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bombadalejr's review
3.0
Chapters 6-11 were the best - the plot line could have been fantastic if the writing had been less basic. Overall a nice story, with interesting representation of lesbian and bisexual women.
roannasylver's review
5.0
Wonderfully warm, sweet and inviting high fantasy with positive and affirming representation. The Second Mango is a fairy tale that tells the truth, based on women forming strong friendships and falling in love, rescuing each other and themselves, and saving the day. (Special note: seeing chronically ill characters being supported, believed, and loved will always be important. It shouldn't be as rare and refreshing as it is, but that doesn't change how good it is to see here.)
The characters in this book and its continuing series discover many different kinds of strength: to fight, to rule, to have faith in the most frightening of times, and faith in oneself. They remind us, and especially young, marginalized readers that we can do the same. It can even be fun! I've read several of this series - out of order, not a problem here - and they're all easy, enjoyable reads that leave you feeling reassured, refreshed, and brave.
We need books like this, especially now.
The characters in this book and its continuing series discover many different kinds of strength: to fight, to rule, to have faith in the most frightening of times, and faith in oneself. They remind us, and especially young, marginalized readers that we can do the same. It can even be fun! I've read several of this series - out of order, not a problem here - and they're all easy, enjoyable reads that leave you feeling reassured, refreshed, and brave.
We need books like this, especially now.
leahkarge's review
This book is already super repetitive, and the chase to find a woman for Shulamit is a bit uncomfortable. She was literally kidnapped at the beginning of the book and just became queen two months before, but instead of that being the focus, she’s…running off to find a girlfriend.
Plus, I am not enjoying the writing style at all.
Plus, I am not enjoying the writing style at all.
marieintheraw's review against another edition
3.0
The writing really was the downfall for this book; it seems set for a younger audience despite the protagonist's age due to how simple the writing was. I just wanted more from it.
nickyfox13's review against another edition
4.0
I personally adored the Judaism-centric worldbuilding with a fully developed lesbian main character and a straightforward but enjoyable plot. The only reason I didn't give this book a full five stars is because Shulamit, despite being twenty, reads a lot younger than that because she started the novel so immature and naive. I mean this in the most complimentary way possible but the writing, while wonderful and like eating a warm, comforting chocolate chip cookie, was suited for middle grade audiences. Despite nitpicky criticism, I look forward to more of Shira Glassman's work.
lezreadalot's review against another edition
2.0
Cute! But alas, not particularly, you know. Good. Clumsily-written, not very well structured, not the greatest plot...
But still! Cute.
2.5 stars.
But still! Cute.
2.5 stars.
mckinlay's review against another edition
2.0
My main issue with this book happens in the first few pages, she has been kidnapped and is hoping her bodyguards will find her soon. She's in a brothel. From the book, "One comfort was that she was still wearing all of her clothes, and, blissfully, the men guarding her were ignoring her at the moment. She felt thankful for her average looks. If the men had gone anywhere near her like that --" NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. Women are not raped based on how attractive they are. Just, no.
The rest of the book is okay, i guess. The queen is absolutely obsessed with finding a girlfriend, it was honestly a bit absurd. Honestly I had a sour taste in my mouth the whole time I was reading simply because of the above paragraph. I personally would say to give this one a pass, but to each their own.
The rest of the book is okay, i guess. The queen is absolutely obsessed with finding a girlfriend, it was honestly a bit absurd. Honestly I had a sour taste in my mouth the whole time I was reading simply because of the above paragraph. I personally would say to give this one a pass, but to each their own.
golden_lily's review against another edition
4.0
This was so cute and lovely and I adored Shulamit and Rivka. It reads a lot like a Tamora Pierce Alanna book, which is obviously amazing because favorite. Shula does read pretty young and it was a little cringy how she kept hitting on Rivka at first, but she grows over the journey and ends up as a very strong, kind queen.
My only real complaint, the prose of the sex scenes is a little odd. "Your face smells of flowers" as as euphemism for vaginal secretions, eh, not my thing. Otherwise, this is a fantastic feminist fairy tale set in a vibrant Jewish world that I highly recommend.
My only real complaint, the prose of the sex scenes is a little odd. "Your face smells of flowers" as as euphemism for vaginal secretions, eh, not my thing. Otherwise, this is a fantastic feminist fairy tale set in a vibrant Jewish world that I highly recommend.