05/21/2025 – Review in fundinmental
04/10/2025 – Reviewer’s Choice Award, Amy Wilson, Novels Alive
03/05/2025 – Interview with Lisa Haselton
Bravo! Highly recommend it to those interested in the early history of Black slavery in America
The story begins when JAYVYN, a 12-year-old Black boy, is kidnapped in the early 1700s from his home in Africa. From there his story follows his practically unsurvivable journey on a ship from Africa to Barbados. After working in the cane fields for years, he is sent to South Carolina to work in the rice fields. It is through his personal experiences and eyes that the story is told.
It’s hard to describe how this book made me feel. After the first chapter, I thought this could be a movie! The book is beautifully written, and the story is not only riveting, but very informative. I learned a lot from the author’s in-depth research.
The way the author deals with the horrific, brutal treatment of the enslaved is amazing. He doesn’t shy away from reality and the descriptions are quite graphic. However, I’ve tried to read other books where the enslaved were brutalized but couldn’t continue reading them because they made me feel ill.
Still trying to pinpoint what makes this book different from those. I think it’s the theme of the Black’s culture of spirituality that subtlety flows through the text.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction. It’s one of the best I’ve read and that’s saying a lot!
— Amazon on January 20, 2025
Gripping and Enlightening
Wow! “I am Jayvyn” is a powerful and unvarnished account of slavery as experienced and seen from the perspective of Jayvyn, a child ripped from his happy tribal life in Africa and thrown into the horrors of slavery. Following his journey as he physically and emotionally grapples with the unbounded cruelty of the slave trade is not easy to do but it’s so important to understand the true realities of this barbaric practice and not the white washed versions of it you hear being espoused by certain politicians. There was nothing good about slavery. While this book reveals the dark underbelly of slavery it also demonstrates the power of a human spirit (Jayvyn’s) to endure unthinkable horrors and yet grow in wisdom and spiritual strength. Highly recommend this book!
— Amazon on January 21, 2025
Compelling Black Historical Fiction That Depicts Horror and Hope
I AM JAYVYN is a masterpiece of historical fiction. The combination of in-depth research and detailed writing brings Jayvyn’s story to life. From the early 1700s, the captured and enslaved twelve-year-old boy endures tortuous treatment and conditions throughout the decades of his life that many men, women, and children did not survive. Author Peter Brown describes scenes, events, and character emotions so vividly, I found it difficult to read from an emotional standpoint. At the same time, the story compelled me to continue.
As an African American woman, I appreciate the honesty and care with which Brown presents the subject matter. I AM JAYVYN by Peter D. Brown should be part of the curriculum for high school and college students. It’s a “must read” for adults who want a deep understanding of the African slave trade in the Caribbean and the Southern United States.
— Goodreads on January 22, 2025
Powerful and thought-provoking!
This well-researched and beautifully written historical fiction is a tour de force. We grieve 12-year-old Jayvyn’s tragic capture from his native Africa and bear witness to his brutal, heartrending lifetime as an enslaved man in the sugar plantations of Barbados to the rice fields of South Carolina. The writer demonstrates outstanding craftmanship through vivid imagery and raw, emotional depth. This is history, unadorned. While sorrowful, it also speaks to the power of the human spirit. In keeping with Peter Brown’s stated purpose in writing this story, let this truth be told.
— Amazon on January 24, 2025
A Poignant Portrait of a significant period in history!
What a great read! Without giving any spoilers, the book is a beautifully written, well-researched historical fiction piece that tells the story of a young 12 year old boy surviving the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade.
I think what touched me the most out of this work is how well Brown is able to bring to life the many atrocities enslaved persons had to endure from ship to plantation. He pulls no punches with this work! Goes straight for the jugular when it comes to providing a fully immersive, almost tactile experience of being transported into the time.
Slavery is often varnished of all it’s ugly details in contemporary conversation and the book takes a brave stand to that effort, reminding readers that the atrocity of slavery was perpetrated with cruelty at its most brutal.
And yet — amidst the horror — Brown shows us in equal measure how resilience manifests through shared tragedy, and that human beings have an innate capacity for love.
— Amazon on January 28, 2025
The Reality of Slavery
I AM JAYVYN was an incredible story I found difficult to put down. The historical novel follows the path of a kidnapped adolescent who is taken from his home in Africa. As a black slave, Jayvyn endures brutal treatment both during his passage across the Atlantic, and during his placement working on cane and rice fields. At times, Jayvyn’s experience was difficult to read due to the atrocities he suffered, but the slave’s life was never pretty and the author did not give in to making it appear less intolerable.
I AM JAYVYN took me to a time and place I have never been and reminded me of the atrocities suffered by black slaves. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction, particularly those who appreciate an author who allows you to see and feel what the characters see and feel. Peter Brown is a talented storyteller and has woven a remarkable novel!
— Amazon on January 30, 2025
An important history to remember
Peter D. Brown’s notable debut novel delves deeply into the realities of enslaved people’s lives in the 18th century. Readers will find this historical novel well researched, educational, and filled with intensely emotional, sometimes difficult to read, descriptions of the atrocities that befall his characters. The story brings us along Jayvyn’s life journey, starting with a young boy’s beautifully described early morning run near his village in the Gambia, to the end of Jayvyn’s days on a rice plantation in Charles Town, South Carolina. The author chose an incredibly difficult yet vitally important part of history to write about, and has done so with truth, care, and a remarkable ability to show not only the worst, but also the best of humanity through his characters. Jayvyn’s compassionate, joyful, loving spirit shines throughout.
— Amazon on February 16, 2025
Detailed and relevant
This is a powerful, raw, in-your-face historical fiction, with high details and extra explanations (facts and research added to the footnotes) of an African child among many other human beings. They were caught in Africa and taken to ships, treated below animals to become slaves across the ocean. It spares us with no details and explains well what systematic racism is.
Told in the 3rd person but very close to the child’s point of view, his coming-of-age experience under violence, fear, and oppression. We’re seeing all happening through the perspective of 12-year-old Jayvyn.
The only thing that slows down the reading is the repetitions, reiterating what just had been said a few pages back and doesn’t add much more information to the first instant. These could be reduced, making the book shorter and a one-punch in the gut more efficient.
We can see through the writing that the author respects the characters, the history and is an advocate for social justice.
— Amazon on February 21, 2025
I am Jayvyn
Peter has written a very inciteful book. He was able to put you in Jayvyn’s life story with a very clear path. I was unable to put this book down until I finished it. Great read all and all. I fully enjoyed reading this and recommend it as well.
Great job Peter!!
— Amazon on February 24, 2025
Historical, Brave and Emotional tale
This story by Peter Brown is a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s heartbreaking for a 12 year old Jayvyn who is torn from his world and forced into slavery. It’s adventures as he crosses the ocean and settles in the new world. There is violence and death, but also love and healing. Brown’s ability to create deep, understandable characters is astonishing. In addition, his descriptions of the setting are so engrossing that I felt like a part of the story. I am Jayvyn is also an insightful and educational tale. I learned things in this book about America’s dark legacy of dehumanizing slaves that will live forever in my mind. The detailed imagery gives depth and substance to the moment described. The dialogue transports the reader into the conversation at hand while capturing the worldviews and imposed restrictions of the era. It celebrates family and the ability to survive with dignity in a world of cruelty.
— Amazon on February 25, 2025
Captivating and awesome
This powerful and emotional story follows a young protagonist’s journey of resilience, identity, and self-discovery. The author crafts a deeply moving narrative, shedding light on personal struggles and societal challenges with authenticity and heart. The character development is compelling, making it easy to connect with the protagonist’s triumphs and hardships. While the pacing occasionally slows with introspective moments, the overall message of strength and perseverance makes this a memorable and inspiring read.
— Amazon on February 27, 2025
Powerful Read
I am Jayvyn is a powerful read! It is beautifully written and meticulously researched. It is very clear that the author took the responsibility of telling this story very seriously.
This is the story of a young boy stolen from his homeland in Africa and brought first to a slave plantation in Barbados and then to one in South Carolina.
I am Jayvyn is not a light story nor an easy read. I actually took frequent breaks because the description of some of the abuse was staggering and painful to read. The author often included footnotes which provided additional information. I learned a great deal reading this story.
My only criticism was that I think it was too long. I think if some of the repetition and detail had been cut out the book would have packed an even larger emotional punch.
Overall, though this is a hard book to get through because of its content, it is well written and an important reminder of the brutality of our history. Ultimately, I am very glad that I read this and learned more about this horrific time period. I appreciate the author doing the work to ensure that these stories are not forgotten.
— Amazon on February 28, 2025
I Am Jayvyn
This book. It grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go. Which is a real testament to the power of this story, since it deals with such a heavy time in history. Peter Brown handles it so well, and doesn’t shy away from the horrors of slavery. I Am Jayvyn is gripping, harrowing, moving, compelling. Broke my heart. It will stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend it!
—Amazon on April 11, 2025
Outstanding
I was gifted this book and was doubtful at first of the ability of a writer to demonstrate the horror and heart wrenching things that the slaves were put through in words on a page. To be able to feel Jayvyn’s experiences every step of the way from his abduction in his village in Africa all the way to his death was intense and overwhelming at times. I am so glad I decided to read this book. It was eye-opening and heartbreaking. I recommend this read to anyone, but know that you are going to read about horrors you could never imagine that are probably still not even as bad as what a lot of actual slaves went through.
— Goodreads on April 14, 2025
A courageous, important book
A wonderful, courageous book. The lyrical descriptions encourage the reader to viscerally experience the contrast and shocking brutality of a time in our history that should never be forgotten or, worse, hidden. Thank you, Peter D. Brown, for this important, brilliant reminder.
— Amazon on May 15, 2025
WOW!
I had high hopes going into I Am Jayvyn by Peter D Brown and he did not disappoint. His research and the ability to create a storyline that rivals any other Black & African American Historical Fiction novel is at the top of the list.
We start off in Africa. Jayvyn is twelve years old, looking forward to his right of passage ceremony coming up, when his village is raided by English slavers. The trek to the slave ship left many dead and there would be many more that would succumb to the ocean voyage. Jayvyn kept telling himself, just stay alive and, maybe, some day…
I Am Jayvyn is 509 pages of raw emotion. I laughed and I cried with the characters. The brutality was savage. I cannot understand why one human being thinks they are better than another. The slaves were treated like chattel. How much work can you get out of someone that is being beaten and starved?
Every time something good happened to the slaves, I waited for something horrid to follow. What an emotional roller coaster. I felt all the emotions, happiness and sadness, disgust and anger, sorrow and rage. I love that, no matter how much they tried to beat him down, Jayvyn held on. There were those around him that helped him grow into a man that persevered, learning life’s lessons.
I Am Jayvyn by Peter D Brown is an in your face, thought provoking novel. An historical novel that blends truth with fiction, showing the slaves ability to believe in something larger than themselves, seeing the good amongst the evil.
I highly recommend I Am Javyyn by Peter D Brown. It was everything I anticipated and more. This is Peter’s first book, but I now have him in my sights and look forward to reading more of his work.
Thank you, Peter, for the opportunity to read I Am Jayvyn. Well done.
— Goodreads on May 21, 2025
Brings history to life
I am Jayvyn tells a captivating story, through the life of the title character from Africa to Barbados to South Carolina in the seventeenth century.
It depicts the suffering and resilience of the slave community, despite the degradation and neglect of their masters.
Alongside the narrative, it provides a wealth of historical detail, with footnotes on almost every page.
— Amazon on June 9, 2025
A ray of promise!
I felt I was transported back to a brutal time of transatlantic slavery, gaining a breath of hope from the protagonist, a 12-year-old Jola boy taken from his village by slavers in the early 1700s. The story seemed so real, supported by exhaustive historical annotations, bringing me back to reflect on how history evolved, extending my desire to research more into this theme. The faint of heart should read with caution, as the descriptions can be quite raw.
— Amazon on August 6, 2025
A book that makes mankind open their hearts to mankind
I loved this book! It is a very difficult story to read as Peter Brown portrays the journey of slavery with deliberate accuracy. I learned so much with all the historical facts he highlights for the reader.
He has wonderfully descriptive passages that bring you right into the scenes he is creating! All of his characters come alive for us and show us the awful paths that people struggled through during slavery.
One of the parts I cherished the most was how Jayvn was able to survive this cruelty with his spirituality, his compassion and his developing relationships with those around him. The power of the human spirit is miraculous!
I believe that this is a book that all students read! All of us could learn to open our hearts more by reading how mankind treats mankind.
— Amazon on August 7, 2025
Peter D Brown, Author 