Beautiful, heartbreaking, and insightful as fucking hell. I think it is really just exactly what makes poetry work when it works. I'm so glad it exists in the world, this beautiful book of poetry, and I hope it finds its way into the hands and hearts of people who need it. Really, I think we all need it.

A mixed bag that leans exactly in the middle. Some of these stories are great, interesting and thoughtful retellings. Some of them are regurgitations of other retellings (I admit it is hard to retell Shakespeare when everyone has.) When I was enjoying myself I was REALLY enjoying myself. When I wasn't I was either bored or actively upset by what I was reading. I'd reread some of these but most of them.... nah.

This book could also be called "How Martin the Warrior learned to be So Goddamn Extra TM." The prequel is maybe not as strong as the first one but I still love it. I actually like the antagonist more in this one because there is a little more depth to them. I like that Martin is in it but also that we see the teamwork of a group of people oppressed for too long. I am really enjoying rediscovering these books. They are a lot of fun and I can easily remember being absolutely riveted when I read them years ago.

So the biggest problem with this book is: I hate the main character and I hate the love interest. I think the premise is cute and I liked most of the side characters. But there was so much potential that the fact that I didn't like it just feels like a massive letdown. I know there is a lot of biphobia surrounding this book and it sucks. I don't really like who ends up with who but only because I think the lease is completely unlikeable to the point where I thought "you know maybe you'd be a better person if you just remained single for a fucking while."

A mixed bag, as all books of short stories tend to be, but I overall really liked it. I think, unsurprisingly, I enjoyed the second story (which is sapphic) the best. But the first and fifth stories are also favorites. The other two didn't do it for me as well, particularly the third one. Overall I'm super glad I own this book (Thanks Erika!) because I will for sure revisit at least three of these stories.

I like Shannon Hale and I'm sure that under other circumstances i might like this book a little more (maybe a full four?) but I couldn't really get into it. I just think it's all a little much, even for a fairy-tale retelling.  Hale's books are often pretty dark for middle grade but I guess it's been awhile since I've read her work because uhhhh I sure did forget how fucking dark they got. The result was that I couldn't really get lost in it because it made me deeply uncomfortable. The writing is incredible and the story is original so I couldn't hate it even a little but I didn't enjoy this read.

Eh. I was excited to give this a try because sometimes I really enjoy YA horror. This one didn't do it for me. The actual spooky bits were great but the plot itself was pretty dull and anytime something wasn't scary it was boring, if that makes sense. I still liked the book ok but I didn't love it, which is too bad.

A longer review of this book is coming but let me just say this: this book is perfect. I mean that it is perfectly plotted, perfectly beautiful, and perfectly heartbreaking. If you haven't already preordered this book you should do so now.

Oh this is FUN! I had such a great time reading this one. It's like a middle grade version of Johannas Cabal. I really like the characters I really like the world building I feel like this is just about perfect for an older middle grade book. For sure something I can see coming back to a lot and I am planning on reading the rest of the series. I'm legit excited to rec this to people because I think it could be something that people love for the rest of their lives.

I'm very middle of the road on this book. I didn't dislike it, not enough to really feel strongly about it. But like... I'm not in love with it or the characters or the story. I like the wild west but also it's a complicated time that was really bad for a huge number of people and this book doesn't do too good a job of talking about those complexities in a way that doesn't feel flippant. Don't get me wrong. I know this book is supposed to be a more lighthearted romp than anything else, but honestly why even bring this shit up if you're just going to be so dismissive of it.

Otherwise it's a pretty fun story. I liked the queer twist on it and I think the world building in this particular story was probably the best of the three. Some of the characters I liked more than others. Pretty fine book overall just.... not great and not bad.