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The Gravity of Existence: Poems
A collection of tiny terrors from Bram Stoker Award ® winner Christina Sng. The Gravity of Existence is a weight lifted, a monster freed, a princess with sneakers, a spell for a better world. From one of the leading voices in dark verse, this collection delights in the misunderstood, putting a new spin on werewolves, basilisks, sirens, ghosts, aliens, pandemics, fairy tales and myths. Sng gives new voice to classic heroines and the result is terrifying, magical, and fantastic.
96 pages, Paperback
First published December 5, 2022
3 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Christina Sng
102 books56 followersChristina Sng is a poet, writer and artist. Her work has received honourable mentions in The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror, and nominations for the Dwarf Stars and Rhysling Awards. She is the author of several chapbooks, including Dark Dreams (2011) and A Constellation of Songs (2016). Her first two full-length poetry collections from Alban Lake Publishing and Raw Dog Screaming Press were published in 2016.
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September 16, 2022So this poetry collection from Christina Sng took about 20 minutes for me to read. Very, very, short pieces. I like the way they’re grouped together in themes to tell a story but honestly, there’s not much here to sink your teeth into. I love Sng’s collections from Raw Dog Screaming press, so definitely check those out if this one leaves you wanting more ✨
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Review copy from NetGalley
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Review copy from NetGalley
August 3, 2022
Ah, combining two things: one of my favorite genres and one of my least favorite formats, this is what scary looks like in poetic form.
Or at least, that’s the idea here, in this collection by a Bram Stoker recognized author.
Poetry is, inherently, a thing that thrives on brevity. But these slices of life, supernatural, extraterrestrial, and otherwise, go even further, whittling themselves down to mere slivers.
The result is interesting enough, conceptually, stylistically, and contextually.
Sometimes a few words is all that’s needed to present or at least hint at a complete story, sometimes they are mere glimpses of another world – one slat in the window blind open.
Yeah, again, interesting. And for the time it takes to read this book, which is not time at all, it’s worth checking out, if only for an experiment’s sake. Thanks Netgalley.
Or at least, that’s the idea here, in this collection by a Bram Stoker recognized author.
Poetry is, inherently, a thing that thrives on brevity. But these slices of life, supernatural, extraterrestrial, and otherwise, go even further, whittling themselves down to mere slivers.
The result is interesting enough, conceptually, stylistically, and contextually.
Sometimes a few words is all that’s needed to present or at least hint at a complete story, sometimes they are mere glimpses of another world – one slat in the window blind open.
Yeah, again, interesting. And for the time it takes to read this book, which is not time at all, it’s worth checking out, if only for an experiment’s sake. Thanks Netgalley.
November 2, 2022
I'll be the first to admit that I'm no fan of poetry, in fact I more or less hate it. I'm happy to report that I enjoyed reading this, a collection of short, sharp, dark and humorous poems. That's not to say I liked every single poem but as a whole it's a great collection and different to boot. Each chapter contains similarly themed poems, which is a nice touch. I also enjoyed that they included takes on famous writings and movies. The only issue was that it was such a quick read. A surprisingly entertaining collection of short, dark poetry.
This Arc copy was provided by the publisher via netgalley in return for a honest review.
This Arc copy was provided by the publisher via netgalley in return for a honest review.
April 23, 2024
Another missing review:
SpecPo and all micro poetry/haiku and the like. Fantastic.
SpecPo and all micro poetry/haiku and the like. Fantastic.
September 18, 2022
This isn't my first book by the author, but I think I personally prefer her longer work a bit more -- it gives me more time to get acclimated to each poem's tone / theme / message, and I think I struggled with that a little bit because of it here. I've never read short format poetry like this (or, not quite as short anyway), and I did enjoy how quick the style & book were - I was able to read this really fast and despite the speed, still had some vivid imagery in my head throughout!
August 30, 2022
Either these poems do not make any sense whatsoever, or they are not for me. The only think i like about this book is the cover of it, which was done by Anna Surgan. A work of art :))
Thank you Net Galley for the arc.
Thank you Net Galley for the arc.
August 8, 2022
Thank you Net gallery for providing me with a free copy of the Gravity of existence in exchange for a honest review.
I have never read poetry that wasn't focused on social issues such as feminism, but if that's what supernatural/horror in poetry form is supposed to read like I can confidently say that this genre is simply not my cup of tea.
The whole book read like a pinterest/amino/tumblr post who was trying to fit some sort of aesthetic. It was a bunch of beautiful words mixed together making no sense and if this wasn't such a quick read I'd probably not have managed to finish it.
I have never read poetry that wasn't focused on social issues such as feminism, but if that's what supernatural/horror in poetry form is supposed to read like I can confidently say that this genre is simply not my cup of tea.
The whole book read like a pinterest/amino/tumblr post who was trying to fit some sort of aesthetic. It was a bunch of beautiful words mixed together making no sense and if this wasn't such a quick read I'd probably not have managed to finish it.
October 11, 2022
This collection of minimalist speculative poems -- haiku, tanka and other brief forms -- joyfully tests the limits of what can be done with few words. Opening with a dark SF haibun, Christina Sng quickly shifts focus to horror (three sections), followed by mostly dark SF (two sections) and a very dark SF section for "The End."
In most cases, the haiku and tanka are presented in titled groups, forming a loosely-constructed longer poem from items previously published elsewhere. This works remarkably well, although the haiku especially become more like stars in a constellation than stanzas in a narrative work. The reader may visit them in any order, picking up resonances between them. Other haiku and tanka appear separately titled, with the titles intrinsic to their meanings. These didn't work quite as well for me, possibly because I'm not used to haiku with titles.
As one would expect from a haiku / scifaiku poet, Sng's vision is precise and frequently bleak. Some of the longer poems have distinct "punch lines," though these are never clichés. This is a generously-sized collection, but I found myself reading most of it in a single sitting. Well-crafted scifaiku, it seems, are a bit like potato chips.
Recommended for readers of both mainstream haiku and speculative poetry, or poetry-shy SF / H fans looking to broaden their horizons. My thanks to NetGalley, who provided me with a free copy of this collection in exchange for an honest review.
In most cases, the haiku and tanka are presented in titled groups, forming a loosely-constructed longer poem from items previously published elsewhere. This works remarkably well, although the haiku especially become more like stars in a constellation than stanzas in a narrative work. The reader may visit them in any order, picking up resonances between them. Other haiku and tanka appear separately titled, with the titles intrinsic to their meanings. These didn't work quite as well for me, possibly because I'm not used to haiku with titles.
As one would expect from a haiku / scifaiku poet, Sng's vision is precise and frequently bleak. Some of the longer poems have distinct "punch lines," though these are never clichés. This is a generously-sized collection, but I found myself reading most of it in a single sitting. Well-crafted scifaiku, it seems, are a bit like potato chips.
Recommended for readers of both mainstream haiku and speculative poetry, or poetry-shy SF / H fans looking to broaden their horizons. My thanks to NetGalley, who provided me with a free copy of this collection in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2022
It was a very quick read. For the first half of the book the writing was flat and unimpressive, some of the poems were quite literally copy and pastes of hit tweets or tumblr posts but with the phrase changed a bit to look 'aesthetic' which I found super annoying but apart from those, the poems by the end were more meaningful and well written.
As someone who reads poetry a lot I can't say I really found anything special with this collection but it was alright. I don't hate it and I don't love it. (I did hate the first half though, ngl, the last part redeemed it somewhat).
Thanks Netgalley.
As someone who reads poetry a lot I can't say I really found anything special with this collection but it was alright. I don't hate it and I don't love it. (I did hate the first half though, ngl, the last part redeemed it somewhat).
Thanks Netgalley.
October 2, 2022
//3.5 rounded up
thanks to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
i actually really enjoyed this.
the poems are little fragments of thought, descriptive and intentional.
they're short poems but i really enjoyed them.
the book is cut into sections, each section having it's own theme which i loved.
put shit into perspective for me.
some of the poems were really whizz-bangs, man.
"longing
to be extinguished
every single day
thousand-year-old ghost
still trapped at home"
and
"clinically dead
the brain dreams
in remnants
sky full of stars
wishing
i could live
long enough
to visit them all."
in my opinion, no line was wasted. i found the flow really nice, the breaks were appropriate, and the themes were delightful.
themes were:
Prelude, Real Monsters, Childhood Tales, Ghost Stories, The Enlightenment of Science, In Sickness In Death, The End, and Requiem.
i will definitely read more by Sng. this, though a short collection, was made with love, i can tell, and was beautifully put together.
definitely recommend this to poetry lovers.
thanks to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
i actually really enjoyed this.
the poems are little fragments of thought, descriptive and intentional.
they're short poems but i really enjoyed them.
the book is cut into sections, each section having it's own theme which i loved.
put shit into perspective for me.
some of the poems were really whizz-bangs, man.
"longing
to be extinguished
every single day
thousand-year-old ghost
still trapped at home"
and
"clinically dead
the brain dreams
in remnants
sky full of stars
wishing
i could live
long enough
to visit them all."
in my opinion, no line was wasted. i found the flow really nice, the breaks were appropriate, and the themes were delightful.
themes were:
Prelude, Real Monsters, Childhood Tales, Ghost Stories, The Enlightenment of Science, In Sickness In Death, The End, and Requiem.
i will definitely read more by Sng. this, though a short collection, was made with love, i can tell, and was beautifully put together.
definitely recommend this to poetry lovers.
November 17, 2022
I received a copy for review through NetGalley.
This is a really great collection of poetry. There are horror, science fiction and fantasy poems included. It is divided into sections of various themes. Those themes include monsters, ghost stories, fairy tales, innovations in science, death and sickness, apocalyptic, and space travel. Each poem was very short, from a few lines to only a few going on to a second page.
I will say that the fairy tale section was my least favorite of the collection, and that may come done to personal preference. I loved every other section. These are the kinds of ideas and stories I love to read about the most. Some poems were heartfelt and touching, some were interesting thought experiments, and some were positively spooky. I really enjoyed the use of language and word choice included.
If you are a fan of poetry I would highly recommend this collection. But I would also recommend it to those that enjoy horror, science fiction, or fairy tales in bite size pieces.
This is a really great collection of poetry. There are horror, science fiction and fantasy poems included. It is divided into sections of various themes. Those themes include monsters, ghost stories, fairy tales, innovations in science, death and sickness, apocalyptic, and space travel. Each poem was very short, from a few lines to only a few going on to a second page.
I will say that the fairy tale section was my least favorite of the collection, and that may come done to personal preference. I loved every other section. These are the kinds of ideas and stories I love to read about the most. Some poems were heartfelt and touching, some were interesting thought experiments, and some were positively spooky. I really enjoyed the use of language and word choice included.
If you are a fan of poetry I would highly recommend this collection. But I would also recommend it to those that enjoy horror, science fiction, or fairy tales in bite size pieces.
September 3, 2022
This was disappointing, but I am trying to rate it based on the writing itself and not on my expectations. There were really well written lines, but overall, I don’t think a single poem stuck with me. I thought that this would either be drenched in metaphor or have some sort of narrative running throughout, but I didn’t end up getting that. It was more like reading many micro takes on Horror/scifi/fantasy ideas, which might be fine, if anything felt new or relevant. The Childhood section was my least favorite and particularly difficult for me to focus on. I love haikus, but nothing about these felt fresh or clever. Certain sections worked better than others. Ghost and The End were more of what I was expecting with this collection as they had a bit more of a thread running through them, and I may have given this 4 stars if the entire collection was written this way. Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC
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August 3, 2022ok wow...
had to admit, the starting didn't really feel me
It felt like a bunch of 'big' words together written in poetry form
but 'the end' part was just ✨✨
poetic musings over the end of the world is just hands down, one of the best things ever
and of course, describing the fairy tales was also the one of the other things that I liked about this
This is a light and fun read that just makes you think
It would have been a 2 stars if it wasn't for the universe bit hehehe
~sucker for astronomy related stuff~
had to admit, the starting didn't really feel me
It felt like a bunch of 'big' words together written in poetry form
but 'the end' part was just ✨✨
poetic musings over the end of the world is just hands down, one of the best things ever
and of course, describing the fairy tales was also the one of the other things that I liked about this
This is a light and fun read that just makes you think
It would have been a 2 stars if it wasn't for the universe bit hehehe
~sucker for astronomy related stuff~
August 18, 2022
4/5 stars
TWs: Death, blood, gore, grief, trauma
A small poetry collection that gave me inspiration to write stories about monsters and people in towers, much more than spoke to me about life. I really enjoyed it and I hope to read more from the author in the future. Some of my favourite poems were 'Escape', 'A Better World', 'Fears', 'Electroconvulsive Therapy Session One' and 'The Graveyard'.
TWs: Death, blood, gore, grief, trauma
A small poetry collection that gave me inspiration to write stories about monsters and people in towers, much more than spoke to me about life. I really enjoyed it and I hope to read more from the author in the future. Some of my favourite poems were 'Escape', 'A Better World', 'Fears', 'Electroconvulsive Therapy Session One' and 'The Graveyard'.
November 14, 2022
I got an ARC of this book.
I don't get it. At all. It took all of 10-15 minutes to read, but I have no idea what I just read. Sometimes that is exciting, but this time, I just won't remember this book. The cover is amazingly cool, but inside is a mystery to me.
I don't get it. At all. It took all of 10-15 minutes to read, but I have no idea what I just read. Sometimes that is exciting, but this time, I just won't remember this book. The cover is amazingly cool, but inside is a mystery to me.
September 4, 2022
The Gravity of Existence is a weight lifted, a monster freed, a princess with sneakers,
a spell for a better world. From one of the leading voices in dark verse, this collection delights in the misunderstood, putting a new spin on werewolves, basilisks, sirens, ghosts, aliens, pandemics, fairy tales and myths.
The poet gives new voice to classic heroines and the result is terrifyingly, magically, and fantastically beautifully disastrous but in a good way.
Sometimes a few words is all one needed to present or complete a story, sometimes they are mere glimpses of another world. Interesting read.
The book is worth checking out cause it's fast paced and won't take much time to finish the whole book. Though I know poetry ain't for everybody and many won't like to read it altogether but for me it's definitely refreshing one both pattern wise and emotionally.
Highly recommended.
Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Thank you @netgalley @InterstellarPress for the #arc in exchange for a honest review.
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#bookstagram #booklover #bookworm #bookreview #readersofinstagram #readmorebooks #booksnerdigans #igbooks #instabook #bookphotography #bookshelf #bookaddict #bookstagrammer #bookobsessed #bookcommunity #bookblogger #bookblog #bookporn #readinglist #currentlyreading #newbook #instagood #goodvibes #instadaily #photoeveryday #bookphoto #goodreadschallenge #followmefollowyou
a spell for a better world. From one of the leading voices in dark verse, this collection delights in the misunderstood, putting a new spin on werewolves, basilisks, sirens, ghosts, aliens, pandemics, fairy tales and myths.
The poet gives new voice to classic heroines and the result is terrifyingly, magically, and fantastically beautifully disastrous but in a good way.
Sometimes a few words is all one needed to present or complete a story, sometimes they are mere glimpses of another world. Interesting read.
The book is worth checking out cause it's fast paced and won't take much time to finish the whole book. Though I know poetry ain't for everybody and many won't like to read it altogether but for me it's definitely refreshing one both pattern wise and emotionally.
Highly recommended.
Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Thank you @netgalley @InterstellarPress for the #arc in exchange for a honest review.
.
.
.
.
.
#bookstagram #booklover #bookworm #bookreview #readersofinstagram #readmorebooks #booksnerdigans #igbooks #instabook #bookphotography #bookshelf #bookaddict #bookstagrammer #bookobsessed #bookcommunity #bookblogger #bookblog #bookporn #readinglist #currentlyreading #newbook #instagood #goodvibes #instadaily #photoeveryday #bookphoto #goodreadschallenge #followmefollowyou
August 8, 2022
After trying to re-read some Edgar Allen Poe this year, I came to the conclusion that "Horror Poetry" is not really my thing, or so I thought. Christina Sng's "The Gravity Of Existence: Poems" has served to prove me immensely wrong, and I couldn't be happier about that.
From the very first poem in "The Gravity Of Existence", I knew this collection would be different. Christina puts words to the vulgar thought patterns that seem to exist quietly in the mundanity of daily life. She highlights the depravity locked inside each human being, creating stunning pictures of human intricacy. What originally presents itself as a collection of easy to read poetry, quickly transcends into all out madness with a sickeningly delicate yet familiar state of consciousness. Occasionally blending in elements of space horror and even a couple fresh takes on fairy tales, Christina leaves no stone unturned, instead, forcing her readers to intricately inspect what lies beneath said stones, regardless of how odious the results might be.
Thank you to Christinia Sng for getting me back into horror poetry with this incredible collection, and to Netgalley for connecting us! I also want to call attention to the absolutely resplendent cover art by Anna Surgan!
From the very first poem in "The Gravity Of Existence", I knew this collection would be different. Christina puts words to the vulgar thought patterns that seem to exist quietly in the mundanity of daily life. She highlights the depravity locked inside each human being, creating stunning pictures of human intricacy. What originally presents itself as a collection of easy to read poetry, quickly transcends into all out madness with a sickeningly delicate yet familiar state of consciousness. Occasionally blending in elements of space horror and even a couple fresh takes on fairy tales, Christina leaves no stone unturned, instead, forcing her readers to intricately inspect what lies beneath said stones, regardless of how odious the results might be.
Thank you to Christinia Sng for getting me back into horror poetry with this incredible collection, and to Netgalley for connecting us! I also want to call attention to the absolutely resplendent cover art by Anna Surgan!
August 15, 2022
This collection was a mix of mystery, mythology and quantum mechanics. Sng’s modern voice collided with these old tales and retellings in a way where some worked extremely well, with a few falling slightly short. The experimentation with form and linguist style was similar to this in the way that sometimes I was enveloped in the story, other times I wished for a little more. Definitely a quick read, and a collection I’ll to coming back to in October when the world is encompassed by spooky vibes! Also, I’d buy this simply because the cover art is absolutely stunning. Gorgeous vibes, fitting for a gruelling read! Looking forward to reading some more of Sng’s work.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2022
Poems in a book
Just a few verses each
But can contain the universe
Deep thoughts
And quick flashes
Tasty and fleeting
Living, loving, reaching
Holding the moment
Letting go of the future
Poems in a book
Emotions in ink
Life on paper
Just a few verses each
But can contain the universe
Deep thoughts
And quick flashes
Tasty and fleeting
Living, loving, reaching
Holding the moment
Letting go of the future
Poems in a book
Emotions in ink
Life on paper
August 25, 2022
NetGalley and Interstellar Flight Press provided me with an eARC. All opinions are my own.
The Gravity of Existence is an extraordinary collection of poetry. At some times a gut-punch and at other times a testament to human thought and behavior, Sng has a talent for brevity.
Of the collection “The Gravity of Loss,” “Monstress,” “The Monsters at Home,” “Monsters,” and “Body Parts” moved me the most. The cadence and separation of verses on the page was reminiscent of a predator sneaking on its prey.
The persona poem sections, where Sng gives prominent fairy tale princesses (like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Rapunzel) a voice with a horrific twist really spoke on topics of generational trauma, revenge, escape, and the cyclical role “damsel-in-distress” plays in relation to a woman’s age.
I am not particularly familiar with the horror poetry genre, but this made me want to explore this territory a little more.
The Gravity of Existence is an extraordinary collection of poetry. At some times a gut-punch and at other times a testament to human thought and behavior, Sng has a talent for brevity.
Of the collection “The Gravity of Loss,” “Monstress,” “The Monsters at Home,” “Monsters,” and “Body Parts” moved me the most. The cadence and separation of verses on the page was reminiscent of a predator sneaking on its prey.
The persona poem sections, where Sng gives prominent fairy tale princesses (like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Rapunzel) a voice with a horrific twist really spoke on topics of generational trauma, revenge, escape, and the cyclical role “damsel-in-distress” plays in relation to a woman’s age.
I am not particularly familiar with the horror poetry genre, but this made me want to explore this territory a little more.
December 7, 2022
This is a first book that I review from NetGalley.
Its a short book full of free verse poems, that target fantasy and horror fans. The poems are really short and grouped together by the theme.
I generally don't read many poems but I gave this a shot since the cover art was amazing and the book was short. It took me less than 15 minutes to finish it. While I liked the theme and the wittiness in her writings, most of the poems seemed a bit too empty, felt like a jumble of randoms words. In the end I didn't feel like I rememebered anything from the book.
Even though it wasn't my cup of tea, I can imagine some people finding it quite enjoyable. Recommended for free verse poem enthusiastics.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Its a short book full of free verse poems, that target fantasy and horror fans. The poems are really short and grouped together by the theme.
I generally don't read many poems but I gave this a shot since the cover art was amazing and the book was short. It took me less than 15 minutes to finish it. While I liked the theme and the wittiness in her writings, most of the poems seemed a bit too empty, felt like a jumble of randoms words. In the end I didn't feel like I rememebered anything from the book.
Even though it wasn't my cup of tea, I can imagine some people finding it quite enjoyable. Recommended for free verse poem enthusiastics.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2022
It's probably not fair for me to review and rate this book, because I am not a poetry-minded person, so it's very likely I don't appreciate every aspect.
I do try to broaden my horizon once in a while and that, the fact that the themes appealed to me, and that this was an instant download, made me pick up this book from NetGalley.
As I do make it a point to review everything I read from NetGalley because that is the whole idea of the site, review by a layman it is...
I was surprised by how short most of these poems were. Most offer just a single thought, emotion or idea. Some activated my own imagination to create some form of narrative, others just left me with a hint of emotion, most were too short and fleeting to connect with me.
I did highlight some poems I did really like, mostly the slightly longer ones, but overall this was a very quick read that hardly left an impression on me.
So, while I'm sorry to do it, and think people that are more poetry-minded might like it a lot more, I cannot give this more than 2 stars.
I do try to broaden my horizon once in a while and that, the fact that the themes appealed to me, and that this was an instant download, made me pick up this book from NetGalley.
As I do make it a point to review everything I read from NetGalley because that is the whole idea of the site, review by a layman it is...
I was surprised by how short most of these poems were. Most offer just a single thought, emotion or idea. Some activated my own imagination to create some form of narrative, others just left me with a hint of emotion, most were too short and fleeting to connect with me.
I did highlight some poems I did really like, mostly the slightly longer ones, but overall this was a very quick read that hardly left an impression on me.
So, while I'm sorry to do it, and think people that are more poetry-minded might like it a lot more, I cannot give this more than 2 stars.
August 1, 2022
Thank you netgalley for this collection of poems! This book was honestly so good i loved the collection of poems and the spooky and horror behind them it was such a quick read but it was a good little journey and i LOVED the spin on the princess stories that we all grew up watching it was nice to see a spin on it. This collection of poems had so many different kinds of horror and spooky vibes to it i felt like every page had a different type of eeriness if thats a word LOL! Now this is the type of poetry i LOVE!
December 14, 2022
Thank you to Interstellar Flight Press for gifting me a copy of this poetry collection in exchange for an honest review!!
This collection is a little different from the normal poetry I read as it has a consistent Sci-fi/horror theme throughout. With poems related to aliens, the end of the world, vampires and little red riding hood, it bounced around quite a bit. There are definitely some pieces I loved from this and some that weren't for me and that's okay. I would be interested to see some more work from this author though!
This collection is a little different from the normal poetry I read as it has a consistent Sci-fi/horror theme throughout. With poems related to aliens, the end of the world, vampires and little red riding hood, it bounced around quite a bit. There are definitely some pieces I loved from this and some that weren't for me and that's okay. I would be interested to see some more work from this author though!
February 6, 2023
Poems in this collection are short, they feature dark imagery and heavier topics that mostly deal with death one way or another, so I found the entire read a bit depressing.
I wasn't able to connect with the poems emotionally or writing-style wise. The collection also didn't seem cohesive enough to me. At the same time it includes poems related to contemporary themes, then ghosts, then fairy tales, then hard sci-fi.
I'd still recommend this book to anyone who wants to read some dark, creepy poems and enjoys that kind of imagery.
(I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley.)
I wasn't able to connect with the poems emotionally or writing-style wise. The collection also didn't seem cohesive enough to me. At the same time it includes poems related to contemporary themes, then ghosts, then fairy tales, then hard sci-fi.
I'd still recommend this book to anyone who wants to read some dark, creepy poems and enjoys that kind of imagery.
(I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley.)
February 4, 2023
5 stars
I think this poetry collection is my aesthetic. It's a copy and paste of things I love, appreciate, and adore. I really loved the monsters section and was so impressed by it. I liked the fairy tales section as well, but I wish the poems were longer. The End of the World section was so much and I have decided that alien apocalypse poetry is my jam and my new favorite type of poetry.
I think this poetry collection is my aesthetic. It's a copy and paste of things I love, appreciate, and adore. I really loved the monsters section and was so impressed by it. I liked the fairy tales section as well, but I wish the poems were longer. The End of the World section was so much and I have decided that alien apocalypse poetry is my jam and my new favorite type of poetry.
November 17, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is underwhelming. It took approximately 20 minutes to read, and I was expecting more…terror? It wasn’t horror-poetry as I was expecting, and instead only left me missing my cat.
There are a few poems I liked. The Joy of Traveling, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and Cats in Space were all good. And I really enjoyed all the poems in the Childhood Tales section.
As a whole, I did enjoy the book, but I wouldn’t buy a finished copy.
This is underwhelming. It took approximately 20 minutes to read, and I was expecting more…terror? It wasn’t horror-poetry as I was expecting, and instead only left me missing my cat.
There are a few poems I liked. The Joy of Traveling, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and Cats in Space were all good. And I really enjoyed all the poems in the Childhood Tales section.
As a whole, I did enjoy the book, but I wouldn’t buy a finished copy.
November 22, 2022
I am so impressed with Christina Sng's ability to write a scene so full of emotion and action with so few words! She is writing short form poetry that is also SciFi/Fantasy, and doing so without it being convoluted or confusing. I read this book twice in a glorious row, and the second read shed even more light, or dark in some cases, on the words that she has so artfully woven together. I was already a fan-girl of Sng's, but this has deepened my love and appreciation of her work!
January 8, 2023
I don't really like this story of poetry. I felt and began to understand the themes more as this collection moved into its second half and I began to enjoy it. Unfortunately I still had to deal with the first part lol. I think I might still seek out this author's work.
Thank you to Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is my type of poetry. Sng has a unique voice, blending pieces from sci-fi, horror, and fairy tales to create analogies to her own experiences with mental health. She ties together each story in “acts” to make the collection more cohesive. I loved it. It feels like something that was written directly for someone like me. A few of the poems I had to revisit to fully analyze what they were about. In a way, this adds value to the collection and benefits from re-reads. I recommend this for any fan of the aforementioned genres and for those interested in mental health!
This is my type of poetry. Sng has a unique voice, blending pieces from sci-fi, horror, and fairy tales to create analogies to her own experiences with mental health. She ties together each story in “acts” to make the collection more cohesive. I loved it. It feels like something that was written directly for someone like me. A few of the poems I had to revisit to fully analyze what they were about. In a way, this adds value to the collection and benefits from re-reads. I recommend this for any fan of the aforementioned genres and for those interested in mental health!
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