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minilove's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this story was told from an interesting perspective, but heavy. It took me a very long time to get through but I thought it was well written and the characters were well thought out. Overall, a good read.
catzach's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? No
4.0
maggiementions's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book to be fascinating! From the facts I learned about the time of the Civil War in the south as well as the social expectations, it was informative as well as captivating. The strength of the characters and the hope they draw from music I could connect with completely. Not to mention putting themselves on the line and risking their livelihoods in their own specific ways. This historical fiction novel has everything I could ask for with intertwining stories and characters, romance and rebellion!
woggers's review against another edition
2.5
Didn’t love this book. Found it to be a bit unbelievable.
ldyluck's review against another edition
4.0
I was worried that a co-authored work of fiction might be disjointed or difficult/unpleasant to read. It was, in fact, consistent and flowed easily.
The story was unique and described parts of history of which I was unfamiliar. The characters were believable and fleshed out. Well done.
The story was unique and described parts of history of which I was unfamiliar. The characters were believable and fleshed out. Well done.
heidirgorecki's review against another edition
4.0
The books adds a new take for me from other Civil War stories, looking at black enlisted men in the Union Army, Jewish soldiers and anti-semitism that existed even then, and how lighter skinned black women were held as mistresses in their own houses in the south.
I enjoyed reading about the map-maker Stella became, putting her skills and gifts from her slave owner to help fellow slaves escape. I was wondering whether the authors were going to say that was based on a true story but that was never alluded to specifically.
Civil war era books are so difficult to get thru for the brutality and violence against black slaves and while this still contained that outlook, I appreciated a different perspective of the majority being from a soldier’s point of view, and the friendship Jacob and Willie had. It made it just a little less heavy of a subject for me with that.
I enjoyed reading about the map-maker Stella became, putting her skills and gifts from her slave owner to help fellow slaves escape. I was wondering whether the authors were going to say that was based on a true story but that was never alluded to specifically.
Civil war era books are so difficult to get thru for the brutality and violence against black slaves and while this still contained that outlook, I appreciated a different perspective of the majority being from a soldier’s point of view, and the friendship Jacob and Willie had. It made it just a little less heavy of a subject for me with that.
sher7's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5