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.

Thank you Netgalley for the gifted copy, this was a great book! An emotional rollercoaster. I highly recommend this amazing book

📚Book Review 📚
Title: The American Queen 🇺🇸👑
Author: Vanessa Miller
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As I immerse myself in the captivating world of "The American Queen" by Vanessa Miller, I am transported to a realm where history unfolds in the most enthralling manner. As I read this book I found myself captivated by the story and literally visualizing the setting. This historical fiction masterpiece is a beacon of enlightenment, especially fitting for Black History Month.
At its heart, the narrative revolves around the remarkable Queen Louella, a beacon of strength and resilience, whose story pulsates with significance and poignancy. Miller masterfully weaves together the tapestry of Queen Louella’s life, the Kingdom of Happy land at the same time illuminating the narrative of Black royalty on American soil which is unknown to many.
This enchanting tale of the people of Happy Land is a revelation. It sheds light on the years post slavery where newly free black people are trying to determine their next steps. This chapter of history is too often relegated to the shadows. Through meticulous research, Miller brings their struggles, triumphs, and untold stories to life, inviting readers to bear witness to their journey.
"The American Queen" is not merely a book; it's a testament to the resilience of the Black race. As I turn the final page, I am left with a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity to embark on this unforgettable literary journey. The author includes closing notes and acknowledgements that inspire you to continue on the quest to gain a deeper understanding of Queen Louella and The Kingdom of Happy land.
Thank you Thomas-Nelson publishers for providing me this Advanced Reader Copy!!

Courtesy of Thomas Nelson Fiction and Netgalley, I received the ARC of The American Queen by Vanessa Miller. This well researched historical novel starts in 1865 on a Mississippi plantation where "freed"slaves are still subjected to oppression. Louella married Rev. William Montgomery and convinced him to walk north, leading friends and relatives on their nearly two year journey to the North/South Carolina border, where they settled and create a faith based socialist community. Designated King and Queen of the Kingdom of the Happy Land, they demonstrated resilience and dignity. What a perfect book for Black History Month!

4 Stars! Thank you, to the publisher, for this eARC via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion!

The story touches on history, hardship, redemption, and hope at the center all under a historical lens. We come to learn the story of the American Queen and a kingdom not commonly known of. It is a very thought-provoking piece and I liked how the author wove in aspects of her Christian faith. I really enjoyed getting to know Louella and her story, and I also appreciated the uniqueness of the storyline. The novel was also well-written. Cannot recommend this enough, and I will be taking a look at Vanessa Miller’s other works.


I would definitely recommend it to those who enjoy historical and Christian fiction.

I received this advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Although I was interested in reading this novel and learning from it, I found the story less engaging and the protagonist hard to identify with. It seemed her emotional reactions and vulnerability weren't really available to the reader and this made it difficult to enjoy.

I am a historical girlie, and trust, every one I have read has been hitting, including this one. This was such a great book. Although not much is known about the actual area, the author has given us such a vivid story that was so well written. I really loved reading about most of the Characters, and Queen Louella's Journey. There were many things I was surprised about as I was reading the story. I was so happy to read this book and black authors showing us our history that is constantly being challenged and erased. I was captivated from beginning to and and It took me on such an emotional ride.

The story of Louella Montgomery, also known as the American Queen, is based on a true story. The narrative weaves through her life, highlighting her fierce aversion to Oak trees - a symbol of pain and loss that she associated with them. This aversion became the driving force behind her vision for a place she fondly referred to as 'Happy Land,' a place of hope and growth.

This compelling saga, set in the tumultuous period following the Civil War, provides a lens into the life of Louella Bobo Montgomery. Life for Louella was a series of trials and tribulations, marked by considerable suffering and sacrifice. However, the narrative is far from gloomy. Instead, it becomes a beacon of hope, illuminating the remarkable resilience and unyielding spirit of this woman. Readers will find themselves awed by her ability to make tough compromises and her unwavering determination to better the world around her.

With her husband William’s strong faith and Louella’s vision, they are crowned king and queen of Happy Land. The way the community ran and assisted the people to grow, and flourish is indeed something to be celebrated. There are nuggets of wisdom to grab from their reign, demonstrating the power of collective effort and a shared vision.

This is an exceptionally penned story by Vanessa Miller. She deserves kudos for her ability to narrate such a complex and layered story in its uniqueness. This book is highly recommended as a must-read. It is a story that deserves to be read, shared, discussed, and celebrated. It offers a unique perspective into a period of our history that is often clouded by turmoil and strife, highlighting the unyielding spirit of humanity amidst adversity.

This book can be summed up in one word “phenomenal”. As a follower of this author I was looking forward to reading her newest book. When I discovered it was about a black queen on American soil I became quite intrigued. Having read the story of Queen Luella I can truly say this author did not disappoint. I found this book to be a complete page turner from start to finish. It was very obvious the author thoroughly researched this project. I completed this book in two days. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

I’m interested in hearing the audiobook to really see these characters come alive.

After being enslaved all of her life in the American South, Louella feels hate for the white race, the white overseer and white owners of her family and how her family has been devastated. Meeting William brings love into her life and her wish to lead her people to freedom is able to take on meaning. Finding joy in leading more than 500 people to the Happy Land and making their lives mean something, even surrounded by opposition, made her life a full one. Well written account of a real hero in times of great sorrow, recommended reading.

The American Queen is based on the true story of Queen Louella, the queen of the Happy Land people residing on the border of North and South Carolina. After hearing stories from her husband, William, about his mother and how her people lived in harmony back in the old country, Louella decides after the end of the Civil War to leave slavery on the Montgomery plantation and head out looking for their own promised land. This is a powerful story told over many decades of Louella, her life on the plantation, their journey out of Mississippi, and their joys and hardships creating and living in the Happy Land. I really enjoyed the author's note at the end and you can tell she spent a lot of time researching Louella and the Happy Land people. Once I got into this book, I couldn't put it down and kept wanting more. I highly recommend this historical fiction book.

Riveting and poignant are two words that immediately come to mind about this book. The author did a fantastic job of keeping the reader engaged while sharing a story that many will only come to learn about through this book. I learned so much from this book and it was told with boldness yet kindness. She managed to share the insufferable circumstances while highlighting the resiliency of our people. I appreciate the dedication to the research that the author must have had to tell this story. This is a book that I hope anyone will read to learn about the formerly enslaved people who despite all odds managed to create and thrive in Happy Land for a time.

Thank you Net Galley for this opportunity.

What an incredible book to illuminate an incredible part of history.

While it took me some time to get into the story, it was a quick, engaging and interesting read once I did. I appreciated the character Louella and her journey from slave to American queen. I also really liked the concept of the Happy Land and how everyone contributed to the development and care of others. I sometimes felt like it read more like a history textbook and less like a novel, which is why I deducted one star.

I also was really intrigued by how Louella was disrespected at times by her male peers, which added depth to the story and her arc and the reality Black women face. However, I expected it to be addressed a bit more on page and was left with questions when it wasn't.

Overall though, I really enjoyed and appreciated learning about this piece of incredible history and all the research that went into making this novel. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I had to wait to get the audio of this book because the ARC I received was so ill-formatted. I knew it was going to be a great read so I paused until I had a chance to finish it. I was set to laugh at American Royalty, then got to the end and the author's note and now it all makes sense. This is such a great work set in a rarely written about time between the end of enslavement and the beginning of the Civil Rights movement- the struggle of Sharecropping and facing discrimination, then hitting the road for a new life. This seemed to pass pretty quickly-- well written with great pacing. Now I want to read every book she mentions in the Afterword.

A mesmerizing piece of historicql.fixtion that draws you in from the first page. Luella is an intriguing, spirited, and passionate woman. This is one not to be missed.

I loved that this book was based on a true story and that story needed to be told. It is an intriguing look into the minds and hearts of those who were enslaved and how they came with Queen Louella to build a new community. It is a story that will stay with me a long time. Louella was an extraordinary woman and became strong for others.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was an interesting story and I am grateful to have learned about this part of American history. The only complaint I really have is that the story does not have a historical fiction feel to it. The characters -- their attitudes, their mannerisms, their vanacular...it all feels so modern and a bit immature.