Reviews

Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen by Sarah Bird

nadoislandgirl's review against another edition

3.0

What is so intriguing, is that the book was based on a real story! A black woman became a Buffalo Soldier. She was an interesting character - always kept me on my toes. Time felt loose. The writing felt day-by-day and then suddenly I would realize that a year had gone by! Spanning the American Civil War to rounding up "Indians" in Texas to put onto reservations, we see this world through the life of a black soldier. Unique perspective and well done.
I want to give this a 3-1/2 star.

janiceh's review against another edition

4.0

The Audio Book has a chapter Historical Note. Start with that. Great narrator and interesting historical novel with the added bonus of an interview with the author.

jhurl's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative 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

5.0

 

I know almost nothing about the Buffalo riders so very insightful overall in a dynamic period at the end of the civil war and after.  Cathy Williams (or Bill Cathay) was amazing. It is hard to believe she did all of those things. It is a work of fiction but given what she had to survive it is very believable.  I would like to see the notes as to what is grounded in the research and how much was filled in but it doesn't take anything away from the story.

 

katiehj's review against another edition

4.0

A really wonderful 4/5 stars. It would have even even higher, but I felt like it took a bit of time to really grasp me. But by the end, I was enthralled.

tiaowuma1's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative inspiring tense fast-paced

4.5

solson1974's review against another edition

4.0

Definitely a 4.5. Cathy is such a strong character and the amount of research that must have gone into this book is evident. I had to take breaks because I knew the story wasn’t going to go how I wanted it to and I almost couldn’t bear to see it play out, but it was such a good story.

imtyna's review against another edition

5.0

This is based on a true story! So glad I found this book, I’m going to look more into her story. I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator did a fabulous job!

casdena's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 stars

tanyarobinson's review against another edition

3.0

Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen is the highly embellished novelization of the life of Cathy Williams, an African-American woman who, disguised as a man, served as a Buffalo Soldier following the Civil War. In Bird's story, Cathy's grandmother had been a warrior queen in Africa before being captured and sold into slavery, and had passed down her warrior spirit. After being "freed" by Union soldiers, Cathy was labelled "contraband" and pressed into domestic service for the U.S. Army for the duration of the war. Following Appomattox, Cathy joined other former slaves in joining the new black regiments to fight Indians in the West.

The most interesting part of the book, for me, was Bird's creative series of ideas on how Cathy was able to keep up her deception through two years of military barracks life, including medical inspections. Less believable was the fictional romance, which I won't go into lest I spoil anything for future readers. I did like the fact that Cathy's character was consistent; even during her years as posing as a man, she never lost sight of the woman inside of her.

3.5 stars for a novel I'll probably long remember because it is quite unique.

gmariereads's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 Stars
I actually wished that my train ride was longer while I was reading this so I could finish it...it had me hooked. A fictionalized version of a true story, Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen is the type of book you just wish could be taught in schools so young people, especially young women, can discuss the history behind it and find an incredible role model in Cathy Williams. Not only is it a powerful story, but the writing is excellent, enveloping you in the action and taking you along for a ride with the cavalry. This book made me snort from laughing, dramatically (but authentically) slap my hand over my mouth in disbelief, and mutter "no no no nope, what the hell?" under my breath all in the course of one (very long) subway ride. Highly recommend.