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Herja, Devastation
Herja, Devastation is a tale of myth and mortality, wielder and implement, love and destiny.
Free-verse poetry combines with short prose in the style of an Eddic tale modernised.
* * *
The legend of Valkyrie breathes, as Herja, Devastation, once wronged, aims her mortal agent at her enemies.
Her man bears this tale of vengeance in service to a higher, eminently more noble being. He is her assassin and tool, and she is his destiny and dignity.
In the dirty business of death on demand, a purity of purpose lights the path as he seeks questions, provides answers and justice on her word.
This blending of literary forms creates a unique nouveau noir style for the 21st Century. Do you dare to tread the dark side?
Free-verse poetry combines with short prose in the style of an Eddic tale modernised.
* * *
The legend of Valkyrie breathes, as Herja, Devastation, once wronged, aims her mortal agent at her enemies.
Her man bears this tale of vengeance in service to a higher, eminently more noble being. He is her assassin and tool, and she is his destiny and dignity.
In the dirty business of death on demand, a purity of purpose lights the path as he seeks questions, provides answers and justice on her word.
This blending of literary forms creates a unique nouveau noir style for the 21st Century. Do you dare to tread the dark side?
96 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 18, 2019
11 people want to read
About the author
Frank Prem
59 books108 followersFrank Prem has been a storytelling poet for forty years. When not writing or reading his poetry to an audience, he fills his time by working as a psychiatric nurse.
He has been published in magazines, zines and anthologies, in Australia and in a number of other countries, and has both performed and recorded his work as ‘spoken word’.
He lives with his wife, in the beautiful township of Beechworth in northeast Victoria (Australia).
Franks web page is located at: www.FrankPrem.com.
YouTube video of Frank reading 'callignee butterflies', from Devil In The Wind.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 12, 2019
Assassin. Boss. An unbreakable bond. Prose and poetry singing a duet
Adjectives that come to mind when I think of “Herja, Devastation” are smoldering, passionate, cold, dedicated, focused. Imagine, if you will, Count Dracula being a person people come to when they want someone obliterated and imagine R.M.Renfield as the ultimate assassin who carries out the contracts, in the fashion as ordered by the Count. The entirety of Herja, Devastation swirls around this scenario, as told by “Renfield.” This story is exactly that, no more, no less.
There is a brilliant, mystical, and at times frightening power that is generated in the unique formatting of the book, which is written by author, Cage Dunn, and poet, Frank Prem. I've read works by each of them separately and enjoy both very much. When they sing their duet, alternating between prose and poetry, a magical chemistry is effected. As I read, it felt like I was inside the head of the expert and faithful assassin.
What this feels like to me is reading a graphic novel, but without the graphics. It stands alone, but I can see it set to graphics illustrated by David Mack, where it might take off big and be the beginning of a series.
One of my favorite quotes from the book:
“The woman, well, she’s the devil to some, vengeance incarnate, the one who uses scars on the soul to hold you still while your heart comes out for examination.”
Adjectives that come to mind when I think of “Herja, Devastation” are smoldering, passionate, cold, dedicated, focused. Imagine, if you will, Count Dracula being a person people come to when they want someone obliterated and imagine R.M.Renfield as the ultimate assassin who carries out the contracts, in the fashion as ordered by the Count. The entirety of Herja, Devastation swirls around this scenario, as told by “Renfield.” This story is exactly that, no more, no less.
There is a brilliant, mystical, and at times frightening power that is generated in the unique formatting of the book, which is written by author, Cage Dunn, and poet, Frank Prem. I've read works by each of them separately and enjoy both very much. When they sing their duet, alternating between prose and poetry, a magical chemistry is effected. As I read, it felt like I was inside the head of the expert and faithful assassin.
What this feels like to me is reading a graphic novel, but without the graphics. It stands alone, but I can see it set to graphics illustrated by David Mack, where it might take off big and be the beginning of a series.
One of my favorite quotes from the book:
“The woman, well, she’s the devil to some, vengeance incarnate, the one who uses scars on the soul to hold you still while your heart comes out for examination.”
December 8, 2019
N.B. I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
As a combination of poetry, prose, and wonderfully ominous illustrations, I found Herja, Devastation refreshingly original. The narrative slipped seamlessly between the two forms and the valkyrie/assassin story carried my interest throughout.
I loved the concept of the role reversal between the fallen valkyrie and carer turned worshipful minion. The subtlety around Herja's personality and her perspective on the relationship worked well too. I found her intriguing without needing details and appearances, leaving me free to imagine a myriad of possibilities.
There were occasional moments when the theme of 'they never see me coming' became a little repetitive, but this did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
Highly recommended!
As a combination of poetry, prose, and wonderfully ominous illustrations, I found Herja, Devastation refreshingly original. The narrative slipped seamlessly between the two forms and the valkyrie/assassin story carried my interest throughout.
I loved the concept of the role reversal between the fallen valkyrie and carer turned worshipful minion. The subtlety around Herja's personality and her perspective on the relationship worked well too. I found her intriguing without needing details and appearances, leaving me free to imagine a myriad of possibilities.
There were occasional moments when the theme of 'they never see me coming' became a little repetitive, but this did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
Highly recommended!
September 23, 2019
This book was an e-ARC.
The cover alone was enough to excite me to look inside. I'm glad I did.
It felt like a wild ride even though it was underplayed. I wish I knew his name.
Her man, perhaps, and I'll remember him. Maybe every time I see a darker shadow in the shady places.
I loved this book. I don't know whether to call it poetry or prose, and I'd never heard of Eddic tales, but if that's your thing, or you want to feel the subtle menace, albeit from a loving hand.
There are few times when I don't know how to react to the way a book makes me feel, but this is one of those times.
This is a book I will reread and remember for a long, long time.
A keeper.
The cover alone was enough to excite me to look inside. I'm glad I did.
It felt like a wild ride even though it was underplayed. I wish I knew his name.
Her man, perhaps, and I'll remember him. Maybe every time I see a darker shadow in the shady places.
I loved this book. I don't know whether to call it poetry or prose, and I'd never heard of Eddic tales, but if that's your thing, or you want to feel the subtle menace, albeit from a loving hand.
There are few times when I don't know how to react to the way a book makes me feel, but this is one of those times.
This is a book I will reread and remember for a long, long time.
A keeper.
October 24, 2019
How does a reader give this work the credit it deserves? Simply written, powerfully felt. A man with a job, a woman he loves beyond sanity (or is it his only hold on sanity?).
He is her tool, he says, and I feel the depth of that longing to be nothing more than that. Loved it. Can't say that enough.
He is her tool, he says, and I feel the depth of that longing to be nothing more than that. Loved it. Can't say that enough.
May 31, 2020
The description of this book likens it to an "Eddic tale." Wikipedia describes the Poetic Edda in terms of "visionary force and ... dramatic quality" and "strongly-concentrated imagery." That certainly describes this work, which alternates terse verses with short prose pieces that elaborate upon them.
The narrative voice is that of a poet who is also an assassin, the instrument of vengeance wielded by a female figure he calls Herja, Devastation. There are two themes: 1) doing the job; 2) the relationship.
I liked the steely focus of the character, his understated declarations, his acceptance of the terrible. This short book hints at a larger story, like a body under a sheet. I wished there was more, but in the end thought it was just as well there wasn't.
The narrative voice is that of a poet who is also an assassin, the instrument of vengeance wielded by a female figure he calls Herja, Devastation. There are two themes: 1) doing the job; 2) the relationship.
I liked the steely focus of the character, his understated declarations, his acceptance of the terrible. This short book hints at a larger story, like a body under a sheet. I wished there was more, but in the end thought it was just as well there wasn't.
October 11, 2019
When I first saw the verse that started the journey towards this story, I was inspired. I saw her, I felt him, I wanted to go further.
It's done now, his story is told, and it still gives me chills. I loved my part in this story, and I loved his love of his journey, as he told it in his unique way - the poet and the scribe.
Yes, I'm one of the authors, but if the storyteller doesn't feel it ...
I felt it. We felt it. Still feel it. Every time I read it, it brings that feeling to my gut, the slight tension, the burn in the eyes, the gasp of breath. A sense of his shadow, over there, watching, waiting.
Her man, to the end of all things.
It's done now, his story is told, and it still gives me chills. I loved my part in this story, and I loved his love of his journey, as he told it in his unique way - the poet and the scribe.
Yes, I'm one of the authors, but if the storyteller doesn't feel it ...
I felt it. We felt it. Still feel it. Every time I read it, it brings that feeling to my gut, the slight tension, the burn in the eyes, the gasp of breath. A sense of his shadow, over there, watching, waiting.
Her man, to the end of all things.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews