To my knowledge, there are very few historical fiction novels that deal with this part of American history: the Black upper class, sometimes called the Black aristocracy or the Black Elite, that existed in the 19th century. Granted, changes in civil laws—the nullification of the Civil Rights Act of 1875, the legalization of segregation, and much more—would shift the flow of history for Black Americans.

But the Black Elite did exist, and I decided to read this young adult novel almost immediately after seeing the cover and skimming part of the blurb.

The opening stages of Essie's story have an atmospheric quality, and I was drawn in. I didn't remain that engrossed the whole time, however. I thought the story could have used more emotional flavors, including dashes of distinct humor, and a little something more to the relationships.

On the whole, the novel didn't quite strike the right balance between history and story for me. I do appreciate historical fiction that's steeped in its period, and this book has no lack of American history nuggets. Yet, in the midst of the many nuggets as well as all of the details on culture and style—the lists of real people, the lists of real books, the extended descriptions of fashion and furnishings and foods and whatnot—Victoria gets fairly lost as a character, as does the sense of a plot surrounding her. Through much of the novel's second half, the vignettes concerning Victoria the person seem to rush by with little in the way of emotional development or connection. Even with the introduction of Victoria's love interest in the fourth quarter, I didn't sense a real build of emotional chemistry between the couple, so I didn't connect with the romance.

Still, as Victoria's past eventually comes to meet her present, I'd say the novel does come back around to feeling more like a story again before the conclusion. And the history is yet valuable.

Anyone who reads this novel must be sure not to skip the Author's Note at the end. ( )

Literary Merit: Okay
Characterization: Good
Recommended: Maybe
Level: High School

I did really enjoy this book. It is a fascinating look at the Reconstruction era after the Civil War and African American lives during that time. There are some pacing issues though with the novel. In many places the plot feels abrupt and the ending feels rushed. Other places feel stretched out that could have taken less time to explain. The book goes through many dialect and language changes throughout the novel. This is one of the best parts of the book because it is gradual and you can see the author spent some time to make sure that the change happened organically. However, reluctant readers who struggle to read may be off put by this change in language.
This book would be a perfect companion to an American history class studying the time period. ( )

Well, Inventing Victoria is not exciting (it's mad dry and needs some lotion), but it is a good portrayal of some of the horrors/realities African-Americans experienced during the 1800s (blatant discrimination/racial attacks but new triumphs as well). We don't get too much insight into Essie's head, so this story is more plot-driven. Honestly, I don't know too much about Essie. Besides her circumstances and the shame she feels from her mother, and her love of drawing, what does Essie like or think about? If I connected more with Essie, maybe I would've enjoyed the journey more.

Anyway, in the story, Essie's mother is a prostitute in a brothel house(?) where the uncles "white men" make their nightly visits. Her mother sometimes copes with this by using alcohol to get through it. Now, the uncles pay well (most of the time), so Essie does enjoy the gifts until she learns how they were bought.

[Not a spoiler!; she dies on page 1] Jumping to the future, Essie's mother dies which gives Essie a glimmer of a new opportunity. She gets her own room now (no more sleeping in a closet) and a renewed desire to leave the past behind. Essie is bi-racial with light-skin. Despite wishing she was as far away from white as possible, her complexion/colorism works in her favor for going up the black elite ladder. She finds her fairy godmother in the lovely Ma Clara and Dorcas Vashon. Can we give a handclap to Ma Clara? YOU THE REAL MVP!

The journey to Essie becoming the high-class Victoria should have been more interesting. I was thoroughly bored and exhausted (just like you, Essie) with the many tasks/trials she had to endure. I really like the growth Essie had from simply wanting to become elite to wanting to give back to her community.

There's some last minute romance that actually, I promise, happens in a span of five pages. "Was this love?" I don't know, Essie you just met him. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
I thought they would tease the love interest a bit more and show us a glimpse of him earlier. It's okay though because that's not the primary focus.

On another note, it's a bit awkward when the characters meet Fredrick Douglass. I like to keep fictional characters separate from real people. I don't mind timely references, but I dislike historical figures in fiction stories. How am I supposed to know if they're in character? Haha.

Overall, this book is the perfect blend between Middle Grade and YA. The writing's simple but does not shy away from implications (racial, sexual, violent, etc). I recommend for older kids because I don't think it can keep most younger kids' interest. I loved Essie's mentors and the strained mother-daughter relationship. Aww, her mama had kept the broken pearl necklace ;__; ( )