Blackheart Man, Nalo Hopkinson
Blackheart Man, Nalo Hopkinson
List: $26.99 | Sale: $18.89
Club: $13.49

Blackheart Man

Author: Nalo Hopkinson

Narrator: Ron Butler

Unabridged: 12 hr 12 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/20/2024


Synopsis

The magical island of Chynchin is facing conquerors from abroad and something sinister from within in this “immersive…engaging” (Kirkus Reviews) Caribbean-inspired dark fantasy from the Grand Master Award–winning author Nalo Hopkinson.

Veycosi, in training as a griot (a historian and musician), hopes to sail off to examine the rare Alamat Book of Light and thus secure a spot for himself on Chynchin’s Colloquium of scholars. However, unexpected events prevent that from happening. Fifteen Ymisen galleons arrive in the harbor to force a trade agreement on Chynchin. Veycosi tries to help, hoping to prove himself with a bold move, but quickly finds himself in way over his head.

Bad turns to worse when malign forces start stirring. Pickens (children) are disappearing and an ancient invading army, long frozen into piche (tar) statues by island witches is stirring to life—led by the fearsome demon known as the Blackheart Man. Veycosi has problems in his polyamorous personal life, too. How much trouble can a poor student take or cause all by himself as the line between myth and history blends in the “boldest reimagining of Caribbean culture since The New Moon’s Arms…and [Hopkinson’s] most linguistically inventive work to date” (Locus Magazine).

About Nalo Hopkinson

Nalo Hopkinson is the award-winning author of numerous novels and short stories for adults. Nalo grew up in Jamaica, Trinidad, and Guyana before moving to Canada when she was sixteen. Visit her at NaloHopkinson.com.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Tristin on August 19, 2024

I’ve just finished reading this book, and I have to say, it’s one of those stories that really pulls you in and immerses you in a world that’s rich, complex, and just a little bit different from what you might be used to. One of the first things that struck me about The Blackheart Man is the dialogu......more

Goodreads review by mtrics on September 20, 2024

Well, it had the makings of a great story, but was it, actually? While there's lot of good to say about this book (see: top reviews), I actually disliked it—or rather, the experience of reading it. It took me so long to get through because the grammar was so jarring (by design! It's a feature, not a......more

Goodreads review by Mahaila on November 18, 2024

This was an interesting book, but difficult to read. I was able to get past this by reading while listening to the audiobook, which was a big help when trying to understand the dialect that Hopkinson created for this world. One of my favourite parts of Hopkinson‘s world-building was her creation of t......more

Goodreads review by Shelby on August 28, 2024

I enjoyed that we are dropped RIGHT into the action however it made me have a hard time connecting with any of the characters for a while and the multi POVs were confusing but you eventually get the hang of it Unfortunately I feel like this isn’t MY type of book but I can see it working for a lot of......more

Goodreads review by Alicia on September 25, 2024

The Blackheart Man takes place on the magical island of Chynchin, where the inhabitants, free from their past oppressors, live in a peaceful, inclusive society rich with Caribbean folklore. Hopkinson weaves two major plotlines: the mysterious disappearance of children and the threat of invasion, all......more


Quotes

"Ron Butler narrates a fantasy novel set on a magical Caribbean island...Butler smoothly delivers the patois spoken by the residents of Chynchin, clearly distinguishing them from the Ymisen forces. When the inevitable confrontation finally takes place, Butler performs the ensuing battle scenes with appropriate grimness."