Sister Mother Warrior, Vanessa Riley
Sister Mother Warrior, Vanessa Riley
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Sister Mother Warrior
A Novel

Author: Vanessa Riley

Narrator: Adjoa Andoh, Robin Miles

Unabridged: 18 hr 50 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperAudio

Published: 07/12/2022

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

Acclaimed author of Island Queen Vanessa Riley brings readers a vivid, sweeping novel of the Haitian Revolution based on the true-life stories of two extraordinary women: the first Empress of Haiti, Marie-Claire Bonheur, and Gran Toya, a West African-born warrior who helped lead the rebellion that drove out the French and freed the enslaved people of Haiti. 
Gran Toya: Born in West Africa, Abdaraya Toya was one of the legendary minos—women called “Dahomeyan Amazons” by the Europeans—who were specially chosen female warriors consecrated to the King of Dahomey. Betrayed by an enemy, kidnapped, and sold into slavery, Toya wound up in the French colony of Saint Domingue, where she became a force to be reckoned with on its sugar plantations: a healer and an authority figure among the enslaved. Among the motherless children she helped raise was a man who would become the revolutionary Jean-Jacques Dessalines. When the enslaved people rose up, Toya, ever the warrior, was at the forefront of the rebellion that changed the course of history.Marie-Claire: A free woman of color, Marie-Claire Bonheur was raised in an air of privilege and security because of her wealthy white grandfather. With a passion for charitable work, she grew up looking for ways to help those oppressed by a society steeped in racial and economic injustices. Falling in love with Jean-Jacques Dessalines, an enslaved man, was never the plan, yet their paths continued to cross and intertwine, and despite a marriage of convenience to a Frenchman, she and Dessalines had several children.When war breaks out on Saint Domingue, pitting the French, Spanish, and enslaved people against one another in turn, Marie-Claire and Toya finally meet, and despite their deep differences, they both play pivotal roles in the revolution that will eventually lead to full independence for Haiti and its people.Both an emotionally palpable love story and a detail-rich historical novel, Sister Mother Warrior tells the often-overlooked history of the most successful Black uprising in history. Riley celebrates the tremendous courage and resilience of the revolutionaries, and the formidable strength and intelligence of Toya, Marie-Claire, and the countless other women who fought for freedom. Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

About Vanessa Riley

In addition to being a novelist, Vanessa Riley holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Stanford University and both a BS and MS in mechanical engineering from Penn State. She currently juggles mothering an architect, baking her Trinidadian grandmother’s desserts, hugging her retired military husband, and speaking at women’s and STEM events. You can often find her writing from the comfort of her Georgia porch, tea or latte in hand.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Crystal on August 20, 2022

A fight for freedom An intriguing tale for the freedom of Haiti. Stolen free people, enslaved and tormented and the trials and battles the people had to endure. The legacy of the warrior of the tribe of Minos. A chosen respected woman who endured and came back to inspire and win the long fought battle......more

Goodreads review by Kate | KatesBookNook on June 14, 2022

I received the Advance Reader's Edition of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway from the publisher. Sister Mother Warrior releases July 12, 2022. What I liked: The concept of this book was good! I personally knew nothing about the Haitian Revolution prior to reading this book and I love with histori......more

Goodreads review by Octavia on January 07, 2023

"But we are darkness and light. We are not the same. Never will be the same."......more

Goodreads review by Alexandra on May 28, 2022

This is a beautiful story with characters who are deep, flawed, and loving. I loved learning more about the time and place (Haiti and it’s revolutionary era) and the descriptions of place, people, and circumstance were all spectacular. It is on the longer side and life required me to take a break fr......more

Goodreads review by Latoya (jamaicangirlreads) on January 26, 2025

4.75 stars!!!! I've had the book for 3 years! 3 years I sat on what I'm sure will be one of my favorite books this year! This story was amazing! So much history, so much community, so much pain, so much hurt, so much unconditional love and A WHOLE LOT of forgiveness! The fight for freedom always com......more