Fascinating historical fiction set from slave times in Martinique to present day Canada. The characters are well explored and will stay with you, especially Abeje and Adunbi and their close relationship.

A multigenerational family saga. There where a lot of characters to keep track of. The book is fascinating and kept my attention. The plot was well thought out and I'll look for more by this author.

This was very insightful for I feel like I learned so much about topics and parts of history that don't get explored enough though literature.
We get a very wide arrangement of characters, and great perspective from a black point of view on issues and parts of history that are not openly disused as they should.
each new generation's perspective really carried the story well, and the the struggles and tribulations they each faced like coming's to terms with war, racism, discrimination, sexual preferences, loss and learning who they are as individuals was so great. It was the book that kept on giving, and I was more and more excited to read each new perspective.
This is one of the most unique books I have read in the genera and I am excited to dip into more of these sort of books.
if you want a powerful and impactful read with lots of raw emotion and makes you think about being a human in general then go check this book out and give it a try.

Abeje’s story was so magical, and it reminded me a bit of Isabel Allende’s “Island Beneath the Sea”. But then we jump from 18th century Martinique to 1960’s US and the next story was so different that it threw me off. It didn’t help that my kindle wouldn't show the Family Tree.

Guillaume’s story was very interesting. And Eleanor’s struggle with the orchestra reminded me a bit of Amy Harmon’s “The Songbook of Benny Lament”.

I think I would’ve given this book a better rating if the family history were arranged in chronological order. Or if only the stories of Abeje, Hetty, Guillaume, and Eleanor were developed, because their stories were so powerful.

House of Rougeaux
What a beautifully written multigenerational family saga. Before I say anything else, I want to say how gorgeous the cover of this book is. It’s what drew me in to take a closer look at the book itself. The vibrant green and the leaves in my mind I believed to be representative of the healing power of the plants and the luscious green of the island of Martinique. Just stunning.

This story captivated me from the beginning. It begins on the Caribbean island of Martinique in 1785 with a brother (Adunbi) and sister (Abeja) born into slavery on a sugarcane plantation. Abeja has the ability to heal and see spirits. Adunbi has a natural ability to communicate with the animal life. The severe difficulties and unjustness they face is clear but we also see the bonds, care and sense of community that keep them going during the most difficult of circumstances. The story follows Adunbi’s daughter Hetty through to Montreal where she meets Dax Rougeaux. Chronologically we move back and forth through the years meeting various offspring of the Rougeaux family. It takes us on journeys from Martinique, Philadelphia, Montreal, New York, Toronto and more. There are several interesting issues that we have insight into such as the draft, racism, homosexuality, unwanted pregnancy. I loved that music was passed through the generations as was the ability for certain family members to inherit the ability to see and heal.

I finished the book last night and woke up thinking so much about the characters and their lives, the family bonds and their situations this morning. This was such a moving novel. I enjoyed reading it immensely.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for providing me with an ARC of the House of Rougeaux in exchange for my honest review.