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Devangel
Poems by Riha J
"Written raw and expressing some voices of youth, this is a collection of poems with vast themes; family, love, nature, economics and politics. All are written honestly from the heart, no deceit or lies — some are even based on true life story.
Immerse into the depth of sorrow, happiness, hope and burning spirit, take a into places that each poems will bring you, and meanwhile enjoy the ride."
"Written raw and expressing some voices of youth, this is a collection of poems with vast themes; family, love, nature, economics and politics. All are written honestly from the heart, no deceit or lies — some are even based on true life story.
Immerse into the depth of sorrow, happiness, hope and burning spirit, take a into places that each poems will bring you, and meanwhile enjoy the ride."
140 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2016
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114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 21, 2017
Dear Riha, I love your poems. After reading those wonderfully written words, I don't think my crappy review can do them justice. Simply captivating. Filled with honest truths.
May 24, 2018
Two words: Sedap nakharam.
I haven't been reading so much poetry lately and I instantaneously fell out of the knowledge of devouring intense stories in less words. The days of Lang Leav were long ago, and I find myself a problem when I realised poetry doesn't impact me as much as it did years ago.
So anyway, I picked up Devangel because I'm writing the finale of a personal, romantic dramatic novel which requires a lot of intense romance and intense drama. (Don't ask. Don't ask to read too.) I decided that this will get me into the mood of what I need, and plus, prep me for my next reads: Si Romantik Yang Sudah Mati (re-read).
Devangel is filled with more than what Rupi Kaur has to offer (sorry—p3AC3 N0 h8) as Riha J takes strings of metaphors from a huge pot of universe in it's most raw form to deliver stories, emotions, truths and tragedy. Metaphors transcending the generic ones I have grown to roll my eyes over. Creativity at it's finest. We warm up to this form of language in her first poem in the book, called, well, 'Metaphor'. A reminder that although in this era, anything can be stamped 'poetry' but only plenty goes to the extent of pouring extreme words out to represent love, hate, sadness, regret, loneliness, longing, in a way that is not at all straightforward.
P.S. Fuck 'you are like the sun' ah don't do that mistake don't be generic don't be un-creative, be like Riha! [insert a Will Smith showing off Jada meme]
I dog-eared many pages of this book, but well to pick top five favourites:
Mannequin's Heart described a boy, void of emotions, so beautifully.
A Writer's Mind delivers the truth of what's going on inside a writer's head.
Patriarchy retells human's greed and destructive affairs in a fable form.
Rooftops displays the hard reality of childhood and adulthood.
Love, Opera is something I would print on 1000000 sticky notes and paste on people's forehead.
Thank you, Riha, for writing Devangel!
I haven't been reading so much poetry lately and I instantaneously fell out of the knowledge of devouring intense stories in less words. The days of Lang Leav were long ago, and I find myself a problem when I realised poetry doesn't impact me as much as it did years ago.
So anyway, I picked up Devangel because I'm writing the finale of a personal, romantic dramatic novel which requires a lot of intense romance and intense drama. (Don't ask. Don't ask to read too.) I decided that this will get me into the mood of what I need, and plus, prep me for my next reads: Si Romantik Yang Sudah Mati (re-read).
Devangel is filled with more than what Rupi Kaur has to offer (sorry—p3AC3 N0 h8) as Riha J takes strings of metaphors from a huge pot of universe in it's most raw form to deliver stories, emotions, truths and tragedy. Metaphors transcending the generic ones I have grown to roll my eyes over. Creativity at it's finest. We warm up to this form of language in her first poem in the book, called, well, 'Metaphor'. A reminder that although in this era, anything can be stamped 'poetry' but only plenty goes to the extent of pouring extreme words out to represent love, hate, sadness, regret, loneliness, longing, in a way that is not at all straightforward.
P.S. Fuck 'you are like the sun' ah don't do that mistake don't be generic don't be un-creative, be like Riha! [insert a Will Smith showing off Jada meme]
I dog-eared many pages of this book, but well to pick top five favourites:
Mannequin's Heart described a boy, void of emotions, so beautifully.
A Writer's Mind delivers the truth of what's going on inside a writer's head.
Patriarchy retells human's greed and destructive affairs in a fable form.
Rooftops displays the hard reality of childhood and adulthood.
Love, Opera is something I would print on 1000000 sticky notes and paste on people's forehead.
Thank you, Riha, for writing Devangel!
May 4, 2018
Riha, thank you so much for writing such poetry that has made my heart somewhat full of raw emotions. I love how almost everyone can relate to at least a few parts in this poetry book of yours, if not all. Your words are beautiful. This is amazing. You are amazing.
May 15, 2017
I bought this book not knowing anything about the author, only that she's a poet I've seen around on Twitter a lot. (The power of the Internet!) Then I learned that she's a Malaysian, and she's nineteen??? I was quite intrigued at that point because 1) I've always wanted to give Malaysian authors/poets a try and 2) because she's the same age as me and I love comparing myself to my peers so that I can wallow in self-pity. Heh. Heh.
Turns out, I'm kind of on the fence about this one. Some poems I really enjoyed but some I felt were just... meh.
Nonetheless, here are some of my favourite excerpts from the book (I even dog-eared the pages, which means they were really good FYI):
One of my favourite poems from the book is Futile Reign, which I can't and won't post here, because the whole thing is so good I can't find an excerpt that was my favourite, but also because you should go get the book to know for yourself how good it is!
Turns out, I'm kind of on the fence about this one. Some poems I really enjoyed but some I felt were just... meh.
Nonetheless, here are some of my favourite excerpts from the book (I even dog-eared the pages, which means they were really good FYI):
"I am not in love
But if I were given a chance to become a non-living thing
I want to be the cigarette between your lips."
-Metaphor
"We want to be loved but we spread hate" -Walking Irony
One of my favourite poems from the book is Futile Reign, which I can't and won't post here, because the whole thing is so good I can't find an excerpt that was my favourite, but also because you should go get the book to know for yourself how good it is!
September 18, 2016
The fact that this book is written by a 19-year-old author really awed me. She divided the poems into four themes - Love & Brokenness, Humanity & Nature, The Nation & Some Bittersweet Truths, and Friendship & Family. Her ability to form sentences with simple words immersed with heartfelt emotions deserves my utmost respect. Up to a certain point, I honestly think that her writings appear more expressive and poetic than Lang Leav. I found it's difficult to choose my favourite poems, as all the poems are in their best condition. Keep inspiring, artsy! Hats off to Riha J for this beautiful book, worth a read.
May 18, 2017
To be honest, i put kinda high expectation for this book before reading it. like, who wouldn't? The author is such a bright girl, good in playing with words and she's still young. After reading Devangel, it was good, it really was, but i can't seem to find a wow factor in it. The author uses lots of bombastic words but it's kinda repetitive in some poems she wrote. I like the metaphors she's been using in her poems, and my fav one is "Mirror".
i'm pretty sure she can do better for her next book, because i'll definitely read that, too ;)
i'm pretty sure she can do better for her next book, because i'll definitely read that, too ;)
July 14, 2018
4.5 stars!
Riha's poems are amazing and relatable! I've marked some of my all time favourites.
Devangel was the first poetry book that I've read, and I loved it. Reading this was a great journey, and I'm definitely going to reread this!
Riha's poems are amazing and relatable! I've marked some of my all time favourites.
Devangel was the first poetry book that I've read, and I loved it. Reading this was a great journey, and I'm definitely going to reread this!
February 10, 2019
And never have I expected less from you, Riha. This was...wonderful.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews