Gorgeous characters, fun back and forth, and the worldbuilding is crafted so gorgeously. it is definitely searing and strong.

Family Legacy, Racial Injustice, Resilience

Long After We Are Gone by Terah Shelton Harris is a gripping family saga set in North Carolina. The story centers around the Solomon family, consisting of four siblings who reunite following the death of their father, King Solomon. His final words to his son were, "Don't let white men get the house," setting the stage for an exploration of family legacy, racial injustice, and personal battles.

Evaluation Long After We Are Gone stands out for its powerful storytelling and deep exploration of complex themes. Its strengths lie in its well-drawn characters and the emotional depth of the narrative. However, some readers may find the intertwining personal battles of the siblings a bit overwhelming. Regardless, Harris's ability to tackle difficult subjects with sensitivity and insight makes this novel a worthwhile read.

In conclusion, Terah Shelton Harris's Long After We Are Gone is a beautifully crafted novel that resonates with its exploration of family, legacy, and the enduring struggle for justice and identity.

I am the first to admit that I am not a lit fic girlie, even though I really would like to be. However, this book I really enjoyed so much.

This writing begins as poetic and at a point turns a little less so, but you still get the visceral feeling from each character as they try to navigate life in The Kingdom, without King. Each trying to decipher if they need to appear as he would have wanted them to or as they truly are.

Ms. Shelton Harris gave us a bouquet of personalities in each of these characters and I loved how the hardest of times brings family together.

This book is beautifully written and sheds a light on the happenings all across the US as older generations pass on and their younger generations try and fight for the very land that is rightfully theirs.

VTerah Shelton Harris masterfully weaves a poignant family drama in Long After We Are Gone. Her richly developed characters, each grappling with the aftermath of their patriarch's death, resonated deeply. King's inner demons, Mance's anger, Cece's trust issues, and Tokey's yearning for love are explored with nuanced depth.

The book delves into the concept of heir property, a topic I was unfamiliar with until reading this. Harris not only tells a compelling story but also provides a valuable historical context. While the narrative is emotionally heavy, it offers a glimmer of hope as the characters begin to acknowledge their generational trauma.

Wow, This is a powerful story. I did non like the narrator at all. I kept wanting to ;quit the book.
glad I finished it. The characters were annoying but I was happy with the ending. The ending lines will stay with me for a while.

Wow, the issues and problems 4 siblings bring with them as they reunite to save their ancestral home! Sex, lies, corruption, etc. It was a beautifully written page turner!

A brilliant book! I loved this authors debut but man, this book was just so good. I loved how a mess the siblings were and that it was such a big character arc book. Shelton is such a great writer.

The story of these four siblings coming together after their father's death and battling to save their family estate is heart breaking and uplifting all at the same time. Each of the siblings is living a flawed life, all equally painful, but each of them tries so hard to hide it from the others. I loved the storyline and the character development in this book. The historical information about the way land is inherited in the south was eye-opening! This was a very interesting book and I was quite invested in how these characters realized that finding out about their histories and the history of their family was tantamount to untangling and resolving their issues.

Terah Shelton Harris' "Long After We Are Gone" is an exploration of family, legacy, racial injustice and resilience. The novel follows the Solomon family, who are dealing with the death of their father, King Solomon, and the unknown fate of their ancestral land.

Their respected father leaves the four Solomon children without a will, creating a struggle over the family’s 200 acres. He has one wish which is to keep the property in the family.

Junior, the eldest, struggles under the pressure of his father's expectations. He is also a vice president at his company, a husband, and a father. His brother Mance, a talented carpenter, battles his own demons, including a volatile temper and the challenges of raising a deaf son. Their youngest sister Tokey is burdened by years of caregiving, and faces her own crisis manifested through an eating disorder. Meanwhile, CeCe, the estranged sister living in New York City, grapples with financial insecurity and moral compromises.

Unfolding through alternating viewpoints, each sibling's story contributes to the familial and societal challenges presented. The weight of the history and emotional trauma involved in this story is beautifully incorporated into this novel. Harris' ability to create dynamic characters and engaging situations is impeccable.

Wow. Powerful characters, siblings fighting over the fate of their family "Kingdom" in this strong novel- "Long After We Are Gone" by Terah Shelton Harris. Much conflict, opposing forces, and trauma, playing out, being revealed, and slowly resolved. A good book! Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

This is a story of 4 siblings that return home upon their father's death They are all individually fighting their own battles Their house It's getting sold out from under them and they have to find a way to save it. The house is referred to as the kingdom and their father asked them not to sell to the big corporation that is trying to buy it for a 200 Room resort hotel.
This was an interesting book that was educational on heir property that is passed down with no will and testament. This is how many colored people lost land In the south for a long period of time.
Although educational this is not my normal read and I found it A bit boring and long winded It's not something I would pick up again but it's definitely something other people would probably enjoy

I think this book, is much too busy with character and situational drama. Some of it you could see coming a mile away. The basic setup is a family attempting to hold onto property that has been in their family for well over a century. The four siblings share turns as primary narrators and this helps keep the pacing even, but as each of their back stories gets filled in, the incredibility of their actions really damages the narrative and pushes the book into comic territory and gives it a YA feel. Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for an advanced DRC.

Terah Shelton Harris' "Long After We Are Gone" is a powerful exploration of family, legacy, and racial injustice set in post-Reconstruction America. The novel centers on the Solomon family, who are dealing with the death of their father, King Solomon, and the uncertain fate of their ancestral land, known as "the Kingdom."

Their revered yet enigmatic father leaves the four Solomon children without a will, sparking a struggle over the family’s 200 acres, vulnerable due to its status as "heir property." His final admonition—“Don’t let the white man take the house”—sets the stage for the siblings’ fight to preserve their inheritance and his legacy.

Junior, the eldest, struggles under the weight of his father's expectations while trying to balance his roles as a vice president, husband, and father. His brother Mance, a talented carpenter like their father, battles his own demons, including a volatile temper and the challenges of raising a deaf son. Their youngest sister Tokey is burdened by years of caregiving, and faces her own crisis manifested through an eating disorder. Meanwhile, CeCe, the estranged sister living in New York City, grapples with financial insecurity and moral compromises.

Unfolding through alternating viewpoints, each sibling's narrative contributes to the broader tapestry of familial and societal challenges. Harris expertly weaves themes of generational trauma, mental illness, and financial insecurity into the fabric of the Solomon family’s story, making their personal battles resonate with the reader. Harris's mastery in handling multiple viewpoints and intricate plotlines ensures that the story remains engaging and cohesive. The historical and emotional weight of the narrative, combined with Harris's beautiful prose and keen insight into human relationships, makes this novel a compelling and unforgettable read.

Harris’s portrayal of the Solomon family is rich with compassion and depth, making their struggles and triumphs feel both unique and universally relatable. The novel’s setting in the lawless, civilian-run town of Diggs, North Carolina, and its poignant exploration of racial relations add further layers of significance.

"Long After We Are Gone" is not just a story about a family's fight for land; it is a profound meditation on legacy, identity, and the enduring impact of the past.

I really love Terah Shelton Harris’ writing style! Her books are very character driven that help propel the story forward. Her characters are all fully realized and there are a lot in this book!
Four siblings come home after the death of their father to deal with over 200 acres of land that has been in their family for generations. Only problem is the lack of a will. This heir property could be stolen right out from under them all.
Each sibling has their own baggage they bring back to the Kingdom. I loved this family drama and will read whatever Harris writes next!

A story of family history and ownership of land from early slave days and how a family comes together to try to prevent the loss of their home despite all odds. Each family member has their own deep seated issues to deal with on this journey, coming together in this common goal.

Siblings try to save their home after their father dies---but each are fighting their own demons and have their own problems that must also be resolved. I found myself caring for each character and hoping they would find their way through their issues and problems.

3.5 stars

The Solomon family have owned 200 acres of former plantation land since their ancestors who were slaves on the plantation, were able to buy it once slavery ended. Now that King Solomon, the family patriarch has died, the Solomon siblings must come together to keep developers from taking part of their land. Each of the four siblings is also dealing with personal issues, secrets and conflicts amongst themselves.
As the saying goes, “ I really wanted to like this book” but it was definitely not for me. The premise of the book had so much potential but the characters were just so unlikable. The character development was overshadowed by too many unnecessary distractions such as their sexual exploits and petty disagreements that added nothing to the story. I lost interest quickly with this one.

Long After We Are Gone is an important story that needs to be told. All of the characters are flawed and it’s hard to decide who you’re rooting for, but the legacy of the Solomon family is felt from beginning to end.

Four siblings are brought back to their home estate after their father’s death. They are shocked to find out that because he did not have a will, their property is not secure. Part gets sold off by a relative and they must fight to keep the rest.

I thought the premise here was really interesting. I did not know about heir property and its history in our country. I enjoyed that part of it. The characters were all so flawed that it was hard to read for me. I also didn’t like how it would character shift multiple times within a chapter with just a small break to indicate it.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was the perfect summer vacation read! I highly recommend to all. The cover is also beautiful which is always a bonus!