This was a hard story to read. It's about Pheby Brown, a biracial woman who lives a fairly sheltered life until her father's widow punishes her, and she finds herself the "woman" of a horrible slave trader. It is full of horrific scenes of violence and mistreatment, but Pheby's determination to survive made me want to keep reading.

RIVETING!

“Ain’t many choices for a slave woman. Just know everything I do is for you. I’ma die a slave. I knows that. But you, baby, you are meant to see freedom. I’s makin’ sure.”

I am hugely thankful to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for this gifted copy. I finally got around to reading Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson and by the story's end, I kept wondering why it took me so long to get to it (maybe my ever growing TBR list. Shrugs!). All this to say that I am very glad to have read it and would highly recommend it to others.

This book is equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming. It follows the story of Pheby Delores Brown who has known a semblance of privilege all of her life. While she was born onto a plantation, she is the daughter of the plantation's medicine woman and has been shielded from hard labor. Her lifelong dream has always been to secure her freedom upon her 18th birthday but when it arrives, nothing goes as planned. She is thrown into slavery at the most infamous slave jail in all of Virginia.

This is a pretty heavy read that explores many harrowing details pertaining to the slave trade. Main character Pheby faced cruelty at every turn and with incredible determination and courage makes the ultimate sacrifice to continue to fight for freedom. I really enjoyed this book as it is a story of redemption. I enjoy how well Pheby's character is written and how adaptable she was throughout her entire journey. I especially would recommend this book to historical fiction and diverse readers alike.

This was a compelling read! I subtracted a star for some stylistic choices that I don't care for, but overall, I highly recommend this story of motherhood, race, and love in Civil War-era Virginia.

An outstanding story told from the perspective of a slave of the many unforgiveable cruelties both physical and mental that were inflicted upon her throughout her life. The first chapters are Pheby as a young woman, treated with some kindness until she is sold to a trader. The following chapters are hard to read. Most of us would like to believe that no one could treat other humans in such a manner, yet history has shown time and again that it is true.
This is historical history written in such a skilled manner that we forget this is fiction. Pheby leaves the page as we react with horror and disbelief that she could survive and find some quantity of peace in this life. Sadeqa Johnson has done an excellent job of insuring that her work will be read and discussed each time a reader discovers YELLOW WIFE.

Pheby is sent to a jail with other slaves in Virginia. She is forced to marry a man she does not love. Her hardships throughout the novel are impeccable but she endures them. I loved this story and the character development was excellent.

This book caught me from beginning to end. It gave me a new prospective of the era of slavery. It was far worse than I even thought and this book left me with a lot to think about.

Not since I read Mandingo as a young adult has a book held my attention and also made me hold my breath while reading it. The descriptions were sometimes horrifying and yet I read it straight through until I finished it. Such a heartbreaking story in many ways. The main character is such a strong woman. You just know it's gonna end up well for her and her children. She was an 'I will survive' woman! She did what she needed to do to save her children.

This is based on real people and a real location, so I learned a little more about slavery in the US. (See author's note.) In particular, while I'm familiar with passing as white, and the advantages coming with that decision, making it worthwhile at that time, I didn't know "yellow wife" was a thing.

This is a difficult book to read; it's quite detailed about the atrocities the jailers committed in the name of business. That's not a reason to avoid reading it. However, I had a hard time believing a choice Pheby makes late in the book and then everything magically wraps up quickly, nice and tidy. For a book that seemed so long, the ending felt rushed and would have been better without the epilogue. 3.5 stars

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. This was a really interesting story that kept me hooked until the end.

This book hurt more than I would like to admit it did to read. This historical fiction hits very close to home especially as I trace my own ancestry to find out who I am. This story grabs hold of you from the very beginning and doesn’t let you go, not even when it’s over. It leaves you thinking about this story for days afterwards. This book is not for the faint of heart, or those of gentle constitutions. But it’s a great read.

What a book. Even though historical fiction it was well researched. I knew about slavery but this really opened my eyes. It is a must read and very well written. I will definitely check out her other books!

I spent a lot of time thinking and contemplating over which book to select for my tour stop and y’all know the sistahs are out here writin’ and droppin treasures so huntee this was HARDTTTT!

Yellow Wife sat with me for a long time after reading it. First the research that went into this book was on a whole nutha level. I had absolutely no clue of the hell our biracial and mulatto ancestors went through during slavery. I felt like I was reading a factual account of Pheby’s life so much so I wanted to call my high school US History teacher and ask him why he didn’t tell me about her and others like her (of course, we already know why). I felt Pheby’s resilience, determination and fierce love leap off the pages. This book left me with every single emotion imaginable. I was pissed. I was ready to fight. My heart broke. But the most important emotion I felt was pride and a strong desire to continue to strive to make my ancestors proud. They went through hell and back for us. I am humbled by their strength. Thank you Sadeqa for sharing the untold stories of our history. Thank you for your research. I am in awe.

I ranked this book 2 of the 152 books I read in 2021.

Yellow Wife is one of the most powerful, heartbreaking, and gut wrenching books I have ever read. I went in blind only knowing it took place in America before the Civil War when slavery was at its height. I've read multiple books about slavery, but Yellow Wife is unlike anything I expected. Pheby Brown is mixed race with lighter skin, so that aspect is explored more in this novel than ones I've read before. She is the daughter of the Plantation owner, and has always been told she would be free once she is 18. Instead, after her mother's death, she is sent to auction and sold to a jailer in Virginia.

There are many many MANY content warnings throughout this novel: repeated rape, graphic depictions of slavery and torture, death of a child, and abuse. It is an extremely difficult novel but I 100% recommend you read it. Pheby's continued sacrifices broke me and I was astonished at her strength.

I didn't know until the end and the author's note that this novel is based on a real person: Mary Lumpkin who was imprisoned by jailer Robert Lumpkin in his prison known as the Devil's Half Acre. Yellow Wife s a phenomenal historical fiction with beautiful writing that hooks you and pulls you into the narrative. Johnson's extensive research shows throughout this entire novel. It is hands down one of the best books of 2021.

I didn't love this one as much as I expected to but still a great read. Would be happy to recommend to anyone interested.

I have always been a fan of Sadeqa Johnson and was excited when I found she has penned a historical fiction novel. YELLOW WIFE was beautiful and breathtaking. The determination and resiliency of the main character, Pheby Brown to make a life for herself beyond slavery is astounding considering the things she endured for her future, her children and her true love. Although she is promised freedom, she finds herself enslaved and the wife of the warden of Devil’s Half Acre, a prison in Virginia. Pheby learns to study her husband so that she is always a step ahead of him for the sake of her family. This pays off although there were deadly consequences.

Knowing YELLOW WIFE is a fictional story loosely based on the life of Mary Lumpkin and the prison actually existed, brought a layer of realism to our ancestor’s stories. Stories of survival and overcoming odds, succeeding when there was only hope. I would have like to see more interaction with her daughters as the book seems to be rushed at the end. But it is a great book, none the less.

Being a fan of all things antebellum, I was drawn to the southern style of the book cover of the Yellow Wife. After reading the synopsis, I was curious about the Devil's Half Acre and what happened there. Most importantly, I wondered about her struggle.

When I received the digital copy,I was literally excited to have the book in my hands. I was expecting the typical romanticization of the antebellum south, which is seen in quite a few southern romances. However, having read Sadiqa's other book, And Then There Was Me, I expected graceful prose and a riveting storyline. She did not disappoint.

I was mesmerized by the main character's strength and fortitude, which lead me to think about my own struggles. Not only did I treasure every word, but all of my questions were answered. Pheby Brown lived a very sheltered life, yet belonged to neither the free nor enslaved world. In this epic novel, the cost of freedom is understood through her eyes, as she deals with betrayal, lies, love, and loss.

This text is perfect for readers of Kathleen Grisson and Dolen Perkins-Valdez. Moreover, this text would a great addition to a high school or college level African-American studies class.

This is described as a harrowing read and it more than lives up to that billing. Yet as Bookishrealm says "it's a necessary read" and one I encourage you to take on so that we face up to what happened to human beings like you and me during slavery. Don't look away. See.

Historical fiction at its best! I read this in one day and immediately read more about it online. Fantastic writing as the author describes the desperation as well as the brutality magnificently. Brava! An excellent book that I recommend. - this would be a fantastic book discussion group choice. Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the copy. I’m grateful.

This is the story about Pheby, who lives with her mother on a plantation. Pheby’s father is the master of the plantation. She ends being sold to another plantation, where the master is called the Jailer.

This book is fiction, but it is so well written it could very well be non-fiction. My heart is literally hurting, and I am beyond disgusted by the way the Black community was treated. It was a phenomenal book, but definitely not for the faint at heart.

One of the Best Books I’ve Read this Year. Incredible Book! Such a Moving Story of Strength and Surviving through the hardest Adversity. Their were moments so brutal and others that just touch your heart. If you want to understand slavery, this is the book I would suggest reading.

Pheby is just 17 and a Slave living in the Bell Plantation in 1850. She has always had her Mama to keep her strong. She taught her to read and write. She also said, ‘You may be a slave, but in your mind you are not one’ Master Jacobs has always liked Mama and decides he wants to have a relationship with her. This is how Pheby is born. Missus Delphina is not too pleased with Pheby getting special treatment. After Mama dies suddenly, Missus has had enough of Pheby. She is told she is leaving and being sold. This changes her life.

She is sent on a long journey where she ends up at The Lapier Jail, in Richmond, Virginia. Here the Marse, Rubin Lapier takes a liking to Pheby. He decides that he wants her to be his Misses. Pheby must go along with this. She is terrified that she could be sold into prostitution. The pain she must endure is beyond words. Still, she has a son she must protect and later has children with Rubin. She is forced to do many things that she can not bear. Yet, she knows she must do her best to survive and look after her children.

Pheby must make some very difficult choices and use her intelligence to figure out a way to help some of the people she loves get away from Richmond. She is very bold and brave, yet caring for all those who must endure slavery. I loved her character and felt her strength. This is just a story that should be read. Some parts are difficult, but it is worth it. The strength of the human spirit to go on is certainly here. It will hurt your heart and make you route for the goodness in people to shine through. It certainly did for me.

Thank you NetGalley, Sadeqa Johnson, and Simon and Schuster for giving me a copy of this book. I do apologize for rating it past the publication date. I knew it was going to be an intense read and kept wanting to read it. I am so glad I did.