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A review by kerrythefire
An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I love books with two strong, secure-in-themselves MCs who fall in love and find safety and vulnerability and softness in each other. That was Elle and Malcolm.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Violence
Minor: Rape and War