This post is sponsored. A complimentary physical copy of this book was kindly provided by HarperCollins Canada in exchange for an honest review.
When Springville residents—at least the ones still alive—are questioned about what happened on prom night, they all have the same explanation… Maddy did it.
An outcast at her small-town Georgia high school, Madison Washington has always been a teasing target for bullies. And she’s dealt with it because she has more pressing problems to manage. Until the morning a surprise rainstorm reveals her most closely kept secret: Maddy is biracial. She has been passing for white her entire life at the behest of her fanatical white father, Thomas Washington.
After a viral bullying video pulls back the curtain on Springville High’s racist roots, student leaders come up with a plan to change their image: host the school’s first integrated prom as a show of unity. The popular white class president convinces her Black superstar quarterback boyfriend to ask Maddy to be his date, leaving Maddy wondering if it’s possible to have a normal life.
But some of her classmates aren’t done with her just yet. And what they don’t know is that Maddy still has another secret… one that will cost them all their lives.
⤖ My Review ⬻
I have now read two books by Tiffany D. Jackson—The Weight of Blood and Grown—and she’s an incredible author! I can’t wait to read more of her books. I enjoyed the intensity of Grown (I read it in one sitting) and was mentally preparing myself for that same intensity except with the added layer of horror—which I was also super excited for. Jackson did not disappoint!
The horror element of the book is expertly woven throughout the story, creating constant tension and suspense. While the story didn’t make me have to turn on all of the lights in my apartment, it definitely did create a feeling of unease that definitely gave me some goosebumps a number of times.
The Weight of Blood‘s protagonist, Maddy, really interesting to read about because you couldn’t quite get the sense on what type of character she is really—and I won’t be telling you either, because I want you to experience this for yourselves! Another thing I won’t touch on too much is the racist people in Maddy’s town. All I will say was that I felt a constant rage when reading about them and their hateful words and actions.
Overall, The Weight of Blood is a gripping page-turner that kept me on the edge of my seat until the conclusion. And even after reading the last page, I’ve been thinking about this book occasionally for a number of reasons. I highly recommend this novel and look forward to reading more of Jackson’s work, especially White Smoke and Monday’s Not Coming. I’m also eager to see what Jackson will write next!
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Thank you for reading my review! Have you read this book? What did you think? And if you haven’t read it yet, do you plan to? Let me know in the comments!
