New Release+Review: King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender

Shelly's Book Corner received a review copy from Amazon Vine and voluntarily provided an honest review. This does not affect the opinion of the book or the content of the review.

Twelve-year-old Kingston James is sure his brother Khalid has turned into a dragonfly. When Khalid unexpectedly passed away, he shed what was his first skin for another to live down by the bayou in their small Louisiana town. Khalid still visits in dreams, and King must keep these secrets to himself as he watches grief transform his family.

It would be easier if King could talk with his best friend, Sandy Sanders. But just days before he died, Khalid told King to end their friendship, after overhearing a secret about Sandy-that he thinks he might be gay. "You don't want anyone to think you're gay too, do you?"

But when Sandy goes missing, sparking a town-wide search, and King finds his former best friend hiding in a tent in his backyard, he agrees to help Sandy escape from his abusive father, and the two begin an adventure as they build their own private paradise down by the bayou and among the dragonflies. As King's friendship with Sandy is reignited, he's forced to confront questions about himself and the reality of his brother's death.

Review:

Phew.

This book had a lot going on at times and it was intense. This book was a little depressing if I am being honest. It touched on a death in the family. Child abuse. Dealing with prejudice, closed minded and racist people. It also talked about how being gay in the black comminuty is such a big taboo. As a black straight woman, I feel that this really needs to stop. Love is Love. Just let people be and live their own lives. At times I did struggle with King but as the book progressed he grew on me.

King’s parents annoyed me to no end. His mother was too wishy washy for me. Then we have his father and his whole black people can’t be gay nonsense. Seriously? He preached about racism but bashed gay people. I like that King compared racism and homophobia as being similar. I do agree. Especially in this day and age who willingly chooses to be gay especially with lack of human and basic rights, being told “God doesn’t love you”, hate crimes. etc So honestly in my opinion I don’t think people choose to be gay. They are gay just like I am straight.

This was my first time reading a book by Kacen Callender and it was a good read. The story at times was a little slow in some areas but it still packed a powerful punch. I will definitely be reading more books from this author in the future.