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Tender Philosophia
Tender, erotic, and poetically unflinching.
Tender Philosophia comes as a collaborative effort of two women writers from opposite sides of the world. Aphra and Leine weave verses of myth and reality into a tapestry of introspections, sorrows, and desires. The collection sifts through time and space, finding a flawless harmony between nature and spirituality. These two new voices from Taiwan and Finland write with a soft, yet infatuating intensity. With rich imagery and alluring stanzas, they invite you to gaze unabashedly into the core of their genius.
— Blurbed by Anna Harmon, author of Paint Me A Sword
“It feels like I’ve opened a chest of letters written in the ink of night. If the details of an oil painting could speak, this is what it would whisper about; two Goddess Girls in a secret garden, who walk barefoot among flowers, write poetry, and dance. These poems are a cathedral echoing with hymns of Greek mythology, two voices intertwining like colorful rays of light shining through a stained glass window – Young and ancient all at once.” — Sallie Lundh, author of Apricity
Tender Philosophia comes as a collaborative effort of two women writers from opposite sides of the world. Aphra and Leine weave verses of myth and reality into a tapestry of introspections, sorrows, and desires. The collection sifts through time and space, finding a flawless harmony between nature and spirituality. These two new voices from Taiwan and Finland write with a soft, yet infatuating intensity. With rich imagery and alluring stanzas, they invite you to gaze unabashedly into the core of their genius.
— Blurbed by Anna Harmon, author of Paint Me A Sword
“It feels like I’ve opened a chest of letters written in the ink of night. If the details of an oil painting could speak, this is what it would whisper about; two Goddess Girls in a secret garden, who walk barefoot among flowers, write poetry, and dance. These poems are a cathedral echoing with hymns of Greek mythology, two voices intertwining like colorful rays of light shining through a stained glass window – Young and ancient all at once.” — Sallie Lundh, author of Apricity
- GenresPoetry
130 pages, Paperback
First published December 5, 2024
3 people are currently reading
426 people want to read
About the author
Didi Aphra
1 book39 followersWhen Didi Aphra is not daydreaming or frolicking in the woods, she is concocting wondrous word potions in her lair. Didi has previously been published in COSY MAG and the Dionysian Public Library. Her work primarily explores mythology, belonging, and sexuality. Didi is currently working on a short story inspired by the ancient cults of Aphrodite. Her debut poetry anthology, Tender Philosophia, is set to release in December 2024. Read more of her work on didiaphra.substack.com and find her on Instagram @didi.aphra.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 3, 2024
this is pure magic
October 30, 2024
So tender, melancholic, complex yet simple all at once. Shamelessly romantic!
I don’t think my words can ever suffice what’s in here. This is pure longing for belonging, rebirth, a loved one you’d consume the way Cerberus eats raw flesh (but tenderly, in the way lovers do), someone to remember.
I’ve never been more reminded of the warmth and saudade of poetry.
Pieces I love (a running list):
Love on Hands and Knees
Inside Me Sits A Three-Headed Dog
Maybe My Lover Is My Gift From God
Forget Me Not
Writer’s Manifesto
June
Lovers’ Liaison
Perhaps Our Time Is Up
Meanwhile on Earth
Pareidolia
All My Warmest Embraces Have Been Held Without Hands
I don’t think my words can ever suffice what’s in here. This is pure longing for belonging, rebirth, a loved one you’d consume the way Cerberus eats raw flesh (but tenderly, in the way lovers do), someone to remember.
I’ve never been more reminded of the warmth and saudade of poetry.
Pieces I love (a running list):
Love on Hands and Knees
Inside Me Sits A Three-Headed Dog
Maybe My Lover Is My Gift From God
Forget Me Not
Writer’s Manifesto
June
Lovers’ Liaison
Perhaps Our Time Is Up
Meanwhile on Earth
Pareidolia
All My Warmest Embraces Have Been Held Without Hands
September 2, 2024
This poetry collection made me (someone who hardly ever reads poetry and is traumatised from analysing poems in school) a POETRY LOVER.
Need I say more?
Can I say more?
Tender Philosophia is a poetry collection that combines themes of desire, yearning, existential thoughts, the whimsical, the mystical, poe-esque vibes, love in all its forms - into one magical experience.
I really cannot describe this poetry book any other way than calling it magic in its purest form -
Even in the most unsexy, unromantic train ride I ever had in my life (German Train Saga, iykyk), this book made me feel that love really is everywhere, between sheets and ocean waves, beyond the stars and even outside my dark train window.
This poetry collection combines classic themes and motives with modern topics in such a romantic way that I felt like I was time travelling to the past and future at the same time.
It made me reflect on what love is to me, on loss, on our existence and place in the world, and while I normally get scared at the thought of “the end”, I sat through this, feeling a warm hug around my heart, feeling as though we might actually, exist forever.
These poems make me believe in magic.
Thank you Didi and Jonna for letting me read this as an ARC Reader, this is a poetry collection I will cherish forever.
Need I say more?
Can I say more?
Tender Philosophia is a poetry collection that combines themes of desire, yearning, existential thoughts, the whimsical, the mystical, poe-esque vibes, love in all its forms - into one magical experience.
I really cannot describe this poetry book any other way than calling it magic in its purest form -
Even in the most unsexy, unromantic train ride I ever had in my life (German Train Saga, iykyk), this book made me feel that love really is everywhere, between sheets and ocean waves, beyond the stars and even outside my dark train window.
This poetry collection combines classic themes and motives with modern topics in such a romantic way that I felt like I was time travelling to the past and future at the same time.
It made me reflect on what love is to me, on loss, on our existence and place in the world, and while I normally get scared at the thought of “the end”, I sat through this, feeling a warm hug around my heart, feeling as though we might actually, exist forever.
These poems make me believe in magic.
Thank you Didi and Jonna for letting me read this as an ARC Reader, this is a poetry collection I will cherish forever.
August 15, 2024
Whimsical, passionate and intimate.
My heart was filled with lost magic the poets encouraged me to seek while reading their words.
Poetry that makes you feel the lost magic, now returned to me.
It is incredibly well written and a genuine 5 star!
My heart was filled with lost magic the poets encouraged me to seek while reading their words.
Poetry that makes you feel the lost magic, now returned to me.
It is incredibly well written and a genuine 5 star!
November 22, 2024
Reading this collection is what weaving magic feels like. I love every part of this and there are certain pieces that really spoke to me and linger.
Mindblowing. The authors has such beautiful minds and made me wish I could write like them too! I should thank what force brought them together in creating this magic. Truly whimsical, tender, romantic, and intimate.
Honored to be part of the ARC team. Thank you, Didi and Jonna ✨
December 5, 2024
reading tender philosophia feels like holding your hand close to a flame—an intimate warmth that soothes and singes in equal measure. co-written by didi aphra and jonna leine, the collection brims with yearning, words that feel alive, suspended in the moments between breaths or nestled beneath the surface of the everyday. the poets craft images that envelop you like water—submerging the reader in fragmented light with a quiet clarity, evoking the sensation of looking up from beneath the waves.
what makes the collection especially compelling is the interplay between its two authors. each poet brings their own voice, yet their work feels inextricably linked—echoes that call and respond across the pages. together, they weave a narrative of longing and vulnerability that is at once deeply personal and profoundly universal—the ache of being human. as the poems reach for the ineffable, didi and jonna remind us that longing is not a void but a force—a flame that warms, burns, and transforms.
a few of my favorite excerpts:
“underwater undeservers only now getting air. / and it comes in gasps.”
“i want to consume you the way cerberus / eats raw flesh, but tenderly / in the way lovers do.”
“don’t cry now time, the sky is changing. / i need to see all of it, i am changing. / i need to feel all of it, hearts are like time / tick tick tick, the loud one is mine.”
“i pray you twice, / first for the “love me” / then for the show / to end.”
thank you to didi and jonna for the privilege of being one of your arc readers! i look forward to seeing what’s next.
a few of my favorite excerpts:
“underwater undeservers only now getting air. / and it comes in gasps.”
“i want to consume you the way cerberus / eats raw flesh, but tenderly / in the way lovers do.”
“don’t cry now time, the sky is changing. / i need to see all of it, i am changing. / i need to feel all of it, hearts are like time / tick tick tick, the loud one is mine.”
“i pray you twice, / first for the “love me” / then for the show / to end.”
thank you to didi and jonna for the privilege of being one of your arc readers! i look forward to seeing what’s next.
November 21, 2024
Tender Philosophia is a poetry collection that consumed me from start to finish. I took my time reading this- the writing was imbued with such rich and resonating poetic meaning that I felt that I needed to read in doses. (and I’m glad I did)
The voices of both Didi and Jonna are soft yet unabashed, simultaneously ancient and modern. The sensual rawness of their words, the eloquent beauty of their thoughts and aphorisms echo those of women from generations back, capturing their love, desire, and unflinching yearning.
This is not without the divine undertones of Greek Myth, and explorations of themes such as purpose, belonging, decay and romance that dare I say are fundamental to womanhood.
Among my favourite pieces were: Potion, Delicate Decay, One for the Witch in the Woods, Apollo and Daphne, and Because I do. Each poem awoke a set of emotions that belonged to distinct parts of me, and I will forever be amazed at the sheer talent of these two authors.
I wish you guys the best in the publication of Tender Philosophia,
And I hope (for my sake) that there will be many more collections to come because I quite frankly can’t have enough of your writing.
The voices of both Didi and Jonna are soft yet unabashed, simultaneously ancient and modern. The sensual rawness of their words, the eloquent beauty of their thoughts and aphorisms echo those of women from generations back, capturing their love, desire, and unflinching yearning.
This is not without the divine undertones of Greek Myth, and explorations of themes such as purpose, belonging, decay and romance that dare I say are fundamental to womanhood.
Among my favourite pieces were: Potion, Delicate Decay, One for the Witch in the Woods, Apollo and Daphne, and Because I do. Each poem awoke a set of emotions that belonged to distinct parts of me, and I will forever be amazed at the sheer talent of these two authors.
I wish you guys the best in the publication of Tender Philosophia,
And I hope (for my sake) that there will be many more collections to come because I quite frankly can’t have enough of your writing.
September 11, 2024
I haven’t read poetry in a long time, and I haven’t read something so eloquently written in an equally long time. This book opened new doors for me, and I was truly enthralled in Tender Philosophia.
Didi and Jonna explore light hearted and complex themes simultaneously, managing to capture raw feelings with complete mastery. I found myself yearning alongside their words, and empathizing as each poem unfolded.
A compliation of emotions and thoughts occupy my mind when I consider how to best review this book. So instead of trying to sort through the clutter, I’m embracing the chaos. I will likely return to edit this review, but for now, I will use what words I can to convey the adoration I feel for this poetry collection.
I remain amazed & mystified by the magnitude of candor in their writing, and will likely return to some of my favorite poems to reflect. Thank you to Didi and Jonna for providing me with an ARC to review <3 I’m so excited for you both to publish this work of wonder in December!
xx,
MJ
Didi and Jonna explore light hearted and complex themes simultaneously, managing to capture raw feelings with complete mastery. I found myself yearning alongside their words, and empathizing as each poem unfolded.
A compliation of emotions and thoughts occupy my mind when I consider how to best review this book. So instead of trying to sort through the clutter, I’m embracing the chaos. I will likely return to edit this review, but for now, I will use what words I can to convey the adoration I feel for this poetry collection.
I remain amazed & mystified by the magnitude of candor in their writing, and will likely return to some of my favorite poems to reflect. Thank you to Didi and Jonna for providing me with an ARC to review <3 I’m so excited for you both to publish this work of wonder in December!
xx,
MJ
September 16, 2024
A wonderful reminder of why I fell in love with poetry and Greek mythology! This collection is an intermingling of two things I love when it comes to literature. It is a world of its own– magical and transcendent! 💫🌿
Read
August 30, 2024Beautifully written!! Absolutely in love with the poetic perception of both the poets. At times I felt like I was reading verses of Sappho- gentle yet brutal and dreamesque and raw. At the heart of each poem there’s magic
Here are some of the poems I absolutely loved- moon bathing, maybe my lover is a gift from god (loveee the title as well), moments before eclipse, aldebaran, the essence of epione.
I live the following verses from the latter
..She lives in the footnotes
Calls herself an afterthought of sin…
I’m crying..
Here are some of the poems I absolutely loved- moon bathing, maybe my lover is a gift from god (loveee the title as well), moments before eclipse, aldebaran, the essence of epione.
I live the following verses from the latter
..She lives in the footnotes
Calls herself an afterthought of sin…
I’m crying..
September 26, 2024
There is something in these poems that make them feel tinged with a breath. They read like thoughtful lullabies, filled with a human yearning, touching unearthly insight.
Thank you Didi & Jonna for sending me an arc copy.
Thank you Didi & Jonna for sending me an arc copy.
May 16, 2025
Tender Philosophia, a debut poetry collection by Didi Aphra and Jonna Leine. I was drawn in by the premise—poetry that weaves together queer desire, Greek mythology, and cosmic imagery. It sounded intriguing, layered, and emotionally rich. While I can see what the authors were reaching for, my experience with the book was somewhat mixed.
I don't always find modern poetry easy to engage with. There's a certain abstractness in this collection that makes some of the poems feel more distant than immersive. The language is often lyrical and thoughtful, and some lines struck me as beautiful or resonant, but as a whole, the collection didn't quite pull me in emotionally the way I had hoped.
That said, I appreciated the book's atmosphere. There's a consistent sense of yearning, of searching for connection across space and time, and that theme feels especially poignant through the lens of queer identity. The blending of mythology and personal reflection is well-handled in places, and the tone is quiet, introspective, even a little haunting at times.
It's clear that Aphra and Leine have a strong poetic voice, and readers who enjoy dreamy, meditative poetry may find a lot to love here. It was more of a slow, thoughtful read than a profoundly moving one, but I'm still glad I tried it.
It reminded me that not all poetry needs to dazzle or overwhelm. Sometimes, it's enough to stir something, even if only briefly and gently.
I don't always find modern poetry easy to engage with. There's a certain abstractness in this collection that makes some of the poems feel more distant than immersive. The language is often lyrical and thoughtful, and some lines struck me as beautiful or resonant, but as a whole, the collection didn't quite pull me in emotionally the way I had hoped.
That said, I appreciated the book's atmosphere. There's a consistent sense of yearning, of searching for connection across space and time, and that theme feels especially poignant through the lens of queer identity. The blending of mythology and personal reflection is well-handled in places, and the tone is quiet, introspective, even a little haunting at times.
It's clear that Aphra and Leine have a strong poetic voice, and readers who enjoy dreamy, meditative poetry may find a lot to love here. It was more of a slow, thoughtful read than a profoundly moving one, but I'm still glad I tried it.
It reminded me that not all poetry needs to dazzle or overwhelm. Sometimes, it's enough to stir something, even if only briefly and gently.
September 5, 2024
After years of reading solely classic poetry, Tender Philosophia has opened a new portal inside my brain.
Didi and Jonna have managed to glue my eyes—and my heart—to the phone.
I devoured these pages like a starved woman, deprived of such exquisite game of words for far too long.
Filled with mithology, existencialism and raw sensuality, their individual verses fit together like long lost sisters (and I very much think that's the case). Every poem felt like magical threads weaving through my soul, and I found myself shifting through emotions I dare say are difficult to spark in me.
I am beyond grateful to have been part of the ARC team, because this collection has truly been a gift.
Can't wait for this to be out in the world—it's extraordinary.
Didi and Jonna have managed to glue my eyes—and my heart—to the phone.
I devoured these pages like a starved woman, deprived of such exquisite game of words for far too long.
Filled with mithology, existencialism and raw sensuality, their individual verses fit together like long lost sisters (and I very much think that's the case). Every poem felt like magical threads weaving through my soul, and I found myself shifting through emotions I dare say are difficult to spark in me.
I am beyond grateful to have been part of the ARC team, because this collection has truly been a gift.
Can't wait for this to be out in the world—it's extraordinary.
April 26, 2025
This collection of poetry is wonderful, possibly my favorite of all time. I often find myself revisiting especially in times of longing.
My favorite poem of all has to be:
I was an ingenue,
doe-eyed beauty
He was a buck
at the season of mating
I was a snake
at the height of danger
Open wide, he said
so I did
and I swallowed him
whole
My long body
stretched to his shape
My favorite poem of all has to be:
I was an ingenue,
doe-eyed beauty
He was a buck
at the season of mating
I was a snake
at the height of danger
Open wide, he said
so I did
and I swallowed him
whole
My long body
stretched to his shape
August 23, 2024
This collection of poetry is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. Aphra and Leine have such distinct voices and their thoughts and feelings overlap in such a way they become one being. To share and be vulnerable is a gift, one I feel these two authors have displayed well and with flair. I practically highlighted the whole thing so many parts of it were my favorite. I can’t wait for the physical copies to drop!
I’m beyond thankful for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for Tender Philosophia.
Beautiful work.
I’m beyond thankful for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for Tender Philosophia.
Beautiful work.
February 26, 2025
I rly wanted to love Tender Philosophia, but most of the poems were a miss for me. I might just be falling out of love with Greek mythology inspired poetry as I much preferred the second half of the collection, which didn't rely on those references as much 💔 I am giving this 3 stars, but I am glad that I am in a minority here. Reading is very subjective in general, but poetry even more so. My lower rating is because I wanted to be more moved than I was, but I am very glad it is doing that for so many other people ✨
September 22, 2024
Is it poetry or a tender, intimate caress of a lover that will never belong to you? A lover like a dying star? Is it poetry or is it skipping barefoot on moss-covered, wet forest ground protected by the moonlit night sky? Is it to be caught in a dreamy state of mind, somewhere in between consciousness and slumber? Is it poetry or finding yourself in the realisation that there are some things that are bigger than you, some thoughts smarter than your own? Is it Sylvia, Ocean, Didi or Jonna?
Interwoven with the whimsical lines of poems is the not so gentle reminder that there is more to life than we might see. That our ways of perceiving might be sad and dreary. Reading and understanding poetry is for the tough ones, the ones who are willing to feel small; willing to throw themselves over board of the ship of life and dive deep into the glittering and turbulent sea of poetry. To bath in moonlight. Please be brave. Sand flows more slowly through the hourglass in between the pages.
Didi & Jonna: you created magic. Thanks for letting us readers live in your beautiful ancient minds for a while. Two booksta besties writing a poetry book together from opposite sides of the world - it doesn't get better than this 🤍 pub date: December 5! ⌛🌙🕯️🪞✨
Interwoven with the whimsical lines of poems is the not so gentle reminder that there is more to life than we might see. That our ways of perceiving might be sad and dreary. Reading and understanding poetry is for the tough ones, the ones who are willing to feel small; willing to throw themselves over board of the ship of life and dive deep into the glittering and turbulent sea of poetry. To bath in moonlight. Please be brave. Sand flows more slowly through the hourglass in between the pages.
Didi & Jonna: you created magic. Thanks for letting us readers live in your beautiful ancient minds for a while. Two booksta besties writing a poetry book together from opposite sides of the world - it doesn't get better than this 🤍 pub date: December 5! ⌛🌙🕯️🪞✨
August 30, 2024
Wow. This is truly unique and beautiful collection of poems. I often have trouble enjoying modern poetry, but this collection holds an almost ancient quality in its roots that blends perfectly with the aspects of modernity to create something very special. These poems awakened something stirring within my core and made me feel deeply understood. The collection takes readers on a journey of whimsy and wonder with lush, sensual, romantic, grotesque and raw qualities. I felt so inspired in my own writing while I read this.
Thank you Didi Aphra and Jonna Leine for crafting this collection, it has been so exciting to follow its journey, and thank you for this ARC !
Thank you Didi Aphra and Jonna Leine for crafting this collection, it has been so exciting to follow its journey, and thank you for this ARC !
December 15, 2024
4,5/5
Thank you to Didi and Jonna for trusting me with an arc of their book ‘Tender Philosophia’, which feels like gazing at the inner most parts of someone’s soul.
Unfortunately, this took me a little longer to read than I had hoped due to my own personal things, but I enjoyed every second of reading it, which was a wonderful experience. Tender Philosophia is a beautiful collection of poems about mythology, sexuality, identity, and life, which delicately holds something magical in every word.
Some of my personal favourite poems include
Forget Me Not, Bacchanalia, Perfume Moon, Paradox, Pirates Bonny and Read, and Hypothetically speaking.
Thank you to Didi and Jonna for trusting me with an arc of their book ‘Tender Philosophia’, which feels like gazing at the inner most parts of someone’s soul.
Unfortunately, this took me a little longer to read than I had hoped due to my own personal things, but I enjoyed every second of reading it, which was a wonderful experience. Tender Philosophia is a beautiful collection of poems about mythology, sexuality, identity, and life, which delicately holds something magical in every word.
Some of my personal favourite poems include
Forget Me Not, Bacchanalia, Perfume Moon, Paradox, Pirates Bonny and Read, and Hypothetically speaking.
December 4, 2024
this collection made me fall in love with poetry even more. its pieces are so oddly familiar yet new, reminding me of the time i was first hooked into the craft.
enchanting, tender, and romantic, this book explores humanity, nature, and existence with rich mythological and modern themes—a perfect dark academia read 🕯️
here are some of the poems i love:
Love on Hands and Knees
Sapiosexual
Writer's Manifesto
Identities
Earthshine
I Thought the End Would Be Eruptive
(this review is entirely my own. thanks to didi and jonna for choosing me to be part of their ARC team!)
enchanting, tender, and romantic, this book explores humanity, nature, and existence with rich mythological and modern themes—a perfect dark academia read 🕯️
here are some of the poems i love:
Love on Hands and Knees
Sapiosexual
Writer's Manifesto
Identities
Earthshine
I Thought the End Would Be Eruptive
(this review is entirely my own. thanks to didi and jonna for choosing me to be part of their ARC team!)
December 4, 2024
this poetry collection was an absolute delight! i spent an entire evening completely immersed in it, and some of the poems quickly became my favourites: love on hands and knees, dying embers, homesick, lovers’ liaison, and identities.
there’s such a variety of themes in here - there really is a poem for everyone.
thank you so much for the arc! i absolutely adore it, and i adore you both, didi and jonna.
you’re so talented, i’m honestly in AWE. ❤️
there’s such a variety of themes in here - there really is a poem for everyone.
thank you so much for the arc! i absolutely adore it, and i adore you both, didi and jonna.
you’re so talented, i’m honestly in AWE. ❤️
March 7, 2025
Ich hatte das Buch vorbestellt, nachdem ich eine Rezension auf YouTube gesehen hatte und war voller Vorfreude. Als ich das Buch dann endlich in den Händen hielt und anfing zu lesen, kamen bei mir schnell erste Fragezeichen auf. Ich habe schon ein paar Gedichtbände in Englisch gelesen, deswegen vermute ich, dass mein fehlendes Verständnis für einen Großteil der Gedichte auf mein mangelndes Wissen über griechische Mythologie zurückzuführen ist. Da noch ein paar Bücher mit diesem Thema auf meiner TBR-Liste stehen, werde ich mir Tender Philosophia vielleicht in ein paar Monaten noch einmal zu Gemüte führen und meine Meinung revidieren :)
February 3, 2025
“Let me kiss the neurons in your brain that ache, the tendons of your bones that shake, the sinews of your flesh that break. My mind exists in the nether realm but my body craves the corporeal. I want to consume you the way Cerberus eats raw flesh, but tenderly in the way lovers do.”
December 6, 2024
the way this was written.. it’s like teleporting me into another world because of how magical it feels ✨
August 18, 2024
A dive into the divine, a sweet whisper of love songs and longing.
This poetry collection is for the people who where born yearning, the daydreamers and the hopeless romantics. The themes are timeless and that’s what makes it both unique and relatable. Aphra and Leine are brilliant artists when it comes to words and metaphors. Some parts hit like arrows in my heart and made my soul tremble a bit.
"I need to see all of it, I am changing
I need to feel all of it, hearts are like time
tick tick tick, the loud one is mine”- from ’The Loud One Is Mine’
”She lives a life in the footnotes.
Calls herself an afterthought of sin” - from ’The Essence of Epione’
Favourite poems from the collection were ’Throwaways’, ’Fallen Fruit’, ’The Loud One Is Mine’ and ’The Essence of Epione’
Thank you so much for letting me read this ARC!
This poetry collection is for the people who where born yearning, the daydreamers and the hopeless romantics. The themes are timeless and that’s what makes it both unique and relatable. Aphra and Leine are brilliant artists when it comes to words and metaphors. Some parts hit like arrows in my heart and made my soul tremble a bit.
"I need to see all of it, I am changing
I need to feel all of it, hearts are like time
tick tick tick, the loud one is mine”- from ’The Loud One Is Mine’
”She lives a life in the footnotes.
Calls herself an afterthought of sin” - from ’The Essence of Epione’
Favourite poems from the collection were ’Throwaways’, ’Fallen Fruit’, ’The Loud One Is Mine’ and ’The Essence of Epione’
Thank you so much for letting me read this ARC!
August 31, 2024
i took some time to gather my thoughts before writing a review, but i just couldn’t seem to find the right words.
this felt visceral, a deep blue and purple midnight moon gleaming on your lovers face as they read poetry to only you. it was longing and intimate. reading these poems made my heart crack, pain so sweet and a tearing so tender i wished it to never heal. every word was masterfully picked, strung on threads of gold and laid down on pearl parchment. ultimately, it felt like a sparrow tapping at my window. a steady drum, a constant reminder of the beauty of love and the beauty to be loved.
a 5 star poetry collection, without a doubt. thank u thank u didi and jonna for the arc !! i will be awestruck of your talent forever.
this felt visceral, a deep blue and purple midnight moon gleaming on your lovers face as they read poetry to only you. it was longing and intimate. reading these poems made my heart crack, pain so sweet and a tearing so tender i wished it to never heal. every word was masterfully picked, strung on threads of gold and laid down on pearl parchment. ultimately, it felt like a sparrow tapping at my window. a steady drum, a constant reminder of the beauty of love and the beauty to be loved.
a 5 star poetry collection, without a doubt. thank u thank u didi and jonna for the arc !! i will be awestruck of your talent forever.
October 29, 2024
I honestly love reading poetry and the feelings that it awakens within me are just so beautiful and pure. I specifically love everything about this collection of poetry and the Beauty of it which is a work of art. Filled with so much love, magic and passion. A book about identity, belonging and nostalgia with loads of Greek mythological references and queer desire. This set of collection is part myth, part reality, both fact & fiction, filled with alluring imagery. Reading this collection had me feeling all sorts of emotions, almost like having an out of body experience and very much dream like which I love so so much. Honestly, highly recommend this masterpiece and I can’t wait to get back to it again ❤️🔥🔮
November 1, 2024
It's difficult, close to impossible, to review a poetry collection but let me say this:
Modern poetry is something I'm always quite sceptical of (looking at u, rupi kaur), but this collection feels like it fell out of a different century - in the best way possible.
Every single poem is like magic, something exquisite and strangely familiar melting on your tongue.
I'm in absolute awe of those poems, the yearning, the tenderness and the darkness, rotting corpses and tender kisses ahhh!
I wish I could say more, but I think this is something you have to experience for yourself 🧸
And thank you so much @jonnaleine and @didi.aphra for this arc in exchange for an honest review - it's such an incredible achievement! I wish you the best of luck with the publication :)
Modern poetry is something I'm always quite sceptical of (looking at u, rupi kaur), but this collection feels like it fell out of a different century - in the best way possible.
Every single poem is like magic, something exquisite and strangely familiar melting on your tongue.
I'm in absolute awe of those poems, the yearning, the tenderness and the darkness, rotting corpses and tender kisses ahhh!
I wish I could say more, but I think this is something you have to experience for yourself 🧸
And thank you so much @jonnaleine and @didi.aphra for this arc in exchange for an honest review - it's such an incredible achievement! I wish you the best of luck with the publication :)
January 5, 2025
Love, love, love! Each story felt like a gentle reminder of the complexities and beauty of the human experience. Aphra and Leine’s writing is both thought provoking and comforting.
August 20, 2024
i deeply enjoyed this collection, reading it all in one sitting which i don’t usually do with poetry but i just felt so immersed in the magical world aphra and leine created. they have two distinct voices yet the themes blended so well, and both masterfully wove words with natural and celestial imagery, and classical allusions. i knew the writing would be beautiful even from reading the dedications, acknowledgements and poet bios, such talented writers. <3
i genuinely really enjoyed reading this, thank you for the arc!
‘Are your wishes like falling stars? Dried roses? Are your dreams in the anguish of Orpheus’s eyes after he turns around?’ - maybe my lover is my gift from god
my favourite poems (so many more but otherwise i’d practically be listing the whole book)
sweet briar
if not winter
maybe my lover is my gift from god
1:23am
crystalline dreams
stardust
drinking poetry
potion
aphrodites temple
i, whose soul you’ve held in your hands
little red
perfume moon
all my warmest embraces have been held without hands
dissonance
daphne and apollo
you, calliope
essence of epione
i knew you before you were born, you were the very last thought i had
ego
zubenelgenubi
in ink-stained letters, the poet has the very last word
i genuinely really enjoyed reading this, thank you for the arc!
‘Are your wishes like falling stars? Dried roses? Are your dreams in the anguish of Orpheus’s eyes after he turns around?’ - maybe my lover is my gift from god
my favourite poems (so many more but otherwise i’d practically be listing the whole book)
sweet briar
if not winter
maybe my lover is my gift from god
1:23am
crystalline dreams
stardust
drinking poetry
potion
aphrodites temple
i, whose soul you’ve held in your hands
little red
perfume moon
all my warmest embraces have been held without hands
dissonance
daphne and apollo
you, calliope
essence of epione
i knew you before you were born, you were the very last thought i had
ego
zubenelgenubi
in ink-stained letters, the poet has the very last word
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews