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ejm290's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lmcg614's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
samanthaisonline's review
4.0
The Radical Element, sequel to an anthology I haven't read yet, is probably one of my highest rated anthologies every. It's pretty hard to go wrong when you're writing historical fiction about badass diverse girls.
Daughter of the Book by Dahlia Adler - 4
Our Jewish protagonist, Rebekah, wants an education. However, growing up female in 1838 Savannah, Georgia puts a bit of a stopper on that. Naturally, she fights back.
You're a Stranger Here by Mackenzie Lee - 4.5
Vilatte, a Mormon girl who is grappling with her faith, faces severe hatred and terror on account of her Mormonism. Beautifully written.
The Magician by Erin Bowman - 5
Ray, a girl pretending to be a boy so she can remain employable, is clever. The writing is too - tying in magic vocabulary throughout the story. My favorite story in the anthology.
Lady Firebrand by Megan Shepherd - 4
Rose, a white northerner in a wheelchair and Pauline, a kickass black girl, are undercover in the South with Rose's confederate family. And there happens to be a man called Lord Firebrand sabotaging confederate plans...
Step Right Up by Jessica Spotswood - 3.5
Perfectly serviceable story. Girl has abusive uncle. Girl runs away to join circus. I didn't really click with any of the characters.
Glamour by Anna-Marie McLemore - 4.5
Girls in Graciela's family have always been able to look white with a little bit of magic, just long enough to acquire medicine or other things that merchants wouldn't sell to their family. But Graciela's using it to become Grace, a girl who can become a Hollywood star. I enjoyed that this addressed the issues of 1920s Hollywood as well as the PTSD of war. The prose, as always with McLemore's writing, is stunning. I will say, though, that their stories are a little repetitive. Latina girl falls in love with trans boy. Literally every time. (Not that there's anything wrong with that! It just takes the wind out of the plot twists sometimes!)
Better for All the World by Marieke Nijkamp - 4
Carrie wants to be a lawyer. Carrie is also a coded-autistic girl in 1927. Loved that this story took an explicitly anti-eugenics stance.
When the Moonlight Isn't Enough by Dhonielle Clayton - 5
"Before the war, moonlight used to taste like sugar and butter and fresh cream." This is how you open a story!!!
Some things I loved about this story
- the prose
- immortal black people as commentary on how America treats black people
- WWII
- tuck everlasting vibes
- "i like history with a teaspoon of magic" SAME
The Belle of the Ball by Sarvenaz Tash - 4
Rosemary wants to be a writer. Rosemary's mother wants her to be a proper 1950s girl. What's a girl to do? Okay story. Sorta saved by the extremely lovable latino love interest.
Land of the Sweet, Home of the Brave by Stacey Lee - 4.5
Lana, a girl of Japanese and Chinese descent, goes to a talent competition and absolutely kills it. I love her. Definitely a great read.
The Birth of Susi Go-Go by Meg Medina -3
Maybe it's because I just don't like the 70s that I don't really care about the story or maybe I am right in believing that the character is a little shallow. Idk I've read the "my parents don't understand American culture so I rebel" story 1000 times and I've definitely read better versions of it.
Take Me With U by Sara Farizan - 3
I feel the same way with this story as with the previous one. I don't care about the 80s. I feel no connection to the copious music references. Just didn't love it.
I have to say, for a book about "radical girls" in American history, it is oddly lacking in Native American and queer women.
On average, my rating for this book is 4.08, which is remarkably high for me rating an anthology.
Daughter of the Book by Dahlia Adler - 4
Our Jewish protagonist, Rebekah, wants an education. However, growing up female in 1838 Savannah, Georgia puts a bit of a stopper on that. Naturally, she fights back.
You're a Stranger Here by Mackenzie Lee - 4.5
Vilatte, a Mormon girl who is grappling with her faith, faces severe hatred and terror on account of her Mormonism. Beautifully written.
The Magician by Erin Bowman - 5
Ray, a girl pretending to be a boy so she can remain employable, is clever. The writing is too - tying in magic vocabulary throughout the story. My favorite story in the anthology.
Lady Firebrand by Megan Shepherd - 4
Rose, a white northerner in a wheelchair and Pauline, a kickass black girl, are undercover in the South with Rose's confederate family. And there happens to be a man called Lord Firebrand sabotaging confederate plans...
Step Right Up by Jessica Spotswood - 3.5
Perfectly serviceable story. Girl has abusive uncle. Girl runs away to join circus. I didn't really click with any of the characters.
Glamour by Anna-Marie McLemore - 4.5
Girls in Graciela's family have always been able to look white with a little bit of magic, just long enough to acquire medicine or other things that merchants wouldn't sell to their family. But Graciela's using it to become Grace, a girl who can become a Hollywood star. I enjoyed that this addressed the issues of 1920s Hollywood as well as the PTSD of war. The prose, as always with McLemore's writing, is stunning. I will say, though, that their stories are a little repetitive. Latina girl falls in love with trans boy. Literally every time. (Not that there's anything wrong with that! It just takes the wind out of the plot twists sometimes!)
Better for All the World by Marieke Nijkamp - 4
Carrie wants to be a lawyer. Carrie is also a coded-autistic girl in 1927. Loved that this story took an explicitly anti-eugenics stance.
When the Moonlight Isn't Enough by Dhonielle Clayton - 5
"Before the war, moonlight used to taste like sugar and butter and fresh cream." This is how you open a story!!!
Some things I loved about this story
- the prose
- immortal black people as commentary on how America treats black people
- WWII
- tuck everlasting vibes
- "i like history with a teaspoon of magic" SAME
The Belle of the Ball by Sarvenaz Tash - 4
Rosemary wants to be a writer. Rosemary's mother wants her to be a proper 1950s girl. What's a girl to do? Okay story. Sorta saved by the extremely lovable latino love interest.
Land of the Sweet, Home of the Brave by Stacey Lee - 4.5
Lana, a girl of Japanese and Chinese descent, goes to a talent competition and absolutely kills it. I love her. Definitely a great read.
The Birth of Susi Go-Go by Meg Medina -3
Maybe it's because I just don't like the 70s that I don't really care about the story or maybe I am right in believing that the character is a little shallow. Idk I've read the "my parents don't understand American culture so I rebel" story 1000 times and I've definitely read better versions of it.
Take Me With U by Sara Farizan - 3
I feel the same way with this story as with the previous one. I don't care about the 80s. I feel no connection to the copious music references. Just didn't love it.
I have to say, for a book about "radical girls" in American history, it is oddly lacking in Native American and queer women.
On average, my rating for this book is 4.08, which is remarkably high for me rating an anthology.
invioletshadows's review
4.0
I adored this anthology, though admittedly not quite as much as the first. I will say that my favorites in this one (I think) are going to stick with me for a long time, which I can’t necessarily say is true of the first one. So while I feel A Tyranny of Petticoats had more consistently good stories, the ones that were stellar in this one were really stellar. If you’re looking for diverse, badass, renegade girls, these anthologies are for you. Each of these stories takes a girl’s story from the past and shows how, despite every systemic odd being against them, women throughout history were strong, empowered, and brave. You can read my full review here - https://skysreadingcorner.wordpress.com/2018/07/04/review-the-radical-element/
luciereads's review
4.0
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
Based on the first few stories I wasn't sure I was going to like this anthology but it appears the best ones were just later on. I really enjoyed this anthology and how all the authors took the whole premise of "The Radical Element" and used it to expose stories many of us might not know. I appreciated how all the girls featured were "radical" in small ways, most of them didn't do anything super crazy, but they were independent thinkers and able to rebel in their own small ways. A lot of these stories covered topics I didn't know too much about as well, which has spurred further research on my part and I can imagine it would do the same for many other readers. Individual reviews for each story are below:
Daughter of the book by Dahlia Adler - 3 stars
I really never thought about how Jewish education might've been for girls
You're A Stranger Here by Mackenzi Lee - 3 stars,
This was just kind of boring for the most part and by the time I started getting into the story it was over.
The Magician by Erin Bowman - 3.5 stars, I didn't really like the main character at all, but the story kept me pretty engaged and the writing was well done until the last line which felt very out of place
Lady Firebrand by Megan Shepard - 3.5 stars, An interesting idea but the story was just too much crammed into to few pages.
Step Right Up by Jessica Spotswood - 4 stars, The best story yet, I really liked the descriptions of the circus and this did bring tears to my eyes.
Glamour by Anna Marie McleMore - 5 stars, The best story by far! I really loved this one, and it features everything I love: magical realism, beautiful writing, and diversity
Better For All The World by Marieke Nijkamp - 4 stars, A good story and taught me something about eugenics which I know very little about. I also appreciate that this story was told from the perspective of someone on the autism spectrum.
When Moonlight Isn't Enough by Dhonielle Clayton - 4 stars, an interesting story and I appreciated the authors note for this one.
The Belle of The Ball by Sarvenaz Tash - 4 stars, I appreciated the I Love Lucy reference
Land of The Sweet, Home of The Brave by Stacey Lee - 4 stars, short and sweet (heh)
The Birth of Susi Go-Go by Meg Medina - 4 stars, This was definitely one of the "quieter" stories, but I thought it was interesting to have a glimpse of a a girl in the Cuban exile community in the 70s
Take Me With U by Sara Farizan - 4 stars, A great end to the anthology.
Based on the first few stories I wasn't sure I was going to like this anthology but it appears the best ones were just later on. I really enjoyed this anthology and how all the authors took the whole premise of "The Radical Element" and used it to expose stories many of us might not know. I appreciated how all the girls featured were "radical" in small ways, most of them didn't do anything super crazy, but they were independent thinkers and able to rebel in their own small ways. A lot of these stories covered topics I didn't know too much about as well, which has spurred further research on my part and I can imagine it would do the same for many other readers. Individual reviews for each story are below:
Daughter of the book by Dahlia Adler - 3 stars
I really never thought about how Jewish education might've been for girls
You're A Stranger Here by Mackenzi Lee - 3 stars,
This was just kind of boring for the most part and by the time I started getting into the story it was over.
The Magician by Erin Bowman - 3.5 stars, I didn't really like the main character at all, but the story kept me pretty engaged and the writing was well done until the last line which felt very out of place
Lady Firebrand by Megan Shepard - 3.5 stars, An interesting idea but the story was just too much crammed into to few pages.
Step Right Up by Jessica Spotswood - 4 stars, The best story yet, I really liked the descriptions of the circus and this did bring tears to my eyes.
Glamour by Anna Marie McleMore - 5 stars, The best story by far! I really loved this one, and it features everything I love: magical realism, beautiful writing, and diversity
Better For All The World by Marieke Nijkamp - 4 stars, A good story and taught me something about eugenics which I know very little about. I also appreciate that this story was told from the perspective of someone on the autism spectrum.
When Moonlight Isn't Enough by Dhonielle Clayton - 4 stars, an interesting story and I appreciated the authors note for this one.
The Belle of The Ball by Sarvenaz Tash - 4 stars, I appreciated the I Love Lucy reference
Land of The Sweet, Home of The Brave by Stacey Lee - 4 stars, short and sweet (heh)
The Birth of Susi Go-Go by Meg Medina - 4 stars, This was definitely one of the "quieter" stories, but I thought it was interesting to have a glimpse of a a girl in the Cuban exile community in the 70s
Take Me With U by Sara Farizan - 4 stars, A great end to the anthology.
mallodoragrymm's review
3.0
3.5
I was introduced to Jessica Spotswood through her first anthology project A Tyranny of Petticoats, which featured 15 stories about badass women. I don’t remember much of it, but I know I gave it a 3/5 rating because the stories were good and fantastical, but nothing special or memorable for me. I decided to give this one a go since I’m into anthologies lately, and to see if these are better than the first collection. I wasn’t disappointed, but neither was I thrilled.
The stories range from early 19th to late 20th century, all set in USA, and each one featuring a girl or a woman who makes a radical change in her life, be it for her personal gain or the greater good. Each of these women is trodden down by misogyny, racism, religious bigotry, or simply her parents’ strict and cultural views, but each one wins, or gets what she wants in a certain way.
These stories are equally good as in the first collection, but unfortunately (for me) there’s much, much less magical and supernatural in this one – almost none.
The Stories
Daughter of the Book (1838, Savannah, Georgia) – Dahlia Adler
An interesting story about the challenges Jewish women faced in their closed community, not allowed to learn and do as much as men. 4/5
You’re a stranger here (1844, Nauvoo, Illinois) – Mackenzi Lee
A portray of the terrible ordeal Mormons went through around the time their leader, Joseph Smith, was murdered, and how difficult it was to preserve their belief and persevere through constant persecution. 3/5
The Magician (1858, Colorado River, New Mexico Territory) – Erin Bowman
A young orphan girl cheats in cards and poses as a boy to get a better pay, trying to collect enough money to go search for her family. 3.5/5
Lady Firebrand (1863, Charleston, South Carolina) – Megan Shepherd
This one was my favorite. Rose, a rich white girl in a wheelchair, and Pauline, her African American friend posing as a maid travel to south in the middle of the Civil War, where they become Union spies, duping the Confederates by destroying their weapon supplies. 5/5
Step right up (1905, Tulsa, Indian Territory) – Jessica Spotswood
This one is about a girl who dreams of becoming a tightrope walker and joining the circus, while coping with her abusive stepfather and indifferent mother. 4/5
Glamour (1923, Los Angeles, California) – Anna-Marie McLemore
During the golden age of Hollywood, a Latina girl tries her best to change herself, her roots, and her skin so she can fit in with the American belles and become a star. 3/5
Better for all the world (1927, Washington, D.C.) – Marieke Nijkamp
This one is about mental illness, at the time still not researched enough, and even feared of, which drove the people and the state to commit some horrible and unforgiving acts like convicting a girl to sterilization so she can’t spread the illness by reproduction. 3/5
When the moonlight isn’t enough (1943, Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts) – Dhonielle Clayton
African American family of three persists for 200 years by preserving and drinking moonlight. They spend several years in one place, then run away in fear of people uncovering their secret. They plan to do so again, as WW2 is raging over the Atlantic, but their daughter is tired of running and being 16 for two consecutive centuries. 4/5
The belle of the ball (1952, Brooklyn, New York) – Sarvenaz Tash
The 1950s in USA weren’t known as a place equal for men and women, which Rosemary feels on her own skin as she struggles to become a comedy script writer against the conservative and bigoted mind of her family and elders. 3/5
Land of the sweet, home of the brave (1955, Oakland, California) – Stacey Lee
A Japanese girl competes at a talent show where the main prize is to have your image featured on the sugar packaging, and she beats some racial prejudice ass along the way. 4/5
The birth of Susi go-go (1972, Queens, New York) – Meg Medina
An interesting story of Susana, a Cuban refugee, struggling between her religious and prejudiced parents’ approval and the desire to fit in with an entirely different culture. 4/5
Take me with U (1984, Boston, Massachusetts) – Sara Farizan
Sohelia was sent by her parents from Iran to her cousins’ home in Boston to escape the war. She copes with her longing and loss by making friends and joining a punk band against the wishes of her prejudiced aunt. 3.5/5
While these stories were diverse regarding the characters (which was the point of this anthology), this one didn’t feel as particularly diverse with settings and the stories as was the first collection. Because of that I was bored while reading a few entries, they simply lacked something. Nevertheless, I still plan to read Spotswood’s next collection, Toil & Trouble: 15 Tales of Women & Witchcraft, because I prefer supernatural stories, and that one seems more suitable for me.
A thank-you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The review is also available on my blog Books of Magic
I was introduced to Jessica Spotswood through her first anthology project A Tyranny of Petticoats, which featured 15 stories about badass women. I don’t remember much of it, but I know I gave it a 3/5 rating because the stories were good and fantastical, but nothing special or memorable for me. I decided to give this one a go since I’m into anthologies lately, and to see if these are better than the first collection. I wasn’t disappointed, but neither was I thrilled.
The stories range from early 19th to late 20th century, all set in USA, and each one featuring a girl or a woman who makes a radical change in her life, be it for her personal gain or the greater good. Each of these women is trodden down by misogyny, racism, religious bigotry, or simply her parents’ strict and cultural views, but each one wins, or gets what she wants in a certain way.
These stories are equally good as in the first collection, but unfortunately (for me) there’s much, much less magical and supernatural in this one – almost none.
The Stories
Daughter of the Book (1838, Savannah, Georgia) – Dahlia Adler
An interesting story about the challenges Jewish women faced in their closed community, not allowed to learn and do as much as men. 4/5
You’re a stranger here (1844, Nauvoo, Illinois) – Mackenzi Lee
A portray of the terrible ordeal Mormons went through around the time their leader, Joseph Smith, was murdered, and how difficult it was to preserve their belief and persevere through constant persecution. 3/5
The Magician (1858, Colorado River, New Mexico Territory) – Erin Bowman
A young orphan girl cheats in cards and poses as a boy to get a better pay, trying to collect enough money to go search for her family. 3.5/5
Lady Firebrand (1863, Charleston, South Carolina) – Megan Shepherd
This one was my favorite. Rose, a rich white girl in a wheelchair, and Pauline, her African American friend posing as a maid travel to south in the middle of the Civil War, where they become Union spies, duping the Confederates by destroying their weapon supplies. 5/5
Step right up (1905, Tulsa, Indian Territory) – Jessica Spotswood
This one is about a girl who dreams of becoming a tightrope walker and joining the circus, while coping with her abusive stepfather and indifferent mother. 4/5
Glamour (1923, Los Angeles, California) – Anna-Marie McLemore
During the golden age of Hollywood, a Latina girl tries her best to change herself, her roots, and her skin so she can fit in with the American belles and become a star. 3/5
Better for all the world (1927, Washington, D.C.) – Marieke Nijkamp
This one is about mental illness, at the time still not researched enough, and even feared of, which drove the people and the state to commit some horrible and unforgiving acts like convicting a girl to sterilization so she can’t spread the illness by reproduction. 3/5
When the moonlight isn’t enough (1943, Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts) – Dhonielle Clayton
African American family of three persists for 200 years by preserving and drinking moonlight. They spend several years in one place, then run away in fear of people uncovering their secret. They plan to do so again, as WW2 is raging over the Atlantic, but their daughter is tired of running and being 16 for two consecutive centuries. 4/5
The belle of the ball (1952, Brooklyn, New York) – Sarvenaz Tash
The 1950s in USA weren’t known as a place equal for men and women, which Rosemary feels on her own skin as she struggles to become a comedy script writer against the conservative and bigoted mind of her family and elders. 3/5
Land of the sweet, home of the brave (1955, Oakland, California) – Stacey Lee
A Japanese girl competes at a talent show where the main prize is to have your image featured on the sugar packaging, and she beats some racial prejudice ass along the way. 4/5
The birth of Susi go-go (1972, Queens, New York) – Meg Medina
An interesting story of Susana, a Cuban refugee, struggling between her religious and prejudiced parents’ approval and the desire to fit in with an entirely different culture. 4/5
Take me with U (1984, Boston, Massachusetts) – Sara Farizan
Sohelia was sent by her parents from Iran to her cousins’ home in Boston to escape the war. She copes with her longing and loss by making friends and joining a punk band against the wishes of her prejudiced aunt. 3.5/5
While these stories were diverse regarding the characters (which was the point of this anthology), this one didn’t feel as particularly diverse with settings and the stories as was the first collection. Because of that I was bored while reading a few entries, they simply lacked something. Nevertheless, I still plan to read Spotswood’s next collection, Toil & Trouble: 15 Tales of Women & Witchcraft, because I prefer supernatural stories, and that one seems more suitable for me.
A thank-you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The review is also available on my blog Books of Magic
viccro's review
3.0
I liked some of the stories and was underwhelmed by others. All in all, a nice short collection.
danielletepool's review
4.0
I absolutely loved A Tyranny of Petticoats, I was super excited to see this book come out. Unfortunately this book did not hold the same charm for me as the first one. There weren't any stories that I really disliked; there just weren't too many stories that I loved.
1. Daughter of the Book by Dahlier Adler - 3 stars ★★★
2. You're A Stranger Here by Mackenzi Lee - 4 stars ★★★★
3. The Magician by Erin Bowman - 4 stars ★★★★
4. Lady Firebrand by Megan Shepherd – 4 stars ★★★★
5. Step Right Up by Jessica Spotswood - 3 stars ★★★
6. Glamour by Anna-Marie McLemore - 3 stars ★★★
7. Better For All the World by Marieke Nijkamp - 5 stars ★★★★★
*This was my favorite story*
8. When The Moon Isn’t Enough by Dhonielle Clayton – 3 stars ★★★
9. The Belle of the Ball by Sarvenaz Tash – 5 stars ★★★★★
10. Land of the Sweet, Home of the Brave by Stacey Lee – 4 stars ★★★★
11. The Birth of Susi Go-Go by Meg Medina – 3 stars ★★★
12. Take Me With U by Sara Farizan – 3 stars ★★★
Overall: This book earned 44/60 stars, which is an average of 3.67 stars. Unfortunately I can't do half stars on Goodreads, or I would probably give this a 3.5. I'll just round up for my overall rating to 4 stars ★★★★
1. Daughter of the Book by Dahlier Adler - 3 stars ★★★
2. You're A Stranger Here by Mackenzi Lee - 4 stars ★★★★
3. The Magician by Erin Bowman - 4 stars ★★★★
4. Lady Firebrand by Megan Shepherd – 4 stars ★★★★
5. Step Right Up by Jessica Spotswood - 3 stars ★★★
6. Glamour by Anna-Marie McLemore - 3 stars ★★★
7. Better For All the World by Marieke Nijkamp - 5 stars ★★★★★
*This was my favorite story*
8. When The Moon Isn’t Enough by Dhonielle Clayton – 3 stars ★★★
9. The Belle of the Ball by Sarvenaz Tash – 5 stars ★★★★★
10. Land of the Sweet, Home of the Brave by Stacey Lee – 4 stars ★★★★
11. The Birth of Susi Go-Go by Meg Medina – 3 stars ★★★
12. Take Me With U by Sara Farizan – 3 stars ★★★
Overall: This book earned 44/60 stars, which is an average of 3.67 stars. Unfortunately I can't do half stars on Goodreads, or I would probably give this a 3.5. I'll just round up for my overall rating to 4 stars ★★★★
amym84's review
4.0
To keep things clear in my mind, I'm going to post a little as I finish each story.
Daughter of the Book by Dahlia Adler
I have never read anything else by Ms. Adler before. Daughter of the Book is about Rebekah whose Jewish family lives in Savannah, Georgia. This book deals with Rebekah wanting to learn all the things the males get to learn in regards to their religion, but because she's female she is restricted. So she enlists the help of a boy named Caleb to secretly teach her all the things he is able to learn. This story was really short and quick, but I think the main objective of showing how much Rebekah wanted to learn, but was denied because of her sex, came across flawlessly.
You're a Stranger Here by Mackenzi Lee
So, I loved Mckenzi Lee's [b:The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue|29283884|The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (Guide, #1)|Mackenzi Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1492601464s/29283884.jpg|49527118], so I was really looking forward to reading something else by her and I forgot that she had a story in this anthology. You're a Stranger Here focuses on Vilatte who came, with her mother, from Liverpool to Illinois to join the Mormon religion. The story starts after the murder of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Religion. The story has a lot of upheaval about it as the settlement suffers from questioning who should take Smith's place as head of the religion and violence by people who want to push them out. In the center you have Vilatte who was brought there as a child so without much in the way of being able to voice a decision on the matter, and she starts to question everything that's going on around her. I liked that things are kind of left up in the air. You see a lot of fractures within the community after the death of Joseph Smith, kind of like a new beginning. You wonder what Vilatte will decide for her own life as she gets older.
The Magician by Erin Bowman
I haven't read anything by Erin Bowman, but I'm familiar with her [b:Vengeance Road|23719270|Vengeance Road (Vengeance Road, #1)|Erin Bowman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1422925649s/23719270.jpg|41187933] series. I'd say that The Magician could probably be considered a companion prequel. It deals with a girl hiding herself as a boy named Ray working at a stevedore in the New Mexico Territory on the Colorado River. She's trying to save enough money to head to San Francisco with the hope of finding the family she can't remember. Ray earns extra money by playing cards and being a Magician with the deck. So far, at three stories in, this has been my favorite of the anthology. The ideas of the changing landscape and the struggle with identity that Ray faces was nicely written by Bowman. I look forward to reading her other stories set in the Wild West.
Lady Firebrand by Megan Shepherd
Taking place during the civil war. Deals with two girls who are working as spies for the Union. I really enjoyed this one. I think the secrets and espionage while not outright action-packed still kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see if they'd be caught. The main heroine, Rose, is wheelchair bound after being thrown from her horse. I loved that Megan Shepherd tackled a story (and she's not the only one in this anthology) about someone with a physical impediment and shows that just because, in Rose's case, they can't walk doesn't mean they can't think or contribute.
Step Right Up by Jessica Spotswood
All Ruby has ever wanted was to join the circus that has come to her town every year since she was five as the apprentice to the tightrope walker. Ruby has never felt like she fits into the same box as other girls her age nor does she want to, but she can no longer deal with the ever increasing abusive household in which she lives now. I like the idea that comes across that there is a place for everyone. Even if you feel like you don't belong in your current place, there is somewhere where people will love and accept you for who you are, and the circus is definitely a good metaphor for this consisting of a group of people with special talents or what many people might consider oddities especially at the time this story is set to take place which is 1905.
Glamour by Anna-Marie Mclemore
Glamour tells the story of Graciela who wants to be a movie star. But in 1923 there aren't really any movie stars that look like Graciela with brown hair, brown eyes, tan skin. So Graciela uses a special glamour taught to her by her great-grandmother that makes her skin creamy, her hair light, and her eyes blue. She becomes Grace. But can she truly be happy as Grace when it's not who she truly is? I loved the use of magical realism in this story. I wasn't expecting it, but I should have known because Anna-Marie Mclemore uses it a lot in her writings. I loved the ideas this represented of being proud of who you are, and the fact that who we are isn't always skin deep, it's often soul deep. It's a really lovely story.
Better for All the World by Marieke Nijkamp
This story so far has been my favorite and unless one of the remaining five knocks it out of the park, this will remain in my favorite spot. This story deals with Carrie who dreams of being a lawyer. Part of how she's learning is that she goes and listens in the gallery at current trials. One of the trials is that of Carrie Buck whom the courts are trying to determine if she should be forcibly sterilized "for the good of the world" due to the fact that she's deemed a "genetic threat to society". Our narrator Carrie shares more with Ms. Buck than just a first name. She also shares what many people might deem "abnormal". Carrie wants to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. For their rights. It's a beautiful story about how the government shouldn't be able to dictate what happens with our bodies. It's steeped in actual history as Carrie Buck's trial / case is very much real.
When the Moonlight Isn't Enough by Dhonielle Clayton
Moonlight takes place in the midst of World War II in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts where a family that lives in a mostly African American community feels more safe and protected than they have in their 191 years of existence. Yep, you read that right. Now, with the war going on overseas they want to keep their heads down a just live their lives. This has never been a problem for perpetual sixteen year old Emma until now. Maybe it's the fact that she's been living the same existence for almost 200 years, and she's tired of moving around to keep people from seeing how they don't age, never getting to have friends. But Emma wants to join the war effort much to her mother and father's astonishment. They don't understand why Emma wants to fight for a country that doesn't want to fight for them. It's a beautiful story, enhanced with magical realism.
The Belle of the Ball by Sarvenaz Tash
The Belle of the Ball is about Rosemary who doesn't want to attend the cotillion her mother has planned for her, and doesn't want to marry someone wealthy to live on Fifth Ave. She wants to be a writer. Specifically, she wants to write for comedy television for show like I Love Lucy. Rosemary has always gone along with what her mother wants, but it's time for her to stand up for what she wants. As a fan of I Love Lucy, I really found this one quite endearing. You can't hear Lucille Ball's name and not think trailblazer. I loved that, through Rosemary's story, attention was brought to the writers behind the scenes one of which was a female writer on Lucy that Rosemary wants to emulate. I found it quite telling that the lack of female comediennes is not something that has improved upon much since the 1950's. It's still a predominantly male field.
Land of the Sweet, Home of the Brave by Stacey Lee
Is about Lana Lau who is one her way to audition to be the face of the 1955 Miss Sugar Maiden. Lana is Chinese Japanese American, and in 1955 World War II is not too distant of a memory where the Japanese living on the mainland were persecuted after Pearl Harbor. I liked Lana's attitude. I liked that she's able to stand up for her family and the hard work they've done throughout their lifetimes, yet still be funny and approachable.
The Birth of Susi Go-Go by Meg Medina
Susana barely remembers Cuba as she was just a little girl when she and her mother and father left. While her parents still hold true to what they were taught. Susana struggles with taking on American traditions and fitting in with friends who don't understand what she's gone through. Meg Medina did a great job of really making Susana's struggles feel real.
Overall, I really enjoyed this anthology which covers the time periods from 1838 to 1984. I really liked the idea that we're seeing these young women on the verge of doing something, they're still in the stage where they're hesitant to make a splash or to go against their families's beliefs or what have you, and many of the stories end with them just taking that leap. We don't know what happens after they land, readers kind of get to fill in the rest on their own, but I personally felt like all the stories ended on this almost exciting anticipation of great things to come for these characters. That was something that stuck out for me as I read these wonderful stories. I loved how steeping history all the of the stories were. At the end of each, the author would give background info on the time period and / or historical events that may be happening within the confines of the stories themselves. I found that immensely interesting and thought it helped enhance the story I'd just finished.
I pretty much enjoyed all the stories. The authors who stood out for me were: Marieke Nijkamp, Stacey Lee, Sarvenaz Tash, Megan Shepherd, Erin Bowman, and Anna-Marie Mclemore.
Daughter of the Book by Dahlia Adler
I have never read anything else by Ms. Adler before. Daughter of the Book is about Rebekah whose Jewish family lives in Savannah, Georgia. This book deals with Rebekah wanting to learn all the things the males get to learn in regards to their religion, but because she's female she is restricted. So she enlists the help of a boy named Caleb to secretly teach her all the things he is able to learn. This story was really short and quick, but I think the main objective of showing how much Rebekah wanted to learn, but was denied because of her sex, came across flawlessly.
You're a Stranger Here by Mackenzi Lee
So, I loved Mckenzi Lee's [b:The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue|29283884|The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (Guide, #1)|Mackenzi Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1492601464s/29283884.jpg|49527118], so I was really looking forward to reading something else by her and I forgot that she had a story in this anthology. You're a Stranger Here focuses on Vilatte who came, with her mother, from Liverpool to Illinois to join the Mormon religion. The story starts after the murder of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Religion. The story has a lot of upheaval about it as the settlement suffers from questioning who should take Smith's place as head of the religion and violence by people who want to push them out. In the center you have Vilatte who was brought there as a child so without much in the way of being able to voice a decision on the matter, and she starts to question everything that's going on around her. I liked that things are kind of left up in the air. You see a lot of fractures within the community after the death of Joseph Smith, kind of like a new beginning. You wonder what Vilatte will decide for her own life as she gets older.
The Magician by Erin Bowman
I haven't read anything by Erin Bowman, but I'm familiar with her [b:Vengeance Road|23719270|Vengeance Road (Vengeance Road, #1)|Erin Bowman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1422925649s/23719270.jpg|41187933] series. I'd say that The Magician could probably be considered a companion prequel. It deals with a girl hiding herself as a boy named Ray working at a stevedore in the New Mexico Territory on the Colorado River. She's trying to save enough money to head to San Francisco with the hope of finding the family she can't remember. Ray earns extra money by playing cards and being a Magician with the deck. So far, at three stories in, this has been my favorite of the anthology. The ideas of the changing landscape and the struggle with identity that Ray faces was nicely written by Bowman. I look forward to reading her other stories set in the Wild West.
Lady Firebrand by Megan Shepherd
Taking place during the civil war. Deals with two girls who are working as spies for the Union. I really enjoyed this one. I think the secrets and espionage while not outright action-packed still kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see if they'd be caught. The main heroine, Rose, is wheelchair bound after being thrown from her horse. I loved that Megan Shepherd tackled a story (and she's not the only one in this anthology) about someone with a physical impediment and shows that just because, in Rose's case, they can't walk doesn't mean they can't think or contribute.
Step Right Up by Jessica Spotswood
All Ruby has ever wanted was to join the circus that has come to her town every year since she was five as the apprentice to the tightrope walker. Ruby has never felt like she fits into the same box as other girls her age nor does she want to, but she can no longer deal with the ever increasing abusive household in which she lives now. I like the idea that comes across that there is a place for everyone. Even if you feel like you don't belong in your current place, there is somewhere where people will love and accept you for who you are, and the circus is definitely a good metaphor for this consisting of a group of people with special talents or what many people might consider oddities especially at the time this story is set to take place which is 1905.
Glamour by Anna-Marie Mclemore
Glamour tells the story of Graciela who wants to be a movie star. But in 1923 there aren't really any movie stars that look like Graciela with brown hair, brown eyes, tan skin. So Graciela uses a special glamour taught to her by her great-grandmother that makes her skin creamy, her hair light, and her eyes blue. She becomes Grace. But can she truly be happy as Grace when it's not who she truly is? I loved the use of magical realism in this story. I wasn't expecting it, but I should have known because Anna-Marie Mclemore uses it a lot in her writings. I loved the ideas this represented of being proud of who you are, and the fact that who we are isn't always skin deep, it's often soul deep. It's a really lovely story.
Better for All the World by Marieke Nijkamp
This story so far has been my favorite and unless one of the remaining five knocks it out of the park, this will remain in my favorite spot. This story deals with Carrie who dreams of being a lawyer. Part of how she's learning is that she goes and listens in the gallery at current trials. One of the trials is that of Carrie Buck whom the courts are trying to determine if she should be forcibly sterilized "for the good of the world" due to the fact that she's deemed a "genetic threat to society". Our narrator Carrie shares more with Ms. Buck than just a first name. She also shares what many people might deem "abnormal". Carrie wants to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. For their rights. It's a beautiful story about how the government shouldn't be able to dictate what happens with our bodies. It's steeped in actual history as Carrie Buck's trial / case is very much real.
When the Moonlight Isn't Enough by Dhonielle Clayton
Moonlight takes place in the midst of World War II in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts where a family that lives in a mostly African American community feels more safe and protected than they have in their 191 years of existence. Yep, you read that right. Now, with the war going on overseas they want to keep their heads down a just live their lives. This has never been a problem for perpetual sixteen year old Emma until now. Maybe it's the fact that she's been living the same existence for almost 200 years, and she's tired of moving around to keep people from seeing how they don't age, never getting to have friends. But Emma wants to join the war effort much to her mother and father's astonishment. They don't understand why Emma wants to fight for a country that doesn't want to fight for them. It's a beautiful story, enhanced with magical realism.
The Belle of the Ball by Sarvenaz Tash
The Belle of the Ball is about Rosemary who doesn't want to attend the cotillion her mother has planned for her, and doesn't want to marry someone wealthy to live on Fifth Ave. She wants to be a writer. Specifically, she wants to write for comedy television for show like I Love Lucy. Rosemary has always gone along with what her mother wants, but it's time for her to stand up for what she wants. As a fan of I Love Lucy, I really found this one quite endearing. You can't hear Lucille Ball's name and not think trailblazer. I loved that, through Rosemary's story, attention was brought to the writers behind the scenes one of which was a female writer on Lucy that Rosemary wants to emulate. I found it quite telling that the lack of female comediennes is not something that has improved upon much since the 1950's. It's still a predominantly male field.
Land of the Sweet, Home of the Brave by Stacey Lee
Is about Lana Lau who is one her way to audition to be the face of the 1955 Miss Sugar Maiden. Lana is Chinese Japanese American, and in 1955 World War II is not too distant of a memory where the Japanese living on the mainland were persecuted after Pearl Harbor. I liked Lana's attitude. I liked that she's able to stand up for her family and the hard work they've done throughout their lifetimes, yet still be funny and approachable.
The Birth of Susi Go-Go by Meg Medina
Susana barely remembers Cuba as she was just a little girl when she and her mother and father left. While her parents still hold true to what they were taught. Susana struggles with taking on American traditions and fitting in with friends who don't understand what she's gone through. Meg Medina did a great job of really making Susana's struggles feel real.
Overall, I really enjoyed this anthology which covers the time periods from 1838 to 1984. I really liked the idea that we're seeing these young women on the verge of doing something, they're still in the stage where they're hesitant to make a splash or to go against their families's beliefs or what have you, and many of the stories end with them just taking that leap. We don't know what happens after they land, readers kind of get to fill in the rest on their own, but I personally felt like all the stories ended on this almost exciting anticipation of great things to come for these characters. That was something that stuck out for me as I read these wonderful stories. I loved how steeping history all the of the stories were. At the end of each, the author would give background info on the time period and / or historical events that may be happening within the confines of the stories themselves. I found that immensely interesting and thought it helped enhance the story I'd just finished.
I pretty much enjoyed all the stories. The authors who stood out for me were: Marieke Nijkamp, Stacey Lee, Sarvenaz Tash, Megan Shepherd, Erin Bowman, and Anna-Marie Mclemore.