Scan barcode
pm_me_book_recs's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a deeply moving dedication to Louella Montgomery, and the historical note at the end! The list of resources! This history student is so appreciative!
I read this as part of my lineup for Black History Month and quickly added it to my list of staple historical-fic recommendations. This is a story of hope and resilience, dignity and great love. There are parts that will be painful to read, but as our US history is inseverable to brutality, it is vital to not turn away.
Narrator Angel Pean not only embodies characters with dynamic animation, but performs the soulful songs and brings the story to absolute life. Thank you Libro.fm for the advance listening copy.
I read this as part of my lineup for Black History Month and quickly added it to my list of staple historical-fic recommendations. This is a story of hope and resilience, dignity and great love. There are parts that will be painful to read, but as our US history is inseverable to brutality, it is vital to not turn away.
Narrator Angel Pean not only embodies characters with dynamic animation, but performs the soulful songs and brings the story to absolute life. Thank you Libro.fm for the advance listening copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Grief, Racial slurs, Death, Violence, Slavery, Murder, Hate crime, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, and Miscarriage
gracescanlon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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: Physical abuse, Classism, Death, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Confinement, Child death, Blood, Pregnancy, Murder, Torture, Racism, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Alcohol, Slavery, Violence, and Child abuse
iamcaseyrkelley's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Once I got into this book, I could not put it down. Given that the current climate is either rewriting or erasing African American history, this is one of the most important works of our time. It is a story of perseverance and overcoming in spite of all the hardships that were presented to recently freed enslaved people. To know that people that were born enslaved built a community of over 500 families blew me a way. The amount of research the author did (included in the Author’s Note) was phenomenal and reminded me why I loved Yellow Wife. I loved Louella so much. She is the epitome of “men are the head but women are the neck and we can turn the head any way we want”. While both her and William are the king and queen, she is really the true leader of this kingdom. Learning that this was based on a true story has me wanting to visit South Carolina and pay respect to Happy Land.
If you liked Yellow Wife, Carolina Built, The Personal Librarian or The Great Mrs Elias, I highly recommend you read this one and learn about Queen Louella. It is another hidden secret of African American History that everyone should know and celebrate. You can’t call yourself an ally or advocate and not want to celebrate this beautiful fictionalized history of African Americans.
SN: this book does not include the graphic violence of Yellow Wife
If you liked Yellow Wife, Carolina Built, The Personal Librarian or The Great Mrs Elias, I highly recommend you read this one and learn about Queen Louella. It is another hidden secret of African American History that everyone should know and celebrate. You can’t call yourself an ally or advocate and not want to celebrate this beautiful fictionalized history of African Americans.
SN: this book does not include the graphic violence of Yellow Wife
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Slavery, Racism, and Child death
More...