the witch doesn't burn in this one

by Amanda Lovelace and ladybookmad

2016 Goodreads Choice Award-winning poet Amanda Lovelace returns in the witch doesn't burn in this one — the bold second book in her "women are some kind of magic" series. 

The witch: supernaturally powerful, inscrutably independent, and now—indestructible. These moving, relatable poems encourage resilience and embolden women to take control of their own stories. Enemies try to judge, oppress, and marginalize her, but the witch doesn’t burn in this one.

• ISBN10: 1449489427
• ISBN13: 9781449489427
• Publish Date: 5 April 2018 (first published 6 March 2018)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Andrews McMeel Publishing
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 208
• Language: English

Reviews

[inlibrisveritas]

2.5 Stars

Though I did enjoy Lovelace's previous collection this one just did not work for me. Certain style choices made the experience kind of disjointed feeling. I will most likely still read her other collections at some pint though because there were still poems that resonated with me.

[Jo]

Trigger/Content Warnings: This book features child abuse, intimate partner abuse, sexual assault, eating disorders, trauma, death, murder, violence, fire, menstruation, and transphobia.

I was given The Witch Doesn't Burn in This One by Amanda Lovelace as a Christmas present. I'd seen her books mentioned online a number of times, and really liked the sound of them, but hadn't got round to them myself, so I was really chuffed to have been given this for Christmas! And mate, this book of poetry is as powerful as a punch to the gut.

The Witch Doesn't Burn in This One is the second book in the Women are Some Kind of Magic Series, and it's a book of poetry that is full to the brim with anger at the injustices suffered by women. The imagery of fire and burning that runs throughout really speaks to this rage. Lovelace really goes all guns blazing with her indictment over what women have endured. Your own fury builds along with hers; your heart breaks, you feel so much sorrow, but mostly, it's red hot rage. And with it, with Lovelace's words, and the rage she unleashes, there's also this overwhelming feeling of strength. You're raging, but you also feel you can take on anything.

But then there are also the poems to women. Poems of kindness and encouragement. The sweet, softer, generous king, that just lift you right up. Poems that redirect our self-worth from being reliant on the opinions of men. Lovelace holds a mirror up to yourself, and show you who you are as a woman, and as a person, and just how incredible you are. There is so much love, compassion, and understanding in these words, so you are at once raging, and the next so emotional, because Lovelace gets it, she get it all.

The Witch Doesn't Burn in This One is a battle cry to women to take back what has been stolen, to rebuild what has been crushed, and to fight those who attack. It's a bloody incredible book, so empowering, moving, and powerful. I've already got the other two books already available in this series reserved, The Princess Saves Herself in This One and The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One, and I'm also will be buying Break Your Own Glass Slippers, the first in her new series, You Are Your Own Fairy Tale, when it's published March. If you enjoy poetry and are passionately feminist, you need this book in your life.

[readingwithwrin]

Sadly for me, this one just ended up lacking a little something about halfway through. I'm still new to poetry and finding what I personally like.

[leahrosereads]

I enjoyed this collection a little bit more than the first one, and even though I'm not a fan of the format of the poetry, the content is so very relevant in today's society. And very necessary to exist, and I'm so happy that it does.

Several of these poems spoke to me on a very personal level, and I'll definitely pull this collection down when I need the words' as reminders.

[shannonmiz]

I don't really want to rate this because poetry is decidedly not my jam, but parts of it were very inspirational! Also, my mind doesn't always "get" poetry, but none of that is anyone's fault but mine, so here we are. Especially loved the fourth/final part of it!

[Chelsea]

Read for Popsugar's 2018 Reading Challenge #15: A book about feminism

I didn't expect anything less than amazing and that's exactly what I got.

White the first book in this series felt a little sad, this one felt like it was full of anger. Anger in the best way possible. Reading it made me powerful and confident, like nothing could bring me down. I'd like to hold onto this feeling (I'll have to reread this one a few times I think). There was anger about the world, about men pushing women down, about women never being good enough, but my favourite part was that there were solutions too. There were mentions of being confident because woman ARE good enough. There were mentions about how women should always be sticking up for one another. The whole thing just made me feel so GOOD.

As for the writing style, every word felt like it was chosen deliberately and placed in exactly the right spot. The formatting on some of the poems were different which only made it more interesting to read.

I couldn't wait to read this book and I can't wait to read her next book.

** I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**