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A review by jaelyn7
All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I would recommend All We Were Promised to a historical fiction reader who enjoys stories that center more around daily living than an action-packed event. This is the first book I have read that shows that othering Black people was not just limited to the south. Personally, I would have liked either stronger character development or a more interesting story, as the first 75% of the book moved slowly for me.
What Worked for Me
I appreciated that this book highlighted how people's actions are shaped by their own life experiences. There were many points in the book where I paused to reflect, but one issue that stood out to me was the power (or lack thereof) of the women's abolitionist society. All We Were Promised can offer a wealth of discussion, especially when it comes to defending how each character thinks, given their circumstances.
What Didn't Work for Me
The first 75% of the book read like a fictionalized social commentary. If I read an article about how the northern states weren't 100% free for Black people, I feel like I would pull out the same social issues. At the end of the day, I'm not reading a fiction book for that purpose; I'm reading it to compel me through storytelling. This could have been done by increasing the character development of all characters, but especially Charlotte, Nell, and Evie, while cutting out repetitive exposition. The other alternative would be creating a conflict that occurred earlier or making the opinions the characters had on the issues more spicy (which could also result from better character development).
What Worked for Me
I appreciated that this book highlighted how people's actions are shaped by their own life experiences. There were many points in the book where I paused to reflect, but one issue that stood out to me was the power (or lack thereof) of the women's abolitionist society. All We Were Promised can offer a wealth of discussion, especially when it comes to defending how each character thinks, given their circumstances.
What Didn't Work for Me
The first 75% of the book read like a fictionalized social commentary. If I read an article about how the northern states weren't 100% free for Black people, I feel like I would pull out the same social issues. At the end of the day, I'm not reading a fiction book for that purpose; I'm reading it to compel me through storytelling. This could have been done by increasing the character development of all characters, but especially Charlotte, Nell, and Evie, while cutting out repetitive exposition. The other alternative would be creating a conflict that occurred earlier or making the opinions the characters had on the issues more spicy (which could also result from better character development).