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A review by rachiebears
Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
As an indigenous woman who is Mexican & Diné, both my cultures have suffered a lot of trauma due to racism and colonization.
I was already having issues with the way some of the side characters were talking about the main female character.
I stopped reading once I read the N word with the hard R. As there are no trigger warnings on or in the book I was unprepared. The shock of the N word led me to investigate the author, why she felt like she could use the word, and the other contents of the book.
Unfortunately, I discovered this author is white. I cannot continue to read a book that continues to use black and brown bodies and voices to depict a fictional romance that contains real trauma that has happened, is currently happening, and will continue to happen.
Living through MMIW2S+ and SA traumas through my own family I cannot stand by and finish this book knowing that she is profiting off black and brown traumas and stories.
But to those who read it and liked it, I hope it is a catalyst for you to fight racism, social injustices, and inequity.
Just know that this book isn’t not fantasy for many black and brown people and communities, this book is an on going reality. Sundown towns still exist. Racism still exist. White patriarch and misogyny are heavily prevalent and affect us all negatively.
I was already having issues with the way some of the side characters were talking about the main female character.
I stopped reading once I read the N word with the hard R. As there are no trigger warnings on or in the book I was unprepared. The shock of the N word led me to investigate the author, why she felt like she could use the word, and the other contents of the book.
Unfortunately, I discovered this author is white. I cannot continue to read a book that continues to use black and brown bodies and voices to depict a fictional romance that contains real trauma that has happened, is currently happening, and will continue to happen.
Living through MMIW2S+ and SA traumas through my own family I cannot stand by and finish this book knowing that she is profiting off black and brown traumas and stories.
But to those who read it and liked it, I hope it is a catalyst for you to fight racism, social injustices, and inequity.
Just know that this book isn’t not fantasy for many black and brown people and communities, this book is an on going reality. Sundown towns still exist. Racism still exist. White patriarch and misogyny are heavily prevalent and affect us all negatively.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Racism, Child abuse, and Violence