Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I went into this one thinking it was nonfiction because of how scholarly and serious the introduction felt—it definitely caught me off guard. At times it even felt a little preachy, which made it harder to get into at first. That said, the story itself is powerful and compelling, especially given the heavy topic of slavery in America.

One of the highlights for me was Henri's character. He was layered and complex, and I really appreciated the way Clay Cane brought his internal struggles to life on the page. His journey kept me engaged even when the subject matter was tough to read. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking and well-crafted debut.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for handing me an advanced copy in exchange of an honest review.

Burn Down Master’s House s is a powerful and necessary work, peering into the abyss of slavery and setting it ablaze—both literally and symbolically. Through a chorus of voices inspired by real and mostly forgotten events, Clay Cane challenges the sugarcoated myth of the “Gentle South” and brings systemic brutality back to the forefront. Luke, Henri, Josephine, Charity Butler, and Nathaniel share a stolen life, a denied name, and one radical choice: to resist. Each in their own way—by escape, poison, blade, prayer, or flames. Here, vengeance is not just justified—it’s structural. It’s not about punishing the lone cruel master; it’s about toppling the entire system. The characters’ actions are fierce, sometimes extreme, but never unwarranted. They are responses to a world that taught them, day after day, that the only path to freedom is to burn the master’s house—literally. The novel echoes through time: the pain these characters endure doesn’t stay confined to the 19th century. It’s the kind of trauma that embeds itself in DNA, passed down like a toxic inheritance. That’s why, even if the book sometimes reads more like an essay than a novel, Burn Down Master’s House carries an urgency. It tells us some wounds don’t close on their own. And that memory is a battleground.
Don’t expect a classic protagonist with a neat psychological arc and cathartic closure. The characters aren’t there to move us—they’re there to testify. This is a collective narrative arc, where each voice adds a piece to a tragic and powerful mosaic. There are pros and cons to this approach: we lose some emotional connection on an individual level, but gain a broader vision that hits the gut rather than the heart. At times, the book leans more toward manifesto than fiction. Some scenes feel inserted more to explain historical context than to drive the plot forward. And the pacing, let’s admit it, is uneven: some passages vibrate with tension, while others sink under the weight of exposition. It’s as if Cane wanted to say everything—and maybe said too much—sacrificing narrative intimacy for political and historical urgency. Burn Down Master’s House
is not an easy read, nor a comforting one. Neither in tone nor in structure. But it’s not supposed to be. It’s a book that speaks through clenched teeth and a fractured jaw, because it tells the story of an America built on silence and erasure. ronically, it’s a book about fire—but sometimes it lacks the narrative spark.

This book does not leave any details to the imagination. Absolutely gripping and heart wrenching.

"Don't let them take away what they can't touch!"

*ARC

This book gutted me in the most necessary way. It doesn’t sugarcoat slavery and it shouldn’t. The horrors are described in detail, which I believe to be necessary at this point in time. Too many people in this country still downplay, forget, or flat-out deny what actually happened.

The author’s intro stopped me in my tracks: “Misinformation makes it possible for you to win elections, spark wars, and turn neighbors into enemies with the stroke of a pen or a simple click.” Tell me that’s not the most accurate reflection of the world we’re living in right now, especially when racism just helped this administration win a second term.

And this: “When a society reclaims its past, when it knows that rebellion has happened and can happen again, it steps closer to building a future in which oppressive systems can be undone.” Slow clap. The activist in me was stirred immediately.

This is a hard, important, and necessary read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free eArc.

I appreciated this book and how the characters' stories were intertwined with each other. There were scenes in the book that were hard to digest; however, this was a disgustingly graphic time in history. I think it is important for Americans to acknowledge and sit with those uncomfortable feelings so that humanity and growth can happen. The perseverance of the characters was inspiring, while heart-wrenching. As this is an early edition of the book, I am willing to overlook grammatical errors and some instances of unclear sentence structure. Overall, I thought the characters were well-developed, their stories were intriguing, and the book left me with a yearning for change. Well done!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC and the opportunity to provide a review.

Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and the author for the advanced copy of this book.

This was not an easy read and I did not expect a book about slavery and rebellion to be easy. Nothing is left to the imagination with detailed writing style and some of the scenes are going to stay with me for a long time. I knew it would not be a happy story but there was so much sadness, even when I thought that some of the people finally had "freedom".

Historical fiction only in the sense that this book is a complication of the stories of real people. Historical for sure, fiction not so much.. The past cannot be erased no matter how hard the current USA administration tries.

A Bold, Unforgettable Story of Resistance and Reckoning

Burn Down Master’s House is a captivating and enlightening novel with a dash of sweet revenge that lingers long after the final page. Set during the Civil War, the story weaves together the lives of enslaved individuals who are not only surviving under the weight of brutality, but plotting a revolution born from generations of injustice.

Luke, an intelligent and literate man, and Henri, fiercely defiant, form a powerful bond at Magnolia Row. Their shared yearning for freedom sets off a chain reaction of resistance. Alongside them is Josephine, a young girl whose silence speaks louder than words, and Charity Butler, a formerly enslaved woman navigating a flawed justice system. Nathaniel, a Black enslaver, adds a chilling layer of complexity to the narrative, disturbing the very foundation of bondage with his contradictory rule.

Each character is vivid and fully realized, their stories deeply human and emotionally resonant. Clay Cane masterfully brings to life a layered tapestry of love, resistance, betrayal, and identity. This novel doesn’t flinch. It tells the truth with unrelenting force while honoring those who dared to fight back.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This is a must-read.

This book has such a beautiful premise and I absolutely loved the idea of it and what it is grounded in. The writing style for me wasn’t the most engaging and it was a little difficult to engage with the story due to that. But I am so glad that this was written, truly!

It feels wrong rating this book purely because although it is a historic fiction it is based on real people and real lives.

Within this book are 4 stories of lives all intertwined by Magnolia Row, Virginia and the slave trade. Whilst the stories themself are horrific and spare no details on the horrors that occured they also have an over arching tone of hope and rebellion which makes it refreshing and a different approach to books that are already on the market.

Clay Canes addition of cited sources if invaluable to anyone who wants to learn more about the lives and stories featured in this book. As well as this period of history in general. I cant recommend this book enough, i honestly couldnt put it down and finished it in one day.

Thankyou Netgalley, the Author and the Publishers for an advanced copy.

I am not sure I can put into words how I feel about this book but in going to try.
WOW! I have never ever felt so many emotions while reading a book! Burn Down Master's House had me crying, yelling, sick to my stomach, and many more emotions. My heart is shattered for what people have went through during/after The American Civil War. I did enjoy that all of the characters intertwined in some way throughout the story.

I think everyone should read Burn Down Master's House, especially if you enjoy Historical books.

This book will sit with me forever and I will recommend it to everyone forever.

I have such mixed feelings about this story; I’ve re-read the description and at the end of the book Mr. Clay gives his thoughts of what he was trying to achieve. I am a bit confused by his reasoning or if he did achieve what he wanted or maybe I didn’t understand.
These are my thoughts; I am saddened and always have been of our history and acceptance of slavery. It was a tumultuous time, and the Civil War was the result. Sadly, even after the war a lot didn’t change. An injustice to all and unfortunately, we can’t go back. We can only move forward.
This book tells of heinous treatment done to several different slaves and their choices they made to right the wrongs. Luke, Henri, Charity, Larkin, and those mistreated by Nathaniel. But it also tells of good and caring people that helped. There are brutal events described and brutal reckonings that were mostly deserved. But another unfortunate is Mr. Clay fictionalized, combining stories of different people and to me, convoluted the entire concept. I wish he would have stayed true to some of them.
I’m glad I read it, it was not an easy read, please be prepared for unpleasant descriptions, immoral behavior and brutal actions done by good and bad people. Charity and Larkin just broke my heart; they worked so hard and were treated so badly.
Comes in with 4 stars.
This is my own opinion expressed in this review. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing.

If this book and its subject matter makes you uncomfortable or leaves a bad taste in your mouth, you’re probably a person who needs to read it most. In this story, we learn the realities of several different enslaved people living in America before and during the civil war. While all of their stories are individual, unique, and horrific in their own rights, they are also interconnected through clever writing. Reading this now, as an American living through a devastating political time, I am reminded of my relative privilege as a white woman. This book is important, as are all books written about the issues of slavery, marginalization, disenfranchisement, racism, and prejudice. Don’t read this book because you hope it might have a happy ending, or somehow make you feel better about the treatment of the backs upon which this country is built, read it because you refuse to allow yourself to forget the ugly truth. I am grateful to the author, publisher, and netgalley for having sent me this arc.

Clay Cane's "Burn Down Master's House" is a profoundly impactful historical novel, drawing inspiration from the harrowing true accounts of enslaved individuals who courageously resisted the brutal realities of their time. Divided into four interwoven narratives set against the backdrop of the Civil War, the book meticulously chronicles the interconnected struggles and acts of defiance by enslaved people against the oppressive plantation system.

This novel confronts the horrors, dehumanization, and sheer barbarity of slavery head-on, presenting a raw and honest portrayal without flinching. Yet, amidst the visceral depictions, an undeniable current of hope and fierce rebellion pulses through its pages. The characters are exceptionally crafted, their lives, relationships, and aspirations for freedom rendered with striking detail and authenticity, making them feel incredibly real to the reader.

Reviewers have lauded "Burn Down Master's House" as a powerful, gritty, and deeply visceral work, often describing it as poetic and a triumph of truth. It's highly recommended as a must-read, with many considering it a masterpiece that should be essential reading in educational settings. While the book contains intense scenes of violence and gore, reflecting the brutal historical period, its unflinching exploration of various forms of resistance and its ability to evoke a wide spectrum of emotions make it an unforgettable and vital contribution to historical fiction.

Book Review: Burn Down Master’s House by Clay Cane

Slavery is always a difficult subject to read and this book is no exception. In fact, I found it harder to read, because the violence was so descriptive. However, this is a part of history that can’t be softened. I think it should be uncomfortable, so that we can understand what these people went through.

The author took inspiration from actual historical events and included some of his ancestors’ names and location in this book. It follows several main characters across time up until the Civil War. As the title implies, it is about the rebellion of slaves against the brutality of their slave owners and their courageous fight to gain the freedom they deserved. He effectively portrays the mindset of people who supported slavery, both directly and indirectly, as well as abolitionists who worked to end the barbaric institution.

This book was very well written and full of interesting historical information. Although I can’t say it was an enjoyable read, I can say it was an important one. Thank you @NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

#BurnDownMastersHouse #NetGalley

Burn Down Master's House isn't your typical story about living in times of slavery. It takes things and turns them around - sharing what might have happened should there have been an opportunity for those held in slavery to act out on those holding them in place. It is tender in some places, and violent in others, reflecting two sides of people who were trying to survive. It felt more like a series of short stories, following characters throughout the book. I appreciated the author notes at the end as they helped add a deeper layer to some of the characters.

Burn Down Master’s House was a tough but amazing read. The four stories are sad and brutal but it makes you remember that our history is sad and brutal. The most incredible story was the one of Charity who “earned” her freedom after living in Philadelphia for a certain amount of time and then was captured and sold back into slavery with her free daughters. This made me so sad but it was good that she and her daughters were able to escape again and get back north. The stories of Luke and Henri were brutal and hard to read at some points, and the last story of the black master was awful - to think that he owned slaves and also sold them back to their owners was painful. The enslaved people fight back and do “burn down master’s house”. If you want an honest telling of this time in our history then pick up this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Burn Down Master’s House paints a nuanced, morally ambiguous, and powerful picture of our history. Clay Cane gifts us a new lens to see our ancestors and our shared past in fresh ways.

The main characters (Henri, Luke, Josephine, Charity, and Nathaniel) all approach the struggle for freedom from different angles. Our generation often forgets that there wasn’t a one-size-fits-all way to resist, overcome, and survive. I appreciate the discomfort some characters’ choices evoke, as it reminds me of the luxury it is to have options.

Cane wrote a story that, although historical, feels alive and timely. It reminds us to do what we can, when we can, and to never give up hope.

Thank you to Clay Cane for this masterpiece and for offering us a new and perhaps even better way of looking at our history. Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for letting me witness this house burning.

ARC from NetGalley

I am not immune to a spirited revenge story and expected to like this, but reading this book felt like a two-dimensional version of Django Unchained (a movie I loved) that focused on the revenge porn without the story to back it up. The characters, both black and white, come across just like caricatures, which undermines the story. There's no nuance in "slavery is evil" but there can be at least SOME nuance in how characters are written.

I read an ARC version, but there are a lot of character and storyline inconsistencies that pulled me out of it.

I think this book also could do without the forward with the author telling you how unique and important the book is.

NetGalley ARC copy - my first ever advanced reader copy of a book is exciting and I had the pleasure of reading ‘Burn Down Masters House’. This is “another slave” story that doesn’t hold any punches. Coincidentally I read ‘James’ by Percival Everett right before this and all I could think about at the beginning of this book was how gritty and raw it was in detail comparatively.

The book is broken up into 4 chapters and almost feels like interconnected short stories. Each story with similar progressions but each equally impactful in their own ways. As the author points out in his notes, these stories are pulled from historical records and he has either changed the name or combined real life situations into these characters.

This is, without question, a horrible time in history and the authors goal is for us to not forget or allow time to change history. We should continue to speak of the horrors that have existed in our past so we can continue to strive to be better for our future.

Difficult but important, especially in the political and social climate of today. Lifting voices and giving autonomy to those who have been denied it, 150 years ago and today. Brutal and rewarding in turn, blending horror with satisfaction, this is a must read in a time when the horrors of yesterday seem closer today than they have in many of our living memories.