I feel as though I have been put through a difficult and exhausting ordeal, but in a good way as this story is beautifully told and with such passion. I feel as if I am a slave during this time just before the civil war. . This novel is told mainly through the eyes of Jelani, a young slave, in the southern USA and on a plantation that had a ruthless owner. The first half, is of his life on the plantation and the second half following his quest for freedom. Jelani was born with a special gift (which I will let you discover) one that allows him and others to grow from it. As they mention in the book, "your tongue has tasted all of the flavors: Pain, Sorrow, Grief, happiness as the journey leads him toward "freedom". And this is exactly what I have experienced while reading it.

One of the quotes that sticks with me is from the title "If ya ain't a slave, then what are ya ? I'm a slave to want, I said and a slave to need, but not to any man."
This story not only teaches you about that horrible time in our history, but it also, despite the horrific things happening, brings out the beauty of certain characters both White and Black. In my opinion this is a book well worth reading.