Dr. King Day Book Review: Lion's Blood

Lion's Blood: A Novel of Slavery and Freedom in an Alternate America by Steven Barnes

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lion's Blood is perhaps the best book about slavery and race in America I have read, told in an alternate world where Europe is the failed continent and Africa is dominant. That Steven's Barnes is an African American makes the scenes of the "middle passage" all the more powerful.

In the very brief overview of the slave trade I was taught as school, one fact was always mentioned: African slaves were captured and sold to whites by Africans. Somehow this made the slave trade not just the European's fault, it spread the blame around. Well, in this alternate world, European (Irish) slaves as sold to blacks by Europeans (Vikings). This twist helps illuminate what should have been clear: if it weren't for the buyers, the slave trade would not exist.

I won't give away how history changed to put Africa on top, and Europe on the bottom, but it is well thought out and interesting. The bulk of the book takes place on a plantation in Bilalistan, which is where Texas is in our world. The technology level is a little different than in our history, but the year the story stars is 1863 AD, or 1279 in the Islamic calendar.

This story concerns two boys who grow into men together. Aiden, the Irish slave, and Kai, the plantation owners son. Can friendship exist between owner and slave? Can honor?

Aiden sees slavery destroy his family, and becomes involved in the politics surrounding Kai's family. Kai is Muslim, and Aiden a Christian. Kai learns there are truths not told in his schools, and finds a mentor in a visiting Sufi scholar. Not only is Africa dominant, but so is Islam, with poor slaves converting to curry favor with their masters. The slaves mix the religions of their former homes, Christianity and Druid based paganism in much the same way as African religions were mixed to create Voodoo.

The book is told through many points of view, not just the two boys, but it is really their tale. I couldn't put it down.


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