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pm_me_book_recs's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Grief, Racial slurs, Death, Violence, Slavery, Murder, Hate crime, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, and Miscarriage
zikeyag's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is one of my favorite quotes from this book, because this entire story was based on a true test of faith and hope. I recently moved to South Carolina and am still new to the history here. I have never heard of The Happy Land and it was interesting to learn of the Happy Landers and their story in a now familiar place to me. King William and Queen Louella led the people to something of their own by believing in God, having compassion, determination and the will to succeed and be free. This story was great to read and to become knowledgeable of the America King and Queen. They walked, so others could run.
Moderate: Grief, Child death, Hate crime, Racism, Death, and Slavery
bread_loaf_star's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Miscarriage and Death
Moderate: Slavery, Violence, and Racism
gracescanlon's review against another edition
- 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
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
carmluvs2read's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Death, Slavery, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Grief
iamcaseyrkelley's review
- 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
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 canβt 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
Moderate: Physical abuse, Slavery, Racism, and Child death