Reviews

Through the Storm by Beverly Jenkins

jhantayacareese's review

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-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

sarahanne8382's review

5.0

Such a classic - not only do Sable and Raimond have a steamy romance, but it happens during a pivotal time in our nation's history - the end of the Civil War and beginning of Reconstruction, and all the dangers and opportunities presented to Black Americans during this time.

yourbookishbff's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I've learned that Beverly Jenkins' books lean more heavily on plot development than character development (and can feel more tell vs. show), but that it works for me when the plot hits - and the plot really hit for me here! Set in the final months of the Civil War and then during Reconstruction, Through the Storm is packed with history lessons and asides (classically Jenkins!). I particularly appreciated how Jenkins explored the constant threat of violence Black folks faced during these years, and the immediate (and successful) attempts to recreate slavery through legal "contracts" that bound Black laborers right back to white land-owners. Jenkins shows - graphically - the ways in which formerly enslaved people had to keep fighting for their basic autonomy and freedom, how white people consistently worked against them, and how the political whiplash between presidential administrations made life post-war unpredictable and regressive. 

And the romance worked for me because holy heck was it messy. I loved how complicated our main characters' relationship became as the story progressed, and how many obstacles they had to face down - separately and as partners - to achieve their happily ever after. I felt the male main character, Raimond, was more fully developed on page than Sable, but only because Sable started out a heck of a lot wiser to begin with, and this man needed the growth. 

For romance readers who are new to Beverly Jenkins, know that the intimate scenes are heavily euphemistic in this one - not at all surprising for the pub date (late 1990s). There is also significant on-page violence and threat of violence, so check content warnings here.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Slavery, Racial slurs, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Murder, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Racism, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: War, Abandonment, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Suicide, Rape, and Fire/Fire injury

hannamlindsley's review

adventurous emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

allairebuysbooks's review

adventurous

5.0

So much happened and I still want more

ellei's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.0

thebookdivareads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

bookswhitme's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

luizalikesbooks's review

challenging emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I cried from beginning to end, amazing, highly recommend

“So you are as educated as you are beautiful?
I am educated, but the beauty, that is debatable
No, bijou, is a fact”

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs

Moderate: Slavery and Violence

Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Murder, and Death

shelbyruth123's review

adventurous informative inspiring fast-paced

4.0