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medini_l's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Classism, Hate crime, Police brutality, Racism, and Slavery
gracescanlon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? N/A
4.0
I liked this, so much. I would’ve loved it, but the “ending” left me frustrated and dissatisfied. Still, it was so lovely to read historical fiction depicting young, rich Black protagonists, who are beautiful and passionate and supportive of one another. There should be more books like this - or if there are, more should be in my TBR!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Classism, and Slavery
Minor: Colonisation and Violence
phua_jieying's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Racism
purplepenning's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Discovering that this is the first in a duology instantly made me 82% more satisfied with the parts of the story we're given here. I definitely would've liked the last scene so much better if I had known — having all of the Davenport siblings together at one table is something I was hoping for throughout the entire book and when it finally happened I couldn't properly enjoy it because I kept thinking "wait, there's not nearly enough book left to resolve any of this!" So... keep in mind that this is only the first half of the story and you'll be much more likely to enjoy this fascinating historical about a wealthy Black family in Chicago in the early 1900s and the lives, moments, and movements that intersect with them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Classism, and Sexism
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Alcohol, and Violence
Minor: Slavery
norah_'s review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
3.75
⭐️=3.75 | 😘=2.75 | 🤬=2 | ⚔️=2 | 14+
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Classism
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
Quite honestly, we need more historical fiction published that features Black characters that doesn't necessarily have to do directly with slavery and the Civil Rights Movement. Is that going to make it into a lot of those stories? Absolutely, especially when it's set in the United States. This book is focused on a well-off Black famiy in the early 20th century, and it centers the romance in the plot. In the YA realm, I honestly can't really think of many (if any) other books that focus on that.
If you like historical romance dramas, then this is absolutely going to be your jam. It is loosely based on an actual family in Chicago in the early 1900s, but it really focuses on the romance of the four girls. Even though there are four narrators, the characters mostly felt like they had distinct voices and for the most part, the different threads of the relationships were pretty easy to follow.
The writing itself is easy to get into, and it doesn't get too bogged down by historical facts or world building. The historical romance drama isn't always my jam, but if you like that kind of thing, I'd definitely recommend checking this one out!
If you like historical romance dramas, then this is absolutely going to be your jam. It is loosely based on an actual family in Chicago in the early 1900s, but it really focuses on the romance of the four girls. Even though there are four narrators, the characters mostly felt like they had distinct voices and for the most part, the different threads of the relationships were pretty easy to follow.
The writing itself is easy to get into, and it doesn't get too bogged down by historical facts or world building. The historical romance drama isn't always my jam, but if you like that kind of thing, I'd definitely recommend checking this one out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Emotional abuse, and Slavery
Minor: Death, Violence, and Police brutality
lindsayerin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Racism
Minor: Slavery
a_libra_library's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Racial slurs, Racism, Classism, and Colonisation
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Slavery, Hate crime, Racism, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent
Moderate: Murder
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Compelling and gorgeously descriptive, Krystal Marquis’ The Davenports is an expertly written historical YA that will appeal to fans of Downton Abbey or swoon-worthy, character driven romances.
It follows the the lives of four young black women (two of whom hail from the titular Davenports, a wealthy Black family) navigating love, life and America’s social elite in 1910s Chicago.
This was such an incredibly enjoyable read, which sees each of our young and determined heroines bravely pursue their own paths to happiness and success, whilst simultaneously navigating the complex (and often unfair) societal expectations that dictate their lives.
I loved how well written and vibrant all our protagonists were, but I must admit Helen and Amy-Rose (both aspiring, entrepreneurs and business owners) did steal my heart. Helen for her spirited ingenuity and goal orientated drive that disregards what her parents (and society) expect of her and Amy-Rose, for her determination to turn her skills into a viable business (in the hopes of giving up her job as a maid to become a salon owner.)
Though the arcs of Olivia and Ruby’s emotional journey were also really good—particularly Olivia who felt goes through the biggest transformation when she
The romance was definitely intense at times and the chemistry between some of the girls and their love interests was certainly swoon-worthy at times but, the pacing was a little inconsistent. The first half felt a little slow and the last hundred or so pages felt a little rushed.
But nonetheless,amidst the drama, luncheons and glitzy soirées the incredible emotion that’s conveyed through the lives of these young women was incredible. And getting to explore the differing socioeconomic backgrounds of each girl, who despite their differences, all yearn for the same things (to be given the opportunity to decide their own fates) was definitely an eye opener.
Particularly when realising, though these girls are fictional, their experiences are (somewhat) based on real emotions and historical events (such as the Jim Crow laws and the treatment of African Americans) that did impact soo many real people.
If you love historical romances then I definitely recommend checking this out but do be aware this is the first book in a a series and does end on a bit of a cliff hanger for each character.
It follows the the lives of four young black women (two of whom hail from the titular Davenports, a wealthy Black family) navigating love, life and America’s social elite in 1910s Chicago.
This was such an incredibly enjoyable read, which sees each of our young and determined heroines bravely pursue their own paths to happiness and success, whilst simultaneously navigating the complex (and often unfair) societal expectations that dictate their lives.
I loved how well written and vibrant all our protagonists were, but I must admit Helen and Amy-Rose (both aspiring, entrepreneurs and business owners) did steal my heart. Helen for her spirited ingenuity and goal orientated drive that disregards what her parents (and society) expect of her and Amy-Rose, for her determination to turn her skills into a viable business (in the hopes of giving up her job as a maid to become a salon owner.)
Though the arcs of Olivia and Ruby’s emotional journey were also really good—particularly Olivia who felt goes through the biggest transformation when she
The romance was definitely intense at times and the chemistry between some of the girls and their love interests was certainly swoon-worthy at times but, the pacing was a little inconsistent. The first half felt a little slow and the last hundred or so pages felt a little rushed.
But nonetheless,amidst the drama, luncheons and glitzy soirées the incredible emotion that’s conveyed through the lives of these young women was incredible. And getting to explore the differing socioeconomic backgrounds of each girl, who despite their differences, all yearn for the same things (to be given the opportunity to decide their own fates) was definitely an eye opener.
Particularly when realising, though these girls are fictional, their experiences are (somewhat) based on real emotions and historical events (such as the Jim Crow laws and the treatment of African Americans) that did impact soo many real people.
If you love historical romances then I definitely recommend checking this out but do be aware this is the first book in a a series and does end on a bit of a cliff hanger for each character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Racism and Misogyny
Minor: Slavery