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A review by chels_ebooks
An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole
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? No
5.0
The power differential between Elle and Malcolm seems insurmountable for a relationship, but it was build on such a solid foundation of earned trust and respect that the 'unlikely romance' barrier was handily squashed in such a masterful way.
Elle is undercover as an enslaved housekeeper in the Caffrey household. She's an enormously valuable spy because of her eidetic, or photographic, memory. Despite this, she's often overlooked by her Union cohort, which is enraging and frustrating, because the work she is doing is extremely dangerous.
When Malcom first approaches Elle, she doesn't realize he's also a spy, so she takes his Confederate uniform at face value. Malcolm doesn't realize how terrifying he is to her, which is a huge oversight on his part, as he attempts to converse with her.
This is the first of many lessons Malcom gets about being an ally. You have to be careful, and you have to sacrifice your pride. As he falls deeper and deeper in love with Elle, he begins to chafe at his disguise, particular because it casts him as her oppressor.
But Elle doesn't want his guilt. She has no use for it.
Malcolm loves Elle so much that it's clear that he'll put her above everything else. She wouldn't do the same for him (the cause his too important), and he needs to be okay with that.
Elle is undercover as an enslaved housekeeper in the Caffrey household. She's an enormously valuable spy because of her eidetic, or photographic, memory. Despite this, she's often overlooked by her Union cohort, which is enraging and frustrating, because the work she is doing is extremely dangerous.
When Malcom first approaches Elle, she doesn't realize he's also a spy, so she takes his Confederate uniform at face value. Malcolm doesn't realize how terrifying he is to her, which is a huge oversight on his part, as he attempts to converse with her.
This is the first of many lessons Malcom gets about being an ally. You have to be careful, and you have to sacrifice your pride. As he falls deeper and deeper in love with Elle, he begins to chafe at his disguise, particular because it casts him as her oppressor.
But Elle doesn't want his guilt. She has no use for it.
Malcolm loves Elle so much that it's clear that he'll put her above everything else. She wouldn't do the same for him (the cause his too important), and he needs to be okay with that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism