Reviews

The American Queen by Vanessa Miller

fina44'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
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

lacea's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

treberry's review against another edition

hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

“𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.”

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Did you know that there was a Black king and queen in the US? Neither did I!

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Meet the Happy Landers. Formerly enslaved people who were migrating from Mississippi to the north, to find a home where they could be free.

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Their voyage led them to the Appalachian mountains across North & South Carolina where they created The Happy Land, where the motto was “All For One and One For All”. (I’d love to visit there)

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Their journey was not without pain, doubt, and loss along the way. But Queen Louetta had a vision, foresight and a blind faith that she and her people would no longer be held in captivity and strife.

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What a beautiful, testament to the resilience, determination and courage of our ancestors who wanted to create a new free world for generations to come. Louella was surely the Queen of the story. She was quick-witted, deeply caring, determined, unstoppable and deeply committed to the 300+ people who resided on the land.

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There was so much emotion in this story, and thankfully it wasn’t all pain and sorrow. It was full of hope and light. The author did an incredible job of adding her personal touch to the facts she gained through research. I found it fascinating to learn about her creative process in bringing this story to life.

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I am both in awe and stunned that this book is based on true history!! This is the beauty of reading - learning about powerful history that has been weeded out. My ancestors are my wildest dreams. I want to share this story with the little people in my life to let them know there is nothing that we can’t do.

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This is the second @authorvanessamiller story I’ve read, the first being “the light on Halsey St.”. I appreciate the range, depth and heart she puts into each story. She’s earned a spot as one of my new favorite authors! Excellent book club selection @litjava!

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In Vanessa’s notes she said that it was an honor to write this story. As a reader, it was my privilege. 5 glorious stars ⭐️

whit807's review against another edition

5.0

This book was AHMAZING!!! I love the way the author wrote this like I could easily picture and feel the emotions of everyone. I loved that she didn’t have detailed triggering scenes in the story, given the time period we know that our people were treated like savages. The fact that this is a true story makes me want to learn so much more about this community and the founders story! I’m mad that this story isn’t well known and I hope to be able to find a documentary about it somewhere. This was my first book by the author definitely won’t be the last!

elanorh's review against another edition

emotional informative 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? Yes

5.0

I liked this book a great deal and recommend it to those who enjoy learning about history. While it is historical fiction, it's based on a real story/location, and with my history background I can say that the plot points within the story are based on historical situations which have been well-documented (ie former enslaved people being forced to work for free by their former owners, or by communities when they couldn't support themselves since no one would pay them, etc.).  

My one quibble would be - I'm not sure whether the emphasis on women as equals, as an almost instinctive response from Mama Sue and from the protagonist, Louella, would have been accurate? I don't know enough to be sure, but it felt very modern as I was reading it .... Obviously there were and are cultures where women and men were/are much more equal (then and now) compared to the South in the 1860-1880's. 

nikischmidt's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

ellemartindale's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

teapot_of_unique's review

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense 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? No

4.0

shostoppam's review against another edition

emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

5.0

This book will have you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well placed and built throughout the book. I loved this book!! 💚

carollynnw's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.5

 I had not heard of the Kingdom of The Happy Land and how this thriving Black community was established by as formerly enslaved couple and other freedmen and freedwomen in 1866 even though my family is from South Carolina. 

I enjoyed learning about the town and its residents (500+ families) and how they were able to use their trades and knowledge to become successful until the railroad made their location no longer on main thoroughfares around 1910. It was refreshing to read about people determined to control their destiny and make a future for their children as well as read the obstacles, struggles, challenges they faced and success achieved. 

I felt Louella’s voice was authentic and her character arc and growth resonated with me. Her courage to lead and determination to protect her loved ones and the community ensures an excellent story. A  must read about American history too many would have us ignore. 

Excellent well researched book. 

I have a long commute (one hour each way) and this book was so good I not only read it during my commute but on my lunch break and stayed up all night to read.