"I know better now, I know you're really just afraid of losing access to someone you've trained so well. I let your subtle barbs slide into my skin. I keep my convictions firm. I keep my sunglasses on. You don't get to have my transparency anymore." Page 98

Fragments of Wasted Devotion by Mia Arias Tsang is an emotional collection of personal vignettes detailing the author's drawn-out first love and heartbreak. This is a really impressive debut. It was beautifully written, reminiscent of Ocean Vuong's writing style, I thoroughly felt the emotion through Tsang's writing. The illustrations throughout added, rather than took away from the work, and matched up well stylistically. I am really glad I decided to request this advanced reader copy on a whim, and I will definitely be reading everything Tsang releases in the future. 🤍

Thank you to NetGalley and Quilted Press for the e-arc of Fragments of Wasted Devotion by Mia Arias Tsang in exchange for an honest review.

Mia Arias Tsang's *Fragments of Wasted Devotion* is an engaging and thought-provoking collection of non-fiction stories about queer heartbreak. The essays are poetic and, at times, feel like the author’s stream of consciousness on the page. Each chapter offers a glimpse into the stories being told, and, true to the title, they have a fragmented and dreamlike structure.

Despite being rooted in the author’s own life, the essays have a certain universality. I often felt like I was sharing my own experiences of discovery and heartbreak through their words. *First Year* was a standout—deeply relatable and really powerful storytelling.

As the essays moved through time and space, I could also feel the author’s growth with them. Levi Wells' illustrations are a nice addition to the text as well. This is a wonderful debut.

Tsang’s collection of flash fiction chronicles seven years of queer heartbreak and identity beautifully. It feels itself like a little book of lyrics, and weaves together Tsang’s writing with lyrics from artists such as boygenius, Julien Baker and Yumi Zouma (all of who I love so this is right up my alley).

Something that stood out to me was the clear sense of place – parts that mentioned Massachussets and Connecticut, to name a few, painted a very vibrant image of these locales, and I felt like I was truly being involved in the story through that.

One of my favourite quotations is from Summer 2019* “What’s different is you are. What’s the same is I let so much slide.”

Additionally, the entirety of this excerpt struck me as well:

“The distance protects us from my disgusting, destructive excess. This way, I don’t have to try to turn it off, hating myself when I inevitably fail. This way, I can give of myself in small doses. This way, you only get what you can handle. I might not get to have the slow, sure domesticity that I’ve always craved, the kind that can only grow from proximity and time, but I still get to have you.”

I think this passage will live for me for the foreseeable future.

One thing I found myself wishing for was some sense of optimism, some light at the end of the tunnel; and I could certainly find that in places, though overall the tone is indeed one of heartbreak. Therefore I would caution anyone interested to look into content warnings, as overall the collection can weigh heavy at times.

Fragments of Wasted Devotion is a collection of non-fiction vignettes revolving around Tsang's queer heartbreak over the past seven years.

"I am a storyteller. I thought you knew this about me. I thought you would understand why I write what I write, why I post what I post. And yet you text me, angry. You don't want me to be telling this story. But I am a storyteller. I tell stories. And this one is mine to tell."

First of all the title for this collection is genius. This collection feels like a collection of small pieces. A journey of feelings and tableaus. The double entendre of the word 'wasted' captures the feelings of futility as well as the self-medicating Tsang engages in to cope with all she endures.

This collection hits home and hits hard. It doesn't pull its punches. The overall vibe felt very reminiscent of song lyrics at times. Which makes a lot of sense as Tsang references a myriad of songs throughout the book. From albums she listened to during certain periods of her life, to the feelings songs from Yumi Zouma, among others, evoked within her.

"I wanted you there in the silence with me. I wanted one moment where our Venn diagrams of truth became a circle."

I have to say this collection made me feel deeply. At times I felt I got sucked into a black hole along with Mia. Which speaks to Tsang's talent, but also points to the one minor issue I personally have with this collection. It ends without a feeling of resolution. It reads like a collection of traumatic events, and while it is good to find recognition and opportunties to learn in this, it can also feel traumatizing to read. So I would definitely suggest people check trigger warnings and read this one slowly (which the structure lends itself to perfectly).

The illustrations by Levi Wells are abstract, black and white scenes. Moments captured in time. A feeling personified, a room left behind. They fit very well with Tsang's writing, and enhance the experience of this collection.

"Have you always been this cruel, or did I awaken it in you?"

Fragments of Wasted Devotion is for you if you want to read and/or learn more about queer love. If you've ever felt like you were the one giving more in a relationship. If you want the recognition of loving deeply. And if you want some amazing song recommendations.

"Nothing can hold me back from the giving, the thinning, the eviscerating. The emptying of myself, the turning over of all I am to you."

TW include, but are not limited to: alcohol (ab)use, marihuana use, swearing, explicit sexual content, depression, mania, suicidal ideation, domestic abuse, emotional manipulation/abuse

Fragments of wasted devotion is Mia Arias Tsang's debut collection of flash non-fiction and vignettes, telling a story of queer love and heartbreak.

Mia's poetic prose is beautiful and the short snippets into her life and experiences as a young queer woman shows depth and raw vulnerability. She draws from themes of love, loss and heartbreak in a way that evokes true emotion from the reader; sympathising with her plight.

I enjoyed the illustrations from Levi Wells. Whilst simplistic and minimalistic it brings a certain charm to the little vignettes. The illustrations fit really well.

Would recommend to anyone who enjoys queer non-fiction. It was a quick and interesting read,

Thank you to Netgalley and Quilted Press for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.