The Seven Daughters of Dupree- Blog Tour

 

Author: Nikesha Elise Williams

Publisher: Simon and Schuster UK

Publishing Date: 29th Jaunary 2026 

Many thanks to Random Things Tours and Simon and Schuster for my physical copy of the book and a spot on the tour

Blurb 

Fourteen-year-old Tati is determined to uncover the identity of her father. But her mother, Nadia, keeps her secrets close, while her grandmother, Gladys, remains silent about the family’s past.

As Tati digs deeper, she uncovers the truth of her lineage, still whispered at kitchen tables and murmured in basements, where the ritual of braiding or pressing hair takes place every Saturday night.

From Jubi in 1917, whose attempt to pass for white ends when she gives birth to Ruby; to Ruby’s fiery lust for Sampson in 1934 that leads to a baby of her own; to the night in 1980 that changed Nadia’s future for ever, the Dupree women confront a legacy of pain, resilience and survival that began with an enslaved ancestor who risked everything for freedom.

Seven generations of women

 A shared legacy passed down from mother to daughter

The secrets kept hidden between them

My Thoughts 

This was my first read from this author, and I really enjoyed it. It left a strong impression on me and made me interested in exploring more of their work.

We are introduced to Tati right from the start, and her character immediately stands out as strong, raw, and emotionally driven. She is deeply determined to search for the truth, a sense of belonging, and ultimately her own identity. Her journey feels very personal and authentic, and it’s easy to become invested in her need to understand who she is and where she comes from. The author does a great job of portraying her inner struggles and resilience, making her a compelling  character.

The spread of characters throughout the story is also very well done. I appreciated that none of them were portrayed as perfect. They all had flaws, made mistakes, and didn’t always make the right decisions. However, this added to the realism of the story. Each character was navigating life based on what they believed was right at the time, and they had to face the consequences of those choices. This made their growth feel natural and meaningful, rather than forced.

There are moments where the story shifts quickly between timelines and introduces new characters, especially near the beginning. At times, this can make it a little challenging to keep track of everything that’s happening. However, as the story progresses, these transitions become easier to follow, and the connections between characters and events start to make much more sense.

The plot explores powerful themes such as resilience, strength, discrimination, generational trauma, and perseverance. These themes are woven throughout the story in a way that feels impactful and thought-provoking, showing how the experiences of one generation can shape the lives of those who follow. The emotional weight of these topics is handled with care and depth, making the story both powerful and moving.

Overall, this was a very emotional and impactful read. It tackles difficult subjects while still telling a compelling and meaningful story. I would definitely recommend this book to others, especially to readers who enjoy character-driven stories with emotional depth and important themes.