Although the subject matter of “Sabrina & Corina” is often bleak and depressing, this collection of short stories filled my heart with joy. Fajardo-Anstine does an incredible job examining themes of abandonment, addiction, and violence against women, all while conveying the soaring spirits of her female characters. Set around Denver, Colorado, these stories all share commonalities of how we are truly affected by our ancestry (in this case, of indigenous nature), none more than our immediate family. For better or worse, we are direct products of our environments. I was completely taken by Fajardo-Anstine’s writing style, and I was saddened each time a story ended – I could have stayed with all of these characters so much longer! I am ecstatic to see what this writer does next – we certainly need her valued perspective of diverse and strong women – and I’ll be happily recommending this collection to everyone I know!

5 stars!

*Free ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*