Book Review: Glory Unbound

Glory Unbound. Deborah L. King, Red Adept Publishing, November 1, 2021, Paperback and eBook, 476 pages.

Review by Sierra Kay.

Deborah L. King once again delivers on the promise of Glory Bishop. In the second book in the series, Deborah continues to take the reader through Glory’s embattled life. Although the book is one of a series, the flashbacks in the second novel are sufficient for this to read as a standalone novel. However, this novel has potentially triggering content that includes descriptions of physical and emotional abuse.

In Glory Unbound, Glory Bishop is freed from her mother’s tyrannical grasp by her bad boy-turned-minister fiancé, Malcolm Porter, and placed under the watchful eye of Malcolm’s mother.

Malcolm's mother has her own opinions of what's appropriate for Glory as a future daughter-in-law and first lady. Glory is introduced to Chicago society and given advantages that she didn’t even know existed. Her wardrobe is improved, and educational opportunities appeared, all of which make her confidence grow.

With her high school graduation looming, change is on the horizon. However, her past has done little to prepare her to make future decisions, leaving her vulnerable to the council of those around her.

 While Glory searches to make the right choices, the people in her life are driven by personal motives as secrets bubble beneath the surface. Glory is unsure who to trust. Her future mother-in-law wants Glory to attain a college degree in another state while her fiancé is pushing for marriage.

She’s ill-prepared to identify the path that will provide her with the salvation she's so desperately seeking or drag her down a road that will scar her even more deeply than the situation from which she recently escaped.

Deborah L. King has crafted a multi-layered story which weaves together an authentic cast of characters along with the city of Chicago. As the characters navigate their own stories, readers are given the ability to navigate Chicago neighborhoods. This well-written story will engage readers and have them rooting for the protagonist. There is a richness and complexity that makes it an engaging read. It unfolds in a way that allows the reader to understand the decisions Glory makes, whether or not they agree, and root for her happiness.