The American Queen Audiobook By Vanessa Miller cover art

The American Queen

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The American Queen

By: Vanessa Miller
Narrated by: Angel Pean
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $25.19

Buy for $25.19

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

AS SEEN ON GOOD MORNING AMERICA: GMA 15 New Books to Read | 2024 American Fiction Award WINNER for African American Fiction AND Historical Fiction

"Miller brings to enthralling life a hidden gem in American history." --Publishers Weekly

There is only one known queen who truly ruled a kingdom on American soil. Meet the queen of Happy Land.

Transformative and breathtakingly honest, The American Queen is based on actual events that occurred between 1865 - 1889 and shares the unsung history of a Black woman who built a kingdom in Appalachia as a refuge for the courageous people who dared to dream of a different way of life.

Over the twenty-four years she was enslaved on the Montgomery Plantation, Louella learned to feel one thing: hate. Hate for the man who sold her mother. Hate for the overseer who left her daddy to hang from a noose. Hate so powerful there's no room in her heart for love, not even for the honorable Reverend William, whom she likes and respects enough to marry.

But when William finally listens to Louella's pleas and leads the formerly enslaved people off the plantation, Louella begins to replace her hate with hope. Hope that they will find a place where they can live free from fear. Hope that despite her many unanswered prayers, she can learn to trust for new miracles.

Soon, William and Louella become the appointed king and queen of their self-proclaimed Kingdom of the Happy Land. And though they are still surrounded by opposition, they continue to share a message of joy and goodness--and fight for the freedom and dignity of all.

The American Queen weaves together themes of love, hate, hope, trust, and resilience in the face of great turmoil. As you listen, you will be transported to a pivotal period in American history, where oppressed people become extraordinary heroes.

©2024 Vanessa Miller (P)2024 Thomas Nelson
African American Historical Fiction Royalty Heartfelt
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

'The American Queen brings to light another hidden triumph in Black American history. Queen Louella is frankly a woman that everyone should know. Filled with bravery and cultural beauty, this marvel of a novel transported me while educating me on the sheer determination of an emancipated community to not only survive but to also thrive.' —Sadeqa Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve

'The American Queen is beautifully told, a story rife with struggle, intrigue, and the indomitable spirit of a woman strong enough to carry the weight of a community, bold enough to dream the impossible, and determined enough to fashion dreams into reality. Louella Montgomery is a woman for the ages. I loved traveling alongside her and meeting the people of The Happy Land.' —Lisa Wingate #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Friends

What listeners say about The American Queen

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    104
  • 4 Stars
    26
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    103
  • 4 Stars
    19
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    103
  • 4 Stars
    20
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The life of the Queen

I enjoyed this book so much, I found it hard to put down I wanted to keep reading it! The readers voice was excellent for this story! My only disappoint was with the singing. Many of the songs were well known Negro spiritual’s and she wasn’t singing them in the rhythm or tune of the song, that was distracting. Other than that, I was transported to the time period and truly enjoyed the journey! Highly recommend reading this.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The American Queen

I loved this book, it was a good story I enjoyed the characters so much in the story, then finding out it was true made it even better. I never knew any of this, so much of our history we don’t know. I want to know ow more. Thank you

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great storytelling!

What an incredible story! I was completely captivated and couldn't put it down. The storytelling was masterful, and the character development was exceptional. It held my attention from start to finish!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The American Queen

I loved that this author explained that the story was actual people and events this were true. And the methods that she took to verify the story. We need to have more stories such as this one to educate our people and others that we come from a long line of Kings and Queens.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Bringing our history to life

The realness of the portal of the people and their everyday lives brings this part of our history to life. Thank you for writing such an important story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Well written

This is a beautifully written story of little known history. It should be considered for miniseries.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Food for your SOUL

My Book Club @brownsugabc enjoyed this READ! Being educated on history has always been important to me. Being able to read and take in a piece of that together as a group has been fulfilling. The book pulls you in like you’re apart of The Happy Land. Thank you Vanessa for this well written read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Beautiful Journey Back In Time

This book is a must read story about the strength, endurance, faith and love of formerly enslaved people! You will feel their pain, losses, joy and triumphs in this story. Vanessa Miller is a master writer. You will not ge disappointed!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The American Queen Story

This was a truly enjoyable story to read from start to finish, thank you, Vanessa Miller. I encourage everyone to read this book you will not be disappointed.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing courage to overcome

Loved the story, the narrator, the characters, (with a few exceptions), and the courage to overcome systemic racism in a difficult era. Did not want to stop listening.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!