I thoroughly enjoyed book two in Janie DeVos's Glory Land trilogy. Setting is early 1900's Florida. People are discovering the area's beauty and schemes to drain wetlands, build railroads, and bring tourists abound. While other young ladies dream of marriage and fancy dresses, Eliza Harjo dons canvas pants and shirt to help her father aboard the family's boat. She's also an expert diver who helps when her father gets permission to explore ship wrecks. Her brother is a lighthouse tender who keeps moving from one area light house to another. So is Striker, a young boat builder, Eliza once thought was her "someone special," but ever since his parents died in a boat accident, he has been distant. So Eliza sets her sights on convincing the local Seminole leader that she should be able to teach the young people (including the girls) to read, write, and do arithmetic. I liked the historical details in this story, especially since my historical knowledge of Florida is quite limited. The book is told from Eliza's point of view and only hers. Since the last few books I've read had all had dual time settings, leading to multiple points of view, this simple one person telling made the book a fast and entertaining read. I received an ecopy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are mine.

Max and Eliza from "A Corner in Glory Land" move to the back burner in this historical fiction book set in the early days of Miami, Florida (early 1900's). In their place, stealing the spotlight, is their feisty and independent 19 year old daughter Eliza who is determined to make a difference in the world especially when it comes to trying to educate the children of the Seminole tribe who live near her home. She also finds time to help her father Max salvage ships who meet their fate along the dangerous Florida coastline. (Eliza's brother Dylan works at some of the lighthouses that try to prevent even more of these boat tragedies from occurring.) When a devastating hurricane touches the region, Eliza is thrust into an adventure to search for her loved ones that may have been in harm's way. During her journey to find them, she makes some alarming discoveries that have major impacts on the people in her life that she loves most.
I liked all of the historical details of early Florida life, especially of the Miami region, in this book. I had never imagined Miami in its early days. The difference from today's Miami is so shocking. I have always found the history of lighthouses to be fascinating and this book really highlights their importance in this part of the United States. I thought the author did a wonderful job of building suspense and giving details of the hurricane's destruction as Eliza searches for her family. I always like strong female characters and Eliza certainly is one. I love how she is willing to make sacrifices to educate the Seminole children and I found myself rooting for the romantic story line of this book to work out for her.
I quickly read Book One of this series before reading this book because I never like to read a series out of order. I feel like there are a few shared characters between the books but you don't need to read Book One first in order to read this book. "The Rising of Glory Land" could be read as a stand alone book since the events take place about 20 years after the events in "A Corner in Glory Land." However, I would certainly recommend reading both books in the series in order for a deeper understanding of the plot.
A big thanks to NetGalley and Kensington books for the ARC.

After the great freeze of 1894 that killed their citrus grove, the Harjo family resettles in Miami. Eve and Max along with their children Dylan and Eliza start a new life. Eve starts writing for The Miami Metropolis while Max salvages ships that have been wrecked along the reefs of the Atlantic shoreline or those who have succumbed to violent storms. Their son, Dylan, becomes a lighthouse keeper, moving from one lighthouse to another, wherever he is needed. But it is Eliza that is the focus of this novel, the feisty 19 year old with a mind of her own. While she also helps her father salvaging these wrecks, as a salvage diver, she has other plans of her own.

As we read about this fictional family, we also read about Miami. This novel is a portrayal of that city, rising from its roots as a swamp land to its development of becoming a major city. Set in the beginning of the 20th century, we read how Flagler brought the railroad down to Florida, how the Everglades were re-navigated and the property was bought, developed and the Seminoles eventually lost their land. It was a most interesting and enjoyable book, especially since I live near Miami and have learned a few new facts (other than Ponce de Leon looking for the fountain of youth...I'm looking for it too). I haven't read the first book, not knowing anything about it, but will be reading it now with my eye to the future looking forward to the last book in this trilogy.

My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Well written niche historical fiction and love story. DeVos has done a very nice job capturing Miami in the early days. Eve and Max both play roles in the development of the area- she by working at the newspaper and he in ship salvage. Their daughter Eliza, however, is the real focus of this novel. She's a woman ahead of her time in many ways- working in a dangerous business, trying to educate the Seminoles- but she's also got a big heart. Her love story - no spoilers- involves two men. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.