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Eclectic: Beyond the Skin
Dare to take a journey beyond the skin in this Deluxe edition of Eclectic. Eclectic: Beyond the Skin includes a bonus section, Deep Tissue, containing the short story "Misfortune", which will be featured in Queen of Spades' upcoming short story collection, Continuous Drips, set for release late next year.
Disclaimer: This collection has strong language and deals with issues which may not be suitable for a younger audience.
Disclaimer: This collection has strong language and deals with issues which may not be suitable for a younger audience.
136 pages, Paperback
First published September 11, 2013
107 people want to read
About the author
Queen Of Spades
41 books55 followersThe best way to describe Queen of Spades is an Antiquated Hybrid— a contemporary author whose writings have a down-to-earth resonance to anyone who reads them.
Since the age of eleven, Queen of Spades’ flowed with the fire of ideas indicative of rhythm inundated with stanzas. She made her writing debut as a presenter and poet in the anthology Soulful Branches: Words and Sounds. Her other poetry works include: Reflections of Soul, the Eclectic collection (Skin Edition and Beyond the Skin), the Spaded Truths collection (Themes and Proclamations and Life-O-Suction) and Private Pain: Amidst These Ashes.
Queen of Spades also collaborates in subjects she is passionate about. She provided works in the April 2014 poetry anthology Words of Fire and Ice by Durham Editing and E-books. In addition, she partnered with fellow author MJ Holman on two works addressing the stigma of mental illness: The Sea of Conscience and Waves to Light.
Storytelling took spotlight alongside poetry in Queen’s literary evolution. She has written three independent short stories: “Taint on Religion”, “Mr. Bradley’s Garden”, and “When Summer Lingers”. Furthermore, she has participated in a number of short story compilations, such as Continuous Drips, Concordant Vibrancy I, II, and III, and the Divergent Ink series (Crackles of the Heart).
Some tout Queen of Spades is a Poet of the People. Others classify her as a Life Writer. The primary things that remains constant is her dedication to contemporary creativity while remaining true to herself.
To track all things Queen of Spades, check out her Facebook Author Page or follow her on Twitter @authorqspades.
Since the age of eleven, Queen of Spades’ flowed with the fire of ideas indicative of rhythm inundated with stanzas. She made her writing debut as a presenter and poet in the anthology Soulful Branches: Words and Sounds. Her other poetry works include: Reflections of Soul, the Eclectic collection (Skin Edition and Beyond the Skin), the Spaded Truths collection (Themes and Proclamations and Life-O-Suction) and Private Pain: Amidst These Ashes.
Queen of Spades also collaborates in subjects she is passionate about. She provided works in the April 2014 poetry anthology Words of Fire and Ice by Durham Editing and E-books. In addition, she partnered with fellow author MJ Holman on two works addressing the stigma of mental illness: The Sea of Conscience and Waves to Light.
Storytelling took spotlight alongside poetry in Queen’s literary evolution. She has written three independent short stories: “Taint on Religion”, “Mr. Bradley’s Garden”, and “When Summer Lingers”. Furthermore, she has participated in a number of short story compilations, such as Continuous Drips, Concordant Vibrancy I, II, and III, and the Divergent Ink series (Crackles of the Heart).
Some tout Queen of Spades is a Poet of the People. Others classify her as a Life Writer. The primary things that remains constant is her dedication to contemporary creativity while remaining true to herself.
To track all things Queen of Spades, check out her Facebook Author Page or follow her on Twitter @authorqspades.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 23, 2014
Eclectic: Beyond The Skin is another collection of works by the wonderfully talented poet/author Queen of Spades. Queen offers her unique observations on all those things that make people human. She explores relationships and the issues that either corrupt or strengthen them.
Topics range from tribute to a loved one to the pains of infidelity to a new understanding of Paradise. Self-doubt on one page gives way to inner strength on the next. Queenie's style is rhythmic and to the point.
The poems themselves are arranged into sections titled Epidermis, Dermis, Hypodermis, and Deep Tissue, which is a short story called Misfortune.
Each section, every poem, contains a quiet power designed to open eyes, leading readers to see a piece of themselves within this work. I am able to connect with certain aspects of these personal creations, and anybody who has ever lived and loved and learned will too.
This is a book I will surely return to whenever the mood strikes. I highly recommend this collection to anybody who enjoys tight prose and fantastic imagery. Queen Of Spades is truly a gem to be discovered.
Topics range from tribute to a loved one to the pains of infidelity to a new understanding of Paradise. Self-doubt on one page gives way to inner strength on the next. Queenie's style is rhythmic and to the point.
The poems themselves are arranged into sections titled Epidermis, Dermis, Hypodermis, and Deep Tissue, which is a short story called Misfortune.
Each section, every poem, contains a quiet power designed to open eyes, leading readers to see a piece of themselves within this work. I am able to connect with certain aspects of these personal creations, and anybody who has ever lived and loved and learned will too.
This is a book I will surely return to whenever the mood strikes. I highly recommend this collection to anybody who enjoys tight prose and fantastic imagery. Queen Of Spades is truly a gem to be discovered.
November 28, 2013
As with most poetry, I will choose my words carefully and be succinct when reviewing this collection of poems. Quite simply the author has produced a beautifully written anthology of both gritty no nonsense verse, and hauntingly emotional poetry that lingers in the mind well after the first reading.
Queen, is an observer looking in and manages to express her inner most feelings with an honesty that touches the very soul. Whether it is the philosophical 'Even if Something' that deals with inner frailty, or the more down to earth, 'Broken' about a failed love, these poems get to the heart of their subject matter in such a way that the reader cannot help but identify and laugh, cry and scream along with her.
This is a must read for anyone who enjoys gutsy and intelligent contemporary poetry. I heartily recommend it!
The short story in this deluxe edition is well worth a read too.
Queen, is an observer looking in and manages to express her inner most feelings with an honesty that touches the very soul. Whether it is the philosophical 'Even if Something' that deals with inner frailty, or the more down to earth, 'Broken' about a failed love, these poems get to the heart of their subject matter in such a way that the reader cannot help but identify and laugh, cry and scream along with her.
This is a must read for anyone who enjoys gutsy and intelligent contemporary poetry. I heartily recommend it!
The short story in this deluxe edition is well worth a read too.
April 18, 2014
‘Eclectic: Beyond the Skin’ by Queen of Spades features a delightful collection of poetry and one short story; all depicting Queenie’s own slant on issues surrounding interpersonal relationships. I could relate to several of the poems, particularly ‘Loving (You and Me)’ with its echoes of self-doubt, and the excellent ‘War and Peace’, which I re- read several times, thinking about the difficult relationship I have with my own mother. Another favourite was ‘Michael’s Song’, a tribute to a loved one, and the poignant ‘Promise’ with its overlying tones of unfaithfulness; something I’m sure most women in a relationship have worried about at one time or another. There was also the voyeuristic ‘As He Sleeps’, and ‘Bag of Bones’ to which I can certainly relate (!), and on a lighter note I enjoyed ‘Average Woman’, which focused on issues of dress size.
After the poetry I enjoyed Queenie’s short story ‘Misfortune’, which showed how the main protagonist Tavena tried to deal with issues of unfaithfulness in her own life and in that of her friend Sheryl, culminating in a tense and dramatic ending which kept me reading right until the end.
I thoroughly recommend this book for fans of poetry that deals with real-life issues and with the twists and turns we go through when trying to hold on to a loving relationship.
After the poetry I enjoyed Queenie’s short story ‘Misfortune’, which showed how the main protagonist Tavena tried to deal with issues of unfaithfulness in her own life and in that of her friend Sheryl, culminating in a tense and dramatic ending which kept me reading right until the end.
I thoroughly recommend this book for fans of poetry that deals with real-life issues and with the twists and turns we go through when trying to hold on to a loving relationship.
January 24, 2015
This is the second book of poetry I’ve read from Queen of Spades and just like the first book, I was amazed by her writing.
All of her poems are wonderful, a few of my personal favorites are Promise, Loving (You and Me), Precipice, Impede, and Loving Her (Never Broken).
She touches on a variety of topics; everything from heartache to working in customer service to women’s fashion. With each poem, she does a perfect job of conveying the human emotion and drawing you in.
All of her poems are wonderful, a few of my personal favorites are Promise, Loving (You and Me), Precipice, Impede, and Loving Her (Never Broken).
She touches on a variety of topics; everything from heartache to working in customer service to women’s fashion. With each poem, she does a perfect job of conveying the human emotion and drawing you in.
June 15, 2014
The best way I can describe this collection is by saying, it's a little bit of this and a little bit of that. It vividly displays the layers of humanity. Like the title says, it goes "beyond the skin" to the depths of the human soul.
Fantastic read.
Fantastic read.
April 23, 2015
Note: My views are for both "Skin Edition" and this one.
The Eclectic collection may be a bit on the long side, as far as poetry collections are concerned. Significantly longer than Reflections of Soul and a bit bulkier than Spaded Truths: Themes and Proclamations, the Eclectic collection provides something for everyone--from shorter poems (senryus) to thoughtful proses. It is a showcase into the different sections of Queen of Spades' mind that has an ebb and flow of love and loss, tragedy and triumph.
Even the different sections (Epidermis, Dermis and Hypodermis) have their own introductions, thick with meaning.
The Eclectic collection possesses stanzas for the multitude. I am certain that even if you don't tend to read poetry, this is work that has a contemporary classic ambiance. For those who raved over Reflections of Soul, you will do it once more for Eclectic, no matter which book in the collection you choose.
The Eclectic collection may be a bit on the long side, as far as poetry collections are concerned. Significantly longer than Reflections of Soul and a bit bulkier than Spaded Truths: Themes and Proclamations, the Eclectic collection provides something for everyone--from shorter poems (senryus) to thoughtful proses. It is a showcase into the different sections of Queen of Spades' mind that has an ebb and flow of love and loss, tragedy and triumph.
Even the different sections (Epidermis, Dermis and Hypodermis) have their own introductions, thick with meaning.
The Eclectic collection possesses stanzas for the multitude. I am certain that even if you don't tend to read poetry, this is work that has a contemporary classic ambiance. For those who raved over Reflections of Soul, you will do it once more for Eclectic, no matter which book in the collection you choose.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews