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Words That Kill
Words That Kill is a collection of poetry about one's breaking point. Themes included are depression, anxiety, abuse, body dysmorphic disorder, hope, and love. The collection is split into three chapters, Sticks and Stones, which deals with the rise of the Words That Kill, followed with Last Breath, the climax of the breaking point, and lastly, I See the Light, which deals with hope and love surrounding the darkness of the pain caused by the Words That Kill.
118 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 14, 2018
Just words !
March 31, 2019
I feel like this book is just a bunch of words that don't fit together to mean anything. Sometimes the imagery was nice, but not enough to warrant anything above 1.5 stars.
Also, it's probably just me being me, but I hated reading "eachother" and "bestfriend" as one word.
Also, it's probably just me being me, but I hated reading "eachother" and "bestfriend" as one word.
November 11, 2018
Instead of buying this, go on the poetry tag on Tumblr. You can probably get better poetry and it’s free!
April 16, 2020
Words That Kill by Vivid Vega
Synopsis:
Words That Kill is a collection of poetry about one’s breaking point. Themes included are depression, anxiety, abuse, body dysmorphic disorder, hope and love. The collection is split into three chapters, Sticks and Stones, which deals with the rise of Words that Kill, follows with Last Breath, the climax and breaking point, and lastly I See the Light, which deals with hope and love surrounding the darkness of the pain caused by Words that Kill.
‘I am lonely and I wish to be revived. But I am the darkness because my light has died. I am not what people want to see. I am not good enough so people try and change me.’
‘People try and create this distorted image of me. Coldness in my eyes is all they see. They don’t understand that my coldness is actually me being shy. People don’t understand me so instead they say goodbye. People I have used. My heart is now bruised. All I ever wanted was to be good enough, but I cannot be. People think of me as less so I try and be tough, but that is not me.’
‘People try and tear me apart. They don’t know the pain masked in my heart. I wish my name they did not mention. But I’m brought up like a connection. I never ask people hot they are in fear of getting asked in return. They cause my heart to burn. So I mask my name. So they don’t have anyone to blame.’
‘I am not bulletproof and your words shot me to the deepest depths of my core.’
‘I will always remember what you did and says. It’s stuck in my head. They are the reason I wish I was dead. But I am suffering in my mind instead. All I feel is dread. Thus misery won’t end. Since the day you forced me into your bed.’
‘I am falling into despair. I wish I could be invisible like the air. But I am like a firework ready to ignite. How I wish I too could disappear into the darkness of the night.’
‘A pen and a paper is all I need. My pen goes through the paper the way my wrists bleed.’
‘Like a flower, I will bloom again.’
‘He locks his car door and won’t let me out until he gives me a “ride.”’
‘They sat communication is key. So why is it that you hear Yes when I say, don’t touch me.’
‘I grab her hips and kiss her lips and hold her hand as she says she’s never had a love like this with any other man.’
‘Despite the hits and the many time you have been forced to please while on your knees just know you are not a tease when you could not say no since the pain made you freeze.’
This book was full of raw emotion. It dug it’s claws right into my soul and buried itself far inside.
This book does deal with certain topics such as abuse, rape and mental illnesses and isn’t meant for everyone. It does include triggers so please be careful.
4/5 stars!
Synopsis:
Words That Kill is a collection of poetry about one’s breaking point. Themes included are depression, anxiety, abuse, body dysmorphic disorder, hope and love. The collection is split into three chapters, Sticks and Stones, which deals with the rise of Words that Kill, follows with Last Breath, the climax and breaking point, and lastly I See the Light, which deals with hope and love surrounding the darkness of the pain caused by Words that Kill.
‘I am lonely and I wish to be revived. But I am the darkness because my light has died. I am not what people want to see. I am not good enough so people try and change me.’
‘People try and create this distorted image of me. Coldness in my eyes is all they see. They don’t understand that my coldness is actually me being shy. People don’t understand me so instead they say goodbye. People I have used. My heart is now bruised. All I ever wanted was to be good enough, but I cannot be. People think of me as less so I try and be tough, but that is not me.’
‘People try and tear me apart. They don’t know the pain masked in my heart. I wish my name they did not mention. But I’m brought up like a connection. I never ask people hot they are in fear of getting asked in return. They cause my heart to burn. So I mask my name. So they don’t have anyone to blame.’
‘I am not bulletproof and your words shot me to the deepest depths of my core.’
‘I will always remember what you did and says. It’s stuck in my head. They are the reason I wish I was dead. But I am suffering in my mind instead. All I feel is dread. Thus misery won’t end. Since the day you forced me into your bed.’
‘I am falling into despair. I wish I could be invisible like the air. But I am like a firework ready to ignite. How I wish I too could disappear into the darkness of the night.’
‘A pen and a paper is all I need. My pen goes through the paper the way my wrists bleed.’
‘Like a flower, I will bloom again.’
‘He locks his car door and won’t let me out until he gives me a “ride.”’
‘They sat communication is key. So why is it that you hear Yes when I say, don’t touch me.’
‘I grab her hips and kiss her lips and hold her hand as she says she’s never had a love like this with any other man.’
‘Despite the hits and the many time you have been forced to please while on your knees just know you are not a tease when you could not say no since the pain made you freeze.’
This book was full of raw emotion. It dug it’s claws right into my soul and buried itself far inside.
This book does deal with certain topics such as abuse, rape and mental illnesses and isn’t meant for everyone. It does include triggers so please be careful.
4/5 stars!
October 22, 2017
I read this during a road trip I took this weekend and honestly, the first two parts I found really difficult to read. The final part was much better, which is the only reason I gave it three stars.
May 7, 2021
This book had some beautiful qoutes, and its design is very cute with the drawings a d all, but the rest of it is what an 10th grader emo kid would usually say.
January 23, 2018
For my December book, I decided to pick something I would not usually go for. Poetry is not necessarily my first choice when looking for something new to read. My intentions were to read Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur but someone else had already taken it out. I resorted to the poetry book Words That Kill written by Vivid Vega. After reading this book, I would not recommend it to anyone. Personally, I did not enjoy reading this at all and thought it was very boring to read.
Words That Kill is a collection of small poems split into three different chapters. It focuses on mental illness and how it affects people’s minds. It highlights upon depression and anxiety and how it can make you feel. The book has three chapters; Sticks and Stones, Last Breath, and I See the Light. Sticks and Stones focuses on how people’s words can have a strong and long lasting effect on people. Last Breath is definitely the most upsetting because it is about suicide which obviously is heavy. I See the Light ends the book giving the reader a few poems on the more positive side explaining how everything can get better.
Being someone who has dealt with anxiety for a good amount of time, I hated reading this. The poems were all very depressing actually which was expected but I soon realized this was not the book for me. The first quote in chapter two says, “To the words that bring one to their last breath, these are the words that bring one to the edge of death, to the words that bring blood on one’s hands, to the ones who have no one who understands.” This quote is a good example of how morbid and depressing the poems are. I would suspect that most of the people picking up this book are doing so because they can relate to having a mental disorder. I also could say that these poems would not help anyone to feel better because the poems essentially are talking about suicide and how it can be seen in a good light.
Although this book was not my favorite, there were a few parts that I did not mind about it. I noticed while reading that in every poem they highlighted multiple words that came together to make a secret message. I thought this was cool because I didn't even notice this until I had read a good amount of the book. Words That Kill also does touch upon more uplifting poems in the last chapter, I See the Light. This was my favorite part of the book because it talked about how you can always find the light at the end of the tunnel and cliche quotes like that. Words That Kill was definitely not my favorite book, but if you enjoy reading extremely depressing poems that sound like they came from a sixth grade emo girls instagram selfie caption this book is for you! (:
Words That Kill is a collection of small poems split into three different chapters. It focuses on mental illness and how it affects people’s minds. It highlights upon depression and anxiety and how it can make you feel. The book has three chapters; Sticks and Stones, Last Breath, and I See the Light. Sticks and Stones focuses on how people’s words can have a strong and long lasting effect on people. Last Breath is definitely the most upsetting because it is about suicide which obviously is heavy. I See the Light ends the book giving the reader a few poems on the more positive side explaining how everything can get better.
Being someone who has dealt with anxiety for a good amount of time, I hated reading this. The poems were all very depressing actually which was expected but I soon realized this was not the book for me. The first quote in chapter two says, “To the words that bring one to their last breath, these are the words that bring one to the edge of death, to the words that bring blood on one’s hands, to the ones who have no one who understands.” This quote is a good example of how morbid and depressing the poems are. I would suspect that most of the people picking up this book are doing so because they can relate to having a mental disorder. I also could say that these poems would not help anyone to feel better because the poems essentially are talking about suicide and how it can be seen in a good light.
Although this book was not my favorite, there were a few parts that I did not mind about it. I noticed while reading that in every poem they highlighted multiple words that came together to make a secret message. I thought this was cool because I didn't even notice this until I had read a good amount of the book. Words That Kill also does touch upon more uplifting poems in the last chapter, I See the Light. This was my favorite part of the book because it talked about how you can always find the light at the end of the tunnel and cliche quotes like that. Words That Kill was definitely not my favorite book, but if you enjoy reading extremely depressing poems that sound like they came from a sixth grade emo girls instagram selfie caption this book is for you! (:
July 30, 2017
I thought it would be a really cool to read a poetry collection dedicated to mental health. To tell the truth, I saw the words "breaking point" and was sold. But what the synopsis sold me isn't what it gave me. The poems felt juvenile and unoriginal.
First, let's start off with the poem within a poem format. That "second poem" never actually felt like a second poem, but more like an additional or final line of the poem that wasn't actually needed. This wouldn't be too, too annoying if the book didn't lead off with explaining that this was a style of poem Vega created. It was even called "Vivid." Looking highlighting words within a text to create another text isn't exactly new. If you've taken a creative writing 101 course, joined a writing club, or were just freaking bored, you're probably done this before. Making a poem within your own poem doesn't actually change the fact it's been done before.
And while on the topic of things the author claimed to have created but did not actually create… We’re also told at the beginning of the book that there are drawings by the author included. But those aren’t drawings. They look like stock photos with a filter overlay. I even got a second opinion from someone with a degree in art, just to make sure I wasn’t trashing someone’s art for no good reason. We’re both fairly sure these aren’t actual drawings.
You know what. Here’s where I would go into an analysis of the poetry, which isn’t all that great either. But I’m actually going to stop. As a poetry collection, whether or not the poetry is good should be the main focus of the review. But even if I thought the poetry was amazing, I wouldn’t recommend spending money on this book. Before we even get to the poetry, the author tells us two lies. The first one could almost be overlooked with a good roll of the eyes. But the second lie almost is crossing the line, especially for an artist. Stock photos and filters aren’t really the ultimate evil. The problem isn’t that they were stock photos and filters; it’s that the author claimed they were something more than that. By stating the drawings were theirs, the author was misleading the reader. And that’s just not cool. It already challenges the author's integrity.
The book is pretty cheap, and yet still not worth the money.
First, let's start off with the poem within a poem format. That "second poem" never actually felt like a second poem, but more like an additional or final line of the poem that wasn't actually needed. This wouldn't be too, too annoying if the book didn't lead off with explaining that this was a style of poem Vega created. It was even called "Vivid." Looking highlighting words within a text to create another text isn't exactly new. If you've taken a creative writing 101 course, joined a writing club, or were just freaking bored, you're probably done this before. Making a poem within your own poem doesn't actually change the fact it's been done before.
And while on the topic of things the author claimed to have created but did not actually create… We’re also told at the beginning of the book that there are drawings by the author included. But those aren’t drawings. They look like stock photos with a filter overlay. I even got a second opinion from someone with a degree in art, just to make sure I wasn’t trashing someone’s art for no good reason. We’re both fairly sure these aren’t actual drawings.
You know what. Here’s where I would go into an analysis of the poetry, which isn’t all that great either. But I’m actually going to stop. As a poetry collection, whether or not the poetry is good should be the main focus of the review. But even if I thought the poetry was amazing, I wouldn’t recommend spending money on this book. Before we even get to the poetry, the author tells us two lies. The first one could almost be overlooked with a good roll of the eyes. But the second lie almost is crossing the line, especially for an artist. Stock photos and filters aren’t really the ultimate evil. The problem isn’t that they were stock photos and filters; it’s that the author claimed they were something more than that. By stating the drawings were theirs, the author was misleading the reader. And that’s just not cool. It already challenges the author's integrity.
The book is pretty cheap, and yet still not worth the money.
January 28, 2018
Good book. Ten out of ten would recommend 👌
June 17, 2024
Words That Kill
Author: Vivid Vega
Pages: 113
My Review and Thoughts:
This is an interesting, deep, dark and vivid style of poetry. The mixture of dark paper and white smudged art alongside the poetry is an art form by itself.
The poetry is very blunt in nature, dark and depressing. It mixes self-loathing with a splat of suicidal thoughts. It’s a mixture of light and darkness in the idea of expressing an emotional ordeal inside each piece of poetry.
The only real negative I found with the book of poems is it gets a little repetitive at times, but in the end the book comes together to create a very moving experience. The poems are all untitled but are labeled in sections: Sticks and Stones, Last Breath, I see the Light. If I had to pick a favorite section it would be the Sticks and Stones section of the book.
Like I say the book is a mixture of rough raw smudge art on black paper and poetry which creates something to remember. I do feel Vivid Vega is a very gifted poem writer in the nature of an emotional reaction. Vega tends to make poetry flow through rhyming. Most poetry books this day and age do not go with the rhyming reality of poetry, so I thought that was very interesting, but also a little of it's negative downfall, in that as I have stated it was repetitive or at least the use of the same word was repetitive.
In the end the book flows with an ease. It's an emotionally dark ordeal and comes around in the end with a somewhat lighter note in the section: I see the Light. This was a random buy for me and I had no knowledge of the writer or what the styles of poetry was. For a random out of the blue buy I have to say I was moved by the dark, depressing, vivid poetry that flowed with a reaction grabbing mentality as you read each page.
Would I recommend: Absolutely. Specifically for those who like darker poetry, or an artistic approach to poetry.
Would I Return to It: I would. I think there are many pieces in the book that garner rereads or expressing that piece to another person. I think we all can relate to at least one or two of the pieces in the book. I think we all have been in a depressed state at one time in our life. Theses poems express life in it's darkened moments.
Four Final Words: Depressing, Artistic, Vivid, Blunt.
My Rating: 3 out of 5
Favorite Lines:
Page 81:
“To drive into oblivion my thoughts can’t refrain”
“To crash into your heart would be my greatest pleasure.”
Author: Vivid Vega
Pages: 113
My Review and Thoughts:
This is an interesting, deep, dark and vivid style of poetry. The mixture of dark paper and white smudged art alongside the poetry is an art form by itself.
The poetry is very blunt in nature, dark and depressing. It mixes self-loathing with a splat of suicidal thoughts. It’s a mixture of light and darkness in the idea of expressing an emotional ordeal inside each piece of poetry.
The only real negative I found with the book of poems is it gets a little repetitive at times, but in the end the book comes together to create a very moving experience. The poems are all untitled but are labeled in sections: Sticks and Stones, Last Breath, I see the Light. If I had to pick a favorite section it would be the Sticks and Stones section of the book.
Like I say the book is a mixture of rough raw smudge art on black paper and poetry which creates something to remember. I do feel Vivid Vega is a very gifted poem writer in the nature of an emotional reaction. Vega tends to make poetry flow through rhyming. Most poetry books this day and age do not go with the rhyming reality of poetry, so I thought that was very interesting, but also a little of it's negative downfall, in that as I have stated it was repetitive or at least the use of the same word was repetitive.
In the end the book flows with an ease. It's an emotionally dark ordeal and comes around in the end with a somewhat lighter note in the section: I see the Light. This was a random buy for me and I had no knowledge of the writer or what the styles of poetry was. For a random out of the blue buy I have to say I was moved by the dark, depressing, vivid poetry that flowed with a reaction grabbing mentality as you read each page.
Would I recommend: Absolutely. Specifically for those who like darker poetry, or an artistic approach to poetry.
Would I Return to It: I would. I think there are many pieces in the book that garner rereads or expressing that piece to another person. I think we all can relate to at least one or two of the pieces in the book. I think we all have been in a depressed state at one time in our life. Theses poems express life in it's darkened moments.
Four Final Words: Depressing, Artistic, Vivid, Blunt.
My Rating: 3 out of 5
Favorite Lines:
Page 81:
“To drive into oblivion my thoughts can’t refrain”
“To crash into your heart would be my greatest pleasure.”
September 3, 2017
I picked up this book up partly because of the price and partly because it deals with mental illness, A real struggle for so many of my high school students.
What I like about Vivd Vega's style is that she combines artwork and poetry and hidden poetry. The latter refers to words that are highlighted within her poems that, when read together, create new poems. It is nothing new, as MILK & HONEY combines pictures and art, and STUFF I'VE BEEN FEELING LATELY includes the B sides: the cross-out poetry. So nothing is original here; however, I was intrigued by the topic.
I only give this three stars because, like most of the poetry that is being published as of late, it lacks sophistication and depth. I continue to struggle with all of these poetry collections that read like someone's Tumblr page. I am hoping that there will be poetry that appeals to my high school students that shows depth and the sophisticated craft of wordsmithing.
I also wouldn't know that many of these poems centered around mental illness unless the author stated that. Many of them can be read through the lens of a jilted lover.
High school students might find these appealing; however, if you are looking for poetry that centers around mental illness that includes sophisticated verse, this collection might not be for you.
What I like about Vivd Vega's style is that she combines artwork and poetry and hidden poetry. The latter refers to words that are highlighted within her poems that, when read together, create new poems. It is nothing new, as MILK & HONEY combines pictures and art, and STUFF I'VE BEEN FEELING LATELY includes the B sides: the cross-out poetry. So nothing is original here; however, I was intrigued by the topic.
I only give this three stars because, like most of the poetry that is being published as of late, it lacks sophistication and depth. I continue to struggle with all of these poetry collections that read like someone's Tumblr page. I am hoping that there will be poetry that appeals to my high school students that shows depth and the sophisticated craft of wordsmithing.
I also wouldn't know that many of these poems centered around mental illness unless the author stated that. Many of them can be read through the lens of a jilted lover.
High school students might find these appealing; however, if you are looking for poetry that centers around mental illness that includes sophisticated verse, this collection might not be for you.
October 17, 2017
i bought this because of how it was supposed to deal with mental illness, so of course i had high hopes, as that is a topic that is very easy to reach others with. sadly, i was utterly disappointed.
the writing is simplistic, and resembles if a ten year old were to trying to write it. i honestly dont have much to say about this, as i couldnt bring myself to finish the book
the writing is simplistic, and resembles if a ten year old were to trying to write it. i honestly dont have much to say about this, as i couldnt bring myself to finish the book
January 28, 2018
This was messy. It's a very typical 'sad tumblr poetry' book. The poems weren't organised properly, and I just feel like it jumped from one thing to another super quick. I think the writing itself came from a place of pure emotion, but didn't quite portray things in a mature way, if that makes sense. Like, it just seemed quite childish..
March 15, 2023
When Harry Styles said this movie feels like a movie, that is how I feel about this body of work. And it makes about as much sense as some of these poems. Two stars, because the insight that happens when the rhyme is tossed out the window is actually good in my opinion. And I like the charity element.
June 22, 2017
This wasn't the worst book of poems I've ever read. I wanted it to be amazing but it was typical. The rhymes were simple and the message was muddled by the simplicity of the rhyme scheme. Still, it was entertaining to read.
June 26, 2017
I wanted to give this book 2 (2.5 stars) because of the way the book is. The paged are all black, mostly. There's like a cm on the bottom of the pages that isn't dyed black and it just throws the whole book off. lol. ugh It'll bug me till the day I die.
November 18, 2017
Words that kill isnt for everyone but man its amazing im not a emotional person at times but this book sends me to a place of wonder and the poetryare beautiful a few touched my heart but some didnt really interest me so much but beautiful book.
November 23, 2017
There's Instagram poetry and then there's poetry (?) in desperate need of an editor to fix grammar and misspellings, and to just say no. The first collection I've read that I thought, I am too old for this; *high school students* are too old for this, who is this written for?
June 26, 2018
I like how every page has white words/art on black paper. It’s very clever and it’s the only poetry book I’ve ever read that does that. If you plan on reading this book, here is your trigger warning for blood mentions, suicidal ideations, depression, abuse, and heartbreak.
September 27, 2018
More so of 3.5 stars
I had pages missing in my book on top of many of the poems seemed way to close to the same..may have been choice of words (or lack there of). Also the faded words to create a second “mini” poem didn’t make much sense half the time
I had pages missing in my book on top of many of the poems seemed way to close to the same..may have been choice of words (or lack there of). Also the faded words to create a second “mini” poem didn’t make much sense half the time
November 20, 2019
Like a flower I will bloom again
- Depression
This is one of the few lines that I liked in this book.
There were so many repitition in the words and ideas through out the collection.
But that doesn't mean that there weren't poems that I really liked.
- Depression
This is one of the few lines that I liked in this book.
There were so many repitition in the words and ideas through out the collection.
But that doesn't mean that there weren't poems that I really liked.
May 6, 2024
As short as this book was, the poems made me see things in a different light. I can see why people would hate it as some aren’t put together in the best format, but honestly even at that the book is short, sweet and overall peaceful
May 30, 2017
This book was sometimes hard to read it was dark and raw I would recommend this book was good poetry book.
June 8, 2017
It wasn't heartfelt. It was heartless. And not the good kind of heartless either.
October 10, 2017
Loved the rawness of it.
Reading the two different poems in one, was a really awesome idea.
Reading the two different poems in one, was a really awesome idea.
November 15, 2017
Some poems were moving, but most used an almost forced rhyming scheme that was nothing but distracting.
December 25, 2017
4.5 out of 5
January 3, 2018
Very well written
June 18, 2018
this book gave me the feel of a really long pop song. Everything rhyme together a little too well. I felt like the punchlines were very predictable and quite boring.
October 10, 2018
Powerful works of poetry!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews