Review of Columbus, Slave Trader
-
Kutloano Makhuvhela
- In It Together VIP
- Posts: 528
- Joined: 28 Aug 2023, 07:39
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 105
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kutloano-makhuvhela.html
- Latest Review: Tears and blood betrayal by V.S raven
Review of Columbus, Slave Trader
[Following is a volunteer review of "Columbus, Slave Trader" by Marcus Wilson.]
Christopher Columbus is the world’s most famous explorer. His journeys west and the discoveries he made along the way made his name famous from the 15th century to now. But when most people talk about him, they mostly talk about his contact with the Americas. Nothing much is said about his first contacts, especially with the small islands. So if you want to know more, then this book, Columbus, Slave Trader by Marcus Wilson might just be for you.
The book opens with the grand fleet of Christopher Columbus arriving at an island in early December 1493. Arriving with his fleet is a native by the name of Guarocuya. Guarocuya has been in Spain for a year. How he went there is a story of its own. What matters is that when he arrived there, he was treated with respect. Queen Isabella welcomed him. Not only that, but she also baptised him and gave him the new Christian name of Enriquillo. Guarocuya has learnt a lot about the Spanish civilisation and cannot wait to share it with his fellow Tainos.
When Guarocuya arrives, things are tense because there has been a kind of rebellion between the natives and the Spaniards, which left the latter dead. So Guarocuya has to proceed with caution so he doesn’t get captured by the Spaniards as a form of revenge, while at the same time keeping his fellow people safe. He does this by trying to advise his people not to be hasty in attacking the Spaniards. But emotions are high. Both sides don’t trust each other. Guarocuya is in the middle of it, and soon he will be forced to choose a side. Will he? Isn’t there a compromise between the exploring grand fleet of Christopher Columbus and the island’s natives? How will Guarocuya make his decision?
This was really a refreshing read. I got to read about the other side of the famous historical figure, which is mostly overlooked. This historical book, which has been described as realistic, is exactly that. It stays true to its period. As a reader, I felt everything that happened there to be real. The author made sure that characters stayed true to that period’s speech, behaviour, and other characteristics. Nothing felt out of place.
As soon as the book opened, it opened with action that grabbed my attention. I wanted to find out what would happen next, and the only way I could do that was by flipping the page. The descriptions were as vivid as ever. I was inside the action. I was there with the seasick men. This was because of the vivid descriptions. The writing was of a higher standard because everything was flowing. The sentences, although filled with a lot of disrupters, flowed. I got used to that style of writing, and everything was fine.
The characters were well developed. Many characters from different backgrounds appeared. The author made sure that everyone had a role to play, so there would not be a character who would take up space without a reason. The first-person POV accompanied by the present tense made the book come alive. I was more invested in the story. As the book’s title suggests, slave trades were happening, and the people of Guarocuya were rebelling against them. Meaning the author did exquisite research about the slavery of those people so the book could be as realistic as ever.
The dialogue was the thing that impressed me the most. It was rich and made perfect world-building. The narration wasn’t the only feat that described the times. The dialogue played a huge role in maintaining balance so the reader could discover information about the characters as the story progressed. What impressed me most was that the book wasn’t long for a historical novel. Meaning the author was concise and included important scenes. The author didn’t try to focus on every event that happened during that period. The story was grounded.
There is nothing I disliked about the book because it reached my expectations and even exceeded them. The errors I saw were few and minor, so they didn’t degrade the quality of the book. The conclusion was one aspect I didn’t see coming, especially the epilogue. It felt like watching a mid-credit scene in the cinema that wrapped up the whole story properly.
With all I have said above, I rate this book five out of five stars. I would strongly recommend it to readers who are interested in historical novels, especially those featuring real historical figures. If Christopher Columbus is the figure that fascinates you, you should give this book a go. Late teenagers and adults would make a suitable audience for it.
******
Columbus, Slave Trader
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Christopher Columbus is the world’s most famous explorer. His journeys west and the discoveries he made along the way made his name famous from the 15th century to now. But when most people talk about him, they mostly talk about his contact with the Americas. Nothing much is said about his first contacts, especially with the small islands. So if you want to know more, then this book, Columbus, Slave Trader by Marcus Wilson might just be for you.
The book opens with the grand fleet of Christopher Columbus arriving at an island in early December 1493. Arriving with his fleet is a native by the name of Guarocuya. Guarocuya has been in Spain for a year. How he went there is a story of its own. What matters is that when he arrived there, he was treated with respect. Queen Isabella welcomed him. Not only that, but she also baptised him and gave him the new Christian name of Enriquillo. Guarocuya has learnt a lot about the Spanish civilisation and cannot wait to share it with his fellow Tainos.
When Guarocuya arrives, things are tense because there has been a kind of rebellion between the natives and the Spaniards, which left the latter dead. So Guarocuya has to proceed with caution so he doesn’t get captured by the Spaniards as a form of revenge, while at the same time keeping his fellow people safe. He does this by trying to advise his people not to be hasty in attacking the Spaniards. But emotions are high. Both sides don’t trust each other. Guarocuya is in the middle of it, and soon he will be forced to choose a side. Will he? Isn’t there a compromise between the exploring grand fleet of Christopher Columbus and the island’s natives? How will Guarocuya make his decision?
This was really a refreshing read. I got to read about the other side of the famous historical figure, which is mostly overlooked. This historical book, which has been described as realistic, is exactly that. It stays true to its period. As a reader, I felt everything that happened there to be real. The author made sure that characters stayed true to that period’s speech, behaviour, and other characteristics. Nothing felt out of place.
As soon as the book opened, it opened with action that grabbed my attention. I wanted to find out what would happen next, and the only way I could do that was by flipping the page. The descriptions were as vivid as ever. I was inside the action. I was there with the seasick men. This was because of the vivid descriptions. The writing was of a higher standard because everything was flowing. The sentences, although filled with a lot of disrupters, flowed. I got used to that style of writing, and everything was fine.
The characters were well developed. Many characters from different backgrounds appeared. The author made sure that everyone had a role to play, so there would not be a character who would take up space without a reason. The first-person POV accompanied by the present tense made the book come alive. I was more invested in the story. As the book’s title suggests, slave trades were happening, and the people of Guarocuya were rebelling against them. Meaning the author did exquisite research about the slavery of those people so the book could be as realistic as ever.
The dialogue was the thing that impressed me the most. It was rich and made perfect world-building. The narration wasn’t the only feat that described the times. The dialogue played a huge role in maintaining balance so the reader could discover information about the characters as the story progressed. What impressed me most was that the book wasn’t long for a historical novel. Meaning the author was concise and included important scenes. The author didn’t try to focus on every event that happened during that period. The story was grounded.
There is nothing I disliked about the book because it reached my expectations and even exceeded them. The errors I saw were few and minor, so they didn’t degrade the quality of the book. The conclusion was one aspect I didn’t see coming, especially the epilogue. It felt like watching a mid-credit scene in the cinema that wrapped up the whole story properly.
With all I have said above, I rate this book five out of five stars. I would strongly recommend it to readers who are interested in historical novels, especially those featuring real historical figures. If Christopher Columbus is the figure that fascinates you, you should give this book a go. Late teenagers and adults would make a suitable audience for it.
******
Columbus, Slave Trader
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
‘When you do a good deed, people are grateful, and that creates a nice feeling inside you; and then because it feels good, that makes you want to do more good deeds. That repetition is the cycle of goodness.’
~Hogoromo.
~Hogoromo.
Latest Review: Tears and blood betrayal by V.S raven
-
Priya Murugesan
- In It Together VIP
- Posts: 1979
- Joined: 27 Jan 2020, 01:51
- Currently Reading: Minimum Wage Millionaire (Version 1, released July 28th 2025)
- Bookshelf Size: 111
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-priya-murugesan.html
- Latest Review: Harold and Lewey by Bela Feketekuty
Your review really piqued my interest! I love vivid descriptions and well-developed characters. This sounds like an exciting read. A very good review!
In a world where you can be anything, be kind 
Latest Review: Harold and Lewey by Bela Feketekuty
