Body-positivity activist and influencer Vernon's (Unashamed) fiction debut presents a dystopian world set far in the future where a Black elite class rules. First self-published under the title Impure and given substantial edits before its current release, this first in a planned duology introduces unlikely allies Avi, an Elite born to one of the most powerful men in the realm, and Saige, a biracial outlaw who has been labeled as Impure. Vernon pays homage to her literary influences with her characters' names (Jemisin, Butler, Avi) in a story that echoes classic dystopian YA novels. Vernon's worldbuilding, however, offers an original setting wherein Elites of color have inherited their position centuries after a race-based revolution overturned white supremacy. Unfortunately, in presenting a system of decadent Black rulers and enslaved white and multiracial people, Vernon makes most of her characters of color unnuanced villains. Narrators Alaska Jackson, Sisi Aisha Johnson, and Kirby Heyborne deliver solid performances, offering an uncomfortably ironic twist in voicing the General, the main antagonist and a Black man, with a Southern drawl. VERDICT Although the narrative occasionally feels forced, the story is uplifted by the emotionally affective narration, which brings out the nuances in Vernon's engaging characters.--Lauren Kage

Body-positivity activist and author Vernon presents a new dystopian novel that explores the power of friendship and perseverance in an oppressive world. The Union takes place in a distant future where the hierarchy has shifted and the Black elite rule. White people are now at the bottom of the social strata, working in fields and serving the ruling class. Avi Jore is the daughter of the most powerful man in the Union of Civilization and destined to follow in her father's footsteps. Saige is a biracial outcast labeled as Impure. When the women come together during a rebel attack, their lives take a dramatic turn. They must now set aside their differences and make sacrifices to stop the rampant injustice. Vernon's fast-paced, action-packed, and bloody coming-of-age story blends science fiction and fantasy, presenting a risky premise meant to foster dialogue and reflection among adults and older teen readers. 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.

Vernon (Unashamed: Musings of a Fat, Black Muslim) makes her fiction debut with a thought-provoking dystopian novel. The Union of Civilization is a society dictated by a harsh racial hierarchy that places a Black ruling class over white and mixed-race second-class citizens. While the Black Upper Residents live in luxury and abundance, Lower Residents are subjected to forced labor, cruel punishment, and terrible living conditions. Saige Wilde, a mixed-race slave, dreams of escaping the Union, while Avi Jore, an Upper Resident student from a particularly powerful family, begins questioning her position of privilege and the treatment of Lower Residents. When their paths cross, together they uncover harsh secrets about their society--and the potential key to a revolution. By reversing contemporary racial hierarchies, Vernon reflects on how race is a socially constructed concept that can have violent consequences. While there's the potential to misconstrue the novel as being against reparations, the idea that a society built on ideologies of racial purity and superiority is doomed to implode rings out stronger. Readers will find it easy to invest in Vernon's complex political tale. Agent: Penelope Burns, Gelfman Schneider. (Sept.)