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the mermaid's voice returns in this one

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Member Reviews

I love Amanda's poetry, it always touches my soul and makes me feel empowered. This book was no exception. There were poems that spoke volumes to me and which I will cherish. I loved there were also poems from other authors which I didn't know before and now can discover.

But from all her three book in this series I read, I liked The Mermaid the least. I didn't connect with more than half of poems and was really confused from them.

But it is poetry and everybody likes something different. It also depends a lot on life stage you are in right now, your experiences and struggles. I will definitely be coming back to this collection and reading it again, when some time will pass and I am sure I will understand and connect more.

As always, the book contained poems expressing love for books and love letters to all book loving people, which I love the most <3

"i wish i could be her friend"
the girl whispers
down into the
tear-stained pages,
lovingly caressing
the gold-diped edges.

"no-i'd rather be her"
ariel

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This was pretty similar to her other two previous books. I see this one hitting the bestsellers list like the two previous in the series. While it may not be my cup of tea, I see many teenage girls and young women loving this. Especially those drawn towards the mermaid theme, however I do wish it had a tiny bit more mermaid theme included and not just Ariel. A few of the poems were a sentence long and very basic and I’m not sure why they were included into the book but despite that I overall enjoyed the poetry and some spoke to me personally. I will be recommending it to those looking for a title in this genre for sure.

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While books of poems are not usually my thing, the themes Lovelace uses speak to me.
Not your traditional poem book. It certainly works for me.

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↠ Rating: 2 stars


"she didn't kiss frogs.
she kissed great white sharks."


There's nothing like the feeling of a poem that absolutely connects with you, is there? Maybe that's the reason why I keep giving this series shot after shot. I usually end up disappointed.
With this one, in the beginning I really thought this might be for me and I would really end up liking it, but after a few pages it turned out to be quite the opposite. I thought I might as well finish it now that I started, because I'm usually a pretty fast reader when it comes to poetry, but somehow this still felt too long.
Firstly, I thought this could have used a lot more water imagery. With "The Witch Doesn't Burn In This One" it was almost too much fire and matches and stuff for me, but in this one I thought most the poems barely related to the theme and I really would have wished they did.
Now my second critique is just a personal thought and I don't mean to offend anyone, but... I feel like this story was done being told way before this book was written. And I mean that in the most respectful way possible. I know nothing about Amanda Lovelace's life so this is just what I gathered from these poems, so if I'm wrong, I'm really sorry.
They just felt half-assed to me. Like there wasn't any personality in them. While some of the works in here, that may be happier than what we're used to from this series, felt a lot more real than the rest. I think that Lovelace needs to follow her heart a bit more and not write what she thinks people are expecting or waiting for, but go back to writing what she really has to say at that moment in her life. What added to that was the fact that she featured a large number of poems by other people in this collection. And while I liked that, because I actually enjoyed those more than her own, it felt a little like all she/the publisher wanted to do with that was fill another book and make this a trilogy.
I'm happy that this is the last book in the series, but look forward to read more works from Lovelace in the future.

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So,this is third book in Women Are Some Kind of Magic series,and it is still on powerful course.
This one is a little bit complicated cause the main theme is sexual assault. And if you ever experienced that this could be little pinch on the skin when you go into reading.
Verse is good,on point. It is simple but still says so much.
I personally didn't liked the homages to some classic works of prose and poetry. For me,it was cute but maybe it should have been saved for something else.
For some,thing poetry could be hard to swallow,because we all have different tastes.
I enjoyed it cause it is real,it is about how you can survive so much,and continue with your life. It is about how that defines you and about it doesn't at the same time.

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I struggled a lot with this. I wanted to look at this collection objectively and in an isolated manner, however <i>it is</i> part of a series, so I do think it's fair to bring up the previous two titles.

We fought dragons with the princess in The Princess Saves Herlself in This One.
We used the fire designed to scorch us back against those who would watch us burn in The Witch Doesn't Burn in This One.
I wanted so much to take back the narrative in The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One but I have to admit I was underwhelmed.

Poetry is something so personal, and though this book didn't ignite something inside me, like the two previous titles did, I know that doesn't discredit this book and the poems in it.
I still think amanda lovelace is a truly gifted writer, with a unique perpective because of what life has put her through.

Mermaid wasn't an instant favorite, but I am whiling to give it another shot later in the year.
I got a digital ARC from NetGalley but I am planning on keeping my pre-order for this book.
I still want Mermaid to join her sisters Princess and Witch on my shelves.

I felt there was a disconnect between the chapters in the book (the sky, the shipwreck, the song and the surviving) and the poems didn't really have that cohesive and organized feel I was used to from lovelace.

What shocked me was that the poem I enjoyed most in the book, and that I thought most related to the title and theme of the book wasn't written by lovelace but by a collaborator (Nikita Gill).

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Actual rating: 3.5

<i><b>someone mistreats you again & you reply the
same way you always do ("oh, it's alright. i'm used
to it by now.") before looking down at your shoes.
it's there that i will write an invisible reminder to
you: don't ever take anyone's bullshit. if they treat
you as anything less than royalty, then show
them exactly what a mermaid-witch-queen like
yourself can accomplish.

- slay those dragons II </b></i>

My notes for this collection prove that a handful of Amanda's words struck home for me. In the world women are growing up in today there are words I see resonating with many and coming to terms with their own feminine strength. Beauty, growth, hurt, and freedom so many ideas flow through her poems. For the right reader this will be a beloved edition to your collection.

While I did enjoy much of what she has put her heart into here, I didn't find a lasting impression for myself. I give it such a high rating because of the poems I do love and because I believe this is a book others should try too. I especially appreciated she opened the book up to other poets towards the end.

Her honesty and take on poetry are art and I am grateful for the chance to have read them for review. Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity.

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Amazing! Amanda Lovelace does it again! Heartbreaking, real life, so vulnerable, but yet so good. As good/even better than her other two works. Would definitely recommend. A few triggers nodding to rape.

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I loved This! Amanda's poetry is so so powerful and amazing! This poetry collection is something I feel like everyone should read.

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I haven't read the other two books in this series, but I am going to check them out now. The poems in this collection felt very timely with the combination of the Me Too movement and all of the women's rights issues that we are having. For the most part they were poignant and well written. I'm willing to hazard a guess that the poetry in this is like the previous two so if you liked them you'll probably like this one.
My favorite from the collection was:

"when
our villains
win,
do not fret.
just
rewrite
the story."

A big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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This compilation of poems by @ladybookmad is about women who have gone through abuse, women who are suffering heartbreak and women who are healing. It's what you'd call minimalistic poetry. It is the last in the series, and how I wish I could read the other two!
I really enjoy this genre of poetry, while the debate of how poetic it is stays. It is wonderfully written and appeals to the sad, broken part of us that is tucked away somewhere. We often just push our broken pieces aside and instead of focusing on healing, we just go on with life assuming everything will be ok. Perhaps, it's books like this that remind us that we still are broken, parts of us remain unhealed. If you enjoy this genre of poetry, pick this one up!
Overall, a book that I enjoyed reading and would recommend you pick it up too! I

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Getting to read this book early was really special for me. I don’t remember how exactly I stumble across “the princess saves herself in this one” but I was hooked from the very first line of the dedication. Amanda’s writing had a great impact on the writer I am today. It opened a door for me into a world of poetry I didn't know I belong to. I’m honored for the opportunity to watch this little princess fights dragons and grows up into a series of empowering books. This isn't a book that shies away from hard topics. Taking courage from the #metoo movement, The mermaid’s voice returns in this one is a story about finding the strength to tell your story. In her own, unique, fairytale-like style, Amanda is not only talking back her own voice she also encourages her readers to do the same. This book is for every (not so little) girl who still dreams of the day she would claim back her kingdom. It’s for everyone who struggles to find their voice. To tell their truth. To write their story. Whatever it is. The book also includes many poems from other contributors that make it even more special and deserve their own shout-out.

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“she didn’t kiss frogs
she kissed great white sharks.” - Amanda Lovelace

This was my first Amanda Lovelace poetry collection and definitely not my last! the mermaid’s voice returns in this one is the third book in the Women Are Some Kind of Magic trilogy. I will be picking up the first two collections after reading this one.

Amanda Lovelace has a gift and I am so immensely grateful that she is sharing it with the world. Each poem feels like it’s written for the reader. There is something magical about connecting with poems. This kind of poetry is what keeps the genre alive and breathing. the mermaid’s voice returns in this one centers around finding one’s voice. The title referencing to the Little Mermaid made me smile. It was like having my younger self gift me with a new voice. Reminding me how much my voice matters. The emotion I felt while reading the collection stayed long after. My favorite piece in the collection made me SO nostalgic.

“when i tell you i’m still waiting for my hogwarts letter, what i mean to say is i never meant to be here for so long.” - forever wandering lost & wandless.

My eyes watered after this piece. I grew up with Harry Potter and all its magical goodness. It made me sad, yet also carried so many possibilities. Growing up in a small town, not leaving has always been one of my biggest fears. Reading this, I knew I was not alone. It’s such a grateful and satisfying feeling.

I 100% recommend this poetry collection if you like modern poetry or liked previous collections by Amanda Lovelace. It’s going to take you on a journey of self-acceptance and finding your voice.

* Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

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*I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This book, I must confess, wasn’t for me. But I know it’ll be perfect for many. While I prefer more imagery in my poems, more originality in its metaphors, there’s plenty to enjoy here for fans of the genre.

This read like an unpolished journal of mismatched, so-called-poems; some of them were good, many weren’t, but everything felt real. The verses are personal, and the writer tackles her struggles with brutal honesty; I appreciated this.

Amanda Lovelace’s "the mermaid’s voice returns in this one" is the third and final installment in a trilogy of poetry books titled “women are some kind of magic”. This entry features a foreword by Lang Leav, and more than 10 poems by other authors. It culminates the series naturally, with a familiar, female voice that comes across more mature, more resolute —grown.

PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS:

• The book opens with a trigger warning. Lovelace’s decision to include this first, formatted to look like a poem, is commendable. I believe most writers —despite their want to be read— can learn from this decision. Prioritizing the reader’s well-being through such a simple gesture, even at the risk of losing a reader, says a lot about the person behind the pen.

• Throughout the book, there are many poems about a mermaid; a mermaid that finds her voice, keeps her voice. It felt like this mermaid was somewhere between Andersen’s and Disney’s Ariel. The ongoing motif added structure to the book. I wasn’t particularly fond of these poems, but I enjoyed how the fairy-tale was turned on its head and used as an empowering theme.

• The titles at the end of the poems; it made the reading experience feel a little like a mystery —like going blind into a movie, having not seen its trailer. It made me read most poems more than once, taking the title into account during the second and third reading, thus enchanting the experience.

To summarize, if you liked Lovelace’s first two books, or you enjoy the poetry of poets like Leav or Kaur, you will like this one. If you’re looking for something more profound in the writing itself, this book might not be for you. Don’t mistake me, though; the subjects are complex and deep and nothing here is treated lightly.

Trigger warnings (as stated by the author): child abuse, gun violence, intimate partner abuse, sexual assault, eating disorders, self-harm, suicide, alcohol, trauma, death, violence, fire, and possibly more.

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Wow. In the amazing conclusion to the “women are some kind of magic” series you get a powerful ending to a powerful series. Amanda delivers strong poems that honestly take your breath away. Whether she is packing a punch or making you cry, it is delivered beautifully. She includes a chapter with poems about survival by a powerhouse collection of female poets that alone make the book amazing. Each poem made me fall in love with her writing all over again.

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I was vaguely aware of Amanda Lovelace prior to reading this as the author of the princess saves herself in this one, which I hadn’t read but knew had received some raving reviews, so I thought I couldn’t go wrong. Unfortunately, this poetry collection fell quite short of my expectations.

I don’t begrudge Lovelace her premise (this collection is part of a poetry series called Women Are Some Kind of Magic) or her intention of female empowerment, especially for victims of sexual abuse, but her writing isn’t for me. Her poetry lacks a strong voice and a distinct style. The language is for the most part bland and unevocative, as well as void of stylistic devices. Most of her poems consist of texts with line breaks after every single word while others don’t have line breaks at all; both of these are absolutely valid stylistic choices, however here they don’t seem to serve a clear purpose, and the lack of craft leaves me questioning whether any of these texts are really poetry at all.

My favourite works in this collection were the guest contributions in the fourth part of the book, where Lovelace has curated some real gems, though sadly the comparison highlights the shortcomings in her own writing even more starkly.

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I've been following this series from it's inception, and truly feel that this is a beautiful end to the journey. Each book walks the reader through the feelings of the author in such a relatable way, and adds such empowerment in the idea of sharing stories of trauma. This particular book is so interesting because, it's not as upfront as the first two, but what makes it so beautiful is the ambiguity of it. You as the reader appreciate it more, because you can tell it's so deeply personal.

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It's not only mermaid's who get their voices back. It's all of us who have ever had it taken away. From the little ways we get it back by speaking to ourselves. To the big ways we take it back by sharing our stories. No matter what form sharing takes place, big or small. It's our story to tell no matter how it's told.

This book was a beautiful conclusion to the "women are some kind of magic" series. The first two, I picked up in a bookstore and couldn't put down until I finished them. The magic of the words wouldn't release me until I made it to the very end. This was no different. I ignored the laundry, the doorbell, the chirps on my phone until I finished this. It spoke to me. Some passages brought tears and others I had to read again in an attempt to commit to memory.

I like the flow of the author's poetry. The book is incredibly moving and freeing to me. The addition of the contributors poems sprinkled in at just the right spots, add additional voices and perspectives. I enjoyed this collection. It helps me see how far I've come in getting my own voice back.

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I haven't read the previous two books, The Princess Saves Herself in This One or The Witch Doesn't Burn in This One, although when Princess was released I was dying to get my hands on it. Now after reading more poetry, this one included, I'm even more likely to pick up books 1 and 2.

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3,5 stars

The Mermaid’s Voice Returns in This One is the conclusion to Amanda’s Women Are Some Kind of Magic Poetry Collection. As were the previous books this book is in brutally in your face and deals with various triggering topics. What pleased me was to see that there is a page at the start of the where the big triggering content was warned for. For the most part this book is about sexual assault. Abuse.

Where in the second book I felt there was a lot of filler poetry that was not the case for this book. The book is divided into 4 parts and each part has poetry that really fits with the theme. There was also a more positive tone to the poems in this one, which made it feel like a fitting ending. She really finds her voice again.

The thing that makes me rate this 3,5 stars is that in the fourth part of the book we get poems from a few other poets as well and for me they took the flow out of the whole. The rhythm and the feel of these were so different to Amanda’s that it was a bit jarring. I don’t think it was the right way to end this book.

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