I absolutely loved this novel in verse book. It is so well written that it painted the pictures in my mind just like a movie would. I loved how the author weaved a story using island culture and myths and brought it to life for other to learn about and enjoy. I highly recommend this book.

(S)Kin, a novel-in-verse inspired by Caribbean folklore that weaves together the stories of Marisol and Genevieve—two teenagers living in Brooklyn who unexpectedly learn of their connection.

Marisol and her mother are soucouyants. During the new moon, they leave their skins behind, transform, and sip on the unsuspecting souls of their enemies in order to sustain themselves. After moving from the Caribbean to Brooklyn Marisol struggles to honor her magic while also trying to fit in. Genevieve on the other hand lives with her white dad, his white wife, and their new twin babies. Genevieve struggles to learn about her absent Black mother and desperately needs help with an itching, burning skin condition.

After crossing paths, unearthed secrets change their lives and provide answers to some of their most burning questions. Their journey together is filled with jealousy, understanding, sisterhood, questions of identity, and revenge. Most prevalent is the discussion of colorism and beauty ideals. Marisol is dark skinned with short, tight curls while Genevieve is light with long, loose curls. The social commentary on this topic is nothing new, but my heart still hurt for Marisol as she struggled to see the beauty of her skin color. In one way or another, they both preferred certain aspects of the other’s life and by meeting each other, they got a glimpse into what could’ve been.

I think it’s clever how Ibi had Marisol’s pov on the right hand side and Genevieve’s on the left. Then as their stories blend, they shift more to the middle. I don’t think the story ends the way most will probably expect. I admit that I thought the story would come full circle, and I didn’t like how it ended at first. Now, I think the ending is powerful and poetic.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

I really enjoy Zoboi's books, so I was very excited to request this one on NetGalley. Some of my favorite books are in verse; Punching the Air was a lit circle option in my poetry class for a couple of years. However, S(Kin) just did not work for me. While there is undoubtedly beautiful writing, the story felt so clunky. I never found myself wanting to open this up or read one more chapter. I do think reading on a Kindle took away some of the flow, as well -- depending on your settings with size/font, the line format would get confusing. I am sure there are many readers who will fall in love with this, but it's a pass for me.

I’ve never read a novel in verse before so I was excited to check out (S)Kin. Unfortunately, I don’t think this style is for me. I can definitely see the beauty in a book written this way. (S)Kin is poetic and lyrical, but I found it to be really disjointed. I’m generally not a fan of poetry so this is entirely a me problem–I was trying to broaden my horizons but all I’ve done is further prove that poetry isn’t for me.

The actual story of (S)Kin was interesting. I’m so intrigued by the folklore that I want to read more about it. I love how powerful the women came across and how they were aware of this. Marisol often felt less than when comparing herself to Genevieve, but she knows the power she holds and I think that was beautiful.

I understood completely what the structure of the end chapters were trying to do but the formatting didn’t work too well on a Kindle. Unless they were supposed to be unreadable, but I don’t imagine that was the case. The bits that I did read while skimming the page to get an idea of what was going on were beautifully written. The actual ending of this book is pretty frustrating though. You’re left with more questions than answers and events that should have huge consequences seem to be brushed off easily. I think making this book just a little longer so they could explore this new way of life (all I’m giving away about what happens) would have made (S)Kin a much better read.

I think (S)Kin is a book that a lot of people will enjoy but it just wasn’t for me. It’s a quick read at less than 200 pages with most of these being half full with text and the folklore that inspired it is really interesting.

(S)Kin is an amazing retelling of Caribbean myths and folklore. I really love Ibi Zoboi's writing, so when I saw this book, I immediately requested it. (S)Kin is written in verse and is very well written. I love both sisters and their individual stories. In addition to their relationship, the book explores multilayered themes of immigration and racism. I enjoyed it a lot and highly recommend it to everyone. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

THOUGHTS

Ibi Zoboi wields poetry like a weapon, carving out lyrical passages that would be ungraspable in prose. And that's an incredible feat. I often find that novels-in-verse (especially for a younger audience) don't utilize poetry to its full extent, but that is definitely not the case here. Tandem voices, clashing identities: poetry wrestles the hard truths of this book into submission. I just wish it had been longer, lingered in some of its moments, but that's one drawback of verse that I don't think can be remedied.


PROS
Poetic Practice: This book alternates between half-sisters, girls who have had radically different upbringings and who hold (for the most part) radically different opinions on life. And the verse used in this book really captures their voices, alternating alignment on the page between them so their individual experiences stand out. And I loved that use of verse, the way verse can be formatted to benefit its message, which makes for a really dynamic reading experience.

Real World Problems: As much as this book is a fantasy, it is rooted in the real world, in everyday experiences. It trudges through the ramifications of racism, colonialism, and colorism in island life and in NYC. Superstition and prejudice play an important part in the literal magic of the story, but those prejudices are drawn from very real experiences. The uncomfortable facets of these -isms open room for great, if difficult, conversations about very real-world, ongoing injustice and maltreatment.

Messy Dynamics: Who doesn't love a messy family dynamic? And boy is this family messy. We have a single mother and her daughter, who already have a bit of a manipulative relationship fostered between them. Then we introduce a half-sister and her father... and her stepmother and her new baby half-siblings. And a ton of secrets. And a lot of unspoken half-truths. And a lot of heavy feelings (some justified and some not). Mix this all together with a bit of myth-made-fact, and it all feels perfectly complicated.


CONS
Slow Build: This book takes a long time to get where its going. It is slow to build anywhere, and while it does nurture the characters along the way, this slow pace might not be the best fit for every reader. Especially in a book marketed as YA, some might find it takes too long to build anywhere good. I didn't mind it, but if you need something fast to snag your attention, this might not be the read for you.

Not Enough: As much as I loved how Zoboi was able to use the freedom and the structure of poetry to really add to the dynamic nature of this book, there is one limitation of novel-in-verse that couldn't be overcome. I just didn't get enough of the story. There are so many gaps, so many things left unsaid because of the nature of poetry versus prose, and I just wish there had been more room in the structure for fleshing things out. I'm not sure this could have been fixed, given the format. But I still wish I had more here.

Parental Problems: As much as I love a messy family dynamic, I was still a bit disappointed. Because the biggest villain of them all was Lourdes, the mother of these two girls. And she made a lot of mistakes. And she made some very bad (and very intentional) choices. So she isn't blameless by any means. But I felt like there could have been so much to her character--felt like the writing hinted at so much behind her--that just didn't get explored. And that was a great loss. She became too much of a villain, and I don't think that was the intention. And I really do hate when the women get the brunt of the blame, you know?


Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
7/10
Fans of Heather Kamins's The Moth Girl will like how fantasy mingles with reality to create a compelling commentary here. Those who loved Patrice Caldwell's collection A Phoenix First Must Burn will like this taste of #BlackGirlMagic.

A powerful YA contemporary fantasy written in verse. I am a reluctant reader of novels in verse, often questioning the format, but I can't imagine (S)kin being written in any other way. The formatting perfectly fit the story being told, and I was immersed in this tale of mothers and daughters, of Caribbean folklore and inherited magic. 15-year-old Marisol and her mother have emigrated from the islands to New York City. Marisol, like her mother before her, is a soucouyant, a magical witch who sheds her skin every new moon and shifts into fireball form, feeding on others for sustenance. 17-year-old Genevieve lives nearby, the daughter of a professor who and a mother she never knew. She has a terrible skin condition that plagues her constantly and is growing increasingly worse. When her father and stepmother hire a nanny for their newborn twins, long-held secrets are revealed and Marisol and Genevieve's lives intersect in unexpected ways. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books | Versify for a digital review copy.

Not a bad read, but complex and a little confusing at times. I like the magic realism of the story and the characters, but it often felt disjointed and confusing I like the overall feel, but was left with a lot of questions and wonderments.

(S)kin is by the oh-so-fabulous Ibi Zoboi! Even though it is early in the year, I’m calling it now - this is going to be a Best Book of 2025 for many. I am reading this aloud to my Haitian students and I am learning a lot about the magic of the Caribbean.
This YA novel in verse is so unique and magical! A must read!

Ibi Zoboi has created a beautiful retelling of the Caribbean myths and folklore in which her own life is rooted in. The way in which these myths and stories are brought to life through the intricately connected lives of Marisol and Genevieve is absolutely breathtaking.

Ibi Zoboi's narrative in verse captures the heart of what it means to be a young woman discovering who she is in her own skin. Add in the multi-faceted layers of race, immigration, and carrying the stories of your ancestors, and you have a narrative that truly focuses on what we all need as individuals - being seen. Being seen for who we are, all that we are, and being loved and welcomed because we are all of those things.

I would love to see the continuation of Marisol and Genevieve’s story as I feel they were just getting started on their individual and interconnected journeys.

This book is written in prose alternating between both girls' point of view. Interesting choice. It becomes confusing later when everything starts blending together and at some points it is hard to decipher who I speaking. I would rather this have been written as a novel so we could see things clearly. Storyline is interesting-basically, don't have kids! They will try to kill you! Lol. I enjoyed this book and cant wait to share it with others

As a longtime fan of Ibi Zoboi, I was over the moon when I learned that her latest work would delve into Caribbean folklore and magical realism. When NetGalley and HarperCollins shared this ARC with me, I was literally bouncing off the walls with excitement!
SKin is a masterpiece that not only celebrates the power of storytelling but also reclaims and reimagines the narratives of the Caribbean diaspora. I can’t recommend it enough—whether you’re a fan of Zoboi’s previous work or simply someone who loves beautifully crafted magical realism, this is a must-read!

4.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley, Versify, and HarperCollins Children's Books for this advanced copy! You can pick up (S)Kin on February 11, 2025.

Ibi Zoboi is an absolute master storyteller. Her author's note at the beginning provided great context on her decision to write this book in verse and how that medium affects the story's reading. I loved seeing this intimate glimpse into Caribbean culture and lore, and Zoboi's depiction of the difference between American-born and Caribbean-born girls was stark and poignant.

Both Genevieve and Marisol leaped off the page, and it was incredible how you could immediately differentiate their voices. You see both girls evolve so much in such a short span, but that didn't make their relationships and character arcs less impactful. If anything, you're struck even more by how much can change in such a short time, and what it means when you finally have answers for the questions plaguing you your entire life.

Safe to say I'll be thinking about this one for a while, and I hope you all take this as a sign to pick it up come February!!

gorgeous and enchanting novel in verse with some awesome character vibes, mythological themes, and generaly interesting motifs. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

I generally like work by this author. I especially like his books in verse. However, I feel like this one is a bit more niche than Punching the Air. There were some parts of this that I enjoyed, the language is masterful and vivid. However, I’m not a huge fan of fantasy in general and although there’s some Caribbean myth here, I felt like it was more focused on the trend of teen girl witches here in the US. I also felt the end was a little too pat. I did like cat Micah, that was justice..

Beautifully written in verse through dual-perspectives. I loved learning about the Carribean culture and folklore, and the characters were well-built and real-feeling.

This book was a wild ride. I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting going in, but this book was way more intense than anything I’d anticipated. (S)kin is honestly unlike any other book I’ve ever read. This novel in verse teemed with magic, pain, womanhood, identity, power, nightmares, sisterhood, ancestors, flame, fury, and the search for home. At first I was worried that the verse style was going to make it difficult to follow what was happening (especially with the alternating perspectives), but this book immediately sucked me in. No character is a hero in the typical sense, and the reader is left conflicted about which side to take- the characters don’t fall easily into a “good” or evil” category. Even the magic and monsters aren’t tied to a good or evil. It simply is. This is definitely a YA book and not middle grades based on both content and comprehension. I know that many of my students would struggle with following the writing style and the magical elements. There are a few 8th graders I could see enjoying it, and many former students who are now high schoolers that I think this book would resonate with. If I recommended it to middle school students, I would also want it to be in the context of a book club so that they’re be opportunities for making meaning and inferences.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this unique and powerful text. I’m looking forward to adding it to my classroom library.

I am not usually a fan of fantasy or books-in-verse, but I am an Ibi Zoboi fan, and she did not disappoint! I love the Caribbean folklore about the Soucouyant and the beauty of the message.

Ibi Zoboi’s * (S)Kin* is a beautifully crafted, thought-provoking exploration of identity, race, and the bonds that define us. Through vivid storytelling and powerful imagery, Zoboi delves deep into the complexities of family and belonging, making this a compelling and poignant read. The novel’s raw emotional depth and lyrical prose will resonate long after the final page. A must-read for those seeking a reflective and impactful narrative.

I really struggled with this one, because while I love Ibi Zoboi's writing and I really enjoyed like 75-80% of this book, it really felt like the ending went off the rails. It felt like it came from nowhere and didn't feel resolved at all. I didn't feel for Genevieve at all, she was kind of annoying and took every chance she could to be rude to Marisol.