Genna's mother probably never told her to be careful what she wished and she probably never told Genna that she was beautiful, or smart or a wonderful daughter. Mom was too busy struggling with a son and a daughter she already lost to the streets, trying to make ends meet on her single income and getting through life's daily demands. No, life was not easy for Genna and her family in Brooklyn. We know that Gemma is intelligent, tall, responsible, friendless and losing hope. She's a young girl who doesn't know her gifts or her options. She really leads a sheltered life and is unaware of much in the world around her, except for the world that exists in her garden.
She's crushin' on Judah and when they finally get together, her world expands. There is much tension brought in her home because of the decisions of her older siblings and how they affect the dynamics of the household.
Genna comes of age in this story, but not before she makes one fateful wish that takes her to the past. She transcends time and space to land in Civil War era Brooklyn. Her relationships lead her to uncover the depths of racial relations in New York City, what freedom really means, her true beauty and her real love.
This historical novel is a well written tale, penned by Zetta Elliott, author of Bird and numerous works of published poetry, one act plays and other works. She is a scholar and researcher who is well versed in Brooklyn's diverse history. Even with these accomplishments, Elliott has had to go the route of self publishing in order to get this book to market. Don't let that stop you from purchasing it! Adding this book to any young adult collection will be a wise investment. The historical evidence of the Draft Riots, and conditions for Irish and African Americans is sound. Messages in the book are clear but not overpowering. The suspense created by the story remains with me even now as I wonder how Judah found Genna and if he will indeed find her again.
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Reviews with images
A must-read for fans of historical fiction and time travel!
A Wish After Midnight is one of the most thrilling reading experiences I’ve had this year. Author Zetta Elliott writes with an urgency that informs the reader early on that this will be an important story. It is book 1 of the series, the sequel having been released earlier this year. Given the promising start, I’m eager to see where the story heads.The novel is a work of speculative fiction, in the spirit of Octavia Butler’s Kindred. The two works actually share the same premise — two young black American women are transported back to the 19th century and must face the harsh realities of that world. A notable difference is that A Wish After Midnight is aimed at younger audience, though it often reads like Adult Fiction. Given the subject matter, it makes sense that the novel does not attempt to sugar coat difficult and controversial topics and language. Teenagers will appreciate the honesty with which Elliott tells the story and the respect she grants them by not holding anything back.The narrative follows Genna, a 15-year-old Afrolatina who has lived in Brooklyn all her life and wants to get out as soon as possible. Her father left her family and returned to Panama, leaving Genna’s mother to take care of 5 children. Genna does not get along with her older brother and sister and her mother is perpetually working to maintain the household, which leaves Genna to take care of her baby brother most days. Her neighborhood is replete unsavory characters and all Genna wishes for is to escape, go to college, study psychiatry and leave this life behind. Part of Genna’s wish comes true when she literally leaves her current life behind and is sent back to 1863 during the Civil War.I was thoroughly impressed by A Wish After Midnight from beginning to end. I must specifically commend the voice and writing style. It is first-person narration done right — simultaneously sophisticated, explicit, and realistic. Genna’s voice captivated me and made me see her as a real person with complex feelings about herself, the world, and its history. I recommend this novel to people of all ages, especially to lovers of historical fiction who don’t mind a bit of science fiction thrown into the mix.
Top reviews from other countries
Bod
Interesting way to view history and appreciate how difficult life is/was for some groups in society.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 2, 2014faith hulme
A book for young adults
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 5, 2013EE
An easy read if not that gripping
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 27, 2014