Review by Mys_Trea -- The Prodigy Slave, Book One: Journ...
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[Following is a volunteer review of "The Prodigy Slave, Book One: Journey to Winter Garden" by Londyn Skye.]
The Prodigy Slave, Book One: Journey To Winter Garden, is the first book in a captivating historical fiction trilogy by author, London Skye. The story is set in America, 1800s. Slavery of people of colour is the order of the day, and anyone who dares behave to the contrary is punished — at times even by death. The main character is Lily. She is smart, beautiful and extraordinarily talented. She is also a slave, who finds herself forming a deep bond with her slave-owner's son, James Adams. What follows is a whirlwind of romance, pain and self-discovery — all which made for quite an interesting read.
There are many elements I enjoyed about this book. The author's writing style, for instance, was simple and easy to follow. Her use of the Southern manner of speaking in the characters' dialogue, added a dose of authenticity to the story. I almost felt that the characters were coming to life. Another element I liked was the pace of the book. The story did not feel dragged, neither was it rushed. Everything in the plot blended together, and with just the right timing. As a sucker for a good romantic story, I believe that this book definitely delivered in that regard. I appreciated the steamier scenes as well, and felt that they were brilliantly captured by the author.
It was difficult to find much to dislike about this book. The singular small element that I was not too happy about was the ending. Without spoiling the story for anyone, I will say that there is a huge cliffhanger, which came about rather abruptly. I was simply left with too many questions. Of course, the book is the first in a trilogy and the author had to whet our appetites for what is to follow, so I should credit her in that respect. Suffice to say, I would have appreciated a bit less mystery at the end. As a result, I have already downloaded the second book in the series, and am quite excited to get started on it.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The story was gripping, and I found it difficult to put down. It was heartbreaking at times, imagining the realities of people living in such appalling conditions of slavery. At other times, I enjoyed the humorous and witty banter between some characters. They felt real and interesting, and I could empathize with their cause. The book was also exceptionally edited, which I appreciated immensely. I found absolutely no grammatical errors or typos, which is quite a rare experience. The author was vivid in her description of the different surroundings that the story was set in. When she described the Winter Garden Theatre, for example, I could imagine myself in the grand building, with its gorgeous ceiling and exquisite artworks.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good historical fiction book with a healthy amount of romance. I would not encourage young readers to read it, however, as it contains very mature sexual scenes and some profanity. I believe that the book can appeal to anyone with a good appreciation for a well-written story with interesting characters and a riveting plot. I am personally hooked to the series, and already anticipating the sequel. London Skye has definitely found a new fan in me.
******
The Prodigy Slave, Book One: Journey to Winter Garden
View: on Bookshelves |
The Prodigy Slave, Book One: Journey To Winter Garden, is the first book in a captivating historical fiction trilogy by author, London Skye. The story is set in America, 1800s. Slavery of people of colour is the order of the day, and anyone who dares behave to the contrary is punished — at times even by death. The main character is Lily. She is smart, beautiful and extraordinarily talented. She is also a slave, who finds herself forming a deep bond with her slave-owner's son, James Adams. What follows is a whirlwind of romance, pain and self-discovery — all which made for quite an interesting read.
There are many elements I enjoyed about this book. The author's writing style, for instance, was simple and easy to follow. Her use of the Southern manner of speaking in the characters' dialogue, added a dose of authenticity to the story. I almost felt that the characters were coming to life. Another element I liked was the pace of the book. The story did not feel dragged, neither was it rushed. Everything in the plot blended together, and with just the right timing. As a sucker for a good romantic story, I believe that this book definitely delivered in that regard. I appreciated the steamier scenes as well, and felt that they were brilliantly captured by the author.
It was difficult to find much to dislike about this book. The singular small element that I was not too happy about was the ending. Without spoiling the story for anyone, I will say that there is a huge cliffhanger, which came about rather abruptly. I was simply left with too many questions. Of course, the book is the first in a trilogy and the author had to whet our appetites for what is to follow, so I should credit her in that respect. Suffice to say, I would have appreciated a bit less mystery at the end. As a result, I have already downloaded the second book in the series, and am quite excited to get started on it.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The story was gripping, and I found it difficult to put down. It was heartbreaking at times, imagining the realities of people living in such appalling conditions of slavery. At other times, I enjoyed the humorous and witty banter between some characters. They felt real and interesting, and I could empathize with their cause. The book was also exceptionally edited, which I appreciated immensely. I found absolutely no grammatical errors or typos, which is quite a rare experience. The author was vivid in her description of the different surroundings that the story was set in. When she described the Winter Garden Theatre, for example, I could imagine myself in the grand building, with its gorgeous ceiling and exquisite artworks.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good historical fiction book with a healthy amount of romance. I would not encourage young readers to read it, however, as it contains very mature sexual scenes and some profanity. I believe that the book can appeal to anyone with a good appreciation for a well-written story with interesting characters and a riveting plot. I am personally hooked to the series, and already anticipating the sequel. London Skye has definitely found a new fan in me.
******
The Prodigy Slave, Book One: Journey to Winter Garden
View: on Bookshelves |
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