Review: 'flower crowns & fearsome things' by amanda lovelace

It is always a joy to me when amanda lovelace comes out with another poetry collection. Poetry is one of those things that either clicks with you or it doesn't, and that very much depends on the style of the poetry. Are you reading sonnets or free form? Is it fragmented like what remains of Sappho or famed and storied like everything Byron has ever done? For me, amanda lovelace hits the spot. Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this collection in exchange for an honest review.

Pub. Date: 10/5/2021
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing

in her new standalone poetry collection, flower crowns & fearsome things, bestselling & award-winning poetess amanda lovelace explores the complexity of femininity through alternating wildflower & wildfire poems.

within these pages, you will find that each of us has the ability to be both soft & fierce at the same time. there is no need to choose one or the other.

 I have really enjoyed all of amanda lovelace's poetry collections so far. I love how she interweaves fairy tales within her poetry, taking the stories and ideas we have grown up with and turning them into something that can be empowering. lovelace has a variety of series going in which she works on this subversion, in which she gently but persistently hammers home the point that you are inherently worthy, that you should be your own biggest fan. Not because you're perfect or because you live up to the ideal, but because you are you and that is not just enough, it is great. While with other poets this message sometimes feels a little too peppy, it always works for me when it comes from amanda lovelace. flower crowns & fearsome things is a standalone, in that it doesn't continue the "story" of these other series. In tone, however, it is definitely related as mythology and the stories we have been told continue to play major roles.

Using Persephone. Goddess of Spring and Dread Queen of the Underworld,  as a guiding thread, lovelace moves back and forth between innocence and wrath, between giving and taking, hurting and healing. She makes it clear at the beginning that her poems will be dealing with heavy topics and they do. lovelace addresses the way we are hurt and the way we hurt ourselves, how love gets twisted, and how long it takes to unwind yourself. What really struck me in flower crowns & fearsome things was how the "innocent" side of Persephone longs for magic, for that special, extra touch, the cottage in the forest, the peace and quiet of knowing someone's got you. That hit really close to home. But then so did the Dread Queen-aspect, full of anger and power. lovelace is careful to not lean too far into the "burn it all down" energy, but rather focuses on the confidence, the knowing you're worthy, on not taking less than you deserve. Occasionally some of the poems felt a little too "girlboss" for me, but then I am quite sensitive to that. 

I also want to give some credit to Janaina Medeiros who, as far as I'm aware, has consistently worked with lovelace on illustrating her poetry collections. There is clearly a great connection there and Medeiros' illustrations always add an extra touch. 

I give this collection...

4 Universes!

While not every poem in flower crown & fearsome things struck home with me equally, I continue to be a major fan of amanda lovelace's poetry.