I've thoroughly enjoyed all of Amanda's previous works from The Women are Some Kind of Magic series, To Make Monsters out of Girls, and even her self published book Dragonhearts. Amanda really opened a new perspective on poetry and has redefined what it means to write it. As an English & Creative Writing student, I have to get my hands stuck on creating some of my own, and it used to be my most dreaded part. Her poetry has completely switched that around for me. And The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One s no different.


It very much centres around the #MeToo movement, surviving sexual assault and finally being able to speak up and receive support. And it caters this idea of including others' stories into this as it features several other poets such as Gretchen Gomez and Trista Mateer. And with such a heavy subject matter it offers both more painful reads and then follows with a lighter poem as if to hug and comfort.

There is a slight fairytale theme in this collection and offers imagery of Alice and a sense of the 'looking glass'. There's also (obviously) hints at Ariel / The Little Mermaid. The fairy like style was mixed in well with the more harder subject that the collection followed. Also whether Amanda's inspiration came from Disney, Fairy tales, or wherever else, it was exciting to see characters or previous stories that everyone universally knows and used in such ways.

Even though I was given a free e-book arc of this collection, I will be going out and buying it. Some of the poems have really stood out and with all other of Amanda Lovelace's work, they're a collection that needs to be read and re-read all over again.

"Cages are still cages even when they're designed to look just like castles."

3.5 stars

This is probably her best collection yet. I loved how she explored trauma so powerfully and beautifully.

Some poems I found to be great while some I questioned why they were put in at all if they lacked so much substance.

The last part of the book was comprised of contributing poet’s works, which I thought was really nice and worked perfectly with the message of this series.

the mermaid’s voice returns in this one is a return to form and theme for amanda lovelace. Just like her first book, the princess saves herself in this one, tackled some tough issues so too does her third book. Don’t be worried about being surprised by this content as the book itself begins with a trigger warning that outlines the issues that the book explores and advises people that some parts may be difficult.

lovelace’s poetry books are somewhat themed around fairy tales and tackle a number of associated issues – You will find poems that deal with abuse, survival, and issues of non-consent. Surrounding these issues and poems are the narrative of the little mermaid, which is used to highlight the larger issues surrounding womanhood and survival

The typical structure of Lovelace’s poems involve un-capitalised lines intersected with line breaks, that typically end with italicised final thoughts. the mermaid’s voice returns in this one is a quick and engaging collection of poetry, while you may struggle with the issues being discussed, you won’t struggle with understanding the poetry. All imagery used is beautiful and poignant, but also accessible.

Best Bits: There were a few stand out poems for me, if you do have a copy of the book check out the below poems:

‘he immediately lowers his umbrella’ – pg 116.
‘today i love the way i look in my sundress’ – pg 131.
‘a victim or a survivor?’ – pg 133.

I will admit that the first book in the ‘Women are Some Kind of Magic’ series, is the more powerful of the series. It wasn’t that the mermaid’s voice returns in this one was weaker or any less poignant than the first, it was just that I wasn’t as enraptured with the poetry.

I would still recommend this book for any fan of lovelace or poetry. the mermaid’s voice returns in this one is a great starter book for poetry readers and an enjoyable read for poetry pros.

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t usually read a lot of poetry and I haven’t read the authors 2 previous works, but this was really beautiful and thought provoking. She hits on so many emotions using various references to fairytales. As a woman reading this, it was quite powerful and her message was empowering.

Well done. I’ll definitely be reading more of her works.

Amanda Lovelace never fails to write lovely poems that make you love poetry even more. I have honestly loved it with my whole heart.

I'm a diehard Amanda Lovelace fan. I will buy anything and everything she writes.

True to form, this collection of poetry is altogether fierce and vulnerable. I connect on a personal level to its references to a particularly unhealthy and dark relationship; instead of feeling triggered, these poems are offering me a lifeboat comprised of catharsis.

To paraphrase Ms. Lovelace, when I read these poems I can reside somewhere between forgiving and forgetting my past.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36297088-the-mermaid-s-voice-returns-in-this-one?ac=1&from_search=true

This is the first book by Amanda Lovelace that I read, and I was expecting so much more because of the title (and the trigger warnings). Much of the idea which the book is articulated around (that of mermaids and books/fantasy/stories) I found boring and stale, appart from the fact that (ironically) they are not that present in the actual poems. However, there are (a few) gems hidden between all that fantasy.

I didn't like so many poems by other people in her book. It didn't feel as she was using it to inspire her own writing and the readers.

I haven’t read any of Lovelace’s other works yet. So, when I jumped into this book, all II knew was that it would be a poetry collection that told a story.

I never expected it to tear me apart and put me back together.

I don’t know which was a bigger factor – the story or the writing itself – but I can say for a fact that, if I could, I’d rip some pages from this book and keep them with me at all times.

I have no words to express how much I loved this book.

Rating: 5 stars

Amanda Lovelace is my favorite poetry author. Since her first book, I felt every poem hit inside my heart. It made me feel like I wasn't alone in the pain I went through in my life. It made me feel like my past and what happened to me, doesn't define me, and I can overcome anything. The Mermaid's Voice Returns in this One did just that and more. This one took my breath away just as much as the previous two. There were so many moments where I had to put it down and just feel.

I didn't realise that this book was the third in a series when I requested it, it only dawned on me when I recieved it. However, I found it to be quite enjoyable as a read. I enjoyed how some poems were modernised fairy tales almost with a feminist twist.

I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH! I find a lot of comfort in some of the trauma she describes overcoming having gone through it myself. It makes me feel powerful and like if she got through it, then so can I. I hope to see so much more from her.

I have never really enjoyed reading any sort of poetry, until I found Amanda's books. The topics they address are so relatable and easy for someone like me (someone who doesn't really find enjoyment in dissecting poems) to digest and understand. There's such a wide range of topics she addresses in these poems, all about the female experience; all the joy, pain, suffering, wonder, possibilities, and everything in between. But the most prominent feelings I felt throughout were hope, empowerment, and a sense that I was not alone. She also includes trigger warnings at the beginning of her book and I appreciate that so much. There were several poems in this book that I had to stop and reread several times, not for lack of understanding, but because I felt it resonate with me so much and that's something that didn't really happen when I read poetry in school. I also found it wonderful that she had different people contribute to this book, but they all shared a similar tone/style that I didn't realize it was someone other than Amanda until I reached the end. I'm confident to say that Amanda's poetry is poetry that I actually enjoy immensely, and find myself purchasing to keep with me in a physical sense because her words are going to stay with me for just as long, if not longer.

The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One is the third book in Amanda Lovelace's poetry trilogy Women Are Some Kind of Magic. I have been a huge fan of the trilogy until now, and this book definitely lived up to my expectations and satisfied my needs.

Lovelace is a talented poet and she excels at combining real-world traumas with fairy tale magic with a feminist twist in a blend that is intensely cathartic to read (and I assume to write). Some of the poems hurt, some of them make me smile, all of them are worth reading. The inclusion of poems from other writers in the final section was a nice touch, and I think it helped bring the conclusion together.

I definitely recommend the whole trilogy in order, but each one is worth a read as a stand-alone as well. I can't wait to see what else Amanda Lovelace has to offer as a writer in the future.

Amanda Lovelace's "Women Are Some Kind of Magic" series...There aren't enough words to describe how much these poetry collections have touched my heart. Women share their voices and experiences in many ways, but it's also others who need the listening ears, the open mind, and accepting heart.

This poetry series comes to an end with the emphasis to express your voice in the best way you know. It's got heart and strength. It was great to see work by other folks in this collection. It was a wonderful way to end the series with a chorus of voices.

This collection comes with a few trigger warnings such as violence, child abuse, and self-harm. But it's worth the emotional read, just to hear the story within the poems.

I wanted to give Lovelace another try just because I enjoy torturing my reader self and yup, I still don't like. Most of these poems did not make sense to me and I suppose it's because I'm not a feminist or a poet but I didn't enjoy ANYTHING in this book. I feel like I didn't gain or learn anything by reading this book but at least it's a quick read. Overall I rated this book 1.5 stars.
FTC DISCLAIMER: I received this book in exchange for an honest review

The core subject matter of this collection is important in a time of women reclaiming their agency and becoming transparent in the abuses they’ve suffered. That being said I liked it but didn’t love it which isn’t a bad thing. Like is still good. I just want something that feels completely new from this author and this was timely but not new.

I have not always been the biggest poetry fan, but Amanda Lovelace and Rupi Kaur The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One by Amanda Lovelaceare up there amongst my favourites. When I found out that Amanda was coming out with a new bind up, I HAD to get that book badly. It arrived on my doorstep and I dove straight in. Her poetry is raw, builds up and sometimes is all too familiar. Her lines are so beautifully written and I can’t wait to find out more.

I already read the first book "The princess saves herself in this voice" and absolutely loved it.
I think this one is not as strong as the first one but still very good.
This book is about healing and recovering after a trauma and that it is okay to feel the pain. You can't change the past, it always will be there, it all still happened but every day you wake up is one day further away. It is about finding your voice and see that even if we don't all have the same pain, everyone struggles.
This collection makes you feel understood and seen. The words are so refreshing , reading them is like being refreshed by the salt water. Beautiful, powerful and magical.

There seemed to be a lot of filler poems. Two sentences and not much meaning to it. That was a bit sad.

I love that the titles all fit together so well, although this time there wasn't too much connection to the mermaid theme.

I think this book is perfect for every Amanda Lovelace Fan but if you look for something new and different that may not be your cup of tea.

The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One is the final installment to Amanda Lovelace's Women Are Some Kind of Magic series, and I enjoyed it. I will admit this one wasn't my favorite and that I LOVED her 1st book in the series the best. I've rated it 3.5 Stars. I find it hardest to rate poetry than another other genre. Without a doubt the author gave this book her all. My heart breaks that she has endured what she has. I'm so glad she didn't let that define her. We hear her voice loud and clear in this installment. I'm thankful that she shared her life with us. I'm sorry that her and so many other women have had similar paths. Amanda's Women Are Some Kind of Magic series offers hope and knowledge that we aren't the only one. She's beyond inspiring and creative.

Thank you for an advance copy for my honest review.

I loved the first book in the trilogy, thought the 2nd was ok...but this one? Eh. Seemed very redundant...not sure if that is the word. Just didn't speak to me like the others did.

Thank you to netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.