3.5
Blackheart Man
ByPublisher Description
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).
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).
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesBlackheart Man Reviews
3.5
“This was a bit of an adventure for me. At times I loved it, at other times I wasn’t sure what to think.
The first thing that threw me was the writing style it’s not bad, in fact I find it extremely intriguing. It is however very different from what I’m used to and very dialect based which made it difficult to keep up with at times. The author’s use of multiple POVs is also super interesting from the beginning, though I do wish it was continued more throughout and I think it could have been formatted to be easier to understand without taking away from the creativity.
I loved the unique world building too, and since the plot meanders a bit we get to see a lot of it. The main character was very interesting as well. We see his flaws right from the beginning and he gets much worse before he tries to turn things around, which made for an intriguing arch. Lastly while I did enjoy the ending I also feel like a there were a couple of loose ends. Overall it’s a tiny bit mixed but I’d read the author again.”
“This was interesting, but I also didn't love it. The plot was murky at best and all over the place. Maybe it would've been clearer if it hadn't been an audiobook. But I don't think so. I feel like Veycosi got the short end of the stick. And at the very end I feel like his personality had completely changed - and not in a "I've grown" kind of way, but in a "the author has changed their mind" kind of way. Would I recommend? No. But if you want to read it, I guess go for it. In the end, a lackluster book to be one of my first reads for 2026.”
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.
Other books by Nalo Hopkinson
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