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Metamor4sis : A Journey of Transformation
58 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 22, 2026
🥃 Book Review: Metamor4sis — A Journey of Transformation A Black woman traces her becoming through the lifecycle of a butterfly — and invites you to find your own wings in the process.
Author: Shonda Funderburk
Genre: Poetry — Faith / Self-Discovery / Inspirational / Black Womanhood
Tropes: N/A (Poetry collection — but: the becoming, the shedding, the awakening, motherhood as mirror)
Format: ARC
Series: Standalone (Debut)
Drink Pairing: The Monarch
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) — Highly Enjoyed & Engaging
THE POUR
Poetry collections do not usually land on my nightstand. When they do, they have to earn every page. Shonda Funderburk's debut, Metamor4sis, caught my attention with its structure — a collection organized around the three stages of a butterfly's life cycle: Caterpillar (Awareness, Reflection, Identity), Chrysalis (Discovery, Surrender, Inner Alchemy), and Butterfly (Growth, Expression, Expansion). That framework gives the collection a shape that a lot of debut poetry books lack, and it tells you upfront that this is not random musings. This is a woman tracing her own transformation with intention.
Funderburk is a Black woman, a mother of two daughters, a wife, a dreamer who spent years keeping this gift tucked away — and this book is what happened when she finally stopped dimming her own flame. The "4" in Metamor4sis is deliberate, and I appreciate a title that makes you look twice.
THE TASTING NOTES
The strongest poems in this collection are the ones rooted in identity and Black womanhood. "Black Woman" opens with "I am a black woman...steadfast and headstrong" and carries an energy that is both declaration and celebration. "I Am Worthy" reads like the affirmation you tape to your bathroom mirror and actually mean. "Self-Approved" hits with its "Validation not required / Ticket to my best life stamped: NEVER EXPIRES" — there is a confidence in that poem that feels earned, not performed.
The mother-daughter thread running through the collection is its emotional backbone. "Motherhood" and "Daughter" sit early in the book like anchoring prayers, and the dedication to her daughters Raven and Rhyan gives the whole collection a tender, personal weight. You feel that this book was written not just for herself, but as a legacy piece — something she wants her girls to hold.
What makes this collection work is that even the briefer poems — "Distractions," "Life," "Elevation" — carry a rhythm and conviction that keeps you moving forward. They read like the things you say to yourself on the hard mornings, and there is power in that simplicity. The reflective meditations that open each stage are the most textured writing in the book — "A subtle beckoning. A soft echo from my soul, calling me forth out of the shadow" is the kind of line that stops you mid-page. I want more of THAT Shonda in the next collection, because when she goes deep, she goes DEEP.
WHAT I SAVORED 🥃
THE STRUCTURE — Caterpillar to Chrysalis to Butterfly is not just a clever metaphor. It gives the collection a narrative arc that most debut poetry books do not have. You feel the progression, and that matters.
THE BLACK WOMANHOOD THREAD — "Black Woman," "I Am Worthy," "Self-Approved," "Truth" — these poems are declarations of selfhood from a woman who spent too long cheering for everyone else before turning that energy inward. That honesty is the collection's heartbeat.
THE MOTHER'S VOICE — The dedication, the acknowledgments, the early poems about her daughters — this book is a love letter disguised as a poetry collection. That tenderness gives the whole thing weight.
THE FINISH
Metamor4sis is a beautiful, faith-rooted debut from a woman who finally stopped keeping her gift in a drawer — and what came out was worth the wait. The structure is smart, the mother-daughter thread is genuinely moving, and the poems about Black womanhood carry the kind of conviction that makes you sit up straighter while you read. This is a collection that knows exactly what it is: a woman's testimony, a mother's legacy, and a declaration that the becoming is never finished. Shonda Funderburk has something to say, and I am glad she finally said it out loud.
A warm, layered, lovingly crafted pour. The kind you share with your daughter and your mother — and yourself.
🍸 Drink Pairing: The Monarch Because every transformation deserves to be named — and celebrated.
Recipe:
2 oz Buffalo Trace bourbon — for the Kentucky roots and the warmth of a woman coming home to herself
3/4 oz honey syrup — for the sweetness of faith that runs through every page
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice — for the sharpness of truth-telling, even when it is quiet
2 dashes orange bitters — for the bright, affirming energy that lifts the whole collection
Garnish: an edible flower — because butterflies know where to land
Stir gently over a single large ice cube. Sip slowly. You are becoming.
Recommended For: If you enjoy: ✨ poetry that reads like prayer ✨ Black women claiming their own light ✨ butterfly metaphors that actually earn the wingspan ✨ debut collections with heart...welcome to the chrysalis.
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
#Metamor4sis #ShondaFunderburk #BookReview #BourbonSippingBibliophile #Poetry #BlackPoetry #DebutCollection #FaithAndGrowth #BlackWomanhood #BookishLife #PoetryLovers #TransformationJourney
Author: Shonda Funderburk
Genre: Poetry — Faith / Self-Discovery / Inspirational / Black Womanhood
Tropes: N/A (Poetry collection — but: the becoming, the shedding, the awakening, motherhood as mirror)
Format: ARC
Series: Standalone (Debut)
Drink Pairing: The Monarch
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) — Highly Enjoyed & Engaging
THE POUR
Poetry collections do not usually land on my nightstand. When they do, they have to earn every page. Shonda Funderburk's debut, Metamor4sis, caught my attention with its structure — a collection organized around the three stages of a butterfly's life cycle: Caterpillar (Awareness, Reflection, Identity), Chrysalis (Discovery, Surrender, Inner Alchemy), and Butterfly (Growth, Expression, Expansion). That framework gives the collection a shape that a lot of debut poetry books lack, and it tells you upfront that this is not random musings. This is a woman tracing her own transformation with intention.
Funderburk is a Black woman, a mother of two daughters, a wife, a dreamer who spent years keeping this gift tucked away — and this book is what happened when she finally stopped dimming her own flame. The "4" in Metamor4sis is deliberate, and I appreciate a title that makes you look twice.
THE TASTING NOTES
The strongest poems in this collection are the ones rooted in identity and Black womanhood. "Black Woman" opens with "I am a black woman...steadfast and headstrong" and carries an energy that is both declaration and celebration. "I Am Worthy" reads like the affirmation you tape to your bathroom mirror and actually mean. "Self-Approved" hits with its "Validation not required / Ticket to my best life stamped: NEVER EXPIRES" — there is a confidence in that poem that feels earned, not performed.
The mother-daughter thread running through the collection is its emotional backbone. "Motherhood" and "Daughter" sit early in the book like anchoring prayers, and the dedication to her daughters Raven and Rhyan gives the whole collection a tender, personal weight. You feel that this book was written not just for herself, but as a legacy piece — something she wants her girls to hold.
What makes this collection work is that even the briefer poems — "Distractions," "Life," "Elevation" — carry a rhythm and conviction that keeps you moving forward. They read like the things you say to yourself on the hard mornings, and there is power in that simplicity. The reflective meditations that open each stage are the most textured writing in the book — "A subtle beckoning. A soft echo from my soul, calling me forth out of the shadow" is the kind of line that stops you mid-page. I want more of THAT Shonda in the next collection, because when she goes deep, she goes DEEP.
WHAT I SAVORED 🥃
THE STRUCTURE — Caterpillar to Chrysalis to Butterfly is not just a clever metaphor. It gives the collection a narrative arc that most debut poetry books do not have. You feel the progression, and that matters.
THE BLACK WOMANHOOD THREAD — "Black Woman," "I Am Worthy," "Self-Approved," "Truth" — these poems are declarations of selfhood from a woman who spent too long cheering for everyone else before turning that energy inward. That honesty is the collection's heartbeat.
THE MOTHER'S VOICE — The dedication, the acknowledgments, the early poems about her daughters — this book is a love letter disguised as a poetry collection. That tenderness gives the whole thing weight.
THE FINISH
Metamor4sis is a beautiful, faith-rooted debut from a woman who finally stopped keeping her gift in a drawer — and what came out was worth the wait. The structure is smart, the mother-daughter thread is genuinely moving, and the poems about Black womanhood carry the kind of conviction that makes you sit up straighter while you read. This is a collection that knows exactly what it is: a woman's testimony, a mother's legacy, and a declaration that the becoming is never finished. Shonda Funderburk has something to say, and I am glad she finally said it out loud.
A warm, layered, lovingly crafted pour. The kind you share with your daughter and your mother — and yourself.
🍸 Drink Pairing: The Monarch Because every transformation deserves to be named — and celebrated.
Recipe:
2 oz Buffalo Trace bourbon — for the Kentucky roots and the warmth of a woman coming home to herself
3/4 oz honey syrup — for the sweetness of faith that runs through every page
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice — for the sharpness of truth-telling, even when it is quiet
2 dashes orange bitters — for the bright, affirming energy that lifts the whole collection
Garnish: an edible flower — because butterflies know where to land
Stir gently over a single large ice cube. Sip slowly. You are becoming.
Recommended For: If you enjoy: ✨ poetry that reads like prayer ✨ Black women claiming their own light ✨ butterfly metaphors that actually earn the wingspan ✨ debut collections with heart...welcome to the chrysalis.
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
#Metamor4sis #ShondaFunderburk #BookReview #BourbonSippingBibliophile #Poetry #BlackPoetry #DebutCollection #FaithAndGrowth #BlackWomanhood #BookishLife #PoetryLovers #TransformationJourney
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars
Metamor4sis: A Journey of Transformation by Shonda Funderburk is a beautifully written collection of poetry that truly resonated with my heart. As I read through these poems, I found myself relating to so many of them. Some brought tears to my eyes, while others left me feeling inspired, encouraged, and motivated.
This collection made me pause and reflect on my own journey, my dreams, and even the prayers I have carried in my heart. There was something so meaningful about the way Shonda captures faith, growth, self-discovery, and the beauty of becoming who we are meant to be.
Two poems in particular—one at the very beginning and one at the end—moved me deeply and brought me to tears. I felt such a personal connection to both of them, and I think they beautifully bookended the journey this collection takes its readers on.
I truly enjoyed reading Mrs. Shonda Funderburk's work, and I am so happy I stumbled across this beautiful author. My only wish is that the book had been a little longer because I wasn't quite ready for the journey to end. ❤️
This is a collection that encourages you to embrace your own transformation, reflect on where you've been, and look with hope toward where you're going. I can't wait to experience more of Shonda Funderburk's creative writing in the future.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Metamor4sis: A Journey of Transformation by Shonda Funderburk is a beautifully written collection of poetry that truly resonated with my heart. As I read through these poems, I found myself relating to so many of them. Some brought tears to my eyes, while others left me feeling inspired, encouraged, and motivated.
This collection made me pause and reflect on my own journey, my dreams, and even the prayers I have carried in my heart. There was something so meaningful about the way Shonda captures faith, growth, self-discovery, and the beauty of becoming who we are meant to be.
Two poems in particular—one at the very beginning and one at the end—moved me deeply and brought me to tears. I felt such a personal connection to both of them, and I think they beautifully bookended the journey this collection takes its readers on.
I truly enjoyed reading Mrs. Shonda Funderburk's work, and I am so happy I stumbled across this beautiful author. My only wish is that the book had been a little longer because I wasn't quite ready for the journey to end. ❤️
This is a collection that encourages you to embrace your own transformation, reflect on where you've been, and look with hope toward where you're going. I can't wait to experience more of Shonda Funderburk's creative writing in the future.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A poetic book of growth and journey, Metamor4sis, is full of simple beauty and connection. If you liked The Places You Will Go by Dr Suess as a child, you will like this book. It is an uplifting work that has left me feeling brighter and bolder towards the future.
These poems hit close to home for me as I am a mom who struggles to enjoy the journey. It’s hard to take the time to enjoy the moment and the process of becoming a better mom, wife, and friend. But as I read this, I remembered that this life is a journey and that we are always growing and morphing. With the help of God, we can move upward in our growth and become something more.
I recommend this beautiful poetic story to anyone that wants to feel joy in the journey of life. Shonda does a wonderful job of leading us through the metamorphosis of her life and journey and connects it to the reader.
These poems hit close to home for me as I am a mom who struggles to enjoy the journey. It’s hard to take the time to enjoy the moment and the process of becoming a better mom, wife, and friend. But as I read this, I remembered that this life is a journey and that we are always growing and morphing. With the help of God, we can move upward in our growth and become something more.
I recommend this beautiful poetic story to anyone that wants to feel joy in the journey of life. Shonda does a wonderful job of leading us through the metamorphosis of her life and journey and connects it to the reader.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Shonda Funderburk’s debut poetry collection permitted me to unapologetically be “In My Feelings.”
Every poem felt honest, vulnerable, and deeply relatable, reminding me that it’s okay to sit with my emotions. Her words are both comforting and empowering, inviting readers to embrace every part of their journey with grace.
If you’re looking for a poetry collection that will make you feel seen, reflect, and heal, this is one you’ll want to add to your bookshelf.
🎉Congratulations, Shonda, on a beautiful debut!
Every poem felt honest, vulnerable, and deeply relatable, reminding me that it’s okay to sit with my emotions. Her words are both comforting and empowering, inviting readers to embrace every part of their journey with grace.
If you’re looking for a poetry collection that will make you feel seen, reflect, and heal, this is one you’ll want to add to your bookshelf.
🎉Congratulations, Shonda, on a beautiful debut!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Metamor4sis: A Journey to Transformation was an amazing read. The words felt like they were carefully put together, and curated to allow the reader to feel like their light is worth shining. The author really made me feel like my transformation is right here and all I have to do is step into it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews