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Sister Mother Warrior
Acclaimed author of Island Queen Vanessa Riley brings readers a vivid, sweeping novel of the Haitian Revolution based on the true-life stories of two extraordinary women: the first Empress of Haiti, Marie-Claire Bonheur, and Gran Toya, a West African-born warrior who helped lead the rebellion that drove out the French and freed the enslaved people of Haiti.
Gran Toya: Born in West Africa, Abdaraya Toya was one of the legendary minos--women called "Dahomeyan Amazons" by the Europeans--who were specially chosen female warriors consecrated to the King of Dahomey. Betrayed by an enemy, kidnapped, and sold into slavery, Toya wound up in the French colony of Saint Domingue, where she became a force to be reckoned with on its sugar plantations: a healer and an authority figure among the enslaved. Among the motherless children she helped raise was a man who would become the revolutionary Jean-Jacques Dessalines. When the enslaved people rose up, Toya, ever the warrior, was at the forefront of the rebellion that changed the course of history.
Marie-Claire: A free woman of color, Marie-Claire Bonheur was raised in an air of privilege and security because of her wealthy white grandfather. With a passion for charitable work, she grew up looking for ways to help those oppressed by a society steeped in racial and economic injustices. Falling in love with Jean-Jacques Dessalines, an enslaved man, was never the plan, yet their paths continued to cross and intertwine, and despite a marriage of convenience to a Frenchman, she and Dessalines had several children.
When war breaks out on Saint Domingue, pitting the French, Spanish, and enslaved people against one another in turn, Marie-Claire and Toya finally meet, and despite their deep differences, they both play pivotal roles in the revolution that will eventually lead to full independence for Haiti and its people.
Both an emotionally palpable love story and a detail-rich historical novel, Sister Mother Warrior tells the often-overlooked history of the most successful Black uprising in history. Riley celebrates the tremendous courage and resilience of the revolutionaries, and the formidable strength and intelligence of Toya, Marie-Claire, and the countless other women who fought for freedom.
Gran Toya: Born in West Africa, Abdaraya Toya was one of the legendary minos--women called "Dahomeyan Amazons" by the Europeans--who were specially chosen female warriors consecrated to the King of Dahomey. Betrayed by an enemy, kidnapped, and sold into slavery, Toya wound up in the French colony of Saint Domingue, where she became a force to be reckoned with on its sugar plantations: a healer and an authority figure among the enslaved. Among the motherless children she helped raise was a man who would become the revolutionary Jean-Jacques Dessalines. When the enslaved people rose up, Toya, ever the warrior, was at the forefront of the rebellion that changed the course of history.
Marie-Claire: A free woman of color, Marie-Claire Bonheur was raised in an air of privilege and security because of her wealthy white grandfather. With a passion for charitable work, she grew up looking for ways to help those oppressed by a society steeped in racial and economic injustices. Falling in love with Jean-Jacques Dessalines, an enslaved man, was never the plan, yet their paths continued to cross and intertwine, and despite a marriage of convenience to a Frenchman, she and Dessalines had several children.
When war breaks out on Saint Domingue, pitting the French, Spanish, and enslaved people against one another in turn, Marie-Claire and Toya finally meet, and despite their deep differences, they both play pivotal roles in the revolution that will eventually lead to full independence for Haiti and its people.
Both an emotionally palpable love story and a detail-rich historical novel, Sister Mother Warrior tells the often-overlooked history of the most successful Black uprising in history. Riley celebrates the tremendous courage and resilience of the revolutionaries, and the formidable strength and intelligence of Toya, Marie-Claire, and the countless other women who fought for freedom.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published July 12, 2022
166 people are currently reading
15375 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa Riley
46 books1,642 followersI'm Vanessa Riley, and I write Historical Fiction of dazzling multi-culture communities of the 1750s to 1830s, The Revolutionary Years. I write for readers who treasure and share with friends books that showcase women, power, strong sisterhoods, and love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
June 6, 2022
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.
July 22, 2022
This sweeping saga of the Haitian Revolution brought context and understanding to a bloody and torturous multi-year war against oppression and control.
This was an extremely heavy read. It is full of enslavement, torture, debasement, racism, power, pain, loss and grief. But it is also a story of passion, determination, withstanding, perseverance, overcoming and love. Based on two women in Haiti's history, this story starts in Africa and makes it's way to Saint Domingue, which eventually becomes Haiti. These two women, Gran Toya and Marie-Claire, are vastly different - but both are strong, loyal sisters, mothers and warriors. One's strength is in her fighting and her bravery, the other's is in her generosity and her servant heart. One a mother to many not of her own womb, the other a mother to the revolution leader's many children. The tale is so much more than just these 2 women. It is about how they became who they were destined to be, how they came to make such a difference in the world, and how they shaped the people around them.
The introduction of words and phrases from different languages added to both the context and complexity of the story. The time jumps and different POVs make the read one that must be savored to be understood. This one is not a quick read. But it is definitely an important one. I loved getting to learn more about the history of Haiti. But reader, be warned, this is a difficult history to read. The amount of racism, injustice and trauma is vast - but vital to understand the necessity of the violence of war. The research for this book was amazing.
Thank you to Bibliolifestyle and William Morrow Books for the gifted copy to read and review. I recommend this book to readers looking for serious historical fiction novels to grow their knowledge and understanding.
This was an extremely heavy read. It is full of enslavement, torture, debasement, racism, power, pain, loss and grief. But it is also a story of passion, determination, withstanding, perseverance, overcoming and love. Based on two women in Haiti's history, this story starts in Africa and makes it's way to Saint Domingue, which eventually becomes Haiti. These two women, Gran Toya and Marie-Claire, are vastly different - but both are strong, loyal sisters, mothers and warriors. One's strength is in her fighting and her bravery, the other's is in her generosity and her servant heart. One a mother to many not of her own womb, the other a mother to the revolution leader's many children. The tale is so much more than just these 2 women. It is about how they became who they were destined to be, how they came to make such a difference in the world, and how they shaped the people around them.
The introduction of words and phrases from different languages added to both the context and complexity of the story. The time jumps and different POVs make the read one that must be savored to be understood. This one is not a quick read. But it is definitely an important one. I loved getting to learn more about the history of Haiti. But reader, be warned, this is a difficult history to read. The amount of racism, injustice and trauma is vast - but vital to understand the necessity of the violence of war. The research for this book was amazing.
Thank you to Bibliolifestyle and William Morrow Books for the gifted copy to read and review. I recommend this book to readers looking for serious historical fiction novels to grow their knowledge and understanding.
August 21, 2022
A fight for freedom
An intriguing tale for the freedom of Haiti.
Stolen free people, enslaved and tormented and the trials and battles the people had to endure.
The legacy of the warrior of the tribe of Minos. A chosen respected woman who endured and came back to inspire and win the long fought battle for freedom.
A book that is very well written. An Inspiring tale. A story worth repeating ❤️
I won this book as a Goodreads Giveaway for my honest review
An intriguing tale for the freedom of Haiti.
Stolen free people, enslaved and tormented and the trials and battles the people had to endure.
The legacy of the warrior of the tribe of Minos. A chosen respected woman who endured and came back to inspire and win the long fought battle for freedom.
A book that is very well written. An Inspiring tale. A story worth repeating ❤️
I won this book as a Goodreads Giveaway for my honest review
June 14, 2022
I received the Advance Reader's Edition of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway from the publisher. Sister Mother Warrior releases July 12, 2022.
What I liked:
The concept of this book was good! I personally knew nothing about the Haitian Revolution prior to reading this book and I love with historical fiction books can teach me about something that I definitely tuned out during history classes in my school years. I was interested in learning about the contrast between the lives of the enslaved vs free blacks as well as the racial tensions between the blacks, browns, and blancs. I'm also always in to learn about strong women and hard choices! Toya was very old school and loyal. Loved Marie-Claire's work to feed the hungry regardless of race and how she learned to stand up for herself.
What I didn't like:
While the concept was good, the execution was poor. This book was such a slog for me. It has a long and meandering storyline, covering over 50 years in small increments; I thought I would never finish it. The story really didn't get started until about 150 pages in. The choppiness of the storyline, skipping between characters and places, left me feeling disconnected from all of them. I would have loved to have more depth and emotion to our main characters to understand why they were behaving the way they did. The dialogue felt very stilted and unnatural, and often characters said things that seemed totally out of the blue and left me wondering if whatever they were referring to had been edited out. I know this was an ARC and not a final draft, but multiple errors in each chapter didn't help things either. It's clear that the author really did her research, but it sometimes came across more textbook-y with names spewed here and there without any context.
I'm really hoping this gets a couple more rounds of editing before release, because it has great potential, but was pretty rough in it's current state.
What I liked:
The concept of this book was good! I personally knew nothing about the Haitian Revolution prior to reading this book and I love with historical fiction books can teach me about something that I definitely tuned out during history classes in my school years. I was interested in learning about the contrast between the lives of the enslaved vs free blacks as well as the racial tensions between the blacks, browns, and blancs. I'm also always in to learn about strong women and hard choices! Toya was very old school and loyal. Loved Marie-Claire's work to feed the hungry regardless of race and how she learned to stand up for herself.
What I didn't like:
While the concept was good, the execution was poor. This book was such a slog for me. It has a long and meandering storyline, covering over 50 years in small increments; I thought I would never finish it. The story really didn't get started until about 150 pages in. The choppiness of the storyline, skipping between characters and places, left me feeling disconnected from all of them. I would have loved to have more depth and emotion to our main characters to understand why they were behaving the way they did. The dialogue felt very stilted and unnatural, and often characters said things that seemed totally out of the blue and left me wondering if whatever they were referring to had been edited out. I know this was an ARC and not a final draft, but multiple errors in each chapter didn't help things either. It's clear that the author really did her research, but it sometimes came across more textbook-y with names spewed here and there without any context.
I'm really hoping this gets a couple more rounds of editing before release, because it has great potential, but was pretty rough in it's current state.
January 8, 2023
"But we are darkness and light.
We are not the same. Never will be the same."
We are not the same. Never will be the same."
May 28, 2022
This is a beautiful story with characters who are deep, flawed, and loving. I loved learning more about the time and place (Haiti and it’s revolutionary era) and the descriptions of place, people, and circumstance were all spectacular. It is on the longer side and life required me to take a break from reading it (well anything); when I returned, I had lost a little of the momentum and energy so key but picked it back up and ended so strongly. Keen to share with friends to discuss.
January 27, 2025
4.75 stars!!!! I've had the book for 3 years! 3 years I sat on what I'm sure will be one of my favorite books this year! This story was amazing! So much history, so much community, so much pain, so much hurt, so much unconditional love and A WHOLE LOT of forgiveness! The fight for freedom always comes at a price and with many sacrifices! I have such deep appreciation for all the work that went into the research process to bring the story of Haiti, albeit fictional, to life! Wow! I would love to see more readers with this book, it needs and deserves to be read. It's starts off slow and rocky, its graphic and tragic but stay the course, it will be worth it.
August 10, 2022
4.5 Stars rounded up
I loved this.
The focus on Marie Claire and Gran Toya are perfect to tell this story.
The first 70% of this really moves at a quick rate. The narrative gets a bit bogged down during the confusing action of the Haitian Revolution.
Very well done.
I loved this.
The focus on Marie Claire and Gran Toya are perfect to tell this story.
The first 70% of this really moves at a quick rate. The narrative gets a bit bogged down during the confusing action of the Haitian Revolution.
Very well done.
July 12, 2022
This is a very important book that tacked a lot of history. It is clear to me that Riley is a master storyteller when it comes to historical fiction. In her hands history especially the women in it, just comes alive. As a historian, I can not express enough how wonderfully she handles historical complexity.
Some of the narrative jumped a bit too fast, especially in the first half of the book but that was understandable given how much history and events have to take place for the story to work.
I received an ARC via Netgalley.
Content Warnings: Physical abuse, torture, death of a child, cheating on a spouce
Some of the narrative jumped a bit too fast, especially in the first half of the book but that was understandable given how much history and events have to take place for the story to work.
I received an ARC via Netgalley.
Content Warnings: Physical abuse, torture, death of a child, cheating on a spouce
May 15, 2022
The book Sister Mother Warrior is based on a true story and tells of Marie-Claire Bonheur the first Empress of Haiti and Gran Toya a West African-born warrior who helped lead the rebellion that helped free the enslaved people of Haiti. I was not familiar with the revolution and found the story interesting and inspiring. The characters are very well-written and the writing is fantastic.
July 28, 2022
4.5 stars. *Vanessa Riley has magic in her writing pen for me! I loved ‘Island Queen’ by her last year and I have been highly anticipating the release of this novel (out on July 12, 2022).
*I LOVED this book!! Marie-Claire and Gran Toya were two to the strongest, most well-written, full of depth characters I’ve read this year. Their stories were fully fleshed out and beautiful and heart-wrenching AND this book was based on real women🤯
*The amount of researching that Riley put into this book absolutely shone through while at the same time not reading like a dry history book. I can’t say in all my years of schooling I ever remember learning about the history of the country of Haiti. To get to learn about that country and how they got their independence and the Haitian Revolution while also learning about the Dahomey woman warriors was something I will never forget.
Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @williammorrowbooks for this gifted copy!
*I LOVED this book!! Marie-Claire and Gran Toya were two to the strongest, most well-written, full of depth characters I’ve read this year. Their stories were fully fleshed out and beautiful and heart-wrenching AND this book was based on real women🤯
*The amount of researching that Riley put into this book absolutely shone through while at the same time not reading like a dry history book. I can’t say in all my years of schooling I ever remember learning about the history of the country of Haiti. To get to learn about that country and how they got their independence and the Haitian Revolution while also learning about the Dahomey woman warriors was something I will never forget.
Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @williammorrowbooks for this gifted copy!
April 1, 2023
I got confused at some parts, but I think that was more due to my own ignorance than any action of the author. I learned a lot - this is a very informative view of the women who played vital roles in the Haitian Revolution
August 19, 2022
I enjoyed this title and included it in my August Bookmarks: https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChcCfP...
August 17, 2022
A fascinating and compelling look at the Haitian Revolution through the eyes of two women who fought in it, both in their own ways, and whose names should be much better known than they are. An incredible work of historical fiction!
January 31, 2024
“Sister Mother Warrior” by historical-fictionist extraordinaire Vanessa Riley tells the epic tale of the struggle and war that African people waged on the island of Saint Domingue (Haiti) during the 18th and 19th centuries, eventually culminating in the Haitian Revolution and establishment of the sovereign nation of Haiti. Riley tells this story from the perspective of two of the most important women during this time period, not just for their relationship to one of Haiti’s founding fathers, but because of their own remarkable deeds and sacrifices.
The book opens with a Dahomey raid in a small West African village, resulting in the capture and forced recruitment of Gran Toya into the Minos—the Dahomey King’s elite all-female fighting force. The first few chapters dealt with the contradictions of Gran Toya embracing her newfound lifestyle of a kidnapped Minos warrior who has committed her life to serving King Tegbesu of the Dahomey Kingdom, despite the fact that Dahomey had upended her early life and was actively engaged in the slave trade of other Africans with vicious and greedy white Europeans. While Riley did not fully capture the intricacies of life in West Africa at that time (she curiously had one of the characters identify as an “Igbo of Guinea”, embracing the Portuguese word for the region instead of the specific Igbo clan she came from), she did a great job setting the stage for what was to come for Gran Toya. It is especially interesting that Riley had Gran Toya defend the actions of the Dahomey King, only for her to be kidnapped and sold into slavery herself. The betrayal and kidnapping Gran Toya was tragic and emblematic of the inner-workings of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade. European slavers took advantage of African divisions and disputes over power to capture and procure more human cargo and labor for their American colonies. Nevertheless, the discourse on the King of Dahomey “trading his own people” missed the mark, as citizens of Dahomey were not traded by their King, and other Africans peoples in the region were not considered the same people. Despite this, Riley repeatedly expresses theme of African redemption, detailing Gran Toya’s intense desire to redeeming herself and her Dahomey people from the legacy of slave trading by eradicating slavery in Saint Domingue.
Riley did a great job setting the stage for the story, detailing the state of affairs on the island-colony of French Saint Domingue. She meticulously detailed the rigid racial/color-based hierarchy of Big Whites, Small Whites, Free Coloreds, Free Blacks, and Enslaved Blacks, and exposed in the main characters the conflicting and evolving loyalties of these various identities.I loved the backdrop of Francois Mackandal’s Maroon-based resistance in the 1758 as the opening introduction to the revolutionary fervor on Saint Domingue.
I was captivated by how well Riley told the story of the great Jean Jacques Dessalines. An often vilified figure among white Westerns, Afro-descendant people see him as a hero and true liberator. Riley brought out all the complications, greatness and flaws that likely characterized Dessalines, leading to a thorough humanizing depiction of this legendary leader. Riley expertly tied Dessalines’ story together with her two female leads, demonstrating just how instrumental women were in the revolution.
There were so many excellent moments in this book. I’ve read many historical analyses of the Haitian Revolution, but Sister Mother Warrior is the first piece of writing that really brought this great triumph to life for me. Highly recommended.
The book opens with a Dahomey raid in a small West African village, resulting in the capture and forced recruitment of Gran Toya into the Minos—the Dahomey King’s elite all-female fighting force. The first few chapters dealt with the contradictions of Gran Toya embracing her newfound lifestyle of a kidnapped Minos warrior who has committed her life to serving King Tegbesu of the Dahomey Kingdom, despite the fact that Dahomey had upended her early life and was actively engaged in the slave trade of other Africans with vicious and greedy white Europeans. While Riley did not fully capture the intricacies of life in West Africa at that time (she curiously had one of the characters identify as an “Igbo of Guinea”, embracing the Portuguese word for the region instead of the specific Igbo clan she came from), she did a great job setting the stage for what was to come for Gran Toya. It is especially interesting that Riley had Gran Toya defend the actions of the Dahomey King, only for her to be kidnapped and sold into slavery herself. The betrayal and kidnapping Gran Toya was tragic and emblematic of the inner-workings of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade. European slavers took advantage of African divisions and disputes over power to capture and procure more human cargo and labor for their American colonies. Nevertheless, the discourse on the King of Dahomey “trading his own people” missed the mark, as citizens of Dahomey were not traded by their King, and other Africans peoples in the region were not considered the same people. Despite this, Riley repeatedly expresses theme of African redemption, detailing Gran Toya’s intense desire to redeeming herself and her Dahomey people from the legacy of slave trading by eradicating slavery in Saint Domingue.
Riley did a great job setting the stage for the story, detailing the state of affairs on the island-colony of French Saint Domingue. She meticulously detailed the rigid racial/color-based hierarchy of Big Whites, Small Whites, Free Coloreds, Free Blacks, and Enslaved Blacks, and exposed in the main characters the conflicting and evolving loyalties of these various identities.I loved the backdrop of Francois Mackandal’s Maroon-based resistance in the 1758 as the opening introduction to the revolutionary fervor on Saint Domingue.
I was captivated by how well Riley told the story of the great Jean Jacques Dessalines. An often vilified figure among white Westerns, Afro-descendant people see him as a hero and true liberator. Riley brought out all the complications, greatness and flaws that likely characterized Dessalines, leading to a thorough humanizing depiction of this legendary leader. Riley expertly tied Dessalines’ story together with her two female leads, demonstrating just how instrumental women were in the revolution.
There were so many excellent moments in this book. I’ve read many historical analyses of the Haitian Revolution, but Sister Mother Warrior is the first piece of writing that really brought this great triumph to life for me. Highly recommended.
November 10, 2023
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⭐️
July 26, 2022
I’ve just read one of the most remarkable Historical Fiction books that I’ve read based on two astonishing strong women born in West Africa & Haiti who go on to lead the rebellion that helped free the enslaved people of Haiti.
There is not one page that is not full of colorful characters and a story that leaves you yearning for more. A wealth of powerful women that span over a generation, each telling their story of a time that existed and how it could change and how people became so conflicted over another person’s color of skin, that they would even kill because of it.
From grandmother, daughter to grandchildren and another woman who was sold into slavery but eventually became a warrior that would lead her and teach others throughout life to fight. The stories of both Gran Toya and Marie Claire will feel as if you are living vicariously through them. It’s scenes are so descriptive and told in a way that I felt the balmy air and smelled the scents as they did.
To realize the vastnesses of racism and injustice that existed during the period of 1750-1805 was sickening. Even Africans were subjected to judging each other on how dark their skin was. For instance there was very black, black and mulatto; the lighter the skin, the higher ranking you had in the community. The violence was surreal, the imprisonment, beatings and hunger of slaves was appalling and made me cry.
This is a passionate account of a time that will resonate in my thoughts and forever in my heart.
There is not one page that is not full of colorful characters and a story that leaves you yearning for more. A wealth of powerful women that span over a generation, each telling their story of a time that existed and how it could change and how people became so conflicted over another person’s color of skin, that they would even kill because of it.
From grandmother, daughter to grandchildren and another woman who was sold into slavery but eventually became a warrior that would lead her and teach others throughout life to fight. The stories of both Gran Toya and Marie Claire will feel as if you are living vicariously through them. It’s scenes are so descriptive and told in a way that I felt the balmy air and smelled the scents as they did.
To realize the vastnesses of racism and injustice that existed during the period of 1750-1805 was sickening. Even Africans were subjected to judging each other on how dark their skin was. For instance there was very black, black and mulatto; the lighter the skin, the higher ranking you had in the community. The violence was surreal, the imprisonment, beatings and hunger of slaves was appalling and made me cry.
This is a passionate account of a time that will resonate in my thoughts and forever in my heart.
April 16, 2023
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. A fascinating story of a period in history I knew nothing about. It was not an easy read but only because it is packed with history. Vanessa Riley is a great storyteller. I will definitely read more of her books.
May 30, 2022
Sister, Mother, Warrior follows two women and the difference in history they made that lead to the full independence of Haiti. The contrast between the two women and how, ultimately, they became an integral part of history and the friendship they developed was a great journey.
May 12, 2022
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway and was intrigued by the premise. Overall it is a really interesting book that covers a lot of ground and a huge time span. It was occasionally a little hard to keep the different names straight as several characters had many different titles or names throughout time. This book was a very interesting and sad look into what it took for Haiti to become a free nation and opened up a time I was not very familiar with.
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July 23, 2023women have always led the resistance and fomented revolution but they are very rarely acknowledged for it. this was a powerful embodiment of two women whose commitment to liberation, freed Aiyti from the yoke of oppression and colonial terror. Particularly inspired by Abdaraya Toya, the greatest freedom fighter of the Haitian Revolution, this story of struggle and victory is a most beautiful one.
July 11, 2022
Vanessa Riley...I love your books! Granted, I've only read two, but I loved both of them! They are so well researched and I learned something about a time (and person/people) that I knew nothing about!
This is the story about two amazing women back in the 1800's...and the man they loved. (Ha! It's not what you think!)
Meet Toya. Stolen from her village when she was just 12 and trained to be a Minos (all women) warrior; protector of a King Tegbesu. Toya took her responsibilities very seriously, which made her a fierce source to be reckoned with. When her friend and fellow warrior made the mistake of falling in love...life as they know it ceases to exist. When they are sold into slavery and sent to the French colony of Saint Domingue to a "Blanc" plantation owner…Toya, using the skills she learned from her mother, becomes a healer and an authority figure to the enslaved people. She also raises the man who is Jean-Jacques Dessalines. Toya, the past warrior with her son, is at the forefront of the rebellion that changed the course of history! Their story is so captivating!
Meet Marie-Claire Bonheur. A black woman born with privilege due to her mother being a mulatto. She is passionate about fighting the injustices of the oppressed. She is a nurse, she works diligently to feed the poor and is very much in love with Jean-Jacques Dessalines. Their love story is full of power, frustrating timing, major events and a deepening desire that at times can be debilitating.
This book won't be for everybody...but if you enjoy historical fiction, learning about different cultures and the absurdity of slavery and bondage, you just might find this book worth your while! It's long yet informative. It's difficult, yet has rewards. It's sad but with hope. I was completely engrossed with the story AND the characters!
Thank you to Vanessa Riley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read and review this book!
This is the story about two amazing women back in the 1800's...and the man they loved. (Ha! It's not what you think!)
Meet Toya. Stolen from her village when she was just 12 and trained to be a Minos (all women) warrior; protector of a King Tegbesu. Toya took her responsibilities very seriously, which made her a fierce source to be reckoned with. When her friend and fellow warrior made the mistake of falling in love...life as they know it ceases to exist. When they are sold into slavery and sent to the French colony of Saint Domingue to a "Blanc" plantation owner…Toya, using the skills she learned from her mother, becomes a healer and an authority figure to the enslaved people. She also raises the man who is Jean-Jacques Dessalines. Toya, the past warrior with her son, is at the forefront of the rebellion that changed the course of history! Their story is so captivating!
Meet Marie-Claire Bonheur. A black woman born with privilege due to her mother being a mulatto. She is passionate about fighting the injustices of the oppressed. She is a nurse, she works diligently to feed the poor and is very much in love with Jean-Jacques Dessalines. Their love story is full of power, frustrating timing, major events and a deepening desire that at times can be debilitating.
This book won't be for everybody...but if you enjoy historical fiction, learning about different cultures and the absurdity of slavery and bondage, you just might find this book worth your while! It's long yet informative. It's difficult, yet has rewards. It's sad but with hope. I was completely engrossed with the story AND the characters!
Thank you to Vanessa Riley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read and review this book!
January 29, 2024
no clue how to rate this book: maybe a 2.5/3? i appreciated the author’s research and her focus on the importance that women held in the Haitian Revolution. i appreciated learning about this time period through the lens of these crucial women, and their life stories fascinated me. unfortunately, the writing fell very flat to me and felt too immature for an adult historical fiction novel. the dialogue felt unnatural and as if the characters were spoon-feeding you historical info. the plot also felt like it dragged on too long for my liking. nevertheless, i thought this was a creative way to tell the life stories of these women and the revolution, and the author’s note at the end gave me more context to certain points in the story that had struck me as problematic ways to depict the revolution.
August 18, 2025
I appreciate Vanessa Riley's approach to historical fiction. I went into this one blindly and was pleasantly surprised at the evolution of characters into the prominent historical figures we know well. There is the story of Adabaraya Toya and her enslavement as a Dahomey warrior. There is her commitment to fellow warrior and raising the next warriors on Hispaniola. There is her connection to Jean-Jacques Duclos who will eventually become the Dessalines we know as one of the founding fathers of Haiti. Her story telling makes you want to go back and learn more about each time period and their key players to see how much is true story vs embellished facts.
May 30, 2023
A beautiful story of love, sacrifice, and war. Two women lives becoming dedicated to a man in different capacities. One his love and the other seen as a mother - figure. Marie Claire was born free and Gran Toya betrayed and sold into slavery. They both helped Jean-Jacques to become the man he was and to free Haiti and their people.
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I wasn’t expecting this story to end so well. As I struggled in the beginning of the story. However, if you enjoy history this is one you will enjoy!
June 26, 2022
This was a well thought out and clearly, well researched book.
All I knew about the Haitian revolution was that it happened. This book gave me a much better understanding of it, and the role women played in it
I received an advanced copy, as a Goodreads giveaway. That was obvious in the typos and need for additional editing, (Jakjak is "wild eyes" at first but soon becomes "wide eyes"), but later editions will be fabulous.
I usually pass books on, but I foresee a desire to reread this one, so holding on to it for the time being.
All I knew about the Haitian revolution was that it happened. This book gave me a much better understanding of it, and the role women played in it
I received an advanced copy, as a Goodreads giveaway. That was obvious in the typos and need for additional editing, (Jakjak is "wild eyes" at first but soon becomes "wide eyes"), but later editions will be fabulous.
I usually pass books on, but I foresee a desire to reread this one, so holding on to it for the time being.
January 18, 2023
While I enjoyed the book overall, I felt it could have been shorter. Although I appreciate knowing a bit of Haiti’s revolutionary history, I was still ready for the book to be over, before it was. The back stories of all the characters was interesting.
September 24, 2023
This book was a great story based on the lives of Victoria "Abdaraya Toya" Montou and Marie-Claire Claire Felicite Dessalines, two women involved in the Haitian Revolution, and both were very closely associated with Jean-Jacques Dessalines. Victoria "Abdaraya Toya" Montou was born in West Africa and ended up as an enslaved woman on the same estate as Dessalines. Marie-Claire was born free in Haiti and became the wife of Dessalines.
I particularly liked the last chapter, where the author outlines the research undertaken for the book and explains much of the conflicting information she came across. An interesting point she makes is that years before Mary Seacole, Marie-Claire offered nursing services on the battlefield during the Haitian War. Men like Dessalines, Toussaint L'Ouverature, and Henri Christophe are well known in the histories of Haiti, but the women involved are often overlooked and it was nice to see mention of female officers in the Haitian army like Sanité Bélair and Marie-Jeanne Lamartiniére.
Overall, I found this book an enjoyable read.
I particularly liked the last chapter, where the author outlines the research undertaken for the book and explains much of the conflicting information she came across. An interesting point she makes is that years before Mary Seacole, Marie-Claire offered nursing services on the battlefield during the Haitian War. Men like Dessalines, Toussaint L'Ouverature, and Henri Christophe are well known in the histories of Haiti, but the women involved are often overlooked and it was nice to see mention of female officers in the Haitian army like Sanité Bélair and Marie-Jeanne Lamartiniére.
Overall, I found this book an enjoyable read.
October 7, 2022
Based on the author’s notes, this novel has provided a lot of historical facts about the Haitian Revolution mixed in with an interesting story. For me, it was a great follow-up to the movie, The Woman King. Powerful women taking care of themselves, each other, their children, and their country.
August 22, 2022
I absolutely love reading historical fiction, especially amazing black women from the past who rock and rocked history. Author Vanessa Riley does so using her unique writing style. First with Island Queen and now with, Sister Mother Warrior. One thing you can be sure of is that you are going to get a well-researched topic and you're going to learn some history you might not have known before.
In Sister Mother Warrior, we meet two phenomenal women who were crucial in Haiti gaining its independence from France: Marie Claire and Gran Toya. Gran Toya was a Dahoney warrior from West Africa who was enslaved but who also helped raise Jean Jacques Dessalines, the leader of the Haitian Revolution. Marie Claire is the love of his life and a powerful woman in her own right - helping to nurse and help all, regardless of their race, in the war.
It was a deep read for me and the author does not shy away from the tough truths of the past. Her descriptive writing style made me picture the gruesome torture but also the triumph of overcoming captivity. This literary work lingers with you after the end. It did take me some time to read but the heartfelt conclusion was worth it.
Thank you, #Netgalley and #WilliamMorrowBooks for this ARC.
In Sister Mother Warrior, we meet two phenomenal women who were crucial in Haiti gaining its independence from France: Marie Claire and Gran Toya. Gran Toya was a Dahoney warrior from West Africa who was enslaved but who also helped raise Jean Jacques Dessalines, the leader of the Haitian Revolution. Marie Claire is the love of his life and a powerful woman in her own right - helping to nurse and help all, regardless of their race, in the war.
It was a deep read for me and the author does not shy away from the tough truths of the past. Her descriptive writing style made me picture the gruesome torture but also the triumph of overcoming captivity. This literary work lingers with you after the end. It did take me some time to read but the heartfelt conclusion was worth it.
Thank you, #Netgalley and #WilliamMorrowBooks for this ARC.
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