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Title details for A Phoenix First Must Burn by Patrice Caldwell - Available

A Phoenix First Must Burn

Sixteen Stories of Black Girl Magic, Resistance, and Hope

by Patrice Caldwell
Patrice Caldwell
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
Evoking Beyoncé's Lemonade for a teen audience, these authors who are truly Octavia Butler's heirs have woven worlds to create a stunning narrative that puts Black women and gender-nonconforming individuals at its center. A Phoenix First Must Burn will take you on a journey from folktales retold to futuristic societies and everything in between. Filled with stories of love and betrayal, strength and resistance, this collection contains an array of complex and true-to-life characters through which you cannot help but see yourself reflected. Witches and scientists, sisters and lovers, priestesses and rebels—the heroines of this anthology shine brightly. You will never forget them.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    January 21, 2020

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781666566048
      • File size: 302889 KB
      • Duration: 10:31:01

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      In her introduction, Patrice Caldwell asks why black people don't exist in speculative worlds. Here, some of the foremost #ownvoices YA authors create strong black heroines in tales of "black culture, strength, beauty, bravery, resistance, magic, and hope." York Whitaker's fluid narrations showcase the versatility of stories with settings that range from contemporary America to the Caribbean and that feature diverse characters. For example, she shows the wit shining in Amerie's futuristic view of Brooklyn and in Justina Ireland's clever heroine, who outwits the oppressive sorcerer she serves. There's an intensity in Rebecca Roanhorse's powerful female characters in a story that takes place in the New Mexico territory in the 1880s and vibrancy in Elizabeth Acevedo's story of a girl born with healing magic. This magnificent collection embraces a range of racial, gender, and cultural issues. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from February 24, 2020
      Lovers of Octavia Butler will find her spirit in this smoldering anthology of 16 short stories that center black female and gender nonconforming characters within fantasy and speculative fiction. Written by authors of varying backgrounds, including Elizabeth Acevedo, Justina Ireland, and Rebecca Roanhorse, the stories cover timely themes such as colorism, mental health, ancestry and tradition, and sexual and gender identity. Alaya Dawn Johnson’s folkloric “The Rules of the Land,” about the child of a sea entity and a human, considers bearing the weight of a parent’s decisions. Ibi Zoboi’s “Kiss the Sun” and Ashley Woodfolk’s “The Curse of Love” explore self-love and self-preservation amid sacrifice. Some are lighthearted, such as Ireland’s “Melie” and Danielle Paige’s “The Actress,” while others skew heavier, such as the editor’s “Letting the Right One In,” which calls upon queer black women to embrace and explore their identities. Caldwell writes in the introduction, “Black people have our pain, but our futures are limitless. Let us, together, embrace our power.” These stories do, exploring the beauty, bravery, fear, history, and empowerment of being black. Fiercely fantastical and achingly honest, this book delivers a more inclusive means of self-discovery. Ages 12–up. Agent: Pete Knapp, Park Literary.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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