Melissa Coss Aquino, Carmen & Grace, Bloomsbury, April 2023, 400 pp., RRP $32.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780063159068
Carmen & Grace is a powerful coming-of-age narrative centred around two cousins thrust into the underbelly of the drug trade. Their contrasting desires—one seeking power, the other seeking an escape—unfold against a backdrop of female camaraderie and resilience. This novel delves into a range of themes, encompassing aspects of identity, morality, and ambition.
Carmen and Grace have been inseparable since they were little, survivors of a difficult childhood full of neglect and addiction, and a system that never valued women. That is until Grace catches the eye of a man named Toro. Something about Grace’s innocence and sharp wit makes Toro want to look after her. He introduces Grace to his mother Doña Durka who soon after sweeps both Carmen and Grace into her lavish life. Grace is taken into Durka’s home and under her wing, provided stability and support, while Carmen also benefits from the newly formed relationship.
It quickly becomes evident that Durka wields more influence than a mere benefactor within their Bronx community. Her true identity emerges as the head of an underground drug empire. The situation intensifies when Durka is found dead, leaving Grace vulnerable to those seeking control. Despite their resilience, the absence of their leader triggers an unravelling within the group. Grace, groomed to take charge, harbors ambitious aspirations for expanding the enterprise. Meanwhile, Carmen, hiding a pregnancy and yearning for a fresh start before the baby’s arrival, grapples with the dilemma of abandoning the only family she’s ever known: the tight-knit sisterhood of women, once lost but transformed into adept professionals under Durka’s guidance. Bound by spirituality and unwavering support for each other, the Daughters of Durka (D.O.D) face imminent external threats while Grace propels ahead recklessly with her plans.
Recommended for readers fourteen and older, Carmen & Grace offers a profound exploration of the complexities of female bonds, aspirations, and the consequences of involvement in crime. This emotionally charged novel underscores the transformative power of love, unity, and the unforeseen consequences of a life reshaped by both material and spiritual forces.
Reviewed by India Boon