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Prince Neptune: Poetry and Prose
Jack Kerouac meets Arthur Rimbaud for the millennial generation. A debut poetry collection from LA-based Australian writer, singer, songwriter Cody Simpson who has penned hit songs and toured worldwide for the majority of his young life.
Conjuring vivid imagery and drawing from the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water, Prince Neptune presents poems and prose on themes of life, love, fame, escapism, environmentalism, with an overarching narrative of nature as a nod to the author's passion for the earth and the environment. Simpson’s poetry combines themes of freedom and the ocean with the wisdom of an old soul.
Conjuring vivid imagery and drawing from the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water, Prince Neptune presents poems and prose on themes of life, love, fame, escapism, environmentalism, with an overarching narrative of nature as a nod to the author's passion for the earth and the environment. Simpson’s poetry combines themes of freedom and the ocean with the wisdom of an old soul.
- GenresPoetry
128 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2020
10 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Cody R. Simpson
3 books25 followersCody Simpson is an LA-based Australian who's meteoric rise to fame is matched only by his incredible artistic talent. Simpson has progressed as a writer, musician, and celebrity at an astounding pace; from uploading videos on YouTube from his home in Australia to selling out tours around the world, Cody is one of the most marketable artists of his generation. When he's not touring or surfing, he's honing his craft on the typewriter creating new pieces of poetry.
Simpson is an artist who brings an authentic and organic writing style well beyond his years. After penning and singing #1 songs with Justin Bieber and Flo Rida, Simpson turned inward, wanting to express himself in more artistic and dynamic ways. Still a massive force to be reckoned with in the world of music, Cody is now ready to take on the world of writing as PRINCE NEPTUNE.
(source: Amazon)
Simpson is an artist who brings an authentic and organic writing style well beyond his years. After penning and singing #1 songs with Justin Bieber and Flo Rida, Simpson turned inward, wanting to express himself in more artistic and dynamic ways. Still a massive force to be reckoned with in the world of music, Cody is now ready to take on the world of writing as PRINCE NEPTUNE.
(source: Amazon)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
June 26, 2020
Okay so I got this book off netgalley and my god I’m so glad I didn’t pay anything for it..
this book screams to me that the author is trying too hard, poor use of English and extremely cringy.. I saved a few examples to illustrate how bad it was..
Page 33: a poem about him getting a hard on at the beach from staring at some stranger
Page 79: “milky crotch” (not I visual that I wanted)
Page 86: “take off your clothes for I MUST see you NOW”
The poems often talk about women and is extremely sexualised in a really creepy way. There’s a difference between writing poetry that expresses desire for women and then passages that indicate that he is entitled to their bodies etc. not a fan of how a lot of the poems came across. Sexist and almost misogynistic at times.
Also uses a bunch of big words that kind of ruin the poems cause he’s like trying to sound smarter but it just sounds stupid?? Seems like he had a thesaurus out while writing to find words that sounded more poetic which left me editing the work in my head while I read which was a nightmare..
I totally judged this book by its cover thinking it would be great, but if you turn it over, the back cover is an author photo of him as a cowboy and honestly looks like some mills and boon book front cover which is kinda creepy as an author photo and basically sums up the creepy experience I had reading it
this book screams to me that the author is trying too hard, poor use of English and extremely cringy.. I saved a few examples to illustrate how bad it was..
Page 33: a poem about him getting a hard on at the beach from staring at some stranger
Page 79: “milky crotch” (not I visual that I wanted)
Page 86: “take off your clothes for I MUST see you NOW”
The poems often talk about women and is extremely sexualised in a really creepy way. There’s a difference between writing poetry that expresses desire for women and then passages that indicate that he is entitled to their bodies etc. not a fan of how a lot of the poems came across. Sexist and almost misogynistic at times.
Also uses a bunch of big words that kind of ruin the poems cause he’s like trying to sound smarter but it just sounds stupid?? Seems like he had a thesaurus out while writing to find words that sounded more poetic which left me editing the work in my head while I read which was a nightmare..
I totally judged this book by its cover thinking it would be great, but if you turn it over, the back cover is an author photo of him as a cowboy and honestly looks like some mills and boon book front cover which is kinda creepy as an author photo and basically sums up the creepy experience I had reading it
February 17, 2020
I received a digital advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a disappointing book and a time waster too. I am trying to come up with something good to say but honestly, I can't think of any!
It has no flow whatsoever. He used words that could have been either eliminated or changed into simpler words. I personally think that he was trying too much and forcing out words. The majority of the poems barely made any sense at all.
I'm sorry but that is what I think of this book, I absolutely do not recommend it!
This was such a disappointing book and a time waster too. I am trying to come up with something good to say but honestly, I can't think of any!
It has no flow whatsoever. He used words that could have been either eliminated or changed into simpler words. I personally think that he was trying too much and forcing out words. The majority of the poems barely made any sense at all.
I'm sorry but that is what I think of this book, I absolutely do not recommend it!
September 15, 2021
I read this book for my “Reading like the boys from outer banks” video!! Check out my thoughts here:
https://youtu.be/IXqJ5UssJn8
https://youtu.be/IXqJ5UssJn8
February 25, 2020
O boy,where to begin... There were a couple of poems in the beginning that I liked,but everything else just was not working. After every other poem I would catch myself thinking "What is he even talking about?", because seriously what is he talking about? Where would be some pretentious line about the universe and our place in it and in the next line he would get a hard on. A pretentious line about meditation and being present and in the next line "semen sprawled on trees". There was no comment theme to the poems, no beauty in the words. And most of the time I could not make sense of it. Another great example:"We may wear different clothes but we wear the same sun". How the hell do you wear a sun exactly?
This poetry collection sadly did not work for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This poetry collection sadly did not work for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2020
prince neptune, i loved this book. as a fellow simp, i really related to your poetry as i too sit in coffee shop hungover reading with woman. you inspire me because your Obfuscate eyes are so beautiful.
the words you use to talk about the world are simply Quid Pro Quo. miley is so lucky to have a real man like you. xxox
simp patrol
the words you use to talk about the world are simply Quid Pro Quo. miley is so lucky to have a real man like you. xxox
simp patrol
February 21, 2020
I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
This wasn't the greatest book of poetry I've ever read but it had some potential in some of the poems. There wasn't much of a spark to this book which I found disappointing as apart from afew of the poems, the book fell flat for me.
This wasn't the greatest book of poetry I've ever read but it had some potential in some of the poems. There wasn't much of a spark to this book which I found disappointing as apart from afew of the poems, the book fell flat for me.
April 25, 2020
Let me preface this by saying I am largely ignorant of Cody Simpson’s existence and stumbled upon his writing online. I liked what I saw so I thought ah what the hell - I have an amazon gift card and poetry is a good place to spend it.
What worked on Instagram didn’t transfer to this published book - Yikes. 90% of the poems seemed to be emulating what he thinks poetry should be. I felt his voice to be largely absent from this book - instead the pages are filled with wandering thoughts of society in general which unsurprisingly are a mere reflection of his celebrity status which failed to communicate any sort of new perspective.
That was a long run on sentence - good thing this Australian surfer boy has introduced some shallow water with this book - now I can take a breath and move on with my life. Oof
What worked on Instagram didn’t transfer to this published book - Yikes. 90% of the poems seemed to be emulating what he thinks poetry should be. I felt his voice to be largely absent from this book - instead the pages are filled with wandering thoughts of society in general which unsurprisingly are a mere reflection of his celebrity status which failed to communicate any sort of new perspective.
That was a long run on sentence - good thing this Australian surfer boy has introduced some shallow water with this book - now I can take a breath and move on with my life. Oof
February 17, 2020
From Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.
I found this to be both boring and didn't get very much out of it.
I found this to be both boring and didn't get very much out of it.
June 9, 2020
I was interested to read a book of poems from a person from my age group in modern society. Many of the reviews on here are quite harsh, and I don’t think his poems are terrible by any means. He is a wonderful lyricist, and even has some of his songs lyrics in his book. These are some of his best parts, where he keeps the words soft and lovely. However, there are poems in here that have some crude meanings and some words are used that seem out of place, and I don’t care for those personally.
One review says he doesn’t seem to have any themes in his poems. I disagree. Many of them are love poems or the struggle between earthly pleasures and mental awareness and asceticism.
Here are themes I believe he focuses on:
- dualism
- battle between asceticism and earthly pleasures
- freedom and ecstasy of the mind
- urge to love and explore nature
- romance
- Greek mythology
- ego and false glories
- mental awareness and meditation
- unity of peoples
- government corruption and the failure of society
Personally, I do not agree with some of his beliefs or ideologies, I was intrigued by his style on many poems and prose as well as his use of figurative language.
One review says he doesn’t seem to have any themes in his poems. I disagree. Many of them are love poems or the struggle between earthly pleasures and mental awareness and asceticism.
Here are themes I believe he focuses on:
- dualism
- battle between asceticism and earthly pleasures
- freedom and ecstasy of the mind
- urge to love and explore nature
- romance
- Greek mythology
- ego and false glories
- mental awareness and meditation
- unity of peoples
- government corruption and the failure of society
Personally, I do not agree with some of his beliefs or ideologies, I was intrigued by his style on many poems and prose as well as his use of figurative language.
April 10, 2020
It's like he got drunk and read 50 Shades and Robert Frost and went "fukk ittt i can do this m rich I do wha eva I want" and spit that out. Ugh also I I did some high level stalking and discovered he and Miley are quarantined together at her place. She needs to bang some sense into him so he’s never horny again and I NEVER have to read something so unpleasant. Good lord
April 3, 2020
This poetry collection was okay. I found the style to be too flowery and over-the-top. It was difficult for me to understand the hidden meanings and metaphors. Using simpler language would have made the poems more effective. Because of that, I could not connect to the poems emotionally and felt confused most of the time. Some of the poems did not make any sense and this decreased my enjoyment level.
Overall, this collection fell flat for me.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, this collection fell flat for me.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2020
DNF'ed at 42%. I just could not put myself through this. I just could not. I expected better from Cody and it also happened to be one of those poetry books I so wanted to read since I saw it on NetGalley. I don't know if it was the writing style that I had an issue with or if it was not for me but I just could not put myself through it. I am glad I read a borrowed copy since the arc was archived before I downloaded it. I will not be visiting this one again to give it a chance because for the second time I am DNFing a book and for the first time, I am not feeling guilty about it.
Giving this a one because that's the minimum rating.
Giving this a one because that's the minimum rating.
May 25, 2021
utopian socialism idealized by a famous white singer who’s horny
September 15, 2025
It was a fun and quick read. Interesting descriptions and ideas. I did struggle to understand it sometimes, but that's poetry. A little out of my wheelhouse, but enjoyable.
April 13, 2020
“Son, there are millions of fish in the sea. Find yourself a mermaid”
2.5 stars
I requested this book mainly because of the author, I love Cody Simpson´s work and I wanted to explore what he could do in the poetry environment. The poems in the beginning were strong and I kept telling myself “wow if all the poems are going to be like this I think I have just found a new favorite poetry collection”, however I was so disappointed that only the first few poems were that strong.
Like I said, the first few poems were strong, however I am sad to say that the poems that followed were not for me at all. In my opinion, the author tried to be very sophisticated, using metaphors in every sentence and using words that just left me feeling like I had no idea what was going on. I was constantly saying “what is he talking about” “what does he mean” and maybe this is a reflection of how bad of a poetry reader I am but I was so confused for almost all of the collection.
I was sad I did not enjoy this more, I truly wanted to love this and get a more personal glimpse in the life and thoughts of the author since I love his work and what he does. But I could not get into this, there was no common theme, he used words that were just difficult to understand and it changed the overall meaning and tone and moreover, this poetry collection tried way too hard to be more than it is.
I am disappointed that I couldn’t find many positive things about this collection, but I truly had a hard time getting through this book even though it was 128 pages.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read and review this collection.
2.5 stars
I requested this book mainly because of the author, I love Cody Simpson´s work and I wanted to explore what he could do in the poetry environment. The poems in the beginning were strong and I kept telling myself “wow if all the poems are going to be like this I think I have just found a new favorite poetry collection”, however I was so disappointed that only the first few poems were that strong.
Like I said, the first few poems were strong, however I am sad to say that the poems that followed were not for me at all. In my opinion, the author tried to be very sophisticated, using metaphors in every sentence and using words that just left me feeling like I had no idea what was going on. I was constantly saying “what is he talking about” “what does he mean” and maybe this is a reflection of how bad of a poetry reader I am but I was so confused for almost all of the collection.
I was sad I did not enjoy this more, I truly wanted to love this and get a more personal glimpse in the life and thoughts of the author since I love his work and what he does. But I could not get into this, there was no common theme, he used words that were just difficult to understand and it changed the overall meaning and tone and moreover, this poetry collection tried way too hard to be more than it is.
I am disappointed that I couldn’t find many positive things about this collection, but I truly had a hard time getting through this book even though it was 128 pages.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read and review this collection.
June 25, 2024
This is a lovely poetry book. I am genuinely confused as to why the reviews for it aren’t better.
I admit that when I was younger, I had a crush on Cody Simpson. However, when I picked up this poetry book, I didn’t figure out it was THAT Cody Simpson until about halfway through. I went, “Oh, it's kinda weird that the poet has a shirtless picture of himself on the back.”
The poems are very insightful and grounded in his own existence. I think people are mistaken in looking for relatability in a book called “Prince Neptune.” I enjoyed the look into the mind of someone who has experienced Hollywood fame but is also a child of nature. It is an interesting mix of traits. I think many negative reviews are due to a misunderstanding of the point of such a work. It gives us an opportunity to see and ponder a different kind of life.
The part I liked the least was the dick metaphors, but they make sense in context. Sex is divine in this collection. The hedonism is part of the life experience being discussed and described for us. Describing a woman as divine in nature is not sexist, as some reviews allege; it is an honest description of attraction. This mindset is prevalent in the ancient styles often referenced in this collection.
The heart of this work is in the right place. It is anti-war and pro-environment. The discomfort with modern society endears it to me. There is a continuous pull towards something better through the work, which left me feeling inspired and uplifted.
I did not know Cody Simpson was so introspective and thoughtful. Honestly, I never would have guessed that.
In my opinion, this poetry book is excellent.
I admit that when I was younger, I had a crush on Cody Simpson. However, when I picked up this poetry book, I didn’t figure out it was THAT Cody Simpson until about halfway through. I went, “Oh, it's kinda weird that the poet has a shirtless picture of himself on the back.”
The poems are very insightful and grounded in his own existence. I think people are mistaken in looking for relatability in a book called “Prince Neptune.” I enjoyed the look into the mind of someone who has experienced Hollywood fame but is also a child of nature. It is an interesting mix of traits. I think many negative reviews are due to a misunderstanding of the point of such a work. It gives us an opportunity to see and ponder a different kind of life.
The part I liked the least was the dick metaphors, but they make sense in context. Sex is divine in this collection. The hedonism is part of the life experience being discussed and described for us. Describing a woman as divine in nature is not sexist, as some reviews allege; it is an honest description of attraction. This mindset is prevalent in the ancient styles often referenced in this collection.
The heart of this work is in the right place. It is anti-war and pro-environment. The discomfort with modern society endears it to me. There is a continuous pull towards something better through the work, which left me feeling inspired and uplifted.
I did not know Cody Simpson was so introspective and thoughtful. Honestly, I never would have guessed that.
In my opinion, this poetry book is excellent.
September 2, 2024
This book is mesmerizing in many ways! It took me far beyond the ocean and made me feel free. I felt the cool breeze of the ocean as well as the heat of summer in my face.
The author is a genius! I love Cody Simpson as a song writer plus singer since I was 12. I also adore Australia. So I was extremely excited to explore his collection of poetry and prose. It is definitely a summer read that enable you to smell the salty sea and remind you the perfect beach you had been long ago. Present so many vision in it that you will enjoy to explore. I really cherish the sea and each work in the book satisfied my love twords the sea. It is a book that make you smile, make you think, make you think as a poet and fill you with endless love.
Cody Simpson is really a prince of the sea , prince Neptune in other words, He is so talented in each subject of life that he try to do everything to test his limits and live freely as far as he can. Currently he will participate the World Olympics so even though it is sad that he may not produce or write anything in terms of poetry and song , it is great that he will be a star as an Olympics participent.
It is a must read for nature/sea adorers. You will not regret.I felt as if I was in a sea-coast vintage coffee shop's serene atmosphere while reading it. I read it while listening to "B Sides" album by Cody Simpson so I strongly suggest you to do the same.
(Also there is a poem in the book that later turned into a song which is called "Golden Thing")
The author is a genius! I love Cody Simpson as a song writer plus singer since I was 12. I also adore Australia. So I was extremely excited to explore his collection of poetry and prose. It is definitely a summer read that enable you to smell the salty sea and remind you the perfect beach you had been long ago. Present so many vision in it that you will enjoy to explore. I really cherish the sea and each work in the book satisfied my love twords the sea. It is a book that make you smile, make you think, make you think as a poet and fill you with endless love.
Cody Simpson is really a prince of the sea , prince Neptune in other words, He is so talented in each subject of life that he try to do everything to test his limits and live freely as far as he can. Currently he will participate the World Olympics so even though it is sad that he may not produce or write anything in terms of poetry and song , it is great that he will be a star as an Olympics participent.
It is a must read for nature/sea adorers. You will not regret.I felt as if I was in a sea-coast vintage coffee shop's serene atmosphere while reading it. I read it while listening to "B Sides" album by Cody Simpson so I strongly suggest you to do the same.
(Also there is a poem in the book that later turned into a song which is called "Golden Thing")
May 4, 2020
I was super excited when I got Cody's book in the mail, signed and all. As a fan since his iYiYi days, I gave this a five out of five for what people might think is the dumbest reason to walk across this platform. In my personal life, I thought his poetry was different and I'm not used to the whole free form thing. However, this may be the perfect book to read if you're going on a bender of some nice, sweet Mary Jane.
Now, I am not promoting the use of drugs, nor will I ever do drugs. I'm just saying that every once in a while, I wouldn't mind a nice easy read, especially if someone is in the mood for some high reading. (I am also not insinuating that Cody does drugs because I don't have proof to use.) If GoodReads is saying that Cody's style is like Jack Kerouac, I would say the genre of "high reading" is where this book stands. Sorry not sorry.
P.S. I never liked Jack Kerouac's stuff, so I was surprised that I even enjoyed a bit of this at all.
Now, I am not promoting the use of drugs, nor will I ever do drugs. I'm just saying that every once in a while, I wouldn't mind a nice easy read, especially if someone is in the mood for some high reading. (I am also not insinuating that Cody does drugs because I don't have proof to use.) If GoodReads is saying that Cody's style is like Jack Kerouac, I would say the genre of "high reading" is where this book stands. Sorry not sorry.
P.S. I never liked Jack Kerouac's stuff, so I was surprised that I even enjoyed a bit of this at all.
August 9, 2020
it's been so long since I first heard a Cody Simpson song 'on my mind.' Ever since I've been following his journey of singing world wide, becoming older and being not only a musician but also a film-maker, photographer, writer and poet. Cody's words have something magical and it can be found in every single poem he wrote. I absolutely loved to read his poetry in the form of his debut and even more to have a little piece of his mind so close. What a wonderful person he is. I rate this 4/5 stars! Why not 5 stars, this book should have been so much thicker!
July 6, 2024
Easy reading, emphasizing some of the most important problems of the world to the writer. It also shows what mesmerizes him in this world and how he perceives life.
I found it really interesting, fluid like the waves of the ocean, depicting my curiosity on some matters but not in a heavy way, in a wind blowing way, like the thoughts that come and go through our mind.
I recommend reading it in the amidst of nature, contemplating its beauty, and enjoying its "silence", because the book speaks for itself.
I found it really interesting, fluid like the waves of the ocean, depicting my curiosity on some matters but not in a heavy way, in a wind blowing way, like the thoughts that come and go through our mind.
I recommend reading it in the amidst of nature, contemplating its beauty, and enjoying its "silence", because the book speaks for itself.
February 28, 2020
"Artists are those most apt to seduce us to life."
This stuck with me and there are snippets here and there that would be memorable for readers. I love that the author drew inspiration from Poseidon :-) and it's obvious that he loves being out in the waters because it's the overriding theme in the collection.
Being his first collection, I'm looking forward to more of his work...
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
This stuck with me and there are snippets here and there that would be memorable for readers. I love that the author drew inspiration from Poseidon :-) and it's obvious that he loves being out in the waters because it's the overriding theme in the collection.
Being his first collection, I'm looking forward to more of his work...
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
February 27, 2020
***I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
this collection tried way too hard. Most of the poems made no sense. There was no theme except water/ocean but that wasn't portrayed in a way that kept the collection cohesive. It felt like a lot of unfinished ideas and poems written with words that made the poems sound pretentious.
this collection tried way too hard. Most of the poems made no sense. There was no theme except water/ocean but that wasn't portrayed in a way that kept the collection cohesive. It felt like a lot of unfinished ideas and poems written with words that made the poems sound pretentious.
June 7, 2021
Dear Prince Neptune,
Your words were deep and like the sea, far into the wide vast air of space, burning my eyes like fire, as I rest my mind, body, soul, and spirit on earth to breathe and sleep. So many poems that I like, loved, that made me laugh, made me think.
"When the senses are rationally disordered, the poem rises from the depths of the subconscious like a shimmering pearl."
Your words were deep and like the sea, far into the wide vast air of space, burning my eyes like fire, as I rest my mind, body, soul, and spirit on earth to breathe and sleep. So many poems that I like, loved, that made me laugh, made me think.
"When the senses are rationally disordered, the poem rises from the depths of the subconscious like a shimmering pearl."
April 6, 2024
Current thoughts:
For a guy who was a child singer, had a relationship with Miley Cyrus, then went back to swimming and is dating Emma Mckeon a highly decorated swimmer and now a massive power couple. Then the choice to go back to music after Paris 2024 or swim a little longer that is the question- but he can write and narrate some pretty decent poetry. Wow!!
To be continued...
For a guy who was a child singer, had a relationship with Miley Cyrus, then went back to swimming and is dating Emma Mckeon a highly decorated swimmer and now a massive power couple. Then the choice to go back to music after Paris 2024 or swim a little longer that is the question- but he can write and narrate some pretty decent poetry. Wow!!
To be continued...
May 6, 2020
I’ve loved Cody Simpson since Iyiyi came out. Reading his poetry shows how much he has grown as an artist. Very good poems.
April 14, 2020
Great book with some awesome poetry. Loved every minute of it
August 12, 2021
So well written! And has some deep meaning, I love it
June 15, 2020
Such a beautiful poetry book, full of sentiment and lovely words. Just wish it was longer... I am longing to read more from him...
January 29, 2021
Unfortunately this sounds exactly like the poetry I was writing in high school. It's not bad, just seems slightly underdeveloped?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews