I loved this debut novel and it's characters. It travels easily from history to the contemporary. There is tragedy and human triumph. The scene varies from the exotic of colonial Haiti and New Orleans to a mythical refuge in Ohio. I am so happy that this author has embarked on a second career in literature. I was very impressed with her talent in the realm of magical realism that might rival that of some fine Latin American writers.

This is how a fantasy, historical slave fiction novel should be written. Beautiful, intense, mystical, and wrapped in magical realism.

Remembrance is a historical fiction/magical realism novel that takes place during two different time periods. The story follows three women in the pre-civil war era and one woman in the current day. Their stories intertwine in the novel, exploring the boundaries of physical space and stretching the limits of time, all while exploring the magic of vodun and other supernatural talents and abilities.

The women: Mother Abigail, Winter, Margot, and Gaelle. Somehow, each of these women are connected some way or another to each other in ways that go beyond time and place.

Remembrance is a place that was created in an attempt to take revenge on white slavers. Runaway slaves come to Remembrance in hopes of escaping life from their oppressors. This place is a sanctuary and haven to those who need safety, life, liberty and God-given freedom. This place, Remembrance, was created with vodun magic, in such a way, that the former enslaved people are living invisibly right under the noses of whites in a village near Ashtabula, Ohio. Created by the high priestess Mother Abigail, this little village houses black people who have fought for their freedom, have escaped a life of tortuous servitude, and has risked it all to live a life on the run.

Mother Abigail, a former slave from Haiti, has created Remembrance in an attempt of revenge against her and other white slavers. Her story takes us to find out how she created Remembrance, and how out of pure hatred and ultimate sadness, this place came to be.

Winter, as a baby, was brought to Remembrance. This is the only home she has. When situations arise at Remembrance, she has to decide if she’s going to fight for her home, or allow circumstances to destroy the only home she’s ever known.

Margot, a runaway slave, has found herself in Remembrance after nearly escaping re-capture. She, however, feels that things are not how they seem in Remembrance. She is curious as to how people are not caught or seen here, and she’s not going to quit until she talks to Mother Abigail about the strangeness of this place.

Gaelle, in modern day, has found herself somewhat connected and drawn towards an old woman at her job. When she discovers the old woman’s name as Winter, she becomes curious as to how she came to be at the place of her employment.

However, as time would have it, something is happening to and around Remembrance. It is up to the people of Remembrance to decide whether to protect what is theirs or live a life in the shadows fearing recapture.

The details in this book was impeccable. The timing, the flow, the pace, the plot lines, the twists, the ending!! Just a perfect read. I was literally caught on the edge of my seat throughout this book intrigued on what was happening. I swear there better be a part 2 because it ends on a cliffhanger! I would rate this book a 5!

If you didn’t like The Water Dancer, then this book is for you!

Thank you to Net Galley, Rita Woods and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Completely unlike anything I've ever read, Remembrance is a fascinating glimpse into the history of slavery, with a huge helping of magical realism thrown in for good measure. It is impossible to review without spoilers, so I'll avoid saying anything more - all I will say is, the sections from Gaelle are probably the weakest, and as she is the first narrator you are introduced to it is easy to think the book might not be that good. Don't make a mistake and give up on it! Just skim her sections and move forward - it definitely gets better.

A story told in different segments, different eras...the late 18th century New Orleans, revolutionary Haiti and the modern Ohio. In each of these eras the author tells a story of a woman of color, all different ages, but all equally as strong, each facing personal conflicts and struggles. Each protagonist has the commonality of being of Creole ancestry, each having a different magic or power if you will. Words floating on the wind, whispers from one slave to another, the message "freedom" the "Underground Railroad" and how to get there. Racism, revolution, slavery...these are not just words, they are real, the lives of those who lived in the past and one particular word that sums up our present time. Ms. Woods has woven a tapestry in words that will long resonate within me. While the element of mysticism brought the entire book together.

My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have very mixed feelings after finishing Remembrance by Rita Woods. I was drawn in by the cover and description. From the first page I could not stop reading until suddenly the story took a turn to fantasy and magic. Though I have enjoyed when authors put some mysticism into their writing Remembrance has too much of it for me, If the fantasy was left left out I would have thoroughly enjoyed it. The story revolves around three different time periods and four different women. Present day, where you meet Gaelle, an aide in a nursing home, This time period really does not connect much with the rest of the book. I felt that it was very insignificant and could have really been left out. Gaelle’s character is not really developed and did not have any impact on the rest of the book. The second time period is 1857, and this is where you meet Margot who was born a slave in New Orleans. She eventually ends up in Remembrance a place where slaves can live free. Next you meet Abigail and Winter. Abigail is introduced as an evil, black slave who kills white slavers in 1791. Abigail has magical powers and brings slaves to Remembrance. .Winter is a baby she found by the river. She raises Winter as her daughter. If I could rewrite this book and give it five stars I would omit the current day story and take out 90 percent of the fantasy. Thank you NetGalley and Forge Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

: Told from alternating time/view points. The book tells the story of Abigail in the late 1700’s Haiti, Margot in early 1800’s New Orleans, Winter in the 1800’s at Remembrance,  and Gaelle in current time Cleveland - whose lives are all connected. These women come from a Creole bloodline of powerful priestess women, who can communicate with the spirit world, spirits who help guide the women to safety. Each woman has a different type of power, or “art.” Some of the women also possess a strange power, a power that makes their body temperature warm as fire and can help them feel and heal illness. This strange power of the women is reminiscent of John Coffey in “The Green Mile”.  Some can bend time/space. These powers are reminiscent of a cross between “Narnia” and “A Wrinkle in Time.”

  Abigail gets training on how to control her power. Using her power, she creates Remembrance, a safe place for slaves that becomes part of the Underground Railroad.  Remembrance is surrounded by magic that is supposed to keep danger out. Winter grows up here with Mother Abigail (as she is called once she becomes powerful).  

When Abigail dies, the other women take over the role of protector.

This book is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! The description that accompanies the book does NOT do it justice, nor does my review.

Rita Woods weaves an exceptionally unique story that is un-put-downable. It was VERY difficult for me to summarize because of the depth of the story. I’m already eager to recommend this to people! It’s a book that I NEED on my shelf, for sure!


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.