Mirror Mirror: Poetry 2022

by Cliff Sowers

The second book from poet Cliff Sowers.

Genres: Poetry

124 pages, Paperback

Published February 19, 2022

Reviews

[Alyssa Miller · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't enjoy it at all

I personally gave the book one star because, while I did agree with 1 or 2 of the poems, I found that the majority of them just didn't feel right. This was not my cup of tea. The poems gave out a strong anti-woman vibe and implied that even the slightest mistake would disqualify a woman from passing "The Door Test." If you disagree, please accept my apology; this was merely my opinion on this.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to say I won this through a giveaway here on Goodreads. Thank you giveaway team!

I loved this book of poetry. Beautiful prose and imagery that was often blunt and to the point. I enjoyed throughly my time reading it.

[Thea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mirror Mirror

I won this book on Goodreads. I usually don't enjoy poetry but I liked his poems about death, relationships, and winter. An unusual read.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through a Goodbooks giveaway. Thank you Cliff Sowers!
The poems and writings in Mirror, Mirror: Poetry 2022 captured my attention from the first page! There were times I thought the poems were written about MY life and experiences! I cried, I relived pain and loneliness, and I laughed at certain memories! I more than waved as we met, I pulled over and had conversations! What a wonderful book, that I will revisit several more times during my life's journey!

[Casarah Nance · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this from a goodreads giveaway. First I'll say there was a couple of writes inside this book that I did like, the moth one really stood out for me. But I think many of them were personal and situational that standing outside the writers would I could not connect with. Many were written in free verse, which makes it hard to feel like it is poetry. Now I do got to give respect to someone who exposes and expresses themselves through words. And I do appreciate the win and chance to read. I just did not feel.

[molly · Rating 1 out of 5]

i have read this before

this book is the exact same as vega starlight’s “dark poeta.”

i am not trying to be funny- they’re literally THE SAME book but “dark poeta” has an edgy theme with edgy pictures and stuff.

the poems are the same. literally copied and pasted.

i am not sure what’s going on here. both books are, to repeat myself from my review of “dark poeta,” predictable, trite, boring, and unchallenging.

i won both books in a goodreads giveaway, so… does that mean the giveaways aren’t random? i’m confused here. also, if the author thinks the marketing strategy is the problem, it’s not. the poetry is the problem.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic book full of insight and honesty into yourself. Don't rush it, read a couple a day, revisit as you're compelled to do, and just let it all sink in. As with all poetry of this nature, not every page will resonate with every person but I think most will find something profound in these pages.

[Pat Stanford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poetry? Not Poetry

I won this on a Goodreads giveaway. Took maybe 20 minutes of my time. Poetry, especially non rhyming, needs to have at least a rhythm. Most of what is in this collection seems to be meandering thoughts.

It should have been titled "The Door Test" since that was referred back to numerous times.

The one story about the sailors in the cave started out to be interesting, and could be developed further as a short story. Fellow author, Jaime Havilland, who wrote a very similar story with the spooky non human presence in his novel "Goldhead", completed the thought with a full story.

I dunno. I don't like slamming other writers, but this volume left me wanting.

[Nancy Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of poems about women failing the door test.

All the Reasons Jerry Dumped a Woman, Ranked by Pettiness

[SW! · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok, quick read too.

[Joy Rosales · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book on Kindle in a Goodreads giveaway.
From the pretentious preface to the off putting, judge mental poems that border on nice-guy and even MGTOW beliefs this was just not for me and I kind of hated everything about it. But maybe I am just “too selfish for poetry.”

[Cindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible

[AJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note: won this in a GoodReads give away.

This book was not my cup of tea.

While a few of the poems are interesting and there are a couple of themes that tie poems together, overall I didn’t find the poems engaging and at times a turn off. The theme of people not passing The Door Test bothered me as did the poem Trash.

I hope the author is doing better.

[Kaitlyn Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

This is the second book of poetry I've read by Cliff Sowers, and I've enjoyed it even more than the other ("Martian Florist").
There is such a raw vulnerability that is present in the various poems. While crude at times, these poems explore heartache, loss, and even the glimmer of hope one can find in the midst of the darkest of times.

[Boydsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some good ideas here. In the age of contradictions there are questions posed that make you think and wonder how we got here.

[Britt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found it difficult to engage with or enjoy this author's work. I'm sure it is meaningful for someone else, but it was not my cup of tea.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mirror Mirror

This wasn’t anything special, but also nothing terrible. The only parts that really stick out was the vulgarities. I’m glad no one around me can hear some of the language that was being used.

#GoodreadsGiveaway

[Jaymin Ewens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poems, am I right?

As with most poetry books, it had some poems I connected to easy or became engaged with quickly, and then there was a lot that either frustrated me or that I simply couldn't find a way to appreciate.

[Rae Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a digital copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. (Thank you, Mr. Sowers!)

In the preface, the author states that, “Novels are an escape. Poetry is not an escape.” I agree with this statement. You can’t read poetry and expect to escape the emotions that they’re sharing with you. And some will hit you harder as you mull them over in your mind, as you figure out the deeper meaning of what they’re trying to tell you. Some of my favorite poems in this book are, “Trash”, “Walking Away from Rainbows”, “Cabin Fever”, “Winter Before Sunrise” “Home”, and “Finish”.

I enjoyed “Mirror, Mirror”, and I would recommend it to other readers.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreads giveaway winner: When I won this book, I could not remember the last time I read any poetry. I hate to say but it might have been in highschool (which has been more than a minute).

The preface was beautifully written and put me in the right state mind for this journey. This was definitely the right time/place for this book to fall into my lap and I am thankful.

I have been doing a lot of self-reflection recently. I had taken steps to remove people who had failed door test years ago, but the emotions were still left behind. The poems give them life.

Just when I thought I found my favorite, I turned the page and there is another one. I look forward to more.

[Amanda Pierson · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up to 3. I won a digital copy of this book through a goodreads giveaway. Poetry collections full of self reflection, emotion, and atmosphere are a great delight to read and ponder over. This book didn’t stand out to me and I found some of the prose conversation pieces lacking, but the poetry overall was good.

[Kab Vaj · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was actually looking forward to this book because I read his other poetry book and enjoyed it. Maybe it’s me but I didn’t really understand the “test”. Also I felt there is no order in this book. All the poems were thrown together. There were a few pieces that I actually like, otherwise it was ok.

I got this in a goodreads giveaway.

[Linda Tuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful and Meaningful

This was such an emotional and satisfying read that I hope there is a physical copy I can add to my library. If you enjoy poetry and the inevitability of the process of life, love, and death…gift this a try.

[Sara Greenwood · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m always a fan of trying new reads, and while I’m not much for poetry, I won this book, so gave it a go. You might need to be a certain kind of personality to read, understand, and sympathize with this one. Not my taste, and the writer’s take on The Door Test seems a little skewed at times.

[Diane Reitmyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great way to be reintroduced to poetry. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it as it has been years since I have read any poetry.

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I won this book from the goodreads giveaway !!

I had a really hard time engaging with this poetry book .
I love poetry and usually read these books with so much interest and intrigue , but I just could not connect with this one . It was so sporadic.. and I could not relate . Im just unsure honestly a theme ... I wish I could have gotten into this more ...

[Brittanni · Rating 3 out of 5]

***3.5 stars*** I was lucky to receive this book in a giveaway. There was a mix of topics between good and evil, God and Satan, other Gods, gaining love losing love. Most of the poems were eye opening or thought provoking and will definitely read more from this poet.
I did like how some poems had different parts that were spread out throughout the book.

[Amanda Tisdale · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't mind it. I won it from a goodreads giveaway. I was able to read through the whole thing so it wasn't bad. I just didn't feel a connection with it. There were a few things said that I did really like but overall just had a "meh" feeling about it.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a poetry reader, but I won this Giveaway and am happy I did. Not being familiar with poetry and its forms, I was surprised at how much story telling was involved. I really enjoyed reading this and experiencing a new genre.

[Eileen Sateriale · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the writing was dark and negative. I couldn’t get into this book.

I won this book on a Goodreads giveaway.