When Jewish wife and mother Carrie Stein gives birth to a little black baby her family is shocked but it is World War II and she is lonely and her husband has been gone for six years when he did visit and he wasn’t the same but when he finally comes home little Darius is now a toddler and Kerry refuses to give him up even though that is Henry’s ultimatum when she winds up dead due to poisoning her husband is the main suspect a little Darius is sent to an all white orphanage where he will grow up but eventually fine proxy parents and Wesley and Hannah Jamaican immigrants who love him like a son he turns out to be 6 foot six a tall healthy boy and at the age of 20 learns an ancient martial arts after being beat up for being black in with a beautiful woman at a bowling alley. He eventually gets a job as a debt collector for his boss at the construction site as the book goes on we watch him learn life lessons but everything has a cost and he will go through his own turmoil when he decides to learn about his history I don’t want to get too much away this is a long book it is emotional and at times I cheered for Darius and at all those felt so sorry for him but in the end I am happy I read this book this was an awesome book but let me reiterate it is long but so worth reading. A really entertaining story about a black Jewish boy who finds his place in the world despite the hatred of others including his own stepfather. What a great book I want to thank the book whisperer AnNet Galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I'm a person who reads the Bible so all the Jewish aspects described in this book were fascinating to me. The Jewish angle coupled with a person of color, certainly brought out the ugly racial prejudices and was a way to further this reader's knowledge of what others endure at the hands of evil intentioned people. That being the case, I really admired Darius, the main character, who was an overcomer. This book itself was different - in a good sort of way - I really enjoyed reading it and wondered what would happen next as I read along.

There is a good mix of happily ever after and of not so happily so the author keeps you a bit off-balance and guessing, "What next?" Besides the crime, I think the martial arts, which were a type I've never heard of before, and fighting scenes would likely appeal more to male readers. There is multicultural interest for those who care, and romance bits for ladies, so there is something for everyone. The only caution I'd say, would be for those who don't like to read about intimate bedroom scenes. Other than that I'd christen this a strong, fabulous story. Therefore, I bestow a tempered 4 Star rating.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

October 2023

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.