in the world. When she spoke about her dedication to the law and higher academic achievement, I was stunned. She spoke about how it wasn't enough for her, she felt like she needed to do more community work for brown bodies.

I too struggle with the woes of higher education and decisions to make for my life. Michelle had the same questions around my age. It was refreshing to know that you can be confused about your career path at any age in life. Quite often, I think to myself "I am too old now, I have to continue on the path that my 16 years self-set for me." Something Michelle and I work hard on overcoming.

Michelle wrote as if saying "you never are too old to change paths." In reading Becoming, I felt self-assured and motivated to do what I believe is best for me and not what others believe is best for me. Michelle gave me permission to reassess my life at any moment of my life. Most important the message of her book was to stand up for bullies, believe in yourself, and trust your gut.

This is a bit of a spoiler alert! I didn't complete the review for this book because I want readers to truly enjoy this book. As much as I did, because I thought this book was fantastic. The characters, the plot, and the suspense was worth 10 stars.

Reading this book I was excited to read about Jules. I know it’s strange because she isn’t one of the three queens but I wanted to know more about her. Once I found out that she had the war gift I knew there had to be something behind her having such a strong familiar. I also want to know if Arsenal would receive a familiar or always have an indescribable bond with the bear.

Jules relationship with Joseph was an emotional rollercoaster for me but I loved the development of that relationship. My biggest complaint about YA fantasy is that the romance is dramatic AF and it was the perfect combination of emotions and forgiveness.

Marabel and Arsenal relationship is intriguing and I want to know more. I secretly hoped that they would all help each other and become three queens instead of fulfilling the killing tradition of two queens but... well it’s another story.

Billy and Arsenal love story is no a cliche and odd and I find myself cheering for them. I’ve always been attracted to opposites. Mainlander versus Queen!

I’m not sure if I want to read the third book because I don’t want to end.

Natasha’s story was ended too soon. I hope her story was a lesson to young readers who may be in domestic violence relationships. Call for help if you feel safe to do so! Turning your back on an abusive partner could possibly cost you your life.

The current queen (I won’t write her name) I’m not a fan of her and her poisoning tricks! I also think Joseph will kill for her. Guilt makes you do crazy things. I also believe that this queen may be possessed.

Initially reading this story, I thought to myself... I wonder how this is going to play out. Apart from my favorite thriller writer Dee Davis, not often do thriller books keeps me on edge and nervous to read or listen to.

The more I read about the characters and their development I was hooked.

In the beginning of the book the character of Jackson was written in a way that made me think... there is more to this guy. Before the narrative switch to Daphne, I wanted to believe that Jackson was a man that loved his wife deeply. Only to find out that manipulation is his main turn on.

I found myself angry enough to not want to finish the book because I hate the way men in power abuse their position with their significant others. I had to remind myself multiple times that this is a book, this is a book. I kept that mantra in my head but it didn’t diminish my anger towards Jackson.

I repeatedly thought to myself “what sparkles isn’t good and Amber will get what is owed to her.” I was joyous that Jackson was being unfaithful because that meant that Daphne had a way out.

I was just worried about HOW exactly she would get out... hopefully not in a mental institution.

Read the book to find out more! You will not regret it!

I throughly enjoyed this story. It was inventive, fresh, and a twist to the Jim Crow law days. I am shocked that throughout the entirety of the book the word "Zombie" was never used. As a child, I would tell my grandmother when she told me stories about her times growing up black in the south, "I would have been beaten because of my mouth." I saw myself in the rebellious and courageous spirit of Jane McKeene.

If you are looking for a book that shows the struggles of being brown in the United States in a time where overt separation and racism was on the rise BUT the storyline includes a hint of fantasy: this is the book for you!

I love the magic in this book and Circe was determined to love herself and her child. She was not born into a family of love and warm hugs but she used her misfortunes to bring luck and happiness into her life. She spoke her mind and sang even when people told her not too. She reminded me of unconditional love and woman who has scorn time and time again. I enjoyed reading this book. There was a lot of plot twist in this book and rare calm moments. I think if you are trying to find a book that will take you on an adventure please read this book.