Customer Reviews

Princess Sister

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

If you are fond of previous novels by Sheila Copeland, you will know that she has a distinct flair for the dramatic. In Copeland's third installment, Princess Sister, she continues on that path, providing a dazzling and entertaining tale chronicling the Chevalier family.

Vade' Chevalier is dubbed a Princess Sister because of her life as a spoiled Parisian and because of her African-American descent. Her parents, one of Haitian descent and the other of the Creole culture in New Orleans, have deep buried family secrets in America, which resurface upon their return to the States. Family bonds are stretched to the limit as secrets are exposed and the emotional wounds are opened as life in America drastically changes Vade's and her family's life forever. Vade' learns that she must fight for the things that she truly loves most and learn to accept the things that she cannot change.

Copeland did a great job creating a cast of colorful characters who provide much drama and entertainment. At times, it is almost like a soap opera as Copeland describes the scenes in Paris and the lively banter between the characters. Dialogue appearing in English and French was also a great asset to the story, which made it more realistic. The story's setting from New Orleans to Paris was very vivid and allowed me to picture in my mind the scenes and characters. In some parts, I do feel some aspects were overly descriptive, such as her constant material references to dresses from the Collections in Paris, silky black hair and green eyes, etc. Besides this complaint, the story stands on its own as a lively page-turner that left me wanting to know what was next to be discovered.

If you are looking for a novel that sparkles with spectacle, look no further than Princess Sister. Copeland has again left readers with a novel that is witty and also fascinating at how a black family makes a transition from Paris back to America.

Angelique
APOOO BookClub

STRONG POINTS: The fact that a black family was living in Paris, rich, and happy was a nice change. I loved Vade and Laurent's characters and dialogue. I thought the overall theme of love & family was great. J.P. was fun to read about as well as Vicente. WEAK POINTS: This book started off with 4 stars but as soon as Juliet appeared, it fell down to two and stayed there. Laurent & Juliet's whole scenario read like a corny fairy tale, was completely unrealistic, and the end seemed rushed. I was also annoyed with the CONSTANT use of the words "Princess Sister", "chicken", "perfect", and "exotic". Use a thesaurus PLEASE. Pop music with hip hop gear clash. And why would a man keep nail polish in his boxing shorts?

Ok, the book was alright but did Ms. Copeland do ANY research on what she was writng about? I live in New Orleans and her geography is all wrong. Also, she makes reference to Dillard University but spells it incorrectly. As a student I would like to point out that the college ( a top HBCU)is NOT spelled like the store. I couldnt focus on the plot because there were so many mistakes in the geography and spelling of streets, schools, and misc. other things. Grambling University is over an hour from the French Quarter but Ms. Copeland attempts to make it appear as though it is in New Orleans. Whoever was the editor for this book needs to be fired.

Vade' Chevalier definitely has it going on. Not only does she have an unusual name, she also has an exotic look with her long silky black hair, cocoa skin and her green eyes. She definitely turns heads wherever she goes. Living in Paris with her Haitian father, Creole mother and younger brother Laurent, Vade's life is what other little girls dream of. She shops at the most exquisite shops, takes art lessons at the Louvre and has dreams of being a famous interior designer in Paris.

Vade' has never been to America, but knows that she has family there. She does know that her mother's family turned their back on her mother the day she left for Paris. Vade' loves Paris and has no desire to visit America, but due to some financial problems revolving around her father's jazz club, the Chevalier's decide to relocate to New Orleans. The family has mixed emotions about the move, but have no idea what is in store for them once they arrive.

The once close knit family is shaken up by family secrets. Vade's brother Laurent is determined to become a famous singer and seduces sexy women along the way. Vade's parents, Desiree' and Pierre, have a very close loving relationship, but a secret from the past threatens to tear them apart. A big storm comes upon the family that once had everything. Can the Chevalier's stand the rain?

Princess Sister is a book that shows how family secrets can tear a family apart. It touches on racism, class issues, lies and deceit. This book will have you laughing and crying. Kudos to the author for a job well done...

I don't normally read this kind of book.

I'm a guy and my buddies saw me walking around holding "Princess Sister" in my hand and they dogged me out!

Yet, I had to give it a try since a good friend recommended that I read it, being a Haitian born Artist (painter).

Knowing the foundation of this book as romance, I did not think I would get very far with it, but I decided to throw away everything I've ever judged about romance novels and just enjoy the drama of this story.

I have to be honest that this book got me hooked and I could not put it down, I really felt close to this family, I could not wait to turn the page and find out what the characters would do or get into next, I got angry, happy, and sad about the many real issues I've seen growing up in Haiti and here in the U.S.

This story is timeless, and it shows here from the reviews I have read with so much ignorant hate for these characters, I think maybe it's because people lack the ability to understand a culture within a culture and the separation of the social classes from the poor to the elite that does truly exist in the Creole-African world.

Some opinions here are clearly formed without possessing adequate knowledge or experience of being a Creole (French-African).

I've heard of, "It's a Black Thang!" - As a reference to any cultural or social practice, behavior, or attitude unique to or stemming from the African American experience. Well I guess this book reflects, "It's a Creole Thang, you wouldn't understand..." It's also a HATE of SELF thing that most people of color should understand by now.

As a man born in Haiti and living here in the U.S. and a strong understanding of my people's connection with France, I can say that this story is both touching and very familiar, the author did a brilliant job keeping me on my toes with excitement and I felt right at home as a member of the Chevalier family.

I've seen and known these very same types of characters growing up and there is nothing unreal about the story.

Give this book a chance!

I learned a big lesson from this book and seeing the reviews here, when reading literature of any kind throw away your preconceived ideas about what the world is like and allow yourself a chance to experience the characters' world. I just wish this book was longer, I need more of this.

Naz

I don't think that these other reviewers and I read the same book because is one of the worst books that I have read in a looong time. I am a huge book lover and I finished this book only for the sake of the fact that I spent my money for it. If you really think you need to read it borrow it because this is one that no one will mind getting rid of. Her other two books were decent, I especially liked her first one(Those were pretty unrealistic also but better than this). This is just so unrealistic and happy go lucky that it is comical, even Walt Disney himself would have to laugh. A huge boring fairy tale, you'd be better off reading Cinderella. I am sorry but you will never see this one on the big screen. If you really need to read I am willing to part with mine because I will never read it again.

This book was so boring. There was no drama and the author kept repeating the same thing over and over again. And I was so sick and tired of hearing about how beautiful someone was because of how light they were. A truly terrible book.

This book began very slow and was hard to get into, but because of the previous books by Shelia Copeland I kept reading. It ended up being pretty interesting..Job well done again.

Pretty good book. In the beginning, I was a little worried, but once it got started, it was good.

this book was ok, it did mention to many times about eating "gumbo" as if that's all they make in new orleans. the ending was kind of rushed, no real piazzie. it was not weak, but it could of been better. the characters were full of life and i enjoyed Vade and JP. but other then that it was off. the editor of this book should of looked at it more closely. the dates confused me. one day it was christmas the next day it was christmas eve. it was ok, i would sugest the book to another person, just because of the characters but for nothing more. and who ever cried b/c of this book needs to seek help. it was not a tear jerker.