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A review by irisestacansado
Providence Girls by Morgan Dante
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
(I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review)
This book is filled with quotes and concepts I adore, from historic U-Hauling to the "you bring the body, I'll bring the shovel" kind of support between the soft, nostalgic Vin and and the cold, ever-moving-on Azzie. From the betrayal to the sacrifices the characters make, their decisions are imbued with love and the evidence of their struggles. Dante's plot doesn't just center a soft slow-burn, but really revolves around Vin and Azzie working through their past traumas and their differing ways of coping. As one of Vin writes to Azzie, "We came from the same stone, but our languages were lost to one another."
Dante makes the characters' voices distinct while maintaining a beautiful sense of lyricism and, oftentimes, wry humor. Azzie has extensive literature collections that she shares with Vin, leaving them both with poetry and verse as a way of both bonding and as a way of informing their own writing; Vin read Shakespeare before leaving home, understanding precisely the meaning of her name, making it natural for the characters to bond other the works Azzie keeps. In typical sapphic fashion (affectionate), Azzie has a lot of Sappho, but also other queer writers such as Oscar Wilde and Lord Byron. Dante incorporates short excerpts of classical literature and references to mythology throughout, adding nuances and layers for the characters and reader to unravel and think upon. While this book has a lovely plot, interesting characters, and fascinating worldbuilding, the prose itself is a big reason to read Providence Girls.
This book is filled with quotes and concepts I adore, from historic U-Hauling to the "you bring the body, I'll bring the shovel" kind of support between the soft, nostalgic Vin and and the cold, ever-moving-on Azzie. From the betrayal to the sacrifices the characters make, their decisions are imbued with love and the evidence of their struggles. Dante's plot doesn't just center a soft slow-burn, but really revolves around Vin and Azzie working through their past traumas and their differing ways of coping. As one of Vin writes to Azzie, "We came from the same stone, but our languages were lost to one another."
Dante makes the characters' voices distinct while maintaining a beautiful sense of lyricism and, oftentimes, wry humor. Azzie has extensive literature collections that she shares with Vin, leaving them both with poetry and verse as a way of both bonding and as a way of informing their own writing; Vin read Shakespeare before leaving home, understanding precisely the meaning of her name, making it natural for the characters to bond other the works Azzie keeps. In typical sapphic fashion (affectionate), Azzie has a lot of Sappho, but also other queer writers such as Oscar Wilde and Lord Byron. Dante incorporates short excerpts of classical literature and references to mythology throughout, adding nuances and layers for the characters and reader to unravel and think upon. While this book has a lovely plot, interesting characters, and fascinating worldbuilding, the prose itself is a big reason to read Providence Girls.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Incest, and Rape
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Gore, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death