The author's storytelling prowess shines through, weaving a narrative that blends the mystical with the tangible. From the enigmatic River Mumma herself to the determined protagonist navigating the challenges of her world, every character feels authentic and compelling.

While the pacing occasionally slows, particularly in the middle chapters, the story is engaging and memorable.

River Mumma proves that even if you know nothing about a culture, a good storyteller can help you connect and leave an impact long after reading.

Urban quest novel with enough action to satisfy plot driven readers, and enough heart to satisfy character driven readers. Set in modern-day Toronto, but full of Jamaican history and culture. The story follows a group of young adults trying to locate lost treasure. Along the way, they meet both helpful and harmful creatures straight from Jamaican folklore. Though the story is most definitely of the magical variety, it's also infused with real world problems and commentary.

This isn't my usual genre, but Zalika Reid-Benta's writing could sell me on just about any format or genre. I loved her first book, Frying Plantain, even though that was short stories (something I typically dislike). I also tend to be easily bored by fantasy. However, I was engaged in River Mumma start to finish. She tells deep and complex stories in a concise and easy to follow way - making the reading experience minimum effort, maximum gain.

Due to the subject matter and ages of the characters, I think younger adult readers who like both social commentary and magical elements will find the most to like here. I'd also recommend to those who like fantasy based on folklore. To anyone who liked the author's first book, but don't think this will be your thing - I'd say give it a try anyway, it's quick to read and might open your mind to something new.

Thank you net gallery for the advanced copy of this book. This was a fast-paced adventure based on Caribbean folklore set in Canada in the snow. Everything happens in the span of 24 hours. This was a fun read.

The book starts with Alicia at a party for her coworker and friend heaven and she just sits there wishing she would’ve never showed up. When she finally goes home before she can find the relief that home brings she finds herself in the river behind our house seeing the deity River MumMA my understanding of this deity is that someone dropped gold in the river and she protects it and the river and also seeks revenge on those greedy enough to search out the treasure. In any event she tells Alicia to find her comb and she has 24 hours to do it. She will eventually get her friend heaven and Marcus her two coworkers to help her but first she hast to stop dropping out of reality and walking between the conscious and unconscious sometimes she sees her relatives other times that she sees an old white man who was a plantation owner back on the island and there’s even another time where she sees a ghost that seemingly wants to bleed her dry of all her energy. Thankfully at the party I previously mentioned she met a girl name Ono. Oh no is it true priestess or practicer of the magic Alicia needs or at the very least they’re hoping she is that will get rid of this Duppey. A Duppy is a sort of ghost that reeks havoc on its intended target in this case it was Alicia. This book is mainly told as a funny story I originally wanted to read it because of its mythological and folk story aim but I laughed so hard especially when Ono sent Heaven to get the ingredients she needed and she had to make do with what was in the kitchen and then when they put saran wrap down because the tubs was dirty I was laughing so hard in heavens biggest complaint was that she didn’t have gloves… I am laughing as I’m writing that. This book was funny and they do talk in aCaribbean affect in at first it’s a little of pudding but after the first or second chapter you’re pretty much get the jest of what they’re saying I didn’t find out an issue at all as for their Toronto comments I know about Tim Hortons but the bus breaking down I think that is a fear and or reality of any big city dweller there were a couple of things I didn’t get in the book but I didn’t find that affected my enjoyment of the book at all and I still rated it four stars. I totally loved heaven and how she flip-flop from trying to be The main character to really wanting to help her friend especially when they got with Ono she kept getting insulted because she didn’t know thing she earlier profess to know this whole book was funny I truly enjoyed it and would definitely read another book by this author. I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

River Mumma is a fast-paced magical realist novel. I’ve never been to Toronto, but the map and descriptions brought the city to life; it’s almost its own character. I could have used some Tim’s while reading this book.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

River Mumma by Zalika Reid-Benta is a contemporary fantasy novel centering on Jamaican folklore, particularly the mermaid River Mumma, and takes place in Toronto. On her way home from a party, Alicia is confronted by River Mumma to retrieve the mermaid’s comb that was stolen from Jamaica and she has a day to do it.

I was not expecting the references to The Wizard of Oz and I loved how they were integrated into the novel. The use of it in prose, the subtle build-up to how it all comes together, and how it’s a new spin on the material all feel satisfying.

Two of the themes the novel explores is appropriation vs appreciation and the connection to your ancestors and homeland. Appropriation vs appreciation is mentioned a few times, particularly in reference to a Jamaican restaurant that is not owned by someone from the community and how there are different viewpoints on this situation. Alicia sees her ancestors and we get insight into a Jamaican funeral and the moving of furniture afterwards, connecting to ancestry and how the history of Afro-Caribbean people impacts their culture, including in how the community handles death.

I would recommend this to readers looking for books with Jamaican folklore, fans of mermaids who are open to non-European mermaids, and readers who want a more fast-paced book based in Canada.

This book was phenomenal in my opinion. I loved everything about it. the characters, plot, folklore and myths spinned into it were great. It's an easy enough read that flows well and is fast paced. The only issue I had was at the beginning I had to get used to the dialect but once I started to understand what was being said it was easy from there.

Set in Toronto, the story features new grad Alicia who is floundering, living with her mother and trying to figure out life. Walking home one night she stumbles upon a Jamaican water deity, River Mumma, who demands she find and return a comb within 24 hours. What follows is a madcap dash around the city with a couple of her friends as they embark on a mythical quest.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Erewhon Books for this e-arc.*

There is something about Caribbean folklore that always interests me, so I jumped at the chance to read this novel featuring tha fabled Jamaican mermaid, River Mumma.

While there was plenty of mystery and excitement (the 3 main characters are being chased by duppies throughout after all), there is just something about the plot and the introduction of River Mumma that seemed very improbable and made it difficult for me to feel invested in the story.

And, although some things about Jamaican folklore are explained, others are not. I had to Google stuff, which broke the flow of my reading. It made me feel almost like the book might not have been meant for a newbie to the folklore to read? Conversely, I thought I would struggle with the Jamaican Patois sprinkled throughout, but it wasn't too difficult to follow.

One thing that I really liked though was how the author touched on the Jamaican diaspora in Canada. I admit to a more American-centric viewpoint, so it took me a bit to remember the link of being members of the Commonwealth. In any case, I found it very interesting how Alicia, Heaven and Mars each dealt differently with their heritage and connection back to Jamaica. I wish it had been explored more than it was.

Overall, River Mumma was an engaging read, but didn't delve as deeply into the folklore or magic as I would have liked.

The description billed this as Insecure meets a fantasy novel, and good god was that spot on. I loved the language, the cultural nods, the ancestral plane, the wild feeling of not knowing what was going to happen next, and of course, the (what I can only assume was...) Drake nod. Fast-paced and exciting, I can't wait to see what Zelika Reid-Benta does next!

Jamaican-Canadian author Zalika Reid-Benta’s debut novel Frying Plantain was a series of short stories that followed the life of a Jamaican woman in Toronto. That book charted its main character from childhood through to the cusp of adulthood. The stories were told simply and had a naturalist style, taking readers deep into the community of its protagonist. Which is all to say that River Mumma has similar concerns but takes readers on a very different journey.
Alicia has returned to Toronto after graduate school and finds herself unable to find a proper job and back living at home. At a party with one of her work colleagues she is introduced to a tarot card reader and told that her life is about to change. On her way home from the party she has an encounter with the River Mumma – a mermaid-like Jamaican river spirit – who gives her a task. Alicia has until sunset the following day to find a hair comb that was stolen from the spirit and is somewhere in Toronto. Although disbelieving at first, the presence of other, more malign spirits push Alicia and her two friends, Heaven and Mars, to take the task seriously and they embark on a quest across Toronto to find and recover the comb.
Reid-Benta delivers a fantastical but recognisable Toronto as she sends her characters by bus, train and taxi across the city to fulfill their mission. This is not Jamaica but it is a city that has become infused with the spirit of all of the communities that have immigrated there including the Jamaican community.
River Mumma is a fantasy romp in the vein of books for younger readers like Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series, in which gods have moved with the times and followed their communities around the world. Reid-Benta fills the plot with Jamaican mythological creatures and folklore, a subject not often found in modern fantasy and a perspective that is very welcome. It is as fantastical as Frying Plantain was down to earth. But this is also, at its heart, a coming-of-age story for all three of its main characters, their quest provides a way for them to better understand and connect with their culture, the trauma in their collective colonial past, and the collective power inherent in their community.

"River Mumma" is a delightful read that takes you on a wild adventure down the river. It's got all the elements of a great story - mystery, humor, and a touch of magic. The characters are quirky and lovable, and the writing pulls you in from the very first page. If you're looking for a fun and light-hearted read, this book is a must! I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

River Mumma by Zalika Reid-Benta centers around a 24 hour period of time where the main character Alicia is joined by her friends Mars and Heaven on a quest in wintry Toronto to retrieve and return before sundown a comb, belonging to a Jamaican diety River Mumma, that was taken by a tourist. They face many obstacles and adversaries along the way while trying to complete the task before River Mumma goes away and takes all the water sources with her, which would have dire consequences for humanity. Sometimes the world may seem against you, but you must persevere.

I devoured this book, it was so good! It was a nonstop adventure and the characters were written with such personalities that you wanted to be a part of their friendship and quest! I love how the author was able to bring Jamaican folklore into a modern day story. This is one of my favorite reads so far!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Erewhon Books for the eARC for my honest review.

I love me a book that makes me want to do research. Did I stop part way through and start researching River Mumma and Jamaican folklore. Absolutely I did. And I loved that the characters weren't experts and had to do the same thing. The pacing here is tight, the characters well crafted, and the overall story an absolute page turner. This is one to absolutely push on any mythology nerd you know.

Magical realism and Jamaican folklore combine in this novel of a woman sent on a quest, Alicia is surprised (as anyone would be) to be confronted by the River Momma and more so to be told to find a comb. This isn't my genre (it actually combines genres) but I was drawn in. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. An intriguing read.

"River Mumma" is one of the more unique speculative novels I've encountered, with a strong sense of place and culture and a vivid setting; it's also highly relatable, with a main character who should resonate with anyone whose post-graduate expectations didn't live up to reality. That said, I didn't click with this one--it ran a bit too literary for my personal tastes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

This book hooked me pretty quickly with a main character who couldn't be arsed being social at a local party - all while SKA of all things blasted over the music.

It's quite a fun romp, the juxtaposition of supernatural and real is a good riff on various matters, although (ironically) I wouldn't have minded a deeper dive. The 'Duppy's' (ghosts) are really interesting and cool, but the story's frenetic pacing and more comedic approach gives a Ghostbusters Vibe rather than Haunting of Hill House. (there's even a Pitch Meeting reference of all things "super easy barely an inconvenience")

And there isn't too much else to say about River Mumma, which is probably the main flaw is there simply isn't much else to this book. There is enough potential of a full novel length here, but the story is played as more for laughs, it does prevent the book from becoming too heavy, but actually I would have liked a bit of heft!

I absolutely loved this short and sweet novel. So utterly relatable as a child of the diaspora. Such a clever and heartfelt reintroduction of island stories to give outsiders an understanding of what they mean to our community. I so thoroughly enjoyed her first collection of stories, Frying Plantain, that I couldn't wait to read this and was not disappointed. A relatable caste of characters and wonderful exploration of relationships with friends, family, and oneself.

I really enjoyed the Caribbean mythology aspect to this book and the characters were interesting and well written. I really wanted to like it more than I actually did. I just sort of lost the thread part way through and , although did finish the book, did not find it ultimately satisfying. Maybe just not for me.

Magic, fantasy, mythical quest, Jamaican folklore…all elements in the book description that piqued my interest. Unfortunately, I chose to DNF at 53% because the pace was too slow for my taste.

Alicia has been tasked by River Mumma, the Jamaican water deity, to find her missing comb in 24 hours. Over 50% into the story, and there really hasn’t been much progress. For such a short deadline, it would make more sense for the plot to move along more quickly. I tried to give the story a chance, but there wasn’t enough tension and excitement to make me want to finish.

I love that this story shines a light on Jamaican folklore. That’s my favorite part of what I read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the advanced eARC.