The Scammer- Tiffany D. Jackson (YA Psychological Thriller)
This book made me angry, like, real rage! Devonte had me heated from start to finish. He embodied the “Hotep” archetype to a T, and honestly, that made him just as poisonous to the Black community as any outside force. His beliefs were rooted in a cult-like mindset that stripped these girls of their individuality, their goals, and the everyday qualities that made them beautiful and whole.
Jordyn also frustrated me, mainly because she lacked a backbone, but that made sense. Her parents ultimately failed her by sheltering her too much and never instilling confidence. Vanessa? I would’ve snitched after week one. His grown self needed to go. Kammy and Loren were extremely impressionable, but they were freshmen, which made them easy targets. Devonte deliberately chose the perfect group of girls to manipulate, and that’s what made his character so unsettling.
The themes in this book are clearly and intentionally centered on the Black community, especially Black students who are still trying to figure out who they are outside of their families. Many of the girls didn’t even realize how sheltered they were because that was all they knew. Starting at an HBCU represented freedom, growth, and self-discovery for them, but they lacked the confidence to step fully into that experience. They wanted to belong so badly that they lost themselves in the process.
I struggled with Devonte as a character because he had zero redeeming qualities. He was deeply brainwashed and irredeemable. Kerry also bothered me because of how easily she turned and how aggressive she became. I had a slight distaste for Nick, not because of anything he did wrong, but because I feared he’d be framed as a “white savior.” Thankfully, he was executed well. He worked because he fit Jordyn’s comfort zone rather than overpowering her story.
Watching Jordyn grow more confident over time was one of the most interesting arcs in the book. The reveal that she had a deeper agenda was surprising, but it also reinforced how impressionable she still was due to her upbringing. Ultimately, the biggest lesson here is simple but powerful: be yourself. College is the time to explore who you are, enjoy life, and make mistakes. Go to Homecoming. Party. Date. Live. Don’t shrink yourself just to fit in or keep friends, find you.
And finally… where in the world are Kammy and Legacy??
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