In August 1831, Nat Turner leads a group of escaped slaves in a rebellion that rocks the South. The revolt comes to a quick and violent end. In November, Nat is publicly hanged, and as his body swings, a false sense of peace washes over Jerusalem, Virginia.Unbeknownst to the world, on the day Nat Turner dies, his son, Nat Hope Turner, is born. Reared by Big Mama on the Turner plantation, young … plantation, young Nat’s identity is kept secret to keep him safe. As Nat grows to manhood, he leads his own uprising against slavery and is forever after known as Black.
Fate-by way of Big Mama-leads Black to rescue a young female slave, Sunday, before the plantation owner can sell her. Black has lived for liberty until the day he comes face to face with the alluring Sunday. As the two embark on a sexually charged ride toward love and freedom, they set off a chain of events that forces Black to risk his own liberty for hers.
Black shares the appealing tale of a passionate love between a man and a woman bound together to change their destiny.
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The story begans with a Black the fictional son of Nat Turner as he deals with his past and tries to make a future for others like him. The work Black does for the freedom movement and the effort it takes to keep the free town that he and his brothers started safe leaves him a cold and dangerous man. Can Black heal and allow love a chance?
BLACK
There are some books you just know you’re not going to be the same after reading…BLACK by Joan Vassar is one of those books…Good…no, it’s better than that…and, imo, it should be required reading in the year 2020…It’s about slavery and racism in the mid 1800’s, and, although, I NEVER read “historical” or “period” books, this book is the exception…It feels different…It’s dark and disturbing and, maybe, even educational, history-wise….and I was totally sucked into the world of Fort Independence before the prologue had even begun…and I would never be ready to leave this place or these characters…
There are few, if any, characters as smart and rich and complex and interesting and intense and…just…hot as Black and Sunday…(I also loved Elbert and Paul and Iris)…This couple is one of the best I’ve read…the love is so deep….and Ms. Vassar can write the h#ll out of chemistry….I can’t recommend this book hard enough…
A great story…enjoyed
Deserves more than 5 stars!
I couldn’t stop listening/reading this one!
I didn’t know what to expect when I initially started it, especially because it was historical fiction about slavery, but it definitely exceeded by expectations.
This story is very very well written, the character development, the growth into who he becomes, especially knowing who his dad was and what he did-the son of Nat Turner and why his name was hidden, his determination to fill those shoes. His love for Sunday and how they were each other strengths. This story captivates you from the very beginning. It keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next for sure
Jakobi Diem narrated-enough said! Can’t get any better than that!
This book is WONDERFUL! Very rarely do I find a historical fiction that captivates me from beginning to end. I loved it so much and hated to see it end so badly that I purchased the 2nd book in the Black series.
This book is on the topic of slavery before the Civil War, a topic in many books already. But this book, “Black” tells a story in a manner I’ve never seen before! The character “Black” is a fugitive slave, but he’s more than that. He’s a natural leader, willing to work as hard as he did for his master, for his family and friends.
This book explores how a people who had no choices or rights, learn to take on the responsibility of wives, children etc… Decide what type of Men and Women they will be. Face the fears that come with leadership. This book really should be a television series.
Even though this was fictional it had many realistic, historical, and romantic elements. I though of the the share number of runaway slaves who made their home in Upper Canada, Nova Scotia. I loved Black’s strength, intelligence, and his connections to known historical figures. .
I loved this book and its characters. I just wanted the story to go on. Taught me about things in that era about slavery .
I enjoy reading books about this time period and this one was amazing.
A hard read.
The poverty, cruelty, suffering of the Black people of the period was heartbreaking.
“Black”, a fearless & highly intelligent Black mad, son of a slave who was hanged, brings his own kind of justice for his Father by saving others.
This book provided an awesome reading experience! It encompassed EVERYTHING that makes for a truly great story! I would love to see this book made into a movie on the big screen, not just a made-for-tv rendition.
The black series are the best books I’ve read in a long long long time. Excellent
Loved this book, great historical Black romance. Loved the story and the characters. Made me check to see if Nat Turner really had a son, which he did. Loved to see the historical characters in the story, Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglas, etc. Keep up the great work. Loved it!!!
This book was number 2 in a series. I liked the idea of the series with the telling of each person’s story with the character Black being the constant. However, for me there was far too much ‘telling’, especially the long detailed descriptions of physical characteristics and dress. I found myself skipping those at times.
At times the narrative flowed well and showed the author’s capability but then there were swings to sensationalism. While not averse to sexual encounters descriptions I felt these were too repetitive and added little, if anything, to the story.
I also found the italics intrusive. The writing alone conveyed the meaning without spelling it out for the reader.
I do appreciate that all reviews are subjective to some extent and I’m sure that what was ‘not for me’ will be someone else’s cup of tea’.
I would add that I did study American History with a particular interest in the Civil Rights Movement so do have some knowledge of this era.
Absolutely amazing!
This is why I will keep writing about our history! So many true elements were left out of our story and it’s up to our generation to contribute to finding and documenting, and sharing the truth as we feel, know and want to!
Black is the first in a series, so go find it, read it and please leave Joan a review!
Thanks
Toni Mariani, Author
My book club loved it. Great historical fiction/love story
This was a revolutionary book. Having you use your imagination about what could’ve happened. Enjoyed the fact that the blacks of that era,in the book, had their own. Wonderful script by Vassar.
Loved the story and the characters! Enjoyed the development of the characters and twists in story!
Fabulous book. I didn’t want it to end!!
This is history the black man had to fight, kill and hide out and go through hell and high water to be free. They had been subdued so long until when they got free, they didn’t know what to do. You been delivered to safety and you sending messages back to your enemy what happening at the safe place. We still have black people with the slave mentality. They are killing each other now.