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Where the False Gods Dwell
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Inspired by real-life legendary choreographer Katherine Dunham’s groundbreaking expedition into the heart of Caribbean dance culture, this uniquely captivating novel imagines the experiences of three very different women who accompany her, hoping to find their destinies—yet find themselves forced to survive a historic event . . .
Chicago, 1935. Othella is an orphaned con artist who needs to escape the city's brutal underworld... or else. Vivian Jean is a wealthy wife, student, and anthropologist eager to prove herself professionally and personally. Zinzi is a Jamaican labor union activist determined to bring change to her homeland's plantation system. Thanks to a series of fortunate mishaps and coincidences, all three join Dunham’s voyage to the Maroon village of Accompong in Jamaica’s Cockpit Country—and perhaps discover what they desperately want most . . .
Through skill and curiosity, Othella becomes a valued member of the expedition, even as she struggles to conceal her past. Zinzi's knowledge of the Cockpit allows the expedition to explore uncharted territory, even as a forbidden love and fierce resistance threaten everything she seeks to protect. As Vivian Jean’s observations help Dunham make unprecedented discoveries, she grapples with her second husband's guilt and accusations. Yet, amidst their private battles, nature presents an even greater challenge . . .
As deadly Hurricane Jérémie bears down on the island, imperiling the women’s mission—and their lives—they must form a difficult sisterhood. As the storm rages outside the small parish that is their shelter, they will need each other more than anyone or anything they’ve ever needed.
Chicago, 1935. Othella is an orphaned con artist who needs to escape the city's brutal underworld... or else. Vivian Jean is a wealthy wife, student, and anthropologist eager to prove herself professionally and personally. Zinzi is a Jamaican labor union activist determined to bring change to her homeland's plantation system. Thanks to a series of fortunate mishaps and coincidences, all three join Dunham’s voyage to the Maroon village of Accompong in Jamaica’s Cockpit Country—and perhaps discover what they desperately want most . . .
Through skill and curiosity, Othella becomes a valued member of the expedition, even as she struggles to conceal her past. Zinzi's knowledge of the Cockpit allows the expedition to explore uncharted territory, even as a forbidden love and fierce resistance threaten everything she seeks to protect. As Vivian Jean’s observations help Dunham make unprecedented discoveries, she grapples with her second husband's guilt and accusations. Yet, amidst their private battles, nature presents an even greater challenge . . .
As deadly Hurricane Jérémie bears down on the island, imperiling the women’s mission—and their lives—they must form a difficult sisterhood. As the storm rages outside the small parish that is their shelter, they will need each other more than anyone or anything they’ve ever needed.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 24, 2026
3 people are currently reading
5221 people want to read
About the author
Denny S. Bryce
8 books975 followersDenny S. Bryce is a best-selling, award-winning author of historical fiction. A former dancer and public relations professional, Denny is an adjunct professor in the MFA program at Drexel University, a book critic for NPR, and a freelance writer whose work has appeared in USA Today and Harper’s Bazaar. She is also a member of the Historical Novel Society, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and Tall Poppy Writers. Originally from Ohio, she likes to call Chicago her hometown but currently resides in Savannah, Georgia. You can find her online at DennySBryce.com.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 1, 2025
Immersive and beautifully written, this gripping histfic story focuses on three women who travel with iconic choreographer Katherine Dunham to Jamaica -- the heart of Caribbean dance culture -- and find their lives at risk as they encounter terrifying Hurricane Jérémie. Highly recommended.
November 10, 2025
I wasn't quite sure what to expect going into this novel besides it being centered around the iconic Katherine Dunham.
This is a story based on a trip that Dunham took to the Caribbean during 1935, in which she makes a stop in Jamaica to study the Maroons, their lives, and their dances. However, the story is much bigger than that. It's told through the perspectives of three women who are with her during her time in Jamaica.
The story unfolds in Chicago, stops briefly in NYC, and then takes off in Jamaica. There's high adventure, murder, mayhem! Everything I didn't expect. I devoured this novel in one weekend.
Importantly, this is also the story of the Maroons, who fought for their freedom the slavery and fought to maintain it. It's also the story of Jamaica's labor unionization efforts. It's beautifully written.
Thank you Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for this wonderful ARC!
This is a story based on a trip that Dunham took to the Caribbean during 1935, in which she makes a stop in Jamaica to study the Maroons, their lives, and their dances. However, the story is much bigger than that. It's told through the perspectives of three women who are with her during her time in Jamaica.
The story unfolds in Chicago, stops briefly in NYC, and then takes off in Jamaica. There's high adventure, murder, mayhem! Everything I didn't expect. I devoured this novel in one weekend.
Importantly, this is also the story of the Maroons, who fought for their freedom the slavery and fought to maintain it. It's also the story of Jamaica's labor unionization efforts. It's beautifully written.
Thank you Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for this wonderful ARC!
August 31, 2025
Loved it. (Full review to come.)
November 25, 2025
Powerful, historical, heartfelt, and compelling. Definitely worth reading that was captivating from the beginning to end!
November 25, 2025
What a delightful and interesting book. A historical fiction book set around the dancer and choreographer Katherine Dunham, who goes on an exploration starting in Jamaica.
Out of the three narrators I found Vivian Jean a bit whiny, which makes sense as a wealthy girl raised in Chicago, having to survive in the jungle.
I loved Zinzi and her background as a labor union activist. Through her storyline I learned a lot of horrifying things about the sugar plantations.
Othella is a scrappy, quick learner with a very interesting back story.
All in all great for anyone who enjoys historical fiction and looking to learn more about black Americans in 1935, and the peoples in Jamaica.
It’s been a while since a book gripped me so, that I wanted to keep reading. The chapters are short and snappy and leave you wanting more.
I also recommend watching videos of Dunham dancing (if you are not familiar with her work.)
Out of the three narrators I found Vivian Jean a bit whiny, which makes sense as a wealthy girl raised in Chicago, having to survive in the jungle.
I loved Zinzi and her background as a labor union activist. Through her storyline I learned a lot of horrifying things about the sugar plantations.
Othella is a scrappy, quick learner with a very interesting back story.
All in all great for anyone who enjoys historical fiction and looking to learn more about black Americans in 1935, and the peoples in Jamaica.
It’s been a while since a book gripped me so, that I wanted to keep reading. The chapters are short and snappy and leave you wanting more.
I also recommend watching videos of Dunham dancing (if you are not familiar with her work.)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
absolutely devastating and beautiful
a must-read
a must-read
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Dancing with Storms
Denny S. Bryce’s Where the False Gods Dwell sweeps you into the swirling chaos of 1935, where Chicago’s underbelly collides with the mystical vibrance of rural Jamaica. It’s a story built around three women whose lives, secrets, and ambitions converge under the pressure of both a looming hurricane and a history determined to unravel them.
At the heart of the novel is Othella, a survivor and con artist whose street smarts are both her shield and her cage. She’s desperate to break out of the crime-ridden world that made her, and the journey to Jamaica feels like a last shot at something different. Travelling alongside her is Vivian Jean, a wealthy anthropologist whose polished surface hides plenty of fractures. Her privileged status hasn’t spared her from personal pain, and she hopes this trip isn’t just research, but redemption. Then there’s Katherine Dunham, the real-life iconic choreographer, who’s less a textbook mentor and more a beautifully flawed trailblazer. Dunham’s ambition and passion for Caribbean dance culture drive the plot, but she also brings her own baggage, restlessness, hope, and a hunger for artistic truth.
These women’s paths cross as they join Dunham’s famous expedition to Jamaica, all drawn together by curiosity, restlessness, and a need to run from (or make sense of) their own pasts. What starts as academic research quickly turns personal, the sticky heat of Jamaica’s Maroon villages exposing fault lines none of them expected. As Hurricane Jrmie barrels toward them, the very ground beneath their feet, literal and emotional, begins to shift. What binds these women together is sisterhood, not of the easy or sentimental sort, but one built out of need, mistrust, and hard-earned loyalty. Their bond becomes a lifeline when nature’s fury descends, and when the past proves nearly as fierce as any storm.
Bryce excels at world-building, painting every page with sensory detail, bruising jazz in Chicago’s clubs, the lush, danger-laced forests of Jamaica, the electric energy of pre-disaster calm. But it’s her characters who stay with you: Othella, whose sharp wit masks her longing for safety; Vivian Jean, who tries to buy her way into belonging; and Dunham, magnetic and difficult, whose vision drags everyone forward.
Threaded through their adventure are big, complicated questions. What does it take to survive when the world seems determined to push you to the margins? How do you build a family out of strangers? Bryce doesn’t lecture; she puts her characters through the wringer and lets their choices speak. Race and prejudice are front and center, but so is the possibility of transformation, real, hard-won, and never guaranteed.
The novel moves fast, mixing history and suspense with just enough grit to keep the stakes high. Expect more than a dry period piece or a simple survival thriller. This is historical fiction that won’t let you catch your breath, just as you settle into the rhythms of dance study or growing friendship, Bryce unleashes another twist, another storm, another secret from the past.
If there’s a trade-off, it comes in the book’s scope. Bryce juggles multiple perspectives, and not every transition is perfectly smooth; the swirl of points of view can jar, especially for readers who want a single heroine to rally around. The hurricane, the literal and emotional storm, sometimes flirts with melodrama, but Bryce’s empathy keeps the whole thing grounded and urgent.
The novel’s energy, lush writing, and refusal to give easy answers are typical of the author. Bryce brings Black women’s lives to the foreground, making space for messiness, longing, triumph, and loss that rarely get this kind of attention in historical fiction.
For anyone drawn to stories about survival, of both the body and the heart, complicated friendships, and the hidden histories of the Black diaspora, Where the False Gods Dwell will stay with you, long after the storm has passed. Bryce’s latest isn’t just a page-turner; it’s a testament to the power of reinvention, and to the ties we forge when everything familiar is swept away.
Rating: 4.5/5
Denny S. Bryce’s Where the False Gods Dwell sweeps you into the swirling chaos of 1935, where Chicago’s underbelly collides with the mystical vibrance of rural Jamaica. It’s a story built around three women whose lives, secrets, and ambitions converge under the pressure of both a looming hurricane and a history determined to unravel them.
At the heart of the novel is Othella, a survivor and con artist whose street smarts are both her shield and her cage. She’s desperate to break out of the crime-ridden world that made her, and the journey to Jamaica feels like a last shot at something different. Travelling alongside her is Vivian Jean, a wealthy anthropologist whose polished surface hides plenty of fractures. Her privileged status hasn’t spared her from personal pain, and she hopes this trip isn’t just research, but redemption. Then there’s Katherine Dunham, the real-life iconic choreographer, who’s less a textbook mentor and more a beautifully flawed trailblazer. Dunham’s ambition and passion for Caribbean dance culture drive the plot, but she also brings her own baggage, restlessness, hope, and a hunger for artistic truth.
These women’s paths cross as they join Dunham’s famous expedition to Jamaica, all drawn together by curiosity, restlessness, and a need to run from (or make sense of) their own pasts. What starts as academic research quickly turns personal, the sticky heat of Jamaica’s Maroon villages exposing fault lines none of them expected. As Hurricane Jrmie barrels toward them, the very ground beneath their feet, literal and emotional, begins to shift. What binds these women together is sisterhood, not of the easy or sentimental sort, but one built out of need, mistrust, and hard-earned loyalty. Their bond becomes a lifeline when nature’s fury descends, and when the past proves nearly as fierce as any storm.
Bryce excels at world-building, painting every page with sensory detail, bruising jazz in Chicago’s clubs, the lush, danger-laced forests of Jamaica, the electric energy of pre-disaster calm. But it’s her characters who stay with you: Othella, whose sharp wit masks her longing for safety; Vivian Jean, who tries to buy her way into belonging; and Dunham, magnetic and difficult, whose vision drags everyone forward.
Threaded through their adventure are big, complicated questions. What does it take to survive when the world seems determined to push you to the margins? How do you build a family out of strangers? Bryce doesn’t lecture; she puts her characters through the wringer and lets their choices speak. Race and prejudice are front and center, but so is the possibility of transformation, real, hard-won, and never guaranteed.
The novel moves fast, mixing history and suspense with just enough grit to keep the stakes high. Expect more than a dry period piece or a simple survival thriller. This is historical fiction that won’t let you catch your breath, just as you settle into the rhythms of dance study or growing friendship, Bryce unleashes another twist, another storm, another secret from the past.
If there’s a trade-off, it comes in the book’s scope. Bryce juggles multiple perspectives, and not every transition is perfectly smooth; the swirl of points of view can jar, especially for readers who want a single heroine to rally around. The hurricane, the literal and emotional storm, sometimes flirts with melodrama, but Bryce’s empathy keeps the whole thing grounded and urgent.
The novel’s energy, lush writing, and refusal to give easy answers are typical of the author. Bryce brings Black women’s lives to the foreground, making space for messiness, longing, triumph, and loss that rarely get this kind of attention in historical fiction.
For anyone drawn to stories about survival, of both the body and the heart, complicated friendships, and the hidden histories of the Black diaspora, Where the False Gods Dwell will stay with you, long after the storm has passed. Bryce’s latest isn’t just a page-turner; it’s a testament to the power of reinvention, and to the ties we forge when everything familiar is swept away.
Rating: 4.5/5
October 24, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the author Denny S. Bryce for providing an ARC of Where the False Gods Dwell in exchange for an honest review.
Where the False Gods Dwell tells the story of three women who accompany choreographer Katherine Dunham on her expedition to Accompong, a Maroon village in Jamaica’s Cockpit Country. It’s a novel about sisterhood, identity, and survival — set against the rich backdrop of 1935 Chicago and Jamaica.
Part 1 – Before the Expedition
We meet our three main characters:
1. Othella, an orphaned pickpocket who’s had a rough start in life and has been taken advantage of by men in positions of power.
2. Vivian Jean, a wealthy wife and anthropologist hoping that a visit to the Silk Cotton Tree will help improve her marriage.
3. Zinzi, a Jamaican labor union activist who knows Cockpit Country like the back of her hand.
I loved this section. It paints a vivid picture of 1930s Chicago and Jamaica, showing the racism and social tension in both countries. I would have liked to see more detail about the Jamaican labor movement and the experiences of the workers — it was fascinating and could have been explored further.
Part 2 – The Boat Journey
The start of the trip to Jamaica dragged a little for me. I did appreciate the historical details about what travel was like for Black passengers at the time — from segregated train cars to unequal treatment in ports — but this section felt a bit too long and slowed the pacing.
Part 3 – Jamaica
This was my favorite section, though I wish it had been longer! I loved the atmosphere and cultural detail — the traditional foods, the folklore, and especially the mentions of Obeah and the Silk Cotton Tree. Since Katherine Dunham’s real expedition focused on Caribbean dance, I would have loved more exploration of the dances themselves and their meaning.
I’m personally love stories about culture, belief, and folklore, so this part I really enjoyed.
Overall Thoughts
Although in reality Dunham’s 1935 expedition was a solo journey, I loved how Bryce used that real event as inspiration, combining it with layers of historical and cultural context. The novel captures the spirit of discovery and the strength of women navigating personal and societal challenges in an era of change.
A richly atmospheric read with strong characters and a sense of place — I just wanted more of the Jamaican section!
Where the False Gods Dwell tells the story of three women who accompany choreographer Katherine Dunham on her expedition to Accompong, a Maroon village in Jamaica’s Cockpit Country. It’s a novel about sisterhood, identity, and survival — set against the rich backdrop of 1935 Chicago and Jamaica.
Part 1 – Before the Expedition
We meet our three main characters:
1. Othella, an orphaned pickpocket who’s had a rough start in life and has been taken advantage of by men in positions of power.
2. Vivian Jean, a wealthy wife and anthropologist hoping that a visit to the Silk Cotton Tree will help improve her marriage.
3. Zinzi, a Jamaican labor union activist who knows Cockpit Country like the back of her hand.
I loved this section. It paints a vivid picture of 1930s Chicago and Jamaica, showing the racism and social tension in both countries. I would have liked to see more detail about the Jamaican labor movement and the experiences of the workers — it was fascinating and could have been explored further.
Part 2 – The Boat Journey
The start of the trip to Jamaica dragged a little for me. I did appreciate the historical details about what travel was like for Black passengers at the time — from segregated train cars to unequal treatment in ports — but this section felt a bit too long and slowed the pacing.
Part 3 – Jamaica
This was my favorite section, though I wish it had been longer! I loved the atmosphere and cultural detail — the traditional foods, the folklore, and especially the mentions of Obeah and the Silk Cotton Tree. Since Katherine Dunham’s real expedition focused on Caribbean dance, I would have loved more exploration of the dances themselves and their meaning.
I’m personally love stories about culture, belief, and folklore, so this part I really enjoyed.
Overall Thoughts
Although in reality Dunham’s 1935 expedition was a solo journey, I loved how Bryce used that real event as inspiration, combining it with layers of historical and cultural context. The novel captures the spirit of discovery and the strength of women navigating personal and societal challenges in an era of change.
A richly atmospheric read with strong characters and a sense of place — I just wanted more of the Jamaican section!
November 2, 2025
Where the False Gods Dwell takes the reader on a voyage of discovery (physical and personal) from Chicago to Jamaica, as experienced by three women. The story follows a young con artist who can’t seem to avoid trouble, a well-to-do wife and anthropologist, and the labor union activist they meet on the island.
All three have a variety of issues and are brought together by Katherine Dunham, whose expedition is focused on studying the dance and customs of the people in the Cockpit Country. Accompong, specifically.
Each woman faces unique issues. Othella can’t shake the seedy characters who follow her from Chicago. Vivian Jean has marital issues and believes all will be well if she can reach the sacred silk cotton tree and pour out her heart. Zinzi believes in the trade union movement and faces danger when she falls in love with the son of a devious plantation owner.
As they work together, the women’s lives are intertwined, and they come to depend on each other. Their destinies intertwine during a hurricane as they lean on each other for survival.
The characters in this story made me chuckle, fume, and yes, shed a few tears. I read one chapter several times in disbelief about that character’s outcome.
In Where The False Gods Dwell, the writer brought 1935 society to life with great descriptions and colorful characters. I was particularly interested in the history, settings, and the culture of the Maroons, and was not disappointed.
The story flowed well, and every time I thought my favorite character, Othella, was safe, something happened to keep me turning the pages. The end was poignant, and I wished for another ending for Othella, but understood how and why her story ended as it did. For the other characters, the novel came to a satisfying close.
If you enjoy historical fiction with complex characters, this book is for you.
All three have a variety of issues and are brought together by Katherine Dunham, whose expedition is focused on studying the dance and customs of the people in the Cockpit Country. Accompong, specifically.
Each woman faces unique issues. Othella can’t shake the seedy characters who follow her from Chicago. Vivian Jean has marital issues and believes all will be well if she can reach the sacred silk cotton tree and pour out her heart. Zinzi believes in the trade union movement and faces danger when she falls in love with the son of a devious plantation owner.
As they work together, the women’s lives are intertwined, and they come to depend on each other. Their destinies intertwine during a hurricane as they lean on each other for survival.
The characters in this story made me chuckle, fume, and yes, shed a few tears. I read one chapter several times in disbelief about that character’s outcome.
In Where The False Gods Dwell, the writer brought 1935 society to life with great descriptions and colorful characters. I was particularly interested in the history, settings, and the culture of the Maroons, and was not disappointed.
The story flowed well, and every time I thought my favorite character, Othella, was safe, something happened to keep me turning the pages. The end was poignant, and I wished for another ending for Othella, but understood how and why her story ended as it did. For the other characters, the novel came to a satisfying close.
If you enjoy historical fiction with complex characters, this book is for you.
December 24, 2025
The story was inspired by Katherine Dunham's expedition to find and share what she observed about African-inspired Caribbean dances. Three strangers, Vivian Jean, Zinzi, and Othella, share their perspectives on the journey that travels from 1935 Chicago through NYC to Jamaica. Each woman has her own demons and secrets and each one learns more about herself and what is most important as they overcome deceit and challenges. I love how the author wove the three stories together in a very organic way to the story and characters. Their lives grew more dependent on each other by the end, particularly when the hurricane fell on the island with its rains and winds. The characters are well developed and the reader is given more depth and information about each one as events unfold. The secondary characters are also interesting, especially Zinzi's mother in Jamaica with her knowledge of local lore and Byron Tynesdale, who learned more about himself and his purpose. I enjoyed learning about the Maroon village of Accompong in Jamaica’s Cockpit Country as well as how Dunham and Othella has to record the dances on paper. The author's note provides more background of Dunham, the hurricane, the village, and historical figures in the story. Plus there is a section about what facts and figures helped inspire the story, so good history to learn.
I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, multiple viewpoints, and fascinating characters.
#WheretheFalseGodsDwell #NetGalley
Thank you Kensington Publishing and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, multiple viewpoints, and fascinating characters.
#WheretheFalseGodsDwell #NetGalley
Thank you Kensington Publishing and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Where the False Gods Dwell is a haunting, layered read that lingers long after the final page. The atmosphere is heavy in the best way—dark, unsettling, and intentional—pulling you into a world where belief, power, and deception are constantly at odds.
The author does an excellent job of building tension, not just through the plot but through the emotional weight carried by the characters. There’s a sense of unease woven throughout the story that keeps you questioning motives, truths, and what “faith” really means in this world. I especially appreciated how nothing felt easy or clearly defined—morality is blurred, and the consequences feel real.
The pacing is deliberate, allowing the story to breathe while still keeping you invested. This isn’t a light read, but it’s a rewarding one if you enjoy darker themes, complex world-building, and stories that challenge the idea of absolute good and evil.
Overall, Where the False Gods Dwell is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy immersive, morally complex stories with a strong atmospheric pull.
The author does an excellent job of building tension, not just through the plot but through the emotional weight carried by the characters. There’s a sense of unease woven throughout the story that keeps you questioning motives, truths, and what “faith” really means in this world. I especially appreciated how nothing felt easy or clearly defined—morality is blurred, and the consequences feel real.
The pacing is deliberate, allowing the story to breathe while still keeping you invested. This isn’t a light read, but it’s a rewarding one if you enjoy darker themes, complex world-building, and stories that challenge the idea of absolute good and evil.
Overall, Where the False Gods Dwell is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy immersive, morally complex stories with a strong atmospheric pull.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Denny S. Bryce is a must-read historical fiction author. She is someone I look forward to reading because I know that I will be pulled into a book usually about a historical event that I do not know much about. The story of Hurricane Jeremie and Accompong Jamaica is not something I am familiar with so I was excited to pick up Where the False Gods Dwell.
I tried so hard to connect with the characters, I wanted to be invested in their story, but I could not. I wanted to be pulled into the story and never wanted to leave. I just struggled. I wanted more of the Jamaican feel, more of the authenticity of Jamaican life. The story of the hurricane was not as big of a part of the story as I anticipated.
I hope that I am in the minority and most people will love this book. I will still auto purchase Denny S. Bryce’s future books, she is still a must-read author.
Thank you Kensington for a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I tried so hard to connect with the characters, I wanted to be invested in their story, but I could not. I wanted to be pulled into the story and never wanted to leave. I just struggled. I wanted more of the Jamaican feel, more of the authenticity of Jamaican life. The story of the hurricane was not as big of a part of the story as I anticipated.
I hope that I am in the minority and most people will love this book. I will still auto purchase Denny S. Bryce’s future books, she is still a must-read author.
Thank you Kensington for a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such an interesting reading, “Where the False Gods Dwell” is set in 1935 and we are following three main characters who are running “from” and “to” very different things: Othella is trying to set her life in the right path, Zinzi is fighting for something greater than her and Vivi´s life is just DRAMA.
The historical context was delivered delightfully from the little glimpses of Chicago, the Prohibition and its consequences to the racial struggles and the general vibes of the 30´s. But what got me the most was reading and learning about the sugar and banana plantations, the Marrons and Katherine Dunham. Her love and passion for dance, culture, and history were beautiful to see and read about. I love when a book is rich beyond its pages; I´ll absolutely be reading more about it all.
I did struggle a little bit with the pace in general, but the secrets and relationships had me hooked from the beginning, it was endearing to see how those developed and grew through the novel while also witnessing the contrasting and uncomfortable parental relationships of the characters.
I just want you all to know that Othella (and Robbie) were my favorite ones.
Thank you Kensington Publishing and Net Galley for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
The historical context was delivered delightfully from the little glimpses of Chicago, the Prohibition and its consequences to the racial struggles and the general vibes of the 30´s. But what got me the most was reading and learning about the sugar and banana plantations, the Marrons and Katherine Dunham. Her love and passion for dance, culture, and history were beautiful to see and read about. I love when a book is rich beyond its pages; I´ll absolutely be reading more about it all.
I did struggle a little bit with the pace in general, but the secrets and relationships had me hooked from the beginning, it was endearing to see how those developed and grew through the novel while also witnessing the contrasting and uncomfortable parental relationships of the characters.
I just want you all to know that Othella (and Robbie) were my favorite ones.
Thank you Kensington Publishing and Net Galley for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
November 16, 2025
Where the False Gods Dwell is another fantastic historical fiction novel by Denny S. Bryce. I love how Ms Bryce expertly crafts her novels around historical events and people. In this book we meet three fictional characters, Vivian Jean, Othella, and Zinzi, all strong, capable women who find themselves members of a research expedition led by famous choreographer, Katherine Dunham. I enjoyed learning about the culture of the Maroons of Jamaica and their fight to bring unions to improve conditions for the working class. Anyone interested in Caribbean history and stories including strong female characters should enjoy this novel. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this free ARC. I have voluntarily given my honest opinions.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars. I admit I was a bit disappointed in this book. I was expecting more about Katherine Durham and her experience in her exploration of dance in Jamaica and less about three women with secrets and desires to find their destinies with her.
The book is well written and the characters of Vivian Jean, Othella and Zinzi are well drawn. Each has a story that drives them to accompany Dunham (though in real life she went alone) to Maroon country. Vivian Jean helps Dunham make discoveries for her dances and Zinzi is driven by a passion to help her people. Othella becomes valued with the troop - perhaps the only one to really achieve her dream. Then Hurricane Jérémie arrives. I think the concept of the story had promise but I really didn’t like any of the three women. I wanted to know more about Dunham.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC.
The book is well written and the characters of Vivian Jean, Othella and Zinzi are well drawn. Each has a story that drives them to accompany Dunham (though in real life she went alone) to Maroon country. Vivian Jean helps Dunham make discoveries for her dances and Zinzi is driven by a passion to help her people. Othella becomes valued with the troop - perhaps the only one to really achieve her dream. Then Hurricane Jérémie arrives. I think the concept of the story had promise but I really didn’t like any of the three women. I wanted to know more about Dunham.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I haven't considered historical fiction as a reading genre, but this book has changed my mind. I loved to learn about the labour movement in Jamaica. It's a sliver of history often ignored.
The characters were believable. My favourite was the petty thief.
I recommend this book to anyone seeking an escape, as you will be transported to a different time in this novel.
The writer is great at describing a place and era.
I'll be following this writer's work henceforth.
The characters were believable. My favourite was the petty thief.
I recommend this book to anyone seeking an escape, as you will be transported to a different time in this novel.
The writer is great at describing a place and era.
I'll be following this writer's work henceforth.
December 7, 2025
This was my first book by Denny Bryce, and it will not be my last. It was a captivating work of historical fiction about Durham, a choreographer who studied African dance. The story also offered insight into the labor unions in Jamaica connected to the sugar plantation industry.
December 15, 2025
A beautifully grounded historical novel driven by atmosphere, ambition, and women’s resilience—so immersive I wanted the most culturally rich moments to stay just a bit longer. An easy recommendation.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
gorgeous historical fiction with some great plotting and incredibly interesting characters. the ending is dramatic, too. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews