the witch doesn't drown in this one

by Amanda Lovelace

In this one, the witch doesn’t burn or die or drown. In this one, she rages.

In the witch doesn’t drown in this one, celebrated poetess amanda lovelace revisits the titular voice behind her 2018 bestselling collection the witch doesn’t burn in this one. With candor, honesty, and well-earned wisdom, lovelace expounds on the roller coaster of feelings brought on by simply trying to exist as a woman in the sociopolitical climate of 2025’s America. Through poetry that encompasses a myriad of fem-centric themes, including queer love, trans rights, patriarchal oppression, and intersectional feminism, she demands that women of all backgrounds and lived experiences be seen, heard, defended, and loved.
 
the witch doesn’t drown in this one is a deeply felt and hard-won reminder that though some stories that start with bitch-fire end with tear stains, women are powerful, resilient beings who have always contained the strength to rise again, especially when we swim back to the surface together.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Feminism

Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 3, 2026

About the author

Amanda Lovelace is a bestselling American poet who rose to fame through her poetry posted to Tumblr and Instagram. She is the author of the women are some kind of magic series, including the Goodreads Choice Award-winning the princess saves herself in this one and women are some kind of magic.

Reviews

[Saranya ⋆☕︎ ˖ · Rating 4 out of 5]

╳╳╳ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐭 ╳╳╳

Reading this felt like standing in the fire and realizing you cannot be consumed. It’s raw, it’s unflinching- reminders of all the women who were meant to vanish but didn’t.

This is an ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE! It’s a collection that rages against injustice while laying bare the deepest wounds of survival.

The ⌞witch ⌝ is basically the archetype of all women.
⋮ ⌗ ┆ She is not a victim. She is not a myth. She is every woman who has been told to stay silent, every woman who has been punished for her power, every woman who has been underestimated. And she refuses to drown.

I love Lovelace. She writes with unflinching honesty about almost all the rights of a woman- abortion rights, homophobia and the relentless fight for equality. Her words are incendiary, demanding that we keep fighting even when the world tries to extinguish our flames.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
˗ˏˋ "𝘐 𝘈𝘮 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘺 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘺
𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒐-𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏 " ˎˊ˗ The rage is lived, embodied and necessary and it’s not abstract.

𓊈𒆜once, she came together with her coven of sisters,
& they truly believed that they would
magic up equality for all womankind,
but you know how the story goes:
when you arm a woman with a fistful of fire,
the world will do everything
it possibly can to unleash
a downpour over it.

- gasping for air.𒆜𓊉

This.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
The first section, “𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚒𝚝𝚌𝚑-𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚎 𝚛𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚗”, is a manifesto of fury. It urges us to rekindle our own fire against patriarchal oppression. But rage cannot burn forever. So the second section, “𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚍”, shifts into sorrow- raw, heartbreaking and suffocating.

𓊈“𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘺 𝘈𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺-𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦; 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘛𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘮 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸.” 𓊉

Here, Lovelace writes of suicide, self-harm and other disorders with devastating honesty. I think, here, it teaches us that despair is part of the fight that hopelessness itself is political, born of a world that refuses to change.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 & 𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
I love the balance between rage and sorrow & despair and hope. Lovelace dreams of a better world, one built on sisterhood and solidarity, where women uplift each other and refuse to be silenced. That’s what we actually need. Unity through feminism is how we can destroy the oppressive patriarchy system in the world.

Her poetry insists that survival is resistance, and that standing together is the only way forward.

This book is a feminist anthem. Though I did not like the poetry much, because well- it didn't rhyme in major part of the book. However, I loved everything that was spoken about. This was truly an unforgettable read for me.

This is a must-read for everyone- women and men alike. It is a book that demands to be felt, not just read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me with this arc

[minnie. [reading slump hiatus] · Rating 5 out of 5]

"she is constantly
fighting two parts of herself:
I. the one who never feels feminine enough.
II. the one who knows she shouldn't give a shit."

i loved this book, it was an absolute masterpiece. the poetry in this touched my soul, and i really resonated with many of the lines. in the social and political world of america in 2025, amanda lovelace puts her emotions into the verse, and gives us rage in poetic form. she brings up many topics such as abortion, women's rights, and homophobia, and reminds us to always keep fighting for what is right. the poetry covers a large span of emotions from seething rage to hopeless sorrow. the writing is deep, honest, and very relevant in the current world. lovelace tells her story as a lesbian woman just trying to exist in the current sociopolitical climate, and the poetry comes alive from how raw and fierce it is. the entire book really spoke to me, and the words seared into my heart, making me feel a wide range of shifting emotions as the book continued, each poem having a different message and tone. the words somehow compress and take the rage and sorrow and injustice that women face in the world and express it beautifully, in both a heartbreaking and rage filling way.

the first section is aptly named "the bitch-fire rages on", and speaks of fire, rage, and patriarchal oppression.

"i/am/more/important/than/anything/that may/or may not/blossom/in/the pit/of my/belly. fuck your so-called opinion"

the first section is all feminine rage, and urges readers to rekindle that fire in our hearts, and to fight against injustices in the world. lovelace's words are relevant and important, and she speaks out of how society tries to take away women's rights. abortion and a woman's right to her own body is brought up many times, and lovelace writes of fighting for equality, like we all should do. she is not afraid to tell the world her thoughts about how everyone deserves safety and equality,

"if i have to stand by your side alone, i will."

the next section is much sadder, called "the everlasting flood". it is so heartbreakingly raw, and on certain touching poems, i could feel my throat constricting and the tears popping up. i think that it is fitting to follow the previous section because honestly, it's hard to always be angry sometimes. sometimes we fight and we yell and we scream and the world shuts us down, and it feels hopeless. amanda lovelace pours her sorrow and emotions onto the page, while also telling readers to not give up on the fight.

"she is not angry/about the state of/the world any-/more; she is/simply filled/to the/fucking/brim/with sorrow."

the poetry is real and emotional and raw and so amazing. this section also speaks of sensitive topics, but this time, instead of rights to fight for, lovelace writes about self harm, suicide, and eating disorders. i have no words after reading that. it was heartfelt, horribly real, and heartbreakingly relatable.

"she stands/at the sink/as she rubs/her skin raw,/her greatest/enemy's blood/staining her [...] her greatest/enemy of all/has been her/own body."

this section spoke to me, because there is something tender in seeing your sorrows and sadness spilled out on a page, knowing that someone out there has similar struggles as you. the lines spoke true, and i could feel the pain and hopelessness through the page.

"sometimes/i am/so glad/that/i will/not be/bringing/another/girl into/this truly/awful/world. she won't have to suffer the way i have.

i know i have a lot of quotes in this review, and everyone should read the book to experience the poetry for themselves, but i have one more poem that really resonated with me.

"when i say 'i'm just a girl,'
i'm not
trying to say
that i'm
frail & helpless-
what
i'm saying is
this world is too
un b a l an ced
& overwhelming
for me to
bear any longer."

this section also speaks of sexual assault and trauma, and how women are forced into society's expectations of how a woman should act and be. lovelace goes on to dream of a better world, where there is peace and happiness-where people don't hurt each other. she transitions from hopeless, sorrowful lines to poems about women uplifting other women, and building a better world to live in. she writes of sisterhood, of sticking together and standing up for each other, and fighting oppression together.

overall, i absolutely loved this, and will definitely be reading more of lovelace's work in the future. this is a well deserved five stars, and everyone should read this book.
thank you so much to netgalley, and the publisher for the arc of this book!

[lina ❀ (semi ia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭑.ᐟ 4.25 stars
          ⌗ . arc review ! »

    "if you’re going to cry, then cry. once you’re finished, come back to the shore & get back on the battleground."

˚˖𓍢ִ໋ 🪞𓂃 thoughts:

this was my first poetry book but I liked it way more than i expected! 💫 amanda’s writing is very strong, and emotional and you can clearly feel what the author is fighting for, and the message she’s trying to convey. her writing made me feel very seen and acknowledged.

amanda brings up many topics such as abortion, queer love, trans rights, women’s rights and homophobia. the poems really make you think, since they talk about important issues that are especially relevant in this world we’re living in, right now. her poems really touched my soul and made my heart hurt.

i also really liked the way the book is structured. the first part called, “the bitch fire rages on”, is pure female rage while the second part, “the everlasting flood”, is much sadder and more broken. that shift really did it for me. 🙂‍↕️

overall, this was really good, and i think everyone should read this author’s work. 🫶🏼

”when i say
"i'm just a girl,"
i'm not trying to say
that i'm frail & helpless-
what
i'm saying is
this world is too un b a l an ced & overwhelming
for me to bear any longer.”

⌞thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc! ⌝

➛ publishing date: march 3, 2026

[Aanz ★.ᐟ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️ .ᐟ
✰ ✰

⟢ ⋮ 💌┆ 𐔌 𝙼𝚢 𝚙𝚘𝚎𝚝𝚛𝚢 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 ౨ৎ

I think I
Should write poetry
Because aparently
If you write about
Your opinions
&
F-E-M-M-I-N-I-S-M
And
You
Write
Like
This
T
  H
    E
      N.    (No uterus No Opinion)


Congratulations,
You
Have
Written
A 2016 TikTok tumblr
P
O
E
T
R
Y

     ( and don’t forget!)
- Men are trash


── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ── ── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ── ── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ── ── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ── ── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──


⟢ ⋮ 💌┆ 𐔌 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 ౨ৎ
Before I start I wanna say : I agree with ALL the opinion , I support Abortion , I support feminism , I support a women has right to her body , SA is DISGUSTING, Trans women are women and all the other opinions in this book And that’s what the 2 stars are for!


⟢ But the poetry? Genuinely THAT thing is NOT poetry my love 🙏🏻 I don’t like the writing style and the way it is written. Like girl I absolutely agree with all your opinions but the way you present it and call it a “Poetry” PLEASE😭🙏🏻 My emo phrase poems better than ts🥀 It all felt like a tumblr post poem.


⟢ The second thing, everyone has spoken about this or written about this in some or the other form. I wanted something more bold or presented in a more bold way and the author taking risk to present more fragile topics about. So at the end of the book I was like “Okay clock it queen and??”
Here’s the whole book’s summary so you don’t have to waste your time on ts 🥰


Support Abortion
Trans women are Women
My body my choice
Stop
Sexualising
E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G
Stop normalising SA
Stop the Patriarchy


That’s all that’s written in this book,
But
Like
This

- Honourable mention ( Hating on men)



⤷ thanks NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

[amber ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

the witch doesn't drown in this one by Amanda Lovelace 🦂

★★★★☆

𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 ✍🏻
“if you're going to cry, then cry.
once you're finished,
come back to shore & get back on the battleground.
there is still a war to win, witch.”
—coven rule #6.

𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠
Sometimes your soul just needs to be shaken when the state of things becomes too overwhelming. It’s been a rough few days in the world, and everything feels especially bleak right now. Amanda gives us rage in poetic form, reminding us that even when times are tough, it’s still crucial, and necessary, as participants in this world, to keep fighting for the good.

I really appreciated the short yet inspiring poems, and I definitely want to dive into Amanda’s backlog now.

And as a fantasy reader, this one resonated so deeply with me—

“can't
a woman just
open up
a cozy fantasy novel
written by another woman—
one where
we get to sip tea
in our quaint little cottages
before tending to our gardens
& worry not about a thing
& become
part of that world instead?”
—she just knows it would be so much better there.

Many, many thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Cherish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book summed up some of the feelings I have felt for the past year. Lovelace covers a huge range of emotions, from hopelessness to sadness, resignation to seething, murderous rage. It is something only women can understand. The ambivalence of knowing that we have come so far, but have so far to go. This collection helped validate those feelings for me. The author clearly put her soul into this collection. My plan was to read a few poems each day, to savor it and take my time. But once I started, I could not stop reading. And even with all the emotions I felt while reading, I finished the book feeling hopeful. And that is a great gift to bestow on someone with your writing. Check this one out!

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing really new from Amanda Lovelace. The first few entries of her insta-poetry style anthologies were great in both concept and execution, but personally I've found the last several to be much too much the same. Yes, Amanda is using a type of poetry format that itself is stylised to be simple and almost stream-of-consciousness, but I wish there was some form of growth in these collections.

They do mention the witch doesn't drown in this one wasn't planned, and came about due to the ongoing political landscape women are finding themselves in. It just all feels so surface-level for the heart-aching and horrific issues that are trying to be addressed here.
Maybe there's a divide between Amanda's early work which was very personal to them, compared to this kind of collection which (while still personal thoughts) is trying to address a wider issue. I don't know, I just didn't find this one hitting very much.

In saying that, these are some super heavy topics being touched on and I do applaud Amanda for putting a voice to them. I just think they needed to go deeper.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

[♡ kitty *:･ﾟ✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review!

i’ve only read one of Amanda Lovelace’s books previously and i loved it so i was so keen to read from her again and to see if i still enjoyed her work!
straight away i felt so seen by this poetry collection, it resonated with me so much and put a lot of my feelings into words.
it really encompessed the rage and sorrow of existing as a woman especially in the current world and how hard it is to just try and live life.
it truly made me so emotional and personally that’s what i look for in poetry! definitely recommend

[labibliofille · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a long-time lover of Amanda Lovelace's poetry. I stumbled upon the Women Are Some Kind of Magic collection in my early 20's and was an immediate fan. I love how consistently honest, deep, and timely her work always is. I can see a window into her soul, but also the souls of other women living in this wildland of a society that exists in 2026. I eat up her poems, feel them in my soul, and do my best to live as a strong feminine human as represented in Amanda Lovelace's work in this world I've been planted on. While the words are usually simple, how they're strewn together truly packs a punch. I'd recommend this to literally anyone and everyone and have already preordered a copy for my shelves.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this more than the previous three in the series and I really enjoyed them. I hope the author continues this series, they keep getting better! A must read.

*Provided a DRC (digital review copy) from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am definitely not a poem connoisseur (I’m too dumb to capture the deeper meaning sometimes), but I will say this is a beautiful book of poems that will sit with me for a long time. The way this perfectly captures the depths of how women think, believe, and exist is very well executed! I will be adding the author’s other poem novels to my reading list!
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for allowing me early access!

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection for anyone feeling some feminine rage at the world for the past several years. It spoke what I feel and it feels good to be seen.

Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing via NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

[katie. · Rating 2 out of 5]

My first Amanda Lovelace book was To Make Monsters Out of Girls and I immediately went out and bought To Drink Coffee with a Ghost. The writing felt real and backed by the true emotion that poetry often demands. However, there seems to have been a shift starting with Flower Crowns & Fearsome Things and continuing now to The Witch Doesn’t Drown in This One. The writing no longer feels raw and emotional, but instead performative and designed as social media clickbait. As if the goal is to wind up on someone’s Instagram story or Facebook post - just a brief declaration to viewers that might get reposted with a “this!” but nothing more.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and opportunity to provide feedback in the form of an honest review. I do apologize the work did not resonate with me, but I hope it still finds those with which it will.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved nearly everything I have read by this author, and this is no different. This one is more angry than the others, which is fine with me. The author said it would be less empowering, but I don't know...I don't want to disagree with the author, but I find relatable poetry pretty empowering. Thank you, amanda lovelace, for sharing your story.

Please consider reading this author's work if you have not already.

[Nat (hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

/ˈpoʊətri/ (POH-uh-tree)
literary work in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by the use of distinctive style and rhythm

Lovelace’s poems are striking—they’re terse and punchy. Though it may be minimalist poetry, and breaks conventional poetry decorum, especially in its flow and rhythm which is often associated with poetry as a whole, it is still identified as poetry. And I say this because people tend to undermine the author’s works simply because it doesn’t cater to them.

The Witch Doesn’t Drown In This One is visceral and undoubtedly expressive with its bold and pithy language; and this sub-genre of poetry can’t be reduced to merely a dichotomy of good and bad. Modern art sparks discourse the way this sub-genre does, and I think it’s important that we do not simply ignore the weight of both works.

That said, while I may consider this book poor, others will undoubtedly disagree. Lovelace’s works have been a source wherein fans confide in and relate with, pieces of poems that are appreciated by the many. Ultimately, it comes down to individual taste and preference.

I’m more drawn to 19th century poems with a clear rhythm and elegant language, so this book didn’t captivate me, especially when it’s often filled with lines like this:

”she
dresses
like
she's
preparing
to go
into
fucking
battle.”

It’s really punchy and colloquial, yeah. And I am by no means downplaying the author’s feelings or the effort poured into this book, but there is a line between skill and pretension, and constantly pressing 'enter' doesn’t constitute substance. Lovelace tried to give her poems a bold voice, which she does achieve. But for the most part, they read more like angsty, poorly cohered rants.

This collection consists of two parts, juxtaposing female rage with a deep melancholy. While both parts explore similar themes of trans rights, patriarchal oppression, queer love, and feminism, I find the second half better as it features poems that are more ‘decent’.

”maybe one day
gaia will awake
from her
peaceful slumber
& see the pain we're all in
& finally decide to stop spinning
let humanity
start over fresh with
a world where
there's only love
for each other
& for mother earth.”

Doesn’t this just sound better in terms of rhythm and flow? I think it does. But this is just one of the few better ones; most of them were just… words. Vocabulary usage and choice greatly affects how a poem is presented, and I don’t think it happens here, unfortunately.

While I had several issues with the book, I still resonated deeply with the author and the reflective message she sought to convey. But there’s one matter that cannot be ignored: the mocking of religious beliefs. The author expresses her pain and love for womanhood, but I believe pain can be conveyed powerfully without ridiculing beliefs others hold close.

Overall, The Witch Doesn’t Drown In This One is a collection of poems that expressed its ideas of feminism, love, and empowerment with clarity. However, while the themes are clear, the execution fell short for me. The lack of rhythm and alliteration—elements I often seek in poetry—made it a collection that ultimately wasn’t for me.

1.9 stars

My thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Lizzy Jeane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC ☺️

I was really looking forward to reading the witch doesn’t burn in this one, as I had read the author’s previous poetry collections years ago and enjoyed them a lot. Once again, the central themes revolve around women, their role in society, and how they are perceived through the male gaze.

In this book, the author uses the figure of the witch as a metaphor to explore how women are often shamed for decisions that, in the eyes of others, are considered sinful (especially abortion), or for being seen as “playing the victim” in an attempt to “overpower” men. Other relevant themes include how femininity has been shaped and distorted by patriarchal values, as well as the strength required to keep going despite the pain that has been inflicted on women for so long.

Overall, I liked it, but I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I was happy to reconnect with the author’s writing style; on the other, I was expecting something different. Several years have passed since she published the poetry collections that came before this one, and I can’t help but feel that she hasn’t really “taken risks,” so to speak, and that this book is quite similar to what I’ve already read from her.

That said, I’ll continue reading this author, because I really like the way she writes 😊

***

Muchas gracias a NetGalley y a Andrews McMeel Publishing por el ARC ☺️

Tenía muchas ganas de leer «the witch doesn't drown in this one» porque hace años leí el resto de los poemarios de la autora y me gustaron mucho. En esta ocasión, la temática gira de nuevo alrededor de las mujeres, su rol en la sociedad y cómo son percibidas por los ojos masculinos.

En este libro, la autora utiliza la imagen de la mujer bruja para comparar cómo a menudo se la veja por decisiones que a la vista de los demás son pecado (especialmente el aborto), o de su papel «victimista» que busca «sobrepasar» a los hombres. Asimismo, otros de los temas relevantes son cómo la «feminidad» se ha visto modificada por un sentido patriarcal y la fuerza para seguir adelante pese al dolor que se ha infligido a las mujeres durante tanto tiempo.

En general, me ha gustado, pero tengo sentimientos encontrados. Por una parte, me ha hecho ilusión reencontrarme con el estilo de la autora, pero por otra me esperaba algo diferente, ya que han pasado unos cuantos años desde que publicó los poemarios que preceden a este, y me da la sensación de no ha «arriesgado», por así decirlo, y que es bastante similar a lo que ya he leído de ella.

Sin embargo, seguiré leyendo a la autora porque me gusta cómo escribe 😊

[Kelesea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: the witch doesn’t drown in this one

Author: Amanda Lovelace



Age Group: Adult



Genre: Poetry



Series: Women Are Some Kind of Magic, book four



Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars


I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book through the publisher and Netgalley–thank you!


I’ve been following Amanda Lovelace since my early Tumblr days, so when I had an opportunity to review her latest book of poetry through Netgalley, I jumped at it. I’d never read one of her books of poetry before; this was my first and it certainly won’t be my last. Poetry is one of my old passions; I spent time all through middle and high school writing my own. However, it’s been ages since I’ve wrote one. This book was inspiring, full of bright rage and passionate words. These poems were open and visceral, reaching down deep into the soul and wrenching it open to the world. Was it hard to get through? Sometimes. However, I devoured this tome of poetry within two days, and I can’t wait for March so people can get their hands on it!


Amanda Lovelace is known for writing fierce, feminine poems, and this one did not disappoint. Written raw and honest and real, this book of poems stole my heart and made me think. It was full of rage, hope, and sadness, all at once. More than once, I gasped; this book really spoke to me, especially in our current political climate. This book was barely two hundred pages, yet the words seared themselves onto my heart. Did it make me sad? At times, immensely so, but most of all, it filled me with hope. Lovelace uses tried and true tropes, especially fairy tales, to mine through and create something completely new. I look forward to reading more of her collections of poetry, because this one was like a bright fire: hot, red, and burning. I loved it, even as it held up a mirror to America’s current culture. This collection was absolutely unforgettable, and I’m so happy this book was one of the first of 2026. Lovelace pens another winner! The bottom line: Rich, fiery, and full of rage and hope in turn, I loved the witch doesn’t drown in this one! Next on deck: The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi!

https://literatureobsessed.blogspot.c...

[Shae Beaudoin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to see a new Amanda Lovelace title available and upon reading it, I was not disappointed. I have read her previous poetry collections in this series, so I knew I was a fan of her writing. the witch doesn't drown in this one is such a perfect explanation of all the ways I've been feeling in the recent political landscape. Please be aware that this entire collection is political and covers topics of women's rights as they stand in 2026. If you are not looking for political takes, I'd recommend one of her other poem collections to start.

I think what I loved most about this collection is that it takes you through the rollercoaster that is our every day lives as women today. You'll be on a poem that's angry, the next is sad, then it's tired, then it's back to anger. It's the perfect encapsulation of my day to day. Our rights are being challenged, leaving us with fear, anger, and uncertainty and Amanda finds a way to put these feelings into words so perfectly, it's like they plucked the feelings right from my head.

There is a trigger warning list at the beginning that I recommend checking prior to reading, but I will say none of the triggers are presented in graphic context.

A huge thank you to Amanda Lovelace, Netgalley, and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of the witch doesn't drown in this one. My opinions are entirely my own.

My rating system:
3 stars - objectively well written and a great read, but not my personal taste or was misleading. I may or may not recommend it depending on your interests/how well I know your interests.
4 stars - well written and a great read that I recommend to others. May have reread potential, but isn't the first thing I'd reach for when I want something to read.
5 stars - a book I loved enough that I plan to reread, that I'd want a special edition of, that I'll yap endlessly about.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ★

Feminine rage, systemic misogyny, political oppression. The Witch Doesn’t Drown in This One tackles some tough topics, but ones that are unavoidable in modern America. Are some of them uncomfortable? Yes, because they’re meant to be.

Some of these poems will stay with me, and if I were rating individual pieces, they would easily be five-star reads. Immediately, I’m thinking of lilith II, coven rule #6, gasping for air, and the closing poem.

Reading poetry is an intimate experience, and some of these poems gave a voice to the feelings I’ve been unable to articulate before. In this collection, the author utilises the unspoken as a storytelling tool, which I found impactful. Their voice shines through in each of the poems, which helps the poems flow together.

Many of the poems are concrete, using the words to create a visual arrangement. Here, I’m not sure whether listening to it as an audiobook would be as compelling.

Lovelace includes a poem that directly addresses a criticism that she has presumably received for previous works, and I think will likely receive for this collection, too. Bold – I liked it.

While I do seriously appreciate the idea of writing to heal one’s younger self, I think the brief writing style somewhat alienates the author’s poems from certain audiences – but then again, maybe that’s the point? Is the box their poetry has landed in self-imposed, or a consequence of the author’s stylistic choices? At times, this style felt quite restrictive, where additional verses could have added to the impact.

I enjoyed reading this collection and seriously appreciated the bold (yet necessary) themes woven through the poems. One to read for those who are disillusioned with the state of modern life.

Thank you to NetGalley, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and the author for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Brianna (Breathe, hope, books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars. Although I don't usually rate books, such as memoirs or poetry, that feature the intense or true-life experiences of the author.. . .

I have read and enjoyed all of the previous books in the Women Are Some Kind of Magic series. It's telling though that Lovelace stated in the author's note preluding this book that even she thought that series was completed, and yet enough had occurred in the world since that last publication she felt this addition was necessary.

I do think that the perspective this collection gave, though, was interesting. This book features more of the same as the other books in the original series--ideas such as female rage, injustices, and various other issues. But each of those individually emphasizes one aspect. Likewise, each book utilizes a specific font color to correspond with the theme of that edition; red represents rage and fiery intensity, indigo for the hopeful sorrow. This collection, however, was separated into two distinct sections, the colored text changing with the themes of each section. To my memory, this is the first Lovelace book to feature two different ink colors: red and indigo.
Anyway, I believe this collection is intended to parallel "the witch doesn't burn in this one", but to serve sadness and timidness to that one's fury and bluntness. Because of that, I wish this book discussed more on the topic of mental health, but of course, it's all Lovelace's opinion. I'm not much of a poetry person, but I always enjoy her simple and direct writing style.
If you like her other collections, or that kind of style, and you aren't easily offended by feminist or witchy language, then you'll certainly like this one as well.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an early e-copy of this book, in exchange for a review of my own opinion.

[Amelia (Taylors Version) · Rating 1 out of 5]

*Thank you NetGalley for the E-ARC*

This new collection from Lovelace is nothing more than 2014-16 tumbler quotes and mantras placed in poetry format and dressed in the skin of her most popular series to date.

Perhaps it is because im older. Im no longer in high school however I find this type of poetry exhausting now. Theres no substance to it. It feels like a sell out. I say this as someone who once idolized Lovelace’s work. I thought it was brilliant, yet each new collection thats released I find myself growing more and more fatigued and disappointed. The way Lovelace touches upon feminist and queer issues is so baseline and shallow. Like yes but what else? Its just regurgitated slop

“She
Dresses
Like
She’s
Preparing
To go
Into
Fucking
Battle”

And

“How can
She possibly
Be a
“Gold digger”
If shes
Clearly the
Motherfucking
Gold?”

I have to ask, how did this get published? How did any of this get published? There was only a handful of decent poems in this collection. The only poems that stood out to me in a good way was “She Supposes She Really Is Like The Sea In So Many Ways” and “will anything ever be alright again” They are quite beautiful poems. I wish the other poems were similar to it. It was unique and personal. It was touching. It didnt feel like regurgitated TikTok/Tumbler white feminist slop.

This review is quite harsh. Much harsher than I would typically leave for certain however I cannot leave a ARC review thats not honest. This entire collection was one massive shock and disappointment.

There are so many good modern poetry collections and this Is not one of them.

*will do a grammar check on this review later on*

[Ash Raymond James · Rating 1 out of 5]

2026 is gearing up for some fantastic poetry releases. Firstly, Victoria Chang, then Hanif Abdurraqib, in the fall. Unfortunately, this will not be one of them. I was definitely the wrong audience for this one, so I will set the content aside and focus on the writing.

The book opens with a stretched-out metaphor that leads nowhere. Sure, there is promise here, and comparing men to dragons, then flipping the perspective to have women be the dragons from a positive viewpoint, is a great start for a poem idea, but unfortunately, it is not executed well. Instead of building tension, stretching the metaphor, and fully realizing its potential, Amanda runs towards the finish line and leaves it half-finished. This is the story for most of the book, and much of the material reads more like statements than poems.

she
dresses
like
she's
preparing
to go
into
f****ing
battle

after all, every day
feels like one

It continues the old belief that adding line breaks makes anything a poem, when this couldn't be further from the truth. Amanda could harness this rage and come out with something original and poetic, but instead falls back into clichés.

how can
she possibly
be a
"gold digger"

if she's
clearly the
motherf****g
gold?

- quickly now

She adds swear words to demonstrate rage, rather than allowing the writing to have natural emotion. There is better wordplay available, and it is frustrating that she has the framework for something great and wastes it. The best writing in this book comes in the special acknowledgements, which feel genuine and unforced. If Amanda wrote more like this, then this book would be all the better for it.

[Irina · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ ARC review ✨

In all the years I've been seeing (and enjoying) Amanda Lovelace's quotes all over social media, I've somehow never gotten around to reading one of her books before. So of course, when I saw this ARC opportunity, I couldn't pass it up.

I received an e-ARC via NetGalley. I am leaving a review voluntarily and it is my honest opinion.

The Witch Doesn't Drown In This One is a feminist poetry collection full of feminine rage and empowerment. It delves into the frustrations one might have with the current state of the world as well as into resistance and community. I did enjoy that thematically, and found many of the poems highly relatable.

However, the writing style was not entirely for me. It's not that it was *bad*, just very on the nose. Might just be this poetry style, which I haven't dabbled in very much before, not matching my taste perfectly, but most of the time, I wasn't entirely sure if I was reading a pretty articulate social media account with cool opinions or a rather plainly written poetry collection.

This is not to say there can't be power in simple phrasing -- there is. It's an easy read despite the heavy topics, puts lots of intense and complicated things simply and briefly, and there's value in that. It just wasn't my fave poetry reading experience style-wise.

Overall, I did like the themes and messages in this collection, and it was worth reading. Could be a great read for those looking for an easy entry point into the realm of poetry, or for days when the mind craves something simple yet meaningful.

[Justine · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw a new collection by amanda lovelace, I was so glad I jumped on it and read it immediately! I remember loving her previous ones, my favourite being Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things.

I'm a bit disappointed here. As this book is part of the Women Are Some Kind of Magic series, I thought it would read like the other three - I remember metaphors, fairytale and references, feeling empowered by the author's words, even though a bit embarrassed and voyeuristic at reading her life.
Here, it was not subtle, straight to the point, and it lacked what made the strength of the series. It didn't have the impact of the first three volumes. It still deals with political topics, actuality, mostly relating to female bodies, society's expectations and men. Trigger warnings are put at the beginning of the book in case, and it's quite heavy, even if less graphic than some other verses in other poetry collections of hers. The most graphic ones were about uterus, abortion and the fact that she would rather have the organ torn out of her than be forced to have kids. I was quite shocked by that, I have to admit. Probably because both are extremely violent, and I just felt like it was wrong to use such a graphic, violent and vivid image to get her point across. It made me uncomfortable in a queasy way. But it's really personal.

I enjoyed part II more, as it feels like the witch's voice is more firm, more present, it felt more poetic. Still, it couldn't completely quell my disappointment.

[Cat's Bookery · Rating 5 out of 5]

the witch doesn’t drown in this one
Written By: Amanda Lovelace

Releases on March 3, 2026

Thank you to Amanda Lovelace, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and Netgalley for providing me with an Advanced Copy to review!

All opinions in this review are my own.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: N/A

This is my first poetry collection from Amanda Lovelace but not the first pieces of her work that I have read.

This book had me gripping my NetGalley Reader from the very first page. Filled strongly with feminism and the problems many females face in their day-to-day lives, this book had me fuming (not at Amanda or the content) but at the men who think they own a woman strictly because of her gender.

With this book, Amanda demands that women of all backgrounds (trans-women are women too) and lived experiences be seen, heard, defended, and loved. The pieces in this book deeply resonated with myself and my experiences, so I feel she did an amazing job with this! I will be thinking of this collection for years to come as we continue to fight for our rights.

I can’t wait for the release of this book!


My Book Rating System
⭐️ means it was a DNF.
⭐️⭐️ means I should have chosen to DNF.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ means it was okay. I will not read this again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ means it was good. I will probably read this again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ means it was amazing. I am obsessed!

[Ghostreadergal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of accessible poems encompass the essence of feminine rage, self-righteousness, and the despair and agony they are born from. Amanda touches on several hard-hitting, poignant topics that may be triggering for some, and placed a trigger warning at the beginning of the book.

I didn't love the overly simple language, as it did feel a bit performative and less raw. When poetry tells a story, evokes imagery, uses descriptive language, etc. -- or even something as simple as a series of metaphors -- it elevates the writing and message that much more. This collection of poetry didn't really do that, and the writing felt flat sometimes as a result. This style of poetry has resonated with me before, and Rupi Kaur's pieces are a great example, but I think the reason why is because of the extra layers that figurative language adds in those pieces.

However, these poems, simple as they seem, offer a safe place between the pages to meditate on the feelings and memories they stir up. The simple language may not be for everyone, but I enjoyed this piece as a time and place to sit and unpack myself and my thoughts. Isn't that what poetry is for, at the end of the day?

Thank you to NetGalley and Amanda for this advanced copy. While this isn't my favorite style of poetry, the conversations these poems discuss are what matter and resonate with readers the most.

[Nicole Moon]

The witch doesn't drown in this one by Amanda Lovelace is a new poetry collection in the Women Are Some Kind of Magic series. This one focuses on women's rights, politics, and the poor state of the world.

I have read all of Amanda Lovelace's previous poetry collections, and I love the common thread which is always female empowerment in an inclusive way, self-love, and standing up for what's right. That's the main reason I keep coming back to them, and because they're also very easy and quick to read. However, this one unfortunately didn't blow me away. The poems are a bit repetitive, and the writing doesn't leave much room to imagination. It didn't really leave me inspired, and nor did it offer anything new. That being said, I still read it very quickly, and I think it would be best for people who are new to poetry and haven't read the author's previous works, because it does deliver important messages. My problem just is that I've already heard them all before.

Overall, I definitely don't think this is a bad read, but I have other favorites by Amanda Lovelace that I enjoyed a lot more (Shine Your Icy Crown and She Followed the Moon Back to Herself). But if you're newer to poetry, you prefer poems that are simple and straight to the point, and you want to feel less alone in a messed up world, I'd still say you should give this a try.

[shanayaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me feel, truly, deeply feel, so many emotions all at once. Rage. Fury. Indifference. And most of all, the quiet injustice that so many women carry every single day. The kind of pain that often has no safe place to land. The kind where there’s no one to talk to, no one to really listen. So they endure. They keep going. They suffer in silence, again and again.

What struck me even more was how familiar that dismissal felt, the moment when women finally speak up, only to be met with, “But men go through things too.” And yes, they do. Often at the hands of other men. The truth is, patriarchy harms everyone, regardless of gender.But that’s a conversation I don’t think everyone is ready, or mature enough to have just yet.

This book didn’t just tell a story; it held up a mirror. It forced me to sit with uncomfortable truths and emotions I didn’t expect to feel so strongly. It made my chest heavy in that way only powerful writing can. The way poetry does. The kind that doesn’t ask for permission, but simply floods you with feeling and leaves you changed.

I felt everything while reading this, anger, sadness, empathy, understanding, and somehow, I loved every single second of it. It hurt, it moved me, it stayed with me. And honestly, that’s the mark of something truly special.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖 Title: the witch doesn’t drown in this one
✍🏻 Author: Amanda Lovelace
🏢 Publisher: Andrew McMeel Publishing
📚 Genre: Non-Fiction | Poetry
🗓️ Release Date: March 3, 2026

In this one, the witch doesn’t burn or die or drown.
In this one, she rages.

💭My Thoughts:
- I’ve read all of Amanda Lovelace’s poetry collections so I was incredibly excited when I heard there was going to be an additional book in the ‘Women are Some Kind of Magic’ collection.
- As for the previous collections, this is full of beautiful, raw prose that keeps you fired up to rage against the patriarchy.
- There are some significant trigger warnings that the author kindly outlines at the beginning of the book, be sure to check those out to stay safe while reading!

📚 Recommended For:
- Fans of Rupi Kaur and Elizabeth Acevedo.
- Readers who love strong, raw emotions and books that make you reflect and feel something long after the last page.

📝 Final Thoughts:
- I’m so appreciative of NetGalley and Andrew McMeel Publishing for providing me with the opportunity to review an advanced copy.
- Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts on this book, I hope you found it helpful!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5/5

#thewitchdoesntdrowninthisone
#WomenAreSomeKindOfMagic
#FemaleRage
#NetGalley
#AdvanceReaderCopy

[Pinecone Jam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5 stars rounded up

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I had my first brush in with this cut up freeverse poetry back in 2016 when it was all the rage. My introduction to it was Rupi Kaur’s “milk and honey” that confused but intrigued lil ol’ me with its artistic structure and bold words.

Fast forward 10 years later and it’s like I’m getting whiplash. I admit, I am a sucker for deconstructed poetry that can be read as Thread posts. I’ve heard of Amanda Lovelace’s other works but I confess I haven’t read them yet. Reading "the witch doesn’t drown in this one" has definitely put her books higher up on my priority list.

Bold, loud, and raging, this poetry book reaches into every woman's souls and puts our frustrations into words. It’s blunt, it’s short, and it’s unapologetically true.

“once, she came
together with
her coven of sisters,

& they truly
believed that they would

magic up equality
for all
womankind,

but you know how
the story goes:

when you arm
a woman
with a fistful of fire,

the world will do
everything

it possibly
can to
unleash

a downpour
over it.”

I could list a bunch of quotes that quickly became my favorites, but I fear this would take up my paragraph space. I only wish we had more to read in this short compilation.