I must admit, I am a huge fan of historical fiction. Combining elements of strong characters, romance, history and strong storytelling, the genre produces some of my very favorite reads. But I must admit, I've been feeling a bit burned out on my favorite style lately. Many authors seem to be following a formula for their characters and plots, and perhaps not putting quite as much research as they should into the time period of their novel. So, when I picked up In Liberty's Wake: A Novel of British America, the first novel by debut author Alexandra Norland, I must admit it was with some degree of nervousness. But I am happy to report that I had nothing to worry about. Author Norland has provided her readers with a simply wonderful read, and one that had me obsessively turning the pages from the start. Following the story of the Alden family, and especially Arabella Alden, during the time before and during the American Revolution, the reader will find themselves completely engrossed in the lives of this privileged family as well as the slaves in their employ. Proud of their allegiance to the British crown, much is soon to change for the Alden family, and In Liberty's Wake takes its readers on this intriguing journey with them.

I loved this book. Loved. It. I'm not sure how else to describe my feelings regarding author Alexandra Norland's fantastic debut work. I finished the book days ago, having read it all in one sitting, and still find myself thinking about the characters, the setting and the situations. Any reader who enjoys historical fiction should pick this book up as soon as they can, and should certainly plan to set aside enough time to read the entire thing. They simply will not want to put it down. I will be avidly watching to see if Alexandra Norland releases a new book in the future, and I certainly hope that she does. This extremely exciting new author is one everyone should watch!

In Liberty's Wake: A Novel of British America by Alexandra Norland is a fictional historical novel set in the period of American independence from the British in the 1700s. In Liberty's Wake revolves around the life of Arabella Alden and her family, and the people surrounding them. British by birth, Arabella’s family is settled in Williamsburg, Virginia, just as colonial settlement is getting stronger and achieving an independent hold on American soil. Born into affluence with plantations and slaves on hand, Arabella has seen it all, including the Revolutionary War and the new wave of change that came with it. One thing that remained the same though is slavery and, as such, characters like Cordelia and Cuffy add depth and realism to the story. What happens with the Alden family during this turbulent era of history forms the gist of the novel and, along with the in-depth character portrayals, as we get a glimpse into what life may have been like then for both blacks and whites.

In Liberty's Wake: A Novel of British America by Alexandra Norland is a meticulously researched novel, although some readers may find it to be a bit lengthy. However, this is a treat for anyone who enjoys historical era fiction. The writing is fluid and rich, and indeed fits the theme of the novel. I found the characters to be well drawn, and I especially liked the way Cuffy was portrayed. Arabella herself comes across as a strong, central figure, though not the only one in the novel. Reading this book does feel like being transported into a different era and the credit goes to Alexandra for that. All in all, I enjoyed In Liberty's Wake: A Novel of British America by Alexandra Norland.