Before this I have never heard of Queen Louella and the Kingdom of the Happy Land, so I was eager to read her story. However, this read very modern for events that happened between 1865 and 1889. The dialect/vernacular didn’t match up to the time period so it took me out of the story and it was hard for me to stay engaged. I will say that I was also able to listen to the audiobook and thought that was well done.

It used to scare me the way speaks your mind. But lately I’ve been thinking that the good Lord must’ve put you on this Earth to help those who can’t help themselves.”

Based on a true story, A Black woman who build a kingdom as a refuse for the formerly enslaved people. Louella was a person who spoke with her mind and heart. I felt her anger and grief in the beginning of the story Louella learned to feel her grief & anger after her mother was sold and her father lynched. She lived on the Montgomery plantation over 24 years. Louella falls in love with Reverend William, they became the appointed king and Queen in the kingdom of the happy Land after leaving and leading the enslaved people off the plantation for freedom and a better life.

Themes: love, hate, trust, resilience, and hope in the face of turmoil and oppression.

Thank you @hearourvoicestours, @TNZFiction and @authorvanessamiller for the opportunity to spotlight this important book.

This was such an extraordinary book that’ll transport you through the unsung history of a Black woman who built a kingdom as a refuge for the courageous people who dared to dream of a different way of life.

When Louella and William decide to leave the Montgomery Plantation for good they take with them a group of freed slaves and William’s brother Robert in hopes of finding a better life. Later down the line they build the Kingdom of the Happy Land grounded on the philosophy of “one for all, and all for one.” After William and Louella were crowned King and Queen things were going well for the Happy Landers but nothing good last forever. Unless you’re willing to fight for what’s yours. That’s why I loved Louella’s character she did not let up when it came to what she wanted. She definitely didn’t hesitate to check Robert and put him in his place when necessary.

William was a good man and a lovable character but his attachment to Robert and the Montgomery name irked me so bad. I had ill feelings about Robert 70% of the book but towards the end my thoughts changed a little. Mama Sue was one of my favorite characters in the book.

Overall, the book was amazing highly recommend especially if you’re just getting into historical fiction. It being based on true events got me hooked. I also loved the premise, the strong character development, and the language used by some of the characters. Imagine The Yellow Wife and the movie Django Unchained meshed together in a book. It’s gonna hit a bit different than the average historical fiction books you’ve probably read. But trust when I say this is so worth the read. Special thanks to the author, @tnzfiction, and @hearourvoicestours for my gifted copy‼️

Louella Bobo has spent her entire life enslaved on the Montgomery Plantation. After seeing her mother sold away and her father lynched for daring to believe that emancipation meant freedom, Louella has learned to fear love. So when Reverend William proposes marriage, she accepts not out of love, but out of admiration and respect. Yet, even the prospect of marrying a good man like William cannot suppress Louella’s thirst for real freedom, liberated from not only their former “masters” but also from the land of their oppression. William eventually heeds Louella's pleas to leave the plantation, gathering the formerly enslaved as they travel in search of a promised land to call their own. A land where they can forge lives of unity and equality, guided by the principle of "one for all and all for one."

THOUGHTS
In THE AMERICAN QUEEN, Vanessa Miller crafts a fictionalized account of the founding of The Kingdon of the Happy Land and the remarkable Louella Montgomery, its queen. Set against the backdrop of post-Civil War America, the narrative follows Louella's journey from plantation slave to traveling refugee to free woman.

Despite the compelling premise, the novel falls short in its delivery.. Characters like Queen Louella, King William, and King Robert lack the depth and complexity necessary to successfully deliver an emotional punch. None of the characters feel authentic nor does their journey. Ms. Miller gives scant insight into the lives or community of Happy Landers so it is difficult to connect to their story. The dialogue feels contrived and weighed down by Southern religious rhetoric. While some readers may appreciate the novel’s heavy reliance on Christianity as a guiding faith, others may become bored with the repetition and constant refrains about God’s Will.

The heart of the story lies in Louella's unwavering belief in the Kingdom of the Happy Land as a sanctuary where the ‘happy landers” dreams of dignity and purpose can flourish. However, Miller's portrayal of the journey from bondage to freedom lacks the emotional impact necessary to fully engage the reader.


RECOMMENDATION 2 Stars

AMERICAN QUEEN, is an interesting story but it is not well told. While the concept holds promise, the storytelling ultimately falls flat and fails to deliver a compelling narrative.
Thank you to Netgalley for access to this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Luella Montgomery, a former slave who, would often dream about a Happy Place, one where the residents live a cohesive life and concur any oncoming obstacles…TOGETHER. After dangerous situations arise, Luella and her husband William, lead a group of fifty on a journey to find such place. A year later, that number swelled to two hundred, and they embarked upon acres of land, located between North and South Carolina to fulfill that dream. Each person used their unique skills and abilities to make Luella's dream a reality. Crowned King and Queen, William and Luella ruled the kingdom fairly, and all appeared well, until jealousy reared its ugly head.

What I loved most about The American Queen is (1) it's based on a true story; (2)it's beautifully written; (3) it gives the readers a sense of pride; and (4) the author provided her resources, in order for readers to do their own research. My favorite character is Queen Luella and my least favorite is King Robert. You'll have to read the book to understand why.

Did I mention that this page-turner by @authorvanessamiller will tap on your emotions and leave you wanting more? Or, that it makes me think about one of my all time favorite books, Jubilee by Margaret Walker? I highly recommend this book, which has solidified a spot on my Best Books of 2024 List.

This is an important book. Before opening it, I had never heard of Louella Montgomery, an African American woman born into slavery in Mississippi, in the 1850s, and freed once slavery was abolished in 1865. The American Queen is a fictionalize story, based on what is known of Louella. Louella and her husband, Reverend William Montgomery have to leave Mississippi, as tensions grow following the recession and recovery of the Southern states after the Civil War. Together, they travel with other freed people through Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and finally to the South Carolina/North Carolina border, where they find a place to settle. During their journey their group grows from almost 40 to over 200 people. As they settle, they name their settlement, The Happy Land.

Louella is a force to be reckoned with. She faces hardship from the time she is born, to the time she passes, but with each tragedy, she continues to fight for human rights and women's rights. Ms. Miller's book ensures not only will Louella not be forgotten, but she will sit in an honored place in American history.

I received a complimentary copied of this book in both audio and ebook formats. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Both formats are a delight. Every time I started up the audio, I felt comforted and excited to hear about the next chapter in Louella's life.

This is a beautiful story to read about. It is very different from what I am used to reading, but I think it it so important to read about this time period and about this topic of slavery and the "freedom" that came after. I have so much respect for those who have been through this, and it is honestly beautiful to read about how strong they are to find and protect their real freedom.

Simply beautiful!

Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

Book Summary: In 1869 a kingdom rose in the South. And Louella was its queen. Over the twenty-four years she’s been enslaved on the Montgomery Plantation, Louella learned to feel one 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 out of their 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. Transformative and breathtakingly honest, The American Queen shares the unsung true history of a kingdom built as a refuge for the courageous people who dared to dream of a different way of life.

This book is based on the incredibly true story of former slaves coming together after the Civil War to create a community in North and South Carolina. This book follows the life of Louella Montgomery, a former slave desperate to leave the Montgomery plantation. In the area, there are many former slaves working as sharecroppers for their former slave owners. However, when the former owners cheated them out of their wages and land, a group of former slaves banded together and traveled to their new home in the Carolinas. Through a lot of hard work and with the assistance of a friendly face, the group was able to purchase acres of land for themselves. They pooled their resources and called their community “The Kingdom of the Happy Land” with the motto “All for one, and one for all”. Under the leadership of Louella and William (her husband), the group thrives and they later name William and Louella Montgomery King and Queen of Happy Land.

I loved this book. It is well researched, as referenced in the Author’s Note, and full of so much interesting information regarding this period in our history. The book delivers on the promise that with every turn of the page, readers would be transported back in time. Louella, the main character, shows growth as time progresses, moving from a life a powerless young woman consumed by hate to that of a matriarch filled with hope for her people. It is a story of perseverance, despite the hardships that were presented to former slaves. This is excellent historical fiction and I highly recommended it.

Thanks to NetGalley, Vanessa Miller, and Thomas Nelson for providing a complimentary copy of this book in hopes that I will leave my unbiased review. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and the above review is simply my opinion of the book.

Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5

This is a great start if you want to read about strong women during Women’s History Month.

When we think of the monarchy, we don’t associate it with America, but perhaps we should. Based on a true story, we learn about a monarchy that’s never talked about in any history lesson. This story teaches us a valuable lesson: hope. Queen Louella is strong and smart; you immediately feel her struggle from the first page. Miller paints this story with so much amazing imagery that you feel like you’re there with Queen Louella and her husband Reverend William.

I felt a range of emotions reading this book. I felt Louella’s hate and grief… William’s hope for many things: Louella’s heart and a better tomorrow, to name a few. But most importantly, I felt the urge to learn more. Louella evolves into the queen she is, and it is inspiring. I felt like I knew her personally like she was my ancestor.

We get to see former enslaved people have the dignity and respect that they deserve. This is a story that’s going to stick with me for a long time.

I love this book it was a history lesson/ motivation wrapped in one. Reading Louella story was a breath fresh air on how she and William lead their people to the happy land to build a new future.

What an amazing, tragic, nonetheless inspirational story of Louella, who was taken from her family as a young child and brought to work on the Montgomery Plantation. Louellia's heart was always racing to get away. However, William Louellia’s husband, desired to be obedient to his master. But when Abraham Lincoln emancipated the slaves, it was a game changer for everyone. Their master’s didn’t have to feed or clothe them anymore. All they had was promised wages for working the land. They were frequently unpaid by the master’s for months at a time. Where could they live? Their situation was worse now that they were free. It didn’t seem right.


Revolution struck. Slaves escaped the plantations. They needed to find a place where they could call home, support their families and live free. Then they came to North Carolina their promised land. It was hard work to build what they refer to as Happy Land. (which was based on a real place),

This story reminded me of when Pharaoh released the Israelites, then went after them to bring them back. I was engrossed in this compelling story as I read about their struggles and achievements, in Happy Land. It’s truly a gripping, page-turner. The author's debut historical fiction. It’s a must-read. I hope the author continues to write historical novels. If you haven’t read a book by this author, I highly recommend this one. It would be a wonderful pick for your book club. There is so much to discuss.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

This is an important story to be told. Slavery. Freedom. Reconstruction. The Happy Land.
There are a lot of people in this book so keep up. The first half of the book had movement the second half slowed down almost too much. This book is a story of history. A story of a time that a lot of people want to erase. A story that gives you a a glimpse into the lives of people who only want one thing. A story of two brothers who had very different lives. A story of a Queen.
I read this with some judgement and criticism because I am a fan of the historical genre and my favorite time period is slavery and reconstruction and I felt like this story was lacking key ingredients, however Kay gave me some insight about the author and her work and I was able to get some clarity on why the author left out those ingredients and used others. So I’m giving back the star I removed in the second half.
Read this story if you want to know more about the only Queen to rule in America. Read this story if you tend to shy away from historicals because of the trauma. Read this story if you want history that you will not learn about in school.

I had the pleasure of reading Vanessa Miller's latest novel for netgalley. So here is my honest review: it was interestingand engrossing while it was educational!

Though born a slave, Louella becomes Queen of a land that they call "Happy Land." Without giving too much away, this is the story of former slaves during the era of reconstruction. It was loosely base on a true story,

I don't normally read historical fiction set in the south during or after slavery, however this novel was enticing from the first page.

What I love about Vanessa Miller's novels is that they have a definite sense of place. She does this so well. She also provides a map to people of how to chose love over hate and joy over sorrow.

If you enjoyed Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen: A Novel Book by Sarah Bird, you will LOVE this book.

Wow, Wow, Wow!!!! I just finished an amazing historical fiction titled, The American Queen by Vanessa Miller, and I have experienced a range of emotions.

This book is based on true events, about Louella and William Montgomery-formerly enslaved people, left Mississippi to find a place away from William’s biological father (slave owner) plantation that would allow them to truly be free and live happy.

This book is rich with history of several families plight to escape lynchings, deaths, and living the life of slaves though slavery had ended 😳. Louella and William found a place that they called “The Kingdom of the Happy Land” where they ruled and led the people thru a communal and family concept. Trying to find a place to call home when there were still white men that refused to regard them as free, made their journey tumultuous, and scary. But having faith, knowing God, gave them the grit to journey on.
Reading this book upset me10 times over as I was reminded how Blacks were treated as slaves and after. This book also brought me so much joy as I learned about the first recorded Queen in America who was a Black woman. I loved the use of herbs for medicine (bcuz that’s my flex), and totally enjoyed the consistent evidence of faith, they relying of scripture (another flex). The author did a tremendous job with researching and retelling the documented story about these people, and creating space in literature for such a heartwrenching breathtaking story.

This is a must read!!!! This is most definitely 5-star book. Vanessa Miller did a fantastic job with this one.

Thank you NetGalley, Vanessa Miller, and Harpers Collins Christian Publishing - Thomas Nelson Imprint for providing me an ARC, ALC copies of this book for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The American Queen by Vanessa Miller is a historical fiction novel about Louella Bobo Montogomery, queen of the Kingdom of the Happy Land, a kingdom made by and for formerly enslaved people right on the Carolina border. When the Civil War is over and things still aren’t getting better, Louella and her husband, William, leave with their family and many others to head to a land that they can claim for themselves. With references to God, Christianity, the historical realities of America during the Civil War, and emotional depth from Louella and William’s POVs, this book is both heartbreaking and hopeful.

Like many, I had no idea the Kingdom of the Happy Land existed or that Louella and William were real people. Vanessa Miller goes into depth in the author’s notes of what she expanded upon through logic and what is historical fact. I love it when authors do this because it gives starting resources for readers to look into to learn more themselves.

What I truly loved about the novel itself was just how front and center Louella’s feelings were and how we saw her change how she handled situations through her experiences and growing older, but her feelings remained. There are triumphs on the page at various points, which only makes the heartbreaking moments all the more gut wrenching.

Content warning for depictions of pregnancy, giving birth, still births, lynching, and mentions of sexual assault and whipping

I would recommend this to readers looking for historical fiction taking place after the Civil War, readers who like character-driven plots in historical fiction, and fans of Vanessa Miller.

This work of historical fiction is based on such a wonderfully heartwarming and true story, the like of which I've never heard of in my life, but I'm thrilled to have been able to read about it in this touching narrative. However, the former enslavement of the black people in America is never an easy subject to read about, yet the brutality wielded at the hands of wicked men and women was the reality of so many. It was tough to read of it.

The book details a journey not unlike Moses and the children of Israel's 40 year trek in the wilderness and headed towards their Promised Land. The heartbreak, yet the victory and happiness despite the odds against resilient people was characterized by Queen Louella and King William as they left the Mississippi area and headed towards South and North Carolina to make a Kingdom of Happiness, or Happy Land for their own people, was truly amazing.

Another reality check that even though the American Civil War was won by those who "freed the slaves," the slaves were hard put to be free indeed. So the outcome of the Happy Landers was indeed moving and I found myself cheering them on till the end.

I like that there was talk of relationship with God, trusting or not trusting Him, forgiveness and enduring faith, and other related topics and issues.

There are discussion questions at book's end that will enable a sincere reader to ponder more fully on these times and issues that still haunt and raise their ugly heads today.

I feel that author Vanessa Miller has pieced all the bits and pieces together in a very satisfactory manner. All-in-all, an amazing story and I'm so glad she shared it with the world.

A 5-Star rating from me.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

February 2024

Disclaimer: "I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

OMG! I've never heard of this and I can't believe, we are not taught about this in history (although, should I really be shocked?). The watch the rise of the Happylanders Kingdom, gave me such pride, and the tenacity that Queen Louella had to live beyond her means of slavery was amazing. I would highly recommend this book to any and everyone to read! Don't walk, but run to read this!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author and publisher and for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Unfortunately I had to DNF this book at 25%, I'm struggling to get into the story and don't like some of the characters. I think this could be a right book wrong time situation.

As a star rating is necessary I'm going to go with 3 stars.

This story brings to light another Black woman in history that I knew little about! The setting is 1869 in the south and tells a story of what “freedom”after slavery looked like. After leaving the Montgomery Plantation Louella and her husband, Reverend Williams lead their community to a new land to build their own community of which they are appointed Queen and King. Although they carry the trauma and scars of slavery, they are strengthened and guided by their faith.
I loved their strong partnership as they face loss, grief, and setbacks together.
This is an empowering story of community and a woman’s tenacity and courage to fight for her vision. 4.5

Well written historical fiction. The story is not one that a lot of people have heard, and its very interesting! I think the author did a great job of describing how things might have been in Happy Land. I don't feel like she made the story drag on, but just kept a good pace. I enjoyed this story. Its not all fun and happy times but it makes me want to learn more about the whole thing!!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance e-copy! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.