Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things

This was such a great read. It’s like a pep talk in poetry form- if you want to feel like a bad bi*ch, READ THIS RIGHT NOW.

The trigger warnings at the beginning was incredibly thoughtful and so important, and I appreciate Amanda Lovelace including that.

The artwork and cover art are spectacular, beautiful yet simple. Matched the theme of the poetry perfectly.

Lastly, this is my first Amanda Lovelace book and I WILL be reading her work again. It’s like she took the words and thoughts out of my head and wrote them so beautifully and heartbreakingly. I thoroughly enjoyed these poems.

“I’m the only one who will be in my life forever” is what I am saying to myself every time I feel like I need someone else’s approval. Amanda Lovelace is a poet whose work resonates deeply with me and Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things was equally as incredible as previous works.
This is what I want my female students to read. I want them to feel as empowered by her work as I do.
Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things by Amanda Lovelace is a standalone poetry collection that resonated deeply within my body and mind. The juxtaposition of the flower and fire elements that comprise our femininity is explored in alternating verses, and provide a deep emotional dive into the female psyche. So much of this collection touches upon personal experience, betrayal, and the ongoing struggle to find meaning and a sense of belonging. The beautiful illustrations serve to enhance these evocative words, and are truly sublime. As with Ms Lovelace's previous work, this is a collection that I will return to again and again. 4.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an ARC.

Another beautiful, empowering collection of poems from one of my favorite poets. Full of affirmations about body positivity, not letting men put you down, standing up for yourself and learning to move on from abusive relationships. There's something for everyone in this lovely collection. Also included are gorgeous illustrations. LOVED this one and can't wait to buy my own copy to add to my shelves. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for early access to this title! This was my first experience with reading Amanda’s work and I truly enjoyed it so much. I found her writing to be very on point with the theme they chose to have throughout this collection and was eager to see what she was going to bring across in the next piece. I found a few favorites where I went back to reread them and I don’t know, I think when you’re going back to see what someone’s words have to say you’re going to hold on to them and I love experiencing that!

I am a HUGE fan of Amanda Lovelace, which is why I eagerly swallowed this book in a very short time and was NOT disappointed.

Every time I read her books I'm uplifted, I feel strong, and yes I teared up but it was good tears. There's poems here about toxic relationships, about dark subjects like sexual assault, and yet in the end I feel stronger for having read every word.

Read this is you're struggling at all because you won't be disappointed. You'll feel like you're the fearsome thing that people should be afraid of but the most beautiful of all.

Thank you for this book. I'm gonna go read it again.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.

I was given access to an electronic advanced reader copy of this poetry collection by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lovelace’s poetry collection is about being soft and fierce and how both states of being are a show of strength. The two themes are emphasized through art of flowers. Prior to every poem, one of the two pieces of art are shown to represent whether it’s about softness or ferocity. One is a peaceful scene of colorful flowers with a pastel color-scheme and the other is a scene of red flowers on fire which seems to demonstrate ferocity. This poetry collection is beautifully written.

A text feature I strongly appreciate is a list of trigger warnings at the beginning of the poetry collection. Some of the trigger warnings include sexual assault, abuse, eating disorders, trauma, child abuse, and more. Readers should consult the trigger warnings prior to reading this poetry collection.

5 out of 5 stars for this powerful poetry collection.

Lovelace does it again with her extremely relatable and delightful feminist poetry, this time paired with the prettiest of flower images, alternating between the beautiful and soft, and the fierce and fiery. The concept image of Persephone, both soft and fierce, goddess of spring and flowers and life and death, fits perfectly with the feminist style of Lovelace's poetry which must ring true for many. Fans of Lovelace's work will certainly enjoy her most recent work, deeply reminiscent of her previous works yet made floral and new.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC copy of the work in exchange for this review.

Amanda Lovelace is one of my favorites in the modern poetry game- and she did not disappoint with Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things. Another highly relatable book of quips and poems and button style poetry. I do appreciate her trigger warnings up front- so anyone who does have a trigger reading certain topics, its listed right up front. I'm excited to add a physical copy of this one- the illustrations on the ebook were beautiful. I leave poetry books casually displayed for others to look through and this will be one of them!

Amanda Lovelace is back with another fiery feminist poetry collection, one that manages to be as soft and delicate as it is fierce. This one centers around the myth of Persephone, and the imagery the words invoke packs a powerfully remarkable punch.

I have been following Amanda Lovelace, both professionally and personally, for many years now, and it has truly been a wonderful thing to see her flourishing as an author. I first read her self published version of her first book, The Princess Saves Herself in This One, and instantly fell in love with her writing, because I not only felt as if I was reading words pulled straight from my heart, but also like I was having a conversation with an old friend over a cup of coffee.

Reading an Amanda Lovelace poetry collection is like diving into a book of fairy tales and becoming the princess turned queen who triumphs all. It’s like listening to a Taylor Swift album on a crisp fall day while snuggled up in a quilt with a cup of steaming coffee with Gilmore Girls on in the background. I draw comfort from her words, and feel understood and seen. Her poems are a safe place and a source of strength when i’m struggling to make sense of everything going wrong in my life.

It is clear that Amanda has been through so much in her life, yet she has managed to persevere, and her strength and hopefulness shines through in her writing, and lights a path for those of us still struggling to overcome our demons and find our way through the darkness.

I love each and every one of Amanda’s books, and there are so many poems that I have taken to heart that it’s difficult to say which is my favorite amongst them all, but I will say that I absolutely loved her latest collection of poetry.

Flower Crowns & Fearsome Things is as majestic and powerful as the title suggests. Just as I did with her other books, I snuggled up in my favorite quilt with a big mug of coffee (with Taylor Swift’s Folklore album playing just in case anyone was wondering) and immediately devoured the entire collection in one sitting. I went into this one feeling down and angry at the world because of the tragic current events taking place every day, and I finished feeling like a badass warrior queen brandishing a sword, ready to fight all of the injustices of the world.

Amanda’s poetry shows strength through vulnerability, and her empowerment of women through her words is something that is much needed and appreciated in this day and age.

I could probably write an entire novel length review of this collection alone, but I feel that poetry is a very personal thing, and means something different to each and every one of us, so you may interpret how I view the collection completely differently. But if you are a fan of Amanda’s previous collections, I feel very strongly that you will love this one just as much.

Absolutely stunning collection of poetry from Amanda yet again. She’s truly a gift to the poetry community, and I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next and continue to slay dragons alongside her. Just like Taylor Swift sang, I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you.

Grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage of choice), polish your crown, turn on your favorite album or tv show, settle in comfortably, and dive into this collection!

*****5 Stars!

“She never needed a weapon to be powerful.”


First I would like to thank Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book. I am honored to have been given the chance to read it and give an honest review.

This was such a beautiful read and I enjoyed every moment of it. Every single poem in this book was so powerful and absolutely inspiring; I can’t stop thinking about it. I have loved everything Amanda Lovelace has published, but I would have to say this one was by far one of my favorites. It’s such a wonderful experience to read her work and walk away feeling so strong and empowered by it. I love pieces that make the reader think and this has most definitely given me some thoughts and there are some verses that will forever stay with me afterwards and for that I thank her. I honestly can’t wait to read her next book, I’m sure it will be just as amazing as the last!

This book of poems was everything I needed at this time in my life. Poetically putting into words things I have been feeling and dealing with. Making me smile and just bask in the strength and awesomeness that womxn are. I really needed this book and it's totally going in the permanent collection.

Thank you @ladybookmad @netgalley and @andrewsmcmeel for the advance copy of this book - it’s one of fall releases that I am most looking forward to!

To begin with, this books is aesthetically stunning, with a gorgeous cover, stunning full-colour art between the poems and a beautiful typeface and layout. In general I find books from Andrews McMeel are beautiful but this one is especially so.

The poems are a loose reimagining of a modern-day Persephone’s thoughts and perspectives on her experience, but really I feel they are fairly representative of the experiences of many. The poems themselves are short and deceptively simple, giving a lot to unpack beneath what appears to be an easy-read surface.

I’ll definitely be picking up a print copy when the book comes out so I can revisit these poems many times over.

Amanda Lovelace's poetry is raw, real, heartbreaking, honest, and lovely. Reading her poetry gives me all of the emotions, and it's kind of a cathartic experience. The illustrations in this book were BEAUTIFUL too! This book did not disappoint, and I loved the theme of women being strong for their own sake and not for anyone else. I look forward to reading more from her. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Every time i read a collection from Amanda Lovelace i wonder if will be as wonderful as the last one. If i'll feel the same deep connection like the words were written just for me. I wondered that this time but my concerns were unfounded. This is everything i adore about poetry. When i finished reading it i felt empowered, inspired and understood.

I love Amanda's poetry, and this was no exception. Inspired by the myth of Persephone, Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things focuses around the concept of acceptance and embracing one's self, no matter how unlikable you think others will find it.
I used to despise poetry until Amanda's; now, I know to appreciate the simplicity of a few words on a page. Her powerful messages resonate effortlessly with me. That is what I love most about her poetry, how it makes you think. It's made me aware of how my attitude is not helping me to move forward. Why am I like this? What do I achieve? Is hate so harmful?
The artwork was beautiful. I have only read the Women are some kind of Magic poetry collections by her before this one, and those did not have any drawings or pictures on them. It was such a pleasant surprise. They were alternations of two drawings, opposites from each other because " she is equal parts of glitter & hellfire" .
Some poems reminded me of her The witch doesn't burn in this one collection, my favourite of hers. The only problem is how often she relies on belittling men, which is getting a bit repetitive.
I will definitely be revisiting some of my favourites, especially pomegranate and goddess of spring, which I fully identify with and cannot recommend enough.

What an incredible collection of poems. I flew through these knowing that I would spend so much time coming back to them in the future. I love how Amanda captured the dichotomy & complexity of womanhood. Sometimes the idea that I can be both overtly feminine but also own my space in this world can feel overwhelming, but she captured what it feels like to take control over those beliefs & walk through the world as a better person because of it.

Thank you NetGallery for the early access to this one! I love Amanda Lovelace’s books and this one was no exception. I easily devoured this in a single sitting and found myself smiling the entire time. She has a way of making you feel so empowered while taking such an emotional journey through her words. The illustrations throughout the book were gorgeous and fit perfectly with the theme. I can’t wait to get a physical copy of this one to reread. If you want to feel like the strong, bada** , independent woman that you are, read this collection.

Amanda Lovelace has never disappointed me and at this rate never will. All of her collections are honest and this one is especially empowering. If you ever need a reminder of your worth this collection is it.

Amanda Lovelace’s poems are once again beautiful pieces of women’s strength and coming into their own. She wrote them inspired on the Greek goddess, Persephone. There is no question that this was an absolute joy to read and a lovely picture of how all women have power, hope, and fierceness.

Still love Amanda Lovelace - will it ever be different? - and I was even more intrigued when I understood this collection was about Persephone!

I loved how she treated her double identity as goddess of spring and queen of the underworld; how the poems were, as usual, short but impactful; how they broached the female condition, how women are treated, but were also empowering, as always, and full of strength. I loved that she warned her readers beforehand of the topics she was about to deal with, and that some poems describe a healthy relationship, love at its best and not only suffering because of someone who can't really love properly.

This collection might be one of my favourites of her, with Shine your Icy Crown and The Witch Doesn't Burn in This One!

I adore that this book of poetry focuses on contractions in us as humans and on the societal expectations that are frequently placed upon people (specifically AFAB people). Amanda Lovelace (she/they) comes through with her signature poetry style, and some of the poems from this book are ones that I want to print and hang where I can see them every day. The art in this book is also lovely, and compliments the poems well, and I'm looking forward to buying a hard copy so I can enjoy it in a more tangible manner.

I loved seeing the art throughout this book. It was so pretty…I mean gorgeous (like let’s be honest with myself). The poetry was uplifting (definitely geared towards women; but a man could read a learn a few things). I think it was something I needed but didn’t know I needed to read. The poetry was to improve and change how we see things; a more insightful and better way(or that’s how I read it as). I feel the poetry teaches anyone(including me) to let go, love yourself, and be the strong women//person I know I am!! I’m seeing some comedy too, and I’m loving it. And it really adds to it. Why did this book make cry? I wasn’t expecting it to hit so hard for me. This book was so relatable to me, that was liking the author was holding out her hand and being like…I think you need this right now. I’m feel like I’m reading Amanda Lovelace’s diary. Amanda, I would read your grocery lists and be awe and amaze by you, you beautiful creature of a writer.

I received a copy from netgalley for exchange for an honest review!!

Amanda Lovelace is fierce! I am fierce! This collection makes me want to conquer life with no apologies. In just a few words she tackles a million obstacles and empowers you to know your worth. “-never shall I fall from my throne.” I definitely will not with authors like this around. The illustrations are a nice bonus and a perfect depiction of the book. There is also great consideration with the trigger warnings.

Amanda Lovelace is one of my favorites. She’s back with another feminist poetry collection that manages to express the soft and fierce duality of women. She focuses this collection on the myth of Persephone. I have been reading Lovelace’s work for years now and it’s a great honor to read her works and see her growth as an author. Her poetry is raw, real, and honest. She doesn’t sugarcoat anything and that’s my favorite thing about her writing. She also reminds us all that we are magical and to hear that from someone else other than the thoughts in our own heads is truly a blessing.
Thank you to Netgalley, Amanda Lovelace, and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley for the early access to this book.
I must admit I’m happy I decided to keep trying Amanda Lovelace books. It’s been a ride, but some poetry collections just hit in a way some don’t. The artwork in this book is so beautiful, it goes so well with the poems.

Amanda Lovelace is my favourite poet and this new collection is my favourite of hers for sure!! I love Amanda’s use of words, and how she perfectly captures even the most difficult of emotions.

Her poetry always speaks to me and this one hits home the most, it’s absolutely incredible and i will read it over and over for years to come.

I have always been a fan of Amanda Lovelace's poetry, it's really the only poetry I will read, and so when I got accepted for this ARC, I immediately started reading it. Flower Crows and Fearsome Things was every bit as beautiful as her previous works. With a gorgeous cover and equally gorgeous illustrations, Lovelace talks about a wide variety of topics in today's world, such as feminism, gender equality, abusive relationships, along many others.

Their writing emotionally destroyed me in the best possible way, and I literally sped through the book in under an hour because it was so addicting. Her prose has always been so beautiful and this book is no exception. If you are new to poetry, highly highly recommend picking up one of Amanda Lovelace's books, including this one.

5/5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for this gorgeous ARC!

Big fan of Amanda Lovelace. I like the conversational style of her poems and the subjects always speak to me. The feminist themes of this book I think would have a pretty wide appeal to readers regardless of their own life circumstances. This book was such a good mix of poems: some of them hurt, some are uplifting, and some make me feel very seen. My favorites included "goddess of spring," "you're never even considered," and "wild violet."

Another amazing collection from Amanda Lovelace! She is quickly becoming my favorite poet and I think this may be my favorite collection thus far.
For starters, this book is aesthetically pleasing. The cover and full color art between poems are so beautiful. AND I love that this collection is a loose reimagining of a modern-day Persephone and her thoughts/perspectives, which are powerful and relatable. I love the way Lovelace showcases the both the vulnerability and strength of female power and experience.

I  received a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

This is my sixth poetry book from this author, and she still has the same magic as my first time reading her. Not all poems hit me, but those that do...woo boy.

"never once has she felt as if
she's interesting enough to be
the daring heroine of her own story,
& she's oddly okay with that.
-she likes being nobody"

First of all, the artwork in this was beautiful! Second of all, the words were equally there too! This was a major pep talk for all women to stand up, respect themselves and give themselves a hug. Love the positive vibes and the themes throughout, really well written and put together,

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley. I read everything Lovelace comes out with so I was pleasantly surprised to see she had new work coming out. I really liked the illustrations and her poems kicked butt! I like how it is equally sad and positive.

In her newest standalone collection of poetry, Amanda Lovelace makes Persephone of Greek mythology her muse, exploring through her the dualities inherent in femininity as well as the fragmented self that we must all contend with—the self we are with others and the self we are when we’re alone, and the result is nothing short of brilliant.

Also tackled herein is the COVID-19 pandemic and the ways it has changed and remade us, from the reasons why wearing a mask is an act of love and respect but also an act of defiance to telling her beloved how close she’ll be able to come to them when the world stops ending. God, that phrase is one I can’t stop turning over and over in my mind. When the world stops ending, when the world stops ending, when the world stops ending….Because isn’t that how it feels right now? As if every day is being lived in survival mode with no end in sight? Thank God we still have poetry to get us through.

All in all, Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things is a stellar collection sure to please new readers of Lovelace’s work as well as her longtime fans. The gorgeous illustrations by Janaina Medeiros complement Lovelace’s words perfectly, giving them more depth and clarity. I feel safe in saying this is a title I’ll be hand-selling to my customers who enjoy poetry.

First of all, the illustrations repeated throughout are stunning and full of heated emotion. There’s an extensive list of trigger warnings provided by the poet which is always welcome and something that I wish more authors and publishers would put in place to protect their readers’ wellbeing.

This is a strong, empowering feminist collection of poetry that I know will make a lot of people feel seen. (It certainly made me feel seen and empowered!) The poems themselves are fairly short but manage to convey and evoke emotions and heavy topics such as misogyny and rape culture. Some of the poems that stood out most to me were:
- She Likes Being Nobody
- It’s a Pleasure to Disappoint You
- At Last
- Wild Violet
- Never Shall I Fall From my Throne

All in all, this was a fantastic collection. I had heard great things about Amanda Lovelace’s work but had yet to read any of her poems. Having enjoyed this collection as much as I did, I will be picking up the backlist as soon as possible and will eagerly await future collections.

Summer 2021 (August);
~ Netgalley Arc

Thank you to Amanda Lovelace, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and Netgalley for this free arc for an honest review.

I am so pleased to have gotten the chance to early read Amanda Lovelace's newest poetry book (as I've gotten the chance to read a few of them on here before). This newest one plays into the dichotomy of women through the dichotomy of the darkness and lightness both in Persephone herself *and* between both herself and Detemer & herself & Hades. First and foremost, always, I love that Amanda's books begin with the trigger warning list and the reminder to take care of yourself always.

The poetry as always is stunning, and several of these pieces touched me. I loved the duality switching backgrounds, between the rolling spring of the Spring Goddess and the flame and darkness of the Queen of Hell. This poetry, as always is about owning your power, your insight, your independence, and the abandonment of all things that cling unhealthily to us. I would advise to book to many, and already have several I'm thinking of gifting it to.

I saw Amanda Lovelace’s new book and immediately needed to read it. I flew through it, like all of her poetry it reads like a story to me and is moving.

This speaks to a few darker topics and I love there is a page of trigger warnings at the beginning so you can decide if it’s the right time for you to read.

The book was also so beautiful with illustrations and I plan to pick up a copy as soon as it’s released October 5th!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the eArc in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to the publisher Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Before I start, I must say that I am a huge fan of Amanda Lovelace, and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to read this book. I have absolutely loved it!

'Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things' is a book of poetry that talks about women, abuse, sexism, love,... It talks about many topics and the author writes it in a way so beautifully written. It talks about death, cheating, trauma, and misogyny, too.

I found really interesting the way the author talked about some topics, like the body image, how we perceive and love ourselves, the sexism inside many regular things we are used to do usually. The author writes about death, and how we see it, how ephemeral is life, how it catches off our grasp like sand between our fingers. Are we ever going to achieve all the things we want to before everything ends?

I highly recommend you this book, whether you're a fan of Amanda Lovelace or not, if you're a fan of poetry, you're going to absolutely love it!

#FlowerCrownsAndFearsomeThings #Netgalley

This book is lovely. I like reading some of Amanda Lovelace's poetry. It's kind of like reading a poetic message. Also, as these poems can be told about so many things.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a digital copy of this book.

This book was beautiful to say the least. I usually dislike flowery writing and most poetry, but this author has the ability to touch me with her words like no other can. The empowerment of women in all of her books is what I wish every author would aspire to do. I can't put into words how much I love her poetry. If you haven't ever read something from this lovely author, please do. You won't be disappointed. I'm pretty sure that I will pick up every poetry collection that she'll write, because her writing is just stunning

Wow! This is the first poetry book I have read by Amanda Lovelace and it was fantastic! I read this in one sitting and found all of the pages enjoyable. The illustrations were beautiful! I really loved how the poems were so relatable and current with the times. The one about the mask may be my favorite. I would recommend this to any woman looking for a great poetry book that will make them feel empowered.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Amanda Lovelace continues to create powerful work. She manages to weave several tales into one overall tale. The way she handles triggering topics is done with such care and consideration. This reminds me I need to get back to her back list.

What can I say about this book apart from saying that it is a completely work of art? I loved every single page of it, every word. The day that the concept of Persephone/Kore is used in this, is absolutely a masterpiece. The illustrations are also to die for, matching all the words inside. It speaks for women, in a way that needs to be spoken about. It explores the complexity of the feminine world and how we´re trying to break the mold that society put us in. If I were to describe it in one word, it would be "Ethereal". One of my favorites of this year, without any doubt, truly recommend it to everyone!

This is my second book by Amanda Lovelace (my first was 'The Princess Saves Herself In This One')

Once again I've realized that I like poems a lot more than I did in school. I think a lot of that is to do with the fact is that writers like Amanda Lovelace write about things that I can personally resonate with.

As I was reading, I was taking note of poems that particularly stuck out to me and a couple of them I went to just move on to the next one and stopped to think, "I get it. I feel that. Why did I pretend I didn't?" More than a few of these really made me think about myself.

I highly recommend this book if you're looking to explore the concept of femininity and finding your place in the world (especially if you don't fit neatly into societal norms). The complementary illustrations are stunning and really help inspire and compliment the poems.

What an absolutely stunning set of poems! Talk about female empowerment. Amanda Lovelace is such an excellent writer and her words really speak to me. These books should be mandatory for girls growing up to teach them self love, the importance of saying no, and that strength comes from within and not social media.

"She's equal parts glitter & hellfire once unleashed you wont be able to contain her."

Amanda Lovelace is back with another lovely collection of fragments made up of brilliantly connected words designed to inspire, to give a voice to those who haven't found theirs, and to not only tell us, but make us believe that you don't have to give up softness for strength or vice versa. We are both, moving fluidly between the two as circumstances and events play out.

"Even if it’s uncomfortable, even if it hurts. from this day forward, i vow to let myself bloom freely— even if others see me as an annoyance, even if they see me as a weed."

So many pages seemed written from the feelings in my very own heart expressed through the capable hands of Lovelace, but the passage above is a thought I've seen buried deep within not only my own core, but the hearts and souls of so many others who have thus far been afraid to own this statement, to demand our rights to bloom in to the people we were meant to be.. Seeing this piece amongst many others makes me feel more valid than I thought possible before experiencing Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things.

Whether you've been following Amanda Lovelace since the beginning (as I have) or stumbling upon her for the first time, this book is for you; You will walk away from this with a different view of yourself or your friends and family than you had going in. Just bear in mind there IS a Trigger Warning at the beginning of this book and I strongly urge you to make sure you are in a mentally safe space before continuing on.

Thank you Netgalley, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and of course the talented Amanda Lovelace for putting this collection in to the world, and for gifting me a digital arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lovelace does it every SINGLE TIME. i’ve read all her other books and she never ceases to amaze me.

Preaching about self-love & feminism continuously , she continues to inspire me and make me feel so loved every time i pick up one of her books. Absolutely incredible & i would highly recommend x

This is the eighth book of Lovelace’s that I’ve read, and as always, it takes my breath away! What a stunning collection of poems, yet again.

The illustrations throughout are almost as gorgeous as her writing. And as always, each poem throughout is raw, and so emotional, and super relatable.

I cannot wait to purchase this when it is released, so that I can complete her full collection.

As I always will, I highly recommend this to anyone! Even if you aren’t a poetry reader… neither was I until I came across Lovelace.

a beautifully empowering collection from lovelace that will inspire you and incredible artwork to get lost in and mesmerized by!

I am so happy I got to read this early thanks to netgalley. I love Amanda Lovelace, and was so excited to see that she has another collection coming out. There’s something about her selection of words and the placement of her poems that I love. I also loved the way she connected Persephone, one of my favorite goddesses, into some of these poems, just like she does in some of her other collections. I always look forward to reading her poetry, and this book was no exception. If you’ve read and liked her other collections, I definitely suggest picking this one up.

Amanda Lovelace's poetry collection "Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things" focuses in a very empowering and honest way on the true beauty of being a woman - being soft and fierce at the very same time. What makes the poetry collection and, in fact, Lovelace's writing style so fascinating is the presentation of the truth about the complexity of being a woman in such a raw way, there is no sugar-coating, no white lies. The image of the Greek Goddess Persephone is implemented wonderfully into this poetry collection as she is truly someone we should learn from - we, not only as women, but as human-beings, deserve to let ourselves be both gentle and ferocious. The poems are accompanied by flower illustrations which are incredibly aesthetically pleasing. The trigger warnings include cheating, eating disorders, trauma, domestic and child abuse, sexual assault, and more. Lovelace's strong and realistic poems manage to come together and become a whole, a poetry collection that is not simply a beautiful must-read, but an experience.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things by Amanda Lovelace is an amazing collection from the reigning Queen of Poetry. Although I haven't read a collection by her before, I have read snippets and heard many great things about the author. In this collection, which is beautifully illustrated in full color, the author shows the dichotomy between soft and hard, beautiful and deadly, flowers and fire. Through these metaphors, she explores the power of femininity and the archetype of the strong heroine in myths. Through her feminist lens, she illuminates what it is like to be a woman today - both the struggles and the pleasures.

Here is an excerpt from Page xv of the book:

"who said you can't
wear a flower crown
& still remain
a fearsome thing?
- make persephone proud."

Overall, Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things is a beautiful collection that will appeal to readers of feminist poetry. If you're a fan of Rupi Kaur or Nayyirah Waheed, you will enjoy this book as well The poems are funny, intelligent, sad, hopeful, and feminist. They show the true range of women from those who want to stand and be a hero to those who OK are being nobody. One highlight of this book is the stunning artwork that displays the dichotomy between wildflowers and wildfires. Keep in mind though that the same two images are repeated multiple times. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above or if you're a fan of poetry in general, you won't regret checking out this book when it comes out in October!

I am a massive fan of Amanda Lovelace, and all of her poetry, and "Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things" does not disappoint.

Told from the beautiful perspective of the two sides of a female identifying human, strong and soft, this collection of poetry tells a story of finding your own strength in the face of oppression, and of not being ashamed to fully be a woman, no matter what society is telling you you should be.

I want to have so many of these quotes framed and hung on my daughter's wall, so she is always attuned to the beauty of Lovelace's words and thoughts.

This is the second Amanda Lovelace poetry collection I read and her words are always so powerful.
The common theme of female empowerment is brought together by the figure of Persephone that returns multiple times throughout the collection.
I'm in no way a poetry expert, but I do believe that the poems in themselves are beautiful. They become even more beautiful when put together.

Furthermore, the art in between each poem is STUNNING and perfectly matches the feelings of the collection

Amanda Lovelace is always a go to author for me , and when I heard about the concept of her latest release I was keen to get my hands on a copy as soon as possible. In Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things Lovelace examines the complexity of femininity , its fragility and ferocity through paired poems which she describes as wildflower and wildfire. On a side note the illustrations for both these themes are beautiful, so kudos to the artist Janaina Medeiros. The poems are powerful and beautiful but also thought provoking and at times inspiring, making this a collection that is perfect for dipping into in the moments when you need a reminder of your own strength.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Okay, first and foremost I love this author. Lovelace informed you at the beginning of every book of the different triggers that may effect any person, so you don't get blindsided. The poems that take place in this collection and most of the authors collections in general deal heavily on women empowerment and face head on some very controversial topics. Some topics being, relationship abuse, and even COVID times. Opinions are also voiced within these topics one being the need for more complex women characters in stories. This collection also however has a mention of Persephone the goddess of the spring and the Queen of the Underworld, and how women are just like her, meaning soft and fierce. Page 11- "Everyone loves a strong woman until that strong woman no longer tolerates their bullshit. --the age old proverb".

This might be my favorite collection of Amanda Lovelace's work yet. The illustration is beautiful. "flower crowns and fearsome things" explores the dichotomy of modern femininity, how we're supposed to perform strength and softness but only each in specific ways, lest we be vilified. The structure of the book is great, it alternates between 'fierce' and 'soft' but without ever losing the point that the two sides cannot ever truly be separated. I do believe they begin to dovetail a bit in the end, as the 'strength' gets softer and the 'softness' grows fiercer, but it's possible I'm over-reading into it.

My favorite poems are the two that bookend the collection, "goddess of spring" and "show them who's queen". This is a truly inspired collection of poems that I read twice through before reviewing, because I wanted to both sit with it a bit and read it straight through without breaks for a fully immersive read. Lovelace doesn't disappoint. I'm extremely excited about this book.

My thanks to NetGalley, Andrews McMeel, and Amanda Lovelace for the opportunity to review an e-ARC of flower crowns and fearsome things.

I tend to be fond of Amanda Lovelace’s work, and “Flowers and Crowns and Fearsome Things”, did not disappoint. In this book of poetry Lovelace describes the cycle of love and loss, of finding one’s own strength when it would be destroyed. She seeks equality in a world of shining knights and evil villains. All in all, an excellent book.

Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things is another brilliant poetry book by Amanda Lovelace. A devastating topic written with heart and feelings poured onto each page. A beautiful book to savor and enjoy countless times.

This was a beautifully written and stunning poetry set. I loved everything about it. I thought it was beautifully written but also haunting. I admire people who are able to construct a number of feelings in only a few lines. It’s very admirable to me because it isn’t easy. I love poetry as I’ve said preciously in my other poetry review. It was perfect and again 5 out of 5 stars. Poetry speaks to me in ways other things can’t. Which is exactly why I appreciate it even more.

This is one of those books you have to take your time with. With it's simple style Amanda Lovelace really cuts into what it can mean to be a women sometimes. Pause for a moment, because you felt what she wrote. Pause because you got tears in your eyes remembering a pain from a long time ago. The growing pains of a women honestly never ends.

That being said writing that can make you feel something is always worth checking out.

I recieved this as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review...

Amanda Lovelace does it again!
I have read all of her work, and this definitely did not disappoint!
If you have not read any of her previous works i HIGHLY recommend them!

Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things flows so beautifully.
Every poem is hard hitting emotionally.
I devoured this book in one sitting, It was that good,
It had me laughing, crying, and feeling(which is something i try to avoid),
It made me reflect on my own life and situations.
Its given me a strength i've been searching for and reminded me that
I am the hero/heroine of my own story.

Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things is beautifully written while with such of sense of empowerment. Poetess Amanda Lovelace speaks with raw emotion. She reminds us that womanhood is not a position of weakness, but one of power and grace.

I have loved each of her books so far, and look forward to those to come.