Dominion by Addie E. Citchens

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 230 pages
Published: August 2025

Dominion by Addie E. Citchens is a bold debut novel centered on a pastor’s family, flock, and the church that shapes and controls their lives. As the story opens, we meet the seemingly perfect Reverend Sabre Winfrey Jr., his loyal wife, Priscilla and their youngest and most popular son of five, Wonderboy who is quietly navigating a relationship with Diamond. 

Set in a deeply religious Southern community in the small Mississippi town of Dominion, the novel exposes how faith can be weaponized. Citchens paints a vivid and unsettling portrait of this world where heterosexual male dominance is not only normalized but sanctified, and greatly affects the development of these characters. The church’s influence permeates every aspect of life, dictating behavior, reinforcing gender hierarchy, and leaves little room for diversity of thought. 

The inciting event arrives when Wonderboy, student athlete, local heartthrob, and pride of the community, experiences a strange and disorienting encounter with a stranger on his school’s running track. This eerie event shifts the entire trajectory of the novel. From there, the story turns darker exposing oppressed feelings of guilt and shame that challenges the pastor’s reputation and authority. This leads to the uncovering of dark secrets that threaten to unravel the fragile order in the small community. 

What follows is a sweeping emotional journey of epic proportions that require Priscilla, and Diamond to make some difficult choices about the flawed relationships they both have with their respective Winfrey men. The novel doesn’t shy away from violence of sexual assault, making parts of it difficult to read. But even in the darkness, the author threads moments of hope, especially through the women who begin to claim agency over their own lives. Their pursuit of independence becomes one of the most triumphant elements of the story. 

Recommendation: Dominion is relatable in many aspects and undeniably dark. The conclusion isn’t traditionally satisfying, but it made sense to me and felt true to the story. If you’re looking for a thought-provoking novel that interrogates faith, patriarchy, and also sparks lively book club discussion, I highly recommend Dominion.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Don't Cry for Me by Daniel Black

Rating: 5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 304 pages
Published: February 2022

As I mentioned in my review of Isaac's Song by Dr. Daniel Black, I had not read Don't Cry for Me. I enjoyed the follow-up novel so much, I immediately snagged a copy of the preceding novel from my local library. Since I read the novels out of publication order, I can tell you, this novel begins with the father's perspective of events and concludes just the way the following book begins. 

In this origin story, the father attempts to make amends with Issac, who is gay, for the way that he disregarded his child's identity in his rearing of him. He drafts several letters while dying in hopes of explaining and reconciling his behavior. [In the second novel, which is told from the son's perspective), he receives this communication, making a well-rounded story with a satisfying conclusion.] In Don't Cry for Me, the author crafts a poignant narrative that focuses on the themes of love, grief, and identity. I would classify it, as well as the following novel, as a heartfelt story that takes the reader on an emotional journey of the human experience. Black does an exceptional job of developing complex characters who are relatable and flawed. 

For all the same reasons, I enjoyed Isaac's Song, I adored Don't Cry for Me. The storytelling is powerful and rich. The author delves into some deep topics that make the reader think outside the box. My only criticism is the first book has somewhat of an unsatisfying conclusion. Because I read the second book first and received the conclusion early, I was able to easily accept the first novel. Having heard what my book club said about both these reads, I'm kind of glad I read them out of order. 

Recommendation: I thoroughly enjoy Dr. Black's writing style and storytelling talent, and I highly recommend this book. It is a carefully crafted exploration of the human spirit, and I can't wait to read more by this author. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

Rating: 5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 336 pages
Published: July 2021

In July 2021, S.A. Cosby’s Razorblade Tears was published. Sometime near its publication, the book must have been added to Book of the Month’s monthly selection. However, something else must have caught my eye that month because I did not choose this book. Then, in July of 2022, President Obama listed the book on his annual reading list, and I still did not snag a copy from any of my favorite places. Then, at the end of the month Amazon offered a $5 discount on digital books, and I guess that five bucks was the push that motivated me to grab a copy. But still, I didn’t start reading the novel until the end of August. Upon completing it, I am wondering: Why did I wait so long?! 

So, let me tell you about it. Razorblade Tears is a fictional story about a very real emotion - revenge. A black father’s, Ike, son and a white father’s, Buddy Lee, son fall in love and marry each other and then are mysteriously and gruesomely murdered. These two tough-enough fathers who also happen to be ex-convicts team up to solve the crime that the police are moving too slow on. Their love for their sons, regret for judging their sexual identity and experience on the other side of the law fuel their passion to seek, find and create justice for their loved ones. 

Tears ran from his eyes and stung his cheeks. Tears for his son. Tears for his wife. Tears for the little girl they had to raise. Tears for who they were and what they all had lost. Each drop felt like it was slicing his face open like a razorblade.

“Get that what’s normal ain’t up to me. That it don’t f*cking matter who he wanted to wake up next to as long as he was waking up,” Buddy Lee said.”

“No, hate. Folks like to talk about revenge like it’s a righteous thing but it’s just hate in a nicer suit,” Ike said.

A good father, a good man, loves the people that love his children.

This time they didn’t feel so much like razor blades. They felt like the long-awaited answer to a mournful prayer for rain. 

I honestly didn’t think I would enjoy this book because I felt I couldn’t really relate to the plot. However, I was completely wrong. This book evoked a myriad of emotions for me as we all have at least one person in our life we love like this. Additionally, Cosby wrote the story in such a way that the plot moved quickly and the descriptions came to life. I truly felt like I was reading an action movie. There really is no need for this to go to the big screen because the author did such a good job writing it, but I wouldn’t be mad if it was turned into a movie and Denzel Washington played Ike. I’m just sayin!  

Recommendation: This book is dark, but it is good. It is vivid. It is engaging. If you enjoyed The Equalizer movies, you might enjoy this book. It’s a quick read too. Don’t be like me. Don’t delay. Grab a copy for your favorite bookseller or library today! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Read More