A review by callme_tippy
The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I enjoyed this quick middle grade read, however had I known that it was a slavery origin or beginning story I would not have picked it up. 

The synopsis does not give any hint that that is the type of book this is, the synopsis makes it seem like it is an action adventure type of story with life lessons along the way. While I think the book was good, I feel kind of tricked. I do not like that. 

I like to know what I am getting into when I decide to pick up a book and I was not mentally prepare for this narrative at all. This has made me wary of trying anymore of this authors works as I not sure what I will be going into even if I read the synopsis and back cover. 

I also think the way this has written has some messages and imagery that might be hard for a middle grader to pick up on. I think this would be a great guided reading book where a teacher helps students understand the hidden meanings, but it might be hard for a middle grader to just pick up all of them on their own. 

Overall, I think this was a great book, but I wish the synopsis told more about what I was getting into. As a Black American, this was not a topic I thought I was getting into, and I was not mentally prepared to read. A little warning would have been great. 
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