A review by multitaskingwithbecca
Blades of Freedom: A Tale of Haiti, Napoleon, and the Louisiana Purchase by Nathan Hale

adventurous challenging dark funny sad tense fast-paced

 Normally if I find myself in a book funk I will read a middle grade book or a graphic novel. Today I chose to read a book that is both! (I didn't actually realize it was a graphic novel until I opened it up. 😅)

  The official release day for Blades of Freedom was just yesterday! (11/24/2020) This is actually the tenth book of Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales, but it is the first one I am reading. They can be read as stand alones so it is no big deal. 

   I found it interesting and insightful. I even learned some things I didn't previously know. (Like how sugar is made) These are supposed to be comedic little snippets of our history here in America. A great deal of this story doesn't take place here though. 

   It is supposed to be middle grade, but I do not think my kiddo is quite ready for it. There were some pretty heavy topics and adult humor throughout. Just not sure we are quite there yet. 

  I thought the illustrations were great. I also think I would be interested in reading more from this series. It is definitely something you have to be in the mood for though. Part of it was actually a bit depressing, but I guess History can be that way. The author really managed to lighten this up in ways I did not expect. 

  I am not sure I can accurately give this a star rating because it is our history? The presentation of it was great though.

   I should also note that I did not buy this book, it was given to me by the publisher. (Thank you Amulet Books) My review is still 100% my own and just honest opinions.