Alex & Eliza: A Love Story

So yes….I have joined the millions of masses who adore the play Hamilton and its awesome score. Am I late to the obsession? Yes, definitely very late, as I am with any big fad or popular item. I wasn’t a fan of My Chemical Romance until I hit my senior year of high school in 2012 if that gives you any ideas.

Anyway, as an individual that is obsessed with Hamilton, has listened to no other music in the last month, and plans on seeing the play at The Pantages next week, of course I did what any normal fangirl would do: search for more. In this case, Alex & Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz. 

I have to admit, I was a bit tepid about picking this book up, namely because I hadn’t read anything by Melissa de la Cruz since her Blue Blood’s series in 2009 and I couldn’t even finish those due to a serious condition of never-ending-series-to-make-more-money-and stretch-out-the-plot-line-until-it’s-as-thick-as-a-rubber-band-syndrome.

But alas, as a desperate fangirl and having been backed up by reaching the #10 spot on the Young Adult Hardcover Bestsellers list for The New York Times I decided to give it a try. Was it the fix I needed? Definitely not. Was it as bad as I expected? That’s a bit more complicated to answer, but I will endeavor to do my best in this review.

So, as you could probably guess, Alex & Eliza is a young adult fictional remake of the love story between Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler.

Having one of the main characters be a prolific Founding Father, the creator of America’s bank, and one of the main authors of The Federalist Papers and the other be one of the eldest daughters of what was considered during the time to be the Dutch Colony’s pride and joy, a royal American princess so-to-speak, you have a lot of material to work with for a potential love story. 

All the historical elements including the Revolutionary War, the fight for independence, and the beginning of a new nation are very juicy plot points with unimaginable details and implications. Unfortunately, you don’t see much of any of this in Alex & Eliza.

Of course the war is mentioned, as are some historical figures like George Washington and Benedict Arnold, but for the most part they are vague secondary characters more reminiscent of shadows than actual people. The dialogue is fluid, but corny and the actual “love” story that takes place is a bit rinse-and-repeat. 

Girl hates boy upon first sight, but then falls for him after he shows her what a decent gentleman he is. Melissa de la Cruz even pulled out the very old, very worn out cliche of Eliza being assaulted by another man and Alexander coming in to the literal rescue. Her plot devices are as old as the actual characters themselves.

Was it an enjoyable read? I suppose so. But I believe my undeniable bias of being currently obsessed with Hamilton gave me the patience and fortitude to not only finish the book, but find it slightly enjoyable.

To be candid, the only reason this book is not currently sitting in a dumpster (despite my love for Hamilton and the fact that I would never actually do that to a book) is because I believe it was not intended to entertain young adults in their twenties looking for a sophisticated read with complex history sub plots and meaningful characterization.

After reading the acknowledgements at the end, it become very clear that Melissa de la Cruz intended this book to be for very young adults, as in the 11-13 range. 

I wholeheartedly believe I would have loved this book as a sixth grader. The dialogue transforms from being cheesy into being romantic and the innocent, simple plot line becomes something desired instead of something disparaged.

So over all, I would not recommend this book if you are looking for an intricate romantic entanglement between two fascinating characters or searching to fill your gaping need for Hamilton paraphernalia.

Instead, if you are eleven-years-old or know any preteens, this book would definitely be good and lighthearted, mixed in with just enough history to get them more involved in their social studies class on top of watching Hetalia.

Recommendation: Read Alex & Eliza if you are currently going through puberty or if you would like to relive those simpler (up for debate) times. If you are older than eighteen, this book might just be a bit too juvenile for your liking as it was for mine, Hamilton obsession withstanding.

Score: 5/10