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A review by nic55
Indigo by Beverly Jenkins
adventurous
emotional
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
I see why this is so loved, it is the definition of a sweeping, well-crafted romance.
Beverly Jenkins nails the headstrong FMC & fondly exasperated/determined MMC dynamic every single time, and this is a prime example. Galen was delightfully aggravating at the start and becomes increasingly down bad for Hester and doesn't know what to do when she won't agree to marry him. Hester stands her ground, remains keenly aware of their class differences/power dynamic and fights her attraction to him until he earns it. My favorite thing about their relationship was how beautiful Galen made Hester feel, especially considering her trauma and self-esteem from being enslaved. I LIVE for a character who feels beautiful for the first time...not in a shallow 1D "you don't know you're beautiful" way but in a "societal structures did not include me in their definition of beauty" way. There was a general undercurrent of danger with both Galen & Hester being conductors on the Underground Railroad and the villains lurking around that was engaging. Also, this had more intra-community conversations in this about colorism, classism, and gender dynamics than previous books by Ms Bev and they were just so well handled.
The pacing was a little bit uneven for me, with lots of Hester ruminating over her feelings for Galen or external plot elements that were dragged out or slightly repetitive "sexual tension" scenes. I usually enjoy breathing room in my romances, so I don't mind slower paced moments. I just tend to like when that allows for some character/relationship development, rather than feeling kinda stuck like I did here.
Starting my journey with Queen Bev has been one of the highlights of this year, and I can't wait to keep reading more from her.
Beverly Jenkins nails the headstrong FMC & fondly exasperated/determined MMC dynamic every single time, and this is a prime example. Galen was delightfully aggravating at the start and becomes increasingly down bad for Hester and doesn't know what to do when she won't agree to marry him. Hester stands her ground, remains keenly aware of their class differences/power dynamic and fights her attraction to him until he earns it. My favorite thing about their relationship was how beautiful Galen made Hester feel, especially considering her trauma and self-esteem from being enslaved. I LIVE for a character who feels beautiful for the first time...not in a shallow 1D "you don't know you're beautiful" way but in a "societal structures did not include me in their definition of beauty" way. There was a general undercurrent of danger with both Galen & Hester being conductors on the Underground Railroad and the villains lurking around that was engaging. Also, this had more intra-community conversations in this about colorism, classism, and gender dynamics than previous books by Ms Bev and they were just so well handled.
The pacing was a little bit uneven for me, with lots of Hester ruminating over her feelings for Galen or external plot elements that were dragged out or slightly repetitive "sexual tension" scenes. I usually enjoy breathing room in my romances, so I don't mind slower paced moments. I just tend to like when that allows for some character/relationship development, rather than feeling kinda stuck like I did here.
Starting my journey with Queen Bev has been one of the highlights of this year, and I can't wait to keep reading more from her.