Description: "When Maricarmen meets Rey el Cantante, beloved small-time Robin Hood and local musician on the rise, she begins to envision a life beyond the tight-knit community of el Caserâio, Puerto Rico - beyond cleaning houses, beyond waiting tables, beyond the constant tug of war between the street hustlers and los camarones. But breaking free proves more difficult than she imagined, and she soon finds herself struggling to make a home for herself, for Rey, his young brother Tito, and eventually, their daughter Nena. Until one fateful day changes everything. Fifteen years later, Maricarmen and Nena find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation as the community that once rallied to support Rey turns against them. Now Nena, a teenager haunted by loss and betrayal and exploring her sexual identity, must learn to fight for herself and her family in a world not always welcoming"--
Review Quotes:
"Díaz's command of her craft and expertise continue to reveal her as a writer who understands how to transmute the rawness of real life onto the page. Readers will not just feel engrossed, but emotionally invested in every turn and utterly committed to Maricarmen, Nena, and the people of el Caserío. This Is the Only Kingdom is full of heart -- a wonderful novel from a singular talent."
--Pittsburgh Post-Gazette