Pheby Delores Brown lives in two worlds. She is mulatto and her mom has told her to never think of herself as a slave, but Pheby is a slave. She walks a world where she is the daughter of a slave and his master. The master does not allow her to be touched by anyone. She is desperately in love with a slave who had to run for his life. She was ill-prepared for the life she would lead when the master’s wife sent her to jail to be traded. The jailer ends up picking her to be his “wife”. Since he was a jailer, there is no honorable white person who would marry him. Jailers handpicked from the mulatto women sent to them. Pheby came to the jail with child and the jailer never accepted this black child. Pheby had four girls with her jailer. He was called the Bully Trader and it is fitting. This is a character who is so cruel that I am not going to acknowledge his behavior in this review. He makes me sick.
This book is heart-wrenching. Pheby can read and play the piano, unlike most slaves. She lives in relative royalty when you compare her to the slaves working on plantations. He life does not involve terrible working conditions, but she is a concubine. She must behave and has no way to speak her mind. She has a black child who is not allowed to live with them, but the four daughters are loved by their father. Pheby must keep the jailer happy and this comes a high cost. She makes sacrifices for her family that I cannot begin to imagine.
I will be putting this book into everyone’s hands. Everyone should see this picture and they would understand more about the world. Sadeqa Johnson paints a picture that my mind could not conceive of until know. She does such a great job showing the privilege of the Yellow Wife while also showing that she is still very much a slave. It was such an eye-opening book for me. My best friend is “yellow”. I never understood why she felt lonely so often. It is because she is not really white and not really black, so she sits on the edge of both without every feeling acceptance fully in either. This book really touched me and showed me where these issues come from and how the began.
It also helped me to understand what people will do to protect their family. The abuse that they will endure to keep their family safe. How can I say I love this book while hating the subject matter? I loved the writing and the characters. The stark realities are hard to swallow and I feel so sad and so much responsibility to these men and women. I wish I could make reparations. Instead, I will share this book and hope that people see the need to make necessary changes in our country.

Gripping, intense historical novel about a light-skinned ("yellow") enslaved woman's life journey. It feels like it straddles the line between young adult and adult fiction. Certainly older teens would get a lot out of reading it. Overall I thought the writing was good, but the lack of contractions made some of the language stilted. Still, I read it in two days because I couldn't put it down, and it's still haunting me. The characters will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you NetGalley for this book, which is set to be released Jan 12, 2021.

I love Southern Historical Fiction. And this hauntingly beautiful and tragic novel did not disappoint. This is a story of great courage and love and made me feel all the feels. It is a remarkable story that was well written…The characters felt as though they were living alongside me telling me about their life and their journey.

Pheby and her story will be with me for a very long time as this book has characters that will touch your heart and fill it with pain and joy. Sadeqa Johnson knows how to express love through her characters in a simple yet poetic way.

It's hard for modern-day white or black people to understand the relationship between jailers and their slaves. It's so much more complicated than we imagine. Ms. Johnson did a wonderful job of showing the reader the precarious relationship. The ending, especially, brought tears to my eyes. Such a wonderfully written story that I couldn't put down and read in one sitting...highly recommend!

Book Review for Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson
Full review for this title can be found at: @fyebooks on Instagram!

The journey of Phoebe from a house slave on the Bell Plantation to a notorious jaikenkmow as Devil's Half Acre where she is forced to become the "wife" of the jailer. She has a son by her love, Essex Henry, who was forced to escape from the Bell Plantation. Pheby has three more daughters but she has to take extraordinary measures to protect her son Monroe. This novel was based on a true story of mulatto women who were taken as wives to powerful white men and about the horrors of these jails that hold enslaved people until they were sold or traded. It was heartbreaking to read of the decisions that Phebynhad to make to keep her children safe in particular for Monroe. It is unimaginable what Pheby had to endure. Johnson did significant research about these jails and the white jailers who took advantage of the enslaved women who had no power to refuse.

A truly amazing historical story! Great characters and development in the plot drive this winner of a story! I highly recommend making room on your to read list ASAP!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC to review!
Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 4
Pace: 4
Plot development: 4
Characters: 3
Enjoyability: 3
Ease of Reading: 4

Overall rating: 4 out of 5

Yellow Wife is a beautifully and painfully written historical fiction novel based on real events. The characters were well-developed, charismatic in some cases, and perfectly disdainful in others. I would expect as much in a story involving the horrors of slavery. Still, the human spirit was alive in this book, and in the depiction of a mother’s love for her children. I felt the ending was a little rushed, but overall, I loved this book. ***4.5 stars***

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review.

This book was everything I wanted it to be! It was well-researched, well-written, and utterly drew me in. I could NOT put this book down, and then I could wait to come write about it!

Pheby is a slave, but has been promised freedom on her 18th birthday by her father & master. When the master falls ill and her mother dies, Pheby is sold to traders and taken to a jail to be held for auction. After catching the eye of the owner of the jail, she is moved into his home and soon becomes his mistress. This story follows Pheby’s life as she navigates the horrors of the jail created by her husband, Rubin. She must keep her children safe, but also finds the atrocious actions by Rubin to be more than she can handle. How can she balance the life she now lives?


This was such an utterly amazing story. It is so obviously well-researched, and it tells a story that I have not read in historical fiction before. The lives of these women that were married to white slave traders was eye-opening.

Pheby’s character was amazing. She’s strong and smart, but she is in such a horrible circumstance. I loved reading about her life and found that when the book was over, I just wanted to read more!

This story is filled with horrible actions, described in a level of detail that makes you cringe and cry. It’s hard to read and creates such an emotion-filled journey, but it’s well worth the read. The disgusting treatment of human beings is hard to stomach, but I learned a lot while reading this, and it opened my eyes to yet again, more horrors of slavery.

Overall, I absolutely loved this story. It is a book that will stay with me for a very long time, and I highly recommend it for historical fiction fans!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review. Yellow Wife is a well researched and well-written historical fiction novel about real events and characters. Johnson writes about a slave that is the daughter of a slave owner, about broken promises that lead to slave families being broken apart, and about the lengths people will go to assure a better life for their children and those they love. Yellow Wife is a heartbreaking, emotional, page-turner of a story. In my mind, it was a 4 star when I finished it, but as days passed, it didn't leave me. So, I upped my rating to a 4.5...

Yellow Wife is a well-researched book of historical fiction. It is based on real characters and real events that the author weaves into a terrifying tale of the trauma of slavery and the cruelty of humans to humans. The book showcases how minor events turned into major tragedies for the victims of slavery. It reminds us of the lengths people will go to maintain their identity and individuality even in horrible times and thru the worst of human trials. This book is about a slave master that auctions and punishes slaves for a very lucrative living. It is the tale of a man that buys one of the "yellow" women that is sent to him to auction. He takes her into his home and she becomes a mistress of his home situated inside the camp where the worst horrors occur. He owns her and as a man is her superior. She, however, bears him multiple children while still raising one from her true love, taken away from her in the many separations that occurred at the time. Based on fact, this book will enthrall and horrify the reader. You will be uplifted by the human spirit but appalled by the demons that dwell within as well. Well written and researched. Thanks to #YellowWife#NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

“The Yellow Wife” is an intriguing piece of fiction by author, Sadeqa Johnson.

As an avid fan of historical fiction, especially those set in Civil War times, I am always on the lookout for new writers. I had just finished reviewing “Sunflower Sisters” and this novel was the perfect transition. Unlike many slaves during that time, Pheby’s mother made sure that Pheby knew how to read, write and play the piano. Pheby’s father was a plantation’s owner and had promised to free her on her eighteenth birthday where she could join up with her love, Essex, a runaway. Unfortunately, when she loses her mom, she also loses the promise of freedom because of her father’s new wife. At an auction, she is purchased by the owner of Devil’s Half Acre jail, a slave prison in Virginia.

I was shocked to discover that this was Sadeqa Johnson’s first piece of historical fiction as she skillfully brings her characters and the nightmare of slavery to life in her narrative of Pheby’s experience. Ms. Johnson does not hold back in describing the horrific experiences of a slave, but more important, Pheby is so much more—her devotion to her children serve as the motivator for the choices she makes. You can really feel her passion and desire for not just freedom, but for love and hope. This is a harrowing read, but I assure you that there is a pay-off.

The themes of “The Yellow Wife” are undoubtedly timely as our country continues to remain divided over issues of inequality and social justice. Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an opportunity to read this novel.

The Yellow wife is such a wonderful book about sadness,love and hate towards certain people. I can't wait to read the next book by this author. It just surprises me that their is so much hate and not love.

This story is inspired by the story of Mary Lumpkin and Lumpkin’s jail in Richmond, Virginia.

Bell Plantation, Charles City, Virginia, 1850. Pheby Delores Brown, after losing her mother and after broken promise of freedom, she is being sold to traders. At an auction, she is “rescued by gentleman’s kindness.” Rubin Lapier is the owner of the jail, where Pheby spent the night before the auction. And now is one of the workers at the jail sewing, mostly mending clothing. Her constant companion is “the click-clack sounds” of slaves’ iron confinements and “the moaning from inside the jail…” Should she follow in the footsteps of a woman she saw at the market? A woman like her, who isn’t free, “yet she lived a life better than some white women.” There is a reason why the jail is called the Devil’s Half Acre. Whenever she thinks she can endure this place, there is a reminder that she cannot.

The fastest page-turner ever and heart-pounding read. On one hand, the jail owner, known as the Bully Trader and on the other, a beautiful young slave woman. He is one of the cruelest people if not the cruelest person in town. He trades slaves without any scruples and enforces brutal punishments when requested by other slave owners. He is also a master of his “wife,” who is forced first to make the right decision for herself and later for her children. Once a mother she needs to protect her children at any cost.

This story brings heart-wrenching scenes of flogging, of slaves bidding, degrading transactions and agony of mothers being separated from their children and other members of the family. It’s all very real.

This is a story of an extraordinary woman, who learns that as a mulatto she is worth more than a black slave. She was promised freedom at the age of eighteen. When that eludes her, she weighs her options very carefully. Does she want to be a run-away slave or make a life out of situation the life presented her with?

With riveting prose the pages fly and the heart beats for the astonishing heroine. Well-developed character pulls you into the story immediately and stirs emotions within you. A grim time of history masterfully narrated.

Many parts of this book are difficult to read, but it was very well-written, with a lot of specific, interesting details about life during this time in history. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC for review.

This is a story of a beautiful slave, Pheby Delores Brown, and how she survives living in the famous slave jail in Virginia, Devil's Half-Acre.

Originally born in a plantation, Pheby is privileged and shielded because of her mother's position and her relationship with the Master's beloved sister. Pheby cannot wait until she is eighteen when she will be freed and finally get her happy-ever-after with her love, Essex Henry. But, the Master's wife hates Pheby and what she represents and soon Pheby finds herself thrown out of her the only home she has ever known and into the house of the Jailer. Life as she know it, has changed forever and she has to use her wits to survive and to help the people she cares about.

Whew! I have read other works by Sadeqa Johnson so I knew she had some serious writing chops. BUT, this historical fiction read was different from her other works. What a gritty, grueling depiction of life for enslaved women back then. I read this in hours - pausing to work and eat. Her descriptions made me visualize the depravity, the lack of humanity but also the moments of love. Pheby endured so much in this snapshot of her life that I wondered how she had the fortitude to survive - but love for others is a great motivator.

It is obvious from this read that Sadeqa did a lot of research to bring this character to life. Her experiences are not for the faint-hearted. It shows the horror of slavery with images that remain implanted in your mind long after reading. I felt how the quest for freedom is a powerful driving force and I applaud the author for taking this character through journeys of highs and lows that rocked me to the core. There wasn't a truth stone of this painful time in history that was left unturned.

Goodness. I have to take a moment to breathe. This was raw and real.

On a lighter note, what an apt title and beautiful cover. I can't wait to see what else this author brings.
Thank you #Netgalley

This book is absolutely heartbreaking and wonderful. It is such a stunning story of Pheby, a slave girl who has a different life than many slaves and is the child of a black slave and a white slave owner. She is sold and becomes the mistress of the house to Jailer, who owns a jail that is absolutely inhumane and where some slaves would go before being auctioned off. Pheby is the chosen one due to her "yellow" skin, but that does not make her life any easier. We are taken on a heartbreaking journey of love and loss and the power of a mother's love.

Many times I wanted to throw this book down and stop reading because it is so horrific. But then I had to pick it back up immediately as I needed to know what happened and how Pheby fared.

The story is inspired by true events and my heart broke more as I read the Author's Note at the end and learned more about history than I previously knew.

*THANK YOU to NetGalley, Sadeqa Johnson, and Simon & Schuster for my ebook copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*

Posted on my goodreads account and will be on instagram shortly.

So, I just read a 5 STAR book by Sadeqa Johnson called THE YELLOW WIFE… it was so captivating!

Thank you Net Galley, Simon & Schuster, 37 Ink and Sadeqa Johnson for the advanced copy that will be available January 12, 2021. If you like historical fiction, this one is not to missed!

Pheby Delores Brown was born on the Bell Plantation and was favored by her Aunt Sally before she passed away. Aunt Sally taught Pheby how to play the piano and educated her like a white girl. However, Pheby was a product of her white plantation father and her black mother. It became clear that she was both pampered and the scorn of her fathers new wife. She also dreamed of a life with her lover, Essex Henry, who ran away. Their plan was to meet up in Massachusetts when Pheby’s father freed her on her 18th birthday.

Pheby’s father promised that she would be set free…However, when her father and mother get into an accident while traveling, the mistress and wife of her father sends her to “Devil’s Half Acre,”. This is a jail where the enslaved are living in the most inhumane situations, being tortured and beaten by a man who could be the devil himself. When “the jailer” takes Pheby on as his mistress, she finds herself willing to do anything to save her family.

This is a book about a mothers love in its finest form. Under difficult circumstances, Pheby proves to be a strong character and her manipulation of the jailer keeps you on the edge of your seat! Will she get caught trying to keep her family safe? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

There are difficult scenes in this story. The beatings are graphic and hard to read about. The author unquestionably makes the jailer out to be horrific! Someone that can evoke those emotions through pages alone has assuredly written an outstanding book.

Yellow Wife is an absolutely heartbreaking story of Pheby, a literate slave, who is sold to a new master, Jailer, after the death of her mother prior to her 18th birthday - a birthday in which she was promised freedom. Jailer, takes Pheby as his “yellow wife” and mistress of the slave prison, Devil’s Half Acre.

This story is a work of fiction but based on stories of private slave jails - jails I never knew existed. For me, this was equal parts educational and heartbreaking. The story was gripping, tough, and emotional and that was accentuated with excellent writing. The story flowed perfectly, although I found myself holding my breath several times during the most heartbreaking scenes.
Pheby was the definition of strength. All the characters were so well developed.

It’s impossible to say anything negative about this one given the subject matter and the beautiful storytelling. Make sure you’re in the right headspace to digest this one.

Pheby is born a slave, educated, and promised freedom on her 18th birthday. But those hopes and dreams are shattered when she is taken to a slave prison in Richmond, Virginia, where slaves are tortured and sold daily. The prison owner forces her to become his mistress and Pheby must rely on her inner strength and determination to her new life with a cruel man and ultimately to fight for the freedom of her children.

Inspired by and based on the pages of history that I knew little about - private slave jails, the men who owned them, and the women they called "wives" - this novel sweeps through the life of the main character with pain, heartbreak, desperation, grief, and endurance. Cue the tissues, this emotional story might just break your heart. And if it does, keep reading, because hope has a way of having the last word.