#notyourprincess review

I was kindly provided a copy of #NotYourPrincess through Netgalley. All views are my own.

Whether looking back to a troubled past or welcoming a hopeful future, the powerful voices of Indigenous women across North America resound in this book. In the same style as the best-selling Dreaming in Indian, #NotYourPrincess presents an eclectic collection of poems, essays, interviews, and art that combine to express the experience of being a Native woman. Stories of abuse, humiliation, and stereotyping are countered by the voices of passionate women making themselves heard and demanding change. Sometimes angry, often reflective, but always strong, the women in this book will give teen readers insight into the lives of women who, for so long, have been virtually invisible.

#notyourprincess is an #ownvoices book by indigenous women for indigenous women. Filled with poems, short essays and artwork, I found it a very good beginning of a conversation about the particular trials that indigenous women face. For example, my favourite poem was ‘The Things We Taught Our Daughters’ which talked about generations of toxicity and abuse. The artwork was also of a consistently high calibre. I wish I knew more about art so I could talk about it properly, but unfortunately I don’t.

However, I say that this is the beginning of a conversation for a reason. I was quite disappointed that there weren’t any essays that really went in-depth into any of the topics discussed. None of the essays went beyond a couple of paragraphs, if I remember correctly. I also found that this would have been a better ARC if it had been printed rather than an ebook. I think that the photos and artwork would have just looked better on a printed page.

I just feel a bit disappointed by this anthology. It has the kernels of a really fantastic book, but unfortunately it just isn’t there for me.