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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Witches of East End and The Descendants comes the love story of young Alexander Hamilton and Eliza Schuyler.
1777. Albany, New York.
As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families, and even prouder still of their three daughters—Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival that of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball.
Still, she can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.
In the pages of Alex and Eliza, #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz brings to life the romance of young Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler.
Rating: 2 Stars
Admittedly, what drew me to this book was the fact that I am a very big fan of the Hamilton musical. As I was reading this sample, I had the song “A Winter’s Ball” playing in my head. With that in mind, I wonder if I was perhaps looking forward to this a bit too much and had a few too many expectations for it.
The few chapters that we are treated to in this sample switch between two points of few: that of Elizabeth Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton. Elizabeth’s chapter were enjoyable because they demonstrated what kind of strength she had, even as a young woman who was still very much under the thumb of her parents. There were some interactions with the other siblings of the Schuyler family, who I didn’t know existed, that also showed her maternal instinct and alluded to the kind of character she’ll become when she has her own family, plus in the future when she founds the Orphan Asylum Society.
Alexander’s chapters, oddly enough, were very much the opposite in terms of interest. I found that his were rather dry and felt as though I were reading an old history book, whereas when I read the ones from Eliza’s perspective I felt entrenched in her times and her life. Considering his reputation as a great writer and speaker, I would have expected more care to be taken with his portrayal.
I don’t think that this is a book that I will want to purchase, as the chapters that I did read did not excite me. There was simply nothing there that persuaded me to want to preorder the book or dash out the first week to buy a copy for myself. I may borrow it from the library, but it won’t be with any haste that I pursue the conclusion of this version of Alexander and Eliza’s story.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Hermit Librarian 