This is a story about a girl named Lily, who was born to a slave and sold to be a slave. But her life was not meant for slavery only. She is a girl born with perfect pitch and this came to the notice of her childhood love who broke all societal rules and norms to bring her gift in front of the world. This book deals with many issues like slavery, societal discrimination on base of skin colour, people's own psychological demons and the inherent goodness that lies in some of the human beings. This is a long and deep read. So, readers who like to experience intense emotions from their books and who do not get lost in length. I found this book good but extra long. I received an ARC of this book for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

The subject of slavery is always a hard read for me so to read this book took an emotional toll on me . Lily and young slave taken from her mom at ten years old was so heartbreaking to read , but she learns the things she needs to do to survive. Lily finds a deep friendship with the slave masters son James ,their friendships last until they are teenagers then Lily is left alone again for the second time in her life. When James re enters her life for the second time , he has a plan and that is what this book is about . As I read this book i found the script a little over the top , I'm not sure if I buy slave owners sympathizing with a slaves suffering , The author writes well so I will read the second book to find how this journey ends . I received a copy of this book for an honest review.

A book I found myself enjoying more than I expected to. It's definitely worth the read.

A very powerful story, and if it doesn't bring tears to your eyes at least once, I'll be shocked. A must read!!!

This story was so wonderful on so many levels. I instantly fell in love with Lily and James even though he deserved a thump on the head many times. I loved William and the fact that his wife was Black. I cant wait to hear more from the author

Anguish, being ripped/separated from your child and your mother, especially by your father! This is the beginning of Lily's story! Then, sold to Jesse, a ruthless master. Lonely and afraid, Lily is slowly befriended by Jesse's youngest son, James. Yet, she appears to face betrayal more then once...
Gripping, page turning American historical romance. Covers a period of American slavery and stated rules and enforcements for slaves in certain states. The story itself is compelling and interesting, especially Lily's musical ability. I'm not fond of cliff hangers, but can't wait to read the next book in the series. 4 1/2 stars.
Voluntarily read ARC, thru Netgalley and publisher, for honest review.

In my country the last time slavery was legal the Romans still ruled. So American slavery is something I know only from reading "Uncle Tom's cabin" as a schoolgirl. In this novel The Prodigy Slave it comes as a shock that even when a white master would be sympathetic to his slaves even he would be more or less powerless against the system: a child born out of a slave would be a slave, marrying a free negro would turn that one back into a slave and punish also the white husband, free negroes were not allowed to own land hand out medicine and not only the slave but also the master was punished when the slave were given an education. A complete hopeless existence!

Lily is the daughter of a black slave and her white master but her father feels no love for his child and sells her at a young age. Her new owner and his eldest sons are cruel men but the lady of the house and the youngest son are better persons. The child Lily and the youngest son even develop a close friendship as children but things change for the worse when they turn 16. All she has left is her music. Playing it in secret on the piano in the living room.

At first the story is told from Lily's point of view but later it reverts back to what that son was thinking or doing. And this happens a couple of times more in the story. That makes the pace of storytelling sometimes extremely slow - even too slow - but it makes us feel the tension and insecurity of the people involved.

It seems the story is drawn out over several novels. This is not a stand alone one. I would advice the writer to bundle her novels into one book. The story is too gripping to damage by cliff hangers.

I wonder how historically correct the story is. It is a romance story after all although I think it surpasses that level of storytelling because it is that good. However when I read that James is bedding girls while at university my mind thinks "in the 19th century women did not study and the only women who did run the risk to sleep around were whores as a pregnancy would destroy a woman's reputation."

I found it poorly written and full of anachronisms.

Just a awesome interesting story on slavery.
The history,the angst that they live through,the want of being a person and the love for someone that wasn't possible.
She was a negro and a slave who was still a smart beautiful person who thaught herself to play the piano at a very earlier age,by ear..
There was always a connection between James and Lily.
Really had by full attention to the end

The premise of this book broke my heart.The heroine of this tale, Lily, is a slave who knows nothing but hard work, punishment, insults and she yearns for nothing but 'freedom'. She has what's called 'the perfect pitch,' because she has to listen to anyone play a song once on the piano and she can play it better.
Playing the piano helps her release her fears and agony but when she stands from that bench she's still go to say 'masta,' and it broke my heart reading this and the bits of acts that the author shared each chapter regarding slaves in America and rules concerning ownership and treatment of slaves.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and I am glad the author chose to write about such a book, but more so about the bravery and will to do right by the few who took it upon themselves to do so.

How could a book with evocatively lovely writing, such a promising premise and characters, great historical detail and emotional depth go so wrong? I’ll tell you. Nearly every meaty dramatic moment is immediately bisected by the character immediately and at great length describing who, what, and where both he and she know each other from the past and other characters, ad infinitum. Pages and pages of exposition, when all the reader wants to do is experience the story as it plays out, not be told of past events that disrupt the flow of the narrative. My disappointment is big on this one—all the elements were there to make a great, unforgettable story, destroyed by pages and pages of back story instead of scenes.

An AMAZING book that kept my attention riveted throughout starting with the first chapter. An interracial romance when this was totally not allowed by law. Lily captured my attention and heart and I was totally in her corner. Hers is truly a fairy tale romance a rags to richer story. A brilliant master of the piano that she taught herself to play as a way to overcome her sadness and loneliness after being ripped from her mother's arms at ten years old. This book is full of masterfully told historical richness of slave history and the deceit that can come from putting your trust in the wrong person. The plot was amazingly woven with the current story time taking place to the back story of the childhood times of Lily and James. Superbly written but something that happened at the very end made me feel as though my heart was ripped from my chest and stomped on. Oh the total betrayal. I am having a hard time accepting it! Why did you have to end it that way,Londyn Skye? I need to read part two right now!
Pub Date 01 Jan 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

A very moving and touching historical romance set in a very touchie time period and situation

This was a great historical romance. This story goes from the trials of a young boy who became best friends with a young slave girl on his father's plantation and jumps to the time period when the young man comes home from college and finds his former best friend playing the piano. From there the story is full of trials and triumphs and love and romance. It is captivating and also historically factual—outlining the great difficulties and harsh treatment of the slaves in that time period. I loved this story and appreciate the wonderful writing style of this author. I am greatly looking forward to the next book in this series. (I was given a copy of this book for my honest review, but would have gladly paid to read it!)

I typically don't read books like this, but I thought I broaden my horizons, so to speak. Even though this book is fictional, the author did such a good job that it really made you feel what the characters were going through, and the challenges faced for slaves. I also was a bit uncomfortable to read the book, but found the information such as the "Slave Codes" interesting