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Whispers of the Soul: A Poetry Collection
Let light guide you
to your future,
where everything
is showered with love.
Leave darkness behind
in your past,
where only memories
and regrets reside.
* * *
Because darkness isn't all there is, and hope always awaits at the end of the road...
to your future,
where everything
is showered with love.
Leave darkness behind
in your past,
where only memories
and regrets reside.
* * *
Because darkness isn't all there is, and hope always awaits at the end of the road...
- GenresPoetry
72 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2023
9 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Despoina Kemeridou
7 books275 followersDespoina Kemeridou is a multi-genre author, poet, and graphic designer. She started writing in 2009 and immediately knew this was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.
Kemeridou was born in 1996 in Thessaloniki, Greece. She studied Midwifery at the International University of Greece. Alongside writing, Kemeridou likes reading, photography, sketching, and painting.
She started self-publishing in 2018 and has since self-published three books. Currently, she is working on a dark fantasy retelling of a mixture between the myth of Hades and Persephone and the Beauty and the Beast fairytale.
Kemeridou was born in 1996 in Thessaloniki, Greece. She studied Midwifery at the International University of Greece. Alongside writing, Kemeridou likes reading, photography, sketching, and painting.
She started self-publishing in 2018 and has since self-published three books. Currently, she is working on a dark fantasy retelling of a mixture between the myth of Hades and Persephone and the Beauty and the Beast fairytale.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 18, 2023
This collection of poems took me on a journey through heartache that at times felt specific to a romantic loss, others to the death of a parental figure, and some felt unique to the pain of simply existing as a woman. Of struggling to exist within your own mind, of wrestling with thoughts of inadequacy and death.
The allegory to seasons relating to the healing after loss—winter and snow representing the feeling of never moving on or always being stuck in the pain, and then the snow melting to symbolise finally moving forward and accepting—was beautiful and, dare I say it, poetic.
This is tumblr poetry at its best, and I say that with the highest of compliments. Poems don’t have to perfectly rhyme, they just have to make you *feel something*. And I felt something.
The allegory to seasons relating to the healing after loss—winter and snow representing the feeling of never moving on or always being stuck in the pain, and then the snow melting to symbolise finally moving forward and accepting—was beautiful and, dare I say it, poetic.
This is tumblr poetry at its best, and I say that with the highest of compliments. Poems don’t have to perfectly rhyme, they just have to make you *feel something*. And I felt something.
November 28, 2023
I had a good time reading this. The poetry isn’t revolutionary, it’s not something i’ve never heard before, but it’s still a solid read with some nice, moving, and unique perspectives. The first 2/3rds were fine, but the last 1/3 was more my speed. I also love rhyming poetry, I don’t see a lot of that anymore so I’m glad to have some of that back in this book.
My favorites:
* Regret
* Wishing for Spring
* Dance of Death
* Wandering
* Freedom in Death
* Fight for Myself
* Past, Present, Future
* A Year of Emotions.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
My favorites:
* Regret
* Wishing for Spring
* Dance of Death
* Wandering
* Freedom in Death
* Fight for Myself
* Past, Present, Future
* A Year of Emotions.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 11, 2025
“Whispers of the Soul” by Despoina Kemeridou
🖤Truth be told, I’m not really into poetry. But there are at least two authors whose poetry collections I would read without hesitation: Elena Carter and Despoina Kemeridou. Both are incredibly talented and work across multiple genres. Today, I’d like to share how I plunged into the most hidden parts of the soul, where whispers became guides, helping me explore its depths with clarity, sense, and purpose.
🖤The Plot: Every single verse still felt like a vast novel—the everlasting dance of life and death, hope and despair, love and hatred, darkness and light. It was like diving into the deepest chambers of the soul, where sacred musings dwell in silence, waiting for the right moment to whisper their wisdom. This poetry collection is profound and wise, dark and grounded, yet still encouraging and deeply inspiring. My favorite verses are “My Own Place,” “Regret,” and “Dark Silence.” This trio dropped a huge anchor into my bookish soul.
🖤The Writing Style: I’ve read almost all of Despoina Kemeridou’s books and can’t stop admiring her talent, whether she’s writing fantasy, mystical stories, or poetry collections. Each of her creations is a literary masterpiece that stirs more emotions than you can imagine. This particular poetry collection is written at a lightning pace and can easily be read in one sitting. It’s adorably clever and deeply moving—it made me sob, reflect, peer into the most hidden corners of my soul, and even discover long-awaited answers.
🖤The Fave Quote: “Imagine a silence louder than dreams.”
🖤Would I read other books by this author: Yes!
🫶🏼My humble rating is: 5/5
P.S. If you’re a fan of a poetry genre, you’ll fall in love with “Whispers of the Soul” by Despoina Kemeridou from the first verses. I bet that you’ll enjoy savoring it as much as I did.
🙏🏼Anyway, thank you so much for dropping by and reading this review.
📖Stay safe, take care, and happy reading!
🖤Truth be told, I’m not really into poetry. But there are at least two authors whose poetry collections I would read without hesitation: Elena Carter and Despoina Kemeridou. Both are incredibly talented and work across multiple genres. Today, I’d like to share how I plunged into the most hidden parts of the soul, where whispers became guides, helping me explore its depths with clarity, sense, and purpose.
🖤The Plot: Every single verse still felt like a vast novel—the everlasting dance of life and death, hope and despair, love and hatred, darkness and light. It was like diving into the deepest chambers of the soul, where sacred musings dwell in silence, waiting for the right moment to whisper their wisdom. This poetry collection is profound and wise, dark and grounded, yet still encouraging and deeply inspiring. My favorite verses are “My Own Place,” “Regret,” and “Dark Silence.” This trio dropped a huge anchor into my bookish soul.
🖤The Writing Style: I’ve read almost all of Despoina Kemeridou’s books and can’t stop admiring her talent, whether she’s writing fantasy, mystical stories, or poetry collections. Each of her creations is a literary masterpiece that stirs more emotions than you can imagine. This particular poetry collection is written at a lightning pace and can easily be read in one sitting. It’s adorably clever and deeply moving—it made me sob, reflect, peer into the most hidden corners of my soul, and even discover long-awaited answers.
🖤The Fave Quote: “Imagine a silence louder than dreams.”
🖤Would I read other books by this author: Yes!
🫶🏼My humble rating is: 5/5
P.S. If you’re a fan of a poetry genre, you’ll fall in love with “Whispers of the Soul” by Despoina Kemeridou from the first verses. I bet that you’ll enjoy savoring it as much as I did.
🙏🏼Anyway, thank you so much for dropping by and reading this review.
📖Stay safe, take care, and happy reading!
November 18, 2023
Whispers of the Soul is a collection of poetry by Despoina Kemeridou, an up-and-coming writer with great potential. I received an advanced copy in exchange for a fair review. A romantic soul, most of the poems concern love and heartache. I found myself drawn to the ones in which Kemeridou pushed herself outside of her range of experiences to imagine her unborn child (“Dearest Child”) or the moment of her death (“Before I Go.”) I’m intrigued by her work in progress, a dark fantasy retelling of Hades and Persephone.
November 18, 2023
"Only if you were alive
Only if the stars aligned
Only if the mountains moved
Only if the world approved."
Kemeridou weaves a heart-wrenching tale of love and grief across the seasons. The poems in the middle of the book are my favorite: full of love, loneliness, and melancholy. I felt the pain of longing written along the pages. "If Only," quoted above, is my favorite of the collection.
Kemeridou has great potential and I am looking forward to more of her work.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Only if the stars aligned
Only if the mountains moved
Only if the world approved."
Kemeridou weaves a heart-wrenching tale of love and grief across the seasons. The poems in the middle of the book are my favorite: full of love, loneliness, and melancholy. I felt the pain of longing written along the pages. "If Only," quoted above, is my favorite of the collection.
Kemeridou has great potential and I am looking forward to more of her work.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 22, 2023
I expected a dark poetry collection when I received an arch copy of Whispers Of The Soul, and the book was no other than what I expected. It takes us through lonely pain that has turned cold and numb, yet is somehow no less real, perhaps even no less intense.
Many of the poems, but not all, are also focused on a hope as true as the loss, even if that hope is often not clearly defined, which I personally like, since hope is not the same to all of us.
I must start this off with saying that I am not one to judge poetry, having never read much poetry, except a very little from George McDonald, mostly from Phantastes, and the little bit of poetry that finds it's way into my own writing.
That said, I found Whispers Of The Soul to be simply written, as in the focus isn't really on the wording, but on the story being told.
I suspect that most people, who have not either been through unbearable loss, or felt lonely and cut off almost to despair, will not connect to most of the poems.
There's a way in which the poems feel very realistic to me, but I'm not sure someone who hasn't been through loss will connect at all.
I myself don't connect to everything, but I never expected to, and I very much appreciate the hardly defined view of hope and comfort in death. Some of the poems have a romantic kind of feel, and I don't relate very well to anything that feels of romance, my loses being of a completely different kind, nonetheless I think my favorite line is “My soul safe only inside your darkness.”
Many of the poems, but not all, are also focused on a hope as true as the loss, even if that hope is often not clearly defined, which I personally like, since hope is not the same to all of us.
I must start this off with saying that I am not one to judge poetry, having never read much poetry, except a very little from George McDonald, mostly from Phantastes, and the little bit of poetry that finds it's way into my own writing.
That said, I found Whispers Of The Soul to be simply written, as in the focus isn't really on the wording, but on the story being told.
I suspect that most people, who have not either been through unbearable loss, or felt lonely and cut off almost to despair, will not connect to most of the poems.
There's a way in which the poems feel very realistic to me, but I'm not sure someone who hasn't been through loss will connect at all.
I myself don't connect to everything, but I never expected to, and I very much appreciate the hardly defined view of hope and comfort in death. Some of the poems have a romantic kind of feel, and I don't relate very well to anything that feels of romance, my loses being of a completely different kind, nonetheless I think my favorite line is “My soul safe only inside your darkness.”
November 20, 2023
I've not read a lot of poetry and I always seem to be trying to figure out the rhythm and rhyme while reading any poetic piece.. Despite that I really resonated with.a lot of Despoina's pieces in this poetry collection. A lot of the emotions and darkness and light are what my year felt like. If I had access to this book in the second quarter of this year, it would have been a nice company during tough times and heartbreak. Even reading it now, it's like having someone express some of what I felt. This was a lovely and dark collection, a companion on those nights you seek comfort with a friend.
December 30, 2024
What it lacks in structure and style, 'Whispers of the Soul' definitely makes up for in strength of feeling. At times it feels more like a deeply intimate journal than a collection of poetry, but this is by no means a criticism.
It's also important to note that that poet isn't a native English speaker. When taking that into consideration, it is quite impressive how well she communicates emotion in the words she presents here.
There is a deep melancholy running through most of this collection. There are moments that are all too raw, all too real. I was deeply moved. And that, really, is the essence and purpose of poetry.
It's also important to note that that poet isn't a native English speaker. When taking that into consideration, it is quite impressive how well she communicates emotion in the words she presents here.
There is a deep melancholy running through most of this collection. There are moments that are all too raw, all too real. I was deeply moved. And that, really, is the essence and purpose of poetry.
November 6, 2023
Feelings are so deep and true. While reading through I could imagine the pain, love, loneliness and suffering.
Some of my favourites were: “Aching Heart” “Love” “Dark Silence” and “A Year of Emotions”
While majority of these poems don’t rhyme (I’m very used to rhyming poetry), I could still relate and enjoy reading these.
Thank you for letting me be an ARC reader of this lovely collection of poetry. Keep them coming!
I received a free copy of this ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Some of my favourites were: “Aching Heart” “Love” “Dark Silence” and “A Year of Emotions”
While majority of these poems don’t rhyme (I’m very used to rhyming poetry), I could still relate and enjoy reading these.
Thank you for letting me be an ARC reader of this lovely collection of poetry. Keep them coming!
I received a free copy of this ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
October 23, 2023
Despoina Kemeridou bleeds for us to witness her emotional struggles as she endures a great loss in her life. Her words are poetic and show an ability to create original verses. Some of my favourites are If Only, Falling Snow, When You're With Me (as it signals a sign of acceptance), Burning Heart (as it cleverly sets out the image of a complex simile before deploying it in the final verse), A Place Of My Own, and Past Present Future. I highly recommend it.
November 20, 2023
This poetry collection is beautifully written. Despoina takes you on the journey of pain, loss, and love. You can't help but to be drawn in and feel the emotions of each poem. You can feel her heart and soul poured into this collection. For anyone that loves poetry or simply the beautiful art of expression through words, I highly recommend this collection. This is an excellent example of why I love and write poetry myself.
November 9, 2023
This poem book is easy to digest. Each poem is succinct and to the point. It takes you on a journey through different moments.
The only reason I didn’t rate it higher is I didn’t find the poems as relatable to myself. So it felt more like reading beautiful intimate moments of someone else’s life, than a universal adaptation.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The only reason I didn’t rate it higher is I didn’t find the poems as relatable to myself. So it felt more like reading beautiful intimate moments of someone else’s life, than a universal adaptation.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 20, 2023
I read an ARC copy of the poetry collection and found it very moving. There was a great deal of sadness and yet hope. One stanza from the poem Fight for Myself struck me:
And all my world was a lie
A lie I’ve always been told.
In the end, no one would save me.
I had to fight to be whole.
I have felt that way myself and the poem captured that feeling.
And all my world was a lie
A lie I’ve always been told.
In the end, no one would save me.
I had to fight to be whole.
I have felt that way myself and the poem captured that feeling.
June 16, 2025
Solid collection of poetry. My favorite poem is Before I Go. I read it to my mom in hospital - it reminds me of her love story with my step-dad.
November 16, 2023
Second time I gave poetry a try and I’m very happy about it!
Some poems were great, other were okay and some were confusing. But I think each and every one of them were worth it!
It goes about life, love, death, hope, sorrow… endless list of things these poems talk about!
4⭐️ (ARC-review)
Some poems were great, other were okay and some were confusing. But I think each and every one of them were worth it!
It goes about life, love, death, hope, sorrow… endless list of things these poems talk about!
4⭐️ (ARC-review)
October 25, 2023
For All The Feelings We Hide...
Right from the start I loved this book of poetry; the first piece you get to read even before the Table of Contents grabbed me and pulled me in. From there, it kept getting better and I kept falling deeper into all the feelings.
After having read the whole thing at least three times through, I ended up with a list of 17 poems that were exactly what I needed, when I needed them. If I were asked to narrow that list down, well, absolute favorites number 5; those are "Love" "When You're With Me" "Fight for Myself" "Freedom in Death" and "A Year of Emotions".
However, I work in the Hospice field and there were 5 that struck a chord within me and echoed many of the feelings I've experienced myself or have been witness to someone else expressing. Those are "Another Day" "Before I Go" "As the Seasons Pass Me By" "Alone" and "Freedom in Death".
It truly is difficult for me to pick just one single, solitary favorite. I cannot. The writer has done superbly at capturing fleeting feelings and putting them to paper.
I am grateful to have been blessed with an ARC (advance reader copy) of this creation. It will definitely be one that I return to time and time again to read. All opinions are my own and given freely in gratitude for the ARC.
Right from the start I loved this book of poetry; the first piece you get to read even before the Table of Contents grabbed me and pulled me in. From there, it kept getting better and I kept falling deeper into all the feelings.
After having read the whole thing at least three times through, I ended up with a list of 17 poems that were exactly what I needed, when I needed them. If I were asked to narrow that list down, well, absolute favorites number 5; those are "Love" "When You're With Me" "Fight for Myself" "Freedom in Death" and "A Year of Emotions".
However, I work in the Hospice field and there were 5 that struck a chord within me and echoed many of the feelings I've experienced myself or have been witness to someone else expressing. Those are "Another Day" "Before I Go" "As the Seasons Pass Me By" "Alone" and "Freedom in Death".
It truly is difficult for me to pick just one single, solitary favorite. I cannot. The writer has done superbly at capturing fleeting feelings and putting them to paper.
I am grateful to have been blessed with an ARC (advance reader copy) of this creation. It will definitely be one that I return to time and time again to read. All opinions are my own and given freely in gratitude for the ARC.
January 16, 2024
In this captivating collection of poems, Despoina Kemeridou invites us on an emotional journey, navigating through heartache, loss, and love. There’s romantic turmoil, grief, and even existential struggles.
Kemeridou's poetry doesn’t rhyme for the most part. I love best poetry that rhymes, but most important is what I take from the reading. This collection excels in evoking raw, palpable emotions. I commend the diverse perspectives as well. My favorites to highlight are "If Only" and "Before I Go."
A journey of love, loneliness, melancholy, and the visceral experience of pain and yearning. Overall, this poetry collection is a beautifully written journey through the multifaceted aspects of human experience. I would recommend it to all poetry enthusiasts.
I received a free ARC copy of this poetry collection and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. My ARC review is late (compared to the collection’s release date) due to unforeseen personal circumstances, but it is no less true or honest for it.
Kemeridou's poetry doesn’t rhyme for the most part. I love best poetry that rhymes, but most important is what I take from the reading. This collection excels in evoking raw, palpable emotions. I commend the diverse perspectives as well. My favorites to highlight are "If Only" and "Before I Go."
A journey of love, loneliness, melancholy, and the visceral experience of pain and yearning. Overall, this poetry collection is a beautifully written journey through the multifaceted aspects of human experience. I would recommend it to all poetry enthusiasts.
I received a free ARC copy of this poetry collection and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. My ARC review is late (compared to the collection’s release date) due to unforeseen personal circumstances, but it is no less true or honest for it.
November 19, 2023
I was made to feel. It didn't take long for the words written to make me feel all the emotions that are part of the human experience. Lines such as "I'll keep this pain forever and maybe it will melt," or "My soul safe inside your darkness," left me feeling the longing and despair yet understanding the depth of love. This book, these poems will leave you knowing your own mortality, your own depth of love and longing while allowing for hope and a future of possibility. I can't recommend this collection enough. I have already devoured the entirety of it three times.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 17, 2023
Wonderful mix of dark poetry
I love exploring different poetry and this one is quite a good collection. I appreciate when the authors combine poems with similar themes and that is done wonderfully here.
Be mindful, these poems address the darker emotions in life—death, heartbreak, longing, loneliness. But it does it in such a lovely moving way. Each poem is clearly written with a desire to connect and connect they do.
But I do love that the poet takes care to weave a thin thread of hope through most of these words. It makes this collection darkly beautiful but not depressing.
If you enjoy poetry that makes you reflect, you’ll absolutely get some joy from this one.
I love exploring different poetry and this one is quite a good collection. I appreciate when the authors combine poems with similar themes and that is done wonderfully here.
Be mindful, these poems address the darker emotions in life—death, heartbreak, longing, loneliness. But it does it in such a lovely moving way. Each poem is clearly written with a desire to connect and connect they do.
But I do love that the poet takes care to weave a thin thread of hope through most of these words. It makes this collection darkly beautiful but not depressing.
If you enjoy poetry that makes you reflect, you’ll absolutely get some joy from this one.
November 16, 2023
This was a very beautiful poetry collection. I found these poems simple but powerful. Many of them had romantic themes, and some had dark themes. Of course, poetry is often ambiguous and open to interpretation, and everyone has their own individual experiences that may come to mind while reading. I did think that all of these were beautifully written.
Thank you to the author and Booksprout for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Thank you to the author and Booksprout for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 29, 2024
Whispers of the Soul is a collection of poems that deals honestly with inner darkness, turmoil, finding anchors and then also losing them. The poems often tell of a person the writer is holding on to, that is there safe place. But there are also many of lossing trust. The language is simple and more in the style of a diary, verses written to and for the author themselves. It would be a good read for anyone wanting to understand the mind of someone dealing with depression or just getting in to poetry reading and looking for digestible language.
November 14, 2024
Eclectic set of poems that dwell on melancholic themes of sadness and loss. Reminds me of a winter day when the branches have lost their leaves and Persephone has returned to Hades.
My favorite poem was A Year of Emotions.
Kudos to Despoina for publishing a thought provoking set of poems, necessary to any poetry collection.
My favorite poem was A Year of Emotions.
Kudos to Despoina for publishing a thought provoking set of poems, necessary to any poetry collection.
November 27, 2023
This book is "whispers of the soul". It is a very interesting book of poems and is good for anyone who loves poetry. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 9, 2023
Poetry isn't my thing, I'll be honest, so I when I decided to read this, I was a little leery.
That being said: I liked it.
I'm damning i with faint praise, I'm afraid, since I can hardly judge. But still, it was worth my time, and I think it'll be worth yours, too.
That being said: I liked it.
I'm damning i with faint praise, I'm afraid, since I can hardly judge. But still, it was worth my time, and I think it'll be worth yours, too.
October 16, 2023
Beautiful written book of poem's which explores the darker side of the human soul well done to the author who wrote this book as she has a promising future ahead of her
November 30, 2023
This poetry book was absolutely beautiful with gorgeous writing and wonderful poems. What a great poet.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 25, 2024
Raw, honest and heartfelt modern poetry that hit closer to home than sometimes has been comfortable.
It took me a while to read this collection, because of that.
Will read again - after a while. 10/10
It took me a while to read this collection, because of that.
Will read again - after a while. 10/10
December 16, 2023
It’s a really lovely and well penned collection of poems by the author. The cover is absolutely gorgeous too. The only thing I will say was that the ebook was glitchy on the kindle reading app, but I’m assuming that is Amazon’s fault.
December 17, 2023
Most likely I've read more poetry this year than the sum total of the last decade, or more. Consequently, and surprisingly, I've become a more attentive observer of the world immediately around me.
I've found myself searching for the perfect words to capture the sunrise, the old and ancient couple out for a stroll, my dog blissfully soaking up the warming rays of the afternoon sun. Everyday life has become more than it was.
Whispers added a new perspective I had not realized I was missing. Despoina turned my gaze inward. With evocative verse after verse, memories long buried or forgotten found themselves laid bare and in need of examination.
Looking back through the lenses of life experience it was cathartic to visit instances of remembered pain, intense passion, and desperate loss.
I found a deeper appreciation for who I have become today because of who I have been. Hopefully, I will be more mindful of the present and where it leads.
Throughout the read it was impossible not to wonder and worry about the author. The journey is intesley raw and painful. I couldn't help but wonder if she was okay. Where would this end?
You will have to read Whispers of the Soul and find out for yourself.
Despoina, Whispers is a wonderfully evocative and prevoking work.
BSFReads
I've found myself searching for the perfect words to capture the sunrise, the old and ancient couple out for a stroll, my dog blissfully soaking up the warming rays of the afternoon sun. Everyday life has become more than it was.
Whispers added a new perspective I had not realized I was missing. Despoina turned my gaze inward. With evocative verse after verse, memories long buried or forgotten found themselves laid bare and in need of examination.
Looking back through the lenses of life experience it was cathartic to visit instances of remembered pain, intense passion, and desperate loss.
I found a deeper appreciation for who I have become today because of who I have been. Hopefully, I will be more mindful of the present and where it leads.
Throughout the read it was impossible not to wonder and worry about the author. The journey is intesley raw and painful. I couldn't help but wonder if she was okay. Where would this end?
You will have to read Whispers of the Soul and find out for yourself.
Despoina, Whispers is a wonderfully evocative and prevoking work.
BSFReads
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