Author: Vanessa Miller
Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Book Release Date: 2024
Pages: 366
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Transformative and breathtakingly honest, The American Queen is based on actual events that occurred between 1865 - 1889 and shares the unsung history of a Black woman who built a kingdom in Appalachia as a refuge for the courageous people who dared to dream of a different way of life.
Over the twenty-four years she was enslaved on the Montgomery Plantation, Louella learned to feel one thing: hate. Hate for the man who sold her mother. Hate for the overseer who left her daddy to hang from a noose. Hate so powerful there's no room in her heart for love, not even for the honorable Reverend William, whom she likes and respects enough to marry.
But when William finally listens to Louella's pleas and leads the formerly enslaved people off the plantation, Louella begins to replace her hate with hope. Hope that they will find a place where they can live free from fear. Hope that despite her many unanswered prayers, she can learn to trust for new miracles.
Soon, William and Louella become the appointed king and queen of their self-proclaimed Kingdom of the Happy Land. And though they are still surrounded by opposition, they continue to share a message of joy and goodness--and fight for the freedom and dignity of all.
The American Queen weaves together themes of love, hate, hope, trust, and resilience in the face of great turmoil. With every turn of the page, you will be transported to a pivotal period in American history, where oppressed people become extraordinary heroes.
My Review: The American Queen tells the story of Queen Louella Montgomery, the only queen who ruled a kingdom built on American soil. Louella was originally a slave on the Montgomery Plantation in Mississippi. She marries their plantation’s Reverend, William Montgomery. Shortly after the thirteenth amendment was ratified, they leave the Montgomery Plantation with a group of slaves to South Carolina. William Montgomery then purchased acres of land in North Carolina and founded their kingdom known as Happy Land. William and Louella are proclaimed king and queen of the Kingdom of Happy Land.
I confess I have never heard of this story before. So, I was fascinated to learn about this forgotten American queen. Louella is an admirable character. She is very tough and endures many hardships. I could not imagine the situation where she had no freedom as a slave. When she was freed from slavery by the thirteenth amendment, Louella yearns for her own place to practice freedom in which she can find happiness and contentment. I found Louella to be a very strong leader and queen. She is very wise and makes sound decisions. Therefore, I found Louella to be a fascinating character!
Overall, this novel is about freedom, love, and hope. It is also about a woman who searches for happiness and equality. I found the characters to be very realistic. I found the writing to have gorgeous prose, and it is clear the novel was meticulously researched. There were some scenes that were very gruesome and made me uncomfortable to read. However, I found that the gruesome scenes were important to Louella’s story. I found The American Queen to be an emotional and heart-wrenching story! This book is also an excellent tribute to a forgotten American queen! I recommend this for fans of Queen of Exiles, The Other Princess, and My Name is Ona Judge!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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