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An Uncommon Folk Rhapsody: A Multicultural American Civil War Romance and Suspense Novel
Winner, INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARDS, Multicultural Fiction, 2021
Finalist, WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS, Adult Fiction, 2020
COLD MOUNTAIN meets The Color Purple!
An epic American Civil War literary saga that explores the intimate relationships between folk of diverse cultures during an era of suffering and hate; spanning cultures, continents, and generations. Narrated in the Antebellum tradition.
Shay is an orphan. A young Asian boy with no link to his past – except for a mysterious jade amulet – and no idea what fate has in store for his future. Not until an American merchant captain raises him to be a man, who becomes a valiant Union Army scout during the height of the American Civil War.
Across the oceans, a young girl is ripped from her African homeland and tossed aboard a ship set sail for America. She is sold to an Alabama plantation like livestock; her name, her identity, and her life are stripped from her. Now, she is considered nothing more than a slave.
When their two paths cross ten years later, they immediately intertwine, driven by a connection so strong it could only be forged by destiny. But love is forbidden, and darkness surrounds them. Written in the Antebellum tradition with spoken dialects characteristic of the period. The reader is invited to view the perspectives of each character and the decisions they make, leading to life, love, or loss.
"My books are about the reality of life and death, joy and pain, victory and defeat. Through it all, I aspire to reveal the power of love." - C.J. Heigelmann, 2020
Finalist, WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS, Adult Fiction, 2020
COLD MOUNTAIN meets The Color Purple!
An epic American Civil War literary saga that explores the intimate relationships between folk of diverse cultures during an era of suffering and hate; spanning cultures, continents, and generations. Narrated in the Antebellum tradition.
Shay is an orphan. A young Asian boy with no link to his past – except for a mysterious jade amulet – and no idea what fate has in store for his future. Not until an American merchant captain raises him to be a man, who becomes a valiant Union Army scout during the height of the American Civil War.
Across the oceans, a young girl is ripped from her African homeland and tossed aboard a ship set sail for America. She is sold to an Alabama plantation like livestock; her name, her identity, and her life are stripped from her. Now, she is considered nothing more than a slave.
When their two paths cross ten years later, they immediately intertwine, driven by a connection so strong it could only be forged by destiny. But love is forbidden, and darkness surrounds them. Written in the Antebellum tradition with spoken dialects characteristic of the period. The reader is invited to view the perspectives of each character and the decisions they make, leading to life, love, or loss.
"My books are about the reality of life and death, joy and pain, victory and defeat. Through it all, I aspire to reveal the power of love." - C.J. Heigelmann, 2020
- GenresHistorical Fiction
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2017
81 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Heigelmann
5 books91 followersC.J. Heigelmann is a freelance writer and an author of Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, and Psychological Thrillers.
He produces literature that focuses on the human condition through character perspective and realism. Ever evolving, but yet retaining his core signature of sharp-edged realism, his writing style brings deep and compelling meaning to every plot and storyline while maintaining the integrity of the subject matter at hand. His ultimate goal is to stimulate a reader's mind, intellect, and emotions while being legitimately informative and intentionally provocative.
Visit www.MustReadCJ.com to learn more.
He is a member of the Authors Guild, the Historical Novel Society, and the South Carolina Writers Association.
AWARDS
Maincrest Media Book Award, Winner, Psychological Thriller Fiction, 2024, Can't Hide What's Inside.
National Indie Excellence Award, Finalist, Military Fiction, 2022, Crooked Fences.
Independent Press Award, Winner, Multicultural Fiction, 2021, An Uncommon Folk Rhapsody.
Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Fellowship for Fiction, Finalist, 2021, The Other Side of the Hill.
Wishing Shelf Book Award, Finalist, Adult Fiction, 2020, An Uncommon Folk Rhapsody.
New York City Big Book Award, Distinguished Favorite, Military Fiction, 2020, Crooked Fences.
Bestselling Amazon Author: Contemporary Literary Fiction, Depression, Racism and Discrimination, African American Literary Fiction, Historical Thrillers, Historical African Fiction, and Vigilante Justice.
"I express my characters in their pure flawed form because all of us are flawed. I don't shrink from using stereotypes whether positive or negative. Instead, I promote them and in the next breath completely shatter them. This exposes the error of subjugating individuals to intellectually lazy social labels, compelling the reader to confront the empirical nature of a character while lending insight into true understanding."
"Readers are not one-dimensional, and the stories they read shouldn't be either."
C.J. Heigelmann
He produces literature that focuses on the human condition through character perspective and realism. Ever evolving, but yet retaining his core signature of sharp-edged realism, his writing style brings deep and compelling meaning to every plot and storyline while maintaining the integrity of the subject matter at hand. His ultimate goal is to stimulate a reader's mind, intellect, and emotions while being legitimately informative and intentionally provocative.
Visit www.MustReadCJ.com to learn more.
He is a member of the Authors Guild, the Historical Novel Society, and the South Carolina Writers Association.
AWARDS
Maincrest Media Book Award, Winner, Psychological Thriller Fiction, 2024, Can't Hide What's Inside.
National Indie Excellence Award, Finalist, Military Fiction, 2022, Crooked Fences.
Independent Press Award, Winner, Multicultural Fiction, 2021, An Uncommon Folk Rhapsody.
Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Fellowship for Fiction, Finalist, 2021, The Other Side of the Hill.
Wishing Shelf Book Award, Finalist, Adult Fiction, 2020, An Uncommon Folk Rhapsody.
New York City Big Book Award, Distinguished Favorite, Military Fiction, 2020, Crooked Fences.
Bestselling Amazon Author: Contemporary Literary Fiction, Depression, Racism and Discrimination, African American Literary Fiction, Historical Thrillers, Historical African Fiction, and Vigilante Justice.
"I express my characters in their pure flawed form because all of us are flawed. I don't shrink from using stereotypes whether positive or negative. Instead, I promote them and in the next breath completely shatter them. This exposes the error of subjugating individuals to intellectually lazy social labels, compelling the reader to confront the empirical nature of a character while lending insight into true understanding."
"Readers are not one-dimensional, and the stories they read shouldn't be either."
C.J. Heigelmann
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 10, 2018
A Different Kind Of Love Story
A child born of two different Asian cultures is orphaned and rescued by a sea captain. Meanwhile a beautiful well loved black child is enslaved. Both are brought to the United States and meet during the backdrop of the Civil War, and though everything strive to love each other. I couldn’t put this book down and read it through in one sitting!
A child born of two different Asian cultures is orphaned and rescued by a sea captain. Meanwhile a beautiful well loved black child is enslaved. Both are brought to the United States and meet during the backdrop of the Civil War, and though everything strive to love each other. I couldn’t put this book down and read it through in one sitting!
March 28, 2018
This is a historical romance that features a boy born of two cultures, chinese and japanese, after losing both of his parents he is rescued by a sea captain and brought back to the U.S. Then there is a young girl, enslaved after having her father murdered and brought to the U.S. as well. With the civil war taking place these two are brought together, which gives way to the perfect title of an "uncommon" pairing, an uncommon love story.
I will say I enjoy this book immensely, it drew me in from the first page to the last. The author did an amazing job or creating a story that took very difficult topics and wove them into an engaging storyline. Each character in this story is dynamic, I found myself laughing with them, loving them and loving with them and even unfortunately hurting with and for them.
This is not a particularly short story, its is over 360 pages, but if feels so much shorter, the flow of the plot is steady and easy to read, and the events and characters keep you engaged and drawn in to the point you will not want to put it down. I give this a definite 5 out of 5 and would recommend this to everyone to read. I love book set in the civil war period, and have always been drawn to books that deal with the topic of slavery and the ability to get a look at each side of story, to get accounts from slaves themselves and this book does that, so if you are like me and also like books of this topic and style you will particularly love this book like i did!
I will say I enjoy this book immensely, it drew me in from the first page to the last. The author did an amazing job or creating a story that took very difficult topics and wove them into an engaging storyline. Each character in this story is dynamic, I found myself laughing with them, loving them and loving with them and even unfortunately hurting with and for them.
This is not a particularly short story, its is over 360 pages, but if feels so much shorter, the flow of the plot is steady and easy to read, and the events and characters keep you engaged and drawn in to the point you will not want to put it down. I give this a definite 5 out of 5 and would recommend this to everyone to read. I love book set in the civil war period, and have always been drawn to books that deal with the topic of slavery and the ability to get a look at each side of story, to get accounts from slaves themselves and this book does that, so if you are like me and also like books of this topic and style you will particularly love this book like i did!
January 6, 2019
Wow. I'm in awe of the author's beautiful style. The story is rock solid, an enchanting tale of love, loss and light in tragic times. The way the characters' stories intertwine is elegant and graceful and their development is very well-done. Though I'm no expert, the historical aspects seemed to me to be flawless and the plot was gripping the entire way through. For me there was never a dull moment, and the powerful prose truly remained so throughout the novel, supporting a beautiful story and a work well done. I hope the author continues to write and can share many more of his stories in the future.
February 19, 2019
Story setting good read. History factual and fictional.
Story was good balanced historical & fictional. A good book.
Characters developed with emotional description male & female with generational mix well done.
Story was good balanced historical & fictional. A good book.
Characters developed with emotional description male & female with generational mix well done.
December 9, 2020
I received a free electronic ARC of this historical novel from BookSIRENS and author CJ Heigelmann. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am grateful to be exposed to the works of C.J. Heigelmann. He is going on my must-follow list of amazing authors who can take you to the heart of their stories.
And this one is full of heart. We meet young Shu-Shay in the early 1840s port city of Canton about 10 miles from Mainland China where he watches his mother pass away, and is fortunately taken aboard ship by Captain Price more out of sympathy than because the crew had any misunderstandings about having this scrawny youngster take over the work of one of their three missing sailors. With a typhoon coming, they have to get to sea ASAP. As Captain Caleb Price is making his final run before retirement he wants everything to fall into line for a pleasant voyage but things have a way of foiling the best-laid plans.
We watch as, that same year in Nigeria, slave traders clear out the residents of the Yoruba village of Osugun and drive those villagers who were home to the coast and onto the deadly slave ships, packed into the holds with so many persons that sitting down was not possible is ten-year-old Chimanda, separated from her younger brother Soja, and though she knows her mother Ugonna is on the ship, she is nowhere near Chimanda in the hold. Up to 30% of the prisoners will not make the trip alive, and Ugonna does not survive the month's long journey to America. Chimanda was not able to find any of the friends she knew in Yoruba, or any of their family once they reach port in Charlotte, NC. She is all alone in this new world.
We then meet the family Walter in Alabama. Daughter Emily is spoiled and special to her father Colonel Walter, and she will miss him on his trip to Charlotte to attend the slave auction. While there he buys Chimanda to be a companion to his daughter Emily.
As these stories all come together, we have a tale that is both heartbreaking and warmly fulfilled. And then we fold right into the Civil War. This is a book I can highly recommend to friends and family, one that I will want to read again.
review by Dec 18 at BookSIRENS.
Reviewed on December 1, 2020, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, BookSirens, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo, and GooglePlay.
And this one is full of heart. We meet young Shu-Shay in the early 1840s port city of Canton about 10 miles from Mainland China where he watches his mother pass away, and is fortunately taken aboard ship by Captain Price more out of sympathy than because the crew had any misunderstandings about having this scrawny youngster take over the work of one of their three missing sailors. With a typhoon coming, they have to get to sea ASAP. As Captain Caleb Price is making his final run before retirement he wants everything to fall into line for a pleasant voyage but things have a way of foiling the best-laid plans.
We watch as, that same year in Nigeria, slave traders clear out the residents of the Yoruba village of Osugun and drive those villagers who were home to the coast and onto the deadly slave ships, packed into the holds with so many persons that sitting down was not possible is ten-year-old Chimanda, separated from her younger brother Soja, and though she knows her mother Ugonna is on the ship, she is nowhere near Chimanda in the hold. Up to 30% of the prisoners will not make the trip alive, and Ugonna does not survive the month's long journey to America. Chimanda was not able to find any of the friends she knew in Yoruba, or any of their family once they reach port in Charlotte, NC. She is all alone in this new world.
We then meet the family Walter in Alabama. Daughter Emily is spoiled and special to her father Colonel Walter, and she will miss him on his trip to Charlotte to attend the slave auction. While there he buys Chimanda to be a companion to his daughter Emily.
As these stories all come together, we have a tale that is both heartbreaking and warmly fulfilled. And then we fold right into the Civil War. This is a book I can highly recommend to friends and family, one that I will want to read again.
review by Dec 18 at BookSIRENS.
Reviewed on December 1, 2020, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, BookSirens, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo, and GooglePlay.
March 28, 2018
This book follows an Asian boy and an African slave, both taken away from their homelands and transported to Civil War era America. The two live vastly different lives, but their circumstances lead to their meeting and they fall in love. This book delves into issues such as slavery, racism, sexual assault, faith, and duty to country. It entwines complex characters with heartfelt emotion.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was enthralling and captivating. The characters were well developed and the author seemed knowledgeable about the circumstances they would have been in, in the Civil War. It was easy to imagine and feel what the characters were going through. There were a few grammar, spelling, and editing mistakes throughout the book, but most were easy to look past.
Overall, I think this book is a great read for anyone that wants to experience the love between two people, and the hardships they have to endure. Even though this book broaches the subjects of sexual assault, violence, and murder, it is done so in a tasteful and "innocent" way in which even young teens should be able to enjoy this book.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was enthralling and captivating. The characters were well developed and the author seemed knowledgeable about the circumstances they would have been in, in the Civil War. It was easy to imagine and feel what the characters were going through. There were a few grammar, spelling, and editing mistakes throughout the book, but most were easy to look past.
Overall, I think this book is a great read for anyone that wants to experience the love between two people, and the hardships they have to endure. Even though this book broaches the subjects of sexual assault, violence, and murder, it is done so in a tasteful and "innocent" way in which even young teens should be able to enjoy this book.
October 7, 2021
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: An Uncommon Folk Rhapsody
Author: C.J. Heigelmann
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 18
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 18 readers:
18 would read another book by this author.
18 thought the cover was good or excellent.
18 felt it was easy to follow.
18 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
18 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
18 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I think anybody interested in the historical slave trade to America will find this of interest. It's also a superb novel, rather gritty in parts reflecting the subject matter.” Female reader, aged 19
“This is a long historical novel that is gripping with a highly compelling plot and a host of fascinating characters. It has a ‘saga’ feel to it and, I must say, the author's knowledge of the time in place is excellent.” Female reader, aged 53
“This is a love story of sorts between two characters very far from home. The plot is complex - but not too complex - it looks at subjects such as the American Civil War, slavery and the terrible hardships of the time. The writing style is strong and always easy to follow, and the author deftly helps the reader to stay on top of the plot and who's who.” Female reader, aged 56
To Sum It Up:
‘A gripping historical novel populated with memorable characters. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: An Uncommon Folk Rhapsody
Author: C.J. Heigelmann
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 18
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 18 readers:
18 would read another book by this author.
18 thought the cover was good or excellent.
18 felt it was easy to follow.
18 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
18 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
18 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I think anybody interested in the historical slave trade to America will find this of interest. It's also a superb novel, rather gritty in parts reflecting the subject matter.” Female reader, aged 19
“This is a long historical novel that is gripping with a highly compelling plot and a host of fascinating characters. It has a ‘saga’ feel to it and, I must say, the author's knowledge of the time in place is excellent.” Female reader, aged 53
“This is a love story of sorts between two characters very far from home. The plot is complex - but not too complex - it looks at subjects such as the American Civil War, slavery and the terrible hardships of the time. The writing style is strong and always easy to follow, and the author deftly helps the reader to stay on top of the plot and who's who.” Female reader, aged 56
To Sum It Up:
‘A gripping historical novel populated with memorable characters. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
February 25, 2020
Very interesting
This book was at first confusing but as it went along and the characters developed, it was fascinating! Not the typical Civil War historical fiction, but a well woven tale of love and loss and love found again. I heartedly recommend this book!
This book was at first confusing but as it went along and the characters developed, it was fascinating! Not the typical Civil War historical fiction, but a well woven tale of love and loss and love found again. I heartedly recommend this book!
January 11, 2020
This book is about the civil war, and slavery, and how a merchant captain adopts an Asian boy, Shay. And also about Victoria, who is sold to an Alabama plantation. The author at the end says most of this is true. Great book.
October 6, 2020
Love this novel
Loved this novel. So we'll written. I could see each and feel each person . Just read it and let yourself go.
Loved this novel. So we'll written. I could see each and feel each person . Just read it and let yourself go.
November 4, 2020
Enjoyed this book... recommend it.
January 22, 2021
This was an interesting story. When I first finished reading it, I was quite disappointed with how it played out. However, after thinking about it for a while, it was probably the best way to tell the story and to convey the messages the author had intended. Even though the story takes place during an extremely violent and cruel period in our country's history, the main characters exhibit strong personal connections even across racial barriers, many of which are still prevalent today.
Read
November 9, 2019Awesome book!
June 13, 2020
I really found this book to have a very apt title. Most of the protagonists have similar losses and difficulties throughout their lives. The interfacing of these storylines create a rich and melodic music. Beautifully written characters and stories within stories, within stories!
April 17, 2020
Love knows no color
An Uncommon Folk Rhapsody was very well written, it was a page turner and kept me reading until the end. It is a very diverse book covering topics such as slavery, prejudice, loyalty to country, Love, Romance, as well as cruelty, rape amid a background of Africa, China and the Civil War in America. These are artfully intertwined with each other to offer a heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking story.
The first third of the book starts with two stories. The story of an orphan "Shay" in China rescued by sea Captain Price as a cabin boy on his ship and the story of an African girl captured and shipped to the U.S. and sold as a slave to Colonel Walters an Alabama plantation owner who names her "Victoria".
The book than skips to the Civil War in America. Shay, now living with Captain Price in America as his son, joins the Union Army as a scout. Victoria is a companion to the daughter of Colonel Walters and a maid at the plantation.
How all this comes about and the story of Shay and Victoria's meeting is the story being told. It involves many other great characters. The Characters are realistic, the history is true to history, the surroundings are described in detail. You can step into this story and feel their feelings, their tears, their happiness. I could almost feel the Alabama heat. It is a great read and I would highly recommend it.
Thanks to C.J. Heigelmann, Common Folk Press, and BookSirens for giving me a copy of the book for an honest review. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
An Uncommon Folk Rhapsody was very well written, it was a page turner and kept me reading until the end. It is a very diverse book covering topics such as slavery, prejudice, loyalty to country, Love, Romance, as well as cruelty, rape amid a background of Africa, China and the Civil War in America. These are artfully intertwined with each other to offer a heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking story.
The first third of the book starts with two stories. The story of an orphan "Shay" in China rescued by sea Captain Price as a cabin boy on his ship and the story of an African girl captured and shipped to the U.S. and sold as a slave to Colonel Walters an Alabama plantation owner who names her "Victoria".
The book than skips to the Civil War in America. Shay, now living with Captain Price in America as his son, joins the Union Army as a scout. Victoria is a companion to the daughter of Colonel Walters and a maid at the plantation.
How all this comes about and the story of Shay and Victoria's meeting is the story being told. It involves many other great characters. The Characters are realistic, the history is true to history, the surroundings are described in detail. You can step into this story and feel their feelings, their tears, their happiness. I could almost feel the Alabama heat. It is a great read and I would highly recommend it.
Thanks to C.J. Heigelmann, Common Folk Press, and BookSirens for giving me a copy of the book for an honest review. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 5, 2017
A review from a person not a fan of historical fiction.
This comprehensive and singularly informative book reads more like a novel than historical fiction. (For me that's a great thing.) The book is written from a multiple character perspective told by a narrator. This transition from character story to character story serves the book well as the characters act as complements to each other and serve the books overall theme seamlessly. As mentioned the book is told through the eyes of a narrator, with comparatively little first person insight. But given the style and context and intent, this style works here. The book humanizes all parties involved in somewhat controversial themes; slavery, and racism to name a few; without unduly pointing blame on either side. After getting over my initial skepticism of just reading a historically based novel, I came to like the book the more iv read. Recommended for it's superb Insight into tragedy and it's ability to draw you into characters seamlessly.
This comprehensive and singularly informative book reads more like a novel than historical fiction. (For me that's a great thing.) The book is written from a multiple character perspective told by a narrator. This transition from character story to character story serves the book well as the characters act as complements to each other and serve the books overall theme seamlessly. As mentioned the book is told through the eyes of a narrator, with comparatively little first person insight. But given the style and context and intent, this style works here. The book humanizes all parties involved in somewhat controversial themes; slavery, and racism to name a few; without unduly pointing blame on either side. After getting over my initial skepticism of just reading a historically based novel, I came to like the book the more iv read. Recommended for it's superb Insight into tragedy and it's ability to draw you into characters seamlessly.
September 13, 2025
Exceptional piece of historical fiction, set during the Civil War. Two unexpected people meet and fall in love. Everything is against their being together.
"An epic American Civil War literary saga that explores the intimate relationships between folk of diverse cultures during an era of suffering and hate; spanning cultures, continents, and generations. Narrated in the Antebellum tradition.
Shay is an orphan. A young Asian boy with no link to his past – except for a mysterious jade amulet – and no idea what fate has in store for his future. Not until an American merchant captain raises him to be a man, who becomes a valiant Union Army scout during the height of the American Civil War.
Across the oceans, a young girl is ripped from her African homeland and tossed aboard a ship set sail for America. She is sold to an Alabama plantation like livestock; her name, her identity, and her life are stripped from her. Now, she is considered nothing more than a slave.
When their two paths cross ten years later, they immediately intertwine, driven by a connection so strong it could only be forged by destiny. But love is forbidden, and darkness surrounds them. Written in the Antebellum tradition with spoken dialects characteristic of the period. The reader is invited to view the perspectives of each character and the decisions they make, leading to life, love, or loss." synopsis copied
"An epic American Civil War literary saga that explores the intimate relationships between folk of diverse cultures during an era of suffering and hate; spanning cultures, continents, and generations. Narrated in the Antebellum tradition.
Shay is an orphan. A young Asian boy with no link to his past – except for a mysterious jade amulet – and no idea what fate has in store for his future. Not until an American merchant captain raises him to be a man, who becomes a valiant Union Army scout during the height of the American Civil War.
Across the oceans, a young girl is ripped from her African homeland and tossed aboard a ship set sail for America. She is sold to an Alabama plantation like livestock; her name, her identity, and her life are stripped from her. Now, she is considered nothing more than a slave.
When their two paths cross ten years later, they immediately intertwine, driven by a connection so strong it could only be forged by destiny. But love is forbidden, and darkness surrounds them. Written in the Antebellum tradition with spoken dialects characteristic of the period. The reader is invited to view the perspectives of each character and the decisions they make, leading to life, love, or loss." synopsis copied
February 26, 2020
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really liked that the characters in this story were inspired by actual people. The author's note has some interesting information about the "uncommon folk" found in the story, and their real-life counterparts. The beginning of the novel really drew me in, but I found the characters harder to connect with by the second half.
I really liked that the characters in this story were inspired by actual people. The author's note has some interesting information about the "uncommon folk" found in the story, and their real-life counterparts. The beginning of the novel really drew me in, but I found the characters harder to connect with by the second half.
September 15, 2024
A mesmerizing story that revolves around an orphan of Chinese/Japanese descent; and a beautiful slave girl. The storyline is based on facts and includes their involvement in the Civil War and a jade amulet.
I highly recommend reading this love story, but be aware that the prejudices and beliefs of the Old South will make your heart hurt
I highly recommend reading this love story, but be aware that the prejudices and beliefs of the Old South will make your heart hurt
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2023
Wonderful story!
I loved the background descriptions of the main characters. Then the evolution of their stories led to a great blend and inspiring ending.
I loved the background descriptions of the main characters. Then the evolution of their stories led to a great blend and inspiring ending.
April 14, 2025
This book starts out so slowly, it’s so hard to keep up with… it then spiraled into a story I loved so much. The ending ruined it all. It felt very open ended.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews