You don’t get a lot of historical fiction pieces written about Puerto Rico or the Spanish American war, it’s a reading this book was a real treat. I think the author obviously knows what she is talking about and has researched the subject, but the way she writes the historical events in this book and focuses on both Puerto Rico and other US territories such as Hawaii in this book is fascinating. I think there is a lot more happening under the surface in this book then we actually get. This is one of those books that will be seen as timeless because of the snapshot it gives us of Puerto Rico at the time.

This fascinating historical tale is set in rural Puerto Rico around the end of the nineteenth century, when the island was transforming from a Spanish colony into a United States possession. Several thousand Puerto Ricans were recruited to move to Hawaii as contract laborers in sugar cane fields due to the poverty on the island, notably in the southern rural areas where coffee plantations were located. Vera writes sensitively and passionately on a topic that has been hardly explored in literature: the traumatic history of Puerto Ricans' struggle for independence from Spain. Vera's fantastic tale comes along with an appendix containing the results of her extensive investigation.

This book pulls together the connection between Puerto Rico and the Hawaiian Islands. After only meeting with disappointment and grief on their sugar plantation in Puerto Rico the Vega family leaves for Hawaii in 1900 after the American occupation of Puerto Rico. There’s lots of sadness but there’s hope at the end as the Vegas connect with other Puerto Ricans who have come to Hawaii to work in the sugar industry.

My father was born in Puerto Rico and I was fortunate enough to vacation there last year. It is a magical island and I cannot wait to get back. The delicious food, the kind and generous people, the stunning scenery...just amazing.

That being said, I was so excited to read this one. Overall I enjoyed it. I learned some things about PR history that I wasn’t aware of (shame on me). I really liked Valentina and Vincente...gosh I wanted them to triumph.

I did take some issue with the writing. In many places, the writing was pretty disjointed and abrupt. Didn’t seem quite developed enough. In addition, someone who doesn’t know any Spanish might be lost in places as there weren’t always context cues. Lots of Spanish throughout which was fine by me but I thought would really trip some people up.

I give it the 4 stars simply because I’m thankful it was written to give others a chance to learn about the amazing boricua culture and history. Otherwise it’s a solid 3 for me.

I learned a great deal while reading this deeply emotional and often quite sad novel. Valentina and Vicente started their married life with high hopes and a small farm. This might seem simple but in 1890s Puerto Rico, nothing was simple. The shifting p0litical sands- from Spanish rule to the Spanish American War to the United States- doesn't help matters. Nor does the weather, especially when a hurricane hits. So much optimism they had and tried to keep, even as they lost everything. I did not know that Puerto Ricans moved to Hawaii during this period; this was not the idyllic existence we imagine Hawaii to be but rather hard work and low pay on a sugar plantation. And loss shadows them there as well. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Beautifully written (know that there's Spanish woven in) with great characters- highly recommend.

The history and content of this book was very interesting, but the writing is all narrative. I wanted to like this book, but it needed more scenes and details to keep my interest. If you're interested in the history of the Caribbean islands, this is a good source.

I really can't say enough good things about this book. I loved everything about it, especially the writing style. The mix of English and Spanish really set the scene for the story and made the characters come alive. The novel opens in 1898 and follows the family of Vicente Vega as they navigate a challenging life as coffee farmers under Spanish rule, the Spanish-American War and Puerto Rico's change to American rule, a devastating hurricane, and finally as immigrants to Hawaii. The writing is rich and descriptive and the characters well developed and believable. I will not soon forget this novel of strength, survival, and family.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Marisel Vera for the privilege of reading an advanced digital copy of this wonderful book.

I enjoyed A Taste of Sugar by Marisel Vera and appreciate Net Galley allowing me to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I have traveled several times to Puerto Rico and have loved visiting there each time. When I saw a book about Puerto Rico I knew I had to read it. It's the story of Vicente Vera's family and their changing fortunes as the island of Puerto Rico changes from the hands of Spain to those of the United States. I never knew that workers left Puerto Rico to go work in Hawaii. It's a tale of hardship, loss, and perseverance that is heart-warming and heartbreaking at the same time.