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kerrythefire's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This wasn't a complex book. But Alyssa Cole did a great job weaving together an engaging story set during a really brutal time and setting, and giving enough honor and authenticity to that reality without burdening the story with graphic scenes. She reminds us of the inhumanity of slavery and racism in it's multiple forms, but does not portray it in graphic ways that make this story about slavery instead of the characters and their journey (as spies and to love).
It gave flickers of Kindred (which is a fantastic book, imo), but wasn't nearly as heavy. Which I absolutely wouldn't have wanted it to be.
Yes, the speed at which Elle (and Malcolm, to an extent) came around to the idea of being together was maybe a little faster than would be historically accurate or likely, but that's ok... I was always rooting for them and was happy to be along for the ride. His "proposal" was also endearing af, ha.
Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Violence
Minor: Rape and War
heather667's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Rape, Suicide, and Death of parent
dja's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Sexual content, and Violence
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
traceyanderson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
imds's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and War
bergamot_breeze's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation
Moderate: Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Violence
mandi4886's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Torture, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Vomit, Trafficking, Stalking, and Toxic friendship
unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
heydebigale's review against another edition
- 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
Romances where I learn history are top tier books! The book opens up the same year that *that incredibly racist popular book is set* this book is from a Black perspective & is SO good.
Elle is a spy for the union who has an impeccable memory. Malcolm is also a spy for Pinkerton but is posing as a Rebel soldier. The pie work together to uncover a confederate plot to break up the union blockade.
Elle is based off of a real Black spy named Mary Bowser who had an eidetic memory who was placed in the Jefferson Davis whitehouse who funneled information to the Union. Definitely read the authors note!
This book addresses many of the issues faced by enslaved and free Black people during the civil war. I appreciated the discussion on repatriation & Elle’s realization that America was her home.
Highly recommend this book!
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, and Violence