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What the Moon Gave Her
It is never too late to become all that you envision. Your birth happens more than once so sink into each feeling of uncertainty and ride with the waves.
From loneliness, fear, and change comes a breathtaking collection of poetry that inspires strength and self-healing during a time when we couldn’t feel farther apart.
What the Moon Gave Her is a poetry collection born from self-discovery. The debut collection from Christi Steyn delves into themes of self-doubt, anxiety, and the unprecedented loss felt during the height of the pandemic. Beauty is found in every corner of this book's six dynamic chapters––"birth by the ocean", “you plucked too many petals", “how to grow wings”, "dancing dolphins”, "full moon/bloom" and "two trees intertwined".
What the Moon Gave Her is a moving collection about rebirth and the way we reconnect with the world around us through love.
From loneliness, fear, and change comes a breathtaking collection of poetry that inspires strength and self-healing during a time when we couldn’t feel farther apart.
What the Moon Gave Her is a poetry collection born from self-discovery. The debut collection from Christi Steyn delves into themes of self-doubt, anxiety, and the unprecedented loss felt during the height of the pandemic. Beauty is found in every corner of this book's six dynamic chapters––"birth by the ocean", “you plucked too many petals", “how to grow wings”, "dancing dolphins”, "full moon/bloom" and "two trees intertwined".
What the Moon Gave Her is a moving collection about rebirth and the way we reconnect with the world around us through love.
- GenresPoetry
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2022
51 people are currently reading
617 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
September 3, 2022
Usually I have a hard time interpreting a poem, let alone getting into every stanza, but the poems in this book may seem ordinary but the words are easy to enjoy and make my mind sink in every play of words. and most importantly, the poems in this book are so closely related to what I'm experiencing right now that they give me a kind of strength.
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This book is divided into 6 chapters, where each chapter has a varied interpretation. Casual poems but they seem have a lot of meanings and advices within about self renewal, loneliness, confidence, love and hopes. Some of the poems would be better to get manifested to reach a good quality of live.
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Don't missed up these poems due to many new-essential points dealing with life will be found in each line of its words. top recommendation for who loves casual poems to read.
Instagram: @edirbooks
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This book is divided into 6 chapters, where each chapter has a varied interpretation. Casual poems but they seem have a lot of meanings and advices within about self renewal, loneliness, confidence, love and hopes. Some of the poems would be better to get manifested to reach a good quality of live.
.
Don't missed up these poems due to many new-essential points dealing with life will be found in each line of its words. top recommendation for who loves casual poems to read.
Instagram: @edirbooks
August 10, 2022
The poems in Christi Steyn’s collection What the Moon Gave Her revolve around the theme of self-discovery through the natural world. Divided into six chapters (“birth by the ocean”, “you plucked too many petals”, “how to grow wings”, “dancing dolphins”, “full moon/bloom”, and “two trees intertwined”), the book explores metaphorical birth, awakening, and connection.
The poems are often personal with Steyn advocating “if you cannot write poetry / write about yourself my dear / there in the lines / a poem will appear.” This excerpt is similar in style and tone to many of the poems in the book which directly address the reader and use simple rhyme. Several poems suggest the reader connect with nature to “become a waterfall” or “let [your] wings grow”. Some poems meditate on the pains of romantic break up, isolation, and loneliness, while others unfold as lists such as “how to be invincible” or “how to become love”. An interesting series of poems sets out to explain colors to someone who can’t see, and a standout in the collection, “hands and names”, uses the moving image of the hands of the poet’s grandmother to explore love and loss.
The poems are scattered with simple pen and ink drawings that match the mood of the collection. Although I didn’t find any memorable stanzas and was sometimes underwhelmed by the simple use of rhyme scheme, there are many pieces which may resonate with female readers who have experienced friendship, doubt, love, loss, and spiritual awakening. Like the moon in the title, the collection offers readers the potential for beautiful transformation.
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
The poems are often personal with Steyn advocating “if you cannot write poetry / write about yourself my dear / there in the lines / a poem will appear.” This excerpt is similar in style and tone to many of the poems in the book which directly address the reader and use simple rhyme. Several poems suggest the reader connect with nature to “become a waterfall” or “let [your] wings grow”. Some poems meditate on the pains of romantic break up, isolation, and loneliness, while others unfold as lists such as “how to be invincible” or “how to become love”. An interesting series of poems sets out to explain colors to someone who can’t see, and a standout in the collection, “hands and names”, uses the moving image of the hands of the poet’s grandmother to explore love and loss.
The poems are scattered with simple pen and ink drawings that match the mood of the collection. Although I didn’t find any memorable stanzas and was sometimes underwhelmed by the simple use of rhyme scheme, there are many pieces which may resonate with female readers who have experienced friendship, doubt, love, loss, and spiritual awakening. Like the moon in the title, the collection offers readers the potential for beautiful transformation.
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
August 23, 2022
I don’t know what to think. I guess these poems just didn’t amaze me, didn’t feel right. The illustrations were really nice though, I loved them.
December 5, 2022
Masterpiece
November 23, 2023
a few individual lines were good, as a whole it was kind of too spiritual for me ?
January 17, 2023
I found the book really underwhelming - the writing didn't really flow and the imagery was repetitive. I did like a few themes that were represented in some poems, but overall nothing really left a lasting impression on me.
October 6, 2022
Your birth happens more than once.
Your birth happens more than once. Yes! My new mantra. After my break up I think the whole “you plucked too many petals” chapter will be my nighttime read. Will this be in audio book? I really hope so. I want to hear it in Christi’s voice.
I love her fresh taste on modern poetry. Perhaps it isn’t for everyone but the images are very vibrant. A beautiful debut.
Your birth happens more than once. Yes! My new mantra. After my break up I think the whole “you plucked too many petals” chapter will be my nighttime read. Will this be in audio book? I really hope so. I want to hear it in Christi’s voice.
I love her fresh taste on modern poetry. Perhaps it isn’t for everyone but the images are very vibrant. A beautiful debut.
August 31, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the chance to read and review this ARC.
I gave up on What the Moon Gave Her around 60 pages in. While the book started promisingly, the chapter titles looked very interesting, however as a whole I feel like the poems sounds a little immature.
To give Christi Steyn credit I will say that I did like the poem 'searching for keys.' I also feel like fans of hers who follow her on TikTok may appreciate this collection more as they'd want a physical copy of poems that resonated with them.
I gave up on What the Moon Gave Her around 60 pages in. While the book started promisingly, the chapter titles looked very interesting, however as a whole I feel like the poems sounds a little immature.
To give Christi Steyn credit I will say that I did like the poem 'searching for keys.' I also feel like fans of hers who follow her on TikTok may appreciate this collection more as they'd want a physical copy of poems that resonated with them.
March 30, 2023
I was most of the way through this book and was settling on a 3* review. The first 4 chapters contain some real gems, a few slightly odd poems and some which, for me, lacked direction. However when I moved on to the last 2 chapters there was a clearer sense of purpose and mostly really vivid and beautiful poems. I’m used to listening and watching Steyn’s poetry on her Instagram page and found some didn’t translate as beautifully onto the page as they do when she performs them. The last two chapters for me really made this collection.
July 31, 2023
I think I have such a hard time relating to poetry because to my brain so much of it sounds like lyrics that an indie singer from the 90’s would write.
Out of the poetry books I’ve read recently, this one was the least likeable for me.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. (The version I read was a finished copy.)
Out of the poetry books I’ve read recently, this one was the least likeable for me.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. (The version I read was a finished copy.)
August 23, 2022
I'm sorry... this is just baaaad. The poems are giving me angsty grade 7 assignment vibes a.k.a. make as many rhymes as you can regardless if they make sense or not. This is going to be a DNF from me.
December 31, 2024
3 stars
This was the first poetry book I’ve read cover to cover in my adult reading journey! Some of the poems really resonated with me, while others really didn’t and seemed a bit strange. I’m not sure this is my favorite kind of poetry, but I did get a few really beautiful annotations.
This was the first poetry book I’ve read cover to cover in my adult reading journey! Some of the poems really resonated with me, while others really didn’t and seemed a bit strange. I’m not sure this is my favorite kind of poetry, but I did get a few really beautiful annotations.
January 6, 2023
I loved the poems, although the writing style took a bit to get used to.
April 12, 2024
Words can’t describe how much this authors poetry speaks to me. Reading her lines not only guide me to understand her but also helped me understand myself on a deeper level as well 🌸💕
May 9, 2023
i found christi steyn first on tiktok with her poetry readings, and was intrigued by this title and by knowing her via tiktok. there were some good poems that spoke to me in this season of life, but not a lot of other stand outs.
November 27, 2022
this is a beautiful collection of poetry. Christi’s use of language makes the mundane magical. unlike many modern poets, she does not stray from the whimsical but rather embraces it. I find myself reminded of “Where The Sidewalk Ends” when I read her work. she has the creativity of Shel Silverstein and the capacity to write about a broad array of topics — predominantly love, self love and reflection, beauty in the everyday life, nature, and healing. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested, it is deep yet approachable to those familiar with poetry and non-poetry readers alike. I can’t wait to read more of her work!
October 23, 2022
ARC- “What the moon gave her” is a Rupi Kaur esk, delightful journey back into nature and the comfort of the unknown. A purposeful demand to protect our bodies, as Steyn writes to uplift young female minds especially when the collection is set during pandemic isolation.
September 20, 2023
For when you want to see what millennials are reading. Not everyone is poet/visual artist.
November 14, 2022
Someone recently recommended that I read this collection of poems by Christi Steyn and I couldn’t be more grateful. I had seen her on TikTok and instagram before and I was thrilled to hear of her recent book. I really resonated with the playful style, encouragement of self-reflection and the vivid imagery that it painted for me. The poet’s talent shines in the beautiful flow of themes in each chapter that really speaks to the types of struggles and joys that everyone experiences sometime in their lives. I look forward to seeing more of her writing in the years to come. I highly recommend you treat yourself or someone special in your life to this book, it might be just the thing one needs to feed their inner child. I did not regret it.
September 13, 2022
What the Moon Gave Her by Christi Steyn is a beautiful book of poems inspired by the nature around us. I loved the poems about love and life. They were crafted in such a way that you could feel the authors emotions ebb and flow like the tide.
November 14, 2022
I’ve been on Christi’s poetry retreat before and I am so proud of her and this book. She has brought a lot of light into my life and this book is a treasure! I love her style and playful flow. Dancing dolphins :)
September 11, 2022
The cover is gorgeous! This poetry collection is amazing! I love the art and the subjects of the poems. It makes me think and feel. This is good to read if you're needing to feel some things for a while.
November 14, 2022
Had a lot of promise to start with, Unfortunately as it went on it just became more and more boring and my interest and attention was just not there there. I did end up finishing the book but it took me way longer than it should've for poetry. The illustrations were interesting. At first I didn't like them but then the more I looked at them the more I saw and the more I liked though it did lose me again towards the end.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC
October 6, 2022
This book felt like home to me. I follow Christi on Instagram and read the poems in her voice. She has a unique style and I love how the words effortlessly flow into each other. This is my new comfort book and I will recommend it to anyone who struggles with anxiety. The whole thing just feels like a warm hug, I’ve never read anything like it.
March 12, 2023
"Do not fight your courage because of uncertainty, you belong. We all learn by trying, birds aren't born flying"
These poems were so full of emotion, they felt really wholesome, supportive, and I felt genuinely seen, accepted and understood by Christi. I felt so heard in my own struggles, to fit in and be everywhere at once, to always be productive and reaching to be somewhere else, when I should just appreciate the journey I'm currently on, where I am now, and how far I've already come.
Some of my personal favourites from this collection are:
-Becoming a waterfall
-Waving at the Waves
-A fine place
-Handle with care
-Cocoon days
-We all have butterfly tendencies
This collection focuses on some really important topics like guilt, and anxiety, depression, abandonment, body dysmorphia, and hatred towards our bodies in response to the social attitudes that are so rife within our society, on how we should look to be defined as 'attractive' enough. Christi highlights how raw and painful it can be to feel betrayed and lost by someone you love, when they leave you, whilst you're still trying to cope with your own overwhelming and suffocating feelings. This was such a beautiful and wonderful reminder that it's okay to feel what you're feeling, and sit with said feelings, until you can find ways to cope. It's human to feel pain and sadness.
As someone who struggles with depression, I felt so understood in the poems around the consuming pain and guilt you can often feel suffocated by when you withdraw from those you love to try and manage your own feelings and emotions, and how intensely difficult it is to talk about such heavy and all-consuming feelings with those you love, in fear of worrying them or feeling misunderstood and abandoned.
This was just so beautiful, the illustrations, the poems, just everything about it was incredible. Full of immersive elements, and really insightful and empowering poems, reminding you that you are enough as you are, you don't have to please everyone in this world, or be accepted by everyone to be good enough.
These poems were so full of emotion, they felt really wholesome, supportive, and I felt genuinely seen, accepted and understood by Christi. I felt so heard in my own struggles, to fit in and be everywhere at once, to always be productive and reaching to be somewhere else, when I should just appreciate the journey I'm currently on, where I am now, and how far I've already come.
Some of my personal favourites from this collection are:
-Becoming a waterfall
-Waving at the Waves
-A fine place
-Handle with care
-Cocoon days
-We all have butterfly tendencies
This collection focuses on some really important topics like guilt, and anxiety, depression, abandonment, body dysmorphia, and hatred towards our bodies in response to the social attitudes that are so rife within our society, on how we should look to be defined as 'attractive' enough. Christi highlights how raw and painful it can be to feel betrayed and lost by someone you love, when they leave you, whilst you're still trying to cope with your own overwhelming and suffocating feelings. This was such a beautiful and wonderful reminder that it's okay to feel what you're feeling, and sit with said feelings, until you can find ways to cope. It's human to feel pain and sadness.
As someone who struggles with depression, I felt so understood in the poems around the consuming pain and guilt you can often feel suffocated by when you withdraw from those you love to try and manage your own feelings and emotions, and how intensely difficult it is to talk about such heavy and all-consuming feelings with those you love, in fear of worrying them or feeling misunderstood and abandoned.
This was just so beautiful, the illustrations, the poems, just everything about it was incredible. Full of immersive elements, and really insightful and empowering poems, reminding you that you are enough as you are, you don't have to please everyone in this world, or be accepted by everyone to be good enough.
August 15, 2022
What the Moon Gave Her by Christi Steyn is a debut collection that talks about rebirth and the way we reconnect with the world around us through love. This poetry collection is divided into six chapters: "birth by the ocean", “you plucked too many petals," “how to grow wings,” "dancing dolphins,” "full moon/bloom" and "two trees intertwined".
What I loved about this book is that every chapter has its own theme. For example, the first chapter entitled “Birth by the Ocean,” uses the various bodies of waters as its theme and symbolism for each poem. The writing style is absolutely beautiful and feels very fairy-tale like. But I expected that the theme would revolve more about the heavenly bodies since it is entitled, “What the Moon Gave Her.”
The illustrations included in this book uses a very unique art style and somehow very loosely reminds of Picasso’s works.
It is unfortunate though that I only resonated with about 50% of the book. I just didn’t feel that emotional impact and attachment on the other 50%. I think it has something to do with the fact that some metaphors and symbolisms were harder to deduce. I truly believe that someone with deeper knowledge with literary or someone who loves classics would appreciate this wonderful book.
I would be excited to pick up Steyn’s books in the future and see how she develops more as a writer. Maybe I would resonate more with her works by then. For now, I would have to give this book 3.5 glorious stars.
Special thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
What I loved about this book is that every chapter has its own theme. For example, the first chapter entitled “Birth by the Ocean,” uses the various bodies of waters as its theme and symbolism for each poem. The writing style is absolutely beautiful and feels very fairy-tale like. But I expected that the theme would revolve more about the heavenly bodies since it is entitled, “What the Moon Gave Her.”
The illustrations included in this book uses a very unique art style and somehow very loosely reminds of Picasso’s works.
It is unfortunate though that I only resonated with about 50% of the book. I just didn’t feel that emotional impact and attachment on the other 50%. I think it has something to do with the fact that some metaphors and symbolisms were harder to deduce. I truly believe that someone with deeper knowledge with literary or someone who loves classics would appreciate this wonderful book.
I would be excited to pick up Steyn’s books in the future and see how she develops more as a writer. Maybe I would resonate more with her works by then. For now, I would have to give this book 3.5 glorious stars.
Special thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2024
Honestly, this book was really what I needed right now. Not only have I been in a big reading slump, but I have had a lot of things going on in my life that have made me super down. I have never read a poetry book before but honestly this was amazing. Some of the poems weren't for me but thats ok, just like the author says something along the lines of "my mother likes my poems and so do I and thats enough for me". and honestly I could give critisism to this book but it all really doesn't matter. There are going to parts of things anyone can like and anyone can hate but I think the author being content in herself and saying it just makes me not want to nit pick too much. This book had so many powerful and strong sentiments that, If I had working tear ducts, would have for sure made me cry. This book is filled with self love and its oozing at the seems. This book is really just the author sharing their raw unadulterated life, and inspirational messages, for other people to relate to and feel a sense of camaraderie and togetherness. After reading this book I feel much less alone in this world and to quote the author
"I know how exhausting joy can seem
she will appear again
soon, without trying
there is nothing wrong with you
there is nothing wrong with you"
I could genuinely quote so many other things and go on for another 5 paragraphs analysing quotes but I think the impact of this one lands harder when at the end of a review that isn't filled with the entire book analysis. I hope you enjoyed my review and remember to have a bright day!
"I know how exhausting joy can seem
she will appear again
soon, without trying
there is nothing wrong with you
there is nothing wrong with you"
I could genuinely quote so many other things and go on for another 5 paragraphs analysing quotes but I think the impact of this one lands harder when at the end of a review that isn't filled with the entire book analysis. I hope you enjoyed my review and remember to have a bright day!
September 14, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
WHAT THE MOON GAVE HER by Christi Steyn is a collection of poetry about growth, rebirth, loneliness, fear, healing, and more. It's told in multiple parts, each of them focusing on a different part of the journey of self-improvement and self-love.
The beginning was really strong for me. I was excited because I felt really connected to the poems, and I was loving the writing. It's not written in free verse; it features a lot of metaphors and rhymes, which I normally love. In the first handful of poems, it worked really well, but as the collection goes on, it becomes repetitive and a lot of the rhymes don't make sense, and feel really forced.
When I read poetry, I need to either really relate to the poems and enjoy the writing, and in some poems in this collection, I felt both, whereas in others, I didn't end up feeling either. So I have mixed feelings about it. Some of the poems were so wonderful but then there were times when I just wanted to stop reading the book all-together.
To sum it up, if you like rhymes and metaphors and don't mind some repetitiveness, and if you're interested in themes like self-love, healing, and growth, you could definitely enjoy this poetry collection. If you prefer straightforward simple writing, it might not work for you.
Even though I didn't entirely love it, I'm still glad I read it because the poems I loved made it worth it.
WHAT THE MOON GAVE HER by Christi Steyn is a collection of poetry about growth, rebirth, loneliness, fear, healing, and more. It's told in multiple parts, each of them focusing on a different part of the journey of self-improvement and self-love.
The beginning was really strong for me. I was excited because I felt really connected to the poems, and I was loving the writing. It's not written in free verse; it features a lot of metaphors and rhymes, which I normally love. In the first handful of poems, it worked really well, but as the collection goes on, it becomes repetitive and a lot of the rhymes don't make sense, and feel really forced.
When I read poetry, I need to either really relate to the poems and enjoy the writing, and in some poems in this collection, I felt both, whereas in others, I didn't end up feeling either. So I have mixed feelings about it. Some of the poems were so wonderful but then there were times when I just wanted to stop reading the book all-together.
To sum it up, if you like rhymes and metaphors and don't mind some repetitiveness, and if you're interested in themes like self-love, healing, and growth, you could definitely enjoy this poetry collection. If you prefer straightforward simple writing, it might not work for you.
Even though I didn't entirely love it, I'm still glad I read it because the poems I loved made it worth it.
August 5, 2022
Early access from: Net Galley
I think my favorite poem from this collection was "slim thick," which I do not think I would have appreciated as much if I did not find the author on Instagram and find the video of her reading it.
Most of the poetry I found to be baseline; I tend to enjoy the classics a bit more, and I know that I've enjoyed a poem when I feel that certain pang in my chest. I did not feel any of this when reading, which left me slightly disappointed. I feel as though the author is attempting to convey a deeper meaning through her pieces, but it is not delivering as much as I would like it to. Scratching the surface, if you will.
Furthermore, the themes and categories of the poetry collection are all over the place. The moon, the ocean, flowers, trees, etc... the list goes on. I feel like it reaches all over the place, and I would have enjoyed either one large theme or a focus specifically on the other themes, such as "awakening," "learning love," or "live in your power."
I do believe this author has the energy and skill to hone and perfect the craft with a bit more practice. I do admire the self-drawn illustrations, which I found to resemble Rupi Kaur collections. I will be looking forward to the next few collections.
I think my favorite poem from this collection was "slim thick," which I do not think I would have appreciated as much if I did not find the author on Instagram and find the video of her reading it.
Most of the poetry I found to be baseline; I tend to enjoy the classics a bit more, and I know that I've enjoyed a poem when I feel that certain pang in my chest. I did not feel any of this when reading, which left me slightly disappointed. I feel as though the author is attempting to convey a deeper meaning through her pieces, but it is not delivering as much as I would like it to. Scratching the surface, if you will.
Furthermore, the themes and categories of the poetry collection are all over the place. The moon, the ocean, flowers, trees, etc... the list goes on. I feel like it reaches all over the place, and I would have enjoyed either one large theme or a focus specifically on the other themes, such as "awakening," "learning love," or "live in your power."
I do believe this author has the energy and skill to hone and perfect the craft with a bit more practice. I do admire the self-drawn illustrations, which I found to resemble Rupi Kaur collections. I will be looking forward to the next few collections.
September 13, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have some mixed feelings about this collection, but I'm ultimately looking forward to re-reading it. I'll start with some of my favorite things about this. I like how thematic elements like mermaids, flowers, and the color purple are recurring throughout the collection. It helps create a sense of cohesiveness and intentionality. Also, some of the poems that contain more rhyming are beautiful and singsongy when read out loud. Plus, LOOK at how beautiful the cover art is!
For me, some of these poems feel like they could have been ripped from my own personal diary, and at times I caught myself nodding my head, giggling, or relating to many of the pieces. But some of the poems either didn't make sense to me or felt a little underdeveloped. Maybe those particular poems just weren't for me. At the end of the day, art is always subjective!
I'm glad to have read this and I do plan to re-read it in the future.
I have some mixed feelings about this collection, but I'm ultimately looking forward to re-reading it. I'll start with some of my favorite things about this. I like how thematic elements like mermaids, flowers, and the color purple are recurring throughout the collection. It helps create a sense of cohesiveness and intentionality. Also, some of the poems that contain more rhyming are beautiful and singsongy when read out loud. Plus, LOOK at how beautiful the cover art is!
For me, some of these poems feel like they could have been ripped from my own personal diary, and at times I caught myself nodding my head, giggling, or relating to many of the pieces. But some of the poems either didn't make sense to me or felt a little underdeveloped. Maybe those particular poems just weren't for me. At the end of the day, art is always subjective!
I'm glad to have read this and I do plan to re-read it in the future.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews