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roseleaf24's review against another edition
3.0
Printz Honor 2009
If this hadn't been a Printz Honor, and thus on a list where it would stay until I read it at some point anyway, I would have followed the fifty page rule and put it down. If I'd picked it up after the first one, which I also mostly continued because I would at some point. The last 150 were very interesting and went really quickly, but the rest was so slow for me. I think it is primarily an issue of voice for me. Octavian's voice just isn't that compelling, though his character and his story are.
It's a good story and a good book; I wouldn't argue with the award committee at all. Just not my cup of tea.
If this hadn't been a Printz Honor, and thus on a list where it would stay until I read it at some point anyway, I would have followed the fifty page rule and put it down. If I'd picked it up after the first one, which I also mostly continued because I would at some point. The last 150 were very interesting and went really quickly, but the rest was so slow for me. I think it is primarily an issue of voice for me. Octavian's voice just isn't that compelling, though his character and his story are.
It's a good story and a good book; I wouldn't argue with the award committee at all. Just not my cup of tea.
aholeistodig's review against another edition
5.0
What a great big amazing heartbreaker. Wow.
Plus, meticulous historical accuracy. Anderson strikes again!
Plus, meticulous historical accuracy. Anderson strikes again!
libscote's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This is the conclusion of Octavian's story, and while it is a bit slow, one thing I appreciated about it was the fact that it complicates the view of the Revolutionary War that we are given. What would a Black person do during the war to be free? Which side would be the right side?
tmntallthewaydw's review against another edition
just kinda became a slog and a war story
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
This is billed as a young adult book but one would have to be a pretty sophisticated young adult to get through it. It's quite good but the theme and writing style require a certain level of maturity. It tells the story of the Ethiopian Regiment during the American Revolution. The ironies of a country fighting for freedom from oppression and then continuing to oppress its own black non-citizens are well documented here.
dude_watchin_with_the_brontes's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant book, brilliantly performed.
hagbard_celine's review against another edition
4.0
As with the previous volume ("Pox Party"), I was simultaneously mesmerized and angered that this is an entirely new perspective on the Revolutionary period for me.
"Why didn't anybody tell me?!" was my constant refrain. Poor Octavian. Poor nameless, countless others.
The author's note is excellent.
"Why didn't anybody tell me?!" was my constant refrain. Poor Octavian. Poor nameless, countless others.
The author's note is excellent.
jdintr's review against another edition
You won't find a more unique perspective on the American Revolution than Octavian Nothing--an African who fights for liberty by joining the loyalist Royal Ethiopian Regiment of Virginia Governor Dunmore.
Unfortunately, the ambitious setting and characterization get bogged down in the indecision and plague that ravaged the original RAR. There is self-discovery in Octavian 2--and the story of Octavian's mother and "royal" heritage is fleshed out in the sequel--but I felt bogged down by this story, and I rate it just a shade poorer than the original.
Unfortunately, the ambitious setting and characterization get bogged down in the indecision and plague that ravaged the original RAR. There is self-discovery in Octavian 2--and the story of Octavian's mother and "royal" heritage is fleshed out in the sequel--but I felt bogged down by this story, and I rate it just a shade poorer than the original.
pattydsf's review against another edition
4.0
This novel exceeded my expectations which were high because I had found the first volume captivating and incredibly fascinating. Anderson continued Octavian's story by showing his involvement in the American Revolutionary War. I was totally surprised by how Octavian becomes involved and what happened to him.
Anderson continued his story with excellent writing, attention to detail and attention to history. I learned a lot about what happened to African-Americans during the fight for liberty. I will be thinking about what I learned about that right (liberty) in this book.
I especially appreciated Anderson's afterword. I don't want to give it away, but it helped be resolve my feelings about how the book ends.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in American history, to readers who want a good story and to those who like their conception of the world challenged.
Anderson continued his story with excellent writing, attention to detail and attention to history. I learned a lot about what happened to African-Americans during the fight for liberty. I will be thinking about what I learned about that right (liberty) in this book.
I especially appreciated Anderson's afterword. I don't want to give it away, but it helped be resolve my feelings about how the book ends.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in American history, to readers who want a good story and to those who like their conception of the world challenged.