This collection of stories, all by respected African-American women, sets out to explore race and gender through speculative short fiction, all featuring young heroines. Whether set in the future or in folklore, or magical worlds, these stories portray their characters' strength, tenacity, and creativity. For this reader, the success of the stories was uneven, perhaps because the formatting of the e-galley made some of them difficult to follow.

It's been a while since I enjoyed a book so much as I enjoyed this one. In the past, whenever I have read such anthologies, I usually find that one or two stories stand out in particular as my favorite. Not with this book. Patrice Caldwell has curated an amazing compilation of stories by truly talented and incredible authors. I will admit to being partial to Patrice's story; her descriptions of depression truly hit home for me in addition to my love of vampires. Recommended for lovers of fantasy, sci-fi, and some truly fantastic storytelling.

Each story was captivating and filled with a gorgeous story, unique in every way possible. My one complaint is over my sense of frustration when each story ended. I know they're short stories, but I wanted more. I would absolutely read a full length novel or series of each plot. All authors are being added to my TBR.

A Phoenix First Must Burn is an outstanding collection of short stories all centered around Black women and gender nonconforming individuals. I cannot stress how important this book is. With stories by many of the hit YA authors, there is a nice variety of stories throughout all with fantasy or science fiction genres. There are tales of witches, aliens, dragons, and so many things in between. Of course, as with all short story collections, some stories are better than others, but all are entertaining and deserved a place in A Phoenix First Must Burn. The representation in this book is phenomenal. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy short story collection. Be sure to check out A Phoenix First Must Burn today!

I admit up front that as a white, cis gender, middle age woman, I am probably not the main target audience for this book. However, I love #OwnVoices stories and I love fantasy/sci-fi. I'm a history buff and I've always thought that the strongest American is the Black woman - she who has endured so much, yet her story is rarely told. So, I was looking forward to reading this collection. Sadly, this book was a really uneven read for me. Several of the short stories were gripping and I just couldn't stop reading, others bored me to tears. All of the books had some fantasy or sci-fi mixed in and a fair percentage also had at least one character that identified as LGBTQ.

Being a collection of short stories, it's difficult to review this book. I enjoyed <i>When Life Hands You a Lemon Fruitbomb, Guilded, Melie, The Goddess Provides, Hearts Turned to Ash, Letting the Right One In, The Actress, Kiss the Sun,</i> and <i>The Witch's Skin.</i> I was bored by <i>Abigail Fields Recalls Her First Death and, Subsequently, Her Best life, The Rules of the Land, a Hagiography of Starlight, Tender-Headed, The Curse of Love, All the Time in the World,</i> and <i>Sequence</i>.

This would be a great book to introduce the reader to authors with whom they are unfamiliar - it definitely gives you a feel for each different writing style. I would also recommend it to anyone who enjoys magical realism and #OwnVoices stories.

Disclaimer: I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Interesting short stories involving science fiction or fantasy all written by women of color. Some familiar authors and some are new to me. I particularly enjoyed Justina Ireland.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This anthology is written by various extremely talented writers. The variety of stories are amazing! The diversity of characters inspiring. It covers a wide range of aspects I love, dragons, witches, space travel, super powers... It's all there. The cover is gorgeous. I will definitely add the physical copy as I read an uncorrected proof, but it was fantastic already. Everyone should read it!

This book is an amazing collection of authors. It's been a long time since I've read a short story collection that made me wish that every story was longer and I could just stay in that world a few pages longer. I can't wait to share this book with my library patrons.

This variety of short stories and settings based on science fiction and fantasy will engage and capture readers. Each story is built around complex and relatable characters. Aliens, homesteaders, sirens, priestesses, and rebels offer readers a variety of heart-pounding adventures and trials. Each story will leave you thinking. Readers will want to find their favorite authors and seek out their full length novels. The strong, POC, female characters tie together all the stories in the anthology. Fans of science fiction, fantasy, and adventure will enjoy reading this anthology.