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yarm's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
A sad story about enslaved people during the time of the American civil war. The story is mostly told from the first person view of Jemma, a young girl born into slavery. I found it hard to read about the torture and suffering that the slaves endured. I was shocked to read the first person perspective of Anne-May, the plantation mistress, her entitled views of her superiority over people of colour. Also sad to have the story based in the war where there was so much death and destruction. Such a tragic era, but maybe war was the only way sudden change to an abhorrent social structure could take place. I understand now why African Americans ask for reparations from wealthy white families who are rich only because of how their ancestors earns their money from slave labour. The first person perspective of Georgy, a wealthy young woman who dedicates her life to nursing this who are injured or sick, regardless of race or background. The author’s note was very interesting to read. She had based her book on historical account of the Wolsey family. It was pleasing to find out that Georgy was eventually able to realise her dream of setting up a nursing school for women.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, Slavery, Death, Racism, Violence, and War
ncamp214's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-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
4.0
You do not need to read the other two novels in order to understand and be enraptured by this novel. Historical fiction set during the Civil War is not usually my cup of tea, but the stories of Jema and Georgy quickly pulled me in. I wanted to know more about both of these head-strong and fearless women who lead entirely different lives until a random occurrence brought them together. I do wish the novel had touched slightly more on the politics of the era, but since it is based on the story of the actual Woosley family and their letters I understand why it didn't. I enjoyed getting a look into what a Southern plantation owner, particularly a women, would have been like at the time. Anne-May was a brutal version of a slave owner, and the more her story went the more I hoped she got what she deserved. I don't think she did in the end, as being alive is more than she deserved. I started this as an audiobook, and enjoyed the different narrators for the different characters. I ended up finishing with the physical book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Child death, Classism, Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, War, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, and Sexual harassment
rachelbetters99's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child death, Death of parent, and Sexual violence
Minor: Addiction
myworldtoread's review
emotional
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
3.5
It was good, but I don't think it was as good as the other two books (Lilac Girls and Lost Roses). It felt like something was missing/that parts of the novel were forced (ie: George's relationship with Frank Bacon).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Racism, Slavery, Sexual assault, and War
emardesen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Hate crime, Death, War, Murder, Physical abuse, and Racism
bamababenv's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Hate crime, Death, Colonisation, and War
abbyarm's review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Slavery, Violence, Racism, Torture, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual violence, Murder, Sexual assault, and Medical content
Minor: Gore and Sexism
This book is about nursing during the American Civil War. It is split into three perspectives. One of a northern nurse, one of a slave in Maryland and one of a plantation owner in Maryland. The author does not do much to sugar coat what those people would have been through or done to other people. It is a good book. I would just recommend being ready for that aspect of the story.teyahdawn's review
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Racism, and Death
Moderate: War and Violence
Minor: Sexual content and Rape
laheath's review
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
An exceptional conclusion to the trilogy chronicling the family of Caroline Ferriday, although I am sad to see it end. Each book has been thoroughly researched and the author's note even documents what the fictional events and characters were based upon, as well as her reflections on her travels to these places and reading the family's letters.
As each book has gone back in time looking at the family history, this book is set during the Civil War. The ancestral Woolsey family is comprised of several sisters who are actively involved in the abolitionist movement and various charities supporting orphans and the Union troops. Georgeanna is focused upon as she trains as a nurse to serve in the war and plans to open a school for female nurses which is unheard of in this time. A second perspective is given by Jemma, an enslaved teen on a tobacco plantation in Maryland, as she witnesses the horrors from the owners and fights to save her family. The third narrator is the mistress of the plantation, Anne-May, who is oblivious in her selfishness.
The writing is excellent, and this family's story encompasses some important historical moments, so it's definitely worth reading and remembering, though the subject matter is hard to read at times. Although this book is slightly longer than my typical reads, it never dragged, but life sometimes got in the way of my reading time!
As each book has gone back in time looking at the family history, this book is set during the Civil War. The ancestral Woolsey family is comprised of several sisters who are actively involved in the abolitionist movement and various charities supporting orphans and the Union troops. Georgeanna is focused upon as she trains as a nurse to serve in the war and plans to open a school for female nurses which is unheard of in this time. A second perspective is given by Jemma, an enslaved teen on a tobacco plantation in Maryland, as she witnesses the horrors from the owners and fights to save her family. The third narrator is the mistress of the plantation, Anne-May, who is oblivious in her selfishness.
The writing is excellent, and this family's story encompasses some important historical moments, so it's definitely worth reading and remembering, though the subject matter is hard to read at times. Although this book is slightly longer than my typical reads, it never dragged, but life sometimes got in the way of my reading time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Racism
Moderate: War, Violence, Murder, and Medical trauma
skysummer's review
challenging
emotional
informative
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery