The description of this book is what first appealed to me. I love historical fiction, especially when it features places and/or events that I'm not familiar with, so I was looking forward to reading this. It did not disappoint.
This was really well written. It was so atmospheric, the settings were so well rendered, right from the beginning with the fort and during the hurricane, through to the plantations in Cuba.
I liked the main character a lot. Everett Townsend had a strong moral compass, despite his family's history with slavery on the plantation. His grandmother was awful, but he tried to be understanding of and kind toward her, recognizing she was family, in fact the only family he had left. I also liked Emma and the fact that she had a mind of her own.
I hadn't realized this was not the first book about these characters. It worked fine as a standalone. However, I enjoyed this book so much that I am definitely going to seek out the previous installment too. Also, I wonder if perhaps there could be a book after this one, perhaps during the Cuban War for Independence? Although some things are resolved by the end of this book, other things were not and would require time. And I'd just like to see Everrett and Emma again.
I recommend this to those who enjoy historical fiction.
This was really well written. It was so atmospheric, the settings were so well rendered, right from the beginning with the fort and during the hurricane, through to the plantations in Cuba.
I liked the main character a lot. Everett Townsend had a strong moral compass, despite his family's history with slavery on the plantation. His grandmother was awful, but he tried to be understanding of and kind toward her, recognizing she was family, in fact the only family he had left. I also liked Emma and the fact that she had a mind of her own.
I hadn't realized this was not the first book about these characters. It worked fine as a standalone. However, I enjoyed this book so much that I am definitely going to seek out the previous installment too. Also, I wonder if perhaps there could be a book after this one, perhaps during the Cuban War for Independence? Although some things are resolved by the end of this book, other things were not and would require time. And I'd just like to see Everrett and Emma again.
I recommend this to those who enjoy historical fiction.