andipants's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked both of the main characters here. Marlie is thoroughly competent and confident, and Ewan is intelligent and kind. I loved that their relationship was so brainy — they're both unashamedly intellectual and appreciate each other for it. The villains here were both pretty one-dimensional — racist southern belle is racist, sadistic Home Guard guy is sadistic — but I did appreciate how Cole dug a little more into the situation on the ground in the South during the Civil War: how a lot of people opposed the Confederacy for a lot of different reasons, and it wasn't nearly as simple as "North good, South bad"; and how there was racism everywhere, without devolving into some kind of shallow "both sides had bad people you guys" kind of reading. This series is very good at introducing nuance without sacrificing principle or truth, and I love it.
If I had one complaint, it's that the pacing seems kind of off. The beginning is very slow, and the main action described in the cover blurb doesn't take off until over halfway through the book. Don't get me wrong, the quiet building of their relationship before that point is great, but it did make the overall work seem a bit uneven. Still definitely worth the read, though.
If I had one complaint, it's that the pacing seems kind of off. The beginning is very slow, and the main action described in the cover blurb doesn't take off until over halfway through the book. Don't get me wrong, the quiet building of their relationship before that point is great, but it did make the overall work seem a bit uneven. Still definitely worth the read, though.
wildwolverine's review against another edition
3.0
Once again, Cole gives readers a crystal clear picture of the American Civil War and an unflinching look at the reality of slavery. This time, instead of looking at things from the perspective of a slave, Cole looks at the complex dynamic of being a black woman with mixed heritage in Marlie, a young woman with a white father and a black mother trying to navigate a world where she's not accepted and only barely tolerated. It's a poignant story full of great, complex characters. My major gripe with it is the same as the previous book in the series: it's not much of a romance.
Like Elle from the previous novel in the series, Marlie is brilliant, resourceful, capable, and hardworking. However, what sets her apart is she's a little more naive as to how the world works. While she recognizes there isn't really a niche for her in her present society, she also doesn't realize how close to the precipice she is until the curtain is lifted. Her story of her growing up with a medicine woman (almost shaman-like) mother then rejecting that knowledge in favor of a more scientific approach only for her to revert back to it shows great growth. If the story was just about Marlie, this would've been a fantastic novel.
However, there was also Ewan to contend with. Ewan is the little brother of the hero from the previous book. While readers know his backstory from reading about Malcolm, there still feels like there are unexplored depths with Ewan. Unfortunately, Cole doesn't really examine Ewan's past traumas or idiosyncrasies. They're just kind of there. I will also state, for the record, that hero-recovering-from-illness is one of my least favorite romance tropes. There's nothing dashing about a man hiding in an attic crawlspace and recovering from a sprained ankle for a majority of the book. The passage of time was odd in this book. It wasn't clear how long Marlie harbored Ewan, but by the climax, his ankle was both still not healed and yet miraculously not bothering him as they fled the sadistic and evil Cahill.
I will admit, despite my apathy towards Ewan, this book was headed towards 4 stars for me until we got to the ending. I found it so unsatisfying, and it felt like the characters hadn't grown at all.
Similar to An Extraordinary Union, A Hope Divided would've made a very strong historical fiction novel. Unfortunately, as a romance, it falls a little flat for me. And because the romance took up as much space as it did, the historical plot wasn't as strong as it could've been, in my opinion.
Like Elle from the previous novel in the series, Marlie is brilliant, resourceful, capable, and hardworking. However, what sets her apart is she's a little more naive as to how the world works. While she recognizes there isn't really a niche for her in her present society, she also doesn't realize how close to the precipice she is until the curtain is lifted. Her story of her growing up with a medicine woman (almost shaman-like) mother then rejecting that knowledge in favor of a more scientific approach only for her to revert back to it shows great growth. If the story was just about Marlie, this would've been a fantastic novel.
However, there was also Ewan to contend with. Ewan is the little brother of the hero from the previous book. While readers know his backstory from reading about Malcolm, there still feels like there are unexplored depths with Ewan. Unfortunately, Cole doesn't really examine Ewan's past traumas or idiosyncrasies. They're just kind of there. I will also state, for the record, that hero-recovering-from-illness is one of my least favorite romance tropes. There's nothing dashing about a man hiding in an attic crawlspace and recovering from a sprained ankle for a majority of the book. The passage of time was odd in this book. It wasn't clear how long Marlie harbored Ewan, but by the climax, his ankle was both still not healed and yet miraculously not bothering him as they fled the sadistic and evil Cahill.
I will admit, despite my apathy towards Ewan, this book was headed towards 4 stars for me until we got to the ending. I found it so unsatisfying, and it felt like the characters hadn't grown at all.
Spoiler
The fact that Ewan doesn't kill Cahill is just ludicrous to me. Yes, the author was trying to make a point that Ewan wasn't the cold-hearted killer he thought he was, but the decision ran counter to the story. Namely, none of the conflict would've happened if Ewan had killed Cahill initially. It's also reasonable to deduce that leaving Cahill alive will only enable him to do more even more evil unto others. Killing him is a mercy to his future victims, and the fact that this was just glossed over felt very counterproductive to me. Besides, this is a novel! I want catharsis!Similar to An Extraordinary Union, A Hope Divided would've made a very strong historical fiction novel. Unfortunately, as a romance, it falls a little flat for me. And because the romance took up as much space as it did, the historical plot wasn't as strong as it could've been, in my opinion.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite thing about Alyssa Cole’s Loyal League historical romance series (other than the sexy bits) is the way she goes beyond the typical narratives of the Civil War and highlights characters and situations you probably haven’t read about before (but the sexy bits are great too!).
In A Hope Divided, the second installment in the series, main character Marlie is a free black woman, the daughter of a former slave and her white master. As an adult, Marlie is mostly left to live as she pleases, but all that changes when a Union soldier escapes from a Confederate prison and takes shelter in her home. His presence puts Marlie at great risk, and she tries not to get too close to him, but their close quarters and shared intellectual pursuits draw them together. Then the Home Guard, whose job is to round up and punish Confederate deserters, takes up residence in Marlie’s house as well, and their situation becomes truly dire.
Cole says in the Author’s Note, “The pop culture narrative has been flattened into a few two-dimensional stories...I hope this helps Americans see that even when we seem the most divided, there are always, always, people fighting for freedom in places we are told there are none. That should not be forgotten.” You see why I love this author? I’m going to carry that little nugget of encouragement with me and remind myself of it when things seem hopeless.
If you haven’t read [b:An Extraordinary Union|30237404|An Extraordinary Union (The Loyal League #1)|Alyssa Cole|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484253653s/30237404.jpg|50699647], the first book in the series, I highly recommend it as well!
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
In A Hope Divided, the second installment in the series, main character Marlie is a free black woman, the daughter of a former slave and her white master. As an adult, Marlie is mostly left to live as she pleases, but all that changes when a Union soldier escapes from a Confederate prison and takes shelter in her home. His presence puts Marlie at great risk, and she tries not to get too close to him, but their close quarters and shared intellectual pursuits draw them together. Then the Home Guard, whose job is to round up and punish Confederate deserters, takes up residence in Marlie’s house as well, and their situation becomes truly dire.
Cole says in the Author’s Note, “The pop culture narrative has been flattened into a few two-dimensional stories...I hope this helps Americans see that even when we seem the most divided, there are always, always, people fighting for freedom in places we are told there are none. That should not be forgotten.” You see why I love this author? I’m going to carry that little nugget of encouragement with me and remind myself of it when things seem hopeless.
If you haven’t read [b:An Extraordinary Union|30237404|An Extraordinary Union (The Loyal League #1)|Alyssa Cole|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484253653s/30237404.jpg|50699647], the first book in the series, I highly recommend it as well!
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
leasummer's review against another edition
4.0
This was a riveting, well-written, passion filled romance. While the subject matter isn’t always pleasant, it is a fast read. Definitely interested in checking out others in the series.
geo_ix's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this, but it’s not worth the current price on amazon for the ebook. It’s $18 here, and I KNOW it was on sale just last year some time, for under $5 so I just feel bad for anyone wanting to read it now. The paperback is 50c cheaper & that just doesn’t happen here. Looking at the US Amazon the paperback is SUPER cheap compared to the kindle. If you’re an kindle reader I would suggest putting it off in hopes of another sale, but if not it might be better to just try the library.
I don’t think I’ll continue the series because the next book costs even more, but I’ll try some other AC books because I know the cost isn’t really up to her & I did enjoy the writing. In fact, even though I rated book one the same as this, I enjoyed this more than I did book one. I just wish there was little more romance, she pushes him away for like 90% of the book and it irritated me.
I really enjoyed his character. He wasn’t a typical male lead and it was quite refreshing. I also really enjoyed her medical/science stuff, it was super interesting. My only major problem I had with this and the first book is the villains were always super sociopathic and they make me so angry and then it ruins my day, especially if the don’t end up dead lol
I don’t think I’ll continue the series because the next book costs even more, but I’ll try some other AC books because I know the cost isn’t really up to her & I did enjoy the writing. In fact, even though I rated book one the same as this, I enjoyed this more than I did book one. I just wish there was little more romance, she pushes him away for like 90% of the book and it irritated me.
I really enjoyed his character. He wasn’t a typical male lead and it was quite refreshing. I also really enjoyed her medical/science stuff, it was super interesting. My only major problem I had with this and the first book is the villains were always super sociopathic and they make me so angry and then it ruins my day, especially if the don’t end up dead lol
caitlinemccann's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, War, Bullying, Classism, Abandonment, Blood, Confinement, Sexual content, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Medical content, Racial slurs, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Racism, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
reading_meg's review against another edition
5.0
- It was so interesting to read this since I live in the general area the book is set! It also really made me think about how the characters in this book could easily be someone I know's great great grandparents.
- I loved the root work and chemistry/botany in this book so much. The overlap (both geography and subject matter) between this book and Legendborn was so interesting to think about while reading.
- The tension in this one is so powerful, especially with hiding Ewan!
- The dynamic between Marlie and her white family was so powerful and tragic, especially between her and her sister.
- I loved the root work and chemistry/botany in this book so much. The overlap (both geography and subject matter) between this book and Legendborn was so interesting to think about while reading.
- The tension in this one is so powerful, especially with hiding Ewan!
- The dynamic between Marlie and her white family was so powerful and tragic, especially between her and her sister.
ashleyreadsanything's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
leavingsealevel's review against another edition
2.0
I liked An Extraordinary Union waaaayyyy better, and am kind of disappointed Malcolm and Elle aren't in this one :(
However. This is beautifully written and incredibly well researched (I learned some interesting things about science/medicine and about resistance to the confederate government in the south). I just didn't like the characters as well.
However. This is beautifully written and incredibly well researched (I learned some interesting things about science/medicine and about resistance to the confederate government in the south). I just didn't like the characters as well.