Customer Reviews

Enemy Fields

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Life had been fairly simple for Sister. Living in an adequate, three-bedroom house with just enough room for her mother, two brothers, sister and niece, she always had plenty to eat and plenty of company. In the small town where she grew up, her friends had been around forever and nothing changed much. Even though it was the early 1970's and the world around her small Kentucky town was in turmoil, people in Bourbon County didn't forget that, "everything either black or white."

Remembering that the racial divide existed proved easy for Sister; however acting on that knowledge became increasingly difficult when the Mandarenes moved into the mansion across the field from her family's humble home. Not many white people resided in Bourbon County, and before the new family could step out the car good, the whole town knew of their arrival. The lady of the house wasted no time in seeking help to run the mansion that she, her son, and her father would come to call home. Sister was the first to cross the field for a job, and that crossing would prove to be the first of many different types of crossings for her and Evian Mandarene as they embarked on a sweet, honest love affair that defied race, time, and the opinions of their family and friends.

ENEMY FIELDS by J. Marie Darden is a wonderful, contemporary "old school" read. Relishing in a non-traditional, non-predictable, non-fairy-tale ending, this classically set romance proves to be passionate yet true-to-life and not overly sentimental. The descriptions are adequate, and the language of the novel is simple yet very effective in conveying the story presented. Using effective transitions, Darden tells the plight of Sister and Ev in a superb point of view format that proves excellent in capturing the very nature and essence of the story being told. I adored the southern qualities the author embellishes the novel with, especially the food! This book made me so hungry and made me miss home with a vengeance. Sister's voice took a little time to adjust to, but once I did, I was fully able to truly embrace her personality and the story she was telling. I was able to get to know her well, and I liked her a lot. I didn't want this story to end because I felt that I knew these people, like they could have been friends of my parents. Even though the story came full circle, it segmented nicely into the sequel that I'm very much looking forward to reading.

Only two things subtracted from the book. One, the chapter divisions were off. Chapters generally separate thought patterns, any type of change in the story, or some form of varying content, however, these chapters were too frequent and not far enough in between, and what they separated confused instead of helped. Second, I didn't like Sister's name. Throughout the book, I came to know her as Sister and at the end when I was finally given her name, I didn't like it because it didn't fit the image I had created of her. Otherwise, Darden has penned a delightful first novel, and I wish her much creative luck as she finishes up the sequel. (RAW Rating: 4.5)

Reviewed by Natasha T.
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This was a truly good and refreshing novel. Set in Kentucky in a relatively poor black community, white folks move in to a deserted mansion. Surprised because in that time white people chose to live with their own, Sissy uses this opportunity to get her self a job cleaning the house. She befriends Evian the young white son who suffers from cancer when she discovers his love for music and he hear her beautiful voice. Friendship turns to love in this moving tale that has me crying at the end. This is a wonderful novel and was beautifully written. I felt so touched; I did not want to read the excerpt of her next book until I had it in my hands. Great job Jo!

Enemy Fields, the cleverly titled and wonderfully written novel by J.Marie Darden, takes readers on a thought-provoking journey through the forbidden interracial romance of Sister and Evian. Everything about this novel appealed to me. The unsophisticated vernacular of Sister, a poor black teenage girl hired to work for Evian's family spoke to me in her own voice. Through Darden's cleverly penned words, I felt Sister's every emotion. Enemy Field's is a bittersweet and believable book that thankfully avoids the clichés surrounding interracial love and instead, focuses on the mechanics of a romance that had the power to tear a town apart. Finally...a book that actually reads like a true story. This is definitely a keeper!

Having read and reviewed this book with my book club and giving it 4 Stars, J. Marie Darden's novel, "Enemy Fields" shows the true testimony of love, even when jealously and evil will try to intervene. "Truly, now abideth faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of is love." (1Cor 13:13) -
Ronyha O'Neal-Champ, Sistahs of Color Reading Group, Little Rock AR

Enemy Fields, the cleverly titled and wonderfully written novel by J.Marie Darden, takes readers on a thought-provoking journey through the forbidden interracial romance of Sister and Evian. Everything about this novel appealed to me. The unsophisticated vernacular of Sister, a poor black teenage girl hired to work for Evian's family spoke to me in her own voice. Through Darden's cleverly penned words, I felt Sister's every emotion. Enemy Field's is a bittersweet and believable book that thankfully avoids the clichés surrounding interracial love and instead, focuses on the mechanics of a romance that had the power to tear a town apart. Finally...a book that actually reads like a true story. This is definitely a keeper!

[...]

J. Marie Darden has a beautiful writing style. I finished the book three days ago and I still have wonderfully vivid pictures of the locations and the characters. "Enemy Fields" really brought out a wide range of strong emotions in me, from sadness and horror, to laughing out loud and tears of joy. I would occasionally read something that made me feel like I was in on a private joke, meant only for myself and the author. It was an indescribable connection that I can't say I've ever had with other writers. I'm eagerly waiting to read the sequel.

From Mecca Book Club, Richmond, VA
J. Marie Darden's inaugural novel is a love story based on a forbidden relationship born in the south.

Sister, a home-grown Kentucky girl whose worldly experiences reach only as far as her immediate family and best friend Pammie, indulges in simple pleasures such as cooking and singing. Opposite her world and the woodsy field that compliments it, is a vacant home that is soon occupied by a white family; the Mandarenes- a mother, grandfather Norman and accidental love interest, Evian. Once Sister is employed as the Mandarenes' housekeeper, her world- at first reluctantly- expands to accommodate all things Evian. Through this relationship, Sister learns strength, individuality and perseverance during a time where outside forces sought to paralyze her being and efforts.

Darden's tale of innocent, bi-racial love is engaging, intriguing and cleverly written.
Reviewed by Latryce Noel, Mecca Book Club, Richmond, VA

I have to say when I went to the bookstore and picked this book, I felt like it would be a good, substanital read. Sure enough I was pleased with the story through out. The writing is excellent, it took me some time to get use to Sister's speech, but from begining to end it was thought provoking, emotional, and sweet. I could not put the book down, I wanted to see what was going to happen next. This was a well written, touching story. I cried for the characters at the end, I felt like they became a part of me somehow. I am definitely anxious to read the sequel, I want to see what happens with Sister and the other characters.

I LOVED THIS BOOK! THE CHARACTERS ARE SO TRUE TO LIFE AND I COULDN'T WAIT TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED NEXT. IT'S SO REFRESHING TO ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT THE CHARACTERS IN A BOOK. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SEQUEL!

This book is absolutely one of the best I have ever read. The characters remind you of close friends or even relatives. The author draws you into the story right from the beginning of the book. It's definitley a must read. I plan to give the book to all of my aunts for Christmas. Great book for a book club as well. Can't wait for the sequel.