Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen by Sarah Bird - Book Review

The compelling, hidden story of Cathy Williams, a former slave and the only woman to ever serve with the legendary Buffalo Soldiers.

Though born into bondage on a “miserable tobacco farm” in Little Dixie, Missouri, Cathy Williams was never allowed to consider herself a slave. According to her mother, she was a captive, bound by her noble warrior blood to escape the enemy. Her means of deliverance is Union general Phillip Henry “Smash ‘em Up” Sheridan, the outcast of West Point who takes the rawboned, prideful young woman into service. At war’s end, having tasted freedom, Cathy refuses to return to servitude and makes the monumental decision to disguise herself as a man and join the Army’s legendary Buffalo Soldiers.

Alone now in the ultimate man’s world, Cathy must fight not only for her survival and freedom, but she vows to never give up on finding her mother, her little sister, and the love of the only man strong and noble enough to win her heart. Inspired by the stunning, true story of Private Williams, this American heroine comes to vivid life in a sweeping and magnificent tale about one woman’s fight for respect and independence. (Goodreads)

This was a wonderfully written book that managed to do the impossible; make me interested in the Civil War era. The descriptions of the South (while we are there) and the way Southerners speak is done in such a believable way that I had no trouble creating an image of the events in my head. While mostly a story of survival and the darkness that still, unfortunately, plagues the United States, it does have a few moments of humor that had me legitimately laughing out loud. With that being said, I did feel a little disconnected while reading (which could be partially due to being sick at the time) and unlike the majority of the amazing stories I read, it is not sticking with me. However, I do now have a great interest in learning more about Cathy and the former slaves that served in the U.S. Military.

*I won a free ARC copy of this book from Goodreads giveaways.

Rating: ★★★★☆ 4/5

Book Information: Goodreads

Published: September 4th, 2018

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