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A review by anarchasemiyah
The Davenports by Krystal Marquis
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Bridgerton meets Princess Diaries in this novel set in 1910 in Chicago with the Davenports, a successful black family, as the focal point. Krystal Marquis takes on multiple POVs and subplots in an attempt to give black characters a different storyline than what was the reality for most during this time period.
I appreciate how the author had some of the Davenport siblings acknowledge their privilege since often when black people and money mix, classism and respectably politics are byproducts. Despite Marquis attempt to have some of the characters be conscious of this, it seemed to counterct at a pivotal point in the book when their father, Mr.Davenport (a formerly escaped slave) made it clear they wanted better for one of their children in regards to who they marry. I understand the conflict and intent here, but I think due to the last half of the book feeling rushed and the parents’s reasoning for why they needed to shape their kids lives a certain way not fully explored, it didn’t translate well on page.
Along with the abruptness nearing the book’s climax and finale, not every character seemed to be as fully fleshed out as Olivia Davenport and Washingon Dewight. Where Helen, Amy Rose, and Ruby’s storylines seemed to lack in genuine conflict or purpose, love triangles or break-up-to-make-up arcs seemed to be the default. Personally, I would’ve have loved if the entire book focused solely on Olivia since it seemed to be the plot the author took the most time to develop. I wouldn’t be surprised if this storyline is the one the author wrote first actually. Olivia and Mr.Dewight felt the most three dimensional out of all the characters, where the others seemed very plain on page.
This was still an enjoyable debut, but the hiccups were obvious. The best way to consume this book is as if you are watching a reality tv show for entertainment. Unfortunately for me the few historical inaccuracies and admirable attempt to control the narrative about classism or the black bourgeoisie fell flat and needed fine tuning. If you’re looking for a relatively light read and don’t mind angst, this may be the one for you. The Davenports gives you the Bridgerton fix you need except with black characters and their black love interests as the focus.
I appreciate how the author had some of the Davenport siblings acknowledge their privilege since often when black people and money mix, classism and respectably politics are byproducts. Despite Marquis attempt to have some of the characters be conscious of this, it seemed to counterct at a pivotal point in the book when their father, Mr.Davenport (a formerly escaped slave) made it clear they wanted better for one of their children in regards to who they marry. I understand the conflict and intent here, but I think due to the last half of the book feeling rushed and the parents’s reasoning for why they needed to shape their kids lives a certain way not fully explored, it didn’t translate well on page.
Along with the abruptness nearing the book’s climax and finale, not every character seemed to be as fully fleshed out as Olivia Davenport and Washingon Dewight. Where Helen, Amy Rose, and Ruby’s storylines seemed to lack in genuine conflict or purpose, love triangles or break-up-to-make-up arcs seemed to be the default. Personally, I would’ve have loved if the entire book focused solely on Olivia since it seemed to be the plot the author took the most time to develop. I wouldn’t be surprised if this storyline is the one the author wrote first actually. Olivia and Mr.Dewight felt the most three dimensional out of all the characters, where the others seemed very plain on page.
This was still an enjoyable debut, but the hiccups were obvious. The best way to consume this book is as if you are watching a reality tv show for entertainment. Unfortunately for me the few historical inaccuracies and admirable attempt to control the narrative about classism or the black bourgeoisie fell flat and needed fine tuning. If you’re looking for a relatively light read and don’t mind angst, this may be the one for you. The Davenports gives you the Bridgerton fix you need except with black characters and their black love interests as the focus.