I want to start by saying that I am usually quite a fan of Nicola Yoon's books. I have read a few and quite enjoyed them and found them to be unpredictable for me, which is something I always rave about in a book when I find one that can surprise me.

However, this isn't one of those books, and it was a bit of a disappointment for me from Yoon. I saw the ending of this book coming in the first 3 chapters, and I was right. I completely predicted it. I think this is likely due to the fact that it felt like a re-write of "Get Out" the movie, but much worse. Beyond that, the subject this book is attempting to tackle is very important, and sensitive...and I do not feel it was handled appropriately. I felt very uncomfortable during the time I read this book, and it was not in a "facing truths that are difficult to acknowledge" or "I am growing as a person" type of a discomfort. It felt more like "this is not how you should talk about these very sensitive and important topics" type of discomfort.

The book for me fell flat on a few fronts...

1. How Race Is Discussed...It was a very odd and uncomfortable read, and not in the way that it was intended to be. The way POC (particularly black people which she is focusing on in the novel) are spoken about feels very anti-POC & stereotypical "this is what it means to be black" and "to be black you have to do this, like this, say this, feel this, want this" and it was very bizarre given the message that she's trying to articulate. The main character, Jasmyn, was very judgmental and had a righteousness to her, constantly commenting on others ability to watch police brutality, feelings, or if they wanted to go to riots or not.

I don't see how that connected to or proved the other characters being comfortable in their skin/race. It felt very "one way to be black" how Jasmyn behaved, spoke and thought. But Yoon (and Jasmyn) didn't start there, she went even further to make weird comments about an Asian couple that briefly are introduced in the book, and if for no other purpose then to show how every race is racist towards black people...and it was very strange and I had an extremely hard time connecting it to the story.

The Asian family in question make comments such as "my husband & I joked about becoming black just to move there (Liberty neighborhood in the novel)" and how Jasmyn feels uncomfortable and sad that even the Asian family thinks being black is only good for the "benefits" it offers them. Then how Jasmyn also feels uncomfortable that the Asian wife says "you know we face racism too, not just you"...this felt very strange and out of place in this novel that is supposed to be about racism against black people vs. white people.

The number of times the "paper bag test" was mentioned and enforced by Jasmyn, who was supposed to be the very "black power" character was unsettling. Why would a character against racism and stereotypes be repeatedly using such racist methodologies and set expectations the entire book to judge the "blackness" of her fellow black friends, colleagues, neighbors, etc.

2. Setting The "Standard" We All Must Meet To Care About A Cause...I cannot find the connection between being unable to watch the murdering/abuse/mistreatment of anyone/anything with not caring about a cause or issue. The idea that characters in this book didn't care about police brutality or fellow black community members because they could not stomach watching videos of it happening is wild. I think we as humans can care about and understand very much so that things are extremely wrong and feel anger, sadness and drive for change without watching it happening to people via videos. The way Jasmyn acted like others were terrible for not caring based on this criteria was weird and very holier than thou.

3. The Writing...I found the foreshadowing and context clues to be not only extremely repetitive and overused in EVERY FREAKING CHAPTER, but they were so OBVIOUS. The minute King started working on his special water and then it was all over the place I knew it was something that had to do with making the black members of Liberty white. Same with the Community Center, where all the members who went there were constantly described as not being black enough to Jasmyn. I mean it was laid out so obvious that the only reason I finished the book was because I needed to provide a review as an early reader. Otherwise, I would have stopped because I knew the ending within my first 10 minutes in.

The flow was also quite choppy. It did not flow organically, and as kindly as I can say, I think this is due to Yoon being a primarily YA Author. The flow and rhythm and complexity to not match what I would expect out of Adult Fiction. Don't get me wrong, I love both Adult & YA fiction for what they both offer, but I don't want them muddied. I expected much more out of this adult novel than I received. It lacked complexity, logical climax building and character development ceased to exist. Not a single character grew, changed or evolved the entire book. How boring that was.

4. Jasmyn is supposed to be the social justice advocate we can love, but everything she does and says is so anti-black that it was uncomfortable, and not in a way that helped me grow or learn as a reader. You had to be natural afro having or dread lock wearing, dark skinned, certain way of speaking, certain way of dressing, loud and boisterous, social media posting, cause rioting, every second of your life debating what counts as caring about being black, police brutality video watching to be black in the eyes of Jasmyn. No gray area there. She made me feel wrong listening to how the black characters were spoken about, described and judged. She didn't allow anyone to just exist how they felt comfortable. They needed to prove they were black to her. It was not a good stance for a main character in a novel with the message she was attempting to make.

5. The Ending Was Awful...I predicted the ending full stop, but that didn't make it any less awful. It held all the action, and completely unfolded in the last like 20~ pages. The entire novel was repeat of the same day and events pretty much, and then she shoved all her wild "reveal" details into the very end and wanted us all to jump on board and be enlightened and thought provoking about it. Sorry, but after chapters of no one being "black enough" for Jasmyn and very obvious "LOOK AT THE WATER" "LOOK AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER" "EVERYONE AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER STOPS BEING BLACK ENOUGH AND LOOKING LESS BLACK AND LIKE PAPER BAGS" I knew what was happening at the end...and I hated how she described the whole process there. But the grand like 5 page finale of being turned white was a terrible choice in my opinion. To make a novel about how black Americans have to fight to be treated and seen as equals end with black Americans creating a little "dystopian neighborhood" where they can "excel just like white people" end with black couples torturing and mind controlling their family and partners to turn them white to give up the fight against racism and just become white to cater to the idea of what "all white people would be happier happening" was weird and felt counterproductive. It wasn't white people choosing to making black people white to "erase being black" it was black people erasing black people, and even worse, husbands, wives, children doing it to their own families and to themselves. What are we supposed to do with that?

I would have loved to see a novel where being black wasn't attributed to a certain way of talking, being, caring, acting, speaking. I also would have loved a novel where it wasn't really black vs. black...or if it was, it was in a meaningful way that felt like learning or growing. Had people been going missing from the neighborhood and the Community Center not just been a building that was talked about but not really active in the story, and the families that no longer existed been involved in a way that was more ominous and they were introduced in the story and interacting with characters and sparking questions, and Jasmyn experienced weird incidents that she and the reader were being gaslighted on that made Jasmyn feel like an unreliable narrator only to find out she wasn't, that would have had more impact, felt more horror/dystopian and probably sent her point home better. But that simply isn't what we got.

The horror she wanted was lost...the only horror I could find was making it a black vs. black novel you could predict that just ended with Jasmyn and her family being white, forgetting who they are and that just being fine because now they're white and life is "easier". Even the smallest shift where Jasmyn is now white, but is a aware and trapped and doesn't know what to do would have been better. Lastly, I still cannot fathom why we needed the naked couple getting a massage to be an ongoing element in the story. What the heck was that even about?

I love Yoon, and I will still read future novels she writes...but I think I will steer clear of any "horror" or "dystopian" attempts she would make in the future. This one was not for me.

Lastly, thank you to NetGallery and Knopf Publishers for the Digital Advanced Readers copy of One of Our Kind.

Intriguing. Frightening. A window into a world I'll never know. Nicola Yoon has produced another keeper.

Yoon's adult debut is gripping from page one. The twists and turns and ups and downs are compelling and unputdownable. A chilling must read book for everyone.

I ended up getting a physical ARC for this one, and I read it very quickly because it was quite engaging. I do like these stories that prompt you to think about race and social status, and this one started off very strong. It seemed to be a little more sci-fi rooted than a real social commentary on being Black or a POC in our current America, so while I enjoyed the narrative and the ride of the story, I don't know that I particularly was affected by anything in a long term way, like I was with "The Other Black Girl."

Nicola Yoon creates such emotional depth in her stories, I was happy to see that translated to her thriller work as well. And while the constant struggles and tragedies where hard to read, they definitely packed a punch.

A difficult book to talk about as the topics discussed are extremely important, but the execution and intention were unclear. Whether you like the book or not, it does serve as a talking point on race and racism and what it means for someone to be comfortable and safe in their community and whether that will ever change.

This was an interesting read! King and Jasmyn buy a house in Liberty, an upscale, all black neighborhood. They liked the idea of living in a community of likeminded people and having a safe place to raise their son. From the beginning, Jasmyn is skeptical and struggles to find her place. However, King adjusts right away and becomes a member at the community wellness center which seems to be the focal point of the community. The more time King spends at the wellness center, the more suspicious Jasmyn becomes and things begin to unravel from there.
This book reminded me of the movie, Get Out and the book, When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole. This was a suspenseful, slow burn and I really enjoyed the writing. There were great descriptions and I could easily envision the community. Also, the author did a great job with Jasmyn and her characterization. I really felt for Jasmyn and struggles in Liberty. All of this kept me reading to the very end.
However, this book contained heavy topics and themes regarding race and racism. I’m not sure how I feel about how some of it was presented.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

ONE OF OUR KIND by Nicola Yoon

Not an easy book, but full of meaning and introspection on how we treat others and how we define ourselves. Fiction can provide ideas of how and why we must solve the very real problems in our society. Dismissing others’ very real fears is not the answer, nor is blaming the victims. Understanding and appreciating our differences can help, foods, art, music, hair — seems trivial, perhaps, but I didn’t know about sleep bonnets and alpha-numeric designation of types of hair.
Suspense built slowly but surely, and then became truly frightening and sad. I highly recommend this, especially for groups and discussion.
As antidote, I caught a post about LeVar Burton and the early episodes of READING RAINBOW. Opportunities to influence thinking MIGHT present a gentler answer if we make the most of them.

- - - - *** - — I’m going to mention some connections I made — skip if you want total surprise when you read, as they might be, while not spoilers, a bit spoiler-ish. —- ***

I remember a college lecture on race, and the speaker asking participants if any of them would be willing to become a Black person in the U.S. No takers, none. We have made it THAT hard. A colleague told me about having to have “the talk” with young family members, and that while I saw a police officer and thought “there’s help if I need it,” she and her family saw danger and the possibility of grave harm.
I had just read STEPFORD WIVES a week earlier, having seen the movies decades ago, and echoes made me distrustful of the Wellness Center, the gaslighting, the “for your well-being.” I found myself also thinking of the Lotus Eaters of Greek myth. I was, however, NOT prepared for the ending. Have we really made it that hard? We need to find a solution.

This was not my favorite Nicola Yoon read but I still enjoyed it. As I read through the book, it reminded me of my experiences as a Black woman AND the movie Get Out. While there are parts of the story that seemed necessarily dragged out, I still found the book easy to read and get through. Overall, I enjoyed it.

Super disappointed in this book. It was one of my most anticipated of the year. There are other reviews that say it better than I could.

Nicola Yoon's "One of Our Kind" is a true page-turner that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The suspense and intricate plot make it impossible to put down until you unravel the mystery at its core. While I don't believe the narrative reflects the author's personal beliefs, the book sparks thought-provoking debates on various themes and issues. It's a compelling read that encourages discussion long after the final page.

Nicola Yoon's One of Our Kind is a gripping exploration that left me utterly captivated from start to finish. Set in the meticulously crafted world of Liberty, California, a gated utopia for Black residents, Yoon's debut adult thriller dives headfirst into themes of identity, privilege, and the complexities of racial dynamics.

From the moment Jasmyn and King Williams relocate their family to Liberty, the narrative seizes you with its vivid portrayal of a community designed to shield its residents from the harsh realities of systemic racism. Yet, beneath the surface of this seemingly idyllic enclave lies a chilling secret that threatens to unravel everything Jasmyn holds dear.

Yoon's narrative prowess shines through in her portrayal of Jasmyn, a complex protagonist grappling with her place in a community where appearances deceive and truths are buried deep. The tension builds masterfully as Jasmyn navigates the unsettling discoveries that challenge her perception of Liberty and its inhabitants. Each revelation is expertly woven into the fabric of the story, culminating in a conclusion that is as thought-provoking as it is heart-wrenching.

What struck me most about One of Our Kind is Yoon's unflinching exploration of privilege and the stark realities faced by Black communities. Through Jasmyn's journey, Yoon deftly navigates themes of belonging, activism, and the profound impact of systemic injustices. The narrative is not just a thriller; it's a profound commentary that will linger with readers long after the final page.

As a reader, I found myself deeply moved by Yoon's storytelling prowess and her ability to provoke meaningful reflection on societal issues. One of Our Kind is a testament to Yoon's evolution as an author, seamlessly transitioning from YA to adult fiction while maintaining her signature style and narrative depth.

First off, as a white reader, I'll preface with language borrowed from another reviewer: "I can't speak on the Black experience, so I encourage you to read reviews by Black individuals."

That said, I found One of Our Kind absorbing - I couldn't put it down, which is what I want in a thriller. I also found it wildly discomfiting/infuriating, similar to The Other Black Girl, which I believe was the point. It got under my skin and stayed there! I was REALLY hoping for a different ending, but I get why Yoon chose what she did (though I found Jasmyn's continued, unwavering trust in King less and less credible as the story went on and Liberty's red flags piled up).

[SPOILER TO FOLLOW] Even though I was hoping for a different ending, I didn't take the ending as conveying that whiteness is *better* but rather that it's undeniably *easier* - I understood it as a referendum on systemic racism and the privilege / ease of whiteness. That said, I know a number of readers feel differently, and I'll continue looking out for other perspectives here!

Thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Nicola Yoon is usually a hit for me, however, diving into this one left me feeling let down. The protagonist, Jasmyn, comes across as rigid and judgmental, especially in her views on what it means to be Black. The story, while initially promising, felt rushed and didn't explore its intriguing themes deeply enough. Overall, while the premise of a gated Black community grappling with wellness and identity was fascinating, the execution left much to be desired.

One of Our Kind was an excellent reflection and commentary on what Black people can experience in their daily lives. It was an intense read from beginning to end. It gave me feelings of shock, sadness, and anger. The closer I got to the ending, the more sure I knew it wasn't going to be a "happy" ending. I'm still digesting this book.

Thank you to Knopf for letting me read ONE OF OUR KIND early. This one is out now.

I was into this book until the ending. I just have a hard time with how this one left me feeling. I'm probably just not fully grasping the intent of the story and would love to discuss this one.

“One of our kind” by Nicola Yoon


Read through the book in one fell swoop. Ah ah ahhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Tragedy doesn’t even begin to cover this book. So terribly good and so wonderfully terrible.

Hyped to hear the myriad of conversation that comes along from this one. So privileged I got the ARC for this one, and can’t wait to see what Nicola Yoon writes next.

Jasmyn and King Williams move their family to the planned Black utopia of Liberty, California hoping to find a community of like-minded people, a place where their growing family can thrive. King settles in at once, embracing the Liberty ethos, including the luxe wellness center at the top of the hill, which proves to be the heart of the community. But Jasmyn struggles to find her place. She expected to find liberals and social justice activists striving for racial equality, but Liberty residents seem more focused on booking spa treatments and ignoring the world’s troubles.

Jasmyn’s only friends in the community are equally perplexed and frustrated by most residents' outlook. Then Jasmyn discovers a terrible secret about Liberty and its founders. Frustration turns to dread as their loved ones start embracing the Liberty way of life.

Will the truth destroy her world in ways she never could have imagined?

Thrilling with insightful social commentary, One of Our Kind explores the ways in which freedom is complicated by the presumptions we make about ourselves and each other.

I have heard a lot about Nicola Yoon as was ecstatic to get a copy of this novel. This is the first book I've read by her.

Jasmyn and King have finally made it. They have struggled and succeeded in elevating themselves and have just moved to the exclusive town of Liberty, a Black Utopia of sorts. All the residents are black, all the store owners, the schools, the entire community. They hope their son will not have to face the racism they both did and will be able to thrive in a community where everyone is wealthy, educated and more importantly, safe from discrimination.

But Jasmyn find that things are "off" with the residents in the community. As her husband King gets more deeply rooted in the community, Jasmyn begins to sense there is danger in this community where there is no black activism or outrage for what is going on in the world outside of Liberty.

I was pretty invested in this book but the final reveal really disappointed me. I'm not sure why a black author felt this story needed to be told. By the end of the book, I felt angry with the residents of the community of Liberty.

I know this was Yoon's first adult novel. I have heard rave reviews for her YA novels and I still plan to read them. This one just didn't sit well with me.

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for a digital review copy of this novel.

I personally did not like this book. It fell flat for me and was something that I wanted more from. I thought the concept was interesting but it didnt play out well. I got bored at times and it felt too out of this world in concept.