jackyobrien6's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
chuckri's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
sad
medium-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? No
4.5
cetasmom's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
hoosgracie's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book. Historical fiction but firmly based in the real life of Cathy Williams, the first woman, who was an African-American freed slave - to serve in the peace-time US army. She did so in disguise and serve with the Buffalo Soldiers. Highly recommend.
lauraellis's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.5
Very good.. powerful and moving. Although author is white, she has done research on African-American history. Yay
sbnich's review against another edition
3.0
The story, a fictionalized portrayal of a freed slave joining the US Army as a man in the Buffalo Soldiers, was nimble and compelling. At the same time, the overall narrative fell flat. Many of the scenes were bloated with minor details, and the major themes - betrayal, incompetence, and loss, got lost in minutiae.
Worth a read, but a lack of deep substance left unexamined, keeps it from being brilliant.
Worth a read, but a lack of deep substance left unexamined, keeps it from being brilliant.
mandyb_75's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this one. I almost put it down, but thought I’d give it another day, and I’m glad I did. I learned another piece of history that I otherwise wouldn’t have known.
missmelissarae's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I’m a white woman and a veteran. This woman — who is real and actually served— inspired me beyond words, honestly. The complexity she holds in her service is unlike most people today. I recommend this book to everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Racism
I was looking for something uplifting during a time of depression. Cathy Williams is my personal hero now.i_hype_romance's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 ⭐️
The buildup in this story was slow. But once I reached Cathy's induction into Sheridan's troops, I couldn't put it down.
This was a unique glimpse into an authentic part of the Wild West seldom discussed or acknowledged. The fact that Cathy's story was largely undocumented and had to be pieced together based on oblique references scattered through the historical record, is a testament to Bird's tenacity.
Highly recommend as a gritty portrayal of the dangers women faced on the frontier, and the snapshot of a woman who should be part of every secondary history curriculum.
The buildup in this story was slow. But once I reached Cathy's induction into Sheridan's troops, I couldn't put it down.
This was a unique glimpse into an authentic part of the Wild West seldom discussed or acknowledged. The fact that Cathy's story was largely undocumented and had to be pieced together based on oblique references scattered through the historical record, is a testament to Bird's tenacity.
Highly recommend as a gritty portrayal of the dangers women faced on the frontier, and the snapshot of a woman who should be part of every secondary history curriculum.