Beneath the Surface

by Luciana Fisher, Eleana Norton (Editor), Lane Guedes (Illustrator)

In Beneath the Surface, Luciana Fisher takes readers on an intimate journey through love, loss, identity, and renewal. With piercing honesty and lyrical grace, this collection of poems speaks to the silent struggles we all face and the truths that connect us. Luciana Fisher’s poems explore themes of love, grief, and transformation. Each piece invites readers to pause, reflect, and find their own story within the words. Whether navigating the complexities of relationships, mourning what was lost, or rediscovering the self, these poems offer solace and inspiration for those seeking meaning in life’s most vulnerable moments. Step into this heartfelt exploration of the human experience—and uncover what lies beneath the surface and behind the lines.

154 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2025

Reviews

[Jake Borchardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luciana has a way, through her poetry, to touch the soul. Inspiration finds it's way there too, as well as many emotions through each carefully crafter poem. What I enjoyed the most was the variety of contexts and circumstance, that she chose to share in the book as a whole. And, even more, the book as a whole, seems to have an arc to the positioning of each poem in the order they are in. I found myself smiling and inspired, then cringing with uncomfortable emotion (because of the beautifully written poetry) and then Luciana brings you right back into a closing, with several brilliantly, creative, perspectives leaving you with an empowerment you never saw coming!

The poems themselves speak loudly. And likely, you will enjoy her "behind the lines" with her personal insight, reflection and reader prompts, to discover something about the author, as well as, something deeper within yourself.

[Reader Dr. Mike Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was more than just a read; it was a deeply personal journey. It felt like a reflection on my own life's winding path, reminding me that the road isn't always straight. It’s filled with highs and lows, fears, tears, and losses, and the true lesson is in how we navigate those challenges.
The author's notes explaining the poems were a brilliant touch, adding a layer of depth that made the experience truly meaningful. This book isn't just to be read—it's meant to be experienced. It’s a guide that encourages introspection and helps you see your own story with a fresh perspective. I'm so glad I took my time with it, letting the words resonate and reflect on my own life.

[Marco Souza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely vulnerable, inspiring and beautiful. In this book, you get to go through a cleverly crafted roller coaster of emotions in each poem.

The best part of the book for me is that each piece gets deeper on a second read, after going through the story behind each poem. This type of honesty is what makes it truly remarkable, as it creates a strong connection with the author.

I doubt that anyone can read this entire book and not feel connected to at least one poem. I love it!

[Priscila Tamura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book. I read it in just two hours, and it felt light yet so touching. The poems reminded me of love, friendship, loss, and resilience all the messy beauty of life.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulls you in rather than pushing you away. An easy interesting read that you can obviously see she put a lot into. It’s simple but very expressive and as you read you start seeing the plot develops, you realize the book is less about events and more about understanding motives and emotional wounds. Definitely worth it and you won’t regret it.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

A vulnerable and beautiful collection that touches upon many different topics through the poet's life and many collective issues and feelings that we all go through... Making us realize that poetry is a form of healing.

[Elzada James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely collection of poetry taps into a base of universal human experiences, threading a quilt patched together from hardship and recovery, joy and gratitude, struggle and strength. It reads like your best friend or your favorite auntie is sitting with you and holding your hand, while she asks you about the things you’ve only just had the courage to start questioning. It is a soft and gentle love, earnest in their wanting to help you.

I recommend this book to anyone considering using poetry to process the pains of their past, but may not know where to start. The way Luciana presents a poem and follows up with a short “behind the lines” analysis helps to shine a light on what artistic choices can look like within the written word. The reflection questions invite you in to join the conversation. Without saying so directly, you suddenly get the sense that you need to get a warm cup of tea and settle in for an intimate chat about life.

Thank you Luciana, for sharing your heart with the world.

[Carolina Barreto · Rating 5 out of 5]

inspiring and beautifully written collection of poetry! Even if you haven’t lived the exact experiences the author shares, her words feel universal, allowing you to connect deeply with each piece. Her poems explore adversity and growth with honesty and hope, never weighed down by darkness. Reading each poem felt like a breath of fresh air.One of my favorite aspects of this collection is that after each poem, the author includes a “Behind the Lines” reflection. A personal note to self that gives readers insight into the meaning of the poem and where she is now in life in relation to it. These reflections make the experience even more intimate and meaningful, as if the author is walking beside you on the journey through her words. Just like a story each poem connects. Highly recommend, such a moving, uplifting, and highly recommended read for anyone who appreciates poetry that speaks to both the heart and the spirit.

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep. Honest. Beautiful. Unforgettable.

This book is one of those rare ones that doesn’t just tell a story. It feels like someone opening their soul right in front of you. It’s profound in a quiet way. Nothing about it feels forced or disconnected. Everything flows with purpose and emotion.

There’s something about the way it’s written that hits deep. It’s the kind of beauty that makes you cry not out of sadness but because you can feel the truth in every word.

It reminded me that we really never know what people have lived through or how they’ve survived. And yet some choose to transform all that pain into something this generous and powerful.

There’s strength here. Soft strength. Brave softness. And a quiet grace that stays with you long after the last page.

Truly stunning. I wish I could give it more than five stars.

[ALEX MARTINEZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thoughtful collection of poems shared from intimate experiences. It is difficult to grasp the depth and gravity of emotions we have to contend with when faced with challenges in life yet Luciana conveys those feelings in a way that helps us understand. she takes you below the surface. One example of this is her poem "The Big Sea That I Sail" where she uses the metaphor of sailing a silent sea with remarkable effectiveness to speak about cancer, the way cancer can be so internal and isolating despite its enormous impact.

What is striking is how she plays with "the C" and "to C" - using the letter itself rather than naming cancer directly. This creates a sense of the disease as something almost too large or overwhelming to fully name, while also suggesting the journey or destination ("rise to C") that others will face.

This is what I refer to as thoughtful writing.

[Angelica · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are books you simply read, and there are books you truly feel—Beneath the Surface is the latter. Luciana Fisher’s poetry is both lyrical and piercing, capturing the quiet ache of memory and the weight of buried truths in every verse. The structure of this collection—layered, fluid, and deeply introspective—invites us to pause, reflect, and confront our own experiences, silences, and resilience. It becomes a meditation on love, loss, and the courage required to face what lies hidden within ourselves. These poems don’t merely speak; they echo, resonate, and continue to sing long after the final page is turned.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luciana Fisher’s debut poetry collection is a comprehensive journey that asks the reader to consider and confront their own lives, led by the poems and the reflections that follow. Luciana takes us through her personal journey, drawing universal connections through her powerful poetry. The illustrations that accompany the writing are beautiful and add a compelling visual element that pulls the reader right now.

[Jessica Bochynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book filled with heartfelt, collective poems that procure inner reflection with softness in the trials and tribulations of life that writer reflects upon. Reading the poems I felt I could connect with the reader on feeling the same and that my own inner dilemmas were made more at ease. In essence I felt more peace. This is a great companion book to read and to travel with and to reread. I highly recommend this book to anyone for a boost in spirit.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gift from Luciana to all of us! Thank you! For your courage and unrelenting desire to stay here with us and give us a piece of your heart. A truly amazing read from beginning to end. This is not just a book it is a conversation between friends that I am privileged to be a part of.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book for those who want to feel seen. Her poetry speaks on the human experiences while sharing the strength of vulnerability. Aside from that the way the book is structured invites you to explore layers of empathy through per

[Julia Del · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly an engaging read; it provokes your thoughts, challenges your mentality, prompting you to dig deep into the book, explore not just the content but also your own inner self. The piece is reflective and uplifting, it evokes emotion and curiosity. Would read again 10/10