I skimmed my way through this because it didn't draw me into the story. I have no plans to try another of Ms. Cook's books. ( )

Okay its taken me about a year to get through this book and the only reason why I kept trying and trying and trying to finish was because I had to submit a review or get penalized by the ER program.

This book is set in 1844 and chronicles the life of newly weds Jenny Mobley and Charles King, her husband, as they settle into his home at the Trevalyan plantation. Their marriage is blessed with a daughter, Camille, and the couple remain happily married. But their happiness is marred by the unfolding of the civil war. Many notable historical characters of that time period are mentioned and seem to have some sort of place in the story. But even their presence cannot save this book from itself. I felt like the focus shifted way too much from the main couple that I never connected with them.

This book was awfully boring and lacked any real depth or focus. The characters and their exploits did little to interest me and though Jenny and Charles were not unlikable characters, they had precious little to add to the story . And the black slaves on the plantation? Oh, they all loved their masters and were loyal a la Gone with the wind. I knew there would be trouble when I read in one of the beginning scenes a description of the two slave boys running after the carriage with the sunlight gleaning off their black faces. Oy vey.

I did not at all enjoy this book and I cannot imagine recommending it to anyone. ( )

I like historical fiction, but this book was rather dull and formulaic. I never finished it, because it never captured my attention. The writing is not engaging at al. I was disappointed, because usually I like this type of book.

Having just finished reading Sunrise by Ms. Cook I thought I knew what to expect. Whereas Sunrise is very much a family saga based, as it is, around the marriage of Anne Tracy and William Johnston, their family and friends The Gates of Trevalyan is centered much more on the political dealings of the civil war. The characters of Jenny Mobley and Charles King and their plantation house, Trevalyan, are fictional. Their story provides the backbone around which Ms. Cook weaves the history of the civil war. It provides a glimpse into the daily lives of those effected by this war but at times it tends to get too lost among the more prominent players of the day.

I felt this was really story of power and conflict. The personal and professional struggles among such historical figures such as Alexander Stephens, Robert Toombs and Joshua Hill, along with Confederate States of America President Jefferson Davis and U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. Military figures such as General William Tecumseh Sherman, Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. This book is rich in the historical details and political strategies that molded these united states. You live the day-to-day strife that tore a nation apart at the seams. That divided, and shattered, families along deep seeded beliefs and political lines. Yet through it all we were strong enough to come back together.

The character I most loved in this book was Alexander Stephens. I didn't realize what an extraordinary life he lived and lead. While he was never to find true love within a marriage his accomplishments are many and varied. He is to be admired and respected for his love of country, whether or not your agree with his politics.

While I enjoyed Sunrise for the family story I enjoyed The Gates of Trevalyan for the history. ( )

I appreciated being chosen to receive this book, because I am a great fan of Civil War period fiction. Despite my best efforts, I could not stay interested enough to continue reading after the first chapter.The writing seemed disjointed and elementary. ( )