Junie is historical fiction about an enslaved girl reeling from her sister’s death as strangers come to visit the plantation.
The writing in this book is amazing. Junie’s voice feels so real, and the descriptions of everything are evocative without being excessive. The characters all felt fleshed-out, from Junie and her family, to the McQueens, the family who owns her, to the Taylors, the family who visits.
However, while the characters were wonderful on their own, flaws and all, the relationships between them were painfully finicky. Junie’s romance with Caleb, a slave who comes with the Taylors, was sweet at times, but there were times when I wished they had stayed platonic because I was tired of the “will they won’t they.” The same goes for Junie’s relationship with her sister.
Altogether, the story was good and very emotional—especially the ending.

CW: death & grief; slavery; violence; domestic abuse (physical); suicide; attempted sexual assault

From the author’s note: “Most depictions of enslaved people throughout history either have leaned on paternalistic, angelic tropes or have exclusively shown a character suffering the most horrific trauma possible. While the latter would be significantly more accurate than the former, I spent a lot of time with this story, thinking about the reality that people had lived their entire lives as slaves, meaning that they experienced a full spectrum of human emotion and conditions under these horrific circumstances. I wanted to explore what it would look and feel like to see such a character with dreams, ambitions, love, grief, and flaws in the same way every human has; not as a means of diminishing the horror, but instead shining a light on the individual humanity of a group of people many have grown to perceive monolithically.”

I would say the author definitely succeeded at this goal. She really showed what it was like to live as a slave and how various men and women responded to the oppression.

The title character Junie is a dreamer. She reads poetry and sees the beauty in nature. She thinks that her position of personal maid to the master’s daughter gives her equal standing and protection. When she comes across the ghost of her older sister telling her to run, she resists. She has a decent life. Why should she leave. But as circumstances change, she realizes that there is no friendship without equality and no beauty without freedom. The author based Junie on stories of her great-great-great grandmother who ran to freedom at the start of the Civil War. This beautiful tribute to her ancestors humanizes enslaved people and shows the courage of those who ran and those who stayed.

It’s a very slow paced book, but it’s beautifully written. A powerful read.

Thank you to @Netgalley and @randomhouse for my ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Junie is a historical fiction novel that has some ties to the author’s family experience. I think the authors note at the end elevated the story for me just enough to get me out of the 3.5 or 4 star debate.

There are some choices made in Junie, namely the perspective of slavery that we’re given. This is not a novel of caricatures propped up to teach us a lesson—instead this is a complex story where characters behave in a multitude of ways regardless of whether they are slave or slave owner. At first, I was confused by this choice, but as we move along the story of course it makes sense! It’s just presented differently than you’ve seen slave narratives presented before.

I believe that by addressing slavery this way, we get to really take a look at the “good slave owners”—because can you be good and also own another person? The way that this narrative cooks up is just delicious and allows us to confront our own thoughts about “decent” slave owners; it also is interesting to consider this perspective from a slave who believes they are being treated well.

For this reason alone, I think this book just blows this story out of the water, but there are other good things here—magical realism, not every scene is physical or sexual violence, a sweet romance…this feels like we get to live a year with Junie in all of her experiences, good and bad.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, slave narratives, confronting racism. Very well done.

Where can I begin with Junie? The Author's Note quotes Toni Morrison: “If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”. I believe the author thoroughly achieved that in Junie. The historical fiction genre is filled with slavery era novels from many perspectives, including those of the enslaved. However, I have never read one with an enslaved character so well-rounded & dynamic, so "real" feeling. You can tell that Junie is inspired by real people & stories who have influenced Eckstine. Apart from Junie herself, the entire cast of characters is diverse in their feelings about their circumstances & ambitions to change them.

I was swept into the story of Junie & her complex relationships with those around her, including the ghost of her late sister. While there were some developments I easily saw coming, I guarantee the story will surprise you. You may wish to savor this novel slowly, but may not be able to resist turning the pages to see how Junie finishes her story.

I can't wait to share this book with others!

Thank you to Ballantine for this advance copy. I had seen this book compared to The Reformatory, which I absolutely loved. Unfortunately, this story didn’t quite work for me in the same way. I loved Junie and the historical fiction aspect, but the ghost element did not work for me here like it did in The Reformatory. I felt that Minnie’s ghost was more a distraction from Junie’s story. I would like to see Junie’s story stand on its own and have deeper character development. This cover is a stunner though! Gorgeous!

Junie is a unique tale of a slave girl dealing with lifes issues through the innocence of blinders. I don't think Junie realizes until she has matured that she is not her own person. We as readers get a front row seat to her despair, romance and awakening to the real world. Heartwrenching debut story by Erin Crosby Eckstine who does her family history justice. I highly recommend this special novel of growing up to love yourself.

Junie is a sixteen year old living on a plantation in Alabama where she’s a maid for her best friend, Violet and her family works in the cookhouse for the entire McQueen family. While her life is mostly dictated by those who own her, in the little free time she has, she explores the nearby forest, climbs trees and eventually befriends a boy named Caleb who makes her realize there’s a bigger world than the plantation and she wants to find it. With her dreams, and the ghost of her sister Minnie guiding her, this story follows Junie’s attempt to color outside the lines and make a life for herself - a real one where she’s in charge of her destiny.

“I don’t want to live my life in the margins of someone else’s.”

This story was heartbreaking in its closeness to reality (I highly recommend reading the authors note when you’ve finished), and yet I couldn’t stop turning pages. The characters, based on the authors ancestors, become part of your heart and I was beyond invested in their futures and where they would end up. While the overall story was dark in it’s focus on slavery, abuse, and those living with little to no freedom, there were lessons along the way that still brought hope to these characters and myself as a reader. I hated some characters and loved others, I wanted to jump into the pages to protect some and attack others as they deserve. Throughout the loss and desperation this story emphasizes, there is a love story woven through that had my heart clenching with it’s sweetness - “‘You’re my middle C.’ ‘Middle C?’ ‘The key between the lows and the highs, the balance of it all, the true center of the music.’”

Junie told the story of a slave’s who lived their entire lives as slaves, “meaning they experienced a full spectrum of emotion and conditions under these horrific circumstances.” In the authors note, Erin explains how she “wanted to explore what it would look and feel like to see such a character with dreams, ambitions, love, grief, and flaws the same way ever human has; not as means of diminishing the horror, but instead shining a light on the individual humanity of a group of people many have grown to perceive monolithically.” This view was one that I found so interesting and different than those you find in other stories about slavery and I loved getting to see this take from someone who’s family experience it first hand - again it was eye opening in a horrific way, but by the end there was hope that was found and overall, I was shocked this was a debut novel. It was beautiful.

“It’s not just that. The sublime changes your soul. Like, for that moment, you see something that makes your spirit bigger and fuller than it ever was.”

When I first started this book, I had somewhat of an idea of what it was about but I had no idea I would be taken on a journey of self discovery. Junie was the aroey of 16 year old Delilah June better known as Junie, an enslaved girl on the Bellereine plantation. Junie was grappling with a lot as she was dealing with the sudden loss of her sister Minnie and possibly having to leave her family behind. However, Junie’s sister’s soul is not at rest and she enlisted Junie, from beyond the grave, to help her cross over to the other side. This book definitely took me on a ride. There were so many secrets and lies and twists that I did not see coming. As Junie came of age, she learned so much about herself and that you must always put yourself and your dreams first. She finally realized that you cannot save everybody and that included her family. I also enjoyed reading Junie and Caleb’s love blossom. If you are a fan of historical fiction, coming of age stories, and paranormal elements: definitely add this one to your list! Happy reading!

I picked up Junie after a book hangover thinking I would just read a couple of chapters to get myself ready to enter another book world and I was literally sucked in immediately. Junie tells the story of a 16 year old slave girl, in the year prior to the Civil War. Let me tell you, Junie had me all over the place in my emotions. The prevailing one was anger. Junie is so complex and interesting and "carefree" and she like all people, deserved to be her own person and not someone's property. Junie bears so much and near the end of the book, I felt like screaming at the unfairness of what was happening and all the things and people Junie had to let go of. Ugh. I will not forget Junie. I liked the ghost aspect of the story and familial relationships of Junie's family. The pillow scene still has me seething. Be prepared for a litany of emotions but please read Junie.

I absolutely loved reading Junie's story. Thank you Erin Crosby Eckstine for sharing your family history with us, I loved your note about your grandmother being proud. These are stories that need to be shared. I loved the blend of historical fiction and magical realism! The breaking up of the story between seasons helped the story flow well. Truly enjoyed this book and can't wait for others to read it!

Junie is such a beautiful, powerful, well researched story of life. loss and the will to persevere (with absolutely beautiful cover art!) Set in the pre-civil war South, 16-year-old Junie and her family are house slaves on a struggling plantation. She and her family work from daybreak to nightfall and beyond, but Junie is primarily responsible for the care the owner's daughter, Violet. Overtime, they have become friends, and Violet has secretly taught Junie to read and write. All is not as it seems, though, as dark currents and secrets swirl beneath the placid surface of the planation. Desperate to save the plantation, Violet's parents invite a wealthy young man and his family to their home hoping for a profitable marriage to Violet, only to discover that his smooth veneer hides a darkness of his own. Junie is fearful for Violet, even as she has a growing attraction to Caleb, the valet of Violet's suitor. The plot twists from beginning to end in unexpected, sometimes harrowing ways, that reveal the hidden darkness of that time in the south. Erin Crosby Eckstine's writing is both poetic and realistic, with a touch of paranormal magic. She has created a strong, determined character in Junie! The author notes at the end are a fascinating part of the book and reveal that book was based on her ancestor. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy. The opinions of this review are my own

I was given an advance reading copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley.com in exchange for a fair review. I was hoping to really like this book. Instead, I found it just wasn't my cup of tea. Junie, a young, enslaved woman, who works in the house on a plantation in Alabama blames herself for her older sister's untimely death. There is much more to the story, however. Junie is an interesting character, but the book lost me when her dead sister appeared to her in the woods and told Junie that she had to complete three tasks in order to set her soul free. I just couldn't get past it. The writing is a bit flowery for my taste, but I will say that Junie and her family were very likeable characters, and I would have found the story (without the dead sister's appearances) more interesting. For those who like more fantasy-type stories, you may enjoy the book. For me, it just didn't cut it.

thank you to random house for the ARC!

this is a book that deserves and demandes reflection, while still remaining accessible. eckstine's depiction of life within slavery and her portrayal of JUNIE's characters were complex and nuanced; never did the book feel like it was trading in stereotypes. i think the cover captures the feeling of this novel perfectly - beautiful, heavy, yet hopeful. i would highly recommend JUNIE to anyone looking for historical fiction.

The debut novel of Alabama native Erin Crosby Eckstine, “Junie” is a beautifully written story about a 16 year old slave who is deeply mourning the death of her older sister, Minnie. The loss of her sister is an integral part of the story, as her spirit appears and guides Junie as she makes a fateful decision. The supernatural elements of the story are not my favorite, but they are important and very moving.
Set on an Alabama plantation just before the Civil War, the story takes readers through Junie’s day-to-day life as a servant to a young woman her age to her love of books (which she must keep secret), to a life-changing event.
One of my favorite parts of “Junie” is Eckstine’s Author’s Note, which provides great information about the inspiration for the story: Jane Cotton, her great great great grandmother. Jane escaped slavery and became a founder of Coosada, Alabama, where much of Eckstine’s family still lives.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an advance copy for review.

Great historical fiction story about a young enslaved woman. This book tells the complex truth of life and relationships during this era. Beautifully written with metaphorical imagery that brings the world alive to the reader. Themes of slavery, racism, family, grief, self doubt and discovery, strength and courage, and love.
The speculative aspect was very well done and added a great amount of depth to the story. Junie's character was well developed and had many realistic dimensions.
Her struggle with her inner self and the institution meant to demean her was palpable. Her naivety was a nuisance in the beginning but as I have learned over the years reading HF set in this time period is that all my modern convictions must be stripped in order for me to immerse myself into the world of the story. Not doing so, I believe, is a disservice to the writer, the characters, and myself as a reader.
Thank you @netgalley for a earc copy and a chance to read and review

Junie is a slave on a plantation in Alabama. She has been the maid for the owner's daughter, Violet, and both being 16 have become friends of sorts and because Violet wanted a companion she could talk to about books she taught Junie to read. After her father finds Violet a suitor, Mr. Taylor, things change. Junie is attracted to his valet, Caleb. She has been mourning the death of her sister, Minnie, whose spirit she is now seeing. She tasks Violet with three things she wants her to do. For the most part the McQueens aren't too awful to their slaves but the same can't be said of Mr. Taylor. With all the horrors of slavery sometimes Bellereine seemed a little too idyllic.

I found the main characters of Junie, Violet and Caleb to be fleshed out but the background characters like Bessie and Mr. and Mrs. McQueen not so much. I usually shy away from magical realism and even though I didn't feel that Minnie was integral to the story it didn't seem to detract either. But at times the book did seem overly long and no Minnie would have made the book shorter. The end was a nail biter but parts of it I wish were handled differently. For the most part I really enjoyed it if that is a word used to describe such a horrid time in our history and would recommend it.

I found it fascinating that the author based the story on an ancestor.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House - Ballantine for providing me with a digital copy.

This is a disquieting story, as all stories of slavery are, but I really enjoyed it and thought that as a debut novel it was very well written. I was deeply interested in this story about Junie, a young slave on a cotton plantation in Alabama before the start of the Civil War, until Junie began to interact with the ghost of her dead sister. I can appreciate that the use of magical realism in this story was used as a vehicle to lead Junie into finding answers to long held secrets, but I personally felt that the ghostly part was spotty and did not lend a whole lot to the integrity of the story. However, as a dark web of secrets was slowly revealed, the conclusion of the story was brought to a fever pitch and left me feeling satisfied. I would recommend this book to readers who loved "The Yellow Wife" by Sadeqa Johnson or "The Kitchen House" by Kathleen Grissom.

My sincere thanks to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book follows a sixteen-year-old girl named Junie as she navigates grief after her sister suddenly dies. Junie is enslaved and works on the Bellereine plantation cooking, cleaning, and taking care of Violet, the daughter of the plantation owners. At night she is drawn to the woods where she climbs trees and feels at peace.
Junie’s life and Bellereine get thrown into a loop when Violet’s parents try to marry off Violet and visitors come to the plantation. Trying to stop it, Junie accidentally awakens the ghost of her late sister. To save her sister’s soul and finally lay her to rest she must complete a number of tasks. Simultaneously, she and the visitors’ coachman form a friendship.
This was one of the best books I have read this year. Junie’s character is captured so beautifully and imperfectly. I recommend this book to people who enjoy Black stories and magical realism.

“You’re my middle C. The key between the lows and the highs, the balance if it all, the true center of music.” 🥹

Look at me giving a historical fiction five stars. 💁‍♀️

Short Synopsis:
Junie is 16 years old, enslaved on a plantation in Alabama in 1960 - just before the Civil War. She’s spent her life taking care of the needs of the master’s daughter - Violet. But Junie awakes her sisters ghost and given tasks to help her move on. Plus Violet is courted by an awful man with a not so awful coachman. 😏

My Thoughts:
I adored this book. I really felt for Junie. And it was heartbreaking at times (as it should be). I really felt for Junie as she grew and matured and realized the people in her life aren’t always as they seemed.

And Caleb. Oh Caleb. 🫠 He was so far gone for Junie and just the sweetest and I want to protect him at all costs.

Add in some magical realism, and this book just knocked it out of the park.

Junie. A name that is destined to become part of the timeless characters in Black fiction. Junie will take her place in the canon besides Pecola, Sula, Sugar, etc. I know I’m putting her in rare company but I think it’s well deserved. Junie will grab a piece of you, and not let you go. She is but 16, when we meet her, yet has an imagination that is far greater than her lived years.

She is enslaved on an Alabama plantation yet yearns for a life beyond the margins. And that yearning is fueled by her literacy, for she was taught to read by the “master’s” daughter.

Junie becomes maid to Violet and naively believes they have developed a friendship. It takes awhile for the novel to clearly disabuse Junie of that notion, while readers will be screaming “chile please, get a grip.”

Despite the flimsy nature of their friendship, Junie soldiers onward buoyed by Violet’s duplicity. When one egregious incident takes place, along with an explanation from an enslaved visitor that Junie takes a liking to, Junie’s eyes are finally opened to the true nature of her relationship to Violet,his simple words; “We’re like little dolls or something to her, just something to amuse her when she’s bored.”

Her desire to want more from life, despite her family urging her to settle into “this life” intensifies as the novel progresses. She communes with her dead sister and is given instructions on how to proceed and to free her sister’s spirit from the “in between.”

IMHO I believe the ghost thread distracts from the novel and derails the momentum somewhat. Perhaps if it was done in a different way, using voices, intuition, sounds, etc., pulling on actual African spiritual practices, it could have worked a bit better. In any event, Junie manages to keep you interested and inspired and rooting to the end. A good read, and the brutality of slavery is more highlighted by the mental and emotional trauma as opposed to the physical. Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced DRC