Poems and Peonies

by Chelsie Diane

A stunning and honest debut poetry collection for women taking back their one wild and precious life as their own, an unapologetic look at the beauty and pain and reclamation of what has always been hers. chelsiediane.com @poemsandpeonies

Genres: Poetry

136 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2022

Reviews

[Leah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Parts well written so kudos to those who lent their story without permission for the poetry plagiarized. Many errors and typos but overall cannot support a scammer who steals others words and women's money for her profit. I hope readers see through her lies all over Instagram.

[hello · Rating 1 out of 5]

CD is a phenomenal writer. Let me start there. She is a strong storyteller and, as it also turns out, a convincing performer. This woman, an indie Instagram poet, has transfixed many women in the IG writing community with her raw and primal voice. However, due to a recent scandal re: a writing retreat she hosted in tuscany (see @poemsandpeonies_scamtruth -- one which all evidence of occurring has since been removed from her website and IG page/highlights) many have uncovered a different side of her. I support her work *as a writer* however, many of the poems and stories gathered are taken or pieced from the experiences of others. Spoiler alert! Not all poets are the subjects of their poems! That doesn't make the poet/poem any less talented or well-written. All artists steal, which is certainly true for CD. However, artistic theft needs to coincide with ethical integrity. And when a poet fails to disclose this and allows others to mistakenly believe her to be some heroine/goddess/warrior king due to stories from the lives of the women she claims to empower, that *is* a problem. Honestly, for a woman who claims to be a witch, she should have seen this coming. Using a community of women to bolster and build up this image of herself as a king, when, in the end, all kings fall.

[Vanessa Ya Lopez · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cover & title were my favorite part. I read about 5 poems and then decided her style is not for me.

[Andrea Pole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poems and Peonies by Chelsie Diane lured me in with its stunning cover and the promise of an empowering, emotionally engaging read, and I was not left disappointed. This is a remarkably honest and unflinching debut about finding the strength to live your most authentic life both wildly and unapologetically. I look forward to reading much more from this exciting new voice in the future as this debut collection just bursts with the promise of great potential.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poems and Power for an ARC.

[Air · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a copy from NetGalley before I saw the things circulating the author.
I've seen too many things about her plagiarizing and how she stole these poems from the women around her. It's terrible the way she's treated them. I won't finish the book.

[Ella Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful
Raw
Unapologetic
Chelsie's passion is visceral. This felt very personal. It felt like a gift to be able to witness these words.
5*

[Kat · Rating 1 out of 5]

Apparently this is plagiarized, so there will not be a review.

[Kaiti Vartholomaios · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry that packs a punch, so empowering.

[Lillian Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE

[Cherise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not overly my style of poetry however could see how it would appeal to some. It reads as some cathartic writings from someone healing from past traumas. There were repeated themes throughout many of the poems that appeared quite personal. My personal view on poetry is finding connection and meaning and relatability, which I struggled to find in these pieces. There were however a few that I really loved and resonated with.

[Metaphor_megg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love. I’ve bought several copies and given them to my friends. Chelsie Diane is such a powerful teacher.

[Suzanne Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really what I was expecting. Not so much a collection of poetry but more I long poem/biography in prose centred about the lives of women.

If you're looking for something different then this might fit the brief but for it was a no, but then I'm not a connoisseur of poetry.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in return for a honest review.

[Kate Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

A handful of these were great but most were not.

[Kaileia É · Rating 5 out of 5]

poems and power has been nourishment and affirmation for my soul. i love everything that is chelsie in both written and spoken word.

[Elena Gondra · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥰 loved it