This book was beautifully written, complex, and had an amazing depth. It pulls on so many themes while setting a gay romance set during the brutality of slavery. The book examines how the relationship between Samuel and Isaiah develops and affects the lives of the both the slaves and slave owners.  

One place this work of historical fiction excels is drawing direct paralells to current times. It examines issues of race, class, religion, power, and economics, in a way that you can see in modern society and how the same cycles are plaguing us today. With the romance connecting all facets of the story, it examines how acts of love can be revolutionary, and how far people will go to protect their own interests. The book utilizes books of the bible to relate to each chapter.

The characters, both slaves and slave owners have distinct personalities, which create a rich viewpoint in the way that dehumanizing systems ruin humanity and how power over others corrupts even those who believe they have good intentions.

Typically I offer a pros and cons list, but I couldn't do that. This book was like nothing I read before, and I think I'll definitely read it again to fully get everything I can from it. As someone who typically dislikes historical fiction, this was a 5 star read that I'll definitely recommend.