Dessalines and Marie Claire in Triumph To Tragedy Book Four

From Slave to Emperor, there was only one woman who could balance him

Marie-Claire was the only person who could tame her husband's brutal and controlling nature. During the 1800 siege of Jacmel, she convinced him to open some roads for the wounded, leading a procession with supplies back to the city for their care, and setting up food kitchens to relieve some of the suffering from war.

Dessalines Had a Deep Reverence For Women

Dessalines, scarred from slavery, was a fierce leader dedicated to independence. He had a deep respect for women, derived from being raised and taught battlefield skills by his adopted Aunt Toya, though of no blood relation. His methods were controversial, albeit extremely effective. It enabled him to cement the foundation of a free nation. However, his legacy was tainted by his ruthlessness and his reign ended with an assassin's bullet. He did not have the advantage of education and worked the harsh conditions of the sugar cane fields, facing corporal punishment regularly. Despite rising to commodore, a slave driver himself, he harbored a deep hatred for slave owners which motivated many atrocities.

Book Four Begins on Independence Day 1804

1804 began a new era for the new country of Ayiti. After 13 years of constant turmoil, the island had finally won its freedom. Jean-Jacques Dessalines had taken up the mantle as the Commander of the Revolutionary Army after the death of his mentor, Toussaint Louverture. He masterfully assembled a mighty army of 40,000 men and women to defeat Napoleon’s French army and declared Ayiti a free nation. Dessalines was joined by two other notable generals, also considered as founding fathers; Henry Christophe and Alexandre Pétion.

Christophe & Pétion Clashed

Book Four opens on New Year's Day of 1804, in three different cities - Cap Français, Gonaïves, and Port Républicain - where our main characters and principal protagonists begin to navigate their way through the aftermath of liberation, not knowing that their paths would soon cross at dangerous intersections. As they strive to establish stability and peace in their homeland, they will soon realize that this may be even more challenging than fighting for their freedom.