Reviews

Kelly’s books are damn well researched and incredibly immersive. This is a great read for folks who like historical accuracy and the interweaving of primary sources.

I thought this book’s depiction of white women was especially good — in all the various ways white women practiced complacency and benefited from slavery. Even, and especially, white female abolitionists from the North. Made me reflect a lot on the various ways white women have weaponized their femininity and benefited from the oppression of others.

ncamp214's review

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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

hsegdash's review

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3.0

Would give a 3.5 . Truly enjoyed but struggled to get through the cruel treatment. Loved a historical fiction novel that wasn’t World War II.

katalbot's review

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Finally finished....felt like I had to trudge through this one. Some good plot lines and moments but all done in too many words.

carolineinthelibrary's review

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5.0

This only took me so long to read because it's been so popular, I had a hard time getting my hands on it! It was a beautiful conclusion to the Woolsey-Ferriday series. I was once again impressed by how all of the characters intertwine at the end, and I was happy that

Spoiler

Anne-May didn't necessarily get the redemption it felt like she was going to for a brief moment there. Martha Hall Kelly does a really great job of ensuring that the "villain" whose story we follow throughout the Lilac Girls series doesn't get full redemption and I appreciate that!

Overall, a really great conclusion to the series. If you enjoyed Lilac Girls and Lost Roses, be sure to finish it off with Sunflower Sisters!

lezapal's review

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5.0

4.5 stars rounded up. This book reminded me a little bit of The Kitchen House, which is in my top five favorite books of all time. Stories of the Civil War fascinate me, and I love how this author gives three different viewpoints. The characters were very real and although not all likable, the story is captivating and horribly sad at the same time.

ashleysilver7's review

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5.0

This is my favorite book so far by Martha Hall Kelly, which is third in her Lilac Girls trilogy. However, if you are reading this review it is important to note that you do not need to read her trilogies in chronological order. In fact, this novel takes place first chronologically (think "Star Wars," starting with episode 4, ha!). Anyway, this book follows the lives of three women who couldn't be more different. Georgiana (Georgy) Woolsey, who is a real historical figure and staunch abolitionist (and great-aunt to Caroline Ferriday, the protagonist in the first Lilac Girls trilogy); Jemma, a slave on Peeler plantation in Maryland (loosely based on several historical figures); and Anne-May, a very unlikeable plantation owner, who "owns" Jemma and is also a Confederate spy.

I must say, reading this book was very eye-opening about the Civil War and all the legal intricacies about slavery I didn't realize. For example, Maryland was a state that allowed slavery, however they did not secede from the Union. Therefore, in 1863 when Lincoln emancipated the slaves, this did not include the slaves in Maryland (seriously!). Even worse, the "free states" up North would willingly give up runaway slaves to their "masters" down South...runaway slaves were not truly "free" unless they made it up to Canada where their "owners" had no rights. This is mind-blowing and truly awful, and frankly not explained well in textbooks.

Finally, on a personal note, my family just returned from St. Louis, where we visited U. S. Grant's farm (which is a US National Park). While US Grant had barely a mention in this novel, he was such an important figure in the Civil War, and we owe him a great deal of gratitude for his part in saving the Union. Furthermore, he did a lot (or at least tried to do a lot) for the civil rights of African Americans as president. He is often overlooked as an ineffective president, but he is admirable and I want to read more about him.

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