In the same spirit of Alex Haley’s “Roots”, Dahlma Lanos-Figueroa writes a compelling story of an enslaved African woman used as a “breeder” on 2 plantations in 19th century Puerto Rico, Dahlma’s native land. 

The protagonist, Keera renamed Pola, steals your heart from the beginning. Her pain, resilience, and healing were so powerful. The enslaved community that brought her hope in times of grief & dismay was so encouraging. The story was engaging and unpredictable, resulting in my inability to put the book down. 

This book allows the reader to understand more of our history and in turn, makes it easier to comprehend both the injustice that continues to plague our society and the ramifications still felt today. 

Fabiola Jean-Louis’ artwork graces the cover of this book. Its beautiful and riveting image ties in perfectly with the story conveyed. 

For those who prefer audiobooks, the narrator, Tracey Leigh, is phenomenal, bringing to life the individuality of each character. 

I was also excited to learn that Pola was a minor character in Dahlma’s first novel: “Daughters of the Stone”. It’s already on my list of “To Read” books.