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The Melting Queen
Shortlisted for the Sixth Annual Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize--Literary Fiction Category!
Shortlisted for Best Speculative Fiction at the 2020 Alberta Book Publishing Awards!
Shortlisted for Best Book Design at the 2020 Alberta Book Publishing Awards!
Second Place in the Prose Category at the 2019 Alcuin Society Awards for Excellence in Book Design in Canada!
Every year since 1904, when the ice breaks up on the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton has crowned a Melting Queen--a woman who presides over the Melting Day spring carnival and who must keep the city's spirits up over the following winter. But this year, something has a genderfluid ex-frat brother called River Runson is named as Melting Queen. As River's reign upends the city's century-old traditions, Edmonton tears itself in two, with progressive and reactionary factions fighting a war for Edmonton's soul. Ultimately, River must uncover the hidden history of Melting Day, forcing Edmonton to confront the dark underbelly of its traditions and leading the city into a new chapter in its history. Balancing satire with compassion, Bruce Cinnamon's debut novel combines history and magic to weave a splendid future-looking tale.
Shortlisted for Best Speculative Fiction at the 2020 Alberta Book Publishing Awards!
Shortlisted for Best Book Design at the 2020 Alberta Book Publishing Awards!
Second Place in the Prose Category at the 2019 Alcuin Society Awards for Excellence in Book Design in Canada!
Every year since 1904, when the ice breaks up on the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton has crowned a Melting Queen--a woman who presides over the Melting Day spring carnival and who must keep the city's spirits up over the following winter. But this year, something has a genderfluid ex-frat brother called River Runson is named as Melting Queen. As River's reign upends the city's century-old traditions, Edmonton tears itself in two, with progressive and reactionary factions fighting a war for Edmonton's soul. Ultimately, River must uncover the hidden history of Melting Day, forcing Edmonton to confront the dark underbelly of its traditions and leading the city into a new chapter in its history. Balancing satire with compassion, Bruce Cinnamon's debut novel combines history and magic to weave a splendid future-looking tale.
214 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2019
11 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 4, 2019
This is a very lovely book with a genderfluid main character who lives in a magical version of Edmonton. The character is destined to become The Melting Queen, a feminine figure who presides over Edmonton during a large festival, and who helps bring in spring every year. This book is full of magical realism, queerness, camp and fun. There are also many, many Edmonton references. I thought it felt fresh and new, and I really enjoyed it. I hope people who love in places other than Edmonton read this book, because it really deserves to be read!
So good!
So good!
July 31, 2019
Just a fuckin gut punch. It’s so quirky and lovely and hilarious, but then the magic realism disappears in all its loveliness and we see the raw world left behind — complete with buried trauma and the overarching willful oblivion of an entire city. It’s gorgeous and unabashed and brave enough to not know everything all the time — short and sweet and salty in the mouth. Exactly what Edmonton — and Canada — needs in 2019.
July 25, 2019
So, I am a little conflicted about this book. I LOVED the first sections and thought this magical gem of queerrealism would continue to make me smile. I just found myself conflicted about the ending. It wasn't what I was expecting even though I can see how Cinnamon tried to slowly reveal it to readers.
There is a way to interpret this ending as troubling and problematic because it could be read as "needing a genderfluid character to break the spell because over a hundred women 'would not let themselves remember.'" As a genderfluid person myself, I try not to go towards that reading. I am just aware that the ending could be read that way and that gives me pause.
I still recommend this book because I think there is SO much to discuss about this debut. I will most definitely be reading Cinnamon's next work.
There is a way to interpret this ending as troubling and problematic because it could be read as "needing a genderfluid character to break the spell because over a hundred women 'would not let themselves remember.'" As a genderfluid person myself, I try not to go towards that reading. I am just aware that the ending could be read that way and that gives me pause.
I still recommend this book because I think there is SO much to discuss about this debut. I will most definitely be reading Cinnamon's next work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2019
I hardly ever write reviews but this book was like no other. I live in Vancouver and I've been to Edmonton a couple of times so I was able to picture, more or less, the backdrop of the story. The combination of "boring, conservative Edmonton" with a genderfluid protagonist was so weird, but in the end I loved it. I thought the characters were well developed and I enjoyed the magical realism and the story as a whole. This book may not be up everyone's alley, but I give it an A+ for originality.
February 14, 2020
A beautiful, engaging read that encapsulates the sentiments Edmontonians have toward their city.
January 27, 2020
A lovely blend of modern politics and historical fiction with a dash of magic. The characters are engaging from start to finish, and it's full of imaginative descriptions throughout. Wonderful read!
May 29, 2019
The PERFECT book for this late, late Spring. Full of heart and sass.
August 3, 2019
A truly brilliant masterpiece. All
Should read.
Should read.
August 4, 2019
Well done.
Looking forward to future books.
If you want a reimagined Edmonton that includes challenging the status quo this is it.
Looking forward to future books.
If you want a reimagined Edmonton that includes challenging the status quo this is it.
June 9, 2020
Continuing with random international queer friendly library selections. Next up, Canada, specifically the city of Edmonton, the metropolis of forbiddingly far north, where winter lasts all too long. Through the entire winter the book’s protagonist, a gingerhaired youth, former frat brother and now just confused and profoundly depressed, walks the span of the river, waiting for it to melt. The melting would signify the end of the winter, the transformation he literally and metaphorically so eagerly awaits. The melting also brings about the largest party Edmonton can throw, a wild carnival like madness culminating with the election of the titular melting queen. With the assistance of a fairy g…well, friendly drag queen, our protagonist renames himself and promptly gets elected to become this year’s Melting Queen. The 115th one in the proud Edmontonian tradition. The position has its perks, but also significant drawbacks, mainly in form of flashbacks to the lives of all the melting queens before. So now the freshly transformed genderflexible protagonist gets to rethink the tradition, uncover the darks secrets of it and revolutionize the city’s ways. There. Now doesn’t that sound like a fun quirky queerprogressive profeminist story. Well, it is. All set in the magic parallel universe Edmonton with a dash of magic realism sprinkled all over its snowy terrains. It also sounds charming and I do wish I liked it more. Instead it turned out alternatingly too whimsical and too politically correct for its own good. The message is great and easy to agree with, it’s the delivery I didn’t love, too heavyhanded by far. Yey to genderflexibility, nay to the systemic oppression of women. Great, all great. But such broad strokes. Such garish colors. Also, I didn’t much care for the protagonist at all, the main defining quality of whom seemed to be a sort of petulance. Outside of his magical transformation, not an interesting or charismatic person, very immature, in person probably pouts a lot and strides off with attitude. And then there were two sidekicks, the obnoxious pretentious performance artist whose family money fund her every whim and who genuinely believes her life qualifies her as a good and smart person and a seemingly genuinely good and smart person, albeit stuck in a quirky narrative and thus obliged to quirkily hibernate throughout the winter and not amount to much outside of that. And then there are the rest of cast, Melting Queens of years past, the committee, the evil oppressor (man, of course), etc. It’s kind of like a fairy tale in a way. But then again…It does strive for realism (albeit magic), going so far as to create an actual list of all the Melting Queen fictional bios. Ok, that’s actually crafty. Yes, it’s a quirky book with supplemental materials in tow. And it’s so, so well meaning. It’s almost fun too. I wish I enjoyed it more. Then again I did select it by the lovely cover and the author’s name, which is one of my favorite all time spices. The one thing that does stand out though…in this day and age of terrifyingly rampant political correctness it’s almost…unusual…for a man to write such a book. I mean, of course feminism comes in any gender, it’s a basic belief in equality, but this book overs so much of women’s experience and oppression, I’m surprised no one has climbed up on a soap box and accused the author of cultural/gender misappropriation or some such lunacy. And yes, such action would be lunacy, authors are meant to be creative and write from different perspectives and literature would be tedious and limited without it, but still…surprised. Go, Mr. Cinnamon.
September 13, 2019
The Melting Queen is a beautifully written story that has something very important to say. It is well worth reading I thought the book descriptions sounded boring, but I actually really enjoyed the book, so definitely give it a try!
Right from the very first line I could that Bruce Cinnamon has a strong grasp of prose and I knew I was in good hands. The story is set against the backdrop of Edmonton, Canada at the end of a long, cold winter. Coming from Edmonton myself, I can confirm that Bruce perfectly captures the feelings of hopelessness and depression that I feel at the end of every long winter and utilizes that as a motivation for his protagonist. Throughout the book his visits most of the famous sites in Edmonton and shows the true beauty of the city that often goes largely ignored.
The protagonist goes through quite the journey of self-discovery, learning about their own gender fluidity and how it is perceived by society. The book is quite informative and doesn’t shy away from taking on big questions surrounding the topic. The book isn’t just using the topic as a set dressing, but really does have something to say and definitely heightened my awareness.
All of the characters feel realistic and grounded and I could totally see them all being real people. Some of them can feel a little annoying at times, but that’s the point, they’re people. There were times when I thought the author must have liked a particular character a little too much because he let them get away with things that I didn’t think they should get away with, only to later have another character call that character out for how they were acting, showing that Bruce knew what he was doing and was in control the entire time.
There are a few small parts of the book that I found a bit meandering, but it’s all tied together nicely with a strong climax that leaves you feeling satisfied with the direction the story went. I would 100% recommend this book, especially if you are from Edmonton and want to see it portrayed in a positive light, or if you would like to read an impactful book that will (hopefully) deepen your understanding of genderfluidity and acceptance.
Right from the very first line I could that Bruce Cinnamon has a strong grasp of prose and I knew I was in good hands. The story is set against the backdrop of Edmonton, Canada at the end of a long, cold winter. Coming from Edmonton myself, I can confirm that Bruce perfectly captures the feelings of hopelessness and depression that I feel at the end of every long winter and utilizes that as a motivation for his protagonist. Throughout the book his visits most of the famous sites in Edmonton and shows the true beauty of the city that often goes largely ignored.
The protagonist goes through quite the journey of self-discovery, learning about their own gender fluidity and how it is perceived by society. The book is quite informative and doesn’t shy away from taking on big questions surrounding the topic. The book isn’t just using the topic as a set dressing, but really does have something to say and definitely heightened my awareness.
All of the characters feel realistic and grounded and I could totally see them all being real people. Some of them can feel a little annoying at times, but that’s the point, they’re people. There were times when I thought the author must have liked a particular character a little too much because he let them get away with things that I didn’t think they should get away with, only to later have another character call that character out for how they were acting, showing that Bruce knew what he was doing and was in control the entire time.
There are a few small parts of the book that I found a bit meandering, but it’s all tied together nicely with a strong climax that leaves you feeling satisfied with the direction the story went. I would 100% recommend this book, especially if you are from Edmonton and want to see it portrayed in a positive light, or if you would like to read an impactful book that will (hopefully) deepen your understanding of genderfluidity and acceptance.
October 21, 2019
4 stars
This was a wonderful debut novel. That it happens to be set in my current hometown and was written by a local author is certainly part of this book’s appeal. But it was the imaginative, feminist, and genderqueer-affirming storyline that kept me reading past my bedtime. This was the first non-romance book I’ve read in ages and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The appendix was A+
Recommend
This was a wonderful debut novel. That it happens to be set in my current hometown and was written by a local author is certainly part of this book’s appeal. But it was the imaginative, feminist, and genderqueer-affirming storyline that kept me reading past my bedtime. This was the first non-romance book I’ve read in ages and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The appendix was A+
Recommend
December 31, 2024
I wanted to like this book, but unfortunately it wasn't that good, in my opinion.
First, there were editing problems. I usually expect a couple in any book, things are bound to be missed, but there were too many to the point that it bothered me. The writing felt a little clunky at times, like the flow of the story, but overall it was fine.
Second, the characters were really mean. Almost every character yells/screams at some point, throwing insults at people that are supposedly their friends. Most of the characters are dealing with situations that sound very difficult, one in particular that is very similar to something I have dealt with, but that doesn't mean you're given a free pass to be a terrible person to anyone you come across. Sometimes, it felt like the characters used their problems as excuses to be assholes. Personally, I don't think that's okay at all. I think this book would've resonated better with me if the characters took accountability for their actions and apologized. None of these people have healthy relationships.
Third, the magic that was present in this book felt like it didn't belong at times. I think it detracted from the plot when it was trying to explore serious topics in depth. Like, this whole book is about the genderfluid main character trying to be accepted in a city filled with hatred. So when the magic came in, it took away from this discussion that I think would have been more impactful if it was more realistic. The magic makes sense in the last quarter of the book, it has a bigger purpose there, but earlier in the book, I think it takes away from the plot, it didn't connect cohesively for me. The entirety of the book is exploring a serious topic, of course, I guess I mean when the book has characters clearly talking about it at times.
I usually never want to write reviews. I think I wanted to this time because of how important a book like this can be. I know I'm in the minority with reviews for this book, I'm very glad that others liked it, but I think differing opinions are important to share, too.
First, there were editing problems. I usually expect a couple in any book, things are bound to be missed, but there were too many to the point that it bothered me. The writing felt a little clunky at times, like the flow of the story, but overall it was fine.
Second, the characters were really mean. Almost every character yells/screams at some point, throwing insults at people that are supposedly their friends. Most of the characters are dealing with situations that sound very difficult, one in particular that is very similar to something I have dealt with, but that doesn't mean you're given a free pass to be a terrible person to anyone you come across. Sometimes, it felt like the characters used their problems as excuses to be assholes. Personally, I don't think that's okay at all. I think this book would've resonated better with me if the characters took accountability for their actions and apologized. None of these people have healthy relationships.
Third, the magic that was present in this book felt like it didn't belong at times. I think it detracted from the plot when it was trying to explore serious topics in depth. Like, this whole book is about the genderfluid main character trying to be accepted in a city filled with hatred. So when the magic came in, it took away from this discussion that I think would have been more impactful if it was more realistic. The magic makes sense in the last quarter of the book, it has a bigger purpose there, but earlier in the book, I think it takes away from the plot, it didn't connect cohesively for me. The entirety of the book is exploring a serious topic, of course, I guess I mean when the book has characters clearly talking about it at times.
I usually never want to write reviews. I think I wanted to this time because of how important a book like this can be. I know I'm in the minority with reviews for this book, I'm very glad that others liked it, but I think differing opinions are important to share, too.
April 9, 2022
This was a wild and beautiful read, totally unexpected and yet assured, intricately constructed and yet somehow organic and as chaotic as the natural world. I'm just in awe of this novel, and felt enthralled throughout. There are some very dark moments, as well as many luminous and lovely sections. The writing is quite evocative. It reminded me very much of fellow Canadian author Charles de Lint, in the playfulness and the ability to make normal and drab reality feel infused with an undercurrent of magic. I can't wait to see what this author does next.
June 28, 2021
It's a work of magic realism, trans fiction set in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
A great first novel. Fun, a love letter to Edmonton.
River isn't the most sympathetic protagonist, and I had some moments when I wasn't sure that I wanted to continue. But the plot was well-constructed.
The only potentially problematic element is the idea that women lack agency and exist as forced emotional labour. But otherwise a work of liberation fiction.
A great first novel. Fun, a love letter to Edmonton.
River isn't the most sympathetic protagonist, and I had some moments when I wasn't sure that I wanted to continue. But the plot was well-constructed.
The only potentially problematic element is the idea that women lack agency and exist as forced emotional labour. But otherwise a work of liberation fiction.
August 9, 2025
This was a very creative and engaging read! I would especially recommend to anyone who has lived in or visited Edmonton.
January 28, 2020
If I had to sum up this book in two sentences, I'd say that it is a novel about grappling with gender and what happens when a whole town's shame turns into tradition. The protagonist is just coming out as and coming to terms with being genderqueer and it is definitely NOT the kind of coming out story that feels like it was written for straight people.
I admit that I did NOT read the appendix of all the melting queens (yes, there was an APPENDIX!), but up until then I was all in. I had a couple baths where I let the water go cold and stayed in to keep reading because I was so absorbed. Books with a lot of description usually don't do much for me, but the way the description was done in this book made it feel like the setting was part of the magic, and that kept my attention. I loved the connection between all the melting queens via incursions and the big reveal at the end tying it all together. I do wonder how the magic works, but that's something I would debate with a friend who's also read the book rather than something I see as a problem.
I admit that I did NOT read the appendix of all the melting queens (yes, there was an APPENDIX!), but up until then I was all in. I had a couple baths where I let the water go cold and stayed in to keep reading because I was so absorbed. Books with a lot of description usually don't do much for me, but the way the description was done in this book made it feel like the setting was part of the magic, and that kept my attention. I loved the connection between all the melting queens via incursions and the big reveal at the end tying it all together. I do wonder how the magic works, but that's something I would debate with a friend who's also read the book rather than something I see as a problem.
September 9, 2019
There is so much about this book that I loved. There is another review on GoodReads that described it as a gut punch, and I have to agree. It's full of whimsy and humour and magic but its darker underbelly reveals itself and revels in the final third or so. Thankfully, the resolution of that darkness is cathartic, and what some people may pick up as a light genderqueer flight over an alternate Edmonton is found to be a far more rewarding journey through gender, trauma, hidden histories and reconciliation.
The book's strong feminist underpinnings are especially interesting. Not only does the main character explore what it means to cast off a male gender identity in the book, but the narrative is glued together by a long line of women whose work has quietly and powerfully shaped the city in which the book is set.
The conclusion is extremely satisfying, and the appendix at the end (don't cheat and look before you're through the story!!) is a beautiful gift to the reader and the city of Edmonton, warts and all.
Melting Queen isn't a perfect book, but it's an excellent first novel and I hope Bruce Cinnamon crafts many more like this one.
The book's strong feminist underpinnings are especially interesting. Not only does the main character explore what it means to cast off a male gender identity in the book, but the narrative is glued together by a long line of women whose work has quietly and powerfully shaped the city in which the book is set.
The conclusion is extremely satisfying, and the appendix at the end (don't cheat and look before you're through the story!!) is a beautiful gift to the reader and the city of Edmonton, warts and all.
Melting Queen isn't a perfect book, but it's an excellent first novel and I hope Bruce Cinnamon crafts many more like this one.
September 26, 2019
I live in this river valley.
It was not hard to imagine the changes in landscape that the author was imagining.
I loved the characters names and their vivid descriptions. I could feel the cold, grey dreariness that we all suffer through. Dread. Then the colours come to life and and the images are bright and brilliant.
The story was a bit of a mind f**k.
I couldn't wait to find out how it resolved.
Thank you Bruce for a fun story. And thanks for mentioning Dr.Anne Burrows with whom I was acquainted. That list of melting queens was impressive.
It was not hard to imagine the changes in landscape that the author was imagining.
I loved the characters names and their vivid descriptions. I could feel the cold, grey dreariness that we all suffer through. Dread. Then the colours come to life and and the images are bright and brilliant.
The story was a bit of a mind f**k.
I couldn't wait to find out how it resolved.
Thank you Bruce for a fun story. And thanks for mentioning Dr.Anne Burrows with whom I was acquainted. That list of melting queens was impressive.
December 24, 2019
3.5
Great framework, but the writing let it down. A good read nonetheless for the story was unique and compelling. Would be exciting to see brought to life. Looking forward to future works by this author.
Great framework, but the writing let it down. A good read nonetheless for the story was unique and compelling. Would be exciting to see brought to life. Looking forward to future works by this author.
August 17, 2019
Loved this book. Perfect mixture of fantasy and reality. Best first novel I’ve read in a while.
August 15, 2025
the melting queen is about the fictional edmontonian tradition of the melting queen, a woman who brings on the start of spring and is named each year to serve her community. river runson, the 115th melting queen, is named after they force winter to end, sick of the rut they are in. the only issue? they're a genderfluid ex-frat brother, and edmonton is not ready for a melting queen who isn't cis, let alone not a woman.
this was such an enchanting story. there were so many sentences that were phrased in a way that grabbed me. i loved how this was crafted. the image of water and the river, which our protagonist names themselves, flows (get it) throughout this novel in a way which adds so much to the story and is so rich with symbolism, and mostly feels natural. the magical realism is so fascinating, blending this drab and conservative city with life and curiosity. there's even an appendix at the end that lists all the melting queens and what they did, and that warmed my little looking-through-wikis-profusely lore nerd heart. the system set up around the melting queen feels so believable, and the history of the title often both feels lived in and contributes to the themes of the story. i also love how the intrusions give us more history and perspective, with different voices for the different bodies river inhabits, while maintaining cohesion. it feels like it's happening to river, and that we're always stuck in their head. it's such a beautifully intentional world and narrative, and i love it.
the political issues feel very true to 2025 in a world that is increasing in hostility towards trans and non-binary people. the whole concept of the melting queen being a "fertile woman" is deconstructed in numerous ways through different characters, which we're introduced to with river: they were assigned male at birth, and they are genderfluid. as a result, people don't think they are the real melting queen. the melting queen is held up as this pinnacle of divine femininity which feels so aligned with what's come to public consciousness in the past 6 months on tiktok. it is a woman's role. river, misgendered as a man by some of their detractors, is taking something sacred to femininity. cinnamon demonstrates that, river's not doing that, they're just being themselves. they aren't a misogynist or any of the bad faith accusations people have against trans and non-binary people, particularly those assigned male at birth. i think them being genderfluid adds to this - their detractors aren't *just* being transphobic, they're ascribing to a reductive view of binary gender that limits and separates men and women, isolating those who don't fit neatly in either category. and honestly, just read the book, it explores the topic much better than i could in any review. cinnamon also touches on sterilisation and lesbian identity through former melting queens, showing how that "ideal of womanhood" is not true. i have absolutely read books that try to say something about women and misogyny and society, and not all of them hit the mark, but this one felt ready to embrace the nuance of it all.
i love river as a protagonist. i think i like characters who just try their best, who may fuck up, and particularly those who aren't 16 years old. because there are points at which river does fuck up. they get to be sad and scared and angry and joyful and brave and a million other things. and i rooted for them, because they're figuring themselves and their position and their world out. i also enjoyed a lot of the side characters - clodagh and kaseema and sander and isobel and rené. and OH i loved to hate odessa. i have a note from chapter 3 where i write "is odessa a terf" (i think so, but i think she's more performative than anything else. like she knows the right things to say, she remakes herself, but it's all a performance to her. she doesn't actually care). and when she starts what i call her True Grifter arc, about halfway through, i absolutely lost it because of COURSE she would. it makes sense, goes with the themes
just please read this book. i think it's so relevant to a world that's being increasingly hostile to trans and non-binary people (not that it was ever super safe). cinnamon tells a fascinating and honest story about gender and identity and society and healing with magic that elevates the entire thing.
this was such an enchanting story. there were so many sentences that were phrased in a way that grabbed me. i loved how this was crafted. the image of water and the river, which our protagonist names themselves, flows (get it) throughout this novel in a way which adds so much to the story and is so rich with symbolism, and mostly feels natural. the magical realism is so fascinating, blending this drab and conservative city with life and curiosity. there's even an appendix at the end that lists all the melting queens and what they did, and that warmed my little looking-through-wikis-profusely lore nerd heart. the system set up around the melting queen feels so believable, and the history of the title often both feels lived in and contributes to the themes of the story. i also love how the intrusions give us more history and perspective, with different voices for the different bodies river inhabits, while maintaining cohesion. it feels like it's happening to river, and that we're always stuck in their head. it's such a beautifully intentional world and narrative, and i love it.
the political issues feel very true to 2025 in a world that is increasing in hostility towards trans and non-binary people. the whole concept of the melting queen being a "fertile woman" is deconstructed in numerous ways through different characters, which we're introduced to with river: they were assigned male at birth, and they are genderfluid. as a result, people don't think they are the real melting queen. the melting queen is held up as this pinnacle of divine femininity which feels so aligned with what's come to public consciousness in the past 6 months on tiktok. it is a woman's role. river, misgendered as a man by some of their detractors, is taking something sacred to femininity. cinnamon demonstrates that, river's not doing that, they're just being themselves. they aren't a misogynist or any of the bad faith accusations people have against trans and non-binary people, particularly those assigned male at birth. i think them being genderfluid adds to this - their detractors aren't *just* being transphobic, they're ascribing to a reductive view of binary gender that limits and separates men and women, isolating those who don't fit neatly in either category. and honestly, just read the book, it explores the topic much better than i could in any review. cinnamon also touches on sterilisation and lesbian identity through former melting queens, showing how that "ideal of womanhood" is not true. i have absolutely read books that try to say something about women and misogyny and society, and not all of them hit the mark, but this one felt ready to embrace the nuance of it all.
i love river as a protagonist. i think i like characters who just try their best, who may fuck up, and particularly those who aren't 16 years old. because there are points at which river does fuck up. they get to be sad and scared and angry and joyful and brave and a million other things. and i rooted for them, because they're figuring themselves and their position and their world out. i also enjoyed a lot of the side characters - clodagh and kaseema and sander and isobel and rené. and OH i loved to hate odessa. i have a note from chapter 3 where i write "is odessa a terf" (i think so, but i think she's more performative than anything else. like she knows the right things to say, she remakes herself, but it's all a performance to her. she doesn't actually care). and when she starts what i call her True Grifter arc, about halfway through, i absolutely lost it because of COURSE she would. it makes sense, goes with the themes
just please read this book. i think it's so relevant to a world that's being increasingly hostile to trans and non-binary people (not that it was ever super safe). cinnamon tells a fascinating and honest story about gender and identity and society and healing with magic that elevates the entire thing.
September 3, 2019
Talk about something completely different. This fictional story is centered around a festival held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on the day the ice breaks on the river after a long winter. Following tradition, Melting Day has a Melting Queen who is chosen from any woman in the city who writes her name on a paper leaf and places it on the statue of the first woman to hold this title. This year, however, much to the surprise of the town and the person chosen, genderfluid River Runson (birth name Adam Truman) is proclaimed the Melting Queen. River is at first confused since he did not place his name on the statue and finds out later someone else did. River is reluctant but eventually agrees to take on the title. What no one in the whole history of this event ever tells anyone else is that each Melting Queen is able to see the city through the eyes of all the former queens and also what happened to them and how they felt during their tenure. River is particularly susceptible to these intrusions and invariably blacks out after almost every one of them.
While trying to come to terms with these distractions River finds out more about the tradition and the fact that something is not right with the celebration. Every former melting queen River talks to and, thanks to his friend Sander looking in depth into each of their lives, it is found that after their year as the queen their lives are irrevocably changed and usually not in a good way. He soon realizes there is a sinister undertone to the pageantry of Melting Day. Then, to top it all off, someone he felt was a friend tries to take the title from him.
Surreal and totally original, this book looks at friendship, loyalty, community and prejudice.
While trying to come to terms with these distractions River finds out more about the tradition and the fact that something is not right with the celebration. Every former melting queen River talks to and, thanks to his friend Sander looking in depth into each of their lives, it is found that after their year as the queen their lives are irrevocably changed and usually not in a good way. He soon realizes there is a sinister undertone to the pageantry of Melting Day. Then, to top it all off, someone he felt was a friend tries to take the title from him.
Surreal and totally original, this book looks at friendship, loyalty, community and prejudice.
February 8, 2020
Oh boy. I really wanted to love this as I adore magical realism and love me some lgbt rep but this book really wasn’t good. there was a lot of critiquing of Canadian brand racism and sexism and homophobia but I feel like Cinnamon wasn’t self aware enough to avoid falling into those very stereotypes he critiqued (like there’s one point where River says they had it worse than all generations of women before them because they’re genderfluid when one of the women (who they’ve met btw) was an Indigenous woman who was forcibly sterilized.... like that’s a no from me dawg). Additionally, River makes several comments about women and lesbians which are very uncomfortable because it’s obvious they have some internalized hatred towards them. Weirdly enough, I felt more for the “villain” in this piece because at least they were an actual character with flaws where River was never allowed to be “flawed” and any real flaws that were pointed out were handwoven away.
1.5 stars
1.5 stars
May 27, 2025
I read this book for the 52 Book Club 2025 prompt: Genre 1 - Set in Spring
This book was chosen for the May Queer Book Club at our local library and I finally got a chance to join!
Thoughts: At first, I thought this book could have been a memoir, until the elements of magical realism started slipping in. I even Googled if Melting Day was an actual celebration in Edmonton! Personally, it was fascinating to read a fictional book set in a city that I've been to a number of times!
The characters were unique and well written and we had a good discussion about a few of them last night.
Overall, it's an easy read, but it definitely has some difficult and graphic content: trigger warnings for misogyny, racism, SA and abuse.
I appreciated the list of "Melting Queens" at the back of the book and how it included some real women from Edmonton who have made great contributions to the city!
4.5 stars
This book was chosen for the May Queer Book Club at our local library and I finally got a chance to join!
Thoughts: At first, I thought this book could have been a memoir, until the elements of magical realism started slipping in. I even Googled if Melting Day was an actual celebration in Edmonton! Personally, it was fascinating to read a fictional book set in a city that I've been to a number of times!
The characters were unique and well written and we had a good discussion about a few of them last night.
Overall, it's an easy read, but it definitely has some difficult and graphic content: trigger warnings for misogyny, racism, SA and abuse.
I appreciated the list of "Melting Queens" at the back of the book and how it included some real women from Edmonton who have made great contributions to the city!
4.5 stars
February 22, 2020
The Melting Queen is a delightful novel. It’s unusual in that it simultaneously is whimsical, contains a big idea, presents a mosaic of realistic characters, vividly describes an immersive setting, and is all delivered with beautiful prose.
Like other reviewers, the novel took me by surprise. I thought that it might simply be a light escapist adventure which would have been good enough. However, the novel goes so much further. The author presents concepts and explorations that are empathetic, well researched, deep, and thought provoking.
In the Acknowledgements the author mentions that the first draft of this novel was actually two novels. I hope that the the second one is on the way as I am very eager to read more. I haven’t visited Edmonton yet, but I definitely want to now.
Like other reviewers, the novel took me by surprise. I thought that it might simply be a light escapist adventure which would have been good enough. However, the novel goes so much further. The author presents concepts and explorations that are empathetic, well researched, deep, and thought provoking.
In the Acknowledgements the author mentions that the first draft of this novel was actually two novels. I hope that the the second one is on the way as I am very eager to read more. I haven’t visited Edmonton yet, but I definitely want to now.
March 24, 2021
A story that transplants ancient themes of paganism, female fertility and power, from past eras...into 21st century Edmonton. Thrown in the gender identity and bigotry and the end result is quite the tale. I'm not sure there was enough here I loved, but it certainly kept me intrigued enough to want to know the ultimate fate of the new Melt Queen. The gender fluidity aspect is easily the strongest element of this novel, but there is a lyrical, self-indulgence in its opening third that almost put me off the rest of the book. This might not be for everyone, but it's certainly a new way to look at spring time/May Day rituals.
January 1, 2020
Interesting story, great idea with using the history of a town/current opinions about a town and an overlain a magical ceremony story, and a protagonist who is exploring identity through gender fluidity and self-discovery/shaping. Unfortunately this edition had quite a few editing/publishing errors throughout. The story improved as the book went along, though I didn't feel the protagonist's reactions and actions (even to the mystical ceremonies and intrusions) were relatable or even made sense at certain times.
May 20, 2020
I loved this book and everything it represented. A non-binary character living in a city I am very familiar with (Edmonton is just a couple hours down the road) was something I didn't realize I needed in my life. That being said this book is heavy. Several times I had to put it down and say "Whoa, that hit close to home."
A very thoughtful, poignant, and well put together novel that I'm glad to have read.
A very thoughtful, poignant, and well put together novel that I'm glad to have read.
November 5, 2022
This book was challenging to get through. I didn't particulaty enjoy it but it still kept me coming back to continue it. The ending was unexpected and the curiosity to know the how it ended definitely helped push me to the finish line. I think part of my mixed feelings is the use of non-fictional locations within a fiction book. None the less, it helped me gain a little more perspective on LGBTQ2+.
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