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karlynrose's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
marrbarnett's review
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
millietakichen's review
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
I received the Advanced Reader’s Edition of this book through a giveaway by the publisher. Thoughts and words for this book review are my own. I was excited to read this book because I wanted to learn more about the Haitian Revolution. Unfortunately, the writing style (and/or editing style) wasn't for me.
TL;DR: If you enjoyed reading Riley’s Island Queen, you’ll probably enjoy Sister Mother Warrior. If you’re picky about unnatural dialogue, whiplash from time skips, and poor character development, you may have similar thoughts as I do about this book (mostly disappointing ones).
I read a few reviews of Island Queen and much of the comments about that story also resonate with my thoughts about this book: the constant time skips, the character stagnation (i.e. lack of growth), the dull, repetitive interactions, the unnatural dialogue, the lack of context and depth, and the fragmented chapters made this book a slog to get through.
Even when we read in first person perspective from Toya or Marie-Claire, their observations are so dry and monotone that it’s like they only exist to relay factual information on what’s happening around them. This is supposed to be a story about revolution through the eyes of women! An historic movement towards liberty through war! Why wasn't it conveyed like that? We’re left in the dark about the characters’ feelings, their fears, hopes, resentments, excitements, everything. I would have liked more substance behind the characters and their relationships to one another in order to bring the story to life.
This book is categorized as historical fiction but I came away feeling like it was purely fictional, maybe because it seemed like it was trying too hard to prove that it’s #Woke #Girlboss. It was a bit too on the nose with such contemporary language that it was frankly jarring to read.
Because there are so many characters, and so much history and context to delve into, it felt like Riley didn’t know whether to write this story as a piece of historical fiction, romance, or history textbook, so she combined it all into one and missed opportunities to properly explore themes of redemption, privilege, colorism, and power (and its connection to both cruelty and mercy). I admire all the research that went into this work and think it would be better represented through a series rather than a standalone book.
TL;DR: If you enjoyed reading Riley’s Island Queen, you’ll probably enjoy Sister Mother Warrior. If you’re picky about unnatural dialogue, whiplash from time skips, and poor character development, you may have similar thoughts as I do about this book (mostly disappointing ones).
I read a few reviews of Island Queen and much of the comments about that story also resonate with my thoughts about this book: the constant time skips, the character stagnation (i.e. lack of growth), the dull, repetitive interactions, the unnatural dialogue, the lack of context and depth, and the fragmented chapters made this book a slog to get through.
Even when we read in first person perspective from Toya or Marie-Claire, their observations are so dry and monotone that it’s like they only exist to relay factual information on what’s happening around them. This is supposed to be a story about revolution through the eyes of women! An historic movement towards liberty through war! Why wasn't it conveyed like that? We’re left in the dark about the characters’ feelings, their fears, hopes, resentments, excitements, everything. I would have liked more substance behind the characters and their relationships to one another in order to bring the story to life.
This book is categorized as historical fiction but I came away feeling like it was purely fictional, maybe because it seemed like it was trying too hard to prove that it’s #Woke #Girlboss. It was a bit too on the nose with such contemporary language that it was frankly jarring to read.
Because there are so many characters, and so much history and context to delve into, it felt like Riley didn’t know whether to write this story as a piece of historical fiction, romance, or history textbook, so she combined it all into one and missed opportunities to properly explore themes of redemption, privilege, colorism, and power (and its connection to both cruelty and mercy). I admire all the research that went into this work and think it would be better represented through a series rather than a standalone book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Murder, and Slavery
kristenshep's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Good introduction to the Haitian revolution with complex characters, dealing with themes of guilt, redemption, loyalty, friendship and forgiveness. The subject matter (slavery, war, violence in many forms) is heavy. It seems like the author did extensive research, and it was fascinating to read about West Africa and Haiti during this time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, and War
Moderate: Rape and Sexual content
kalkail's review
challenging
dark
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
rensbookishspace's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
cbustamante22's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lit_vibrations's review
4.0
When I first started reading the book I was so skeptical. The pacing was blah in the beginning and because I used audio while reading the narrator’s accent took awhile to get used to. I’m glad I pushed through because I ended up enjoying the story a lot more than I expected.
Gran Toya was by far the most remarkable character she created in the book. While the novel is based on the true stories of two women during the Haitian Revolution the author truly gave the characters life in her own way. The first Empress of Haiti, Marie-Claire Bonheur, and Gran Toya, a West African-born warrior helped lead the rebellion that drove out the French and freed the enslaved people of Haiti.
Gran Toya was my favorite character because of her bravery and defiance to master Duclos. Sis was a real warrior and didn’t hesitate to let that be known. I think Master Duclos was kind of scared of her lol. In modern times she’d be the definition of a true boss and a leader. Chosen by the King of Dahomey but later betrayed by an enemy who stood at the King’s side Toya was kidnapped and sold into slavery. But she didn’t go down by herself. Her dear sister friend Egosha and her enemy Nosakhere were also sold into bondage.
Gran Toya was brave, loyal, and fierce. She took care of Egosha’s son after she passed and he later grew up to become the revolutionary Jean-Jacques Dessalines. We’ll call him lover boy cause if nothing more he loved women and had babies everywhere.
Even after marrying Marie-Claire who was already a free woman of color she wasn’t enough for him. For awhile she had the “that’s my man and I’m gone stick beside him” vibe until she found out he didn’t die and had other kids across the land. It wasn’t until the end that I finally understood why Marie-Claire’s mother wanted her to marry a white man and not Janjak. During that time being with a Blanc man as they called them provided protection something a colored man couldn’t do.
Overall, it was a decent story with a tremendous amount of history woven through out. Whether the book is 100% factual or not I think the author did well capturing the time period and what may or may not have happened between the characters. It’s not an easy book to get through I didn’t really find my flow until I was halfway in. I only recommend because I enjoyed it but be advised it’s not for everyone!!!
Rating: 3.75/5⭐️
Gran Toya was by far the most remarkable character she created in the book. While the novel is based on the true stories of two women during the Haitian Revolution the author truly gave the characters life in her own way. The first Empress of Haiti, Marie-Claire Bonheur, and Gran Toya, a West African-born warrior helped lead the rebellion that drove out the French and freed the enslaved people of Haiti.
Gran Toya was my favorite character because of her bravery and defiance to master Duclos. Sis was a real warrior and didn’t hesitate to let that be known. I think Master Duclos was kind of scared of her lol. In modern times she’d be the definition of a true boss and a leader. Chosen by the King of Dahomey but later betrayed by an enemy who stood at the King’s side Toya was kidnapped and sold into slavery. But she didn’t go down by herself. Her dear sister friend Egosha and her enemy Nosakhere were also sold into bondage.
Gran Toya was brave, loyal, and fierce. She took care of Egosha’s son after she passed and he later grew up to become the revolutionary Jean-Jacques Dessalines. We’ll call him lover boy cause if nothing more he loved women and had babies everywhere.
Even after marrying Marie-Claire who was already a free woman of color she wasn’t enough for him. For awhile she had the “that’s my man and I’m gone stick beside him” vibe until she found out he didn’t die and had other kids across the land. It wasn’t until the end that I finally understood why Marie-Claire’s mother wanted her to marry a white man and not Janjak. During that time being with a Blanc man as they called them provided protection something a colored man couldn’t do.
Overall, it was a decent story with a tremendous amount of history woven through out. Whether the book is 100% factual or not I think the author did well capturing the time period and what may or may not have happened between the characters. It’s not an easy book to get through I didn’t really find my flow until I was halfway in. I only recommend because I enjoyed it but be advised it’s not for everyone!!!
Rating: 3.75/5⭐️
lorimiller's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
queen3210's review
2.0
Disappointing read. Expected more action, girl power moving messages. The characters were flat, dialogue flat and very unnatural. Took forever to get through, because it was so bad.