🕯️ Supernatural

Givin' The Devil His Due

✍️ Gibran Tariq
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$15.00
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A boy prays for supernatural revenge against gentrifiers in Charlotte's First Ward.

Roscoe Brown faces the loss of his home as developers prepare to raze his neighborhood. His despair leads him to make a dangerous wish involving his deceased pet. The narrative follows the consequences of this act within a community under siege. It highlights the emotional toll of forced migration on children. The story does not shy away from the harsh realities of urban renewal policies.

Key Themes
urban displacement supernatural revenge racial tension
Literary Context

The book is set in Charlotte, North Carolina, during a period of gentrification affecting the First Ward neighborhood. It addresses the specific historical context of black communities being displaced by white newcomers and urban development projects that erase local history.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Stephen King · Octavia Butler · Colson Whitehead · Tananarive Due
🕯️
Supernatural
🏛 Soulfire Books 📅 2019 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781732454910

📝 Description: Givin' The Devil His Due

Gibran Tariq’s Givin' The Devil His Due examines the violent displacement of Charlotte’s First Ward through the eyes of twelve-year-old Roscoe Brown. When gentrification threatens his all-black neighborhood, Roscoe feels betrayed by the forces erasing his home. He buries his cat near the creek below their shotgun shack and prays for revenge against the white people who will replace them. This narrative draws on supernatural fiction traditions to explore racial tension and urban decay. The story focuses on the immediate aftermath of this prayer, questioning whether such a wish should have been made. It situates itself within the context of American urban history, specifically addressing the destruction of historic black communities. The book suits readers interested in gothic horror that intersects with social commentary. It may not appeal to those seeking light escapism or stories without racial conflict. The narrative does not offer easy resolutions for its young protagonist. Tariq presents a tale where personal grief meets supernatural consequence. The setting remains rooted in the specific geography of Charlotte’s First Ward during this period of change. Readers will find a stark look at how displacement affects children and families. The work avoids traditional horror tropes by grounding its fear in real-world sociological shifts. It ends with the lingering question of whether Roscoe’s desire for retribution was justified.

💎 Our verdict on Givin' The Devil His Due

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Tariq effectively merges personal grief with supernatural consequence, creating a narrative where fear stems from sociological shifts rather than mere monsters. The story excels in its specific geographical grounding within Charlotte’s First Ward, offering a poignant examination of racial tension and urban renewal policies. It avoids easy resolutions, leaving the young protagonist to face lingering questions without comfort. This approach appeals strongly to readers seeking substantive horror that engages with historical injustice. While it may not suit those looking for simple thrillers or light entertainment, it stands as a powerful testament to the cost of erasure. The work is a compelling, albeit heavy, exploration of community siege and the dangerous price of revenge.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in gothic horror that intersects with sharp social commentary will find profound value in this narrative. It suits those willing to confront the harsh realities of urban decay and forced migration without seeking light escapism. The book offers a stark look at how displacement affects children, grounding supernatural fear in real-world sociological shifts rather than traditional tropes. It is ideal for audiences who appreciate stories that do not shy away from racial conflict or offer easy resolutions. By examining the emotional toll on young protagonists amidst erasing neighborhoods, it provides a necessary, albeit difficult, perspective on the violent displacement of communities.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Tariq effectively merges personal grief with supernatural consequence, creating a narrative where fear stems from sociological shifts rather than mere monsters. The story excels in its specific geographical grounding within Charlotte’s First Ward, offering a poignant examination of racial tension and urban renewal policies. It avoids easy resolutions, leaving the young protagonist to face lingering questions without comfort. This approach appeals strongly to readers seeking substantive horror that engages with historical injustice. While it may not suit those looking for simple thrillers or light entertainment, it stands as a powerful testament to the cost of erasure. The work is a compelling, albeit heavy, exploration of community siege and the dangerous price of revenge.

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