Author: Andrea Hairston
Publisher Aqueduct Press
Released: February 1, 2011
Received: NetGalley
Warnings: Rape, lynching

Redwood and Wildfire is the latest read in my fantasy/historical fiction stint that I’ve been working so hard on. This novel has a lot to offer written by Andrea Hairston, as it merges many of my favorite fictional elements together.

This is the story of Redwood and Aiden. One is an African American woman, the other a Seminole Irish man. Both can conjure, and they do so frequently. Sometimes as a performance, and sometimes for personal reasons.

These powers do little to negate all of the odds stacked against them. They live in a world that wants to see them fail. Yet together, these two will find their way from Georgia to Chicago, where hopefully a new future will be waiting.

“No one should let yesterday use up too much of today. Easy to say, hard to live.”

Redwood and Wildfire is a complex novel. It’s multi-layered, thought-provoking, and defies easy description. Naturally, that is making my job just a tad difficult here. This is a heavy yet beautifully written novel that seamlessly merges real life with fantasy.

I honestly don’t think that the description (any version I’ve seen) has done Redwood and Wildfire justice. Perhaps it isn’t possible. This is one of those books that you have to experience for yourself.

Though I should mention that there are a lot of complex subjects within this book, including a couple of notable trigger warnings (rape and lynching). So please consider yourself warned before picking up Redwood and Wildfire.

Thanks to Aqueduct Press and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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