Debut novelist Troy spins a sprawling mid-nineteenth-century novel, tightly interweaving four separate narrative strands into a vivid tapestry of Civil War-era America. As the U.S. teeters on the brink of civil war, issues of immigration, slavery, and abolition vie for national attention. Young Ethan McOwen, a refuge from the Great Hunger makes his way to New York City, a bustling metropolis in which opportunity abounds, but young Irish lads are not always welcomed with open arms. Pampered Marcella Arroyo defies her family and social conventions to become an outspoken abolitionist. Slaves Micah and Mary pursue the ever-elusive goal of freedom and self-determination. As these four young lives intersect, their personal stories are played out against a backdrop of critical historical events. Troy does an adept job of imbuing each character with a distinctive voice and point-of-view, keeping the story line flowing while providing a panoramic overview of a significant juncture in history.--Flanagan, Margaret Copyright 2010 Booklist

In Troy's debut, the worlds of an Irish immigrant, a New York society girl, and two slaves collide via the fight against slavery and the Civil War. This historical saga begins during Ireland's Great Famine and brings readers through to post-Civil War America. In 1847, Ethan McOwen arrives in New York City to pursue a new life with his family. By the time the Civil War begins, the McOwen family has established a comfortable life, with Ethan having become a respected photographer. Ethan and his friends join the famous Irish Brigade, and he begins documenting the war through his photographs. Later, at an exhibition of his work, Ethan meets Marcella Arroyo, a beautiful, sophisticated woman who's chosen to shun her family's wealth and dedicate herself to abolition. Meanwhile, in Richmond, Va., slaves Mary and Micah lead two very different lives. While Micah suffers constant abuse and sleeps on a pile of hay, Mary's owners consider themselves kind, providing her with "privileges" such as a bedroom. They soon fall in love, and unusual circumstances eventually bring all four characters together. Except for the predictable Marcella, the depth of Troy's characters offers compelling insights into the Civil War era. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.