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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: Violence, Racism, Racial slurs, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Slavery, and War
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: Racism, Gun violence, and Violence
confusedmuse's review against another edition
- 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
2.0
Moderate: Racial slurs, Blood, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Medical content, and Racism
Minor: Death of parent, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide
aqtbenz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Trafficking, Racism, Medical content, and Kidnapping
emfass's review against another edition
- 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
2.0
I did appreciate how Malcolm was maybe the first person to make Elle feel really seen, but otherwise I just was not impressed with where he sat in his privilege, and didn't think he grew enough to deserve to be with Elle.
Also, for being a spy plot romance, I found things moved pretty slowly. The switching back and forth between trying to further the romance and trying to further the action felt choppy throughout. There was also so much redundancy in their inner monologues.
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Trafficking, and Violence
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Death and Suicide
paolina's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Trafficking, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Suicide
kayo32's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Slavery, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Violence, Trafficking, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexism, Rape, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Death, and Confinement