I loved this novel. It is the best kind of historical fiction. It is based on what happened at the end of slavery when many women searched the Caribbean islands looking for their lost children. But, woven around this is the engaging, thought provoking, heart breaking, emotional story of Rachel and her family.

Rachel runs away from a plantation on Barbados. She is a strong, brave woman who is not afraid of hard work. She is described so well across the novel, that I felt I could visualise her. You see her as a strong, tall woman and then she shrinks to a more subservient woman when facing a white man of a certain kind. I found I was very quickly invested in the character of Rachel and was willing her on and hoping for a good outcome.

Gradually Rachel tracks down her lost children and their stories are revealed. Their outcomes are all quite different. I liked the way that spoken language gives a certain voice and character to the novel.

At the end of the novel the author explains her research and how she came about the idea for the book. I liked this and also the list of book club questions which comes next. This will be an amazing bookclub book - there is so much to talk about! I would start with the parentage of the children - that discussion alone could go on for a while I think.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this debut novel in exchange for an honest review. I am following the author now and will not hesitate to read anything else published by her.

This is a really good read. It picks up on a relatively unknown phenomenon that occurred once slavery was abolished in the British Empire. A former slave wanting to search for the children that have been snatched from them as they were seen as the property of the erstwhile owner. In telling the story, we get a glimpse of Caribbean life in c.1830 but more importantly we see the compelling love a mother has for her family. It drives her to the the limits of her capabilities in order to achieve the seemingly impossible. Of course, inherent in here is a condemnation of slavery and an insight into the oppressive cruelty still wielded even though slavery was abolished. This makes the book a really worthwhile read.

Wow! Stunning read, this will be one to watch.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this book in exchange for my review.

This book tells of a mother's desperate search to find her stolen children and her freedom. I liked the idea behind the novel and the execution of that idea was impressive. The writing style was simple and effective and the overall flow of the story felt very smooth. I read this book in one sitting. as I really wanted to get to the end to see how it was going to pan out!

This is a strong novel with an even more powerful woman as the lead character, a mum searching for her children. Despite past grief and on going tragedy, Rachel ploughs on, never wavering, never giving up. She is an example of motherhood and of how women have been fierce and determined for centuries despite prejudice and discrimination of the highest order. I felt humbled as I read this book and ashamed that I don't think I would have had the courage. As such it is not always an easy read. A mighty powerful book which deserves to be read throughout the western world.

What an extraordinary tale of fearlessness, passion, motherly love and hope. This book had me holding my breath at times. Rachel as the mother is always at the forefront of the story but the story still allows each character to be explored enough. Visual features is a running theme throughout the story and in some cases it's the very thing that leads Rachel's journey. However I did find the emphasis on certain characters beauty at the beginning of the story unnecessary. That being said I can't really fault the book. The flow of the story is as fast paced as the rivers and it had me hooked from the beginning. I would definitely recommend this book to any reader but especially those who like historical adventures.

River Sing Me is set in Barbados and follows Rachel’s efforts to find her children following the end of the slavery. Freedom is an elusive concept and much of the story is about Rachel’s struggle to define what freedom means to her. I absolutely loved this book and Eleanor Shearer’s lyrical prose kept me gripped as the story moved from Barbados to Demerara and Trinidad. In Eleanor’s letter to the reader she makes it clear that the story is more than just about the horrors of slavery and colonialism, it’s also about love. I completely agree and really resonated with Rachel’s determination to piece together her family.

“All her life, nothing had belonged to her, not even the children pushed out of her own body.”

I inwardly cheered the closer Rachel got to finding out what happened to her children and cried when her hopes where dashed in places. I also enjoyed how realistic the author was when describing Rachel’s relationship with her now adult children. As much as I wanted the fairy-tale, Rachel realises that her children, much like herself, have had to carve out spaces for themselves in the world.

Later in the book Rachel realises that “Memories cannot raise the dead.” I feel you could apply this sentiment to the book as a whole when Rachel realises that the family she had is gone which forces both her and children to re-define what family means to them after being torn apart for so long.

Rachel’s journey is aided by the thoughtfully-written Mama B, Hope, Nuno, Nobody, Elvira and her husband Mr Armstrong. We were able to get an insight into the lives of all of these characters which prompted Rachel’s to re-assess her past and her future decisions. Overall, this is a beautifully written debut and I can’t wait to read more of the author’s books in the future.

Haunting, beautiful, sad, moving, powerful and such a important piece of fiction I suspect this will win prizes when it is published, a book that will stay with you long after reading