It is a slow-paced book which eventually picks up. Because it is laced with history and it is something that interests me, I think it was the right listen for me. Worth a one-time read/listen for sure..

I found this book to be rather slow paced and that made it tough to read and get into. While the story does pick up, it didn't entirely live up to my expectations. A Historical Fiction account about the role of Black Troops in the Union Army after the Civil War sparked my interest but overall I found that it lacked depth. While the insight into the racial struggles faced was compelling, it wasn't enough to hold my interest and I feel that was largely to do with the lack of character development. Overall this is an interesting story but it feels like a book that you'd be forced to read in high school.

The Union Army formed the African Brigade with recently emancipated slaves in Virginia in 1863. This regiment drove the rebels out of Eastern Virginia and North Carolina. The story of a freed Confederate soldier who joins the Union Army is told by David Falade. As the son of an African slave woman and her European "master," Etheridge grew up on Roanoke Island. Etheridge is taught to read and write by his white half-sister, but he knows his place. After the Civil War, Etheridge hopes to leave his mark on history and build a better life with the woman he loves. These decisions lead to a fatal confrontation with his white half brother, a rebel. This first-person narrative is told by Etheridge. The author does not waste time training or discussing the combat abilities of black troops. Falade understands that motivated young men with strong leadership can become effective warriors. General Wild, their tough and dynamic commander, rises to the occasion (Wild was also a real person). Wild intends to use the African Brigade to punish insurgent soldiers and slaveowners. As Etheridge leads troops in battle, he seeks the respect of his white officers and fellow black soldiers while also making a major enemy of one of them. The fight scenes are realistic, but Etheridge's real struggle is to be treated equally with whites. This story is mostly told in Etheridge's Southern accent, which I found difficult to understand. Readers of all backgrounds and races are inspired by Etheridge's uplifting ambitions for human freedom and dignity.

This novel has a really good story line that I thoroughly enjoyed. I listened to the audiobook and loved the narrator who really brought out the wonderful atmosphere and tension that the author created. I felt so much emotion while reading this book. It covers its a rather controversial subject at that time period and I thought the novel did an amazing job at bringing out the race struggled faced in this time period. This book was well written and I just loved learning about the struggles and injustices faced in history and I applaud the author for this. There was plenty of action throughout this book that at times I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. 

Many thanks to the author and publishers for bringing us this very interesting and thought provoking novel that I really enjoyed reading. 

The above review has already been placed on goodreads, waterstones, Google books, Barnes&noble, kobo, amazon UK where found and my blog https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/black-cloud-rising-by-david-wright-falade-rb-media-3-star either under my name or ladyreading365 or lady Reading365 or ladyc reading

Black Cloud Rising tells the story of a part of history most of us never learned in school: Black American Union soldiers, the "newly formed African Brigade, a unit of freed slaves led by General Edward Augustus Wild—a one-armed, impassioned Abolitionist—set out from Portsmouth to hunt down the rebel guerillas and extinguish the threat." The threat of freed slaves being captured and returned to their ex-owners.

The story is narrated from the point of view of "Sergeant Richard Etheridge, the son of a slave and her master, raised with some privileges but constantly reminded of his place." He describes the relationships formed in the brigade, some of the conflicts, and one particular relationship with another soldier he had known since childhood.
We know that Richard survives all the conflict, gets married, and has children.

The story is beautifully written, very prescient, and this sliver of the Civil War takes on much greater meaning with the Black Lives Matter reminding us all how important all our lives are. It is narrated by James Shippy who has a beautiful reading voice. I found his Etheridge voice to be far less convincing than his other voices. I had a hard time liking Etheridge because of the voice which seemed very prissy to me.

However, as someone very interested in American history, I found the story fascinating and could rise above the voice. I probably would have preferred to read the book in retrospect.

Black Cloud Rising by David Wright Falade for me, was a mediocre experience. This was a great shame as I was interested in the premise, and the story is certainly worth telling. But it didn’t hit any high notes.

It is set in the American Civil War and involves an African Unit travelling around North Carolina, freeing the enslaved. They also needed to be mindful of Bushwhackers. This term was new to me, and for those who don’t know, Bushwhackers were guerrilla type units who fought against the Union – usually employing ambush tactics.

The main character Seargent Richard (Dick) Etheridge is a mixed-race man of an enslaved woman and their master. He encounters his former master and other people from his enslaved recent past. There is a whole tapestry of white/black issues covered here and our main character needs to question some of his assumptions of what it is to be black, white, mixed-race. Dick is a relatively well-educated man and is sometimes conflicted. There is also a romantic element to this story.

I gave this audiobook a mid-range score for two main reasons (1) it didn’t reach any great heights, the stories were almost thrown at us in vignettes, rather than as a cohesive narrative and, (2) I found the narration a little too pedestrian. It did fell as if the narrator was just reading the story to the ‘reader’. Well obviously, he was, but if felt like it.

This was an average experience, 2.5 stars, rounded up as it kept me interested – a bit.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for me review.

3 Stars

*Many thanks to David Wright Falade, RB Media, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for my honest review.*
An interesting book which presented the moments of the Civil War which were nearly unknown to me. The so- called African Brigade consisted of former slaves who supported the Union forces by guerilla activities against the Confederate soldiers.
The audiobook is well-performed. I cannot say I was particularly drawn to any of the characters, however, I consider the time spent with the book as interesting.

Thanks to the publisher -RB Media for providing ARC in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.

3/5 stars

As a part of Black History month, I picked up Black Cloud Rising. In American history, this story comes up as a personally challenging experience of a black man in times of civil war and how it affects a black man's life. It was my first time reading one of David's books. You might have read many such books, one you might not have read is this outstanding work of historical fiction I've always wished someone would write.

Richard is a well-developed character. It is heart-wrenching to see his loyalty and devotion. It was so inspiring to see how he demonstrates his leadership and skill under immense pressure. It was so satisfying.

I would recommend this book to everyone, especially those interested in the Black struggle. Though the story started a bit slow, it picked up the pace as it went to the main plot. David Wright Faladé is a great writer. I listened to the audiobook version of the book. This book, if you ask me, is an eye-opener to the personal struggle between men, their life, and their past.

Release Date: 15 Feb 2022.

Review Posted: 28 Feb 2022.

Why did I listen to Black Cloud Rising?

I came across Black Cloud Rising on Netgalley at the beginning of the month. Knowing my goal for this month was to read several books by black authors, I was quick to request it. I was also intrigued by the subject matter: the African Brigade. Thankfully I was approved and quickly started listening to it.

What's the story here?

Black Cloud Rising follows the journey of the African Brigade during the Civil War. The African Brigade is a unit of former slaves who have been tasked to liberate enslaved people and hunt down Confederate guerilla units. All of this takes place within the swamps and backwoods of Southeast Virginia and Northeast Carolina. It is told from the perspective of Sergeant Richard Etherlidge whose father is the master of the house where he was enslaved. As he and his fellow soldiers move forward there is always the risk of death hanging over them. There is also the risk of running into someone from their past - be it former slave owners, family members, significant others, and even sworn enemies. These former slaves are working hard to break their shackles and be truly free. They are depending on each other to process their worth.

How did I like Black Cloud Rising?

Black Cloud Rising takes you through so many emotions as you listen to how these men and women went from being enslaved to free and helping then union. The African Brigade is formed and sets out from Portsmouth, VA to extinguish the threat of rebel guerillas. Through the narration of Sergeant Richard Etheridge, you gain an understanding of how conflicted the Brigade is to go up against their former owners. You also understand their familiarity with the land and their desire to rescue family and loved ones. I could feel the intensity or their struggles throughout. Especially Richard who was already towing a fine line as a semi privileged slave who knew how to read and write.

Yet even with this privilege Richard recognized how he was also put back in his place if he got too pushy. Now as a member of the Brigade he feels an entirely different level of push. This is a push to prove himself, a push to belong, and a push to take care of his fellow soldiers and the ones he loves. It is all very compelling and gave him another perspective of American history that is often not talked about. I couldn't help but feel for Richard and his fellow former slaves. It was all very heart-rending and heart-rending at the same time.

How's the narration?

Cloud Rising is narrated by James Shippy and is 9 hours and 18 minutes long. I listened to it at 1.5 speed and felt that it flowed very well. I was engaged in the storyline and could envision everything in my head. It sounded authentic to the time period and the topic at hand. There are a couple sections that may be difficult to hear but were accurate to the time period. This includes the language, the violence, and the death that was part of the Civil War. To me, these sections needed to be included to the story to be truly authentic, and it is so well done.

Black Cloud Rising by David Wright Faladé recreates a momentous period of American history throught he eyes of Sergeant Richard Etheridge of the African Brigade. This was a story I hadn't read before.

In 1863 the African Brigade consisted of formerly enslaved men tasked with conducting
raids through the areas of NC occupied by the Confederate Partisan Rangers. Many of the soldiers in the brigade were brought back to their former plantations during this campaign, having the chance to free their families.

Richard Etheridge grew up in Roanoke Island as the son of an enslaved woman and her master. Although he learns to read and write from his step-sister and plays with his white cousin as a child, the Etheridge family treats him as a slave. Richard is increasingly frustrated by his inability to explore his potential. When the enslaved people in Roanoke Island are liberated, he enrolls in the Union Army, and is eventually appointed as Sargeant in the African Brigade.

Throughout the novel we gain insight into the mind of Richard Etheridge, as he contends with his new status as a free man, and begins to shed some of the impositions of slavery. This introspection is nuanced and complicated, showing the grip of bondage, but most importantly his tenacity and sense of self. Etheridge feels the weight of being a model black officer/man as he deals with his army superiors and the men under his command. He struggles with some of the orders he must follow, the ethics of dealing with hostile civilians, and the extent to which he can protect his men and family.

Wright Faladé does a fantastic job recreating the tensions of this moment: the period of personal and political transition, the fear of not knowing what has becomed of loved ones, the uncertainty of combat, the changed playing field in personal and professional relationships. The book certainly leaves you with a lot to unpack.

The writing is also fantastic!

As an audiobook, this book was perfect. I really enjoyed the performance and pacing.

This was one of the best audiobooks I've listened to in years. The protagonist/narrator is a memorable character. Truly powerful.

This one is a hard one for me to review. I had such mixed feelings. I found the historical aspect of this novel completely captivating. I learned so much about the importance of the African Brigade and what they did to help free the slaves in the areas of Virginia and North Carolina. The narrator of the audiobook was also wonderful. He brought the words and deeds of the narrator Sergeant Richard Etheridge to life. What I found lacking was any real connection to any of the characters in the book. I wanted to know more and feel more toward the main character and his family and loved ones. To me, it read more like a text book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Press for the ARC of this audiobook.

Black Cloud Rising
by David Wright Faladé
The black company of blue soldiers were created to frighten the southern rebels. The book looks into the demoted and demoralized white general, forced to lead men, he was not totally sure of. The black freedman who attempted to find their place. Roanoke was overwhelmed by the northern troops. The slaves round up and joined with the fighting soldiers. Shows the prejudice and theoretical ideology that was fought during the civil war. People who protested their innocence as they played the other hand to demoralize and impede the roles changing. The conflict of Shiloh, and other battles.
Looking at the particular story of a young slave, which was half white. He has a number of personal conflicts, between his privileges', and hard earned learning, and struggle. Its an eye opening story of the personal struggle between men, their life, with ideology of their past.

Black Cloud Rising, It’s a story of the first black brigade made up of slaves from the south and told by the son of a slave owner Richard. Although Richard was treated differently than the other slaves, he wasn’t treated so different that he couldn’t forget he was a slave. He was taught to read and write by his half sister, Sarah. He also grew up besides Patrick, John B’s nephew. It will be Sara who correspond with him through his march the freedom. She sent him news of Home and information that may help him along the way. The big question about the truth is whether they will fight when the time comes or Ron? They are being led by General William Augustus wild, Who believes in his troops 100%, but unfortunately not everyone leading them agrees. All Richard wants to do is get home to his lady love Fanny and the family he loved, but will he?
I truly enjoyed this book! I love the historical accuracy of it, I especially loved the first plantation where they freed the slaves and whip the cruel slave master. I know violence isn’t right but it was poetic justice and it really felt great to read that. Slavery is a blyte on our history, but if we keep telling the stories oh great African Americans in their contribution to emancipation then maybe it may just look a tad bit better. I know this is fictional, but kudos to the author what a great job. I was given this book from NetGalley Shelf and I’m leaving this review voluntarily. Please forgive any grammatical or punctuational errors as I am blind and dictate my review.

Rating: 4/5 stars! Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity for me to listen to the audiobook version of this novel. I continue to learn more and more about the contribution of African-Americans to our country's history. I learned about a piece of Civil War history and the African Brigade which was a unit of former slaves during the Civil War. During the fall of 1863 under General Wild, the African Brigade led a successful effort to liberate enslaved people and to hunt down Confederate guerrilla units operating in the swamps of Virginia and the Carolinas. The story is told from the point of view of Sergeant Richard Etheridge, the son of an enslaved woman. This is a compelling novel for any reader. The narrator is fantastic as he leads the listener through this journey. I highly recommend this novel!

This story was amazing! It was filled with historical details about a period of time that is often rushed through during our formative educational years.

Black Cloud Rising follows our main character Sergeant Richard Etheridge and the Union's African Brigade. We follow Etheridge and the African Brigade as they navigate through southeast Virginia into northeast Carolina.

Like most literary pieces, the pace was a slow burn, BUT Faladé's writing makes up for it. Faladé weaves historically accurate information throughout our journey and it exposes you to just how important this brigade was to enslaved Black folks during the Civil War.

This book had me constantly running to Google to read more about the cast of characters that we meet through this story. If you love history but especially Black history then I highly suggest you pick up this story.


Thanks to NetGalley, Grove Press, and David Wright Faladé for the eARC.