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kukushka's review against another edition
4.0
In the second volume of Octavian's story, we find him escaping from slavery with his tutor, Doctor Trefusis, as the Revolutionary War erupts around them.
I found this volume to be quite a bit more of an emotional rollercoaster than the first - Trefusis providing a great deal of comic relief (and cementing himself as one of my all-time favourite fictional characters) against a backdrop of horror.
While the first book focused on the formation of Octavian, the second focused much more strongly on the theme of freedom - a word used so much in the context of American independence, yet one that is surprisingly fuzzy (as a black man, Octavian naturally notices that the freedom fought for often included the freedom to own other people).
As with the first volume, I found the book to be very informative and it left me with a lot to think about.
I found this volume to be quite a bit more of an emotional rollercoaster than the first - Trefusis providing a great deal of comic relief (and cementing himself as one of my all-time favourite fictional characters) against a backdrop of horror.
While the first book focused on the formation of Octavian, the second focused much more strongly on the theme of freedom - a word used so much in the context of American independence, yet one that is surprisingly fuzzy (as a black man, Octavian naturally notices that the freedom fought for often included the freedom to own other people).
As with the first volume, I found the book to be very informative and it left me with a lot to think about.
bluepigeon's review against another edition
5.0
Even better than the first book, The Kingdom on the Waves is straight up historical fiction. Octavian journeys from boyhood to manhood, making friends, fighting battles, digging ditches, falling in love, and learning the intricacies of friendship, respect, and forgiveness. The second book has a definite humor to it that lacked in the first one, and this perhaps reflects how Octavian is slowly joining the human race, finding humor and relief even in the direst situations. In particular, his tutor, Dr. Trefusis, is a constant source of humor. Their brief stay in town at a Lady Pratt's house is also very humorous, the lady and the maid being at odds about the cleaning up of the china after meals. As the journey takes them deeper into the heart of the war between Lord Dunmore and the "rebels," Octavian finds more strength than he ever thought he had, both in his personal life and during the struggle. Perhaps what is most striking is that there is hope, but not too much, and ever without doubt. The ending is not surprising, because we know it. The tragic events that Octavian lives through are also not that surprising. But in the end, they are so real that they manage to surprise in their intensity.
There are two memorable friendships in these books, both of which only really take place in the second book. Octavian's friendship with Dr. Trefusis is uncomplicated for the most part. A tutor to the boy from his young age, Dr. Trefusis treats Octavian as a grandson and a friend, and in return, Octavian adores and respects the old fool. Octavian's relationship with Pro Bono (William Williams) is much more complicated, barbed with past events that Octavian only later has the maturity to understand in their full meaning. Perhaps, one can liken their friendship to one between two brothers, the younger one favored from birth, and the older, more charming and well adjusted one, exacting his revenge later in life, though never being able to bring himself to hate his younger brother.
Anderson is a great writer, never shying from emotion or distress, and always expressive in many ways than one. It was good to read the second book on the Kindle, as there were many words I had to look up in the dictionary. These books put Anderson on my top author list!
Must read for young adult and historical fiction lovers. Recommended for those who are interested in the history of the United States and slavery, Locke, and rock sedimentation (ha ha!)
There are two memorable friendships in these books, both of which only really take place in the second book. Octavian's friendship with Dr. Trefusis is uncomplicated for the most part. A tutor to the boy from his young age, Dr. Trefusis treats Octavian as a grandson and a friend, and in return, Octavian adores and respects the old fool. Octavian's relationship with Pro Bono (William Williams) is much more complicated, barbed with past events that Octavian only later has the maturity to understand in their full meaning. Perhaps, one can liken their friendship to one between two brothers, the younger one favored from birth, and the older, more charming and well adjusted one, exacting his revenge later in life, though never being able to bring himself to hate his younger brother.
Anderson is a great writer, never shying from emotion or distress, and always expressive in many ways than one. It was good to read the second book on the Kindle, as there were many words I had to look up in the dictionary. These books put Anderson on my top author list!
Must read for young adult and historical fiction lovers. Recommended for those who are interested in the history of the United States and slavery, Locke, and rock sedimentation (ha ha!)
zachkuhn's review against another edition
3.0
Bah, it should've been one book. Once Octavian's on the boat, he's on the boat forever.
pturnbull's review against another edition
3.0
A sad book. It's very sobering to contemplate the future of those enslaved during 18th century America and to imagine the lives of their children. The revolution is described from a perspective rarely presented in YA literature. War, slavery, delusion, murder. Still, that drive to survive. That's Octavian's story.
pattydsf's review against another edition
4.0
This novel exceeded my expectations which were high because I had found the first volume captivating and incredibly fascinating. Anderson continued Octavian's story by showing his involvement in the American Revolutionary War. I was totally surprised by how Octavian becomes involved and what happened to him.
Anderson continued his story with excellent writing, attention to detail and attention to history. I learned a lot about what happened to African-Americans during the fight for liberty. I will be thinking about what I learned about that right (liberty) in this book.
I especially appreciated Anderson's afterword. I don't want to give it away, but it helped be resolve my feelings about how the book ends.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in American history, to readers who want a good story and to those who like their conception of the world challenged.
Anderson continued his story with excellent writing, attention to detail and attention to history. I learned a lot about what happened to African-Americans during the fight for liberty. I will be thinking about what I learned about that right (liberty) in this book.
I especially appreciated Anderson's afterword. I don't want to give it away, but it helped be resolve my feelings about how the book ends.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in American history, to readers who want a good story and to those who like their conception of the world challenged.
expendablemudge's review against another edition
3.0
This review has been revised and can now be found at Expendable Mudge Muses Aloud. Sequels...always a little less exciting.
satyridae's review against another edition
5.0
Another masterpiece from Anderson. This is the second and final book about Octavian Nothing, and it tells the story of the American Revolution from a unique viewpoint. The meaning of liberty is slippery, indeed.
Octavian is a slave who does work for both sides of the conflict at different points. His companions are achingly real. My favorite character is perhaps Bono, who is by turns hilarious and profane. Here's my favorite bit of Bono dialogue, where he is talking to Octavian, who is ill.
"Sweet mercy in a firkin!" swore Bono. "Not another word of your damn metaphorizing! By God, don't you have vomiting to do?"
The story is impeccably researched and searingly hard to stomach, infused with sadness and intellect. Highly recommended, but do read the first one before you pick this up.
The only drawback, for me, is the lingering tendency to talk in a slightly stilted Octavian manner.
Octavian is a slave who does work for both sides of the conflict at different points. His companions are achingly real. My favorite character is perhaps Bono, who is by turns hilarious and profane. Here's my favorite bit of Bono dialogue, where he is talking to Octavian, who is ill.
"Sweet mercy in a firkin!" swore Bono. "Not another word of your damn metaphorizing! By God, don't you have vomiting to do?"
The story is impeccably researched and searingly hard to stomach, infused with sadness and intellect. Highly recommended, but do read the first one before you pick this up.
The only drawback, for me, is the lingering tendency to talk in a slightly stilted Octavian manner.
mattie's review against another edition
4.0
Heartbreaking, intense, amazing, LONG. M.T. Anderson is phenomenal.
I nearly spazzed out with joy when I picked this up at the library -- it's 600 pages! Very heavy but very awesome.
I nearly spazzed out with joy when I picked this up at the library -- it's 600 pages! Very heavy but very awesome.
daniellew03cd3's review against another edition
4.0
Review of the complete duology! -
A great duology. Meticulously researched and seems to be true to life but of course I am not a historian and am white so I can only trust in what others say. The whole story is gut-wrenching but believable. The books use a lot of “high language” which makes sense in context and displays the teachings and understandings of Enlightenment scholars and examines the hypocrisy of the American Revolutionaries refusing to free slaves or treat anyone but other white people with dignity and respect. Of course the British weren’t much better and the promises made to runaway slaves were empty. These are not happy books and will not leave the raised questions with clear, clean-cut answers, they will not make you feel better about any of the real historical conflicts - and will probably bring up things you weren’t taught in grade school that’ll make patriotism harder to swallow - and there will be no third book to wrap things up nicely and give the story a happy ending because as Anderson stated in the notes after Kingdom on the Waves he was sticking with the real life outcomes. So if you’re up for reading some philosophy and experiencing a lot of mixed feelings you might want to check these out.
A great duology. Meticulously researched and seems to be true to life but of course I am not a historian and am white so I can only trust in what others say. The whole story is gut-wrenching but believable. The books use a lot of “high language” which makes sense in context and displays the teachings and understandings of Enlightenment scholars and examines the hypocrisy of the American Revolutionaries refusing to free slaves or treat anyone but other white people with dignity and respect. Of course the British weren’t much better and the promises made to runaway slaves were empty. These are not happy books and will not leave the raised questions with clear, clean-cut answers, they will not make you feel better about any of the real historical conflicts - and will probably bring up things you weren’t taught in grade school that’ll make patriotism harder to swallow - and there will be no third book to wrap things up nicely and give the story a happy ending because as Anderson stated in the notes after Kingdom on the Waves he was sticking with the real life outcomes. So if you’re up for reading some philosophy and experiencing a lot of mixed feelings you might want to check these out.
jain's review against another edition
5.0
A very worthy sequel to the extraordinary first volume. The tone of this book is rather different; where the first book had at its heart a mystery--Octavian's identity--that was only slowly revealed, here the only mysteries are those common to any war: who will live and who die. However, as a unique window into both the American Revolution and the nature of humanity, it succeeds as brilliantly as its prequel.