I saw this book on the ARC bookshelf in the break room and took it because I was intrigued by the book cover and the non *American* (what does that even mean!) name. When I got it home and read the summary I knew this book would be good, but I also knew it would be hard to get through, so I put it on my shelf for when my brain and heart could handle it. 
 This is the story of two families--- and how slavery affects them through the centuries. The story starts out in Ghana--- where two sisters (who do not know each other) have different lives. One is captured and taken on a slave ship and the other marries a white slave trader and lives in the big "castle". Each chapter tells the story of the next generation, alternating between each sister's family. I found the writing to be beautiful, and each story to be heart wrenching and haunting. Each chapter ended and I had to pause and take a break. There were so many aspects of slavery (and its effects) and oppression, some I had never thought of, that were discussed that I read this book in disgust of what humans have done to each others. 
 Read: Definitely. I think this book is good to allow yourself to see all perspectives of how the powerful have forced the weak into horrible situations--- read to learn our history, but also to see how greatly our actions can affect another. 
 2017 Reading challenge (need to pick): recommended by a librarian OR a book about a difficult topic.