J, Darnell took me on a journey combining Sci-Fi, fantasy, Culture, politics and human behavior from a Black history perspective (The Opening). The writing and story kept my interest and desire to read on. The characters are well defined and I could feel their struggles. The journey questions our society and belief systems. I hope there is a second book.

Roots Four Zero is really easy to read. Nice correlation and buildup, I just couldn't stop when I started reading it. Highly recommended

What debut for a new Y.A. author using poem, narrative and comics to tell a tale of adventure and intrigue all while daring you to suspend your beliefs and wait until the end.

This is a fantastic adventure you don’t want to miss! The Supreme Hogon introduces audiences to centuries-old culture and superpowers in this thriller.

One passage in the story that resonated with me was how the belief that the Black vote didn’t matter was addressed. Indeed, if it didn’t, why were whites going to such lengths to keep Blacks from voting? The great strength, courage, and faith it took to persevere in the face of fear and danger for the basic right to vote speaks volumes.

To say this story (The Opening) was powerful would be a great understatement. I could not put the book down. Ja’s journey was surreal, uplifting, devastating and inspiring. Readers will get a chance to learn about the destructive nature of colonialism within a historical framework (something I cover in the classes I teach).

This is quite an ambitious piece, with plenty of fascinating cultural and political information. J. Darnell blends elements that really have not been blended before - at least in this particular manifestation - to make something completely new: speculative fiction grounded in a Pan-African cosmology. Drawing on the science fiction elements of Octavia Butler's Parable of the Talents, as well as the time-travel approach of Kindred, we get a new vision of the possible in the The Opening, which is the function of all creative expression, after all.

J. Darnell Johnson hit a homerun with his creative use of black history and time travel, and there is a shocking twist at the end. His hyphenated word usage is unparallelled. I hope he writes a sequel!.

Roots Four Zero is really easy to read. Nice correlation and buildup, I just couldn't stop when I started reading it. Highly recommended