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From the Bookshelf of Challenge Corner…

A Phoenix First Must Burn

Patrice Caldwell (Editor),

Elizabeth Acevedo

Start date: February 1, 2022

Finish date: February 28, 2022

Discussion: Book of the Month

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Book of the Month

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What Members Thought

Jun 27, 2020 Dr. Andy rated it really liked it

Shelves: queer-rep-bisexual, queer-side-character, queer-rep-non-binary, ownvoices, bipoc-author, black-rep, read-2020, queer-rep-lesbian, queer-af

This was a wonderful anthology! The only thing that bothered me was that in the summary this claims to center gender non-conforming individuals, but there was only one non-binary character (and they weren't even the narrator) so I'm confused to as why it's marketed that way. Almost all of the characters do their best to smash the patriarchy though, which I wholeheartedly approve of.

Each of these stories had some kind of magic to offer. I enjoyed every single one of them. But a couple faves dese This was a wonderful anthology! The only thing that bothered me was that in the summary this claims to center gender non-conforming individuals, but there was only one non-binary character (and they weren't even the narrator) so I'm confused to as why it's marketed that way. Almost all of the characters do their best to smash the patriarchy though, which I wholeheartedly approve of.

Each of these stories had some kind of magic to offer. I enjoyed every single one of them. But a couple faves deserve more than general praise: Wherein Abigail fields recalls her first death and, subsquently, her best life by Rebecca Roanhorse; Melie by Justina Ireland; Tender-headed by Danny Lore; and All the Time in the World by Charlotte Nicole Davis.

Wherein Abigail Fields recalls her first death and, subsquently, her best life by Rebecca Roanhorse: Abigail Fields was a badass and freaking awesome. Set in an all Black town of New Mexico, the story starts out with Abigail almost dying from a gut shot. Her whole village has just been murdered by a White cowboy, and she promises the desert deities that if they save her, she will bring them vengeance. Abigail begins this quest against the wishes of her lover, Mo, who wants them to move to LA and start over again. This was such a fun and atmospheric story. There was just something about the desert setting that drew me in!

Melie by Justina Ireland: FAT MC!!! Body-positive, fat MC. I freaking loved this!! We need more body positivity in YA and books in general. Melie is a High Sorcerer's apprentice and she had been working for him in the hopes of finally being trained to use magic. She's good at her job and knows her magical ability is more than what the High Sorcerer asks from her. Melie was intelligent and wasn't afraid of studying or doing hard work to get ahead, I really loved her for that. She was also empathetic and logical. Full of spells, prophecies, and dragons, Melie was a winner for me.

Tender-headed by Danny Lore: This story is all about braiding and Black hairstyles! I was really fascinated by this. Mainly because my hair refuses to hold any kind of style so I love hearing/seeing what other people can do. Akilah started braiding hair in order to take business away from Auntie, but Akilah's clients have slowly began going back to Auntie. This kind of gave me The Henna Wars vibes, but no cultural appropriation this time. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Akilah and her significant other, Jayleen, who is non-binary. Casual queer rep like this is so heartwarming. Akilah goes to get her hair done by Auntie and we see that Auntie may have a few tricks up her sleeves. Oh my god, almost forgot to mention this is an Athena and Ariachne retelling!!

All the Time in the World by Charlotte Nicole Davis: Davis is a new favorite of mine after reading their debut novel The Good Luck Girls, which was amazing and different from everything else I've been reading this month. The inspiration from this story is taken directly from the Flint Water crisis. Told in second person, we follow our main character Jordan as she discovers she can stop time for brief intervals. I really loved the atmosphere of this story. It made me happy and it's queer so like A+. ...more

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Feb 23, 2022 Elizabeth Aguilar rated it really liked it

Anthologies can usually be a mixed bag but I've liked all the stories. There were a few I loved.

A Hagiography of Starlight had wonderful descriptions and imagery. Melie was charming and had a whimsy that reminds me of Dianne Wynne Jones. The Goddess Provides had several twists, which I didn't see coming! Hearts Turn to Ash was sad and, while I have questions about what happens to Jackson, it felt like a complete chapter.

Definitely adding a few new authors to my TBR after this. ...more

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Apr 13, 2022 akacya ❦ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audience-young-adult, ownvoices, format-audiobook, latino-authors, genre-fantasy, black-authors

4.5

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Jun 30, 2020 Melanie rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned, lesbian-rep

I loved this collection of short stories! There are so many amazing and creative writers in this anthology and so many of the stories were magical and captivating! I will definitely be looking into some of these authors' other works! ...more

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Feb 10, 2022 Ruthie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

science-fiction, futuristic societies, fantasy with earth magic, mermaids, vampires, other misc magic, and legends. I like all so it was surely an enjoyable read!

My favorite stories were the first one, Hearts Turned to Ash, and Letting the right one in. But, I liked all of them. It would be amazing if there was a volume 2 written with a continuation of each story. But, I'm just a reader who is always wanting more when I find something I like. The short stories definitely ignite my imagination an ...more

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Jun 07, 2020 Madeleine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A really nice collection of short stories, many of which I wish I could see turned into full books. Often, these stories felt like chapters taken from a larger work, and I'm itching to find what else these authors have written now. ...more

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