MY NAME IS VENUS BLACK
By Heather Lloyd
I haven’t read many books lately that can be shelved under “young adult.” That’s primarily because there are SO many books out there that I want to read that I haven’t considered that a YA novel would be worth the time. I stand corrected and I’m glad. My Name Is Venus Black is an outstanding book, YA or not, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The story begins when 13-year old Venus Black murders her stepfather. This fact is established early in the story, so no spoiler there. The how and the why aren’t revealed until almost the end of the story, however. As a result of her crime, Venus is incarcerated in juvenile detention for over five years. A few days after her arrest, her young, mentally challenged brother, Leo, is abducted. These two horrific events could easily have seemed too much and even over-the-top if not written as expertly and believably by the author, Heather Lloyd.
After Leo’s abduction and the touching incidents of his new life, the story leaps 5 years ahead to the now 19-year old Venus’ release from juvenile detention. The novel outlines the struggles of a young woman having to deal with the loss of her youth, her brother, and her estrangement from her mother and her former life, while dealing with rebuilding a new life and new relationships from almost nothing.
I found this novel to be exceptionally well-written and engaging. I loved the overall message of hope and forgiveness that touched almost everyone in the novel. I highly recommend this story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House and Dial Press for an ARC egalley of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Reviewed February 2018
House of Black and Blue 