Okay, I’m not a poetry expert. I barely read any poetry so take this with a grain of salt. This is the first book by Amanda Lovelace I’ve ever read, and I can see why there’s so much hype around them. There are some pretty heavy themes featured in this book and strong messages that stick with you for a long time.

The format though, I have some problems with. You can’t call poetry when you’re writing down a profound, beautiful sentence and just break it down for emphasis. I noticed that a lot of the poems and works from other authors didn’t follow this format and, not going to lie, those were my favorites.

I recently read the other two books in this series and I just had to request this next book of poetry. I haven’t read a lot of modern poetry but I find Amanda’s to be full of heartfelt and heartbreaking meaning.

Quite the interesting read.

Poetry isn't too popular in this day in age but I love that these books are so well loved.

The message here is stark and the writing is very much a 'stream of thought'. I feel like with the rough content of the narrative mixed with the fairy tale implication, makes for an intense read. Also slightly disheartening.

The style of the poetry is not my cup of tea but it doesn't change the message. It doesn't change the note to everyone to rise above and live. To make sure every day is yours.

It's a quick read and enjoyable~ take a moment and live.

I really enjoyed Lovelace's first book "The princess saves herself in this one" because of the narrative it built and her messages. Students in my building also really latched on to her style and message.

Her second book lost me a little bit, as I didn't find the narrative quite as strong. This book lost me even more. The poetry was technically well done, but the bigger message wasn't as clear or well developed.

Dear book, I am so sorry. Really. I promise it's not you, it's me.
I discovered Amanda when she published her first poetry collection, 'princess saves herself in this one' and remember completely falling in love with each and every one of its poems. I had loved how I could find myself in her words, and since then I've been closely following her work.

However, for the past few months, if not for the past year, I've had troubles with her poems: I just couldn't connect to them like I used to. And it made me mad because I really wanted to love them deeply and to feel like they were spoken to me.
But today I realized that it's okay if the Amanda's magic doesn't work the same way for me anymore. I did enjoy the poems here, and I loved that other authors contributed to this collection, and I am deeply grateful for this trilogy which brought me so much over the past two years, but I think it's time for me to come to terms with the fact that maybe these poems aren't for me anymore and that's okay.
I still do recommend this book, which in my opinion is a great ending to this trilogy.

Having absolutely devoured Amanda Lovelace's previous collections, I came to this one with high hopes. The poetry itself is as technically excellent as it always is, but I couldn't help feeling that the book as a whole wasn't saying anything I hadn't already heard from numerous other poets (albeit in a lot of cases done far more skillfully here.)

Having read Lovelace's To Make Monsters out of Girls only recently, I was looking for the same kind of gut punching singularity of voice I found in that collection, which I sadly felt was missing here, not least because of the inclusion of work by other poets. These peer-authored pieces were all very technically proficient, but took away somewhat from the cohesion and flow of the collection as a whole.

I would recommend this book to anyone who ordinarily enjoys Lovelace's work. However, I'd then suggest they follow it with the far superior To Make Monsters... to really see a master of her craft at work.

3.5 stars

This is a great wrap up to the women are some kind of magic series. I've enjoyed the whole collection. Amanda's poems are so raw with emotions, and relatable.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

This collection spoke to me in a way a collection of poetry hasn't for years. I'm glad there was a trigger warning because some of these poems were difficult to read, despite not being explicit. The poems have a great way of leading you in a little bit and making you take yourself the rest of the way. It's a really powerful reading experience. Playing with fairy tales and existing fictional characretrs isn't new but this is is doing something different by playing with the lightness and the darkness in those characters and texts.

This collection feels hopeful. There are some poems that absolutely don't fit that description but as a whole there's an optimistic hopeful current there. This is the kind of collection that upon finishing I'm making a list of the people I want to recommend it to. Gifts I want to give to show people I see them and they see me. This made me feel seen.

The final book to join Amanda Lovelace’s collection Women Are Some Kind of Magic. I’ve read the previous two books and if I’m being honest I didnt enjoy them as much as I wanted to. This one on the other hand I liked more. I love how she includes trigger warnings in the beginning of her books, and I really appreciate how she deals with different themes. I loved the guest poems that she had included in this collection too.

Once again I've been left without words while reading Lovelace's poetry. I read it in one sitting as I couldn't look away. Honestly cannot wait to have a physical copy of this book. As always Lovelace's book starts with trigger warnings, she deals with massively difficult topics throughout her poetry. It hits you right in the feels, and is very important topics.

Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel for sharing a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Once again, Amanda Lovelace has blown me away. This is the third book in this series, women are some kind of magic, and it's a fantastic conclusion. Both stylistically and linguistically beautiful, this book features both Lovelace's original poetry as well as thirteen guest poets and some homages to other works of literature.
⭐⭐⭐⭐​⭐
Amanda Lovelace is one of my favorite poets for a reason. Her imagery surrounding abuse, violence, and mental health speaks to a scary truth for women, but is also empowering and encouraging. Women are often subject to objectification, assault, and then disbelief from others, which can quickly overwhelm. Lovelace's poems are hard to read sometimes, and should be, but I often marvel at her intense focus on growth even when it could be so easy to sink instead. I always come out feeling inspired, and I am so grateful for the bravery Lovelace infuses into these tales.

Some of my favorite poems focused on escapism, and the role of books and stories in growth. I feel that extensive reading is beneficial in self-discovery and exploration, so I was glad to see that echoed in this collection. My favorite is Lovelace's homage to Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough, which I read last year. That story became one of my favorites, and I'm not surprised that Lovelace connected with Artemisia. Both are incredibly powerful women who use their voices and stand up proud.

In summary, the mermaid's voice returns in this one is a hauntingly beautiful collection and a fitting end to the women are some kind of magic series. I highly recommend these stories and urge you to read all of Amanda Lovelace's work. You will not be disappointed. 5/5 stars.

I can safely say that I finally understand the hype around Amanda Lovelace's books.  It wasn't that I thought her undeserving--the total opposite.  I'd just never read her poetry before.  The way it's organized, compiled, the design choice, the themes.  It's all resonant of today's contemporary emotional minefield.  

In this book, through using mermaid imagery to tell her story of survival, she discusses the dichotomy between victim and survivor, analyzes it, comes to terms with it.  It's a heavily weighted dichotomy, yet she deals with this topic in a satisfying and respectful way.  Not only that, but she also includes poetry from guest poets, showing how supportive she is of other women in similar shoes not only in theory but in practice, too.  

This was a great book filled with beautiful poems.  I'm so excited to read the first two of her series, and more so understand the sheer wondrousness of Lovelace and her mind.

What a fantastic way to end this series of poetry collections. I have been a fan of Amanda's writing ever since I first encountered one of her poems on tumblr. Her words resonated immediately with me - her struggles so familiar to way too many women out there. I loved how Amanda found her way out of the apathy and rage, and this collection is no different.
Told in separate parts, it is the story of survivor and victim, someone scared and someone able to heal nonetheless.
Amanda has created something truly powerful that will resonate with readers who need to hear that, in the end, they can save themselves.

This is a wonderful conclusion to Amanda Lovelace’s Women Are Some Kind of Magic series! The Mermaid’s Voice returns in this one seemed more intimate than Witch, but still with the burning emotion laced through it. The parallels to fairytales we all know and love are woven through seamlessly and the book was a fantastic read. There were also poems from other poets laced through that added a new layer to her collection. 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Amazing book. loveLace’s poetry spoke to me unlike any other poetry I’ve read before. Her poetry was real and not over used. I felt so many emotions while reading this. I can’t wait to read her other books.

3.5 stars.

There are still striking images and important messages of recovery and self-care, as with the previous two books in this series, but as a collection it felt scattered. Part of it might just be the different voices (part IV features several other poets), and various literary references are made throughout, and while the effect is far from unpleasant I was a tiny bit disappointed.

The Princess Saves Herself in This One remains my personal favorite of the series, but I have simultaneously enjoyed following Amanda Lovelace's journey through each installment; based on the afterword she seems to be in a good place now — and to have told her story in a way that rings true and brings peace to her — and so for that alone I love this book just for existing.

A noble ending to the astonishing and groundbreaking predecessor books. I was a bit disappointed that this felt more like an analogy, though, since Lovelace is entirely capable of sustaining the narrative solo.

Content Warning - Please refer to one of the first pages of the book for a full list.

"She didn't kiss frogs... She kissed great white sharks." - The Mermaid's Voice Returns In This One (Amanda Lovelace)

I think that this book was the best in the Women Are Some King of Magic series. I am a male teenager, and I think it's important for both males and females to indulge in this book. (There is a trigger warnings page in the front of the book) I think Amanda Lovelace is an amazing poet and writer of out time, and she expresses the empowerment of women in this series beautifully and creativity while also telling her own story. Personally... This was my favorite of the series.

Please read this book. Please. While I only gave it 4 stars as opposed to 5 I think it has so many amazing aspects, and the 4 was just for my personal enjoyment level.



I received an ARC of this book/poetry collection from NetGalley. I was not forced to review this. All opinions are my honest thoughts.

There are not enough words in the world to explain how much I adore Amanda Lovelace! When I saw that she had written another book, I was ecstatic!

The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One was an absolutely stunning ending to her trilogy. Her poetry detailed some serious subjects, much about abuse, consent, and violence, and it was poetic genius. I am so lucky to have read this book. It is a keeper for sure.

While this book can be read on its own, I HIGHLY recommend reading the previous two books that she has written. It really ties everything together. Amanda Lovelace writes powerful, deep poems for everyone living in the 21st century. She is the voice we need!

*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.*

This eARC was provided through NetGalley from Andrews McMeel Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw the third installment of Lovelace's "women are some kind of magic" collection, I squealed. A high pitched, girly, super exited squeal. I loved the first two of the collection- (read my reviews here and here) and I was pumped to find that NetGalley had the third, ready to download, no request required. It immediately jumped to the top of the TBR line, which I figured was perfectly fine because I knew I'd devour it in a day.

In The Mermaid..., Lovelace (as usual) starts the collection with a trigger warning, which moves on to a forward from Lang Leav that introduces the rest of the collection. Leav mentions what power the voice has, and sets the preface for what is to come while reading. Next, Lovelace tosses in a few "from the poet" stanzas that grab the reader's attention. Then, the collection is broken down into four parts: the sky, the shipwreck, the song, and the surviving.

The Sky kicks off with some powerful poems of what I interpret to be Lovelace's past traumas. There are poems of abuse, rape, and childhood molestation, which transition into how she escaped there terrors as a child with books and fairy tales. Though clearly affected by the past, the author still finds solace in the idea of love, of the fairy tale endings, even when she is struggling to believe in their true existence.

The Shipwreck is a continuation of The Sky, but progressing into adulthood and relationships. Still dealing with abuse, still trying to find solace in fairy tales, still trying to find love but only finding the heartache. I felt this section is where Lovelace is showing her loss of voice. She knows she should have spoke up, but wasn't able to find her voice to do so.

The Song is the return of the voice. It is where Lovelace calls out those that have done wrong, and stating that they will never take from her again. There is also forgiveness and closure, which I've noticed as a trend in Lovelace's work. The reader can see the therapy in the poetry and the power behind it.

Finally, The Surviving starts out:

"a chorus of mermaids cried out to her then, "DON'T BE AFRAID TO SING..."

Lovelace calls upon her fellow poets and together, they compose the last section of the collection, sharing poems from Caitlyn Siehl, Clementine von Radics, Trista Mateer, Gretchen Gomez, Noor Shirazie, Jenna Clare, Ky Robinson, Yena Sharma Purmasir, Morgan Nikola-Wren, McKayla Robbin, Sophia Elaine Hanson, Orion Carloto, and Nikita Gill. It's a strong roll call, and every other page is from Lovelace, filling in with "morals of the story"-style poetry.

Lovelace has yet again nailed it. At first, I wasn't sure if I enjoyed The Mermaid... as much as I enjoyed The Witch... because the latter was such a strong battle cry, but the more I read into the poetry, the more I understood that even though it's a quieter voice, it is still extremely powerful. I will be purchasing a finalized copy for my collection, and I encourage others to do the same.

Expected Publication Date: March 5, 2019

(This review will be posted on my blog (www.thelexingtonbookie.com) at a future date.)