Scan barcode
kreinard's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
klutzykara's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
The synopsis of this historical fiction novel set in pre-Civil War Philadelphia sounded promising. And while I do believe the overall narrative is worth reading (and well-researched), I unfortunately found the execution of it rather disappointing. It started strong, but I found myself skimming in the middle section of the book as I was frustrated that the plot stopped moving in a meaningful way for so long and I just didn't feel the characters were engaging enough on their own, despite wanting to know how it ended. It is a debut, so I don't mean to be overly critical. Just to perhaps temper expectations and hope the author's next book improves upon the weaknesses here.
melyssa57's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
All We Were Promised is the debut historical fiction novel by Ashton Lattimore, an award-winning journalist and former lawyer. The book is set during the pre-Civil War era in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and features three female protagonists serving as soldiers for justice: Charlotte, who has escaped slavery with her father, who is hiding in plain sight while his daughter poses as his housemaid; Nell, a well-to-do aspiring abolitionist; and Evie, a freedom-seeking friend from the plantation that Charlotte and her father absconded. All three of these characters' lives collide in Philadelphia where they help each other to make the ideal of freedom a reality because none of us are free unless we are all free (Fannie Lou Hamer).
The premise of the story is not new. There have been many non-fiction and fiction stories that covered the topic of Black people who knew they did not belong to anyone and fought for something different. Additionally, the phenomenon of passing (e.g., Imitation of Life, Did You Hear about Kitty Karr, and Passing, etc.) is touched on with the relationship between Charlotte and her father. But overall this books is about American's greatest ill - its participation in the transatlantic slave trade. Do we need another book about slavery? Yes, let us continue to tell the stories and learn from history lest we repeat them, especially in today's society when the historical facts are being skewed to pacify those who cannot accept the atrocities that occurred in these United States of America.
I truly enjoyed reading this story. I think the author did a wonderful job with portraying the horrendous acts of one group of people treating another group of people as property without being overly graphic. Her research into the actual, historical event of the burning of Pennsylvania Hall within days of its grand opening was not only handled well, but was so compelling it enticed me to seek out more about this true event. Lattimore also did a great job of created in-depth characters in Charlotte, Nell, and Evie. She also presented Charlotte's father in such a way that I was truly angry with this fictional character. To me, he was simply a slavemaster of another kind. When a book evokes emotion and provokes action, I tend to label it a good one.
My only critique was the lack of development of some of the secondary characters and plots - like that of the relationship between Alex and Nell. I would have loved to know more about the Darcel, who befriended Charlotte as well as Irene and Daniel, who she left behind at the plantation and were mentioned by name several times throughout the book but had no fleshed-out back story development.
Recommendation: This novel had strong themes of justice, grief, and belonging. The ending was a little abrupt, and I feel like there could have been so much more to it. My hope is that Lattimore writes a sequel to All We Were Promised because there are so many promises unfulfilled in this first writing. If she does write a follow-up story, I'll be first in line to get a copy.
Until next time ... Read on!
Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.
Read all of my reviews at bit.ly/PageBedtime
The premise of the story is not new. There have been many non-fiction and fiction stories that covered the topic of Black people who knew they did not belong to anyone and fought for something different. Additionally, the phenomenon of passing (e.g., Imitation of Life, Did You Hear about Kitty Karr, and Passing, etc.) is touched on with the relationship between Charlotte and her father. But overall this books is about American's greatest ill - its participation in the transatlantic slave trade. Do we need another book about slavery? Yes, let us continue to tell the stories and learn from history lest we repeat them, especially in today's society when the historical facts are being skewed to pacify those who cannot accept the atrocities that occurred in these United States of America.
I truly enjoyed reading this story. I think the author did a wonderful job with portraying the horrendous acts of one group of people treating another group of people as property without being overly graphic. Her research into the actual, historical event of the burning of Pennsylvania Hall within days of its grand opening was not only handled well, but was so compelling it enticed me to seek out more about this true event. Lattimore also did a great job of created in-depth characters in Charlotte, Nell, and Evie. She also presented Charlotte's father in such a way that I was truly angry with this fictional character. To me, he was simply a slavemaster of another kind. When a book evokes emotion and provokes action, I tend to label it a good one.
My only critique was the lack of development of some of the secondary characters and plots - like that of the relationship between Alex and Nell. I would have loved to know more about the Darcel, who befriended Charlotte as well as Irene and Daniel, who she left behind at the plantation and were mentioned by name several times throughout the book but had no fleshed-out back story development.
Recommendation: This novel had strong themes of justice, grief, and belonging. The ending was a little abrupt, and I feel like there could have been so much more to it. My hope is that Lattimore writes a sequel to All We Were Promised because there are so many promises unfulfilled in this first writing. If she does write a follow-up story, I'll be first in line to get a copy.
Until next time ... Read on!
Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.
Read all of my reviews at bit.ly/PageBedtime
openbookheartmind's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Violence
year23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Powerful story exploring the lives of three Black women in Philadelphia pre-emancipation. They are brought together in an effort to free Evie, exploring the many complex challenges Black people faced in the North in both staying free & helping others to get free.
I felt like Evie, Nell's, and Charlotte's voices were very similar in terms of their personalities, I would have liked to see more there in terms of character development (though given the length, I think this would have been a challenge!). At the same time, they each have very a very clear mission/desire and challenge which does keep the narrative moving forward. I don't know if this is a YA novel but it reads a bit like that and I think is accessible to high schoolers and would be a great read for teens in introducing them to these themes.
The strongest parts for me were learning more about Evie and Charlotte's backgrounds and how they navigated or are navigating moving from being enslaved to free. Nell's work with the anti-slavery society too was well done in sharing more about how class & colorism (in addition to racism) intersect to make abolition more difficult to achieve.
I felt like Evie, Nell's, and Charlotte's voices were very similar in terms of their personalities, I would have liked to see more there in terms of character development (though given the length, I think this would have been a challenge!). At the same time, they each have very a very clear mission/desire and challenge which does keep the narrative moving forward. I don't know if this is a YA novel but it reads a bit like that and I think is accessible to high schoolers and would be a great read for teens in introducing them to these themes.
The strongest parts for me were learning more about Evie and Charlotte's backgrounds and how they navigated or are navigating moving from being enslaved to free. Nell's work with the anti-slavery society too was well done in sharing more about how class & colorism (in addition to racism) intersect to make abolition more difficult to achieve.
jmaynard15's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jaelyn7's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I would recommend All We Were Promised to a historical fiction reader who enjoys stories that center more around daily living than an action-packed event. This is the first book I have read that shows that othering Black people was not just limited to the south. Personally, I would have liked either stronger character development or a more interesting story, as the first 75% of the book moved slowly for me.
What Worked for Me
I appreciated that this book highlighted how people's actions are shaped by their own life experiences. There were many points in the book where I paused to reflect, but one issue that stood out to me was the power (or lack thereof) of the women's abolitionist society. All We Were Promised can offer a wealth of discussion, especially when it comes to defending how each character thinks, given their circumstances.
What Didn't Work for Me
The first 75% of the book read like a fictionalized social commentary. If I read an article about how the northern states weren't 100% free for Black people, I feel like I would pull out the same social issues. At the end of the day, I'm not reading a fiction book for that purpose; I'm reading it to compel me through storytelling. This could have been done by increasing the character development of all characters, but especially Charlotte, Nell, and Evie, while cutting out repetitive exposition. The other alternative would be creating a conflict that occurred earlier or making the opinions the characters had on the issues more spicy (which could also result from better character development).
What Worked for Me
I appreciated that this book highlighted how people's actions are shaped by their own life experiences. There were many points in the book where I paused to reflect, but one issue that stood out to me was the power (or lack thereof) of the women's abolitionist society. All We Were Promised can offer a wealth of discussion, especially when it comes to defending how each character thinks, given their circumstances.
What Didn't Work for Me
The first 75% of the book read like a fictionalized social commentary. If I read an article about how the northern states weren't 100% free for Black people, I feel like I would pull out the same social issues. At the end of the day, I'm not reading a fiction book for that purpose; I'm reading it to compel me through storytelling. This could have been done by increasing the character development of all characters, but especially Charlotte, Nell, and Evie, while cutting out repetitive exposition. The other alternative would be creating a conflict that occurred earlier or making the opinions the characters had on the issues more spicy (which could also result from better character development).
kamisha's review against another edition
challenging
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mpettit's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book was mid. It had weird pacing issues, but did tell a unique story about 1830’s Philly.