The Crown Lord

by William Sirls

After a successful revolt in 1846 that reversed the roles of slaves and masters, modern-day America is now dominated by a wealthy, black ruling class and whites are dealing with decades of oppression and prejudice.

When his father, a civil rights attorney, is killed after defending a white man, seventeen-year-old Willie Gibbons is forced to move to Michigan with his uncle and thrust into the heart of the racial divide.

The search for his father's killer lands Willie on the wrong side of a powerful and shadowy black supremacist group known as The Crown, a dangerous place for any man—black or white.

The Crown Lord is a stark and jarring look at race, class, and the American Dream that will keep readers on edge.

Genres: Fiction

392 pages, Hardcover

Published November 13, 2018

Reviews

[Brittany Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story with the perspective of what it would be like if the racial roles between whites and African Americans had been reversed. The derogatory term for a white person is called a Pinkie; and instead of the KKK, they have what's called The Crown- a supremacy group that is run by African Americans.

"You think people learn to not like people?"
"They see how the people they love treat certain people and then they think it's what they should do."

The plot of this was fantastic! The dialogue was easy, some times so easy it was a little unbelievable, but nonetheless, it was still a great story. The descriptions of the scenery were a little lacking during some major plot points, mostly towards the end, I thought, but the plot was so good, I didn't want to put it down. I did end up reading this pretty fast because the plot unveiled at a perfect pace. I really did love this. The author's note in the back was a really cool added piece- I love when authors give insight into how the book came to be.

I was surprised to see this labeled as a political thriller/political fiction because it was NOT too focused on government. If it weren't for the giveaway, the cover nor genre would have caught my attention; luckily, I didn't miss out on a great story!!

I'm so happy and thankful to have received a signed print copy of The Crown Lord because it is fantastic when an author can open your eyes and give you the experience of seeing a new perspective, even if it is just a story. Thank you to the Goodreads giveaway program, publisher Rare Bird Books and author William Sirls for the ARC. I will definitely be checking out the author's previous two books.

There may be some trigger warnings in The Crown Lord, for some: violence, graphic images, sexual references, racism, death, drugs, etc.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible! A friend (who had helped the author by providing feedback) arranged for me to receive an autographed copy of this book. I am so happy she did! I have to admit that this is a book that I probably would have overlooked. It's not one that sounds like something I would enjoy and the cover doesn't pull me in. I would have missed a terrific story. Author William Sirls has spent some time in prison. William is white and was roomed with a black man. The two had nothing in common. Or so they thought. During their time they became good friends and learned a lot about the other's life. Before they left prison, William promised "Eric" that if he ever had success as a writer, he would "try to do a story that puts the racial shoe on the other foot". This is that story. At first it's a little strange reading about a black supremacist group. Just because it's not what we usually hear about. But soon the characters personalities take over and you don't really think about their color (until the author reminds us), just about the things being done to them. After release from prison, while on probation, former prisoners are not allowed to contact each other so William and "Eric" lost touch. After having success with his books The Reason and The Sinners' Garden, Mr Sirls wrote The Crown Lord. It's so far from his other books that it's hard to believe it's from the same author. There is a bit of rough language in the book, but it's necessary to the plot. I don't like a lot of bad language and it didn't bother me. The last 100 or so pages had me unable to put the book down. The last 30 or so pages had me on the edge of my seat. Read this! Even if you think you won't like it, give it a try.

[Kim Bakos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what a book. This needs to be on everyone's "must read" list for this year. You won't be able to put it down, from the intriguing start to the explosive finish!
This book takes a new look at racism by turning this country inside out - blacks are in charge, whites are discriminated against and used to be slaves. The South is progressive in it's thinking, the North is more backwards and racist. Instead of the racist whites being in the KKK, the racist blacks are in The Crown. Instead of the N word, there are "pinkies". You will have totally new feelings when you read this, no matter which race you are.
The book teaches so much about prejudices, the ability to grow and change, what it means to love, and what you will give up to protect what/who you care about. It also shows how hard it is to change traditions and accepted thought, even if it is for the better of that person.
Yes, there is language and violence in this book, but the same could be said for any book that has been written about the Civil Rights era, too. In this case, I didn't feel it was there for shock value, or just there to be crass - it was necessary for the reader to feel that the characters were feeling and experiencing.
This is one book that I will certainly be sharing w/ everyone!

[Hailey · Rating 1 out of 5]

One star cuz I see what he’s trying to do here but the execution is really poor. The dialogue all sounds like an old man talking to another old man regardless of who it is. The vernacular and rhythm of the language sounds really aged and not modern. The insight on race was the classic “what if the roles of race were reversed and white people were the marginalized group in society?” thing we all think about from time to time but it’s just dragged so much for me because of the pacing in the dialogue. The settings also were not the most impressively described and it gave me some jarring immersion moments. Overall, not the worst thing I’ve read but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone really because I believe there are better written commentaries on race out there than this.

[Nana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike this author's previous books, The Crown Lord is a dystopian and gritty representation of race reversal in modern day society. This book may be disturbing for some readers, due to content and language. Original and creative, once I became acclimated to the atypical race reversal, the story captured my attention and continued to keep me in suspense. Characterizations are well done and believable, and there is a continuing crescendo toward a dramatic climax. I find myself still thinking about this book long after completing it.

[Amy Bruestle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Totally worth 5 stars!!!!!

This was such a great book! At first, I wasn’t quite sure...but it turned out being one of the best books I have ever read! Amazing story, really makes you think. Well developed characters and plot. I am going to check out the other 2 books this author wrote! Plus he was born in Detroit, Michigan, which is only an hour away from where I live and the book takes place in Michigan too! How cool is that?! I seriously think this book needs to be made into a movie...like ASAP!

[Kim]

This book was mind-blowing. I've read and loved William Sirls' other 2 books 'The Reason' and 'The Sinners' Garden'. This was so different and so much better. It kept me in suspense until the last moment possible. The ending took my breath away! From the jacket: When 17-year-old Willie's civil rights attorney father is killed while defending a tough case in Detroit, his life in Atlanta is upended. Forced to move to Ohio with his uncle, Willie's addiction to prescription pain pills ramps up, adding fuel to the fire of emotions he's desperately trying to suppress. Trying to get to the bottom of what happened with his father, who in the mob of protestors killed him, leads Willie on a trajectory he never imagined in his otherwise privileged life. Exploring themes of race, class, and addiction, The Crown Lord is a fresh take on the American Dream.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a Goodreads give away and I am so thankful that I did. I loved this book! It made me stop and think about so many things that we take for granted as we go about our daily lives. I typically read only fiction for pleasure and though I enjoy most of the books I read, once I put them down and move on to the next book, I rarely think about the book I just finished. I can't stop thinking about this book and the message in it! What if the tables had been turned? We are all humans and that is how God see us and how we should strive to see each other, not as colors, races, etc. I know I most likely would have eventually gotten my hands on a copy of this book and read it, but I am truly grateful that I received and read it when I did.

[Hyacinth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew. I don't even know where to begin. William Sirls has been coined a Christian Fiction author. The Crown Lord is other side of the coin. This book made me uncomfortable. I struggled with it. It was a conversation that needed to be had but who could have it and at what table? How do we move forward and learn from each other's differences? I was concerned about him as a writer because the language and the views would ruffle some feathers, but he didn't back down. Given the climate and what's going on in these United States, I was all over the place...and yet, I couldn't put the book down. Sirls took a difficult subject matter and caused us to reflect on issues of racism and prejudice. Even with the serious subject matter, there were parts where I busted out in laughter. I felt the fear of hiding so that I could keep my life. While being Black in America is still scary, I am glad someone was willing to try to give us a perspective from a turning of the tables. My heart went out to Willie. He kept getting sucker punched by revelation. Just read the book and formulate your own opinion.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

**I received an ARC of this book from my local bookstore in exchange for a review.**

After a revolt in 1846 reversed the roles of slaves and masters, America is now dominated by wealthy blacks and whites are dealing with decades of oppression and prejudice.

Willie Gibbons' father, a Civil Rights attorney is killed after defending a white man, and Willie goes to Michigan to live with his uncle, right in the heart of the racial divide. Willie comes from a rich family, where he is used to get everything he wants. He is also a drug addict, taking prescription pills regularly.

As Willie searches for his father's killer he ends up on the wrong side of The Crown, a Black supremacist group, a scary group for both blacks and whites.

This novel examines issues of class and race in ways that are often uncomfortable, but necessary. This isn't an easy read, and Sirls does that intentionally, as he portrays a very stark look at an alternate America.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Crown Lord is a well written book that shows how racism and hate can consume a society and one young man’s realization that people should be treated as equals regardless of their skin color. Willie Gibbons is a 17 year old whose world only revolves around himself and the wealthy life he was born into. When his father dies, he goes to live with his uncle and his uncle’s servants, Nancy, who is a different race than Willie, and her bi-racial son, Joseph. At first Willie scorns and exhibits racism to Joseph but after time, he learns that he can be friends and care about someone of another race. While trying to learn how his father died, Willie discovers the truth about Joseph and he does everything in his power to protect him from the hate and evil that Willie until just recently had embraced but now fears and loathes. I received a free copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Goodreads for providing me with my copy of this book. Take everything that you know about race and society and reverse it! Now, black is white and white is black. The black people are the privileged class and enjoy the best that life offers. They look down on the whites whom they call "pinkies." These are the people who live in squalor in the white ghetto and have to scrabble to earn any money. Instead of the KKK, the blacks have the Crown where they have secret meetings and terrorize those who do not follow the rules. Willie, the protagonist, has lost his father and ends up staying with his uncle up north. His character evolves from being a spoiled wealthy teenager to a caring young adult who wants to right the wrongs he finds here. Very well written. It was difficult to put this book down. A solid 4 stars!

[Sonya Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Sirls also wrote "The Reason" which is one of the best books I have read. I could not put it down and have reread it again not long ago. "The Crown Lord" is a totally different type of story, but very thought provoking. Definitely makes you look at things in a different light! I would recommend this book to anyone as it makes you question society and our part in how we look at others. We are all God's people and we all need to love one another. The language in this can get a little rough but it is not meant to be a sugar coated story, rather an honest look at a turnabout in who are the privileged and who aren't.

[Kirk Weikart · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1846, a slave rebellion occurred, and modern day America has blacks in power and whites impoverished. Racism is reversed, and The Crown is the equivalent of the KKK.

The book's premise is fascinating and the plot is well developed and consistent with the premise. The author does a good job capturing the tensions between the races, collectively and individually.

My main complaint is the swearing is excessive. Arguably it adds context to the characters and the roles they play in their community, but even taking that into account I found it excessive.

[Christi M · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT book! I did have to keep reminding myself over and over of the reversal in races, which is a sad realization that shows just how rooted the white-vs.-black issue is. With the uptick in racism in recent years thanks to far-right extremists, this book should be required reading.

*If anyone notices the length of time it took to read the book, it's misleading. I moved shortly after getting this book and it got lost in unpacked boxes. Found it a couple days ago and was able to rejoin the enthralling read.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read from author William Sirls and I was pleasantly surprised. This book was quite the intriguing story. The kind of novel that makes you think and rethink as you turn each page. Well written with good characters and good development. This book makes me wonder what the other thinks about other topics. I won this book courtesy of the author and goodreads.com and agreed to give an honest review.

[Ben Haskett]

Bought at a local bookstore from the 50%-off shelf. Picked it up on a whim without checking the reviews or the summary -- basically a blind grab. (I asked if any of the books were sci-fi, and the owner pointed to this book.) Now that I've read the summary, I am feeling a bit of buyer's remorse. Alternative history is hit-or-miss with me anyway, and... man. That premise. It's certainly ambitious! I don't have high hopes for this, but will at least give it 30 or 40 pages at some point.

[Robert Conder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I strongly recommend this book. You will not put it down when you start reading. Excellent book and well written. It gives us the opportunity to walk in another person’s shoes. Hopefully, we can learn that we are all children of God and we must love one another. It was published at the perfect time with all that is taking place today.

[Melanie Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This started out as a standard pre-civil war era period book. However, very early on in the book it took an interesting twist. I really enjoyed the bizarro world type of story line and the role reversal. It really made am impact on the way I personally relate to the world. I think this is an amazing read and will definitely have it on my re-read shelf.

[Franchesca · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the surface this is a story about race and how, no matter the color of our skin or what we look like on the outside, we are all human. But it's so much more than that. It's a coming of age tale, a murder mystery, a love story....fast-paced and thought-provoking. Interesting perspective. I won this in a Goodreads giveaway and am glad I did. Definitely a worthwhile read.

[Cindy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met the author at a book signing at Barnes and Noble. This normally isn't my kind of book but after listening to him talk about why he wrote it, I figured I would give it a try. About halfway through I couldn't put it down.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the concept behind the book of what would happen if the slavery had been swapped. Sure not everything would be the same as it is now with tech and world history like it was in the book, but I really enjoyed reading it and would recommend it.

[Le Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an alternative history where black and white status in society is reversed. Unfortunately, the outcome is the same as real history; one class (blacks) suppresses the other (whites). I was hoping for an "alternative" outcome.

[Csimplot Simplot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

[Alaina Maxam · Rating 3 out of 5]

THIS WAS A WELL WRITTEN BOOK. JUST A LITTLE HARD TO READ. BUT WWELL WORTH IT

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway.
A bit disturbing but I did like the book.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down at all!

[Faith 09 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was definitely an interesting read.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I could get through this book but I did. The ending was a surprise. Good read.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved the concept of the book itself, but 3 stars due the crudeness at times that almost seemed unnecessary.