More Than This

Starred review from November 14, 2022
This stunningly wrought historical fiction debut follows a group of Black teens navigating classism, familial expectations, gender norms, and racism in 1910 Chicago. William Davenport is the formerly enslaved head of one of the city’s few wealthy Black families. As such, his children—Olivia, John, and Helen—and their associates are constantly in the public eye. While Olivia is courted by a proper Black Englishman, she meets a civil rights activist who makes her question her privileged upbringing and encourages her to face ongoing postslavery horrors. Olivia’s best friend, Ruby, is in love with John, though his interest has always been fleeting. But when it becomes clear that marrying John would benefit her family, Ruby starts plotting a scheme to win his heart. Meanwhile, Helen would rather work on vehicles than conform to traditional gender roles, and the siblings’ childhood friend turned maid, Amy Rose, has ambitions to start her own business. Marquis perceptively explores the history and momentous impact of Black achievements and wealth during an underreported period in U.S. history. Employing expert characterization and complex dynamics, the author presents a cast of take-charge women, undeterred by their struggles and pursuing their passions regardless of expectations. Ages 12–up.

October 1, 2024
This follow-up to Marquis' charming bestselling debut continues the saga of young, Black Chicagoans in the early 20th century. It's been several weeks since the masquerade ball for Ruby's father's political campaign, and she's eager to solidify her social status as a newlywed and the daughter of Chicago's first Black mayor. But after Ruby and her parents learn of horrible rumors, their aspirations fall prey to uncertainty and chaos. Meanwhile, Olivia, Ruby's best friend, focuses on building political power among local Black women, but her parents continue to pressure her to marry. They're unaware of her star-crossed, long-distance entanglement. "Life can't be just about work...What about love?" younger sister Helen asks Olivia. To which she replies, "Who said my decision wasn't for love?" Helen may be open to romance, but she also concocts an ambitious plan to prepare the family's carriage company for a horseless future. Ultimately, she must collaborate with a young man she finds irritating to pull it off. Domestic-worker-turned-entrepreneur Amy-Rose tries to keep her mind off Davenport business heir apparent John, but new circumstances make that tricky. The Davenport universe, which has history, humor, and heart baked into it, maintains its continuity in this volume, and Marquis will satisfy fans with the characters' expanding narratives. The breezy and fluid prose supports the love-filled merry-go-round of will-they-won't-they storylines. An enjoyable sequel in a well-oiled coming-of-age series.(Historical fiction. 12-18)

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January 10, 2025
Grades 7-10 The Davenport sisters and their friends Amy-Rose and Ruby are back for more romance and intrigue in the second installment of The Davenports series. Olivia is questioning her romantic future while Helen is dealing with her private heartbreak over the betrayal of Jacob Lawrence. Ruby is dealing with rumors that threaten her impending marriage to Harrison Barton, and Amy-Rose is living her dream of becoming a hair-care entrepreneur. The romantic lives of the women are balanced with pursuits relevant to the time period. Olivia is becoming involved in the suffragist movement while Helen hopes to continue the family business by encouraging them to pursue automobile production. The politics and high society of Black Chicago in the early 1900s are as interesting and juicy as ever. Fans of the original will enjoy seeing the characters reach their happy endings. Purchase where historical fiction and the first Davenport novel is popular.

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