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averydriver's review
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sarajoha's review
4.0
This book follows the story behind of two boys that end up being part of a shadow government. It's from 1899 but I feel like it's still relevant, it talks about racism, the lack of opportunities and the violence that black folk suffer. The writing style is very friendly also and it's a short book.
nope's review
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Imperium in Imperio is the story of two boys, Belton and Bernard, who both go to school together when they are young and are at the tops of their class as rivals. The book follows both of their lives as they fight for equality for African Americans in separate ways at first but then join back together as friends.
There’s definitely trigger warnings for violent racism and I would check for others before reading.
I’m having a hard time rating this book, but I can say they I’m glad I read it and would recommend it to others. I think it was interesting to see what they thought was progressive for the time and I think seeing the level of casual racism of the time period is important especially through the eyes of a Black man own voices narrative. The story telling is a bit all over the place. At times it’s charming, engaging, or heartbreaking and at other times it doesn’t invest in story or character development so it feels like things move too quickly or come out of nowhere. But I was definitely never bored reading it.
It’s a wild ride. The story changes pace so fast you’ll get whiplash and the juxtaposition of it being both beyond its time and of its time is jarring. But it did keep me reading and it’s a very quick read. Definitely worth your time.
There’s definitely trigger warnings for violent racism and I would check for others before reading.
I’m having a hard time rating this book, but I can say they I’m glad I read it and would recommend it to others. I think it was interesting to see what they thought was progressive for the time and I think seeing the level of casual racism of the time period is important especially through the eyes of a Black man own voices narrative. The story telling is a bit all over the place. At times it’s charming, engaging, or heartbreaking and at other times it doesn’t invest in story or character development so it feels like things move too quickly or come out of nowhere. But I was definitely never bored reading it.
It’s a wild ride. The story changes pace so fast you’ll get whiplash and the juxtaposition of it being both beyond its time and of its time is jarring. But it did keep me reading and it’s a very quick read. Definitely worth your time.
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