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Unchained #3
Revelation
Part three of a dramatic historical fiction trilogy that concludes a compelling American family saga.
Light-skinned Selina Standish lives a life of emotional pain and torment. In 1906, at the tender age of eight, she is convinced by her mother, actress Lavinia Standish, the daughter of a slave, to pass as white. Although Selina yields to her mother’s insistence to pass, she refuses to cut ties completely with her “Negro” relatives, including her twin brother, a child her mother deems too dark.
However, at age seventeen, in the year 1915, Selina meets wealthy southerner Jack Cosgrove, the man of her dreams. Keeping her ancestry a secret, Selina is conflicted by Jack’s “negrophobia” and negative attitude toward her race. She must determine if happiness with him could ever be a possibility, especially if she were to reveal her bloodline.
Later, a chance encounter with Pastor Tony Manning opens Selina’s eyes to real love. Although he is a progressive thinker regarding race relations, Tony appears to draw the line at interracial marriage. In order to live as his wife, Selina decides she must completely disassociate herself from all her “colored” relatives.
While bound to a chain of secrecy, Selina struggles to live in honesty. How true can she be to her husband, if she can never reveal the truth about herself? In 1933, Selina’s brother reappears in her life. Can she successfully hide his existence? How will her decision touch the lives of future generations to come?
Light-skinned Selina Standish lives a life of emotional pain and torment. In 1906, at the tender age of eight, she is convinced by her mother, actress Lavinia Standish, the daughter of a slave, to pass as white. Although Selina yields to her mother’s insistence to pass, she refuses to cut ties completely with her “Negro” relatives, including her twin brother, a child her mother deems too dark.
However, at age seventeen, in the year 1915, Selina meets wealthy southerner Jack Cosgrove, the man of her dreams. Keeping her ancestry a secret, Selina is conflicted by Jack’s “negrophobia” and negative attitude toward her race. She must determine if happiness with him could ever be a possibility, especially if she were to reveal her bloodline.
Later, a chance encounter with Pastor Tony Manning opens Selina’s eyes to real love. Although he is a progressive thinker regarding race relations, Tony appears to draw the line at interracial marriage. In order to live as his wife, Selina decides she must completely disassociate herself from all her “colored” relatives.
While bound to a chain of secrecy, Selina struggles to live in honesty. How true can she be to her husband, if she can never reveal the truth about herself? In 1933, Selina’s brother reappears in her life. Can she successfully hide his existence? How will her decision touch the lives of future generations to come?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
446 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2014
38 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Maria McKenzie
13 books85 followersI was a librarian for several years, and librarian, of course, equals book lover! I enjoy curling up with a good book when not writing, or daydreaming about a new novel to write. I'm a sucker for a good love story, and live on a steady reading diet of romantic suspense, thrillers, historical fiction and non-fiction, and biographies.
I've always been a daydreamer, but didn't enjoy reading until I discovered Nancy Drew at age 10. As for writing, I never thought I'd actually pen a novel. I'm not a talker, so how could I ever fill up a book? As a quiet person, I internalize a lot. And later in life I discovered that internalizing can create some wonderful stories!
Being in an interracial marriage (I'm black and my husband's white), I enjoy exploring the topic of interracial/multicultural romance in our nation's past and writing tales of forbidden love.
Mixed race romance from decades gone by is emotionally explosive, providing heart-wrenching conflict, as well as incredible pain. Those elements combined create amazing stories. Love transcends all boundaries. If two hearts are meant to be together, they'll find a way, regardless of circumstance.
I graduated from Wittenberg University with a degree in English, then received a master's in Library Science from Atlanta University. While working as a librarian in North Carolina, I met my husband. Our marriage inspired my novel Unchained. One day I thought how sad it would have been if we'd fallen in love 150 years earlier and couldn't have married (as mentioned earlier, he's white, I'm black). I kept thinking "what if, what if," and eventually Unchained came into being, but I turned it into a trilogy because the story kept going on and on!
Essie Mae Washington Williams's memoir Dear Senator provided the idea for The Governor's Sons. Ms. Williams is the African American love child of South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond. After reading her story, I wondered what would have happened if a southern governor fathered a son by a black woman, and that son grew up to become a civil rights leader.
I live in Cincinnati with my husband and our two sons. I'm a foodie, love old movies, history, museums and antiquing. I'm also into fitness and enjoy running. During my morning runs I can come up with some great story ideas, if I'm not listening to a book! Book junkie that I am, audio books are an addiction!
I've always been a daydreamer, but didn't enjoy reading until I discovered Nancy Drew at age 10. As for writing, I never thought I'd actually pen a novel. I'm not a talker, so how could I ever fill up a book? As a quiet person, I internalize a lot. And later in life I discovered that internalizing can create some wonderful stories!
Being in an interracial marriage (I'm black and my husband's white), I enjoy exploring the topic of interracial/multicultural romance in our nation's past and writing tales of forbidden love.
Mixed race romance from decades gone by is emotionally explosive, providing heart-wrenching conflict, as well as incredible pain. Those elements combined create amazing stories. Love transcends all boundaries. If two hearts are meant to be together, they'll find a way, regardless of circumstance.
I graduated from Wittenberg University with a degree in English, then received a master's in Library Science from Atlanta University. While working as a librarian in North Carolina, I met my husband. Our marriage inspired my novel Unchained. One day I thought how sad it would have been if we'd fallen in love 150 years earlier and couldn't have married (as mentioned earlier, he's white, I'm black). I kept thinking "what if, what if," and eventually Unchained came into being, but I turned it into a trilogy because the story kept going on and on!
Essie Mae Washington Williams's memoir Dear Senator provided the idea for The Governor's Sons. Ms. Williams is the African American love child of South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond. After reading her story, I wondered what would have happened if a southern governor fathered a son by a black woman, and that son grew up to become a civil rights leader.
I live in Cincinnati with my husband and our two sons. I'm a foodie, love old movies, history, museums and antiquing. I'm also into fitness and enjoy running. During my morning runs I can come up with some great story ideas, if I'm not listening to a book! Book junkie that I am, audio books are an addiction!
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 25, 2017
This is the final book in the Unchained Trilogy, a multi-generational novel which predominately focused on the grand-daughter of Daniel and Lori Taylor, an abolitionist and ex-slave. Selina has been brought up by her famous actress mother Lavinia. This tells of her tale and there is a return to earlier Christian themes.
Whilst the author has taken great pains to explain the reasoning for this series, it was not well executed in this last installment. It was meant to be set in the early twentieth century but failed to evoke that period well beyond what was stated. Often, the narrative seemed more modern and contrived to meet the author's wishes. This is a pity given that the topic broached is still unresolved among Blacks and often has conflicting response. The narrator failed to convince about the reasons for her decisions. Had this been better illustrated, this book would have more impact.
Overall these series is average with the first book, Escape being the shining gem. The attempt to resolve all ends in an unrealistic manner and without major conflict in the last book hampered the voice needed.
For Revelation: 2.5 stars
Unchained trilogy: 3 stars
Whilst the author has taken great pains to explain the reasoning for this series, it was not well executed in this last installment. It was meant to be set in the early twentieth century but failed to evoke that period well beyond what was stated. Often, the narrative seemed more modern and contrived to meet the author's wishes. This is a pity given that the topic broached is still unresolved among Blacks and often has conflicting response. The narrator failed to convince about the reasons for her decisions. Had this been better illustrated, this book would have more impact.
Overall these series is average with the first book, Escape being the shining gem. The attempt to resolve all ends in an unrealistic manner and without major conflict in the last book hampered the voice needed.
For Revelation: 2.5 stars
Unchained trilogy: 3 stars
March 24, 2017
Read the entire trilogy. A little contrived. Simple writing. Just OK
October 4, 2020
I thought this entire trilogy was an excellent read. I gave it four stars because of the gap in years. The author made sure to forwarn the readers of the gaps. I loved it. It should become a mini-series on Netflix. I would highly recommend this trilogy because it was just that good. I would definitely purchase other novels by this author.
I absolutely love this trilogy. It was an excellent read. I would love for it to become a mini-series on Netflix. My only dislike of the story were the gaps in years in each of the books. In all fairness, the author forewarned the reader of the gaps so it was expected. I highly recommend this trilogy and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I absolutely love this trilogy. It was an excellent read. I would love for it to become a mini-series on Netflix. My only dislike of the story were the gaps in years in each of the books. In all fairness, the author forewarned the reader of the gaps so it was expected. I highly recommend this trilogy and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
March 14, 2015
Good read
I personally liked the first two books better. This book I saw more dysfunction than about the color of one's skin. The ending seemed a little rush and the story slowed down quite a bit. Overall this is a good read.
I personally liked the first two books better. This book I saw more dysfunction than about the color of one's skin. The ending seemed a little rush and the story slowed down quite a bit. Overall this is a good read.
April 16, 2015
Couldn't put it down
What can be said of a book, or three books that made me leave off doing my housework and ignoring family and my dog until I finally finished it. I hated for it to end. She is a world class story teller... More please.
What can be said of a book, or three books that made me leave off doing my housework and ignoring family and my dog until I finally finished it. I hated for it to end. She is a world class story teller... More please.
January 14, 2018
This was an enjoyable series. Again, the only criticism I have is the giant leaps of time that the author skips over. There's a 65 year lapse in this book so you're introduced into a whole new family. I would've rather had another book.
January 4, 2023
My 'review' is really just my thoughts on the subject matter of this book and also the previous one, that of 'passing' for white. My purely emotive response to the saga and the nature of it, rather than any criticisms of the execution. I felt so much whilst reading these books, and I cried like a baby, no I ugly cried NUMEROUS times.
Firstly, given the current climate with race relations, this saga was so bittersweet. It was cruel but at times beautiful, utterly heartwrenching but at times heartbreaking, some of the characters (Lavinia for one, and even Selina despite her acknowledgment of her decisions) were sooo hateful I nearly stopped reading at numerous points but I'm really glad I didn't, because what a few others seem to think, there is so much to unpack here.
I will say that due to my experiences as a teenager with a 'born-again' christian father, as I mentioned in book 1 I am not a fan of overly religious characters or plots. Had I known the extent of the religious theme of the story before I read it, I probably wouldn't have chosen it, but I am glad to say that overall, the incredibly emotional and thought provoking narrative was well worth the level of discomfort that the level of religious content caused me.
Book 1 - Lori and Daniel
Their love was beautiful.
Book 2 - Lavinia
The single most hateful character I have ever had the misfortune to come across.
Book 3 - Selina
Despite my thoughts on Lavinia, I have to say that I felt that Selina's decisions were worse, even as a child. Lavinia didn't really leave behind anyone she cared about (because literally she cared for no one but herself), whereas Selina did. Her selfish cowardice was not only hurtful to all the family she rejected, but to herself too because she DID love them, and it lead to her 'religious' life with her husband, child and his family being based on a lie. I have to admit to feeling very conflicted about her, because she was an otherwise decent person who actually felt love for the family she rejected and she did know that her decisions were wrong. But conversely, she not only had a brother that she was close to but a twin brother and still felt little guilt in hurting him let alone anyone else in her very affectionate and loving family, even though she felt that loss herself. I do think that for the most part, the fact that they were twins was not given the attention it deserved, and that was a major misstep that could have added extra depth to Selina's story.
A mention must also be made of the fact that Steven's feelings, once he learned of his ancestry, was not given nearly enough page space. I mean... how the ever-loving fuck can someone at his stage of life with an established family of his own feel confused about their identity by finding out that his great-great-grandmother was black? (Is this really indicative of how [some?] white people in the US feel when they find out that they have some (even very small levels) of black ancestry? Is it really that surprising given all the rapes of enslaved women that occurred and how many black people also have some white ancestry?)
Anyway, overall a great but oftentimes enraging story, told with heart that even now over 2 years later I still regularly think about. And having recently read and mostly disliking the story and the characters of Passing, it encouraged me to come back and rewrite my thoughts on this trilogy.
(Edited 02.03.20)
Firstly, given the current climate with race relations, this saga was so bittersweet. It was cruel but at times beautiful, utterly heartwrenching but at times heartbreaking, some of the characters (Lavinia for one, and even Selina despite her acknowledgment of her decisions) were sooo hateful I nearly stopped reading at numerous points but I'm really glad I didn't, because what a few others seem to think, there is so much to unpack here.
I will say that due to my experiences as a teenager with a 'born-again' christian father, as I mentioned in book 1 I am not a fan of overly religious characters or plots. Had I known the extent of the religious theme of the story before I read it, I probably wouldn't have chosen it, but I am glad to say that overall, the incredibly emotional and thought provoking narrative was well worth the level of discomfort that the level of religious content caused me.
Book 1 - Lori and Daniel
Their love was beautiful.
Book 2 - Lavinia
The single most hateful character I have ever had the misfortune to come across.
Book 3 - Selina
Despite my thoughts on Lavinia, I have to say that I felt that Selina's decisions were worse, even as a child. Lavinia didn't really leave behind anyone she cared about (because literally she cared for no one but herself), whereas Selina did. Her selfish cowardice was not only hurtful to all the family she rejected, but to herself too because she DID love them, and it lead to her 'religious' life with her husband, child and his family being based on a lie. I have to admit to feeling very conflicted about her, because she was an otherwise decent person who actually felt love for the family she rejected and she did know that her decisions were wrong. But conversely, she not only had a brother that she was close to but a twin brother and still felt little guilt in hurting him let alone anyone else in her very affectionate and loving family, even though she felt that loss herself. I do think that for the most part, the fact that they were twins was not given the attention it deserved, and that was a major misstep that could have added extra depth to Selina's story.
A mention must also be made of the fact that Steven's feelings, once he learned of his ancestry, was not given nearly enough page space. I mean... how the ever-loving fuck can someone at his stage of life with an established family of his own feel confused about their identity by finding out that his great-great-grandmother was black? (Is this really indicative of how [some?] white people in the US feel when they find out that they have some (even very small levels) of black ancestry? Is it really that surprising given all the rapes of enslaved women that occurred and how many black people also have some white ancestry?)
Anyway, overall a great but oftentimes enraging story, told with heart that even now over 2 years later I still regularly think about. And having recently read and mostly disliking the story and the characters of Passing, it encouraged me to come back and rewrite my thoughts on this trilogy.
(Edited 02.03.20)
July 19, 2020
Love to read
It's amazing how long a secret or lie can live through so many generations. But Selina finally let her secret out, great for she and those still living. But I wonder of the relationships that never were allowed to blossom because of the dark secret. Secrets are painful, how many took their "passing" to their graves?. So many families still don't know who they are, but we keep digging for the TRUTH. Good read, somewhat bittersweet , but in the end, looks like the family will move forward facing the TRUTH,
It's amazing how long a secret or lie can live through so many generations. But Selina finally let her secret out, great for she and those still living. But I wonder of the relationships that never were allowed to blossom because of the dark secret. Secrets are painful, how many took their "passing" to their graves?. So many families still don't know who they are, but we keep digging for the TRUTH. Good read, somewhat bittersweet , but in the end, looks like the family will move forward facing the TRUTH,
November 26, 2020
Sad
It is true that when Black people meet gray and green eyed colored people passing white we can tell that they are living a lie one the sad things about this tragic set of circumstances is they tend to portraits them selves as more racist than genuine racist,never understanding that sick looking skin was so great that levels of skin cancer that these supposedly superior is a result of trying to look better than do and Moe like beautiful people with out the horrible that so unjustly bear upon us.
It is true that when Black people meet gray and green eyed colored people passing white we can tell that they are living a lie one the sad things about this tragic set of circumstances is they tend to portraits them selves as more racist than genuine racist,never understanding that sick looking skin was so great that levels of skin cancer that these supposedly superior is a result of trying to look better than do and Moe like beautiful people with out the horrible that so unjustly bear upon us.
June 14, 2021
Must read
I enjoyed reading the entire trilogy. I kept hoping Selina would do the right thing but she waited decades to reveal the truth. Better late than never i suppose... very well written Mrs McKenzie 👏🏾 👏🏾👏🏾
I enjoyed reading the entire trilogy. I kept hoping Selina would do the right thing but she waited decades to reveal the truth. Better late than never i suppose... very well written Mrs McKenzie 👏🏾 👏🏾👏🏾
September 4, 2021
Forgiveness
First of all shout outs to the author 5⭐️’s 🎊🎊🎊🎊 next . I’m so hurt and crying but also another beautiful love story Pastor Tony and Selina.
First of all shout outs to the author 5⭐️’s 🎊🎊🎊🎊 next . I’m so hurt and crying but also another beautiful love story Pastor Tony and Selina.
June 4, 2022
Wow!
Imagine finding out that you are not who you think you are. That the last person you'd want to be is who you actually are. This was very well written and I enjoyed it.
Imagine finding out that you are not who you think you are. That the last person you'd want to be is who you actually are. This was very well written and I enjoyed it.
June 3, 2024
Overall the entire series was a great story that covered several generations. There were a couple spots where I was starting to lose interest. But it started off as an amazing story and ended well.
June 14, 2017
Great story concept. Unfortunately still applicable today. Simple writing, for sure. Could use a few more passes across an editor's eye, though.
February 8, 2016
Revelation: Book Three of the Unchained Trilogy is by Maria McKenzie. This book ends the story of the Taylor-Standish family. I do believe it is the best of the entire series as it brings everything to a close.
Sabrina Standish was four when her parents divorced. Her Father married their Mother’s sister, Aunt Olivia, and they lived in California. Her Mother, Lavinia Standish, was an actress who lived in New York City. When she was eight, she went to spend three weeks with her Mother in New York City while her twin brother stayed in California. Lavinia used bribes and finally lies to get Sabrina to tell her Father she wanted to stay in New York City with her Mother. That was the last time she saw her step-mother, grandparents, and her twin, Gabe. Lavinia wanted her daughter to stay in New York City because she looked white and Lavinia thought she needed to pass as White. Gabe, on the other hand, was darker and couldn’t easily pass. When Sabrina was seventeen, she had a quarrel with her Mother and moved to a hotel and got a job in a department store. She wanted to be known as more than the daughter of a wealthy woman. She wanted to find out what she was supposed to do with her life.
Sabrina met Tony Manning, a young pastor, in Central Park. He started wanting to console her as she sat crying but ended up having dinner with her and asking her to marry him. Tony convinced her to forgive her Mother and to make up with her. However, when Lavinia objected to her marrying Tony, Sabrina chose Tony and left Lavinia for good. Sabrina does not tell Tony her secret. What will he do if and/or when he finds out? Can Sabrina continue to live without contact with her Father and brother? Will she ever tell Tony and her daughter, Cassie?
The book is excellent and is a difficult one to put down. In a way, you want the story to continue into the next generation.
Sabrina Standish was four when her parents divorced. Her Father married their Mother’s sister, Aunt Olivia, and they lived in California. Her Mother, Lavinia Standish, was an actress who lived in New York City. When she was eight, she went to spend three weeks with her Mother in New York City while her twin brother stayed in California. Lavinia used bribes and finally lies to get Sabrina to tell her Father she wanted to stay in New York City with her Mother. That was the last time she saw her step-mother, grandparents, and her twin, Gabe. Lavinia wanted her daughter to stay in New York City because she looked white and Lavinia thought she needed to pass as White. Gabe, on the other hand, was darker and couldn’t easily pass. When Sabrina was seventeen, she had a quarrel with her Mother and moved to a hotel and got a job in a department store. She wanted to be known as more than the daughter of a wealthy woman. She wanted to find out what she was supposed to do with her life.
Sabrina met Tony Manning, a young pastor, in Central Park. He started wanting to console her as she sat crying but ended up having dinner with her and asking her to marry him. Tony convinced her to forgive her Mother and to make up with her. However, when Lavinia objected to her marrying Tony, Sabrina chose Tony and left Lavinia for good. Sabrina does not tell Tony her secret. What will he do if and/or when he finds out? Can Sabrina continue to live without contact with her Father and brother? Will she ever tell Tony and her daughter, Cassie?
The book is excellent and is a difficult one to put down. In a way, you want the story to continue into the next generation.
February 20, 2017
Really Enjoyed but Frustrating
This is the third book in a series, this has been one of the most emotionally frustrating books. I think because as an African-American I was ticked that the characters were ashamed of who she was a bla k woman.
This is the third book in a series, this has been one of the most emotionally frustrating books. I think because as an African-American I was ticked that the characters were ashamed of who she was a bla k woman.
September 24, 2014
The awakening, Revelation, or simply the Truth
I have always been told the truth will set you free. In the case of Selina, it was a burden of bondage she carried for a century. The innocent victim of a inner racial marriage that occurred during the time of slavery. Sorry but love never takes into account of the hardships that may be vested upon the offspring of that love. We can't change our ancestry. Life is hard no matter what our ethnicity may be. I was moved by each character in the Unchained Trilogy, Revelation was a fitting end.
I have always been told the truth will set you free. In the case of Selina, it was a burden of bondage she carried for a century. The innocent victim of a inner racial marriage that occurred during the time of slavery. Sorry but love never takes into account of the hardships that may be vested upon the offspring of that love. We can't change our ancestry. Life is hard no matter what our ethnicity may be. I was moved by each character in the Unchained Trilogy, Revelation was a fitting end.
October 21, 2021
A sweeping family saga that begins with a slave. So many issues are touched on in this trilogy. Race, love, family, truth, deceit, fear, greed ....
Well developed characters that will stay with you for a lifetime. Haunting. And real. A must read trilogy.
Well developed characters that will stay with you for a lifetime. Haunting. And real. A must read trilogy.
February 23, 2015
Read the trilogy
It was a good book, but I was a little disappointed that it skipped lots of years in between the chapters.
It was a good book, but I was a little disappointed that it skipped lots of years in between the chapters.
July 15, 2015
Revelation the third book.
Maria McKenzie the author of the unchanged trilogy writes quite a story of race. It was very entertaining and thoroughly enjoyed.
Maria McKenzie the author of the unchanged trilogy writes quite a story of race. It was very entertaining and thoroughly enjoyed.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews