Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of Junie. This well written historical novel discusses slavery in a different and imaginative way. Ms. Eckstine draws upon her family's history which adds to the enjoyment of the novel. The novel tells of the struggles of slaves during that time and also touches on the many issues facing the lives of the slave owners. The characters are well developed, especially Junie, and her relationship and interaction with each of the other characters.

Junie was a very unique historical fiction novel. The richness of this book was amazing.. I have read many books set in the South before the Civil War, but few where the main characters were the slaves. The author wove a rich background of family and cultures. The contrast between the lives of those being served and the lives of those serving was stark. The use of Minnie as a spirit was very different and brought a magical quality to the novel.
The author’s note at the end of the book brought home the importance of this novel to her and the connections she felt to the characters she brought to life. I wished that the author’s note was at the beginning as it would have provided a different lens in which to view the novel.
I appreciate NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity the preview this novel and I wish it success.

What an ABSOLUTELY incredible book. I cannot wait to shout this from the rooftops. JUNIE. JUNIE. JUNIE.

Junie is an incredible book. I feel like I want to write a brainy analytical review of this book because it's an excellent book and an important one and I think it will become a classic. And so even though I want to write that kind of review,
a head review, I have to write a heart review because I just finished the book and it kinda made my heart sing and put tears in my eyes. I love the way the character Junie embodies hope. I love the way the character Minnie uses her rage to try to save her family. I love the way the woman descended from the real Jane Cotton wrote this book. Thank you to Net galley and the publisher for the opportunity dread this ARC.

Junie has spent her life on Bellereine Plantation in Alabama, along with her family cooking and cleaning for a white master. She also tends to his daughter, Violet - and they've become friends. Junie's sister, Minnie, passed away and late at night, in the dark woods Junie sees her ghost.

As Violet turns of age, and her father needs an influx of money to keep their plantation - he brings wealthy friends in from New Orleans to visit. Junie becomes friends with their coachman, Caleb.

The characters are really well developed and the storyline is frustrating and interesting at the same time. It's a hard period to write about, but I think it was done well.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

The powerful story of Junie, an Alabama slave during the days before the Civil War. This beautiful novel highlights, not only what it was like to be a slave in southern Alabama, but what the slaves lost in terms of family. Junie, the main character loses first her mother, then her sister. She learns that the only way she is going to have a life is to take a chance and make a choice…. not something easy to do . Ms. Eckstine writes so beautifully; the language just seems to flow….the descriptions just magnificent. This book had me spellbound, I could not put it down. An excellent, excellent read.

Enslaved since she was born, Junie longs for freedom. But life keeps getting in her way. First her sister dies, and Junie just knows it was her fault. Besides that, everyone is always having to correct her because she often daydreams and is easily distracted.

Junie is special to Violet, her white master’s daughter. Together they giggle about many things, and Violet helps Junie learn to read. But Junie’s heart belongs to her family, and their life is definitely not easy. She even begins to see how her family has to work to protect her from her own foolishness.

Eckstine’s goal for this story was to portray life from a slave’s point of view. She does an excellent job. We learn much about the behind-the-scenes running of a plantation and being subservient to owners whose demeaner ranges from unkindness to outright cruelty.

How Junie finally takes control of her life and in the process helps Violet to do the same makes for a very interesting story. I’m hoping to see more from this author.

Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine is a masterful tapestry of emotional depth and historical resonance. Set against the harrowing backdrop of the Belleriene plantation in Alabama, this beautifully crafted novel follows Junie, a young enslaved girl whose life as a housemaid is marked by profound sorrow and an unquenchable longing for freedom. Eckstine's portrayal of Junie's journey is both heart-wrenching and exhilarating, as she grapples with the loss of her sister and the burning desire to transcend her circumstances.

The narrative is a poignant exploration of grief, resilience, and the quest for self-discovery. Junie's evolving relationships and her introspective journey allow her to address her deep-seated pain while forging a path toward her own liberation and self-realization. Eckstine’s writing is imbued with bravery, compassion, and a spiritual richness that breathes life into Junie's story. The emotional resonance of this book is undeniable—I found myself deeply moved and utterly captivated. Junie is a powerful read that will linger long after the final page, and it’s a story I know I’ll return to time and again.

Junie is a beautifully written story about a young, enslaved girl who has recently lost her older sister. She's just received devastating news that could change her life forever, and she is determined to change her fate. Ms. Eckstine's writing is haunting and authentic, and this is a book that will stay with me for a long time. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.

This book was very creative and imaginative. As I read the pages, I could see the scenes pass. I enjoyed that it made me think about what I would do if I was in that situation. Thank you for the opportunity to read this one!

A surprising book! Told from the point of view in June, an enslaved girl. She tells of her work in the house, her family and their struggles. Erin tells Julie’s story with heart and love. While slaveholders and slave life was often cruel and Junie’s life does include some of the atrocities, it is the tale of a young girl trying to make her way as best she can.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballentine Books for the early read.

This novel is a haunting and moving tale of Junie, an enslaved sixteen-year-old girl on the Bellereine Plantation whose life has been shaped by the unrelenting forces of slavery, grief, and a longing for freedom. The narrative pulls readers into the oppressive atmosphere of the antebellum South, exploring the inner world of a young girl whose dreams are in contrast with the brutal reality of her existence.

Junie's character is compelling, driven by a love for poetry and an intense connection to her late sister, Minnie. This connection deepens when Junie’s desperate actions awaken Minnie's spirit, propelling the story into the realm of the supernatural. The blend of spiritual elements with the harshness of Junie's reality adds a layer of complexity, as Junie must confront not only the physical chains that bind her but also the spiritual and emotional ties that keep her tethered to Bellereine.

The arrival of wealthy guests from New Orleans serves as a catalyst for Junie's awakening, shaking the foundation of her world and setting her on a path of discovery and rebellion. The inclusion of Caleb, a coachman who becomes Junie’s ally and love interest, introduces a tender yet complicated relationship that underscores the theme of love as a form of resistance. Their connection offers hope in a world that hasn’t been kind to them.

As Junie delves deeper into Bellereine's secrets, the novel reveals the horrors of slavery and the twisted dynamics that sustain it. Junie’s journey toward liberation is fraught with peril and difficult choices, and the narrative does not shy away from the complexities of seeking freedom in a world that denies it at every turn.

Junie's story powerfully reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the sacrifices that often accompany the pursuit of freedom.

Overall, this novel is a beautifully written and emotionally charged exploration of slavery, love, and the supernatural, with a strong, memorable protagonist whose story will stay with readers long after the final page.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. For some reason, nothing has been holding my attention lately so this is high praise! Junie is a historical fiction novel about a house maid (Junie) living in slavery in Alabama. She has a close relationship with Violet, the white girl of the house with whom she shared innocent childhood memories of reading and storytelling. Everything changes when Violet is set to marry, which will change Junie's life as she knows it. Plot wise, this book just doesn't stop. The ending of each chapter left me wanting more, and I couldn't put it down. There was an element of magical realism in this story which usually doesn't work for me, but I thought it really added to the story.

A new author in the historical fiction genre, Erin Crosby-Eckstine has written a gem. The character development is second to none. Junie is a sixteen year old enslaved girl who has lost her mother, father and older sister and becomes the housemaid of the daughter of her “owner.” The ghost of her sister Minnie comes to her and tells her that she must complete three duties so that her sister can leave the in-between place and go on to heaven. As Junie learns more about her lost family, she finds out that what she thought was true may not be. She has to make some difficult and dangerous decisions to be able to live the life she deserves even if it breaks her heart. I love these characters and will think about them for a long time.

Such a stunning debut! I have quickly become a historical fiction fan but this is really the first one I’ve read one that had a sprinkle of magical realism to it as well, which I loved.

This was beautiful, heartbreaking, atmospheric, and just incredibly well written. The dynamics between Junie and all the different characters made this whole thing feel so so real. I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you Netgalley for the gifted copy. This was a good historical fiction that I would recommend.
Junie was my favorite. She was tough and headstrong. She was smart and adventurous.

Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine is a great story. Vivid imagery and lush storytelling, I very much enjoyed the story.

Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into this book. Loved the premise, but I guess it isn't the right time for me to read this. DNF and moving on.

This is one of the very best books I've ever read. It's not my usual genre, so I wasn't expecting to love it. It's FABULOUS! The historical context, the actions and beliefs the characters, as well as the emotional impacts made it a page-turner. I was crying at the end. Junie was so strong and original, a truly lovable character who faces more than her share of hardships and loss. This one will stay with me for a long time.

Junie takes place in 1860, with a little of the novel trailing into early 1861. Junie is a slave, but up until recently, she was treated in a way that made her feel different than what you'd imagine - Junie knows how to read, she cares closely for her mistress - Violet - but also feels like Violet is her best friend. Junie hasn't been abused, physically, or otherwise. That is, until a suitor for Violet shows up who is everything you'd imagine a plantation owner to be - belligerent, angry, and physically violent. Junie's world is flipped upside down and she yearns for freedom.

I had mixed feelings about this book. It is slow and dense. I didn't mind that, but some of the characters and plot were harder to love and believe than others. First, there's Junie's dead sister, Minnie, who appears as a ghost, stuck in purgatory, who needs Junie to complete a series of tasks so that Minnie can pass over. While I'm not sure this fit that well, it was okay. There is also a love interest, Caleb. This felt like a fairly constant push/pull and annoyed me in the way that movies with obvious love interests will sometimes drag on far too long. I just wanted them to fall in love already. Violet is gay. For some reason, that isn't really an issue - hard for me to imagine how that could be possible for a wealthy daughter of the confederate south in 1860. And lastly, Junie. The level of naivete she has early on and how quickly she becomes set in a new group of beliefs feels incredible, in the not credible way.

There was a lot I liked too. The writing is pretty. The story hooked me. Overall, it was good, but not great for me. If you're interested in a different story about slavery and the American south, this might be good for you!

3. 5 stars, rounded down.