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beasleysbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
justinkhchen's review
3.0
3.5 stars
Appealing central romance with compelling historical details, yet as a whole Indigo is dragged down by uninspiring secondary characters and a flat-lined pacing that is never fully engaged.
Indigo has delivered on its exceptional reputation among readers regarding its romance and integration of historical facts. I was thoroughly engaged by the electrifying chemistry between Hester and Galen, and diving into fascinating Internet rabbit holes reading further into real-life events and individuals (The free-produce movement, the utter nonsense of a justice system towards the Black, etc.). But then it is also this heartfelt romance and the grounded weaving of historical facts that made the remaining fiction oddly hollow and unintentionally juvenile.
All the antagonists are 'Bad' with a capital 'B', caricatures with no nuance or shades of humanity (evil grandmother! materialistic, heartless female!), and Indigo has the unfortunate tendency to construct book-long suspense, only for them to be wrapped up without the deserving buildup and adrenaline in a few swift paragraphs (the hateful person simply passed away, the perpetrator voluntarily confessed, the kidnapping resolved in 2-3 pages).
Having read one other Beverly Jenkins' novel prior and felt rather lukewarm about it (Night Song), I was looking forward to be won over by Indigo, which has been praised by many to be her best work. Alas, it retains the same issues I have with her previous work. Although overall Indigo was more enjoyable (thanks to the wonderful heroine and hero), I can still refer to my own Night Song review as my final thoughts: "superficial villain and an uneven narrative... at the same time it feels thoroughly researched, revealing a slice of Black American history that doesn't often get the spotlight."
There remains one more book of hers I'm looking forward to try (The Taming of Jessi Rose), but maybe I'll just have to admit I'm not onboard the Beverly Jenkins hype train.
***The Rake Appreciation Book Club | June 2021 Selection***
Appealing central romance with compelling historical details, yet as a whole Indigo is dragged down by uninspiring secondary characters and a flat-lined pacing that is never fully engaged.
Indigo has delivered on its exceptional reputation among readers regarding its romance and integration of historical facts. I was thoroughly engaged by the electrifying chemistry between Hester and Galen, and diving into fascinating Internet rabbit holes reading further into real-life events and individuals (The free-produce movement, the utter nonsense of a justice system towards the Black, etc.). But then it is also this heartfelt romance and the grounded weaving of historical facts that made the remaining fiction oddly hollow and unintentionally juvenile.
All the antagonists are 'Bad' with a capital 'B', caricatures with no nuance or shades of humanity (evil grandmother! materialistic, heartless female!), and Indigo has the unfortunate tendency to construct book-long suspense, only for them to be wrapped up without the deserving buildup and adrenaline in a few swift paragraphs (the hateful person simply passed away, the perpetrator voluntarily confessed, the kidnapping resolved in 2-3 pages).
Having read one other Beverly Jenkins' novel prior and felt rather lukewarm about it (Night Song), I was looking forward to be won over by Indigo, which has been praised by many to be her best work. Alas, it retains the same issues I have with her previous work. Although overall Indigo was more enjoyable (thanks to the wonderful heroine and hero), I can still refer to my own Night Song review as my final thoughts: "superficial villain and an uneven narrative... at the same time it feels thoroughly researched, revealing a slice of Black American history that doesn't often get the spotlight."
There remains one more book of hers I'm looking forward to try (The Taming of Jessi Rose), but maybe I'll just have to admit I'm not onboard the Beverly Jenkins hype train.
***The Rake Appreciation Book Club | June 2021 Selection***
bonko's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5
jessisalwaysreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
farhana101's review against another edition
4.0
*4.2-4.3 stars
Thank God I have a bestie who loves HRs and gets me to read 1 from time to time. This book was highly enjoyable, especially because I learnt so much about the historical context of the 1850s while also simultaneously SWOONING over the romance. Galen is so damn perfect and Hesters story is so so sad but the ending was beautiful!
Thank God I have a bestie who loves HRs and gets me to read 1 from time to time. This book was highly enjoyable, especially because I learnt so much about the historical context of the 1850s while also simultaneously SWOONING over the romance. Galen is so damn perfect and Hesters story is so so sad but the ending was beautiful!
nat_loren's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
ameliabee33's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Enter Hester, a strong woman who escaped slavery and spends her time being a member of the Underground Railroad. She is humble and just wants to do right by black people in the United States no matter what.
Enter Galen Vachon. He has a French attitude.
Honestly all I could think about when Galen was on page was how French-like he was. Galen is a member of a wealthy Creole family from New Orleans. He is rich and he knows it. He is hot and he knows it. He wants Hester and he knows it.
Honestly our man Galen was an utter simp for Hester from page one and I am all here for it. The relationship is immediate, but Miss Jenkins always is able to pull that romance off, and well. Hester, as much as she tries, can't resist his charms. I mean how could you when he spoils you with every material thing and then marries you abd spoils you more?
But Hester didn't change herself for Galen, which is another thing I always enjoy about Jenkins' fmcs. Hester never wavers from her goal to help her community and uses her wealth via Galen to do so.
The overarching mystery of who the traitor for the Railroad did play a huge role and bringing Galen and Hester together and provided an entertaining subplot (c'mon the main plot was my girl Hester finally getting the good life).
Overall another entertaining read from Beverly Jenkins again!! I love reading her stuff because I learn some history while reading good romance and trying to figure out who is going to get kidnapped/held at gunpoint in the 3rd act:)
Enter Galen Vachon. He has a French attitude.
Honestly all I could think about when Galen was on page was how French-like he was. Galen is a member of a wealthy Creole family from New Orleans. He is rich and he knows it. He is hot and he knows it. He wants Hester and he knows it.
Honestly our man Galen was an utter simp for Hester from page one and I am all here for it. The relationship is immediate, but Miss Jenkins always is able to pull that romance off, and well. Hester, as much as she tries, can't resist his charms. I mean how could you when he spoils you with every material thing and then marries you abd spoils you more?
But Hester didn't change herself for Galen, which is another thing I always enjoy about Jenkins' fmcs. Hester never wavers from her goal to help her community and uses her wealth via Galen to do so.
The overarching mystery of who the traitor for the Railroad did play a huge role and bringing Galen and Hester together and provided an entertaining subplot (c'mon the main plot was my girl Hester finally getting the good life).
Overall another entertaining read from Beverly Jenkins again!! I love reading her stuff because I learn some history while reading good romance and trying to figure out who is going to get kidnapped/held at gunpoint in the 3rd act:)
giuliaghoulia's review
3.75
i'm so conflicted with this book because while the romance blew me away, the poor pacing and historical info dump left me slumpy at times. tbh this 350 page book felt like it would never end. i look forward to reading more beverly jenkins books in the future, but this one sadly was not a hit for me
oksmithie's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5