Tag Archives: Feminism

The Lustrous Dark by Loretta Chefchaouni

Review: The Lustrous Dark by Loretta Chefchaouni

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , ,

The Lustrous Dark
Loretta Chefchaouni
Peachtree Teen
Published May 19, 2026

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About The Lustrous Dark

For fans of Sabaa Tahir and Guillermo del Toro comes The Lustrous Dark, a sweeping YA fantasy inspired by a Moroccan folktale, in which a young midwife’s apprentice rises up to take back the power that’s been stolen from women.

Orphaned as a baby, Shay has spent her life training as the midwife’s apprentice. Her role grants her stability, yet Shay has always yearned for more. Namely, motherly affection and answers regarding her mysterious birth—neither of which the midwife deems practical to provide.

After Shay discovers her birth mother, Hind, is still alive and addicted to a magical drug called Snow, she determines to get the woman clean. But when Hind betrays Shay to get her hands on more Snow, Shay’s abandoned within a deadly forest and forced to rely on a band of monstrous ghouls for safety.

Shay’s realm has long stood on the brink of war between the men who control magic and the revolutionaries who want to eliminate it. But in the forest, Shay hears the pleading call of ancient spirits who claim that not only has magic been stolen, but she has the power to return it. With the help of a spitfire revolutionary and the boy who’s winning over her heart, Shay discovers the horrific truth of who produces Snow and will have to decide for herself whether to heed the spirits’ charge or fade into obscurity.

This emotionally raw and gorgeously rendered fairytale combines the lush worldbuilding of This Woven Kingdom with the mother trauma of Snow White and a dash of Tim Burton. Steeped in mysticism and mythology, The Lustrous Dark confronts injustices against women with a righteous scream that’ll inspire readers to rally against the patriarchy and oppressive regimes worldwide.

My Review

The author’s note at the beginning of the book shares how Chefchaouni came to write this story. She shares a bit about its personal connection to her life. I loved having that context as I went into the story. It definitely has the feel of a book that’s wrestling with deep things.

Shay herself wrestles with her feelings about her adoptive mom. She longs for a connection with her biological mother and has both fears and desires regarding her own hidden magical abilities. Those experiences felt incredibly real.

The portrayal of addiction is a little more stigmatized than I’ve seen lately, especially in young adult fiction. While the story explores some of the predatory behavior of groups in power and the role that Snow plays in that power structure, the story doesn’t delve very deeply into the illness of addiction. The most prominent character battling addiction is portrayed as both a victim of her addiction and an untrustworthy person. Both Shay’s behavior and this other character’s are realistic. I think the story would have benefited from additional context on addiction as an illness.

That aside, I thought the story and its themes of addiction as a means of subjugating a population made for a powerful vehicle for reimagining the Moroccan folktale. The fantasy landscape is filled with intricate details that all feel like they could have their own stories. The large cast of characters is handled well.

All in all, this evocative fantasy, exploring complex feelings about the pull of biological connections and the unique power of femininity, makes for a fascinating read.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing. Vague reference to sex. Vague reference to sexual abuse.

Spiritual Content
The story contains some folklore tales about how the story’s monsters came to exist. Magic has been outlawed and stigmatized as a result of using a powerful drug called Snow. Some babies are born with magical abilities. A strong tea can suppress the ability. Midwives have a special spiritual affinity, since they spend so much time near the veil between life and death in the course of their work.

Violent Content
Several scenes show traumatic birth events. (Babies that must be revived after birth, a mother dying in childbirth.) Brief, graphic descriptions of execution by hanging. Brief, graphic descriptions of a group of monsters consuming someone’s remains. And brief, graphic descriptions of a soldier killing a woman. A vampire-like character attacks a woman and boasts of killing others.

Drug Content
A powerful drug called Snow is highly addictive. Shay tries to help an addicted woman who isn’t ready/able to give up her addiction.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

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Hood Feminism
Mikki Kendall
Viking Books
Published March 3, 2020

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About Hood Feminism

Today’s feminist movement has a glaring blind spot, and paradoxically, it is women. Mainstream feminists rarely talk about meeting basic needs as a feminist issue, argues Mikki Kendall, but food insecurity, access to quality education, safe neighborhoods, a living wage, and medical care are all feminist issues.

All too often, however, the focus is not on basic survival for the many, but on increasing privilege for the few. That feminists refuse to prioritize these issues has only exacerbated the age-old problem of both internecine discord and women who rebuff at carrying the title. Moreover, prominent white feminists broadly suffer from their own myopia with regard to how things like race, class, sexual orientation, and ability intersect with gender.

How can we stand in solidarity as a movement, Kendall asks, when there is the distinct likelihood that some women are oppressing others?

My Review

This is such an essential read for anyone interested in better understanding modern feminism or being involved in or allied with the feminist movement.

I agree wholeheartedly with the position that Kendall takes in her book that a feminism that only helps a certain kind of woman isn’t true feminism. Her book examines feminist principles and how the movement overlooks or ignores the needs of marginalized women, especially women of color.

Her writing is clear, personal, and filled with great examples. I can tell that this is a book I’m going to revisit periodically.

This book doesn’t read like a research paper cataloging a movement or historical time period. It reads more like a personal essay, filled with examples from Kendall’s life experience and personal knowledge.

The author issues a warning in the opening pages, letting readers know her book isn’t meant to make everyone comfortable. It’s meant to shine a light on uncomfortable truths so that we, as a movement supporting women’s equality and equity, can press forward more effectively advancing the rights of all women.

I highly recommend reading this one.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
References to church.

Violent Content
References to domestic violence.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I borrowed this book from the public library. All opinions are my own.

Review: Lady’s Knight by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , ,

Lady’s Knight
Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Storytide
Published June 3, 2025

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About Lady’s Knight

An undeniably fierce, unforgettably funny, unapologetically queer feminist romp through the England of medieval legend. Bestselling and acclaimed authors Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner bring readers along on an epic quest for valor, freedom, and, above all, love. A Knight’s Tale meets the Lady Jane series, with a dash of The Great!

Gwen is sick of hiding—hiding the fact that she’s taken over her father’s blacksmithing duties, hiding her attraction to girls, hiding her yearning for glory as a knight.

Meanwhile, Lady Isobelle of Avington, queen bee of the castle, has never once considered hiding who she is—until now. She’s been chosen as the grand prize in the Tournament of Dragonslayers, to be given to whichever knight can claim her hand. And for the first time in her life, she can’t talk her way out of trouble.

When Isobelle discovers Gwen’s knightly ambitions, they hatch a scheme together—Gwen will joust in the tournament, disguised as Sir Gawain. Winning means freedom for Isobelle, and glory for Gwen. Losing means… well, let’s not go there.

One thing’s for sure: falling in love was never the plan.

But the best laid plans…are often trampled all over by dragons.

My Review

It’s been a minute since I’ve read anything by this duo, but I remember that I enjoyed the last book by Kaufman and Spooner that I read. This novel is a lot of fun, as one familiar with the authors would expect. The characters have serious moments, but they’re often punctuated by asides that highlight the irony of a situation or point out a paradox in the culture of the time.

The characters speak to one another in fairly modern language, which might be challenging for die-hard historical fiction fans, but will make the story more accessible for readers who generally read contemporary fiction.

The romance between Gwen and Isobelle is so sweet. They have very different personalities, and that made watching them fall in love such a joy. Isobelle is the kind of character that might be easy to write off as too silly or shallow at first, but as you get to know her, you see how she uses humor or frivolity to mask her true self. It’s not safe for her to be any other way.

The pragmatic and serious Gwen challenges Isobelle to speak up more, and in return, Isobelle challenges Gwen to believe in herself and take risks. They make a fabulous couple. I loved some of the side characters, especially Olivia, Isobelle’s maid (with a much more exciting history) and Madame DuPont, the swordswoman who helps Gwen prepare for the tournament.

The author acknowledgements say this is the first book in a series, and I say, bring it! I’m absolutely here for more adventures in this story world.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Some characters are hedge witches, who use healing herbs to help sick or wounded people and uplift women and marginalized people.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Some scenes show knights competing at jousting, which can be deadly. Some participants injure their opponents.

Drug Content
Characters drink alcohol and play a drinking game (a medieval version of Never Have I Ever).

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Lady Knight by Amalie Howard

Book Review and Content, Historical, Romance, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , ,

Lady Knight ( The Diamonds #2)
Amalie Howard
Publisher
Published April 1, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Lady Knight

The daughter of a duke defies the rules of London high society with the help of the resident rake—who just so happens to be her brother’s best friend—in this fun teen historical romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Queen Bee.

“A ridiculously romantic, womanist, hilarious, and hugely entertaining romance that had me smiling and swooning from start to finish.” —Elizabeth Everett, USA Today bestselling author of the Damsels of Discovery series

Lady Zenobia “Zia” Osborn, a duke’s daughter, is frustrated that her entire life has been predetermined. What good is skill or intelligence if one is forced to suffocate it because of one’s sex? She’d much rather make her mark on the world than bat her eyelashes for the ton.

Zia only comes alive in the Lady Knights, a clandestine social club for rebellious girls. In it, she is free to compose music, fence, read controversial literature, and save orphans from destitution by any means necessary. Aside from her closest confidantes, no one knows about Zia’s indecorous other life. . . .

Until Mr. Rafi Nasser, a rogue with secrets of his own, finds out. Shocked yet intrigued by his best friend’s younger sister, he agrees to keep Zia’s secret—if only to help her avoid utter scandal.

My Review

This book has a really fun concept. It’s an inclusive cast in a historical setting, which is a lot of fun. The story centers around a group of girls who are looking for their voice and ways to make a difference in their community. The girls are all in a class at a special school for women in which the instructor introduces them to texts by women about female empowerment. Each chapter begins with a quote from English writer and philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft, which I enjoyed. The quotes often relate directly to issues the girls face in the chapter that follows.

The whole story is told from Zia’s perspective. I loved her enthusiasm and impulsiveness. I think we tend to expect a certain kind of heroine from historical fiction, especially novels written in a more historical voice, and I love that Howard challenged those preconceptions by writing an impulsive heroine who feels as young as she is.

Though the romance stays more in the realm of sweet than spicy, it’s super flirty and fun. There’s a good balance between the romantic elements and the plotline about Zia’s quest to save the school and orphanage.

I think readers who enjoy light historical romance will love getting swept away in Lady Knight.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. A band of women in disguise robs wealthy men. One scene shows a dangerous horse race.

Men accuse women of being hysterical, a dangerous allegation that can result in someone being institutionalized.

In class, Zia and her friends discuss elements of the book Frankenstein, including a character’s murder.

Drug Content
References to drinking alcohol. Reference to someone being drunk.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Love is in the Hair by Gemma Cary

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Middle Grade 8-12, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , ,

Love is in the Hair
Gemma Cary
Delacorte Press
Published August 27, 2024

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About Love is in the Hair

A feminist coming-of-age comedy that follows the endless humiliations, unrequited obsessions, and all-consuming friendships of fifteen-year-old Evia Birtwhistle as she leads a body hair positive revolution at her school.

Fifteen-year-old Evia Birtwhistle can’t seem to catch a break. At home, she must deal with her free-spirited mom, and at school she’s the target of ridicule for stating basic truths: like that girls have body hair!

When her BFF Frankie—who has facial hair due to her PCOS—becomes the target of school bullies, Evia decides that enough is enough and creates the ‘Hairy Girls’ Club.’

Leading a feminist movement at school is not easy. Boys often look at Evia like she’s a total weirdo, and the self-proclaimed ‘smoothalicious’ girls start their own campaign in retaliation. As Evia struggles with feeling strong enough to lead, and questions how to be a good friend to Frankie, she falls back on the best thing she has—hope. Her message is simple: We CAN make this world a more accepting, less judgmental place for girls to live in…one hairy leg at a time!

My Review

This book delivers on its promises. It’s funny and deftly explores societal ideas about body hair as well as the reasons why someone would want to raise awareness and challenge norms versus wanting the choice to blend in with others.

I like Evia’s group of friends, especially Frankie, though she doesn’t appear a lot in the story. Frankie challenges Evia to explore nuances and understand that people may feel differently than she does about their bodies and to accept that. Her other friends, Karima and Lowri, round out the group.

Evia also has a crush on her friend’s older brother. I thought the way that played out in the book also showed a lot of depth and rang true as an experience from those early high school days. Evia is fifteen in the story, and Cary definitely nails that moment in adolescence in the way she writes about characters and relationships.

Overall, this book is well-positioned to reach readers aging out of middle grade and preparing for their own high school journeys. Give this book to readers looking for a smart, funny book about challenging societal norms and speaking up for yourself.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 to 14.

Representation
Frankie has PCOS. Two of Evia’s other friends are lesbians.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used very infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
A kiss between a boy and girl. Someone posts sexually explicit images on Evia’s social media account.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
A group of girls bullies another girl. They make a social media video showing them pinning down another girl and cruelly cutting her hair on one side of her head close to the scalp.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Diary of a Confused Feminist by Kate Weston

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Diary of a Confused Feminist
Kate Weston
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published January 2, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Diary of a Confused Feminist

Kat wants to do GOOD FEMINISM, although she’s not always sure what that means. She also wants to be a writer, get together with Hot Josh (is this a feminist ambition?), win at her coursework and not make a TOTAL EMBARRASSMENT of herself at all times.

But the path to true feminism is filled with mortifying incidents, and when everything at school starts to get a bit too much, Kat knows she’s lost her way, and the only way forward is to ask for help . . .

Join Kat, AKA the Confused Feminist, as she navigates EVERYTHING from menstrual cups and mental health to Instagram likes and #TimesUp in her HILARIOUS, OUTRAGEOUS, and VERY EMBARRASSING diary.

My Review

I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard at a book since FINDING AUDREY by Sophie Kinsella. Seriously, this absolutely cracked me up. Kat is full of frank questions and sometimes irreverent observations. Her exploration of what feminism means and how to be a feminist felt so genuine and organic. She asks a lot of reasonable questions about her body, her period, and sex in pretty straightforward, often funny, ways.

The book is written in diary entries, as the title suggests, and I loved that, too, because it made this a pretty quick read. The scenes are generally pretty short and there’s a fair amount of white space on the pages.

I also enjoyed Kat’s relationships with her parents and brother. It’s always funny reading parents in YA novels as an actual parent. I think I may more attention to those characters than I would have as a teen, and I definitely appreciate it when they read like fully developed characters and believable parents. In this book, they’re not perfect parents by any means, but it’s clear that despite Kat wanting her privacy and rolling her eyes plenty, she loves her family members and has good relationships with them.

Not only did I laugh an absolute ton reading this book, but I cried quite a bit, too. Kat wrestles with some hard things, and one scene in particular broke my heart for her. I think the combination of the humor and the heart make this an incredible story (and a debut! Amazing!) and one that a lot of readers are going to connect with.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Representation
Two characters describe difficult experiences with anxiety. One character is gay.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Extreme profanity used pretty frequently. Also uses some crude language for body parts.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between boy and girl. Kissing between two boys. A girl accidentally walks in on a couple having sex in a bathroom and describes their disorganized state of undress.

Spiritual Content
A couple of jokes about how God must be a man because women endure so many biological trials.

Violent Content
A girl at school bullies Kat and says some very harsh things to her. It’s pretty cruel and upsetting.

Drug Content
Kat and her friends attend two parties where teens drink. At the second one, Kat mentions there being a cloud of marijuana smoke.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog.