Persephone Made Me Do It

Myth and Magick #3

by Trista Mateer

Bestselling and Goodreads Choice Award-winning author Trista Mateer returns with another mythical approach to self-care in her newest poetry collection, Persephone Made Me Do It.

Following her previous work in this series, Mateer weaves together mythology, tarot, poetry, and conversation to reveal a new side of a very old story. Alternating between the perspectives of poet and goddess, Persephone's lore is explored, related to modern issues, and ultimately reclaimed.

"You want to talk about duality? You want to talk about love? Let us speak instead of chaos."

In this new collection of art and feminist verse from Trista Mateer, Persephone might have flowers in her hair—but she is out for blood.

Genres: Poetry, Mythology, Feminism, Greek Mythology, Fantasy, Fiction, Adult

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2023

About the author

Trista Mateer is the bestselling author of multiple poetry collections, including Aphrodite Made Me Do It and Honeybee. She is a passionate mental health advocate, currently writing in South Carolina. Connect with her on Instagram and Tiktok @tristamateer or at tristamateer.com.
​
Her newest collection, Artemis Made Me Do It, is available for preorder now and releases in September 2022!

Reviews

[shanayaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

➳ 4.5/5 stars

"I GRIEF FOR THE GIRL I USED TO BE.
WE’LL NEVER KNOW WHAT SHE COULD HAVE BECOME"

In the realm of poetry, this collection shines brightly as an exquisite exploration of profound themes, tackling issues such as sexual assault, injustice, and the pervasive sense of inadequacy. With each verse, it eloquently captures the struggles that women endure in their daily lives, offering a poignant reflection on the intricacies of their experiences. Every poem unfolds like a delicate tapestry, weaving together emotions and societal challenges, creating a resonant and powerful narrative that lingers in the reader's heart.

I have never been a mythology person and to be honest never really believed in them until i read this book and searched about Persephone and whatever she have been through. She was not only abducted by the god of underworld Hades, that was her uncle but also was forcefully married to him and now if it wasn't enough she was also sexually assaulted by her own father and her mother she tried everything to protect her little girl but alas she failed. My heart truly goes out to the goddess who have been through so much and who was called different names even tho she wasn't at fault. Persephone's journey, marked by abduction, forced marriage, and unimaginable horrors, resonated deeply. Yet, amidst the darkness, she transformed her pain into power, emerging as the QUEEN she was destined to be. Her story stands as a testament to the strength born from adversity, a reminder that even in the depths of despair, one can rise to regal heights.

This book illuminated the unwavering strength and resilience that defines womanhood. It beautifully articulated the power, intelligence, and love embodied by every woman. My heart swells with pride for those who stood up for themselves, and it goes out to every woman who navigated hardships without receiving the apology and justice they deserved. To these true goddesses, you deserve the world and more

In my debut encounter with this author, I'm convinced it won't be the last. Her enchanting way with words captivates attention, making you feel every emotion. By the end of the book, tears welled up in my eyes.

°˖➴ Overall, this book stands as a literary masterpiece. I wish every girl would read this at least once and realize that she is a goddess, possessing the power to achieve anything she sets her mind to. Much love to all the beautiful ladies out there — YOU'RE NOT VICTIMS, YOU ALL ARE WARRIORS 💌

౨ৎ QUOTES ✧˖°.

: ̗̀➛ "No matter what they say,
I made the best out of a bad situation. That’s what survivors do."


: ̗̀➛ "YOU ARE A POETIC MESS OF CONTRADICTIONS.
WHY WOULD YOU EVER WANT TO BE ANYTHING LESS?"


: ̗̀➛ "a girl needs a mother
a girl needs something to run from and something to run toward a mortal enemy and a god that looks like her"


: ̗̀➛ "Loneliness has always been kinder to me than men have been."


: ̗̀➛ "SOMETIMES WOMEN MUST SWALLOW DARKNESS IN ORDER TO GROW, TO CHANGE, TO DEFEND THEMSELVES.
I AM THE DARKNESS."


: ̗̀➛ "I REFUSE TO MAKE MYSELF PALATABLE.
I WILL NOT GO DOWN EASY."


: ̗̀➛ "WE ARE ALL THE SAME WOMAN.
WE ARE ALWAYS THE SAME WOMAN. WE ARE ALWAYS THE SAME WOMAN TELLING THE SAME STORY. TELLING PIECES OF THE SAME STORY. TELLING STORIES SO SIMILAR
THEY MAY AS WELL BE THE SAME. LET ME CALL YOU BY MY NAME."


°˖✧˚ʚ♡ɞ˚✧˖°

ᥫ᭡ pre-read review ✧˖°.

well, i haven't read poetry in ages soo here we go!! 💘💫

[aksh ✮]

I still want to finish this series especially since my poetry godmother shanayaa rated it a 4.5 💌💐

[Aliki (semi hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her poetry is one of my favourite reasons to cry

[Ri ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

— 4.5 Stars ★

With one hand you must hold on to the girl you used to be, and with the other hand you must embrace whatever you are becoming.

This was a beautiful and a powerful collection of poems about girlhood, womanhood, woman empowerment, motherhood and exploration of mother and daughter relationship. This one is definitely my favourite in this series of poem.

SOMETIMES WOMEN MUST
SWALLOW DARKNESS
IN ORDER TO GROW,
TO CHANGE,
TO DEFEND THEMSELVES.
I AM THE DARKNESS.

I love the way Trista represented some of the most important and delicate things about a women's life like how women need power more than the freedom to live in this cruel world, how a girl always needs her mother's love and support but also hates how she became just like her mother, the constant comfort, reminders and soothing your inner child needs. It's a tragedy and a blessing for a daughter to become just like her mother.

a girl needs a mother
a girl needs something to run from
and something to run toward
a mortal enemy and a god that looks like her

[Devin The Book Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trista Mateer is the best poet of the generation: change my mind.

I have read several of this author's works and I always am in awe. The poems are so relatable. Though every collection has its themes, I absolutely loved the concept of this collection in particular.

Trista Mateer is so witty. Her poems give a nice gut-wrenching punch that make you feel like you just lost your dog. I can't wait to buy a physical copy of this collection so I can highlight all my favorite quotes and passages.

I would highly recommend this collection to anyone that loves poetry about girl power, sad stuff, and heartbreak.

Provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?] · Rating 5 out of 5]

She who locks eyes
with the devil
and swallows him whole.

She who walks into Hell
and makes it her kingdom
instead of her torment.

I love this series so much, I wish there would be even more books.
Loved every poem.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the bridge to Taylor Swift's Would've Could've Should've was a book, it would be this book. Gave me literal full body chills so many times and the exploration of mother/daughter relationships ripped me to shreds.

[m ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.
(I just love when poetry celebrates women.)

—

“Nothing is forever
What a horror
What a joy”

—

[aashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️

︵‿︵‿୨♡ „𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕨𝕙𝕠 𝕨𝕖 𝕨𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕨𝕙𝕠 𝕨𝕖 𝕙𝕒𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕓𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕖“ ♡୧‿︵‿︵


𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛…

„𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝓵𝓸𝓬𝓴𝓼 𝓮𝔂𝓮𝓼 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓭𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓵 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓼𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓸𝔀𝓼 𝓱𝓲𝓶 𝔀𝓱𝓸𝓵𝓮. 𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓼 𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓸 𝓗𝓮𝓵𝓵 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓮𝓼 𝓲𝓽 𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓭𝓸𝓶 𝓲𝓷𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓸𝓯 𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓸𝓻𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽.“


𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙…

„𝓢𝓸 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓲𝓼 𝓲𝓽? 𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓲𝓼 𝓶𝔂 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂 𝓷𝓸𝔀?
𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓓𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓖𝓲𝓻𝓵.
𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓖𝓲𝓻𝓵.
𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓲𝓽𝓬𝓱.
𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓢𝓾𝓻𝓿𝓲𝓿𝓸𝓻.
𝓓𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓘 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓰𝓮𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓮𝓵𝓼𝓮?
𝓓𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓘 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓰𝓮𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝓶𝔂𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓯 𝓪𝓰𝓪𝓲𝓷?“


„𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤 𝕕𝕠𝕟’𝕥 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟
𝕔𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕞𝕖 𝕓𝕪 𝕒 𝕟𝕒𝕞𝕖,
𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥’𝕤
𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕀 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞?

𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕒 𝕞𝕒𝕟
𝕨𝕣𝕠𝕥𝕖 𝕞𝕖 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝕓𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘
𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕡𝕖𝕟?“


THIS BOOK IS PHENOMENAL AND IF U HAVENT READ IT YET. U NEED TO READ THIS BOOK ASAP.



„𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣. 𝙒𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙡𝙨 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙪𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙒𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨. 𝙒𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨“😌

„𝙉𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙖𝙮, 𝙄 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙙𝙤.“


💋„𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘊𝘈𝘕𝘕𝘖𝘛 𝘗𝘓𝘌𝘈𝘚𝘌 𝘌𝘝𝘌𝘙𝘠𝘖𝘕𝘌. 𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘞𝘌𝘙𝘌 𝘕𝘖𝘛 𝘔𝘈𝘋𝘌 𝘛𝘖 𝘗𝘓𝘌𝘈𝘚𝘌 𝘈𝘕𝘠𝘖𝘕𝘌.“💋

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I am too much
and somehow
I will still
never be enough."

There's just something about reading poetry after midnight tucked all cozy in bed. Trista Mateer is a true wordsmith managing to make her work both witty and quick but gut wrenchingly raw. This collection tears at old wounds and insecurities and heals them all in the same verse. If you like your poetry with a side of feminine rage, mommy issues, and confronting your trauma this is the book for you.

[Gerardine Betancourt · Rating 3 out of 5]

"When I say I'm angry, they keep trying to talk to me into forgiveness. The truth is, I did forgive him. The first time. Not the second."
I liked the first 2 books a lot more than this one. Don't get me wrong the poetry and the feeling that the author puts into each page is beautiful, but I didn't feel identified like her previous works.

[Isabelle Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection of poetry. Trista Mateer created a beautiful mix of poems alongside her collage art pieces. I loved the inclusion of artwork. Her style is definitely modern poetry, and some of the poems didn't quite hit, mostly because of their brevity in size. I think some of the pieces could've been more impactful with more words. Overall, I'm interested to read the other books in the series.

[Biannett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, I’d like to say thank you to Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing for providing me with an eARC of this book in return for a honest review.

Trista Mateer once again has found a way to comfort all my biggest wounds. Showing us that even when the world tries to make us small, tries to make us a victim, tries to make us prey, we can become a God. This collection of poems was empowering to the part of me who needed that reminder but a comfort for the inner child in me who needed soothing as well. I’ve been told that I’m “too much” my entire life and it was so nice to read something that basically said “Yeah, you are too much. So what? Be loud. Take up space. Be as much as you need to be.” and I am so grateful.

And as a person with her fair share of mommy issues, this was a much needed reminder that I’m not alone in these feelings either. Strained relationships with your mother where you love her but she’s also hurt you so much are not talked about enough and reading this made me feel validated and less lonely.

Persephone’s story in all its interpretations means so much to me and hearing things from her point of view, hearing her tell her own story, was so powerful.

A beautiful collection of poetry.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expected publication: September 12th 2023
*3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this series! I still love how Mateer writes it as if the goddess and the poet are having a conversation, alternating between the two perspectives. She's written all three collections in this same format and I think it works really well.

The poems in this collection didn't really resonate with me as much as the first two collections, but were still beautiful. As was the artwork throughout, however I think this collection relied a little too heavily on the artwork, as there seemed to be a lot more than in the previous collection. Or maybe I'm misremembering.

A beautiful poetry collection, with a Greek mythology twist.

Thank you to Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing for the eARC.

[Lenaasty · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Loneliness has always been kinder to me than men have been."

made me emotional so I'd say it's pretty good 🤲 I usually stay far far away from anything poetry related it's not my cup of tea but sometimes, a book like this one comes along and reminds me poetry isn't to throw away entirely.

"You miss the girl I used to be but you refuse to admit she's gone."

I had a lot of issues with letters missing and the pages mixed with each other so I'm not sure if it's clearer in the proper version but I didn't like how confusing it is to know whose perspective each poem is from. some poems were modern, about the father etc then they were from persephone, sometimes I didn't know who was talking

"I wonder if all women must try not to be hurt by the men they love. And how is it love if it's so tinged with fear?"

it was still really good, so many quotes highlighted seriously it talked to me on so many levels and I feel like it must be such a cathartic read for survivors of SA.

"When my father isn't around, my mother becomes a person again."

thank you for the opportunity to read this arc, I love Greek mythology and the myth of persephone, it was so interesting to read this point of view and for her experiences to be mixed with all women's experiences.

"If you had a father like mine,
there was a day when he stopped looking at you
like you were a child and started
looking at you like you were a woman.
.
I was a princess
until I was old enough to be a bitch."

(so many quotes but last one i promise)
and my personal favorite :

"Some daughters
must survive their fathers the way hikers survive
encounters with bears.

Stay still long enough
and maybe he won't see you.
Pray he is not hungry."

[Caitlin Conlon]

Trista Mateer has her pen on the pulse of girlhood. In this third installment of the Myth and Magick series Mateer dissects mothers, daughters, and the stories that shape them. I devoured this book in a day, moved by these poems which take the language of myth and spin it into a new and glorious light. Persephone dazzles under Mateer's careful eye, speaking with candor and heart to those of us that have known survival intimately.

[Kaylee Woodring · Rating 5 out of 5]

love love love love love love love love i could go on love love love love lo-

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the other two in the trilogy :(
The other two were 5 stars, so sad about this one.

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

This isn’t the first time I’ve read a mangling of Genesis so bad it made me laugh in disbelief, and it probably won’t be the last.

[Paige Stamco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll come back to this again in the future. 10/10 especially if you’re interested in topics such as complicated relationships with family of origin, trauma, and feminine rage.

[Elizabeth P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't hate it.

Some of the art in this volume is lovely. I enjoyed some of the poems, too. However, it does give the feeling that these are a bunch of artsy Instagram posts arranged into a book. The themes get repetitive after the 20th time (mother is a constant victim and daughter denies being like mother until she realizes, she's just like her, for example).

And one more quibble: POEMS DO NOT CONSIST OF JUST A SENTENCE. No matter how much you capitalize it.

[siddhi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 I suppose


As a huge fan of greek mythology, the concept of this series hooked me and kept me intrigued enough to read all 3 books, the poetry itself felt like amateur journal entries.

I fail to feel the resonance with her work that a lot of the other reviewers seem to feel. At best, this collection is reminiscent of tumblr poetry.

I guess not for me.

[Joslyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this new installment in Trista Mateers Greek Goddesses anthology!! It was beautiful and horrible and heart-rending, things only truly good books are. The art!! The prose!! What else is there to say? My only issue was that the copy I received seemingly had numerous typos? This is likely only because the copy I received was digital and therefore things may have been skewed during the data transfer, but worth mentioning nonetheless. Thank you to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this in advance!!

[Johanna Hammarström · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Trista Mateers poetry! "Persephone made me do it" is the third one on the theme of Greek mythology, where the goddess and Queen of the underworld gets to tell her story, and in doing so acting as an allegory for girl- and womanhood. It's written in a direct way, and the language is intriguing.

As the two first poetry collections in this series, the poems are mixed with art and collages that helps set the mood, making the collection an experince.

If you want to read some accessible feminist poetry on the theme of mythology, but also own a gorgeous book, Mateer is for you!

[Saimi Korhonen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The unkillable woman. Watch how she crawls back from every grave ever dug up for her. Watch how she endures and endures and endures. Watch how she overcomes."

In Persephone Made Me Do It, Trista Mateer explores themes of sexual assault, generational trauma, rape culture, power and survival through the alternating voices of the Goddess of Spring and Queen of the Dead, Persephone, and the poet who encounters her.

This final book in Trista Mateer's trilogy of poetry collections inspired by Greek goddesses might be my least favorite of the bunch, but it was still really good and enjoyable. I think partly the reason for this not hitting me as hard as the other two is that I've never been as intrigued by Persephone as a character as I am with Artemis and Aphrodite. Mateer's poetry continues to be impactful and moving despite its simplicity, and, once again, I was delighted by how she combined her writing with visual art, creating not just a gorgeous object but a story told through verse as well as pictures. I also once again enjoyed, like I did when reading the previous two books, the way she alternates between the voice of the poet (which I assume is at least in part her own voice) and that of the goddess, creating a dialogue between poems and showing how the ancient Greek goddesses are still very relevant today. I'd say Persephone's story especially feels, unfortunately, very timely still.

Mateer's Persephone was a beautiful combination of angry and heartbroken, vulnerable and made of steel. She grieves for the girl she used to be before her uncle turned husband abducted her – "I had a life before he stole it from me. I was someone different, but I was still someone who mattered." – and the innocence she lost and can never again recover. Even if she can spend some months of the year above ground with her mother, it's not the same: "I can return to the meadow but I can never be that girl again. Not knowing what I know now." But despite her grief, trauma and sorrow, she has also held on to whatever agency she can find and made herself someone to be feared and respected, the Queen of the Dead. I loved her refusal to be defined by what Hades (and her father, Zeus) did to her and her determination to be remembered for herself, not just as someone's daughter or wife or victim. I loved this quote especially: "I will not allow my life to be defined by what happened to me in that meadow. Let my name appear on the page without his. Even if it's just once. Even if it's just here." Persephone's poems about how she is so often remembered as solely Hades's wife and victim also discussed, in a way that I loved, how Persephone is actually an older goddess than Hades – she is mentioned in ancient literature as queen of Hell way before Hades becomes its king. So, she really deserves to be remembered for herself, by her own name. I also loved the inclusion of her frustration over her myth being used to create the myth of Eve, this woman whose mistakes and decision to eat a forbidden fruit are then used to punish every woman who came after her. I just loved Persephone's anger.

I think Mateer incorporated the various different takes on the Hades/Persephone myth that are out there, making Persephone talk about how everyone tells her story differently and that people tell the version they are able to live with. It's so easy to tell this myth by romanticising Hades and Persephone and making a love story out of them or by demonising Demeter and making her this monstrous mother, but Mateer tells her story in a way that includes the sexual assault and abduction while also giving Persephone autonomy to make her own decisions in certain crucial moments. Persephone might not want to go to Hell, but when she is there, she makes the best of her rotten situation and she eats the pomegranate seeds herself, knowing there is no going back for her, not really. She takes her chance to become queen, someone people will fear and venerate, someone stronger than just one innocent divine girl among many. She didn't want this or ask for it, but she does it to survive: "THE END OF EVERY SURVIVAL STORY: I wasn't ready to become what I had to become." This was another quote that I loved, a simple statement that invokes the huge transformation Persephone is put through without her consent: "Kore was dead. Persephone's what was left." I also loved the poem on page 114, where Persephone lists things she's been up to to Demeter and it includes stuff like starting plagues, inventing mint, turning some girls into comets and gossiping with the dead – she's making the best of her new life and there are moments of joy there.

The poet battles with many of the same issues as Persephone does, though on a less mythical level. Like Persephone, she has been assaulted and abused by men who she was supposed to be able to trust (like her father), and like Persephone, she has lost her innocence and her girlhood violently. There's a lot in this book about mirrors, seeing yourself, facing your younger self and the brutality of realising you are no longer the person you once were in this book, in both POVs: "Sometimes I go out looking for the girl I used to be, but I can never find her. The face in the mirror isn't wrong. It's just not what I remember." A recurring theme that made me real sad was how both goddess and mortal woman miss the girls they used to be and grieve for them and how they were destroyed by trauma and assault. One of the poet's poems about how assault and trauma can make what was once a beloved hometown feel alien and dangerous, how it marks all the spaces you used to inhabit easily, was really poignant: she writes about how she had to serve her rapist and his mother in a restaurant, give them what they wanted and act all polite. This quote struck me: "Big trauma in a small town turns everything against you. Eventually there are more reasons to run than to stay. You might return for the holidays but it never feels like coming home. And it never will again." Both poet and goddess also talk a lot about their mothers and their complex relationships with them. Persephone writes beautifully about how Demeter grieved in a way that almost broke the world apart – "My mother would have destroyed the earth to save me. She tried to." – but she also writes about her mother not always understanding what she wanted or hoped for. The poet writes about her mother passing on her own trauma to her, teaching her to be afraid of men and to do whatever they want, that to be submissive to them is what a woman is meant to do. It was really sad reading about the poet yearning to be close to her mother despite not feeling quite like herself or safe around her, and wanting to mend that broken relationship one day.

This collection is an ode to transformation, endurance, survival and embracing all sides of yourself, both the good and the bad, the light and the dark, the loud and the quiet. Persephone reminds the poet and the reader that you shouldn't make yourself small to please others, that you should never be quiet just to please a man and that you deserve safety and freedom. It's a dark collection, but it's also defiant in a really uplifting way.

I am sad there are no more goddess-inspired poetry collections of Mateer's left for me to read. But I will definitely pick up her other collections at some point in the future. She has become a new favourite poet of mine. I would recommend this book and its sisters to anyone interested in poetry inspired by Greek myth and focused on themes of love, healing, family, trauma, identity and rage.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review 💙

“Every woman goes through Hell and comes out again changed”

I’ve been wanting to get back into reading more poetry, like I did when I was younger, and this was perfect for me.
I think every woman I’ve talked to about Persephone loves her and can relate to her story in some way, shape, or form and the same goes for this collection.
And the art is also gorgeous!
Very emotional, lots of feelings, over all a very good read.

There was some formatting concerns but I’m hoping that was just from the ARC document and won’t show in the published version 😅

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of art and poetry was very thought-provoking and interesting. It’s very short and seems to focus more on the art than the poetry, which I wasn’t expecting. The poems are seemingly through the lens of a conversation between the poet and the Queen of Hell, which makes for an interesting dynamic.

There were some lines that absolutely stuck out but overall the collection was a bit too avant-garde for my tastes.

Thank you to NetGalley, Trisha Mateer, and Central Avenue Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Fay Pretty · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s no secret how much I love Mateer’s ‘Myth and Magick’ series. This third installation is, as with each previous publication, gorgeous. Vivid images of painted tarot cards, edited photos and softly drawn pictures amongst pain, love and anger. I’m drawn back repeatedly to reflect on the thought behind each word and juxtaposed imagery, and as is the way with good poetry, I find myself almost exploring something new every time I reread a section.

What is unique with ‘Persephone Made Me Do It’, is the acknowledgement that Persephone’s story has been told a multitude of times before. Considering I’ve recently been shouting non-stop about the masterpiece that is ‘Girl, Goddess, Queen’, another tale of Persephone and a similarly brilliant embrace of female rage and male twisted stories, it’s clear that there is a catalogue of retellings when it comes to Persephone. What Mateer is able to do differently with this series, is provide an actual dialogue on this between Persephone and ‘The Poet’, the muse and the writer so to speak. It brings an interestingly modern and at times very personal, relevancy to the original myth.

There is a really interesting section when they examine who the villain is in Persephone’s story and can’t land a definite answer, each version of events changes when it's told. Mateer writes:

"All details change over time.
Arguing the truth is senseless.
Tell the story you can live with.”

It just hit me in a way that feels encapsulating and yet I’m struggling to find the words for. Mateer has always examined how men have influenced and changed female histories and lives but ‘Persephone Made Me Do It’ takes it to another level with how it has shaped our relationship with our own history. Our relationship with our childhood, our innocence and then with our old age. I’ve seen countless examples of the idea of the ‘maiden, mother and crone’, I was even taught in my literature class at school to look for those common female archytype’s, being told that every female character fits at least one. When Mateer questions this, puts it on a platform, and brings to life that relationship with who you were, the child you embodied but is still there, with the emphasis that “we are all the same woman” feels like a battle cry.

There is an inescapable feeling as a woman that sometimes you're fighting, not only to be heard and seen for who you are today but also against thousands of years of history where people succeeded in taking away your rights, writing over your stories and making an example out of you. That is what ‘Persephone Made Me Do It’ partly embodies for me. About being seen and heard. I hope reading this can make others feel the same and I highly recommend it.

Thank you Central Avenue Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Courtney Bernard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read More Reviews Here

Persephone Made Me Do It, the latest creation by the talented wordsmith Trista Mateer, is a literary piece that tugs at the strings of your soul. This enchanting poetry collection is a lyrical exploration of love, resilience, and the raw beauty of the female experience. With its exquisite artistry and profound prose, Mateer transports readers to a realm where the real world collides with Greek mythology.

The book's title itself, Persephone Made Me Do It, is a promise of an unforgettable voyage. Like Persephone, who descended into the depths of the underworld and emerged transformed, Mateer takes readers on an emotional odyssey through love, loss, and rebirth. Her words, like Persephone's footsteps in the underworld, leave an indelible mark on your heart.

One of the standout features of this collection is the way Mateer skillfully weaves together art and prose. The collection is accompanied by striking illustrations and collages that not only enhance the text but also evoke powerful emotions. These visuals breathe life into the verses, offering readers a multi-sensory experience that is both captivating and immersive.

Persephone Made Me Do It is not just a book; it's an emotional sanctuary where readers can find solace, reflection and inspiration. Mateer's profound understanding of the female condition is on full display, and her vulnerability in sharing her own experiences makes this collection all the more relatable and moving.

Final Thoughts: This collection is a reminder that words have the power to heal, transform, and connect us in profound ways. If you're searching for a book that will take you on a journey through the labyrinth of the human heart and leave you with a renewed sense of wonder, this is a must-read. Prepare to be enchanted, enlightened, and moved by this exquisite fusion of art and prose.

TW: Abuse, death, fire, rape & sexual assault

Disclaimer: Thank you Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC via Netgalley. This does not influence my opinion.

I was very excited to start this book as I love both poetry and Greek mythology.

I cannot recommend reading this on kindle though as the formatting is completely off and taking with it many letters and words. Comparing the two editions (Kindle & Netgalley Shelf), actually half of the verses are missing. Hopefully, this was only in the ebook I received.

I did appreciate the pictures and illustrations, but they did not stick to one style, thus disrupting the reading flow.
Most of the poems were beautiful and really resonated with me, especially the anger expressed.

All in all a great collection, worth a read. I will be reading more from this author, the series intrigues me.