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whizardreads's review against another edition
5.0
So it’s been a bit since I’ve finished this book. I’m not going to lie. I was so affected by it that I couldn’t mentally handle writing a review immediately after finishing. I needed sometime to process and reflect. Now that I’ve had a break, I feel like I can.
5/5 - so many reasons.
- a unique way of telling a story
- never stagnant; always moving; always powerful
- incredibly real characters; characters that rugged at my heartstrings
- a story of a powerful little girl who didn’t let her age, race, gender, or circumstances stop her from fighting for what she loved; I think we all need a little bit more of that.
- a beautiful and haunting depiction of the nightmare that so many slaves faced
- heartwarming hope that was found in their freedom.
Yes, you should read it and pay homage to those whose voices were silenced and to those who fought and made their voice heard.
5/5 - so many reasons.
- a unique way of telling a story
- never stagnant; always moving; always powerful
- incredibly real characters; characters that rugged at my heartstrings
- a story of a powerful little girl who didn’t let her age, race, gender, or circumstances stop her from fighting for what she loved; I think we all need a little bit more of that.
- a beautiful and haunting depiction of the nightmare that so many slaves faced
- heartwarming hope that was found in their freedom.
Yes, you should read it and pay homage to those whose voices were silenced and to those who fought and made their voice heard.
maralyn2215's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
lawbooks600's review against another edition
4.0
Representation: Black main character
Trigger warnings: Slavery, human trafficking, abuse
7/10, oh wow I haven't read a poetry book in a while but the last one I read called Grace Notes was good and I enjoyed this one as well and I thought that the writing style of this would let me down but somehow the author managed to pull it off which I was pleasantly surprised at, where do I begin. It starts off with the main character Grace about to be sent off into a building called the Big House where she will work for her master as a slave and she does that at first however she thinks about what it means to be free. These thoughts continue to be there as her master oppresses her until she had had enough of that so she devises a plan to escape and that plan was to go south through the swamps until no one can oppress her anymore. Soon enough Grace and some other characters execute the plan and go southwards away from the Big House and her master and towards the swamps which takes up the middle part of the book and I found it a bit sluggish and tedious since it's a major part but once I was done with it I reached the end where Grace finally exits the swamps, meets some new characters and achieves her goal which wraps up the book on a high note. The only thing that bugged me was that this is not #ownvoices since a white author wrote a book with a Black character and I found a book similar to this called Freewater you can try which is #ownvoices.
Trigger warnings: Slavery, human trafficking, abuse
7/10, oh wow I haven't read a poetry book in a while but the last one I read called Grace Notes was good and I enjoyed this one as well and I thought that the writing style of this would let me down but somehow the author managed to pull it off which I was pleasantly surprised at, where do I begin. It starts off with the main character Grace about to be sent off into a building called the Big House where she will work for her master as a slave and she does that at first however she thinks about what it means to be free. These thoughts continue to be there as her master oppresses her until she had had enough of that so she devises a plan to escape and that plan was to go south through the swamps until no one can oppress her anymore. Soon enough Grace and some other characters execute the plan and go southwards away from the Big House and her master and towards the swamps which takes up the middle part of the book and I found it a bit sluggish and tedious since it's a major part but once I was done with it I reached the end where Grace finally exits the swamps, meets some new characters and achieves her goal which wraps up the book on a high note. The only thing that bugged me was that this is not #ownvoices since a white author wrote a book with a Black character and I found a book similar to this called Freewater you can try which is #ownvoices.
michellec13's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
afro8921's review against another edition
4.0
Controlling your own narrative and writing your own story are two big themes in Unbound. Slavery is a system that kept people legally and mentally bound for years. One young slave can't help but question a system that forces her to forsake suspend her own sense of right and wrong to survive. When she learns about her master's plan to divide her family, she must use every ounce of courage to plan a dangerous escape. This book is a relatively quick read and a good choice for historical fiction. The word choices might be problematic, but overall it's a good read.
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
They told her to keep eyes on the ground, that was the only way she would survive her new position in the Big House. However, Grace feels God and hope in the sky. Grace is an opinionated girl, who lives during a time when African Americans are slaves and punished for talking back. It is through Grace's inability to live with injustice that she and her family begin their path to freedom.
This historical novel shows that the North was not the only place in history during slavery that offered potential safe havens for runaway slaves. The Great Dismal Swamp is a new intriguing part of history that Burg highlights.
I enjoyed this novel and enjoyed the messages it provides. The characters were believable.
This historical novel shows that the North was not the only place in history during slavery that offered potential safe havens for runaway slaves. The Great Dismal Swamp is a new intriguing part of history that Burg highlights.
I enjoyed this novel and enjoyed the messages it provides. The characters were believable.
amyreadsbooks917's review against another edition
4.0
This is a novel about slavery told in verse and focusing on a nine year old protagonist named Grace. Grace is moved away from her mama and family to go live in the Big House because of her light skin and blue eyes which help her pass as almost white. Since the Missus has heard that slaves of lighter skin tone are smarter and can be trained better, Grace is brought in to become the next house slave.
The story focuses on the horrifying emotional realities of slavery. The plot is interesting and well developed, but the characters are what drive the story. Grace has to deal with being separated from her family and witnessing slave beatings more directly. One thing leads to another and Grace and her family must make a split second decision to flee for their lives or be sold and separated at the auction block.
This is a really thought provoking book and one that illustrates the fear and oppression of slavery.
The story focuses on the horrifying emotional realities of slavery. The plot is interesting and well developed, but the characters are what drive the story. Grace has to deal with being separated from her family and witnessing slave beatings more directly. One thing leads to another and Grace and her family must make a split second decision to flee for their lives or be sold and separated at the auction block.
This is a really thought provoking book and one that illustrates the fear and oppression of slavery.
rain_conners's review against another edition
4.0
Loved loved loved that this was in verse. Haven’t read one of those in awhile. From the first page I was hooked on graces story of being a slave and her journey of escaping. Great and quick read!