A Phoenix First Must Burn

by Patrice Caldwell
A Phoenix First Must Burn cover
Good Books rating 3.88
Anthologies (Multi-author)
Technical
  • ID: 3748
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9781471409295
  • Publisher: Bonnier Zaffre Ltd.
  • Published: 2020-03-10
  • Reviews: 4

A Phoenix First Must Burn is a captivating anthology featuring sixteen stories by bestselling and award-winning authors. These tales explore the Black experience through the lenses of fantasy, science fiction, and magic, offering a rich tapestry of narratives that evoke Beyoncé's Lemonade for a YA audience. The collection includes contributions from notable authors such as Elizabeth Acevedo, Amerie, and Ibi Zoboi, among others. Each story is a vivid exploration of histories, relationships, and alternate universes, filled with complex and true-to-life characters that readers will find both relatable and inspiring. /n/n The stories range from folktales retold to futuristic societies, encompassing themes of love, betrayal, strength, resistance, trauma, and heroism. The heroines in these tales—witches, scientists, sisters, lovers, priestesses, and rebels—are unforgettable and shine brightly. This anthology is a must-read for those seeking diverse, atmospheric, and visually stunning narratives that celebrate Black voices and experiences.

Reviews
Sometimes Leelynn Reads · 2023-02-27
enjoyable 4.50

The anthology is a celebration of Black Girl Magic, with each story offering a unique and powerful perspective that the reviewer thoroughly enjoyed.

This reviewer loved the anthology for its celebration of Black Girl Magic, enjoying the diverse stories and the unique perspectives each author brought to the collection. They appreciated the way the stories highlighted the Black experience through fantasy and other genres, making it a compelling and enjoyable read. The reviewer found the anthology to be a great way to experience a variety of voices and narratives in one place.

Quick quotes

    So as far as the entire anthology as a whole, I really enjoyed this!

    I loved being able to see so many stories of Black Girl Magic in one place.

    Each story offered a unique and powerful perspective that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The Great Bookwyrm · 2020-10-14
mediocre 2.00

The anthology was just okay, with some stories holding more appeal than others, and the reviewer found it somewhat lackluster.

This reviewer had mixed feelings about the anthology. While they appreciated the representation and the diversity of the stories, they found the overall experience to be just okay. Some stories resonated more than others, but they ultimately felt that the collection lacked the depth and engagement they were hoping for. The reviewer even admitted to falling asleep while reading, which speaks to their overall lack of enthusiasm for the book.

Quick quotes

    Overall, it was just okay. I actually fell asleep reading it, in the middle of the afternoon, so…

    Representation: Black Main Character and cast

    Some stories were engaging, but others felt flat and uninspiring.

Good Books and Good Wine · April (Books&Wine) · 2020-04-24
spectacular 4.50

This anthology is a spectacular celebration of Black Girl Magic, offering a diverse and powerful collection of stories that are both entertaining and meaningful.

April from Books&Wine was thoroughly impressed with this anthology. They describe it as a spectacular celebration of Black Girl Magic, praising the diversity and power of the stories included. The reviewer found the collection to be both entertaining and meaningful, highlighting how each story contributes to the overarching theme of resistance and empowerment. They particularly appreciate the way the anthology brings together different voices and perspectives, making it a standout read.

Quick quotes

    A Phoenix First Must Burn edited by Patrice Caldwell is a spectacular anthology that's essentially a celebration of Black Girl Magic.

    The stories are diverse and powerful, each one offering a unique perspective that contributes to the overall theme of resistance and empowerment.

    This anthology is a must-read for anyone looking to explore the richness and depth of Black experiences through fantasy, science fiction, and magic.

Rich in Color · 2020-04-10
empowering 4.50

The stories in this anthology are deeply moving and full of meaning, celebrating Black Girl Magic in a way that resonates with the heart.

This reviewer was truly touched by the collection of stories in this anthology. Each tale is a powerful celebration of Black Girl Magic, filled with emotion and significance. They highlight how the stories collectively create a rich tapestry of experiences that are both empowering and thought-provoking. The reviewer particularly appreciates the diversity and depth of the narratives, which make the anthology a must-read for anyone looking to explore these themes.

Quick quotes

    All the stories in this anthology are so full of Black Girl Magic and so full of meaning that they just touch the heart.

    The stories are diverse and powerful, each one offering a unique perspective that contributes to the overall theme of resistance and empowerment.

    This anthology is a celebration of Black Girl Magic, and it does not disappoint.

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