A collection of poems about the way Gen Z uses cartoons to explore identity and sexuality; Dear Azula is as sparky, vibrant and unexpectedly deep as the animations that inspired it. Featuring coming-of-age stories like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Kim Possible, Shrek, The Emperor's New Groove and The Incredibles, this is a collection by and for Gen Z that’s still accessible for everyone. Fiona Chose to be an Ogre and Yzma Dresses for the Llama Funeral are standouts, but every poem is enjoyable and it's a noticeably unified collection from two such distinctive voices.

I’m a little on the fence about my rating right now. Maybe I need to think about it more, mostly I loved the nostalgia of it.

This is a collection of poems that relate to teens in a lot of unique ways and also all the cartoons some of us used to watch, while they’re are some poems that don’t resonate as well there are those that really stick with you.

And even if you don’t resonate with the character the poem is about I feel like the important message with the poem really resonates.

I think my only major complaint is how short it is because it’s only 46 pages so it’s really quick so I did just want a little more but all in all and amazing collection of poems.

This book was a short but sweet collection of nostalgic poems about cartoon characters from the ‘90s and early 2000s that I believe most twenty-somethings will really enjoy.

I personally love poetry based on pop culture, and this collection was no exception. The writers gave depth to the characters and wrote about important issues through the characters of all of our childhoods.

I loved these poems, some more than the others, but overall it was great. The poems mash together cartoon characters that we grew up with, with experiences that the reader may have gone through. I loved how each poem was based around a character, yet were written in a way that even if you don't particularly relate to said character you can relate to the poem. My only problem with this book was its size, in my opinion it was super short.

This entire collection uses media references to tell a story, and I'm 110% here for it! Millennials will experience the strongest feels in this book, because so many of the characters and stories included were part of our adolescence. Every poem spoke to me, even the ones from media I didn't connect to at the time it originated from. I have a soft spot for the quality of Button Poetry collections, and this one adds itself to the list of great reads.

I received an ARC from NetGalley to review.

I love referencing my favorite things in my own writing, but it's just that: a reference. It's not a whole poem/song/story themed to some fandom I'm a part of. I honestly think the poetry would have a much stronger impact if they weren't so blatantly themed to each character or show. Let the audience pick it up on their own and then it feels like a little secret between the poet and reader. Also, if you wanted to make a poetry book based on Avatar: The Last Airbender, just say so. Most of the poems were Avatar themed and they were the best ones in my opinion. My favorites were "Zuko's Palinode" and "My Girlfriend Turns Into the Moon". I like that they quoted The Ballad of Mulan in the Mulan poem, I just didn't like the poem.

I think most of the enjambment used throughout this book was clumsy. There were moments that it worked but mostly it was distracting and kind of pointless.

"Fiona chose to be an ogre over being a white woman. What does that tell you? - Luther Hughes, Twitter" Dear Azula, I Have A Crush On Danny Phantom pg. 11

I have no problem with the above quote except for the fact it was directly quoted in a poem from this book. The whole concept of this book is very try hard and pandering to the "youths". The authors both seem to be early Gen Z but I sense publisher interference. It's so gimmick-y. Did they have anything to do with the quote or was it the authors' choice? It feels very much like the publishers are trying to capitalize on Gen Z's inside jokes but missing the mark because memes get old fast. "My Mom and Mrs. Incredible Have The Same Haircut" is a perfect example of this. We don't need a poem that opens up talking about Karen hair. We just don't.

So overall it's not as bad as Gabbie Hanna's poetry but... It's not great either.

4/5🌟: This book of poetry took well known (and loved) cartoon characters and gave (or illustrated) the complex depth each of them had underneath. With beautiful imagery and great sound work, this pieces really spoke about strong issues with precision and clarity. I loved all the poems, especially since it honed in stuff going on beyond the surface, stuff that we find later on in a re-watch when we're older and ask ourselves about. Theses poems were amazing.

My only issue with this book is that, even for a collection of poetry, the book was quite short. And while this did make for a quick read. It felt a little bit lacking, not in substance which had a great deal, but in quantity. I would rather have quality pieces over a bunch of non-finished pieces but I felt like the book missed something. I wanted not just more, but to learn more about the authors through the perspective of cartoons which was only really explored in the one poem dedicated to Mrs. Incredible.

But overall, my personal desire for more aside, this was an amazing collection and definitely worth the read. I can't wait to pick this up when it comes out to have my own copy on my shelf.

There were moments of beautiful poetry but often I felt like I was reading juvenile poetry, which isn't necessarily bad, but not what is being advertised.

"Don't touch me. I am not the pretty sister, I am the bitch who wins."

I was only here for the title to be honest because let's be real; who didn't have a crush on Danny Phantom.
All in all, this is a thoughtful, interesting collection based on Danny Phantom, Kim Possible, and the Avatar. It had the potential to be very childish but surprisingly wasn't.

Thank you, NetGalley for a chance to read and review this ARC!

When I saw the title of this I was already hooked. I was so excited to read this poetry collection because it just sounded right up my street. A poetry collection on nerd/cartoon culture? Yes, get on my shelf.

The collection is wonderful. I loved how each poem was tailored to its cartoon character, but it was turned into something real and related straight back to the thoughts and feelings of the author.

I Have A Crush on Shego was my favourite. Any queer kid could probably relate to having an attraction to Shego. The author used this villainous character to show how lesbianism was not fully accepted, and might not be seen as natural. So because of this girls could grow up thinking that other girls were friends or rivals. Especially in the case of confused feelings, a young girl might find it easier to push that person bringing out those feelings away or get angry about it. It was very cleverly written.

I didn't love all the poems, but I always find this in collections. I do completely appreciate it all though and it made me so happy reading it. I can see myself thinking back on the poems I did really enjoy fondly.

Thank you to the publishers, authors and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this collection in exchange of an honest review.

As the end of the millennial age, with overlap to early Gen Z, I appreciate the cultural meshing of the young person’s experience and the familiarity of the pop culture characters. These are the characters we grew up with, and these are the experiences that make us grow. Here they meet.

This is a really interesting and engaging collection of poems that looks at how cartoon characters have taught us things growing up that lots of children weren’t being encouraged to explore or challenge. With relatable and thought provoking content, these poems made for an enjoyable read. This collection is very easy to consume in one sitting and leaves the reader wanting more in the best possible way. I only wish that it could have been a little bit longer.

Very nostalgic and fed into my love of early 2000’s cartoons. My favourite poems were ‘I Have A Crush on Shego’ and ‘Fiona Chose To Be An Ogre’. There are so many people who will adore this poetry collection and relate to the shared experiences within.

I loved this, I really did. Each poem was tailored to it's cartoon character while bringing an element of realism. For example in the poem I Have A Crush on Shego, Shego is used as a way to explain unrequited love through violence because growing up in early 2000's being a lesbian still wasn't fully accepted yet, so most girls grew up thinking their choices were only friendship or riverly. You'll find something like this with all the poems but it uniquelly works with all the characters chosen. Hands down my favourites were Black Fire Ballad, I Have A Crush on Shego, & Beast/Boy. I can see myself re-reading these ones over and over again, but honestly they all were great.

My only complaint, if you could call it one, is that it was way too short and there are so many animated characters you wish Tyabji & Neal would touch upon. I also think that the cover put's people off from picking this one up. I get what the cover artist was going for but unless a reader takes a hard look at the title, I can see them passing this one over for a shiner cover; which is a shame because it is among the best poetry collections I have ever read and needs far more love.

Perfect for fans of poetry and early 2000's cartoons. I highly recommend.

This poetry collection is short and sweet. At only 46 pages, it’s a read fit for a subway ride. However, there’s a lot to unpack.

Avatar: The Last Airbender, Teen Titans, Danny Phantom, Mulan, Shrek, Kim Possible, The Emperor’s New Groove, The Lion King, The Incredibles. These are cartoons that our generation thrived on. Continue to thrive on, even. What these poems take away from these animated comforts are not only “Oh yeah I totally had a crush on this animated character when I was a kid!” but also ideas of identity, sexuality, relationships, and love.

In media targeted at kids, these things are not always overt. But when you take comfort in nostalgia, returning again and again to childhood favorites, you start to notice things, find it easier to pick them out.

I love how these poets find themselves in much beloved cartoon characters, how reflecting on characters helps them to understand themselves but also those around them: mothers, fathers, even brothers and sisters. It’s not always good, but even cartoon characters go through trials and tribulations.

This collection isn’t like Rupi Kaur or amanda lovelace- you really need to take your time and read, not based on line breaks, but sentences. It’s not the easiest poetry to read, but because of the subject matter it’s still comforting. I wish it was longer. I wish it visited more cartoons- old and new- because I feel like there’s still a lot that could be said.

I just finished reading it, but I can already see quotes from the poems being posted on those instagram accounts “dark academia” kids are all about, so when the book gets hyped I can see it going two ways, either being harshly criticized by those who dislike Rupi Kaur’s style or deeply loved by those who constantly feel nostalgic about their childhood aka “the last time they felt genuinely happy”. I’m somewhat in the middle, while I do like the idea of writing about characters from cartoons I felt like the relation between the lyrical speaker and the subject/character was sometimes not as deep as the authors intended it to be — don’t get me wrong, poems like “Fiona Chose to Be an Ogre” and “My Mom and Mrs. Incredible Have the Same Haircut” totally accomplished it and resonated with me as a reader, but there were some others where it was even hard to identify who was speaking.
That said, I would totally recommend this book to someone looking for a light read or to the very next person that says they miss the early 2000’s

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dear Azula, I Have a Crush on Danny Phantom is a brief and striking collection of poetry inspired by the cartoons of our youth. While the poems certainly draw their inspiration from these indelible pieces of visual media, the poems themselves dive far deeper into what that art teaches us about ourselves.

I had an incredibly fun time reading these poems. They did not pull punches; instead, they dug into villainy, complexity, desire, and identity. They were reflections of a generation of children raised by characters who showed them how to be the truest versions of themselves. I laughed, and I cried (the Iroh poem!!), and I generally had a great experience sitting with everything these pieces showed me.

In all honesty, I do wish this collection was longer. Perhaps I will just have to get myself a finished copy and go back and reread, and reread, and reread.

Some of the poems may have gone over my head, but the ones I got will stick with me., "Fiona Chose To Be An Ogre" is POWERFUL. I'll return to it again and again.

I received an eARC copy from Button Poetry via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love poetry; I have always loved it. This short poetry collection hit the spot, reminding me of just how much I enjoy reading poetry.

The poems in this collection were inspired by many movies and TV shows, such as Avatar: The Last Airbender, Shrek, The Lion King, The Emperor's New Groove, Mulan, etc. Many of these poems discuss complicated issues, i.e. the identity issue, for example, or distorted image of perfection.

This collection was an incredibly quick read, which left me feeling a bit incomplete, unfinished. I feel like I did not get the chance to immerse myself in these words, to let them touch me and allow me to reflect on them and fully comprehend the raw emotions these poems bear.

Praise for the refreshing step forward from the current short-and-sweet style we encounter in modern poetry.

This was a tricky one to review. On the one hand, it made me smile and there were some truly enjoyable poems - the nostalgia hit hard, and the authors were trying to be a bit tongue in cheek and not take themselves too seriously while also actually delivering a surprisingly deep character analysis of early 00s cartoons. That was fun!

At the same time, I can't really see myself recommending it to the indie poem buying readers, if not as a joke-purchase.

Still, I enjoyed it and it is very relatable to late millennials (who also had a bi-awakening via crushes on cartoon villains).

So excellent. This book of poetry could have been so much longer and I would have adored it just as much.