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kathi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
fast-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
lyriclorelei's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
It's nice to be returning to Cole's romances.
zzbinks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
kerrythefire's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I love books with two strong, secure-in-themselves MCs who fall in love and find safety and vulnerability and softness in each other. That was Elle and Malcolm.
This wasn't a complex book. But Alyssa Cole did a great job weaving together an engaging story set during a really brutal time and setting, and giving enough honor and authenticity to that reality without burdening the story with graphic scenes. She reminds us of the inhumanity of slavery and racism in it's multiple forms, but does not portray it in graphic ways that make this story about slavery instead of the characters and their journey (as spies and to love).
It gave flickers of Kindred (which is a fantastic book, imo), but wasn't nearly as heavy. Which I absolutely wouldn't have wanted it to be.
Yes, the speed at which Elle (and Malcolm, to an extent) came around to the idea of being together was maybe a little faster than would be historically accurate or likely, but that's ok... I was always rooting for them and was happy to be along for the ride. His "proposal" was also endearing af, ha.
This wasn't a complex book. But Alyssa Cole did a great job weaving together an engaging story set during a really brutal time and setting, and giving enough honor and authenticity to that reality without burdening the story with graphic scenes. She reminds us of the inhumanity of slavery and racism in it's multiple forms, but does not portray it in graphic ways that make this story about slavery instead of the characters and their journey (as spies and to love).
It gave flickers of Kindred (which is a fantastic book, imo), but wasn't nearly as heavy. Which I absolutely wouldn't have wanted it to be.
Yes, the speed at which Elle (and Malcolm, to an extent) came around to the idea of being together was maybe a little faster than would be historically accurate or likely, but that's ok... I was always rooting for them and was happy to be along for the ride. His "proposal" was also endearing af, ha.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Violence
Minor: Rape and War
zoe_m's review against another edition
3.0
First of all, I very much appreciated a non-Regency England historical.
Second of all, I very much appreciated a romance featuring a badass WOC.
Third of all, I WANT MORE. Definitely going to read the sequel.
With those three things out of the way, let me talk about the book itself.
This was a romance book club book. There were a few people who thought there wasn't enough tension. I disagree. The constant threat of being caught--either as spies or as a couple--kept me in a constant state of suspense. What I think was missing was more of a through line in the plot. There was the ironclad, but otherwise it felt like a string of random occurrences that happened to them in order to keep the story going. While that may be realistic, it left the book feeling a bit unmoored. I think this might have been what the group was reacting to.
The other main point, which dovetails with the lack of tension, was the amount of world building and history Alyssa had to fit in. And don't get me wrong: she did a great job. But when comparing it to Regency-era historicals, Alyssa had much more legwork to do. The historicals we're used to are part of a society readers are familiar with. We know the stakes of a scandal. We know the importance of status. There is this framework already in place that the reader and writer can just assume and build from. Alyssa didn't have that. She couldn't assume people would know enough about the Civil War and its societal complexities to gloss over it. She needed to spell it out. This probably contributed to the amount of time it took for the story to build up inertia. The group's theory is that, now that the world is set up, the second book will land a lot easier. I, for one, am eager to see if that theory is true.
I agree with our group's intrepid leader when talking about the book's language. It is romantic in an old-school sense... in the best possible way. Where looks burn and a pleasant sensation is described as "a sweet cocoon of felicity." (Okay, that example was a bit much, but it gives you the idea.)
Overall, I think this is a solid start to a series. It suffers from some of the inherent pitfalls of such books, especially in regards to setup taking away from the story. But I'm looking forward to the rest.
Second of all, I very much appreciated a romance featuring a badass WOC.
Third of all, I WANT MORE. Definitely going to read the sequel.
With those three things out of the way, let me talk about the book itself.
This was a romance book club book. There were a few people who thought there wasn't enough tension. I disagree. The constant threat of being caught--either as spies or as a couple--kept me in a constant state of suspense. What I think was missing was more of a through line in the plot. There was the ironclad, but otherwise it felt like a string of random occurrences that happened to them in order to keep the story going. While that may be realistic, it left the book feeling a bit unmoored. I think this might have been what the group was reacting to.
The other main point, which dovetails with the lack of tension, was the amount of world building and history Alyssa had to fit in. And don't get me wrong: she did a great job. But when comparing it to Regency-era historicals, Alyssa had much more legwork to do. The historicals we're used to are part of a society readers are familiar with. We know the stakes of a scandal. We know the importance of status. There is this framework already in place that the reader and writer can just assume and build from. Alyssa didn't have that. She couldn't assume people would know enough about the Civil War and its societal complexities to gloss over it. She needed to spell it out. This probably contributed to the amount of time it took for the story to build up inertia. The group's theory is that, now that the world is set up, the second book will land a lot easier. I, for one, am eager to see if that theory is true.
I agree with our group's intrepid leader when talking about the book's language. It is romantic in an old-school sense... in the best possible way. Where looks burn and a pleasant sensation is described as "a sweet cocoon of felicity." (Okay, that example was a bit much, but it gives you the idea.)
Overall, I think this is a solid start to a series. It suffers from some of the inherent pitfalls of such books, especially in regards to setup taking away from the story. But I'm looking forward to the rest.
karlynrose's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dollyfarton's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
alwaysairie's review against another edition
3.0
IN SHORT
An Extraordinary Union was a good book, it was overly dramatic to my taste though, too many Hollywoodesque scenes, action scenes that are a bit over the top, and obviously, romantic and sex scenes that are particularly romanticized but the story was interesting and although I don't wanna read the sequels I had a good time reading.
It is to be expected though the story is supposed to be that epic story about how against all odds an interracial couple of two spies working for the Union in enemy territory, managed to form amidst the Civil War. Them being to detective is a great aspect as their ingenuity and quick-wittedness are on great display thanks to Cole's great scripting of conversations between characters. The chemistry is real and you can't help but be entertained at almost every interaction between the main casts.
MY LONG OPINION ABOUT THE BOOK
Elle is a wonderful character and the way Coles accentuated the struggle she has with her feelings toward Malcolm adds a much-appreciated level of depth and makes her a relatable character. Although being rescued a few times by Malcolm she is depicted as a badass female lead with a great gift and everything going on for herself. Nice.
An Extraordinary Union was a good book, it was overly dramatic to my taste though, too many Hollywoodesque scenes, action scenes that are a bit over the top, and obviously, romantic and sex scenes that are particularly romanticized but the story was interesting and although I don't wanna read the sequels I had a good time reading.
It is to be expected though the story is supposed to be that epic story about how against all odds an interracial couple of two spies working for the Union in enemy territory, managed to form amidst the Civil War. Them being to detective is a great aspect as their ingenuity and quick-wittedness are on great display thanks to Cole's great scripting of conversations between characters. The chemistry is real and you can't help but be entertained at almost every interaction between the main casts.
MY LONG OPINION ABOUT THE BOOK
Elle is a wonderful character and the way Coles accentuated the struggle she has with her feelings toward Malcolm adds a much-appreciated level of depth and makes her a relatable character. Although being rescued a few times by Malcolm she is depicted as a badass female lead with a great gift and everything going on for herself. Nice.
outcolder's review against another edition
5.0
Spicy! Fast-paced, high-stakes, but also very thoughtful and thought-provoking, when they’re not being naughty!