Everything familiar to Eliza has been ripped away. Even worse, the cruel deed was done by her own hands.
Nassau, Bahamas, 1791…
Eliza Sharpe, recently wed to a mysterious and brooding soldier, departs for the West Indies with him to begin their new life. Once there, she realizes their marital arrangement is ill-fated and that she has made a disastrous choice. Charles, the man she finds herself bound to, is nothing short of a monster.
On their very first night in New Providence, her innocence is irrevocably shattered. The walls of her new home hide a dark family secret, and Eliza realizes that the freedom she sought within marriage is a worse cage than the constraints she faced before.
Eliza struggles with her new existence, her exposure to Charles’ explosive temper, the brutality of slavery, and her isolation as she tries to grow accustomed to life on distant shores. The only source of comfort she finds is swimming in the startlingly clear ocean, an activity Charles expressly forbids.
As she attempts to flee her deteriorating situation, an unexpected encounter with a beguiling stranger named Jean offers a promise of escape. Despite the dark rumors that swirl around her recent acquaintance and his mysterious past, he captures Eliza’s interest, and ultimately, her heart―with deadly consequences.
On an island where nothing is as it appears, Eliza is confronted with the harsh realities of living on the fringe of empire, of womanhood, and the overt corruption that festers in the governor’s mansion on the hill. Will she ever be able to secure her freedom―and possibly even find redemption in love?
What did I think?
Wow! What a fantastic book this is! Strange Eden in the first book in the Strange Eden series and it has more than whetted my appetite to continue the story. No review I write will do it justice so if you only read this far make sure to click the purchase link below as you definitely won't regret it.
I knew I was going to like Eliza from the start as she is a book lover and I am smiling just thinking of how much she values her books; I have to say that I would have done exactly the same in her position. The character that didn't endear themselves to me was her new husband Charles. Charles and Eliza set sail to the Caribbean to start their new married life and, without giving anything away, it's not as idyllic as she hoped.
Oh if only I could have reached into the book, I would have been arrested for literary homicide as Charles is abhorrent. Eliza is stronger than the realises though and she has a good moral compass which is why she struggles with the slavery on the island. The class divide is shocking and disturbing as people are treated like possessions and of course where there is power there is treachery so Eliza may be fighting a battle she can never win.
Strange Eden is a relatively chunky book at 517 pages but I could have read more (and indeed I will as I'll be reading book two very soon). Gina Giordano's writing is vivid and evocative as her beautiful words paint a colourful picture of the island and the characters.
Atmospheric, captivating and moving, Strange Eden is an enthralling saga that swept me away to an island that is certainly not paradise. It's an impressive debut novel and a fantastic start to what I'm sure will be a compelling series. Unputdownable and unmissable - an easy five stars and a very highly recommended read.
I received a gifted paperback for the Zooloos Book Tours blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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About the author:
Gina Giordano always had an insatiable curiosity and a penchant for history. Born in New York City, she is a writer, artist, and a conjurer of the past. She holds a BA in history and a master’s degree in historical fiction from New York University, and has traveled to over sixty-five countries across the globe. When she is not climbing ancient ruins or exploring forgotten palaces, she enjoys swimming with sharks in remote pristine waters. Her debut novel, Strange Eden, was longlisted for the 2023 Bath Novel Award.
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