47

I enjoyed much of this story but struggled with sci-fi alongside slavery. Human beings were/are quite capable of recognizing that there is no master of humans without an alien telling us so. Still, I was turning the pages wondering how Mosley would pull all the threads through the narrative.......more

This YA novel was a unique mix of 1) a realistic story of the despair and horror of plantation slavery, & 2) a fantasy about a benevolent alien who comes to Earth to empower a slave boy with supernatural longevity and wisdom, so that he can save the world. It's kind of like combining 12 Years A Slav......more

A Gem Fantastic! A proud combo of African-American folklore, history, Time travel, shape-shifting, and intergalactic conflict add unusual elements to this story. So very well written. Well-crafted characters; sharp dialogue and vivid descriptions. I loved it......more

This story was amazing I absolutely loved it! It was many things to me, so I will just say "Enchanting, engrossing, magnificent and necessary. A veracious account on more levels than one."......more

Just as bad as Runner by Carl Deuker, but in completely the opposite way--this novel aims high...but falls flat. Title refers to the number branded on a young slave, unnamed, who becomes a messiah for the enslaved and takes on a supernatural being. After an initial back-story that feels more educati......more