Blog Tour (Review): The Union by Leah Vernon

Praise for THE UNION

“A thought-provoking dystopian novel…Readers will find it easy to invest in Vernon’s complex political tale.” —Publishers Weekly

“Fans of Justina Ireland and N. K. Jemisin will appreciate the innovative world building from a Black perspective and the well-developed characters used to present serious topics such as racism and privilege.” —Booklist

From author and body-positive activist Leah Vernon comes a daring dystopian novel that explores the power of friendship in a future society built on violence and division.

A thousand years in the future, a Black elite class reigns. The lower classes toil in the fields or scrape by in blighted cities, serving their rulers in a cruel, divided world.

Among the Elites is eighteen-year-old AviJore, born to a powerful father and destined to rule. But as she comes of age, Avi cannot help but notice the injustices in her world—the treatment of enslaved workers, the oppression of the lower classes. Her disillusionment grows when she meets Saige Wilde, a mixed-race enslaved girl whose only goal is escaping beyond the borders of their brutal nation.

When Saige saves Avi from an assassination attempt, their paths become intertwined in ways they never imagined. As Saige plots her path to freedom, Avi tries to enact change from the inside. But it’s a complicated endeavor, fraught with danger and malice.

Together, their efforts could spark a revolution—and underscore the staggering power of friendship.

Publisher Note: This title was previously self-published as Impure. This edition of The Union includes substantial editorial revisions.

I received a copy of The Union for an honest review. What follows is my opinion and mine alone. There was no compensation made for this review.

Talk about a book that hits you emotionally right off the bat. I’ll be honest; it was difficult reading at first. Not because of the writing but because of the content.

The Union is a heavy-hitting science-fiction book set many years into the future where racism and a form of forced labor thrive. No, this isn’t the antebellum south. Instead, the lighter skin you are, the more likely you will be put to work. If you are mixed or white-passing, then you are considered impure.

Vernon does not pull any punches. Right off the bat, you know what life is like for the lighter-skinned characters. It is further emphasized in the second chapter, illustrating what is happening with the higher class. You learn the racial slurs and the history of the world.

There is something about Vernon’s narrative style that makes her world seem possible, and it hits you hard. I can’t help but say that The Union deserves to be seen through other forms of media as much as a book. At times, I had to put down the book to work through my emotions. It is impactful, beautiful, and painful, and I highly recommend that every person reads this book.

For a reader who isn’t big on science fiction books, The Union is exactly the type of sci-fi I would read again and find more to discuss.