A Phoenix First Must Burn
Sixteen Stories of Black Girl Magic, Resistance, and Hope
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Sixteen stories by bestselling and award-winning authors that explore the Black experience through fantasy, science fiction, and magic—coming together in one stunning narrative of hope.
“Fulfills its promise of celebrating Black girl protagonists . . . an enormously electric and entertaining collection.”—Locus
“As interrogative as Octavia E. Butler, as fierce as Beyoncé, as thoughtful as Phillis Wheatley, [and] as revolutionary as Ida B. Wells.”—Tor
“Delightfully queer . . . as diverse as the Black experience.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Bestselling, award-winning, and talented fresh voices weave together past, present, and future worlds in tales of love, betrayal, strength, and resistance. Together, these stories chronicle the Black experience, centering Black women and gender-nonconforming individuals through folktales, futuristic societies, and everything in between. Witches and scientists, sisters and lovers, priestesses and rebels: the heroes of A Phoenix First Must Burn shine brightly. You will never forget them.
Authors Include: Amerie, Elizabeth Acevedo, Rebecca Roanhorse, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Somaiya Daud, Justina Ireland, L.L. McKinney, Dhonielle Clayton, Patrice Caldwell Danny Lore, Ibi Zoboi, Danielle Paige, Ashley Woodfolk, Charlotte Nicole Davis, Karen Strong, and J. Marcelle Corrie
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
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.
