Using a wide range of previously untranslated and overlooked sources, including historical texts, legal documents, and vodou rituals, Dayan reconstructs the cultural and spiritual landscape of both French Saint-Domingue and modern Haiti.

The third part, "Last Days of Saint-Domingue," focuses on the final years of the French colony and its role in shaping the modern Americas, touching on themes of race, slavery, and enlightenment thought.

It was included for its exploration of the island's deep connections between history, religion, and culture, especially examining how Vodou and other religious practices have shaped Haiti's identity and historical trajectory.

[2] Clarisse Zimra praised the work and highlighted Dayan's ability to weave together historical, legal, and spiritual narratives, noting that the book "illuminates the complexities of Vodou as a central force in Haitian life."

She noted that while the book is rich in scholarly insight, its intricate exploration of legal, historical, and spiritual themes could make it "challenging to navigate" for readers unfamiliar with such depth of analysis.

Ferguson highlighted Dayan's unique approach of using Vodou as a lens to explore Haitian culture, history, and politics, noting that the book present a profound alternative interpretation of Haiti's revolutionary past.

She admired Dayan's incorporation of Haitian French-language fiction and Vodou rituals to address gaps in the historical record, as it emphasized the role of gender, race, and class during the colonial and revolutionary periods.