Book Review: Hurricane Summer by Aisha


Expected on: May 4, 2021

I was excited to read this debut novel!

Genre:  Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction

The powerful and emotional debut novel from Riverdale and Locke and Key actress Asha Bromfield that deals with colorism, classism, young love, the father-daughter dynamic—and what it means to discover your own voice in the center of complete destruction.

In this sweeping debut, actress Asha Bromfield takes readers to the heart of Jamaica, and into the soul of a girl coming to terms with her family, and herself, set against the backdrop of a hurricane.

Tilla has spent her entire life trying to make her father love her. But every six months, he leaves their family and returns to his true home: the island of Jamaica. When Tilla's mother tells her she'll be spending summer on the island.  Tilla dreads the idea of seeing him again, but longs to discover what life in Jamaica has always held for him.

In an unexpected turn of events, Tilla is forced to face the storm that unravels in her own life as she learns about the dark secrets that lie beyond the veil of paradise - all in the midst of an impending hurricane.  Hurricane Summer is a powerful coming of age story that deals with colorism, classism, young love, the father-daughter dynamic - and what ut means to discover your own voice in the center of complete
destruction.  

____________________________________________

About the Author

Asha Bromfield is an actress and writer of Afro-Jamaican descent. She is known for her role as Melody Jones, drummer of “Josie and the Pussycats” in CW’s Riverdale. She also stars as Zadie Wells in Netflix’s hit show, Locke and Key. Asha is a proud ambassador for the Dove Self-Esteem Project, and she is pursuing a degree in Communications. She currently lives in Toronto, and her name translates to "Life" in Swahili. In her spare time, she loves studying astrology, wearing crystals, burning sage, baking vegan desserts, and taking walks to the park with her dogs Luka and Kyra. Hurricane Summer is her debut novel. 


My Book Review

A debut novel based on personal experiences, actor Bromfield explores the trials of a Black teen’s tumultuous transition to womanhood. Eighteen-year-old Tilla and her sister Mia, nine, travel from Toronto to Jamaica to spend two months with their increasingly absent father.

Hurricane Summer is a powerful coming of age story that deals with colorism, classism, young love, the father-daughter dynamic—and what it means to discover your own voice in the center of complete destruction.

The cover of this novel is what got my attention. Rain, hibiscus, and a beautiful turquoise and green background with a young girl in a look of bliss, stunning! A lengthy Patois lingo glossary in the book defines phrases used throughout, this was helpful.

Aunt Herma, the elder of the household is the antagonist of this story, hands down. She obviously has a problem with the presence of Tilla and Mia to the island. “Comfort Hall doesn’t revolve around you two coming to town “ - Aunt Herma 

Bromfields’ description of the Jamaican island countryside, jungle, and especially the waterfall is breathtakingly beautiful.  I’m enveloped in the innocent romance, and blossoming romantic tension between Tilla and Hessan. The abuse is unjust and cowering. It’s brilliant how Bromfield has Tilla’s internal storm building up in the midst of the hurricane itself. What powerful symbolism, and meaning laid out in this novel. All my emotions were touched and spilled out as the characters played their roles. The title of this novel lives up to its name.

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