A review by readwithev
A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon

adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I find Deborah (aka Rob) likable, however as she endured the trials of war, sees horrible things, kills men, experiences grief, etc. she never has a crisis of faith. She remains steadfast in her belief that their war is necessary for independence and continues courageously. I would have liked her more if she did have a moment of doubt, but rebounded. It would have given her a little more rigidity.
especially after Deborah shoots Phineis, I thought the grief would cause her support for the war to falter. Also, when John Paterson discovers that she’s a women, I think it would have been slightly more realistic if he lost respect for her and then learned to accept her for her bravery, sacrifice, and hard work. That those things didn’t take away from her being a woman, but made her better. He did not express much doubt about her and I think it’s less historically accurate. Also, Deborah’s only flaw is that she’s strong willed? No other flaws? She works tirelessly until she masters a skill, does everything as well as a man? All the Thomas boys were in love with her? Idk it seems like she was too perfect. I like characters with flaws. I would have liked for her to make a mistake in battle that wracked her with guilt, got a friend of hers hurt or killed, or got her into trouble. Terrytown her friends do die, but again it was an attack during the night that was no fault of her own. i think a mistake would also have helped her character develop, be humbled, and learn the art of war.

We’ve got a “she’s all that” trope going on. No one notices Deborah when she’s dressed as a boy, as if a coat and pants magically alter a person’s face 🤔 that part also felt unbelievable, but I guess it is still loosely based on the true story 🤷🏻‍♀️
I did appreciate Deborah’s gradual appreciation for being a woman and learning that she has strength there too.
The ending of the book wrapped up a little too neatly for my taste. John’s children magically learned to accept her and she was able to produce/tour as a one woman theatre/orator show? Idk about all there 🤔
However there were some great emotional scenes. Harmon used rich descriptive language for the landscape, the smell of camp, the sound of blood and canon fire, etc. I also enjoyed the emotion Harmon was able to convey in a few scenes.
For example when Sylvanus died, sitting on the hill with Jeremiah, the sky before they came under attack, the battle at Terrytown where she kills a man for the first time, the death of Phin, getting shot in the leg and surviving the dangerous journey back to camp, etc. All of these scenes were powerful and immersive.

The romance in the book is okay, but felt a bit unrealistic. They were nearly always surrounded by other troops or in a house crowded with other people. The likelihood they would not get caught is low. You’ll have to suspend your disbelief here.
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