A review by erine
The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I was glad at the end to read the author's note about how this began as a novel of Black Boy Joy, but transformed into a novel of Black Boy Joy, Despite. The amount of heavy things after that Despite is long, but understanding a little of how and why it came about helped.

From the get go, Alex has already lost his parents to a car crash, and also his best friend/girlfriend's brother to a different car crash. Ever since losing his parents, Alex suffers from the curse of being able to peek into the future. Alex lives with an Aunt and his younger brother who has closed himself off, so Alex does not have many close relationships. We meet Alex as he's highly anxious over his future visions and his own future, particular his future with his girlfriend Talia. At first, this curse seemed a little contrived, but I liked the backstory that unfolds as the Reader learns more about Alex's family. 

A large portion of the story suffers from the "so many things could have been resolved if you'd just told someone else about what is happening." But ultimately, Alex finds a way to share his burdens and anxieties. This sounds heartwarming or uplifting, but it comes at a very high cost.

Note: a lot of loss through death; extrajudicial murder; gun violence; racism.


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