Another review for a book I read in July. This one is for Love & War by Melissa de la Cruz, the second book in the Alex & Eliza trilogy, a young adult fictional trilogy about the relationship between Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler. This book takes up after their marriage and follows through the end of the Revolution and their early years living in New York City while he set up his law practice.
The book starts with the farewell party thrown by the Schuyler family for Alexander Hamilton in Albany before he returns to George Washington and the war. The three Schuyler men: Philip Schuyler (the Schuyler sisters' father), John Church (Angelica's husband), and Alexander Hamilton (Eliza's husband) are keeping secrets from the women: 1. that Alexander has put in for a promotion for his own command and has threatened to quit all together if that doesn't happen and 2. that John Church is supplying the revolution secretly through his British connections. At the house Eliza's mother, Catherine is laid up on bed rest anticipating the birth of her latest child and asks the young Mrs. Hamilton to host the party in her stead. During the party the Governor of New York, in an attempt to sow discord between the young married couple, informs Eliza of Alex's request for a command. The couple fights but makes up before he leaves for war again. During his absence, Eliza and Angelica help their mother through the birth of their youngest sister and while their father is gone on a visit to their other property defend their home and family against red coats looking for him, Eliza while holding the new baby in her arms. After the battle of Yorktown, Eliza and Alexander move to New York City to establish a home of their own as well as Alexander's law practice. While worrying about money, which is tight, the pair begin to establish their new home and after a visit from her sister Peggy and her high society husband the pair become the most sought after social couple. While Eliza is establishing their family as the social talk of the town, Alex takes the case of a revolutionary war widow who lost her property and her income after the death of her husband who was a British soldier. Alex argues the case in court against Aaron Burr and wins. The news reaches Eliza during a party she's throwing for her sister Angelica with the toast of New York society and their place in society and his law prowess is established for the world and setting the stage for their political and personal futures.
I enjoyed this book, the series is a light, fluffy take on a famous couple from the revolutionary period made famous by the musical. I know a lot of artistic license was taken by the author but it was still a very interesting and engaging story. I will probably read the last book in the series in the near future. I read this book from July 26th to July 28th and gave it a 4/5 stars.
Happy Reading!
Richelle and Emma
No comments:
Post a Comment