What do you think?
Rate this book
The Dreambird Chronicles #1
The Freedom Race
The Freedom Race, Lucinda Roy’s explosive first foray into speculative fiction, is a poignant blend of subjugation, resistance, and hope.
In the aftermath of a cataclysmic civil war known as the Sequel, ideological divisions among the states have hardened. In the Homestead Territories, an alliance of plantation-inspired holdings, Black labor is imported from the Cradle, and Biracial “Muleseeds” are bred.
Raised in captivity on Planting 437, kitchen-seed Jellybean “Ji-ji” Lottermule knows there is only one way fto escape. She must enter the annual Freedom Race as a runner.
Ji-ji and her friends must exhume a survival story rooted in the collective memory of a kidnapped people and conjure the voices of the dead to light their way home.
In the aftermath of a cataclysmic civil war known as the Sequel, ideological divisions among the states have hardened. In the Homestead Territories, an alliance of plantation-inspired holdings, Black labor is imported from the Cradle, and Biracial “Muleseeds” are bred.
Raised in captivity on Planting 437, kitchen-seed Jellybean “Ji-ji” Lottermule knows there is only one way fto escape. She must enter the annual Freedom Race as a runner.
Ji-ji and her friends must exhume a survival story rooted in the collective memory of a kidnapped people and conjure the voices of the dead to light their way home.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published July 13, 2021
22 people are currently reading
1870 people want to read
About the author
Lucinda Roy
14 books49 followersLucinda Roy is an award-winning novelist, poet, and memoirist and author of the speculative slave narrative novel trilogy entitled THE DREAMBIRD CHRONICLES (Tor Books/Macmillan). THE FREEDOM RACE, the first novel in the trilogy, was published in July 2021. FLYING THE COOP, the second novel in the series, is out in July 2022.
Lucinda Roy, Alumni Distinguished Professor in Creative Writing at Virginia Tech gives keynotes and addresses on race and racism, creative writing, education, and campus safety. One of the most pervasive refrains in her writing and painting is slavery and the miracles that accompanied it--survival and the ability to translate suffering into something rich and rare and strange.
Born in the U.K. in Battersea, South London to Namba Roy, Jamaican writer, artist, and factory worker, and Yvonne Roy, an English actor and teacher, Lucinda Roy has lived and taught in the U.S., the U.K., and West Africa.
Her first two novels Lady Moses, a Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers Selection, and Hotel Alleluia were published by HarperCollins. In 1995, Roy's poetry collection, The Hummingbirds, was selected by Lucille Clifton as the winner of the Eighth Mountain Poetry Prize. Her most recent poetry collection Fabric(Willow Books) appeared in 2017. She won the Baxter Hathaway Poetry Prize for her long slave narrative poem "Needlework."
In 2009, following the mass shootings at Virginia Tech, her memoir-critique NO RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT: WHAT WE'VE LEARNED FROM THE TRAGEDY AT VIRGINIA TECH was published by Random House.
She has appeared on many television, radio, and online venues, and her prose and poetry have been published in numerous magazines and journals. Professor Roy is working on the third novel in THE DREAMBIRD CHRONICLES series, an illustrated children's book, and, as time permits, a series of oil paintings depicting the Middle Passage. She lives with her husband in Blacksburg and teaches in the undergraduate and graduate creative writing programs at Virginia Tech.
Lucinda Roy, Alumni Distinguished Professor in Creative Writing at Virginia Tech gives keynotes and addresses on race and racism, creative writing, education, and campus safety. One of the most pervasive refrains in her writing and painting is slavery and the miracles that accompanied it--survival and the ability to translate suffering into something rich and rare and strange.
Born in the U.K. in Battersea, South London to Namba Roy, Jamaican writer, artist, and factory worker, and Yvonne Roy, an English actor and teacher, Lucinda Roy has lived and taught in the U.S., the U.K., and West Africa.
Her first two novels Lady Moses, a Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers Selection, and Hotel Alleluia were published by HarperCollins. In 1995, Roy's poetry collection, The Hummingbirds, was selected by Lucille Clifton as the winner of the Eighth Mountain Poetry Prize. Her most recent poetry collection Fabric(Willow Books) appeared in 2017. She won the Baxter Hathaway Poetry Prize for her long slave narrative poem "Needlework."
In 2009, following the mass shootings at Virginia Tech, her memoir-critique NO RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT: WHAT WE'VE LEARNED FROM THE TRAGEDY AT VIRGINIA TECH was published by Random House.
She has appeared on many television, radio, and online venues, and her prose and poetry have been published in numerous magazines and journals. Professor Roy is working on the third novel in THE DREAMBIRD CHRONICLES series, an illustrated children's book, and, as time permits, a series of oil paintings depicting the Middle Passage. She lives with her husband in Blacksburg and teaches in the undergraduate and graduate creative writing programs at Virginia Tech.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 23, 2021
The Freedom Race
by Lucinda Roy
Macmillan-Tor/Forge
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this cautionary tale. It may not be too far fetched as it seems! First, a warning about this book. It includes suggestions of mass rape, attempted rape, lynching, violence, slavery, and murder, even of babies. I didn't know this going in.
This book is when the US has had another Civil War and now it is the divided into three parts. One section is called the Territories and that's where they have slavery. Guess where that's located? South? Bingo! Only the owner of the slaves can impregnate the women. No other men can. The young are called seeds, or seedlings. When young, the color of the babies skin is measured on a chart. The darker the color, the worse the job.
Around the Territories there are bounty hunters that kill or capture any runaway. The bounty hunters have the mental attitude that the Proud Boys do now. Not good for anyone even if they are free and black. Or white with a black person. Cruelty seems to be their forte.
There are also hybrid people from the radiation fallout. The mutations that manage to live hide in the forests but bounty hunters look for them.
The story is based around one girl, a teen, that wants to win the race and be free. She has a boyfriend too. They both want to run the Freedom Race to become free but things don't go exactly as planned.
It's extremely suspenseful, depressing, odd at times, and ends strange. Maybe getting ready for book two? I did enjoy it regardless of the horror. I think the author may be looking at a future if our government doesn't save our democracy from the far right. Isn't this what they have been trying to do? It's certainly a wake up call!
by Lucinda Roy
Macmillan-Tor/Forge
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this cautionary tale. It may not be too far fetched as it seems! First, a warning about this book. It includes suggestions of mass rape, attempted rape, lynching, violence, slavery, and murder, even of babies. I didn't know this going in.
This book is when the US has had another Civil War and now it is the divided into three parts. One section is called the Territories and that's where they have slavery. Guess where that's located? South? Bingo! Only the owner of the slaves can impregnate the women. No other men can. The young are called seeds, or seedlings. When young, the color of the babies skin is measured on a chart. The darker the color, the worse the job.
Around the Territories there are bounty hunters that kill or capture any runaway. The bounty hunters have the mental attitude that the Proud Boys do now. Not good for anyone even if they are free and black. Or white with a black person. Cruelty seems to be their forte.
There are also hybrid people from the radiation fallout. The mutations that manage to live hide in the forests but bounty hunters look for them.
The story is based around one girl, a teen, that wants to win the race and be free. She has a boyfriend too. They both want to run the Freedom Race to become free but things don't go exactly as planned.
It's extremely suspenseful, depressing, odd at times, and ends strange. Maybe getting ready for book two? I did enjoy it regardless of the horror. I think the author may be looking at a future if our government doesn't save our democracy from the far right. Isn't this what they have been trying to do? It's certainly a wake up call!
August 10, 2021
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I'll admit that after I got The Freedom Race I was pretty excited to dive into. Heck, I was even more excited when I got a buddy to read along with. Even though I'm a smidge late to the buddy read, I honestly wasn't expecting what all went down.. to actually go down.
Now I might sound like a broken record with that statement but some of what happened just left me in shock. Not awe - shock. It hurt that children in this world would first be thankful for not being raped and then immediately jump to being lucky.
Unraped.
Lucky.
On top of all that, we have the lovely racism, slavery, and cruelty to deal with. It shouldn't be a surprise that this book is set in the south. What did surprise me was a couple of other things. For example, women can only be impregnated by their owners - no one else. Babies, of all skin types, are measured and then given a job. Measured how? Oh by the color of the skin.
Guess who gets the better jobs?
There was also this moment where our main character, Ji-Ji, was called a mule by a man and I just wanted to throat punch him. If I was in her position I probably would have committed the deed and stated that I was an actual person and not a mule. That's mostly because I'm a very stubborn and hot-headed person to begin with. I would also probably not survive in this world either.
I guess, in the end, I just have one question for you guys. How far would you run? Me? I hate running but I would knees to chest in this book and be the Forest Gump of the Freedom Race. Even if shit hit the fan and nothing made sense anymore.. I would just run. Far away from this horrible place.
I'll admit that after I got The Freedom Race I was pretty excited to dive into. Heck, I was even more excited when I got a buddy to read along with. Even though I'm a smidge late to the buddy read, I honestly wasn't expecting what all went down.. to actually go down.
Now I might sound like a broken record with that statement but some of what happened just left me in shock. Not awe - shock. It hurt that children in this world would first be thankful for not being raped and then immediately jump to being lucky.
Unraped.
Lucky.
On top of all that, we have the lovely racism, slavery, and cruelty to deal with. It shouldn't be a surprise that this book is set in the south. What did surprise me was a couple of other things. For example, women can only be impregnated by their owners - no one else. Babies, of all skin types, are measured and then given a job. Measured how? Oh by the color of the skin.
Guess who gets the better jobs?
There was also this moment where our main character, Ji-Ji, was called a mule by a man and I just wanted to throat punch him. If I was in her position I probably would have committed the deed and stated that I was an actual person and not a mule. That's mostly because I'm a very stubborn and hot-headed person to begin with. I would also probably not survive in this world either.
I guess, in the end, I just have one question for you guys. How far would you run? Me? I hate running but I would knees to chest in this book and be the Forest Gump of the Freedom Race. Even if shit hit the fan and nothing made sense anymore.. I would just run. Far away from this horrible place.
April 30, 2021
3.75/5 stars
The Freedom Race by Lucinda Roy is the story of a girl, Ji,-Ji who wants nothing more to enter the freedom race and petition for the freedom of her love ones.
This is a good book. A smart book. A carefully designed book. The world-building is meticulous and literary. This is the type of book I imagine being assigned for an upper level African American literature college class. This is not an easy read, or a beach read. This is a book you need to digest slowly. This is a book that can be studied.
Right out of the gate I was in enraptured by the tales of the Toteppi people, the stories from the Cradle-- Africa.
Despite this being speculative fiction I thought this was a good alternative to traditional slave narratives to study the way people are manipulated, controlled and brainwashed in a system of slavery. However, this "slave narritive," is not like those that have come before it. This is a story of resilience and how people can endure and carry on while experiencing trauma--all the while holding on to hope.
I enjoyed the magical realism in this story and it felt like a nod to traditional African spirituality.
This story contains all the horrors of slavery, so readers beware of possible triggers. I endured them and this book made me cry, multiple times.
The book could have been more succinct. I struggled during longer parts of exposition where the narrator would have Ji Ji mentally review the history of her world. Some parts were important to the story, others, weren't. These parts were tedious to read. I wonder if Roy wrote book from multiple perspectives if she could have conveyed more detail in fewer pages.
Despite those criticisms, I still enjoyed the story.
I recommend this book to people enjoy a commentary on social and political systems, detailed world-building, and a moderately paced narrative.
The Freedom Race by Lucinda Roy is the story of a girl, Ji,-Ji who wants nothing more to enter the freedom race and petition for the freedom of her love ones.
This is a good book. A smart book. A carefully designed book. The world-building is meticulous and literary. This is the type of book I imagine being assigned for an upper level African American literature college class. This is not an easy read, or a beach read. This is a book you need to digest slowly. This is a book that can be studied.
Right out of the gate I was in enraptured by the tales of the Toteppi people, the stories from the Cradle-- Africa.
Despite this being speculative fiction I thought this was a good alternative to traditional slave narratives to study the way people are manipulated, controlled and brainwashed in a system of slavery. However, this "slave narritive," is not like those that have come before it. This is a story of resilience and how people can endure and carry on while experiencing trauma--all the while holding on to hope.
I enjoyed the magical realism in this story and it felt like a nod to traditional African spirituality.
This story contains all the horrors of slavery, so readers beware of possible triggers. I endured them and this book made me cry, multiple times.
The book could have been more succinct. I struggled during longer parts of exposition where the narrator would have Ji Ji mentally review the history of her world. Some parts were important to the story, others, weren't. These parts were tedious to read. I wonder if Roy wrote book from multiple perspectives if she could have conveyed more detail in fewer pages.
Despite those criticisms, I still enjoyed the story.
I recommend this book to people enjoy a commentary on social and political systems, detailed world-building, and a moderately paced narrative.
July 5, 2022
I was sent this book and the sequel, which comes out tomorrow! (July 5, 2022) When I read the synopsis, this one felt like so many fantasy / speculative fiction works out there. I've read quite a few of them. But, I've requested oh so many books from Tor just for my hopes to be dashed. So, I'm doing this!!!
But, no, this wasn't at all like those other post apocalyptic or speculative fiction works, though I can definitely see nods and influence. This one blew that out of the water. Also, with the current situation in the US, it felt so very possible and near. It took many more spoons than I expected and more than speculative fiction normally requires.
First - all the content warnings. Enslavement is brutal. This dystopian version carries many of the same - rape, forced birth, mutilation, family separation, violence of every kind imaginable: beatings, torture, lynching, fire, scientific experimentation (currently off screen), burning, sexism, racism, homophobic violence, anti-semitism, I'm sure I'm still missing some...
This is the way the Hunger Games would actually happen in the US. In the wake of climate catastrophe, the people on the east and west coasts get way over dealing with the conservatives in the red states. So, America splits in three after The Sequel (Civil War 2). Business and trade continue as usual, so why not benefit from the horrid policies that the former red states immediately enact to fulfill their religious and social agendas.
There is, of course, an immediate flood of refugees. The formerly "liberal" spaces embrace conservative foreign policies that happen in the face of such a flood of humanity. As someone fighting bigotry as I can in Missouri, and who teaches US history I recognize the overt lack of freedom in one space and the covert lack of freedom in the other. Yet, I can't dream of a scenario of being financially able to live in a blue state, so would have few options in this new land. There are parts of the Freedom Race that literally gave me panic attacks and others that come with such a weight of sadness. Because you know the reality of the things that Ji Ji must put blind hope in.
The payoff is very worth it. The characters are amazing. Science and faith and magic seamlessly interwoven. It tied up a little neatly at the end, but I'm hopeful the next installment will complicate the semblance of simplicity.
This review is somewhat rougher than my average. This is because I want to jump into the next book to see where this ride is going! Dare I hope for this world??
But, no, this wasn't at all like those other post apocalyptic or speculative fiction works, though I can definitely see nods and influence. This one blew that out of the water. Also, with the current situation in the US, it felt so very possible and near. It took many more spoons than I expected and more than speculative fiction normally requires.
First - all the content warnings. Enslavement is brutal. This dystopian version carries many of the same - rape, forced birth, mutilation, family separation, violence of every kind imaginable: beatings, torture, lynching, fire, scientific experimentation (currently off screen), burning, sexism, racism, homophobic violence, anti-semitism, I'm sure I'm still missing some...
This is the way the Hunger Games would actually happen in the US. In the wake of climate catastrophe, the people on the east and west coasts get way over dealing with the conservatives in the red states. So, America splits in three after The Sequel (Civil War 2). Business and trade continue as usual, so why not benefit from the horrid policies that the former red states immediately enact to fulfill their religious and social agendas.
There is, of course, an immediate flood of refugees. The formerly "liberal" spaces embrace conservative foreign policies that happen in the face of such a flood of humanity. As someone fighting bigotry as I can in Missouri, and who teaches US history I recognize the overt lack of freedom in one space and the covert lack of freedom in the other. Yet, I can't dream of a scenario of being financially able to live in a blue state, so would have few options in this new land. There are parts of the Freedom Race that literally gave me panic attacks and others that come with such a weight of sadness. Because you know the reality of the things that Ji Ji must put blind hope in.
The payoff is very worth it. The characters are amazing. Science and faith and magic seamlessly interwoven. It tied up a little neatly at the end, but I'm hopeful the next installment will complicate the semblance of simplicity.
This review is somewhat rougher than my average. This is because I want to jump into the next book to see where this ride is going! Dare I hope for this world??
May 17, 2021
First and foremost this The Freedom Race is a work of speculative fiction which is a genre I dabble in at best. So take my review as such.
Second I will say outright that this book is not one I would’ve sought out on my own based on the premise alone. This book is set in the future United States which has split into several regions with their own governments and the region in which this story takes place has reintroduced slavery (including the slave trade). And the story follows the path of one enslaved girl JiJi. So one of the main questions this book speculates on is what if slavery were to happen again in the US after a second civil war. If that is a question you’re willing to dig into and contemplate in a dystopian future then this book would be for you.
Things I liked about the book:
Once JiJi is off the homestead I enjoyed the story more. I liked getting a better glimpse of how the new world functioned and how they people had learned to thrive in those circumstances. I also was intrigued by the magic/science aspects. The introduction of the Toteppi’s origin stories and magic and how they interweaves with JiJi’s destiny was what kept me reading the story. As a mostly SFF reader those aspects that reflected SFF were what kept me engaged in the book.
Things I struggled with:
The farm based jargon and world building were a bit much at the beginning. Everything makes sense, but personally I think the story would’ve been just as strong with fewer new word combinations.
I also thought the first half on the homestead could’ve been more concise to keep the story moving along.
And as previously mentioned the premise of the book based on a reintroduction of slavery. And as this is the thesis of the book all content warnings are applicable.
CW: any and all aspects related to slavery including but not limited to lynching, rape, violence, death, abuse, graphic descriptions. Also death of loved ones, death in childbirth, body horror.
Overall while I didn’t love this book I thought it had intriguing aspects. Would recommend to those who are able to handle the content of the book and enjoy a speculative look at a dystopian future.
Second I will say outright that this book is not one I would’ve sought out on my own based on the premise alone. This book is set in the future United States which has split into several regions with their own governments and the region in which this story takes place has reintroduced slavery (including the slave trade). And the story follows the path of one enslaved girl JiJi. So one of the main questions this book speculates on is what if slavery were to happen again in the US after a second civil war. If that is a question you’re willing to dig into and contemplate in a dystopian future then this book would be for you.
Things I liked about the book:
Once JiJi is off the homestead I enjoyed the story more. I liked getting a better glimpse of how the new world functioned and how they people had learned to thrive in those circumstances. I also was intrigued by the magic/science aspects. The introduction of the Toteppi’s origin stories and magic and how they interweaves with JiJi’s destiny was what kept me reading the story. As a mostly SFF reader those aspects that reflected SFF were what kept me engaged in the book.
Things I struggled with:
The farm based jargon and world building were a bit much at the beginning. Everything makes sense, but personally I think the story would’ve been just as strong with fewer new word combinations.
I also thought the first half on the homestead could’ve been more concise to keep the story moving along.
And as previously mentioned the premise of the book based on a reintroduction of slavery. And as this is the thesis of the book all content warnings are applicable.
CW: any and all aspects related to slavery including but not limited to lynching, rape, violence, death, abuse, graphic descriptions. Also death of loved ones, death in childbirth, body horror.
Overall while I didn’t love this book I thought it had intriguing aspects. Would recommend to those who are able to handle the content of the book and enjoy a speculative look at a dystopian future.
July 28, 2021
This book will destroy you. It is very uncomfortable to read and that is the point. The base history of this story is what would have happened if the insurrection had truly succeeded. The United States has splintered and territories have reverted back to slavery where shades of skin tones can determine your lot in life. This dystopian tale is one of horror and hope. The country, now split into basically what the South would like to be, the Territories roamed by bounty hunters that make the Proud Boys look like Boy Scouts and an area where people have mutated because of radiation.
Ji Ji (JellyBean Lottermule) tries to win freedom in a race. The whole thing has a Hunger Games vibe. Ji Ji is a teen who strives for more. This really isn’t young adult material though the main character has some of the same themes. She is very likable and it will be interesting to see how she develops and survives to live another day. She loves to read and manages to work in some of her favorite quotes. Since this is the opening book of a trilogy, there is some worldbuilding and language to get used to.
Ji Ji (JellyBean Lottermule) tries to win freedom in a race. The whole thing has a Hunger Games vibe. Ji Ji is a teen who strives for more. This really isn’t young adult material though the main character has some of the same themes. She is very likable and it will be interesting to see how she develops and survives to live another day. She loves to read and manages to work in some of her favorite quotes. Since this is the opening book of a trilogy, there is some worldbuilding and language to get used to.
July 21, 2021
*Won a free ARC through Goodreads Giveaway
I had hoped to finish this book before it's publish date but it was so very hard to read.
It took me so long to get into it and to adjust to the terms and pattern it was written in. It was a lot of slang and weird words that throws you off.
I constantly had to go back, reread and try and understand.
The beginning of the book just jumps into all of this information but it doesn't truly get explained until the middle. It reads like you should know this information but it's a new world/new book so how could you. The maps aren't much help at the beginning either and you don't really get the history in a full picture way.
There is so much going on but it's also like you're not seeing anything. Like you hear what's going on behind you but can't turn around to actually see.
I liked Jiji but I think my actual favourite was Afara. She's the most kind and loyal friend imaginable. And despite the awful way she is treated she remains that way. I just want to keep her safe...
The concept is super interesting. Which is why I forced myself to continue. I wanted to know but it was incredibly painful to get there.
I boosted the rating because it got so interesting once they left the planting. Meeting the Friends and actually figuring out what was going on all along was a relief. It actually got really good and I read the end half a lot faster than the first.
I feel like book two will be way better than the first...
I had hoped to finish this book before it's publish date but it was so very hard to read.
It took me so long to get into it and to adjust to the terms and pattern it was written in. It was a lot of slang and weird words that throws you off.
I constantly had to go back, reread and try and understand.
The beginning of the book just jumps into all of this information but it doesn't truly get explained until the middle. It reads like you should know this information but it's a new world/new book so how could you. The maps aren't much help at the beginning either and you don't really get the history in a full picture way.
There is so much going on but it's also like you're not seeing anything. Like you hear what's going on behind you but can't turn around to actually see.
I liked Jiji but I think my actual favourite was Afara. She's the most kind and loyal friend imaginable. And despite the awful way she is treated she remains that way. I just want to keep her safe...
The concept is super interesting. Which is why I forced myself to continue. I wanted to know but it was incredibly painful to get there.
I boosted the rating because it got so interesting once they left the planting. Meeting the Friends and actually figuring out what was going on all along was a relief. It actually got really good and I read the end half a lot faster than the first.
I feel like book two will be way better than the first...
May 3, 2021
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞 is the first book in 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬, a speculative fiction series by Lucinda Roy! This was a mind-boggling novel that I still haven’t quite processed, so for now I’ll just say that reading this book was a very unique experience and that I commend the mind that came up with it. Many many thanks to @torbooks and @b2weird book club for providing me with an ARC of this spectacular book!
Here are some quotes that I loved:
> "Unanswered yearning can split you wide open, force you to spend the rest of your life searching for foolish ways to plug up the world."
> "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, bound in a single quilt of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
> "She would proclaim her love for him and use the one weapon she had left--words."
> "My miserable path does not have to be yours. What good has it done me to play by men's rules all these years?"
> "Black, brown, and white flocking together! Heads of midnight, heads of earthlight, heads of moonlight!"
Follow me on bookstagram (@hoardingbooks.herdingcats) and book Twitter (@hoardingbooksHC)!
Here are some quotes that I loved:
> "Unanswered yearning can split you wide open, force you to spend the rest of your life searching for foolish ways to plug up the world."
> "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, bound in a single quilt of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
> "She would proclaim her love for him and use the one weapon she had left--words."
> "My miserable path does not have to be yours. What good has it done me to play by men's rules all these years?"
> "Black, brown, and white flocking together! Heads of midnight, heads of earthlight, heads of moonlight!"
Follow me on bookstagram (@hoardingbooks.herdingcats) and book Twitter (@hoardingbooksHC)!
July 8, 2021
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
**TW: I wish there was an official CW/TW because I know I am not going to cover it all, but this is a book dealing with slavery, and it's brutal, as slavery is. Rape, violence, murder, it runs the gamut.
Whew, so, with that said, this one is not an easy read, as you can imagine. But I also left the book feeling a level of hope I hadn't expected, so if you can handle the subject matter, I highly recommend. The story follows Ji-ji, a young woman who is living in slavery with her mother, and trying to prevent yet another sibling from being taken from them. Her story to this point is beyond devastating, and I had a really hard time, especially with the deaths (and assumed deaths) of young children. And it isn't only Ji-ji who's lost people, of course. Every last person at her "Planting" has lost, has suffered, continues to lose and suffer. Especially in the first part of the book, you will see some of the darkest behavior of mankind. My heart broke for Ji-ji and the others over, and over, and over.
But Ji-ji is a powerhouse. She possesses a strength that, frankly, she should not have to possess, but the world she lives in insisted on it. She wants her freedom, but she also wants freedom for as many loved ones as she can possibly free. She knows her best way to do this is the titular Freedom Race, so she pretty much garners strength from this hope, this one chance.
I won't spoil anything (because I really think you should read this book, have I mentioned that? Just kidding I know I have), but obviously there are hurdles to overcome. Many, frankly. And I enjoyed so many of the characters that Ji-ji meets as we journey with her. That even in the darkest, bleakest hours, there are still glimpses of the beauty of humanity.
I also really found the world building to be spectacular- mostly in its realism. I mean, we all can certainly see the south and midwest thinking this is a fabulous idea, that isn't much of a stretch. But what struck me is how realistic the "free" places are too- sure, Ji-ji might be able to live in the North, maybe even live free... but they're sure not going to go out of their way to help. The whole aspect of this being a second civil war is, frankly, all to plausible. The evilness, hate, hypocrisy, and selfishness of the wealthy white man is on full display here, and again, it isn't exactly a stretch. And isn't that the most appalling part? That this could, terrifyingly easily, become reality? That there are those who would make this a reality instead of being as horrified as we, the reader are? This is to say, there is a certain thought provoking quality to this book that haunted me throughout.
And I think it's important to keep those feelings in your mind as you read this story, read Ji-ji's story. As you fall in love with her, her friends (both old and new), and cheer for them to find their way to freedom. The story also incorporates some incredible magical realism (and I say this as someone who can be quite picky about that) that works so well with the story.
I'll end with this: I have seen some reviews that find the idea of the Freedom Race itself to be unbelievable, in a whole "but why would these terrible slave owners let anyone attempt to leave?", which is a valid question. But, the truth is, dangled miniscule hope is probably one of the best, if not the best motivator for them. Sure, maybe you lose someone every once in awhile, but to have an added power to dangle over everyone's heads? Probably worth it to these monsters, the whole "hope is the only thing stronger than fear" adage. (Thanks for the quote, President Snow, speaking of atrocious old white guys who were fine with killing kids.)
Bottom Line: Is The Freedom Race going to make your heart ache? It certainly is. But is it also going to make you feel hopeful and uplifted? You bet it will.
**TW: I wish there was an official CW/TW because I know I am not going to cover it all, but this is a book dealing with slavery, and it's brutal, as slavery is. Rape, violence, murder, it runs the gamut.
Whew, so, with that said, this one is not an easy read, as you can imagine. But I also left the book feeling a level of hope I hadn't expected, so if you can handle the subject matter, I highly recommend. The story follows Ji-ji, a young woman who is living in slavery with her mother, and trying to prevent yet another sibling from being taken from them. Her story to this point is beyond devastating, and I had a really hard time, especially with the deaths (and assumed deaths) of young children. And it isn't only Ji-ji who's lost people, of course. Every last person at her "Planting" has lost, has suffered, continues to lose and suffer. Especially in the first part of the book, you will see some of the darkest behavior of mankind. My heart broke for Ji-ji and the others over, and over, and over.
But Ji-ji is a powerhouse. She possesses a strength that, frankly, she should not have to possess, but the world she lives in insisted on it. She wants her freedom, but she also wants freedom for as many loved ones as she can possibly free. She knows her best way to do this is the titular Freedom Race, so she pretty much garners strength from this hope, this one chance.
I won't spoil anything (because I really think you should read this book, have I mentioned that? Just kidding I know I have), but obviously there are hurdles to overcome. Many, frankly. And I enjoyed so many of the characters that Ji-ji meets as we journey with her. That even in the darkest, bleakest hours, there are still glimpses of the beauty of humanity.
I also really found the world building to be spectacular- mostly in its realism. I mean, we all can certainly see the south and midwest thinking this is a fabulous idea, that isn't much of a stretch. But what struck me is how realistic the "free" places are too- sure, Ji-ji might be able to live in the North, maybe even live free... but they're sure not going to go out of their way to help. The whole aspect of this being a second civil war is, frankly, all to plausible. The evilness, hate, hypocrisy, and selfishness of the wealthy white man is on full display here, and again, it isn't exactly a stretch. And isn't that the most appalling part? That this could, terrifyingly easily, become reality? That there are those who would make this a reality instead of being as horrified as we, the reader are? This is to say, there is a certain thought provoking quality to this book that haunted me throughout.
And I think it's important to keep those feelings in your mind as you read this story, read Ji-ji's story. As you fall in love with her, her friends (both old and new), and cheer for them to find their way to freedom. The story also incorporates some incredible magical realism (and I say this as someone who can be quite picky about that) that works so well with the story.
I'll end with this: I have seen some reviews that find the idea of the Freedom Race itself to be unbelievable, in a whole "but why would these terrible slave owners let anyone attempt to leave?", which is a valid question. But, the truth is, dangled miniscule hope is probably one of the best, if not the best motivator for them. Sure, maybe you lose someone every once in awhile, but to have an added power to dangle over everyone's heads? Probably worth it to these monsters, the whole "hope is the only thing stronger than fear" adage. (Thanks for the quote, President Snow, speaking of atrocious old white guys who were fine with killing kids.)
Bottom Line: Is The Freedom Race going to make your heart ache? It certainly is. But is it also going to make you feel hopeful and uplifted? You bet it will.
August 2, 2021
The Freedom Race is the first novel in Lucinda Roy's The Dreambird Chronicles series, and it is a series like no other. It blends science fiction fantasy with dystopian elements, and it does so flawlessly. Better yet, it has a poignant message written into the narrative, which makes it all the more powerful in my book.
The country has been torn apart by another civil war. Following the aftermath, it split into two factions. On one side, there's the Homestead Territories. This is the side that believes in the right to slavery and is the side nobody would want to see win the war.
Ji-ji was born on this side, and all she has ever wanted was a way to escape the only world she's ever known. The only way to do that is to enter – and win – the annual Freedom Race.
Wow. If you're looking for a book that hits hard and doesn't pull punches, look no further. The Freedom Race is unafraid of who and what it is – and it shows. This is a novel that merges dystopia with slavery, showcasing the brutal world that would stem from it.
To say that it was a horrifying read would be an understatement. Yet, I found myself loving Ji-ji's character. It's impossible not to root for her. She's a light that shines so bright amidst all of the horrible actions around her.
I should mention that if ever there was a book that needed trigger warnings, it would be this one. When I say that there are brutal examples of slavery – I mean it. There are also scenes depicting rape, lots of violence, and so much more. This is not a light read by any means, but as long as you know that going into it I can see readers appreciating the message.
Thanks to Tor Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks>
The country has been torn apart by another civil war. Following the aftermath, it split into two factions. On one side, there's the Homestead Territories. This is the side that believes in the right to slavery and is the side nobody would want to see win the war.
Ji-ji was born on this side, and all she has ever wanted was a way to escape the only world she's ever known. The only way to do that is to enter – and win – the annual Freedom Race.
Wow. If you're looking for a book that hits hard and doesn't pull punches, look no further. The Freedom Race is unafraid of who and what it is – and it shows. This is a novel that merges dystopia with slavery, showcasing the brutal world that would stem from it.
To say that it was a horrifying read would be an understatement. Yet, I found myself loving Ji-ji's character. It's impossible not to root for her. She's a light that shines so bright amidst all of the horrible actions around her.
I should mention that if ever there was a book that needed trigger warnings, it would be this one. When I say that there are brutal examples of slavery – I mean it. There are also scenes depicting rape, lots of violence, and so much more. This is not a light read by any means, but as long as you know that going into it I can see readers appreciating the message.
Thanks to Tor Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks>
April 27, 2021
This book is set in a future world, where the United States has devolved into a second slavery system the in aftermath of climate disasters and a second Civil War. Ji-ji, born, raised, and enslaved on a Homestead Territory, is a runner. And so against all odds, she trains for the Freedom Race that is her only opportunity to escape captivity and future forced marriage and rape, to help her family and friends, and to unfurl the hidden potential and identity within her.
This brutal world has been meticulously designed. The author takes the current divide in the United States and pushes it even further and combines it with the aftermath of a climate driven destruction of society as we know it. It's not a return to slavery, but a new wave of slavery with the construction of a new class system that ultimately adds more layers at the bottom taking away peoples' personhoods. Every character and every story within this book is to give definition to this world and together they give it a reality that makes it seem brutally and devastatingly conceivable. But, warning, its hard to read.
Within this world is Ji-ji's story of striving for escape, a budding rebellion, and mysterious histories about different species of human built to fly. While the world is so well-built, and each character serves a purpose for that world building, the story itself falls by the wayside. It becomes confusing and there are too many questions left unanswered. In this book, it's possible that writing from multiple points of view would have helped with clarity and potential cut down the length to get a tighter story. The world is fully-fleshed out, but it likely doesn't need to be for the reader to get the flavor of the world and get invested in Ji-ji's journey. While I can't say that I enjoyed it, I am glad that I read this.
This brutal world has been meticulously designed. The author takes the current divide in the United States and pushes it even further and combines it with the aftermath of a climate driven destruction of society as we know it. It's not a return to slavery, but a new wave of slavery with the construction of a new class system that ultimately adds more layers at the bottom taking away peoples' personhoods. Every character and every story within this book is to give definition to this world and together they give it a reality that makes it seem brutally and devastatingly conceivable. But, warning, its hard to read.
Within this world is Ji-ji's story of striving for escape, a budding rebellion, and mysterious histories about different species of human built to fly. While the world is so well-built, and each character serves a purpose for that world building, the story itself falls by the wayside. It becomes confusing and there are too many questions left unanswered. In this book, it's possible that writing from multiple points of view would have helped with clarity and potential cut down the length to get a tighter story. The world is fully-fleshed out, but it likely doesn't need to be for the reader to get the flavor of the world and get invested in Ji-ji's journey. While I can't say that I enjoyed it, I am glad that I read this.
May 4, 2021
I betroth myself to my own future. I will never be meek again in the face of it.
This was not an easy read by any means, but I’ve always liked a challenge. There’s so much to unpack here, from the terminology to the way this Disunited States operates that I really had to take my time and digest it all. Every corner of the world was really interesting, though some aspects were hard to stomach like the color wheel system for the muleseeds and Sylvie’s “purple tears.”
I definitely got into the story more around the second half when Ji-Ji leaves Planting 437 and the focus is more on the Freedom Race itself. The whole concept gave me Hunger Games vibes with a little fantasy mixed in, while the first half felt more like a slave narrative twist on The Handmaid’s Tale.
Wanting more of the race aspect and the Toteppi as a people in exchange for a little less time on the Homestead Territories took this down a little for me, but I’d still be interested to see where the story goes from here now that things are established.
⚠️TRIGGER WARNING: Slavery (any & everything related), attempted rape, lynching, death during childbirth, & domestic violence
July 3, 2021
This book is not for the faint of heart. Let me tell you that first. It has a bunch of tiggers so make sure to check those out below.
This was a very intersting story. It was drepressing and sad at times so fair warning there. But it was a testamate to how we as humans treat others. It ends on a weird note as well. I think that if you like science ficiton war stories that this one might mesh with you.
I did enjoy it but I don't think that I would read book two. It was just way to much for me as a reader.
Tigger Warnings: Talks of Mass Rape, Attempted Rape, Lynching, Slavery, Murder of Babies.
This was a very intersting story. It was drepressing and sad at times so fair warning there. But it was a testamate to how we as humans treat others. It ends on a weird note as well. I think that if you like science ficiton war stories that this one might mesh with you.
I did enjoy it but I don't think that I would read book two. It was just way to much for me as a reader.
Tigger Warnings: Talks of Mass Rape, Attempted Rape, Lynching, Slavery, Murder of Babies.
July 7, 2021
Thank you to Tor for sending me this arc of The Freedom Race. This book will be published July 13!
It’s been called a blend between The Underground Railroad and The Handmaid’s Tale and I can’t agree more. Every trigger warning should be included here so keep that in mind. It starts a little confusing and slow, there are a lot of characters and there are a lot of different names for things in this future world but the story is very interesting. In this future world there are mostly all the bad parts of the old one we know now mixed with the incredible horrifying mistakes featured in our history. Ji-ji has to run this race through the slavery parts of old America and pass through the bounty hunters, the hybrid people who have suffered mutations from radiation, and such horrific things just to be free in the Dream City. Once Ji-ji starts the actual race the story really picks up but this is not an easy read. It’s really heavy and it sticks with you. This is not a beach read, this is more like a book to be analyzed and dissected as a wake up call.
This book anticipates the frightening direction our nation could be heading toward as it succumbs to its recurring ways of racial prejudice and unrest. Regressing into a segregation-reminiscent caste system, The Freedom Race exhumes and projects past survival stories into the future where cries of resistance harp on our silent calls for hope. Written by one of today’s most committed activists, Lucinda Roy has created a terrifying glimpse of what might be and tempered it with strength and courage. It is a call to justice in the face of an unsettling future. This adult fantasy novel packs a punch, it should be read with care as it contains intense scenes that feature slavery, lynching, and etc.
It’s been called a blend between The Underground Railroad and The Handmaid’s Tale and I can’t agree more. Every trigger warning should be included here so keep that in mind. It starts a little confusing and slow, there are a lot of characters and there are a lot of different names for things in this future world but the story is very interesting. In this future world there are mostly all the bad parts of the old one we know now mixed with the incredible horrifying mistakes featured in our history. Ji-ji has to run this race through the slavery parts of old America and pass through the bounty hunters, the hybrid people who have suffered mutations from radiation, and such horrific things just to be free in the Dream City. Once Ji-ji starts the actual race the story really picks up but this is not an easy read. It’s really heavy and it sticks with you. This is not a beach read, this is more like a book to be analyzed and dissected as a wake up call.
This book anticipates the frightening direction our nation could be heading toward as it succumbs to its recurring ways of racial prejudice and unrest. Regressing into a segregation-reminiscent caste system, The Freedom Race exhumes and projects past survival stories into the future where cries of resistance harp on our silent calls for hope. Written by one of today’s most committed activists, Lucinda Roy has created a terrifying glimpse of what might be and tempered it with strength and courage. It is a call to justice in the face of an unsettling future. This adult fantasy novel packs a punch, it should be read with care as it contains intense scenes that feature slavery, lynching, and etc.
July 8, 2021
2.5 stars
The premise for this book is very interesting, and given the continuing disparities and strife between races in US the idea of a second Civil War is not that far-fetched. I thought going in that this would read as present day or future, but it doesn’t. It reads entirely like 1800s Southern plantation slavery (every once in a while there’s a reference to a plane or a TV or a wristwatch). The masters of the Plantings are referred to as Father-Man, and these men take Seeds (slaves) as their mates to breed with them. So you need to be prepared for government sanctioned rape, lynchings, beatings, degradation, and murder. This makes for a quite depressing read. It’s also a confusing read. The author has practically invented her own language—changing existing words to mean something else, and there is little explanation given. Either you figure it out from the context of the sentence or you don’t. I still haven’t figured out the meaning of some of the terms, so I was a bit lost reading this book. There is very little world building or background given, so that adds to the confusion of all of these terms. In addition I think the pacing is off; it’s a bit too slow paced.
If the wording had been simplified then I think this definitely could have been a better story. But as it is it’s just so difficult to follow.
Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan-Tor/Forge for this advanced reader copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The premise for this book is very interesting, and given the continuing disparities and strife between races in US the idea of a second Civil War is not that far-fetched. I thought going in that this would read as present day or future, but it doesn’t. It reads entirely like 1800s Southern plantation slavery (every once in a while there’s a reference to a plane or a TV or a wristwatch). The masters of the Plantings are referred to as Father-Man, and these men take Seeds (slaves) as their mates to breed with them. So you need to be prepared for government sanctioned rape, lynchings, beatings, degradation, and murder. This makes for a quite depressing read. It’s also a confusing read. The author has practically invented her own language—changing existing words to mean something else, and there is little explanation given. Either you figure it out from the context of the sentence or you don’t. I still haven’t figured out the meaning of some of the terms, so I was a bit lost reading this book. There is very little world building or background given, so that adds to the confusion of all of these terms. In addition I think the pacing is off; it’s a bit too slow paced.
If the wording had been simplified then I think this definitely could have been a better story. But as it is it’s just so difficult to follow.
Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan-Tor/Forge for this advanced reader copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 24, 2022
Roy's work of speculative fiction is a long and brutal one that deals with complex and extremely difficult concepts. where the United States are no longer united after a civil war, The sequel, and a whole section of the states have been turned into a place where slavery, and the abject horror that comes along with it, are common place. The language and names used in the book gets a bit confusing, and the freedom race seems a little like other stories, but the main character's, Ji-Ji, life is full of hardship and determination and is a story not to be missed. I can not wait to get into the second book.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eGalley of this work in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eGalley of this work in exchange for my honest review.
February 28, 2023
I read the whole thing expecting it to, at some point, pick up speed, and it never did. I found it tedious. Fair warning, if a small spoiler: roughly 1% of this book is spent _in the race_. (Unless the actual race, as suggested in the book, is a metaphor for the fight for freedom, in which case, it's 100% about that. But very little of the action happens within the footrace itself.)
I struggled with the internal language of the built world (I think a glossary would have been helpful), including the naming conventions/nicknames/chosen names, the pacing, keeping the mythologies and family lines straight, and even what the main goal of the plot was. (The plot was a very moving target). I probably won't pick up the sequel, though I'm still very curious about Jiji's wings.
I struggled with the internal language of the built world (I think a glossary would have been helpful), including the naming conventions/nicknames/chosen names, the pacing, keeping the mythologies and family lines straight, and even what the main goal of the plot was. (The plot was a very moving target). I probably won't pick up the sequel, though I'm still very curious about Jiji's wings.
Read
July 26, 2021I think Nikki Giovanni’s blurb from the book sums it up best.
“Every now and then a work come along that makes you wonder whether you are reading or dreaming. And you’re not sure it matters which.”
The Freedom Race is a speculative fiction novel that takes place in a future after the second US Civil War, the Sequel. Ji-ji Lottermule is one of many on a plantation in Virginia. She is hoping to win The Freedom Race so she and those closest to her can be free—if she can make it to the City if Dreams. However, there are supernatural factors at play that may derail those plans.
TW: There are very graphic descriptions of life on the plantation, including punishments, in this book.
August 1, 2021
*Won this as a free ARC through Goodreads Giveaway*
Not an easy read. Complex and depressing subject.
The premise was interesting and when I finally managed to push through the first part it became more interesting.
I thought the first half was very slow paced and it took me a while to get into it (2/5). Some parts could've been trimmed. You're thrown into this new world and a lot of things weren't explained at first. The made-up words also made it harder to understand.
The second half was much better (3.5/5). It picked up the pace a little bit and explained some of the things that were previously left unexplained.
Not an easy read. Complex and depressing subject.
The premise was interesting and when I finally managed to push through the first part it became more interesting.
I thought the first half was very slow paced and it took me a while to get into it (2/5). Some parts could've been trimmed. You're thrown into this new world and a lot of things weren't explained at first. The made-up words also made it harder to understand.
The second half was much better (3.5/5). It picked up the pace a little bit and explained some of the things that were previously left unexplained.
November 21, 2021
Many admirable aspects of this dystopian near-future fantasy -- the frightening threads that connect it to our present, the (mostly) coherent picture of a horrifying racialist society, some strong characters. But this genre is not the author's home territory, and it shows. She's simultaneously trying too hard to be "speculative" (e.g., making up vocabulary when English words wouldn't actually change that much), and ignoring reality when she wants to move the story in a particular direction. I was too aware of the authorial pen to lose myself in the world she built (apart from that world being a place anyone would want to escape).
August 25, 2021
The idea of this book really hooked me but the made-up language took a while for me to get used to. I feel like realistically, concepts would keep the same language but almost every single concept or noun had different words to go with it. I also didn't really understand the system that was set up with indigenous african americans vs those that couldn't prove their heritage (don't think the south really would care about that). This book had a lot of potential for me, and maybe the sequels will be better now that I am familiar with the world.
December 20, 2021
Well it certainly is a captivating read! The shifting of narration was a little confusing and took me out of the story a few times. Also, I'm not sure if the author intended Monticello and Jefferson to be ironic or not nor if JiJi would ever know that he was not a great man at all. Indeed, it was deliberate those so-called Rights of Man excluded Black and Indigenous peoples. After all Jefferson held his children in bondage and sexually abused and tortured his wife's sister. Otherwise it is a very well written and a remarkable story.
December 2, 2021
This is the story of a future fractured America where slavery has returned. Slaves, known as seeds, have a rare opportunity to compete in an annual race to earn their freedom. This is speculative fiction, so it weaves scifi and fantasy together in a weird mix. Not my favorite, but it was also hard to put down. It felt like less of a straight forward story, never quite what I expected and always taking odd turns.
March 15, 2022
This book was very different from what I expected. The dystopian setting was horrifying yet plausible - reminded me of Kindred (Octavia Butler) mixed with The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood). This was a dense and heavy read. While there were a lot of interesting elements used to build the world, there were also a lot of confusing moments and what felt like plot holes. Definitely not my favorite.
September 20, 2022
This is billed as a cross between "The Underground Railroad" and "The Handmaid's Tale", and that is spot on for the first half... Then it turned more "Hunger Games", with Ji-ji being the only hope to take down the evil empire, while running from mutants and trying to save everyone. Overall it mostly felt too familiar and rather boring.
January 27, 2022
Sloppy world building, ridiculous language, extremely predictable; it read like a middle grade fantasy trying to masquerade as an adult dystopian future. I understand it is planned as a trilogy. I'm going to pass.
July 11, 2023
Raw, painful, brutal treatment of people. It's hard to read. But as it is a reflection of our horrible past and what could happen again, it gave a amazing story of individuals courage and strength to not be trodden down.
September 24, 2021
could not finish.
November 7, 2021
I want to give this 3.5. Really liked it early on, liked it less as it went on and got weirder
December 31, 2021
Brutal. So much jargon I had to dnf.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews