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Book Review - Alex & Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz (book #1 in the Alex & Eliza trilogy)


  • Pages: 368
  • Age suggestion: 13+
  • Genre: Young Adult Fiction; Historic, Romance
  • Published 4-11-2017, by Penguin Young Readers Group



Summary
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 those of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball.
     Still, Eliza 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(meaning: one who was born to parents that weren't married) 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.

Quotes from the Book

Suffice to say, love is not a business to be attended to haphazardly

A little education, Eliza reckoned, could sometimes be more dangerous than no education at all.

The Old World can learn much from the New, and must learn, or it will be left behind.

And at last, the lonely young man who belonged to no one finally belonged to someone, forever, and the practical girl who would not settle for less than a love story for the ages found the lifelong romance she had yearned for all her life.

Review

     This book brought out the history geek in me. I mean, yeah, Alexander Hamilton is one of the founding fathers of the United States, everyone in the U.S knows this (or at least should). He is someone that I never really paid that much attention to, save the conflict between him and Jefferson. But I really liked the closer look you get into both Alex and Eliza's lives. 
     I feel bad typing this, but I thought that this trilogy might be kind of boring or overdramatic, or both. I was sorely mistaken. It was surprisingly funny actually. This book is filled sarcasm and witty banter, the result of two very shrewd main characters. 
     Okay, so the person that is rarely discussed in history books whom, in this book, is given a spotlight: Elizabeth Schulyer. Did you know that she opened up the first orphanage in New York? I certainly didn't. She was known for being a woman of beyond her time and for being a little on the impulsive side. Cruz shows this side of her very well. It was very interesting to learn more about her life. Especially considering I didn't even know who she was!
     One thing I wasn't sure about this book, or any book concerning history, is that I wasn't really sure how the author was going to perceive the characters, that's a matter that can go really well, or really bad. Cruz did a really good job in creating the characters and in the history(but remember it is still young adult fiction). 
     The thing three things I loved the most about this story is (1) As you know from reading the synopsis (summary) this book is set during the American War for Independence. The book gives you a sense of patriotism. It reminds you of those who sacrificed themselves for something they believe in; for something they hoped would become more and something that would become better. (2) As I previously stated above, the majority of Americans have, at least, heard of Alexander Hamilton and they know that he had the all-American rags-to-riches past. The most surprising realization this book gave me was that Eliza had the name and the fortune, not him. I knew the story of his past, but in this perspective it really hit me. Typically, people think of him first and then learn who his wife was later on. I just think it's ironic that she was the one who had a status and came from a prestigious family, and, well, he didn't. (3) This book humanized these people. People always just skim over there lives in history books and go on to read about politics or economy (which they should history books aren't biographies).This book makes you remember these people were still people, just with different thoughts, clothes, opinions, and time. But people none the less. Plus, this love story is just sweet and funny. 
     I hoped this book review was useful. I highly recommend it. It is a worthy addition to the young adult fiction genre.  
     









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