Book Review for Island Queen by Vanessa Riley
Full review for this title can be found at: @fyebooks on Instagram!

Wow, I cannot wait for everyone to have access to this book. It is an epic story based on the real life of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas. A woman born into slavery who is able to buy her freedom and that of her family. She then builds several businesses and becomes one of the most wealthy women in the Caribbean. It is a story of injustice but also of strength and dreams. It is also about family and the lengths a mother and grandmother will go to so her children and grandchildren will have what she did not. The men in this story are well meaning but oh so good for nothing. Well not nothing but really Dorothy was the driving force in her success and Riley makes sure we know it. Riley's research is always superb but here she has really outdone herself and has written one of the most wonderful works of historical fiction that I have ever read.

What a beautiful story! I had no idea about Dorothy Kirwan Thomas prior to reading this book. I loved reading about her life and rise through the ranks of society. The book is a tad long but I enjoyed it! The writing was beautiful and well done. I cannot wait to talk about this story with fellow readers!

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow and Custom House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.