Holy Shyt!!!

What in Gods name did I step into?

Leah Vernon is a BADASS and taking numbers!!!

Futuristic dystopian world, where black people are the oppressors and they run the world.

Say what now? Hold up!

Vernon has taken the abnormal and made it into a norm, in her book “The Union”
Vernon has taken a no holds barred approach in her novel when we say oppressed, are now the oppressors.
This book will be an eye opener for two reasons. The first being to see the atrocities that were inflicted on black people in the past, then it be turned around, and portrayed and used against white people.
Or how white people will feel a sense of deep despair and will realize, that deep down. Hey! I’ve seen it on television, read it in books, but never actually read it portrayed with us being the victims. This is some deep Shyt!
Even we as black people had to take a step back for a second, because I know I even found it difficult to read. I would never want my Niece to be treated as less than social class, or my brothers. What of that one drop rule?
But this book is by no means, and I say no means for everyone, so if you are that type of person. Pump your brakes now. You are entering the valley of no return.
Because Vernon is the type of author who apparently likes to set trends of her own.
And she has no problem stepping over and through to make that happen.
She is fierce and determined and has left her mark through many of her endeavors.
This novel will follow two totally different woman’s outputs in life, while following their journey through a world where white people are treated no better than a piece of crap on the sidewalk. Interracial people have it just as bad, for they have an even less social class.
Vernon’s word build is a force within its own and flows as seamlessly as water.
Her characters Avi and Saige are both unique, with complex, individualism, and personable identities.
This book Is not for the weak at heart, nor does Leah make any apologies for it.
My assumption is that Vernon meant for the reader to be uncomfortable, so that the world could take a step back and see that everything is not just Black or White.
That we need to stop seeing ourselves as just either or and just be UNITED.
If one thousand years into the future, we are still warring over who rules who and thinking about what color prevails.

I truly hope that God would burn the place down.

Because apparently “We Haven’t Learned a DAMN THING”!!!

FANTASTIC, FANTASTIC!!!

NOT ENOUGH WORDS

Received an advanced copy via NetGalley, My review is my own.

This was such a unique dystopian. It has depicted the black community as the oppressors as the white community has been for so long. It changed my view on things so much. It had the same concepts as any other dystopian and yet managed to be completely different. I loved Avi and Saige and the friendship they built throughout the book. I loved the way it incorporates so many different dystopian tropes and I was absolutely shocked by the plot twist by the end of the book. I ABSOLUTELY need a sequel because I need more of these amazing characters and of this amazing plot.

The oppressed become the oppressors in this action-packed science fiction. It's going to be shocking and eye-opening when you realize that the atrocities committed against White people are the same atrocities that Black people have endured for centuries. Even my understanding of Black history was challenged as I read this book.

I have read books with similar premises and have found them lacking. Vernon provides an unflinching parallel to the inequity and injustice that Black people face today. The character-building is extraordinary as readers follow two young women from two very different perspectives navigating a world in which White people are considered less than animals, and mixed people have even less social standing. The world-building is immersive, and readers will be thrust into a world that is both glorious and horrifying. I enjoyed the plot, both Saige and Avi are compelling characters with unique stories and I found myself emotionally invested in both.

The Union isn't for the closed-minded or the thin-skinned. If you keep an open mind, I think you'll discover a new world and a new mindset.

This book takes everything you expect about dystopian books and turns it upside down. Leah Vernon wrote it with the ruling class being black people, instead of white.

This is so important and groundbreaking because when you see black people in dystopian novels, if you do, they are such a minor part of society. They usually are in service roles, sometimes straight up slaves, and they never have more than a passing mention in the book.

Along with this, the story is great. The writing was awesome. I loved every moment of this book.

This is a futuristic dystopian where Black people rule. Leah essentially flipped the roles, and I’m shook. I haven’t read about Black people as the aggressors in this way, so I definitely found myself uncomfortable which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I do get what Leah is doing here, and I applaud her boldness.

I’m so glad to see Black characters in a dystopian novel. It’s a first for me. I think this will be a great bookclub read. I found myself wishing I had others to digest the plot with because wow it’s dark, gritty, and I found myself unsure about how I felt, so it would be interesting to hear other peoples thoughts. The writing is straight to the point, so I think many will find this world easy to understand.

I can’t quite put my finger on what, but it feels like this story is missing something to punch it up a notch. I’m invested enough that I do want to know what happens next for Avi, Saige, and Liyo.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

First time reading a dystopian novel that puts the black community in the spotlight and it did not disappoint. The world building is good, every plot points presented was explored enough but left some room to tackle for the sequels. I also love the fact that the plot did not focus alot on romance.
However,the characterization did not offer something new for me.

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book!

The Union by Leah Vernon is a dystopian novel that takes places in the future. The story itself was very gripping with a lot of darkness around it. As a mood reader I always have problems to get into a new book, but with this one it was no challenge at all. I was absolutely intrigued of the story and it kept me on the edge of my seat all the time.
Of course the book was provoking. The main topics are still anchored in our society today. So, it might not be everyones cup of tea. But it was for sure mine. The writing flowed like a river and was easy to read. Overall I really enjoyed The Union and hope to read more from Leah Vernon very soon.

I’m interested in doing an interview with Leah for pop-culturalist on The Union! The Union is perfect for those who are interested in dystopian novels set in the future. Leah Vernon is a hijabi body positivity activist.

This was dark and gritty and a lot more thought provoking than I expected. It really goes into the divide that’s pretty evident in our society and around us today, the author didn’t hold back in touching upon that either. It was horrific in that aspect, especially with the added dystopian genre to it. I loved this book.