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Dew Angels
Dew Angels is Melanie Schwapp's first novel. It follows the story of Nola Chambers, a Jamaican girl who lives in the fictional village of Redding. Nola suffers from the affliction of being born with black skin within a family and community that prides itself on successfully 'washing out the black.' Nola stumbles through her life until, eventually, she lands on a path of self-discovery. The book introduces many dynamic Jamaican characters and explores elements of Jamaican culture and lifestyles; the contrast between the deeply rural experiences of Redding and the bustling life in Kingston city.
- GenresFictionYoung Adult
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
12 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Schwapp
4 books9 followersMelanie Schwapp was born in Kingston, Jamaica. Two short migrations at two key stages of her life opened her eyes to the cultural and social discriminations in society, and thus began her quest for understanding through writing. At the age of five she moved to England with her family, where she was awakened to the nature of colour prejudice, and then during her late teens and early twenties she attended the University of South Carolina, where the subtle traits of discrimination cemented her interest in the social repercussions of these prejudices.
Although Melanie has written recreationally all her life, her first published work was a children’s book, “Lally-May’s Farm Suss” in 2007 in which she revives Jamaican myths and several cultural aspects through the eyes of a child. Her second publication was the novel “Dew Angels” in 2011 where she explores the hidden aspect of prejudice and other social handicaps in Jamaican society. In 2014 the novel picked up both the Literary Classics Gold Award for Cultural Issues, and the ‘Words on Wings’ Top Honors Award. In 2016 the novel was republished in the UK through HopeRoad Publishing.
In 2018 Melanie’s shot story, “Granny Dead” won the representative place for Jamaica in the Commonwealth Anthology novel.
In 2019, Melanie released her second novel, “Lest We Find Gold”, in which she explores the debilitating chains of gender and cultural stigma that hold women frozen in abusive relationships.
Haven fallen in love with the rural lifestyle while growing up on her grandparents’ farm in Montego Bay, Melanie also does small garden landscaping and interior decorating. She is a devoted mother to her three children and a sometimes-devoted wife to her husband. She resides in Kingston, Jamaica.
Although Melanie has written recreationally all her life, her first published work was a children’s book, “Lally-May’s Farm Suss” in 2007 in which she revives Jamaican myths and several cultural aspects through the eyes of a child. Her second publication was the novel “Dew Angels” in 2011 where she explores the hidden aspect of prejudice and other social handicaps in Jamaican society. In 2014 the novel picked up both the Literary Classics Gold Award for Cultural Issues, and the ‘Words on Wings’ Top Honors Award. In 2016 the novel was republished in the UK through HopeRoad Publishing.
In 2018 Melanie’s shot story, “Granny Dead” won the representative place for Jamaica in the Commonwealth Anthology novel.
In 2019, Melanie released her second novel, “Lest We Find Gold”, in which she explores the debilitating chains of gender and cultural stigma that hold women frozen in abusive relationships.
Haven fallen in love with the rural lifestyle while growing up on her grandparents’ farm in Montego Bay, Melanie also does small garden landscaping and interior decorating. She is a devoted mother to her three children and a sometimes-devoted wife to her husband. She resides in Kingston, Jamaica.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 1, 2019
Updated January 31, 2019
Dew Angels is Melanie Schwapp’s debut novel. Dew Angels follows the life of Nola Chambers, Jamaican girl born into a family and community who thinks having dark skin is an offense and proceeds to treat Nola as such. The community of Redding in Jamaica prides itself on its “light-skinned” people, so much so, Nola stuck out like a sore thumb and she was made to not forget it by those around us. A coming of age novel, we meet Nola at age thirteen trying to navigate a world where her sister gets preferred treatment, where her father treats her less than and her mother is mute and turns a blind eye to all these things happening to her.
Nola’s world begins to open up when her school principal places her into a study group with Dahlia and Delroy. Their bond begins to grow stronger than they expected with each day they spend together doing school work. While Dahlia’s Mother Merlene is viewed by the community of a woman of ill-repute, Nola cannot help but admire how close Dahlia is to her mother. Dahlia’s household is the one that Nola longs for they embody the relationship Nola wants to have with her Mom. Things take a turn for the worse when Nola is seeing leaving Merlene’s establishment.
Melanie Schwapp wrote a character that is haunting, resilient, a fighter, and the overall embodiment of a true Jamaican woman- Nola is definitely one character I will always remember.
The book takes us on an unforgettable journey, for at least then years of Nola’s life. We see her face challenges, defeat, loss of love but we also see her grow and fight back in the most beautiful way. I went through a range of emotions reading this book from anger, to disbelief to joy. I cannot stress how much I love this book- I highly recommend this book.
2017
This book is near and dear to my heart, because my friend's Mom wrote this book and I received a signed copy. With that said, I was a little nervous to read the book because I felt like I had to like it, added to that my friend told me how great the book was. In the end I have to admit- I absolutely ADORED Dew Angels
Dew Angels is a story centered around Nola- a Jamaican girl born into a family who thinks having dark skin is an offense and proceeds to treat Nola as such. I would classify this as a coming of age novel as we see how Nola progresses from being a victim to overcoming in every area of her life.
Melanie Schwapp wrote a character that is haunting, resilient, a fighter, and the overall embodiment of a true Jamaican woman- Nola is definitely one character I will always remember.
I am always a fan of book that perfectly captures life in Jamaica, especially ones that contains colorful and believable characters. I laughed out loud, cried, and smiled having read this novel. What a brilliant read.
Must read in my book!
Dew Angels is Melanie Schwapp’s debut novel. Dew Angels follows the life of Nola Chambers, Jamaican girl born into a family and community who thinks having dark skin is an offense and proceeds to treat Nola as such. The community of Redding in Jamaica prides itself on its “light-skinned” people, so much so, Nola stuck out like a sore thumb and she was made to not forget it by those around us. A coming of age novel, we meet Nola at age thirteen trying to navigate a world where her sister gets preferred treatment, where her father treats her less than and her mother is mute and turns a blind eye to all these things happening to her.
Nola’s world begins to open up when her school principal places her into a study group with Dahlia and Delroy. Their bond begins to grow stronger than they expected with each day they spend together doing school work. While Dahlia’s Mother Merlene is viewed by the community of a woman of ill-repute, Nola cannot help but admire how close Dahlia is to her mother. Dahlia’s household is the one that Nola longs for they embody the relationship Nola wants to have with her Mom. Things take a turn for the worse when Nola is seeing leaving Merlene’s establishment.
Melanie Schwapp wrote a character that is haunting, resilient, a fighter, and the overall embodiment of a true Jamaican woman- Nola is definitely one character I will always remember.
The book takes us on an unforgettable journey, for at least then years of Nola’s life. We see her face challenges, defeat, loss of love but we also see her grow and fight back in the most beautiful way. I went through a range of emotions reading this book from anger, to disbelief to joy. I cannot stress how much I love this book- I highly recommend this book.
2017
This book is near and dear to my heart, because my friend's Mom wrote this book and I received a signed copy. With that said, I was a little nervous to read the book because I felt like I had to like it, added to that my friend told me how great the book was. In the end I have to admit- I absolutely ADORED Dew Angels
Dew Angels is a story centered around Nola- a Jamaican girl born into a family who thinks having dark skin is an offense and proceeds to treat Nola as such. I would classify this as a coming of age novel as we see how Nola progresses from being a victim to overcoming in every area of her life.
Melanie Schwapp wrote a character that is haunting, resilient, a fighter, and the overall embodiment of a true Jamaican woman- Nola is definitely one character I will always remember.
I am always a fan of book that perfectly captures life in Jamaica, especially ones that contains colorful and believable characters. I laughed out loud, cried, and smiled having read this novel. What a brilliant read.
Must read in my book!
January 25, 2019
This book deserves ALL the stars!
I don't know how many times I walked past Dew Angels in my local bookstore. I didn't take the time to pick it up until a book club selected it as their January read. Wow. I am so grateful to that book club for this choice. It was an absolutely wonderful choice.
Dew Angels tells the story of Nola, a young Jamaican girl who is an outcast in her community because of the color of her skin. Not only is she shunned by those in her community but she also faces challenges at home. Despite these setbacks, Nola maneuvers her life as best as she can until fate deals her a deck of cards that changes the course of her life permanently. Nola's story is one of struggle, abuse, faith, bravery, friendship, love and forgiveness. It will literally make you laugh, cry and feel things only great books manage to do. The characters were developed and the plot moved along seamlessly. I honestly feel like the Dew Angels have cast their spell on me.
As Caribbean native, living currently in Jamaica, I cannot express how proud I am of this book. Maybe I'm gushing, but it will be a book I recommend to everyone. It was so authentically Jamaican and I think Melanie should be proud of this accomplishment. I sure am.
Shout out to the Book of Cinz Bookclub in T&T for bringing this book to my attention.
I don't know how many times I walked past Dew Angels in my local bookstore. I didn't take the time to pick it up until a book club selected it as their January read. Wow. I am so grateful to that book club for this choice. It was an absolutely wonderful choice.
Dew Angels tells the story of Nola, a young Jamaican girl who is an outcast in her community because of the color of her skin. Not only is she shunned by those in her community but she also faces challenges at home. Despite these setbacks, Nola maneuvers her life as best as she can until fate deals her a deck of cards that changes the course of her life permanently. Nola's story is one of struggle, abuse, faith, bravery, friendship, love and forgiveness. It will literally make you laugh, cry and feel things only great books manage to do. The characters were developed and the plot moved along seamlessly. I honestly feel like the Dew Angels have cast their spell on me.
As Caribbean native, living currently in Jamaica, I cannot express how proud I am of this book. Maybe I'm gushing, but it will be a book I recommend to everyone. It was so authentically Jamaican and I think Melanie should be proud of this accomplishment. I sure am.
Shout out to the Book of Cinz Bookclub in T&T for bringing this book to my attention.
Read
June 8, 2019In interviews Melanie Schwapp has recounted how her experiences living in the UK and the US and then the return to life in Jamaica, land of her birth, opened her eyes to how "colour prejudice" existed in all three places. One has to wonder, then, why Schwapp did not write a story closer to her own life rather than try to transmute it through Nola, a poor, underprivileged, dark skinned teen born and raised in a rural Jamaican village.
Racism and colourism work differently in all three countries (indeed even within those countries). Being marginalised in such situations does not preclude persons from internalising ideas that are harmful to them and those with whom they may wish to ally. It takes years of mental and emotional labour informed by research and, in many cases, activism to root out and overcome racist concepts which are entrenched in our society's very foundations. When you write from a position of colour privilege, as Schwapp did with Dew Angel's Jamaican setting, you have to be extra careful, thorough, meticulous and sensitive in your approach.
Her writing style reflects that effort. At over 400+ pages I hardly felt the length at all. There is a memorable cast of characters and a strong sense of community that brings to mind the better, more entertaining Jamaican of plays. Nola is an easy to character to love and cheer for even in implausible action scenes that strain credulity. (It's that Jamaican play vibe. I really liked it.) The switch from third to first perspective in the epilogue was masterfully done. It gave it a based-on-a-true-story verisimilitude through which I could hear Nola's voice in my ear quietly and confidently declaring her truth.
None of that could overshadow the fact that this book, nominally one against colourism, misogynoir, classism and ableism, is steeped in 3 and wobbly on 4. That evergreen racist myth that 4 type hair can't grow makes an appearance along with the curious assertion in the novel's very first paragraph that the newborn baby had kinky hair. That's not how our hair works, Schwapp. Even if it was literary license, exaggerating a character's blackness has a problematic history, to put it mildly. These worrisome undercurrents finally generate a scene that should have been excised before publication: one of the villain's ordered a violent assault on Abediah, a Rastafarian, during which the hired assailant cut off his locs. Some time later the Abediah's mother, also rasta, unearths them from a brown paper bag (??) to give to Nola who then used it to help create a "homeless person" costume complete with "kitchen grease" on her face and black polish on her teeth.
A toxic Christianity permeates the story leading Nola to the kind of conclusions usually debunked in the most basic anti-gender based violence workshop. She took no pleasure from seeing her violently abusive father grovel, for if she did it would have made her "no better than the rest of them". Actually, no, Nola, taking delight in a grovel is not equivalent to the actions of a violent father and abusive community. But that was nothing compared to the revelation that caps Nola's years of heartbreaking struggle: "she could not hate a match for its flame, for that was what it had been created to do". Oh. God made her horrible father that way, him couldn't do no better. Right.
What would I have become if my papa had not deemed me different and unworthy of his love? I would have become one of them, looking for a fair-skinned donor to 'wash the black' out of me.
Oh. Is that what happens when fathers love their dark skin daughters?
What (and I cannot stress this enough) the actual fuck?
I am, at this point, too exhausted to get into the curious representation of the two disabled characters. Schwapp was determined to present them as lovable beings worthy of respect while letting you know they were very very ugly. (Schwapp devoted an entire paragraph to how "ugly!" Hopey was, a favour done for no neurotypical character in the entire novel.) Also, there was a scene in which the visible evidence of her father's abuse saved Nola from rape--truly a touching moment every victim whose accusations were ever dismissed because they did not fit into society's beauty ideals will really appreciate!
Cyaan even bodda fi get into the classist subtext crystallised in the book's conclusion.
Just...no.
Racism and colourism work differently in all three countries (indeed even within those countries). Being marginalised in such situations does not preclude persons from internalising ideas that are harmful to them and those with whom they may wish to ally. It takes years of mental and emotional labour informed by research and, in many cases, activism to root out and overcome racist concepts which are entrenched in our society's very foundations. When you write from a position of colour privilege, as Schwapp did with Dew Angel's Jamaican setting, you have to be extra careful, thorough, meticulous and sensitive in your approach.
Her writing style reflects that effort. At over 400+ pages I hardly felt the length at all. There is a memorable cast of characters and a strong sense of community that brings to mind the better, more entertaining Jamaican of plays. Nola is an easy to character to love and cheer for even in implausible action scenes that strain credulity. (It's that Jamaican play vibe. I really liked it.) The switch from third to first perspective in the epilogue was masterfully done. It gave it a based-on-a-true-story verisimilitude through which I could hear Nola's voice in my ear quietly and confidently declaring her truth.
None of that could overshadow the fact that this book, nominally one against colourism, misogynoir, classism and ableism, is steeped in 3 and wobbly on 4. That evergreen racist myth that 4 type hair can't grow makes an appearance along with the curious assertion in the novel's very first paragraph that the newborn baby had kinky hair. That's not how our hair works, Schwapp. Even if it was literary license, exaggerating a character's blackness has a problematic history, to put it mildly. These worrisome undercurrents finally generate a scene that should have been excised before publication: one of the villain's ordered a violent assault on Abediah, a Rastafarian, during which the hired assailant cut off his locs. Some time later the Abediah's mother, also rasta, unearths them from a brown paper bag (??) to give to Nola who then used it to help create a "homeless person" costume complete with "kitchen grease" on her face and black polish on her teeth.
A toxic Christianity permeates the story leading Nola to the kind of conclusions usually debunked in the most basic anti-gender based violence workshop. She took no pleasure from seeing her violently abusive father grovel, for if she did it would have made her "no better than the rest of them". Actually, no, Nola, taking delight in a grovel is not equivalent to the actions of a violent father and abusive community. But that was nothing compared to the revelation that caps Nola's years of heartbreaking struggle: "she could not hate a match for its flame, for that was what it had been created to do". Oh. God made her horrible father that way, him couldn't do no better. Right.
What would I have become if my papa had not deemed me different and unworthy of his love? I would have become one of them, looking for a fair-skinned donor to 'wash the black' out of me.
Oh. Is that what happens when fathers love their dark skin daughters?
What (and I cannot stress this enough) the actual fuck?
I am, at this point, too exhausted to get into the curious representation of the two disabled characters. Schwapp was determined to present them as lovable beings worthy of respect while letting you know they were very very ugly. (Schwapp devoted an entire paragraph to how "ugly!" Hopey was, a favour done for no neurotypical character in the entire novel.) Also, there was a scene in which the visible evidence of her father's abuse saved Nola from rape--truly a touching moment every victim whose accusations were ever dismissed because they did not fit into society's beauty ideals will really appreciate!
Cyaan even bodda fi get into the classist subtext crystallised in the book's conclusion.
Just...no.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2016
I've been globe trotting lately and exploring other countries and cultures.
Dew Angels takes us to Jamaica to live with Nola. As the synopsis says, she committed the crime of being born with black skin. In a (fictional) town that is actually named for the fact that citizens are light skinned.
What makes this book engrossing and hard to put down is the dynamics of Nola and her family. Nola and her community. The way the community treats each other. Plus all the parts of Jamaican culture added in for those of us who are unfamiliar with it.
In many ways, the relationships aren't terribly different. Demonstrates that dysfunctional families and poor treatment among communities are more universal than we'd like.
There are many valuable reasons to read this book. The look at racial discrimination between people of the same race. How far people will go when pushed to the limits. How much love can redeem people. Learning to love yourself. The people that are on your side, only their perspectives and opinions of you should be given any merit. They want to build you up. Not tear you down.
A 5 star book all around. Great book for book clubs, personal contemplation, or simply a satisfying read.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a free copy of the book in exchange for this honest review.
Dew Angels takes us to Jamaica to live with Nola. As the synopsis says, she committed the crime of being born with black skin. In a (fictional) town that is actually named for the fact that citizens are light skinned.
What makes this book engrossing and hard to put down is the dynamics of Nola and her family. Nola and her community. The way the community treats each other. Plus all the parts of Jamaican culture added in for those of us who are unfamiliar with it.
In many ways, the relationships aren't terribly different. Demonstrates that dysfunctional families and poor treatment among communities are more universal than we'd like.
There are many valuable reasons to read this book. The look at racial discrimination between people of the same race. How far people will go when pushed to the limits. How much love can redeem people. Learning to love yourself. The people that are on your side, only their perspectives and opinions of you should be given any merit. They want to build you up. Not tear you down.
A 5 star book all around. Great book for book clubs, personal contemplation, or simply a satisfying read.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a free copy of the book in exchange for this honest review.
June 1, 2016
This is the debut novel by Melanie Schwapp, though you would never know as she writes like a seasoned pro. A young girl with very dark skin is growing up in a small fictional village in Jamaica where the lighter your skin is the more beautiful you are deemed to be. She is shunned not only by the community but by her own family. This book will have you on a roller coaster of emotion from horror and disbelief to inspiration and peace. The characters are described so well I could see them, and felt I knew everyone personally. There are plots, sub plots and just when you think you have it all figured out another plot rears it's head. If you like your books fast paced, true to life, gut wrenching and totally absorbing then I would recommend this one.
Thanks to Netgalley and Melanie Schwapp.
Thanks to Netgalley and Melanie Schwapp.
January 31, 2019
Dark-skinned Nola Chambers was born into a fair-skinned family. As a result, she is verbally and physically abused by her father and shunned by those in her school and her village. A series of tragic events separate her from those she loves and leave her believing that she is nothing but a source of shame, worthless and unlovable. But her personal strength and determination give her the courage to do remarkable things in the face of adversity and danger. Y'all this book is….WOW...you wont be disappointed.
November 24, 2016
I found this book in the airport in Montego Bay on my way out of Jamaica, having never had it come up on any Jamaican author lists or reading list searches that I did before travelling to the country. Similarly to all of the novels written by Jamaican authors that I've read it has some dark, real moments. However, this is what adds to the heart of the story. The struggles that the characters go through are lessons for all people, which is what makes the book so compelling and addictive to read. Also there isn't a lot of Jamaican slang in the story, which, makes it easier to read and follow in comparison to other Jamaican authors. This is easily my second favourite Jamaican novel after The book of Night women.
August 19, 2019
Dew Angels is a page-turner. It is fun and heartwarming but also heartbreaking. Easily identifiable themes and issues that are present in Caribbean families and communities today. Nola, the main character is resilient and I’m inspired. The good reviews and little hype didn’t let me down.
May 11, 2016
Dew Angels is an amazing book. I didn’t know what to expect when I chose this book from Net Galley, and I am so glad that it was there. The writing is superb, providing incredibly vivid pictures of a place I’ve never been and introducing me to a young woman whose story is all-absorbing.
Nola Chambers is a dark-skinned teenager born into a fair-skinned Jamaican family. As a result, she is verbally and physically abused by her father and shunned by those in her school and her village. A series of misunderstandings and tragic events separate her from those she loves and leave her believing that she is nothing but a source of shame, worthless and unlovable. Yet her personal strength and determination give her the courage to do remarkable things in the face of adversity and danger, keeping this reader engrossed right through to the very satisfying conclusion.
I learned volumes about Jamaican culture, botany, dialect, and lifestyles through Melanie Schwapp’s rich use of language, while being fully engrossed in Nola’s story. And I was left with an uplifting sense of hope at the end, a wonderful way to finally go to sleep after reading this book late into the night.
Nola Chambers is a dark-skinned teenager born into a fair-skinned Jamaican family. As a result, she is verbally and physically abused by her father and shunned by those in her school and her village. A series of misunderstandings and tragic events separate her from those she loves and leave her believing that she is nothing but a source of shame, worthless and unlovable. Yet her personal strength and determination give her the courage to do remarkable things in the face of adversity and danger, keeping this reader engrossed right through to the very satisfying conclusion.
I learned volumes about Jamaican culture, botany, dialect, and lifestyles through Melanie Schwapp’s rich use of language, while being fully engrossed in Nola’s story. And I was left with an uplifting sense of hope at the end, a wonderful way to finally go to sleep after reading this book late into the night.
February 8, 2017
I loved that this story focused on women who had been persecuted and hurt (often by men or by their patriarchal society) finding strength, happiness and safety in their relationships with other women, as friends, mentors and surrogate family. It was wonderful to see Nola gradually take control of her life with the support of the family she found for herself after her family of origin failed to give her what she needed to thrive. This wasn’t an easy story to read – it broke my heart about twelve times – but I cared deeply about Nola and what happened to her and reading her story was ultimately joyful and uplifting.
Read the full review at Starship Library.
Read the full review at Starship Library.
June 27, 2016
Through the coming-of-age experiences of one girl, we see how those who should be loving us the most, do sometimes cause the greatest hurt; intentionally or unintentionally. Set in Jamaica, the novel shows us how even the weak have something strong to give, and that women can do support each other.
December 14, 2016
A beautiful, well-written story. I couldn't put this book down. Perhaps I was a little biased because the author is Jamaican and the storyline is set in Jamaica, but I do recommend reading this. Absolutely beautiful story of Nola.
January 28, 2019
This book was exceptional. I was crying long tears, both of sorrow and joy at the end of it.
The story charts the journey of Nola, starting in her teenage years, as an outcast among her peers, and the unloved child in her family, punished for her dark skin by her abusive father. Her beautiful light-skinned sister is sympathetic but powerless, while her mother seems unable or unwilling to protect her. When a tragic event forces Nola to leave her home, she begins a long journey of challenges and hardships that will test her to her limits. Along the way she finds the family she has been seeking and at the end, healing.
The pace of story never lets up. The author's talent at description made the characters and places come to life. I feel that I know them all, they are so vivid in my mind. I'd recommend this book to anyone and I'm so happy it was chosen as a selection for my book club.
The story charts the journey of Nola, starting in her teenage years, as an outcast among her peers, and the unloved child in her family, punished for her dark skin by her abusive father. Her beautiful light-skinned sister is sympathetic but powerless, while her mother seems unable or unwilling to protect her. When a tragic event forces Nola to leave her home, she begins a long journey of challenges and hardships that will test her to her limits. Along the way she finds the family she has been seeking and at the end, healing.
The pace of story never lets up. The author's talent at description made the characters and places come to life. I feel that I know them all, they are so vivid in my mind. I'd recommend this book to anyone and I'm so happy it was chosen as a selection for my book club.
January 20, 2019
Nola Chambers knows adversity, but she also knows resilience. Schwapp's simple writing kept the story moving. A really nice story about self-discovery and an overall good book.
May 28, 2012
The words just flowed throughout the whole book. It's very hard to put down because you can't wait to see what happens next. Melanie schwapp is awesome! She really knows how to lure you into a book.I totally loved this book. It's believable from beginning to end. It had me smiling and laughing out loud in some parts, and crying in the rest. I couldn't put it down or quit talking about it when I wasn't reading. Loved all the twists and turns it took as you were reading it. Deeply moving as well as amusing, with a hint of redemption.
Dew Angels is one of the most touching novels that I've read! I enjoyed it to the fullest! It was real and often times made you think: What would I do? A page turner that will leave you breathless until the end!Soooooo exciting and got my blood flowing. Such authentic use of the Jamaican culture, the language, the food, the lifestyle, even the plants.....ha ha haaa!!! I love it! Your word usage toys with my senses, I could taste the mango jams and such, I could smell the ginger tea as well as mama's breath that you described as smelling like ginger-spiced cake. The pineapple skin and the rose-apple to name a few.
Author Melanie Schwapp knew exactly how to end one chapter to make the reader want to read just one more before putting the book down. I read Dew Angels in three sittings, wanting to do it in one. It had me right from chapter one through to the last page! It had me craving for more. It makes you wonder about the whole lifestyle in Jamaica. I especially love the play of words and vivid and detailed descriptions of everything.
For example, when she wrote about the Johnson girls, asking if Nola's glad bag bust. I was in stitches. The terminologies that stir up a lot of memories about being a Jamaican and living in Jamaica are inevitable. My favorite part of the book was that full first page of Chapter 12; I felt what Nola felt. I could relate to her here. She felt that calmness and peacefulness in a place where she could naturally just get lost and become one with the nature, the pristine rippling river embedded with the cool river rocks. One dip in the river just soothed her soul. I also loved a part in Chapter 8..........Merlene chuckled softly, but when she spoke her gaze seemed suddenly distant, "It's not every time you have to fight, pumpkin. Sometimes life have a way of just catchin' up to people, just like it catch up with squid. Sometimes you just have to sit back and wait, and let the Almighty deal with them in His own time!"
WOW....Dew Angels is a page turner that will leave you breathless until the end! I could definitely read it again. It's that astounding and intriguing!
If you are reading this right now....yes you.....and you haven't gotten a copy or start reading yet......YOU are missing out. Buy it for a friend too.
This was very fast paced and kept me right on the edge of my seat the whole time. I felt like I was right there in the middle of it. I love stories with this enthralling aspect. Very well done and exciting. If you like authors who can surprise you, you will love Melanie Schwapp........and check out another favorite for kids that will also get your blood flowing.....look below for Lally-May's Farm Suss!
Dew Angels is one of the most touching novels that I've read! I enjoyed it to the fullest! It was real and often times made you think: What would I do? A page turner that will leave you breathless until the end!Soooooo exciting and got my blood flowing. Such authentic use of the Jamaican culture, the language, the food, the lifestyle, even the plants.....ha ha haaa!!! I love it! Your word usage toys with my senses, I could taste the mango jams and such, I could smell the ginger tea as well as mama's breath that you described as smelling like ginger-spiced cake. The pineapple skin and the rose-apple to name a few.
Author Melanie Schwapp knew exactly how to end one chapter to make the reader want to read just one more before putting the book down. I read Dew Angels in three sittings, wanting to do it in one. It had me right from chapter one through to the last page! It had me craving for more. It makes you wonder about the whole lifestyle in Jamaica. I especially love the play of words and vivid and detailed descriptions of everything.
For example, when she wrote about the Johnson girls, asking if Nola's glad bag bust. I was in stitches. The terminologies that stir up a lot of memories about being a Jamaican and living in Jamaica are inevitable. My favorite part of the book was that full first page of Chapter 12; I felt what Nola felt. I could relate to her here. She felt that calmness and peacefulness in a place where she could naturally just get lost and become one with the nature, the pristine rippling river embedded with the cool river rocks. One dip in the river just soothed her soul. I also loved a part in Chapter 8..........Merlene chuckled softly, but when she spoke her gaze seemed suddenly distant, "It's not every time you have to fight, pumpkin. Sometimes life have a way of just catchin' up to people, just like it catch up with squid. Sometimes you just have to sit back and wait, and let the Almighty deal with them in His own time!"
WOW....Dew Angels is a page turner that will leave you breathless until the end! I could definitely read it again. It's that astounding and intriguing!
If you are reading this right now....yes you.....and you haven't gotten a copy or start reading yet......YOU are missing out. Buy it for a friend too.
This was very fast paced and kept me right on the edge of my seat the whole time. I felt like I was right there in the middle of it. I love stories with this enthralling aspect. Very well done and exciting. If you like authors who can surprise you, you will love Melanie Schwapp........and check out another favorite for kids that will also get your blood flowing.....look below for Lally-May's Farm Suss!
June 4, 2014
Dew Angels, by Melanie Schwapp, is the deeply moving and powerful story of Nola Chambers, a young Jamaican girl born with black skin into a fair-skinned family. Because of the color of Nola's skin she is subjected to cruel treatment by those within her family and the village in which she lives. Even Nola's father physically and verbally abuses the young girl who has been exposed to prejudice and bigotry her entire life.
Author, Melanie Schwapp, cleverly masters the use of imagery in this heartfelt and genuine work of fiction which paints a vivid picture full of the sights, sounds and scents of Jamaica along with the sweet innocence of young Nola on her path of self-discovery. - Nola's compelling journey is a heart-breaking triumph!
Author, Melanie Schwapp, cleverly masters the use of imagery in this heartfelt and genuine work of fiction which paints a vivid picture full of the sights, sounds and scents of Jamaica along with the sweet innocence of young Nola on her path of self-discovery. - Nola's compelling journey is a heart-breaking triumph!
December 28, 2017
Ultimately Dew Angels is a celebration of finding the strength to overcome myriad struggles and cruelty; to find harmony and happiness. It is a vibrant addition to the great pantheon of literature dealing with race and colour.
May 24, 2016
Not an easy book to read, both the story line and the style, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
January 4, 2017
Beautiful
Very nice and easy read. Uplifting story. Enjoyed the journey.
Was easy to place yourself right there with the writer as the story unfolded.
Very nice and easy read. Uplifting story. Enjoyed the journey.
Was easy to place yourself right there with the writer as the story unfolded.
May 20, 2019
I haven’t been reading for months now, the weight of school really came down on me. However, my exams have ended and I went to the local book store and left with this. I’d heard about the book a few times and I felt drawn to reading this. That was a great decision for me and a reminder for me to trust my instincts.
Nola’s story is stirring. Her pain coupled with her tenacity (even when she doesn’t realize it) make her a force to be reckoned with.
Another aspect I loved is the way unbeknownst to us, there are people out there observing us, caring for us and forging elements of our lives together because of the good they desire for us.
I really enjoyed this one and for anyone who is interested in it, I’d suggest reading it. It took me a lil over 24 hours cause I began reading it Saturday night and I’m finished on Monday morning. I didn’t want to put it down.
“There are just some kinds of love that cannot go beyond the boundaries that a person constructs.”
Nola’s story is stirring. Her pain coupled with her tenacity (even when she doesn’t realize it) make her a force to be reckoned with.
Another aspect I loved is the way unbeknownst to us, there are people out there observing us, caring for us and forging elements of our lives together because of the good they desire for us.
I really enjoyed this one and for anyone who is interested in it, I’d suggest reading it. It took me a lil over 24 hours cause I began reading it Saturday night and I’m finished on Monday morning. I didn’t want to put it down.
“There are just some kinds of love that cannot go beyond the boundaries that a person constructs.”
May 21, 2019
Cover to cover, Dews angel is authentic and raw. I felt transported into Jamaica, with its "mannish water" and "scandal bags". That Nola was unloved and scorned because of dark skin is a sad story, but to those of us who live in the Caribbean the tale of colourism is real and familiar. I love the way the characters are weaved together as the story progressed and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I look forward to more books from the author.
November 29, 2020
A story of redemption with many twists and turns that was often melodramatic and exaggerated. I felt like the author tried to do too much and say too much often over-explaining situations and characters' motivations which made the writing somewhat longwinded and tedious at times especially towards the end. It should have been several chapters shorter. I lost interest and struggled through the last 5 chapters.
January 9, 2019
I never expected so much within a single book to resonate with me! Dew Angels explores in a way that I've never seen before, the issue of not just colourism (which I went in thinking was the entire theme), but also the very real struggles of being an outcast in general, painstakingly so from your own family. It explores rejection, desire for acceptance and the discovery of selflessness and eventual self love.
Set in Jamaica, every character and location was so vividly described, that I had no problem seeing it all come to life before me on the pages.
Well written and entertaining, Dew Angels evokes every emotion from sadness to anger to joy (I even found myself laughing out loud at parts). The characters are easy to fall in love with and even easier to despise because of how succinctly Ms. Schwapp depicts them.
Definitely will read again.
Set in Jamaica, every character and location was so vividly described, that I had no problem seeing it all come to life before me on the pages.
Well written and entertaining, Dew Angels evokes every emotion from sadness to anger to joy (I even found myself laughing out loud at parts). The characters are easy to fall in love with and even easier to despise because of how succinctly Ms. Schwapp depicts them.
Definitely will read again.
July 19, 2025
Dew Angels takes us on a journey set in Jamaica, we view colourism, classism, society's view of beauty...all explored as we follow Nola.
O what a book to read! The various stories and people all contributed to making this so great as they all played a part in the twists and turns.
So happy for Nola at the end as she became comfortable in her skin....never bending!
O what a book to read! The various stories and people all contributed to making this so great as they all played a part in the twists and turns.
So happy for Nola at the end as she became comfortable in her skin....never bending!
April 12, 2020
Amazing Read.... could not put it down...
December 22, 2024
Nola's voice in this beautiful, brilliant novel leapt off the page and into my heart. Reading this was an absolute gem - a complete, sacred honor.
May 9, 2020
Such an enjoyable read with so many twists and turns, along with quirky and dynamic characters. Character development is a real strength of Melanie's and I loved following Nola's journey throughout!
May 5, 2025
2.5/3 stars
Thoughts to come.
Thoughts to come.
October 7, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this book. Great character development and a very touching story.
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