Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, the real-life inspiration for this novel, is a woman of color who escaped from slavery and became one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs in the Caribbean during the colonial era. Riley brings Dorothy’s story to life, covering childhood to long after she’s established herself as a powerful landowner, in a way that doesn’t feel rushed or bogged by details.

Vanessa Riley normally writes romance novels and she’s brought that same level of readability to this book. The chapters were short and quick to get through which set a quick pace through a very long novel. I did start to lose steam towards the end so I could have done with 100 less pages, but Dorothy's life is full of events. I would have liked to see a little more of the day-to-day running of her business and how she trained the girls she employed, but (as I mentioned) it's already a long book and Riley chose to focus on Dorothy's family and relationships.

I had two small critiques that have to do with the historical setting. The first I noticed because a review of another historical novel mentioned it. The phrase “my truth” is a term that’s been popping up during the last few years and it does not have a place earlier than the 21st century. Every time that phrase comes up it pulls me out of the setting. There’s a lot of modern feminist ideas being explored, but given that Dorothy’s character is ahead of her time it never feels out of place, but I could do without the specifically modern feminist language. The second thing is nitpicky, but the term corset is used often and they didn't have corsets in the 18th century, they had stays. Some points I think the author means stays and others I think she means bodice since the character plays with her “corset strings” when she’s fully dressed. Yes, I have been watching historical costumers on youtube, how did you know?

Aside from those things I was delighted to finally get a historical novel set someplace other than Western Europe during the World Wars. There are so many places in history that would be interesting to explore and I’m glad Riley is introducing the world to Dorothy, whose story is so radical that if it was only a story one would call in unbelievable. But life is stranger than fiction and Dorothy’s life shows how true that is.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review for Island Queen by Vanessa Riley
Full review for this title can be found at: @fyebooks on Instagram!

Wow, I cannot wait for everyone to have access to this book. It is an epic story based on the real life of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas. A woman born into slavery who is able to buy her freedom and that of her family. She then builds several businesses and becomes one of the most wealthy women in the Caribbean. It is a story of injustice but also of strength and dreams. It is also about family and the lengths a mother and grandmother will go to so her children and grandchildren will have what she did not. The men in this story are well meaning but oh so good for nothing. Well not nothing but really Dorothy was the driving force in her success and Riley makes sure we know it. Riley's research is always superb but here she has really outdone herself and has written one of the most wonderful works of historical fiction that I have ever read.

What a beautiful story! I had no idea about Dorothy Kirwan Thomas prior to reading this book. I loved reading about her life and rise through the ranks of society. The book is a tad long but I enjoyed it! The writing was beautiful and well done. I cannot wait to talk about this story with fellow readers!

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow and Custom House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.