This story is historical fiction and based on the life of the lead character of the novel, Adebimpe, also called Antoinette Marianne du Marche, also called Ady Mockingbird. The book is written by Ady's ancestor, her great, to the power of eight, grandchild. I usually enjoy historical fiction because of the truth of the story from history. However, this book didn't captivate me. While Ady sounds like an interesting person, I didn't like this author's writing style. At times, I was struggling to follow what character the author was talking about. For example, Ady's master was often referred to as just "he" (not by name), which threw me for a while. After Ady's mother died, the book takes a different approach with du Marche. He allowed Ady more freedom to go to town and to be educated. The change was so sudden and unexplained. I appreciated the friendships Ady makes with Lenore, Alabama, and others. The book just seemed disjointed to me at times. I gave it 3 stars because I liked the story but didn't like the way it was written, so it didn't get a higher score.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Thanks to the publisher, One World, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House, and the author for the privilege to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

An inspiring read about a hard time in history. Some triggers but a really good and uplifting story if you can get past them.

As with all of Maurice Carlos Ruffin's work, I loved The American Daughters and the vivid, complex, and nuanced world he created within.

Enslaved Women’s Resistance in New Orleans

Set in the vibrant yet oppressive world of antebellum New Orleans, "The American Daughters tells the compelling story of Ady, a young enslaved girl with a sharp wit and an indomitable spirit, and her fierce mother, Sanite. The novel traces their journey from enslavement to involvement in a clandestine society of female spies known as The Daughters, who are committed to undermining the Confederacy. Alongside her friend Lenore, Ady navigates the perilous landscape of espionage and dreams of freedom and a better future.

The American Daughters is a powerful historical novel that combines rich character development with a gripping plot. Maurice Carlos Ruffin's evocative prose and focus on the bonds between women of colour elevate the narrative, making it a standout in the genre. The novel’s strengths lie in its vivid setting, well-crafted characters, and the emotional depth it brings to the story of resistance and hope. While some may find the subject matter intense, it is a testament to Ruffin's skill that he handles it with such care and sensitivity. "The American Daughters" is a must-read for those interested in historical fiction that sheds light on lesser-known aspects of history while celebrating the resilience of the human spirit.

What an inspiring historical fiction. Ady and her mother Sanite are enslaved physically but not mentally. Both are strong willed women who although are recaptured into slavery after an escape attempt, they continue to live mentally free. When Ady loses her mother she finds a new family in Lenore, a free woman who owns an inn and the people who work there. Ady sneaks away to work at the Mockingbird and finds her way into Lenore’s secret women of spies. This story is about strength, resilience and hope. The only thing I had an issue with is the aspect of the excerpts in the future. I think it could have been incorporated better. Overall the writing was good and the plot moved at a decent pace.

A moving coming-of-age set in pre-Civil War New Orleans. This was a side of chattel slavery that I hadn't seen before. I loved the framing for the story, through the lens of the written record carried forward into historical record. Ady is a heroine to root for.

This book is AMAZING historical fiction!!! Maurice Ruffing KNOWS how to write female characters and other male writers should take note! The story of these women is unlike anything that I have ever read. I felt like I was right there in the middle of New Orleans with them for every twist and turn of their journey. These women are soft, intelligent, and they are fighters!! If you have not read this book, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do so immediately.

I live in New Orleans and I thought I was pretty well versed on its history but I guess it’s not a surprise that I hadn’t heard of the American Daughters. I will be screaming about this book from the rooftops and can’t wait to share the story of the Daughters with my fellow locals.
Maurice has such a special way with words. I felt so deeply about their story and the characters had so much depth. I will definitely be returning to Maurice’s work and can’t wait to read his backlist!

2.5 rounded up to 3 because of the unique perspective on slavery during the American Civil War
Teenaged Ady and her mother Sanite are enslaved to a businessman in the French Quarter of New Orleans. When the pair tries to escape and are recaptured, they face a unique challenge. Ady's life is further disrupted when she loses her mom. But she soon discovers the Mockingbird Inn where she meets Lenore, a free Black woman, and is invited to join a clandestine society of spies called the Daughters. Can Ady persevere and find her freedom and true love too?
I like Ady's characters. She's witty, smart and resourceful.
The literary strategy of inserting the modern-day storyline at various intervals disrputed the book's flow and didn't enhance the book.
I did not like the ending. But it did make me rethink the entire novel.
The author repeats "slave labor camp also called a plantation" throughout the novel, and that becomes repetitive.

In this fascinating historical fiction novel, Ruffin brings readers to antebellum New Orleans where a group of Black women run a secret resistance movement called the Daughters that seeks to fight for local and individual freedom. Readers follow Ady and her mother Sanite, both of whom are enslaved by a businessman in New Orleans’ French Quarter and dream of taking part in their family’s history of rebellion. After their forced separation, Ady joins the Daughters with the hope of freeing and reuniting with her mother, and doing so will require all the hope and courage that Sanite has taught her. The characters are, of course, the star of this novel, and readers will be on the edge of their seats following Ady’s life and adventures in antebellum New Orleans. This unique historical fiction novel spotlights a forgotten part of Black and women’s history in the pre-Civil War era of New Orleans history, and it does an incredible job creating this moment for readers who may not be familiar with it. By using historical fiction to bring these forgotten women and the Daughters organization to life, Ruffin makes this topic and these women incredibly accessible and approachable, bringing their story to a new audience.

This Civil War-era novel about an underground network of Black women spies called The Daughters drew me in immediately and didn't let go! A compelling blend of cinematic historical fiction, love story, and spy intrigue based on little-known but very real history.

The Underground Railroad will be in the back your mind when you are reading story. Similar to story of people who were running the railroads to get people from south to north, this was the story of women who were fighting the Confederates. It mainly revolved around a young girl named Ady.

Ady did not understand the brutality of the slavery when she was with her mom. She thought people were cruel, but it was who they were. Her mother was there to protect her. Until Ady and her mom were separated... Once she was on her own and grew up enough to understand how she was treated differently, she was shattered. That was when The American Daughters found her. Ady became part of the people who thought they could solve the problem once and for all

I liked the bits and pieces from dairies and transcripts sprinkled into the story. Especially the last chapter included another layer of narration for a second made we question whether it was acknowledgements or another chapter. If you are interested in strong women who were ready to change the world, you'll like this one

Everyone should read this book. Maurice bridges a story about the dynamics of a mother and daughter relationship through a story that will stick with us for years to come.

So let me preface this review by saying, Historical Fiction is very far from my normal genre of choice. However, I cannot say enough good things about The American Daughters. This story was raw, emotional, upsetting because of it highlighting one of the darkest moments of our Country’s history, but also inspiring!

The writing was so fluid and captivating. The characters were diverse, endearing, and easy to get attached to. I found myself watching the story unfold like a play or tv show. Highly recommend to lovers of the genre, time period, or anyone looking to widen their reading preferences.

Coming of age stories don't typically move this slow... I was expecting to see the *American Daughters* before 2/3 of the way in.

Evocative historical novel of a black woman whose courage and perseverance remains with us long after one finishes reading. A woman for all seasons. A definite recommend

"The American Daughters" by Maurice Carlos Ruffin was an interesting, captivating story of a girl, trying to escape, and then become part of the fight against slavery. A powerful historical fiction, depicting a strong young woman, making the best of her horrific circumstances, her heartbreaks, evil surroundings, finding Allys and triumphs. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the review copy, all opinions are my own.

A really interesting, somewhat fantastical, historical read.

I thought there would be more involved with the Daughters, but Ady's story is certainly interesting. There is a lot to take in, in this story - some of it was unbelieveable but the story was fast moving and kept me reading.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. We meet Ady as an enslaved girl who is close to her mother, Sanite. Things go awry for the pair, and Ady finds herself with her enslaver in New Orleans. Given an unusual amount of free time there, she befriends a wealthy free Creole woman and joins a group of women who are covertly undermining the Confederacy. Contrary to the title of the book, this is more a coming-of-age story for Ady and not so much suspense and intrigue of the American Daughters. Maybe I'm thick, but I was thrown off by the Epilogue, having ignored the bits of foreshadowing that periodically appeared between chapters. To me, this aspect of the book was unnecessary. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I reluctantly started this novel this morning and even more reluctantly finished it this afternoon. The story line takes place in New Orleans in the period just preceding the Civil War. It is the story of a young slave who is brought there with her mother to be sold. Both were purchased by the same man who kept his wife and family at their plantation and the two slaves at his home in New Orleans. But basically it is the story of the young girl and her contribution to history. There are also chapters that discuss the rest of the book in retrospect. It is remarkable. Thanks to Net Galley and Random House for an ARC for an honest review.