This was a powerful and difficult book to read, but also beautiful and layered with complex characters. I went into it thinking it would be spooky and heavy on horror like The Reformatory, but Junie's sister's ghost stayed more in the background guiding events from behind the scenes. This was more speculative historical fiction, and I thought of it as Gone With the Wind from an enslaved person's perspective. It had that kind of melodrama, but with more layers and depth. It reminded me of the style of The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois.

The author wrote this to give more complex characterization to enslaved people and I felt this definitely succeeded in that intention. I was drawn to the main character, Junie, a house maid, and her fraught friendship with the naive white daughter of the house, Violet, on the brink of the Civil War. Violet teaches her to read and write in secret and Junie develops a talent for poetry and a passion for literature, which ignites in her a passion for seeking the sublime; that predilection drew me to her character, and I loved her rebellious streak and her love for her family. This showed very well the complex holds that family, love and friendships had in attaching people to the horrific institution of slavery, which poisons the humanity of all those who see other people as their property.

Junie was close with her sister, Minnie, but it was also a difficult relationship, and Minnie was secretive. I loved how Junie was known as the "carefree" one, a play on the word careless. But Minnie dies tragically and Junie sinks into grief, until an abusive suitor for Violet comes into their lives and changes their trajectory forever. Minnie's ghost appears to set for her tasks to set her spirit free, but it is more of a protective presence than a spooky one, there to guide Junie to the choice that the only path forward for her is escape from all she has held dear. This very starkly showed how slavery will force people to choose love and family in the margins and whittle away their sense of self.

I also loved her sweet romance with the valet Caleb, and how the best kind of love makes us feel seen.

The writing in this was absolutely gorgeous and compelling, but the characters in this were the best part. They were complex, veering on unlikable to likable, with layered motivations. No one was purely evil or purely good or a stereotype. This book really brought history to life in all its lurid, horrific details. I actually liked how it didn't use the supernatural as a crutch to replace the horrific actions of real humans. It showed how horrible humans can be without supernatural intervention. The spirits were just there to open the eyes of those who were enslaved in both body and spirit.

So this had many heavy and depressing themes, but this is our devastating legacy and we should not look away from it. Books like this make us look at the horrors and not turn away in shame because the characters draw us in.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Junie has been a slave since birth at the Bellereine plantation. Her days are consumed of caring for the master’s daughter, reading poetry, daydreaming, and grieving her older sister Minnie’s sudden death. When wealthy guests come to stay, stay she rouses Minnie’s spirit in a desperate act.

I do enjoy a good civil war historical fiction, especially when it’s from the African American perspective. Junie is such a character- modern, brave, and as her family calls her “carefree”. She is sixteen in the story, but we see her mature and age as she realizes the boundaries of her enslavement. Her relationship with her mistress, Violet, is very interesting dynamic and the changes it goes through really show her lack of power in the end, which was an enlightenment moment for her. There was light magical realism and paranormal activity to the story but the main theme was the history and romance in the story.

“You deserve to take all the beauty of this world and hold it in your hands. You deserve to bite it like a peach and let the juice drop til your fingers get sticky.”

Junie comes out 2/4.

This was a well paced, character driven novel set in pre-civil war Alabama. The story follows the relationship between two young girls growing up on a plantation in the rural south, one is the plantation owner's daughter and the other is a slave girl about the same age. The story focuses predominately from the slave girl's perspective and the struggles to define their relationship as they grow up and learn the nuances of the social order on the plantation. The magnitude of topics covered made me think of this as a "Gone With the Wind" if the main character was a slave. Five is not enough stars for how I would rate this book. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced reader copy.

This was a great historical fiction book! I loved the main character and her development. I stayed up overnight to read it. Overall, a great book!

A beautifully written and deeply moving novel that delves into love, friendship, and liberation. The supernatural elements add an extra layer of intrigue making the novel a unique read.
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Erin Crosby Eckstine for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Junie coming out February 4, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really enjoy books set during the Civil War. I think the subject matter was very interesting. I think it can be a difficult topic to feature in books. This book features a lot of race relations. Junie was a very interesting character with a lot of complexity. I think she had a lot of survivor guilt. I enjoyed the supernatural elements of the book. I think some of the ending was a little confusing. But overall, I really enjoyed the story. I would definitely check out more books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books set during the Civil War!

Will definitely be recommending this one to friends! Caleb and Junie’s banter had me laughing and swooning. I had a crush on him right along with her!

Historical fiction readers who enjoyed Black Cake and Banyan Moon will love Junie. I won't be surprised to see this end up on other celeb book club lists once it's released.

Main character Junie is clever, brave, and witty. The author deftly brings readers on the emotional ups and downs of Junie relationship with Violet, the daughter of the plantation's master. When guests of the plantation bring with them broader social expectations of slave/master dynamics, Violet and Junie’s relationship changes in a way that unsettles both of them.

While I wasn’t as fond of the way Junie is motivated to fulfill a quest explained by visions of her dead sister, these encounters are relatively brief and not haunting in a ‘Beloved’ way. They keep the story moving and further illustrate the weight of guilt and the burden of the stories we tell ourselves.

The author’s note about how this book was born out of her own family lore made me like Junie even more.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for this ARC.

Junie is a haunting and gripping story that kept me on an emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end. Junie’s journey, from the pain of losing her sister to the harsh realities of enslavement, is nothing short of moving. The grief, longing for freedom, and the desire for a better life are so vividly portrayed that I couldn’t help but root for Junie, hoping for a happy ending despite the impossible odds she faces.
The plot weaves together themes of love, loss, and the fight for liberation, all while uncovering dark secrets that add to the tension. Junie’s bond with Caleb brings a flicker of hope amidst the pain, yet as the story progresses, I found myself questioning the price of freedom and the cost of love.
This book isn't just a tale of survival; it's about the internal struggles and sacrifices we make when we choose to fight for a different future. The emotions it stirs are raw, and the journey Junie takes is both heartbreaking and inspiring. I couldn’t put it down, desperate for the resolution while knowing that the choices Junie makes will shape her future in ways she can’t yet imagine.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

This novel had developed and complex African-American characters, address the many atrocities of slavery and had an intense ending. I think this was a spectacular read.

Thoughts

This book was impossible to put down. But at the same time it is so heavy, especially after the second half, that you need some time.

From the very beginning I fell in love with Junie's character. And I knew her journey was going to be heartbreaking and I was dreading it. I loved Junie's personality and also felt for her family trying to make sure she stayed safe.

This book had me laughing out loud and crying my eyes out. I stayed up late reading this and woke up early to finish it.

There is so much I want to say but I don't want to ruin it for anyone. I know without a doubt this will be a favorite of the year.

Books about slavery always intrigue me. The phycological relationships between masters and their slaves, as well as the relationships between the white children and their slaves are fascinating. Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine is a great book club read. The story is very character driven giving its audience much to discuss. Just a heads up there is something magical realism in the story, but it is done in a way that adds to the story, making it a more emotional read. While I would have liked the story to have ended differently I am glad the author chose to go the route she did. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5⭐️s. This was a really well rounded, and compelling story of an enslaved girl just immediately prior to the Civil War. It had the complexity of Junie being close to Violet, the daughter of her owners, but of course, still lacking freedom, safety and her own life that continues to be more noticeable to her as the book progresses. It paints a picture of slavery we know to expect and some of the horrors of it, but doesn’t focus on the brutality as much, but more on the emotional/mental aspects of Junie and her family.

Junie’s struggle with grief at the loss of her sister, and also her self-doubt and shame were also beautifully described and portrayed. While at times her self-sabotage was frustrating and disappointing, it was understandable given how she viewed herself and the fear of more loss. I loved her conversations with Caleb and how compassionate he was with her despite how she lashed out.

The ghost feature was a little odd but I didn’t mind it. I didn’t feel like it took away from the story even tho it added a non-realistic element to it.

Overall, while the beginning took me a bit to get into, I really enjoyed the book a lot, especially the latter half. The writing was also excellent and flowed well.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for allowing me to read an early copy of Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine. This story is a beautiful and heartbreaking merging of historical fiction and magical realism. Set on a plantation in Alabama on the cusp of the Civil War, 16 year Junie, a slave and companion to the master's daughter, Violet, must discover the truth of what happened to her sister, Minnie, while trying to survive.

I hesitate to say I "loved" this book as the subject matter is so grotesque; the fact that we treated human beings in such a deplorable way is unimaginable to me. However, I did love Junie's fierceness, her loyalty, and her strength to endure and survive unimaginable atrocities. She never gives in or gives up; striving to understand the truth of her sister's death and her family's past. The writing is very engaging and you will easily lose yourself in this story. Be sure to read the author's note!

This is hands down one of the most beautifully written books I’ve read in a long time. There is so much to this story and the main character. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.

4 stars

Well, this one is going to tug at your heart strings.

Junie is 16 years old, and she has been enslaved throughout her life. Though she has seen many of the horrors associated with this horrific state, and she has experienced her own personal tragedies, she has been somewhat protected by her close relationship with Violet, a young woman to whom she attends. The tenuous threads of protection appear millimeters from being snipped as Violet's circumstances change and Junie's awareness grows.

As Junie goes through the aforementioned arduous process, she is coming of age in some of the ways that are typical to most folks during this stage, but she also has the added challenges of learning more about the ways in which her ideas depart from those of her family and community. One unexpected ally of Junie's is her deceased sister, Minnie. To me, this is an absolute standout element of this novel. When your reality is so traumatizing that the only thing that can save you from it is a supernatural element, well, the messaging is clear. The dissociation, ways in which Junie gains knowledge, and general attachment to personal bonds in an environment that constantly makes obvious how delicate those are is quite powerful here.

Though the audience is noted as adult, I think this also works well as YA historical. Junie is 16, and the central theme is coming of age. While reading, I frequently thought that my college level YA students would really enjoy this, and I'll be recommending this one to them in addition to folks who want to see a particularly intriguing take on this vital but always challenging to encounter motif.

I enjoyed the structure, form, genre mashing, and characterization and am looking forward to more from this author.

What an inspiring and beautifully written book about a deeply dark period of time. Junie is written with such an interesting and powerful voice. It’s hard to believe this is a debut for this author. Recommend.

When I first started reading Junie, I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy it. I am not a fan of “paranormal fiction or magical realism.” The main character, Junie has visions of her deceased sister, Minnie and was able to interact with her. However, it didn’t take me long to fall in love with the book. The book primarily focuses on slavery and Junie, a sixteen-year-old enslaved girl on a plantation in Alabama. Although the book provides glimpses into the horrors of slavery, this book focuses on love, hope and friendship. Junie and her mistress, Violet believe they are each other’s friend. Yet both individuals are continually challenged by society to follow the traditional rules of salve and master.

Junie’s deceased sister Minnie is an important character in the book and helps the reader to understand the past and the secrets of the plantation and her character works extremely well to provide another dimension to the story. Another key character is Caleb, the guests’ coachman. While he is on the plantation, he and Junie develop a relationship that is nothing less than complex. They find themselves having to deal with hardships and adversity as they navigate their feelings for each out.
One quote from the ARC that I really touched, and it resonated with me was: “She told me that when you first lose somebody, the grief feels like the strongest tea you’ve ever tasted, so bitter and sharp you don’t think you’ll ever be able to swallow. But that every day, another drop of water falls into the cup, and it gets a little easier to taste. That bitterness, that pain, it don’t ever go away or get smaller. But it does fade.”

I loved this book, the characters and story. Knowing this is a debut novel for the author, I know I will be watching for her future books. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

#Junie, #ErinCrosbyEckstine, #NetGalley

⋆⋆⋆⋆⅕ — i stayed up till 2 am reading this and then cried after reading the acknowledgements, so yes, this was an intense emotional experience. i feel like i couldn't connect to junie in some parts of story, but after reading the author's thoughts, i understand what she was trying to (and succeeded in!) portray. junie was a very human, very alive character, and with her, eckstine most certainly achieved what she set out to do. the writing itself is lyrical and captivating, making sure you can't look away from even the most painful events. my favorite book of the year so far.

Junie is an incredible book about an incredible girl. Born enslaved in pre Civil War Alabama, Junie never knew life anywhere but the Bellereine Plantation. Growing up as the "pet" of the master's daughter Violet, Junie learns to read and write albeit in secret. Her head and dreams are filled with poetry and beauty. Her life is filled with hard work (which she tries to avoid) as well as the pressure of living in her dead sister's shadow. Through a series of events, Junie finds herself questioning everything about her place at Bellereine and beyond.

The book is reminiscent of Toni Morrison's Beloved - but in my opinion it is better. The story itself is more straightforward and the title character is infinitely more likable. The book is well written and the story draws the reader in from the very beginning. I honestly didn't want to put it down. My only regret is that I can't read again for the first time.

Most definitely 5/5 stars.

In this compelling and lyrical debut novel, Erin Crosby Eckstine tells the story of Delilah June (Junie), an enslaved young woman on a strangely isolated Alabama cotton plantation in the days before and during the outbreak of the Civil War. Junie has spent her whole life at Bellereine Plantation, serving the McQueen family and being assigned specifically to the family’s daughter, Violet, with whom she has grown up and who has taught Junie to read so she might discuss the books she herself loves. As the family prepares to marry Violet off to an odious and brutal man to save the plantation from the debt collectors the master has brought to their doorstep with his excessive drinking and gambling, the family’s genteel façade begins to show all its cracks. In addition, to the developing concern over the potential new master, Junie is wracked by guilt, believing she caused her sister Minnie’s death, but when she encounters Minnie’s ghost in the woods, she comes to learn the true cause of Minnie’s death and some of the dark secrets the McQueens are harboring, she begins to see that escape might be her best option. Junie is richly portrayed in all of her glory, despair, and human failings. This historical fiction is a page-turner, and Ms. Eckstine is an author to watch.

Thanks to Net Galley, Ballantine Books, and Ms. Eckstine for the opportunity to read this exemplary debut novel.