LOVE & WAR

As the American Revolution comes to an end, Alexander Hamilton and his bride, Eliza, forge a new life in their fledgling country.

This sequel to Alex and Eliza (2017) focuses on the young couple through the early period of their marriage during the latter stages of the Revolutionary War. As Hamilton helps the war reach a successful conclusion, Eliza remains in the bosom of the Schuyler family, tending to her mother, who is enduring her latest pregnancy, counseling her older sister, Angelica, as she expects her first child, and soothing her younger sister Peggy through problems with her desired suitor. The next phase of their lives involves a move to New York City, where Hamilton begins his law practice and frets about the state of the country. We see them cope with Hamilton’s burning ambition (Aaron Burr appears in situations that highlight their rivalry) and Eliza’s efforts to find her own place. Challenges for women in this period are well-depicted and add to the heart of the story. The characterizations of Eliza as a clever and supportive wife and Alexander as a young husband whose drive often clouds his judgment contribute to the pull of the narrative, as does the blend of historical facts with plausible invented narrative.

The popularity of the first in this series means a ready audience for this lively volume. (Historical fiction. 12-adult)