Review: The Hazel Wood

Read if you like: dark, dangerous fairy tales come to life, fantasy stories grounded in the modern world, and characters you can root for.

The Hazel Wood | Melissa Albert

Series: The Hazel Wood

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dark Fairy Tales
Released: February 8th 2018
Pages: 359
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice's life on the road, always a step ahead of the strange bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice's grandmother, the reclusive author of a book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate - the Hazel Wood - Alice learns how bad her luck can really get. Her mother is stolen away - by a figure who claims to come from the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother's stories are set. Alice's only lead is the message her mother left behind: STAY AWAY FROM THE HAZEL WOOD. 

To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother's tales began . . .

This took a bit of time to get going but I really liked it once it did. Suitably dark and fairy tale-y, with a couple of shocking twists (one was fun, one was not.) I liked the main characters (loved Finch) and there was enough secretive stuff to keep me guessing. The book really came into it own when it entered the Hinterland (fairy tale world), though - I loved all the darkness, bloodiness, and the world of Stories and their stories. 

My only complaint is I found the ending REALLY unsatisfying, and hope the sequel doesn't just spend time with Finch - I want Alice's story to continue too, she deserves so much more than this book!

Clever and inventive and dark as fairy tales are meant to be. A twisty, dangerous tale.

4 stars

Review: Weave A Circle Round

Read if you like: dangerous, unexpected magic, houses that have a mind of their own, and sweeping adventures through time and history.

Weave A Circle Round | Kari Maaren

Series: N/A

Genre: Young Adult/Middle Grade, Fantasy, Historical, Time Travel
Released: November 28th 2017
Pages: 336
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

The unexpected can move in next door

Freddy wants desperately to not be noticed. She doesn't want to be seen as different or unusual, but her step-brother Roland gets attention because he's deaf, and her little sister Mel thinks she's a private detective. All Freddy wants to do is navigate high school with as little trouble as possible.

Then someone moves into the house on Grosvenor Street. Two extremely odd someones.

Cuerva Lachance and Josiah aren't . . . normal. When they move in next door, the house begins to exhibit some decidedly strange tendencies, like not obeying the laws of physics or reality. Just as Freddy thinks she's had enough of Josiah following her around, she's plunged into an adventure millennia in the making and discovers the truth about the new neighbors.

I wasn't sure what to make of this book at first, but the mystery and the hints of magic and wrongness kept me reading - and I'm glad they did! I really enjoyed this book of strangeness and time travel magic and family, and I especially liked how Freddy, the main character, was a grumpy, contrary, angry girl who grew SO MUCH by the end. 

I liked a lot about this book - the house on Grosvenor Street, which grew rooms and lost them and filled with chairs and spider plants at random intervals, the mysterious and maybe menacing characters of Josiah (who I adore and want more stories of please!) and Cuerva Lachance, who has lived forever and has been reincarnated as all kinds of people - notably a Viking man and a cavewoman-type - and all genders. Sometimes she's a man, sometimes she's a woman - she just is, and I loved how Freddy shrugged and accepted it for what it was. Pretty cool way of teaching gender fluidity to teenagers. I liked Freddy's siblings, young Mel who's obsessed with mysteries, and deaf Roland, who is secretly a hero. But I especially loved the different time periods the book went to, and how each was different and imaginative in their own ways!

I'm really not done with these characters and their stories. More please!

4.5 stars

Review: The Plastic Magician

Read if you like: magical, mysterious stories that are equal parts daring and fun, studious girls who would rather get work done than adventure, and sinister plots.

The Plastic Magician | Charlie N. Holmberg

Series: The Paper Magician

Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Historical, Romance
Released: May 15th 2018
Pages: 236
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg returns to the enchanting world of The Paper Magician.

Alvie Brechenmacher has arrived in London to begin her training in Polymaking—the magical discipline of bespelling plastic. Polymaking is the newest form of magic, and in a field where there is so much left to learn, every Polymaker dreams of making the next big discovery.

Even though she is only an apprentice, Alvie is an inventor at heart, and she is determined to make as many discoveries—in as short a time frame—as she can. Luckily for her, she’s studying under the world-renowned magician Marion Praff, who is just as dedicated as Alvie is.

Alvie’s enthusiasm reinvigorates her mentor’s work, and together they create a device that could forever change Polymaking—and the world. But when a rival learns of their plans, he conspires to steal their invention and take the credit for it himself.

To thwart him, Alvie will need to think one step ahead. For in the high-stakes world of magical discovery, not everyone plays fair…

Plastic - and magic? Surprisingly it works. 

I love this world, and I have since I read The Paper Magician (I love their little cameos in this!) so I had a feeling I'd like this. And I did. Alvie is a sturdy, serious sort of girl with thick glasses, trousers in a time where dresses are the norm, and a very studious mind. I fricking love her. There's some romance in this (it's okay, but I accidentally fell for her tutor, Marion Praff, whoops) but mostly, this is a fun magical mystery that's full of heart, excitement, and feminism. Oh, and a villain with an evil lair, a magic comic con, and prosthetic limbs! There is nothing by Charlie N. Holmberg that I won't read.

4.5 stars

Review: Gilt Hollow

Read if you like: bad boys and sweet girls, angsty romance, dark thriller vibes in your contemporary, and an underlying mystery.

Gilt Hollow | Lorie Langdon

Series: N/A

Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Mystery, Romance
Released: September 27th 2016
Pages: 304
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

Willow Lamott’s best friend is a murderer, and no one in the small town of Gilt Hollow will let her forget it. For four long years, she’s tried to fade into the background—but none of that matters when Ashton Keller comes striding into school, fresh out of juvie and fueled by revenge. The moment their eyes meet, Willow no longer feels invisible. Drawn to the vulnerability behind Ashton’s mask of rage, she sinks deeper into his sinister world and begins to question whether he’s a villain, a savior, or both.

Ashton thought he wanted vengeance, until Willow reminded him what he’d been missing. Now he longs to clear his name and become the person she sees in him. But the closer they get to uncovering the truth, the darker the secrets become, and Ashton fears his return to Gilt Hollow will destroy everyone he loves, especially the girl he left behind. 

A bad boy out for revenge against those who wrongfully convicted him. A best friend trying to live in the aftermath of defending him. An angst-ridden, emotional romance, and a quest to clear his name PLUS death threats, secrets, and a conspiracy? Damn, I should have read this book sooner. I loved the characters, the little quirks of Halloween parties and the record shop and the motorbike, and all the details made this book something more and bigger than a regular mystery. I really loved it.

4.5 stars

Review: This Is Kind Of An Epic Love Story

Read if you like: angsty romances, flawed characters, and people who don't believe in happily ever afters getting their own HEA.

This Is Kind Of An Epic Love Story | Kheryn Callender

Series: N/A

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Diverse, Queer
Released: October 30th 2018
Pages: 304
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

A fresh, charming rom-com perfect for fans of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and Boy Meets Boy about Nathan Bird, who has sworn off happy endings but is sorely tested when his former best friend, Ollie, moves back to town.

Nathan Bird doesn’t believe in happy endings.

Although he’s the ultimate film buff and an aspiring screenwriter, Nate’s seen the demise of too many relationships to believe that happy endings exist in real life.

Playing it safe to avoid a broken heart has been his MO ever since his father died and left his mom to unravel—but this strategy is not without fault. His best-friend-turned-girlfriend-turned-best-friend-again, Florence, is set on making sure Nate finds someone else. And in a twist that is rom-com-worthy, someone does come along: Oliver James Hernández, his childhood best friend.

After a painful mix-up when they were little, Nate finally has the chance to tell Ollie the truth about his feelings. But can Nate find the courage to pursue his own happily ever after?

This is the kind of contemporary book I always know I'm going to love. Cynical grump meets sunny Labrador of a person and they FALL IN LOVE. But this has the added element of the two of them having been best friends when they were younger, then one of them moving away and all sorts of complicated stuff between them. 

I loved Bird and Oliver James, they are so sweet. But I mostly loved how messy every relationship was in this book. Nate did not have a damn clue what he was doing friend and romance wise, and he messed up constantly, and I LOVED how realistic it was. Characters in books sometimes seem to know exactly how to have besties -  and KEEP them, which always seems the hardest part - and how to be good people that others want to date. Nate was a mess, a little too harsh sometimes, and he snapped before thinking, but I loved how honest this book was. 

And he still got his happily ever after.

4 stars

Review: These Rebel Waves

Read if you like: the most unique fantasy world and magic system you'll ever find, characters so complex you love them (so much!) and the biggest plot twist you'll never see coming.

These Rebel Waves | Sara Raasch

Series: Stream Raiders

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Queer, Diverse
Released: August 7th 2018
Pages: 474
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

Adeluna is a soldier. Five years ago, she helped the magic-rich island of Grace Loray overthrow its oppressor, Argrid, a country ruled by religion. But adjusting to postwar life has not been easy. When an Argridian delegate vanishes during peace talks with Grace Loray’s new Council, Argrid demands brutal justice—but Lu suspects something more dangerous is at work.

Devereux is a pirate. As one of the outlaws called stream raiders who run rampant on Grace Loray, he pirates the island’s magic plants and sells them on the black market. But after Argrid accuses raiders of the diplomat’s abduction, Vex becomes a target. An expert navigator, he agrees to help Lu find the Argridian—but the truth they uncover could be deadlier than any war.

Benat is a heretic. The crown prince of Argrid, he harbors a secret obsession with Grace Loray’s forbidden magic. When Ben’s father, the king, gives him the shocking task of reversing Argrid’s fear of magic, Ben has to decide if one prince can change a devout country—or if he’s building his own pyre.

As conspiracies arise, Lu, Vex, and Ben will have to decide who they really are . . . and what they are willing to become for peace.

This is honestly one of my favourite books, and I wasn't even sure if I was gonna like it. But the characters - Lu, ex-rebel-assassin, Vex, rogue pirate, Ben, heir to a kingdom he hates, and a pirate crew who are AWESOME - sucked me in. I love the whole gang, and there was a moment at the end where it was Avengers-level epicness.

Plus everything else is darn cool too - magic that's formed by using PLANTS, an island recovering from war, a kingdom that revolves around being pious and where being sinful can get you burned for witchcraft, PIRACY, a war in the making, and a really unique, fascinating world that's written so well. I loved this, and those plot twists at the end only made me love it more. But seriously. So-and-so is WHO??? And WHAT just happened to the main character?? I need the next book right now, and would start reading it immediately if I had it.

Extra note to say there's a tonne of POC in this, queer characters (FOUR! Not just a token one. Four!), and Vex is visually impaired!

5+ stars

Review: Renegades

Read if you like: fascinating superpowers, characters you fall hard in love with, and thrilling, multi-faceted plots.

Renegades | Marissa Meyer

Series: Renegades

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Superhero
Released: April 5th 2018
Pages: 576
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone...except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

I did not predict how much I'd LOVE this book. A secret underground group of villains? A goody-two-shoes hero love interest who can draw things and make them REAL? A kickass ensemble cast, where everyone is interesting and stands out? PLUS a villain-t0-hero character arc? THIS IS EVERYTHING.

Not to mention Adrian's dads are adorable, I love his little brother, and the plot is just outstanding. And THAT ENDING. You need to read this book, seriously. I can't wait for book 2!

5 stars

Review: The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy

Read if you like: fun, fast-paced adventures, pirates, and science- and book-loving historical ladies.

The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy | Mackenzi Lee

Series: Montague Siblings

Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Adventure
Released: October 2nd 2018
Pages: 512
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

Felicity Montague is through with pretending she prefers society parties to books about bone setting—or that she’s not smarter than most people she knows, or that she cares about anything more than her dream of becoming a doctor.

A year after an accidentally whirlwind tour of Europe, which she spent evading highwaymen and pirates with her brother Monty, Felicity has returned to England with two goals in mind—avoid the marriage proposal of Callum Doyle, a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh; and enroll in medical school. However, her intellect and passion will never be enough in the eyes of the administrators, who see men as the sole guardians of science.

But then a small window of hope opens. Doctor Alexander Platt, an eccentric physician that Felicity idolizes, is looking for research assistants, and Felicity is sure that someone as forward thinking as her hero would be willing to take her on. However, Platt is in Germany, preparing to wed Felicity’s estranged childhood friend Johanna. Not only is Felicity reluctant to opening old wounds, she also has no money to make the trip.

Luckily, a mysterious young woman is willing to pay Felicity’s way, so long as she’s allowed to travel with Felicity disguised as her maid. In spite of her suspicions, Felicity agrees, but once the girl’s true motives are revealed, Felicity becomes part of a perilous quest that will lead her from the German countryside to the promenades of Zurich to secrets lurking beneath the Atlantic.

I knew I'd love this because the first book became one of my favourites of last year, and I'm so glad it lived up to expectations. Feminism and fury and a girl who wants to be a physician when the world just wants her to give up, PLUS pirates and sea dragons and girls being supportive friends and Montagues being supportive siblings, AND a giant, slobbering dog and a ship's canon battle for good measure. There's nothing this book doesn't have. I loved every bit of it.

5 stars

Review: All Of This Is True

Read if you like: messed up mysteries, deeply flawed characters, and stories that keep you guessing right to the end.

All of This is True | Lygia Day Penaflor

Series: N/A

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery
Released: May 15th 2018
Pages: 432
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

Miri Tan loved the book Undertow like it was a living being. So when she and her friends went to a book signing to meet the author, Fatima Ro, they concocted a plan to get close to her, even if her friends won’t admit it now. As for Jonah, well—Miri knows none of that was Fatima’s fault.

Soleil Johnston wanted to be a writer herself one day. When she and her friends started hanging out with her favorite author, Fatima Ro, she couldn’t believe their luck—especially when Jonah Nicholls started hanging out with them, too. Now, looking back, Soleil can’t believe she let Fatima manipulate her and Jonah like that. She can’t believe that she got used for a book.

Penny Panzarella was more than the materialistic party girl everyone at the Graham School thought she was. She desperately wanted Fatima Ro to see that, and she saw her chance when Fatima asked the girls to be transparent with her. If only she’d known what would happen when Fatima learned Jonah’s secret. If only she’d known that the line between fiction and truth was more complicated than any of them imagined. . . .

This book is messed up. I enjoyed it ... I think. I liked some characters but others were just ... odd. But then there's some serious brainwashing going on in this book. And so many secrets. Basically: a group of teens befriend their favourite author, and she manipulates them into doing things she can write a book about. Super creepy and unsettling, but really well written. You'll never read anything like this, I can promise you that.

4.5 stars

Review: Heart of Iron

Read if you like: snarky, lovable rogue characters, books that are horrible and break your heart, and fast paced adventure stories.

Heart of Iron | Ashley Poston

Series: Heart of Iron

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Royalty
Released: February 27th 2018
Pages: 560
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

Seventeen-year-old Ana is a scoundrel by nurture and an outlaw by nature. Found as a child drifting through space with a sentient android called D09, Ana was saved by a fearsome space captain and the grizzled crew she now calls family. But D09—one of the last remaining illegal Metals—has been glitching, and Ana will stop at nothing to find a way to fix him.

Ana’s desperate effort to save D09 leads her on a quest to steal the coordinates to a lost ship that could offer all the answers. But at the last moment, a spoiled Ironblood boy beats Ana to her prize. He has his own reasons for taking the coordinates, and he doesn’t care what he’ll sacrifice to keep them.

When everything goes wrong, she and the Ironblood end up as fugitives on the run. Now their entire kingdom is after them—and the coordinates—and not everyone wants them captured alive.

What they find in a lost corner of the universe will change all their lives—and unearth dangerous secrets. But when a darkness from Ana’s past returns, she must face an impossible choice: does she protect a kingdom that wants her dead or save the Metal boy she loves?

This book is so many things. Excellent and genius and so much fun. Sarcastic and smart and well-executed. Heartfelt and rebellious and UNCALLED FOR in the way it made me fall so fast in love with the characters before tormenting them cruelly. I loved everything, and everyone, (except for you, Rasovant), and every single line in every chapter. The writing is honestly beautiful, and every character stands out, and why would the author DO THAT to Di (I am not over it - either of the two huge, uncalled for Its that happened to my precious angel of a Metal - and I will not be for a while.)

One of my favourite books this year. I need MORE.

5+ stars

Review: City of Lies

Read if you like: poisoners and poison-testers, fantasy sieges and wars, and characters that are fleshed out and easy to love.

City of Lies | Sam Hawke

Series: Poison Wars

Genre: Epic Fantasy
Released: July 3rd 2018
Pages: 560
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

I was seven years old the first time my uncle poisoned me... 

Outwardly, Jovan is the lifelong friend of the Chancellor’s charming, irresponsible Heir. Quiet. Forgettable. In secret, he's a master of poisons and chemicals, trained to protect the Chancellor’s family from treachery. When the Chancellor succumbs to an unknown poison and an army lays siege to the city, Jovan and his sister Kalina must protect the Heir and save their city-state.

But treachery lurks in every corner, and the ancient spirits of the land are rising...and angry.

Genuine characters you can root for, a main character with (well-written) anxiety, a main character with chronic illness (who's a super badass), religion represented well and honestly, and a secondary-world siege? Plus MAGIC and GODS at the end? And POISON the whole way through? This is everything I wanted. Plus it wraps up very nicely at the end so you could read it as stand-alone if you're not into series. This book is so good, honestly.

4.5 stars

Review: Voices In The Air

Read if you like: authentic, heartfelt poetry that speaks to the soul.

Voices In The Air | Naomi Shihab Nye

Series: N/A

Genre: Poetry
Released: February 13th 2018
Pages: 208
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

Acclaimed and award-winning poet, teacher, and National Book Award finalist Naomi Shihab Nye’s uncommon and unforgettable voice offers readers peace, humor, inspiration, and solace. This volume of almost one hundred original poems is a stunning and engaging tribute to the diverse voices past and present that comfort us, compel us, lead us, and give us hope.

Voices in the Air is a collection of almost one hundred original poems written by the award-winning poet Naomi Shihab Nye in honor of the artists, writers, poets, historical figures, ordinary people, and diverse luminaries from past and present who have inspired her. Full of words of encouragement, solace, and hope, this collection offers a message of peace and empathy.

Voices in the Air celebrates the inspirational people who strengthen and motivate us to create, to open our hearts, and to live rewarding and graceful lives. With short informational bios about the influential figures behind each poem, and a transcendent introduction by the poet, this is a collection to cherish, read again and again, and share with others. Includes an index. 

To read this book, every day I took a few minutes of quiet time. It became a ritual to read these poems of love and resistance and frustration and love. There are poems I loved and poems I didn't, but I loved the simple act of reading them either way. Worlds and lives come to life in these pages, in such few words and sparse lines - I want to read more.

4 stars

Review: Bone Driven

Read if you like: original urban fantasy stories, interesting casts of characters, and plots that get better and better, full of mysteries, secrets, and shocks.

Bone Driven | Hailey Edwards

Series: The Foundling Series

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Released: May 31st 2018
Pages: 352
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

The bayou is burning, the battle is just beginning - and Luce Boudreau is smack in the middle of no-man's land . . .

Life as a cop in Canton Town, Mississippi, is never dull - particularly when hiding deep within you is a demon bent on the apocalypse. Luce is doing her best to pretend her two worlds aren't crashing into each other, but what should be a routine arson investigation takes a shocking turn when Luce discovers a link between the suspects and her own dark secrets. There's no turning back, even though her search for the truth threatens to burn her old life down around her.

Lines are being drawn in a war Luce barely understands, and she just might be on the wrong side of them. Now she must embrace her powerful destiny, or the ones she loves most will pay the ultimate price.

This series gets better AND BETTER. I'll be honest, I didn't think there was a way to top Bayou Born, but this is every bit as strong as the first book. It maintains the investigative cop element and builds on all the fantasy charun bits from the explosive end of book one. I actually love the new character (I totally pegged him as Ezra though, and was wrong.) Plus the coterie bonding and spending time together is everything I wanted. I could not have asked for more from this book - answers to some questions, even more questions raised, awesome supernatural stuff, action, cop drama, and Cole Heaton. This book is awesome.

5 stars

Review: Beyond A Darkened Shore

Read if you like: stand-out, unique fantasy worlds, Celtic and Norse myths, and slow-build enemy romance between amazing characters.

Beyond A Darkened Shore | Jessica Leake

Series: N/A

Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fantasy, Mythology
Released: April 10th 2018
Pages: 435
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

The ancient land of Éirinn is mired in war. Ciara, Princess of Mide, has never known a time when Éirinn’s kingdoms were not battling for power, or Northmen were not plundering their shores. 

The people of Mide have thankfully always been safe because of Ciara’s unearthly ability to control her enemies’ minds and actions. But lately, a mysterious crow has been appearing to Ciara, whispering warnings of an even darker threat. Although her clansmen dismiss her visions as pagan nonsense, Ciara fears this coming evil will destroy not just Éirinn, but the entire world. 

Then the crow leads Ciara to Leif, a young Northman leader. Leif should be Ciara’s enemy, but when Ciara discovers that he, too, shares her prophetic visions, she knows he’s something more. Leif is mounting an impressive army, and with Ciara’s strength in battle the two might have a chance to save their world. 

With evil rising around them, they’ll do what it takes to defend the land they love…even if it means making the greatest sacrifice of all.

An incredibly unique blend of Irish and Norse myth, with action, battle, and a beating heart of love. I really, really liked this. I love how brutal its main characters are, and how the story revolves equally around fighting for their countries as it does their romance. Everything felt natural, and the enemies to lovers story was done SO WELL. Plus the setting feels authentic, with religion, myth, and rulers woven expertly in. Jessica Leake wrote an Ireland where magic feels real and inevitable (and I love it.)

Exciting, bloody, romantic, and ultimately hopeful - I enjoyed this book so much. (And I'm very happy there's more in this series because I want to read more from the author!)

4.5 stars

Review: Sigil

Read if you like: well build sci-fi worlds, dark romance, and interesting alien abilities.

Sigil | Addison Cain

Series: Irdesi Empire

Genre: Sci-Fi Romance, Menage, 18+
Released: September 29th 2016
Pages: 325
Format: Ebook
Source: Purchased

He will possess her in every way.

After a century, The Irdesi Emperor has finally cornered their species’ only female. Sovereign and his fanatic brothers are closing in, driving Sigil to desperation.

They outnumber her, they are stronger, and they are relentless.

Sovereign knows her secrets better than Sigil knows herself. He knows she was conditioned to hate him. It changes nothing. The Emperor cannot help but crave her—just as his loyal brothers crave her.

The entire future of their species hinges on Sovereign’s ability to dominate the slippery renegade and make her feel the truth of what she is. She is his Consort. She is his obsession—a bride destined to be shared with and adored by his kin... to be satiated and ruled, to be overpowered and healed of her compulsions by any means necessary.

She has no choice in the matter. The empire will stop at nothing. Sigil will belong to them; she will be made to love them, even if they are forced to rip the galaxy apart to claim her.

Publisher’s Note: The first novella in Addison Cain's provocative and raw Irdesi Empire series is a dark tale with explicit sexual themes and complete power exchange. Some scenes are written to be disturbing. If such material offends you, please do not purchase.

Well written and I love the space station and every space-y element, plus Quinn is one tough lady. Not sure why I thought it was RH though? It's f/m romance with menage if you squint.

4.5 stars

Review: Women of Resistance

Read if you like: celebrations of femininity and diverse experiences & poems that make you equal parts understood and unknowable.

Women of Resistance: Poems For A New Feminism | Various Authors

Series: N/A

Genre: Poetry
Released: March 13th 2018
Pages: 204
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

A collection with a feminist ethos that cuts across race, gender identity, and sexuality.

Creative activists have reacted to the 2016 Presidential election in myriad ways. Editors Danielle Barnhart and Iris Mahan have drawn on their profound knowledge of the poetry scene to put together an extraordinary list of poets taking a feminist stance against the new authority. What began as an informal collaboration of like-minded poets—to be released as a handbound chapbook—has grown into something far more substantial and ambitious: a fully fledged anthology of women’s resistance, with a portion of proceeds supporting Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Representing the complexity and diversity of contemporary womanhood and bolstering the fight against racism, sexism, and violence, this collection unites powerful new writers, performers, and activists with established poets. Contributors include Elizabeth Acevedo, Sandra Beasley, Jericho Brown, Mahogany L. Browne, Danielle Chapman, Tyehimba Jess, Kimberly Johnson, Jacqueline Jones LaMon, Maureen N. McLane, Joyce Peseroff, Mary Ruefle, Trish Salah, Patricia Smith, Anne Waldman, and Rachel Zucker. 

A rousing collection of poems. As much a celebration of womanhood as it is a call to arms.

5 stars