I have had this book on my waitlist for a really long time. I think when I first put it on the waitlist, I was told it would be a six-month wait. Oh my. The book is The Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen by Sarah Bird.
I liked the book. It was very good. I always love stories where the characters fight for what they want even though things can seem overwhelming. It gives me the inspiration to fight for what I want in life too. This book came with an afterword by the author. To my surprise, this was loosely based on the life of a real live woman who was a former slave yet fought as a buffalo soldier. I liked the story but wasn’t keen on the liberties that the author took with the true-life story. It happens. It’s okay but hearing the author’s words made me almost second guess the story. It’s like being told there is no Santa and then suddenly questioning if there is an Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy. The story was really good though…and I’m glad I got to learn there was such a brave and honorable woman as Cathy Williams.
Here is what Amazon had to say:
“The compelling, hidden story of Cathy Williams, a former slave and the only woman to ever serve with the legendary Buffalo Soldiers.
“Here’s the first thing you need to know about Miss Cathy Williams: I am the daughter of a daughter of a queen and my mama never let me forget it.”
Though born into bondage on a “miserable tobacco farm” in Little Dixie, Missouri, Cathy Williams was never allowed to consider herself a slave. According to her mother, she was a captive, destined by her noble warrior blood to escape the enemy. Her chance at freedom presents itself with the arrival of Union general Phillip Henry “Smash ‘em Up” Sheridan, the outcast of West Point who takes the rawboned, prideful young woman into service. At war’s end, having tasted freedom, Cathy refuses to return to servitude and makes the monumental decision to disguise herself as a man and join the Army’s legendary Buffalo Soldiers.
Alone now in the ultimate man’s world, Cathy must fight not only for her survival and freedom, but she also vows to never give up on finding her mother, her little sister, and the love of the only man strong enough to win her heart. Inspired by the stunning, true story of Private Williams, this American heroine comes to vivid life in a sweeping and magnificent tale about one woman’s fight for freedom, respect, and independence.”
Amazon readers give the book 4.4 stars. I would agree.
You can find the book HERE on Amazon.