Firsthand

by A'Dreana Anderson

A cruel slave owner cursed—the slave that cursed him, sold. Will he ever return to a normal life?

Richard, a particularly punishing slave owner, sees black slaves as nothing more than property to do with as he pleases. After buying a few new slaves—including an incredibly beautiful young woman named Nini—his evil ways reach new heights.

In the heat of the moment, two of his other newfound purchases react to his treachery.

Thinking nothing of their actions, Richard continues about his life. But after a restless night, he wakes up to discover he’s no longer a white plantation owner… but a mute black slave. Worse yet, the woman who cursed him has been sold. As his evils are revisited on him, Richard wonders if he’ll ever return to his old life or if this new hell is permanent.

Debut author A’Dreana Anderson presents a haunting and poignant historical fantasy, offering a unique perspective on the atrocities inflicted on enslaved men, women, and children. Firsthand is a beautifully heartbreaking tale of injustice, guilt, forgiveness, and the unfolding of profound transformation.

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2024

About the author

A’DREANA ANDERSON has never been good at sticking to one thing, especially when it comes to storytelling. Instead of picking a single genre, she writes whatever keeps her up at night, whether it’s a dark historical fantasy, a satire about a scandal, or an emotionally messy story that hits a little too close to home. What ties her work together? Morally gray characters, unconventional narratives, and the kind of quiet truths that bruise before you even notice the ache.

Born and raised in San Francisco but now surviving the Midwest, A’Dreana is also an illustrator, certified anime junkie, and self-proclaimed karaoke enthusiast (more heart than harmony). When she’s not writing or juggling too many story ideas at once, she’s either watching anime, reading, or making highly ambitious creative plans that she may or may not follow through on.

Find her at www.adreanaanderson.com or on Instagram (@adreana.anderson). Just don’t ask her to pick a favorite genre.

Reviews

[Bre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing page tuner that took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions!

[Cienna Knights · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredibly well written. At times it felt almost like I was being told a story around a campfire by an old storyteller who witnessed these events unfold. It had a very Grimm Brother’s cautionary-fairytale type of feel: there was an evil “king”, a witch to curse him, gruesome and heinous acts, and a semi-sweet ending to wrap it all up.

Anderson did not glaze over any topics, actions or vernacular used in America’s Antebellum South. Although this may make the story uncomfortable for some people to read, this verbiage and these actions made the story feel very raw, very real.

This was an excellent debut novel and I couldn’t put it down! Just saying, this could be an A24 movie!

[Klissia]

Histórias de transfiguração/metamorfoses são antigas e bizarras como do antigo conto latino O asno de ouro ou Kafka .Aqui conta como um senhor de escravos ,através de magia ,muda de cor e se torna escravo na sua próprias propriedade, o "firsthand" do título, o que ele irá sentir mudará sua ideia de humanidade? Um quê de fantastico ,como da aclamada escritora Octavia Butler.

[Tamotha clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, Painful, and insightful..

This story is a great example of stepping into someone else shoe. This show how mankind can hurt someone else, when they do not have to deal, or feel their own evil thoughts and deeds upon themselves. This story is unique and interesting. I recommend this book.