Summer 2021 (August);
~ Netgalley Arc

Thank you to Amanda Lovelace, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and Netgalley for this free arc for an honest review.

I am so pleased to have gotten the chance to early read Amanda Lovelace's newest poetry book (as I've gotten the chance to read a few of them on here before). This newest one plays into the dichotomy of women through the dichotomy of the darkness and lightness both in Persephone herself *and* between both herself and Detemer & herself & Hades. First and foremost, always, I love that Amanda's books begin with the trigger warning list and the reminder to take care of yourself always.

The poetry as always is stunning, and several of these pieces touched me. I loved the duality switching backgrounds, between the rolling spring of the Spring Goddess and the flame and darkness of the Queen of Hell. This poetry, as always is about owning your power, your insight, your independence, and the abandonment of all things that cling unhealthily to us. I would advise to book to many, and already have several I'm thinking of gifting it to. ( )

I'm just so deeply in love with her books. Her work just does something to me. I can't even begin to explain. I highly recommend all of her works. ( )

"She's equal parts glitter & hellfire once unleashed you wont be able to contain her."

Amanda Lovelace is back with another lovely collection of fragments made up of brilliantly connected words designed to inspire, to give a voice to those who haven't found theirs, and to not only tell us, but make us believe that you don't have to give up softness for strength or vice versa. We are both, moving fluidly between the two as circumstances and events play out.

"Even if it’s uncomfortable, even if it hurts. from this day forward, i vow to let myself bloom freely— even if others see me as an annoyance, even if they see me as a weed."

So many pages seemed written from the feelings in my very own heart expressed through the capable hands of Lovelace, but the passage above is a thought I've seen buried deep within not only my own core, but the hearts and souls of so many others who have thus far been afraid to own this statement, to demand our rights to bloom in to the people we were meant to be.. Seeing this piece amongst many others makes me feel more valid than I thought possible before experiencing Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things.

Whether you've been following Amanda Lovelace since the beginning (as I have) or stumbling upon her for the first time, this book is for you; You will walk away from this with a different view of yourself or your friends and family than you had going in. Just bear in mind there IS a Trigger Warning at the beginning of this book and I strongly urge you to make sure you are in a mentally safe space before continuing on.

Thank you Netgalley, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and of course the talented Amanda Lovelace for putting this collection in to the world, and for gifting me a digital arc in exchange for my honest opinion. ( )

I'm a big fan of Greek mythology and I loved that this poetry collection was an ode to Persephone. This collection honors both her soft side as a goddess of spring and her fire as the Queen of Death. The poems alternate in their fierceness and sweetness. Another great collection from Amanda Lovelace filled with beautiful prose and illustrations. ( )

My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/LF-35QoIdpo

Enjoy! ( )