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kleonard's review
5.0
This poetry collection is brilliant and visceral and filled to the brim with gore and horror and pain. I had to read little bits at a time so that I didn't either get repulsed or numb. The poems are diverse and amazing, ranging from the near-epic to the intimate, and from differing points of view and cultural backgrounds, If you're a fan of body horror, this book will convince you that poetry is an excellent medium for it.
zxillaisreading's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.5
sunshine4you's review
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lydiaf's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this collection! It was my first time delving into dark poetry, and I will definitely be trying more after this one. The imagery that the words evoked caused me to feel uncomfortable at times because of how vivid it was. I love it when the words give me such a defined mental picture of what is being expressed. At times the symbolism went over my head, but I blame that on being in the last few weeks of writing my dissertation so my brain isn't working at full capacity. All in all, would recommend this to someone who wants to try some darker poetry, or someone that really enjoys reading horror fiction.
annehalliwell's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
2.5
Needed a more incisive editor. The two it has were probably working with a lack of material, but there were some repeat contributors that clearly submitted almost the exact same thing twice..: and both poems somehow made it in. No real organization, could have used sections for various themes. Standout contributors: Mercedes M. Yardley, Amanda Kirby, Lindsay King-Miller, Jennifer Crow, Dalena Storm, Lee Murray, Aimee Lowenstern
jolie1883's review
2.0
I love poetry, but this one, I didn't fully connect with.
The cover art is stunning and there was some additional artwork in the book, which is always a treat. I did like some of the more lyrical poems, but some read like diary entries and instructions and I just couldn't get over that.
The cover art is stunning and there was some additional artwork in the book, which is always a treat. I did like some of the more lyrical poems, but some read like diary entries and instructions and I just couldn't get over that.
xteana's review
4.0
After renewing my love for books, I must say I’m rather rusty with poetry, and this book was a nice and approachable re-introduction into the genre.
Under Her Skin is a collection of horror poems written by cis/trans women, non-binary, and femme people. The oppressiveness of the patriarchy, self-image, loss, and pregnancy are some of the commentary covered over the range of poems contained in this book.
While not every poem personally compelled me, I think the vast representation and stylization contained in this collection makes this a difficult task.
I think that organizing these poems in a more thoughtful way, perhaps by an overarching idea may have been more beneficial. I also wish the artwork within the book occurred more, because I loved seeing particular poems be brought to life by the same artist.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy so that I could provide my thoughts before this book is released.
Under Her Skin is a collection of horror poems written by cis/trans women, non-binary, and femme people. The oppressiveness of the patriarchy, self-image, loss, and pregnancy are some of the commentary covered over the range of poems contained in this book.
While not every poem personally compelled me, I think the vast representation and stylization contained in this collection makes this a difficult task.
I think that organizing these poems in a more thoughtful way, perhaps by an overarching idea may have been more beneficial. I also wish the artwork within the book occurred more, because I loved seeing particular poems be brought to life by the same artist.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy so that I could provide my thoughts before this book is released.
psychedandlit's review
3.0
☠️ E-Arc Book Review ☠️
Under Her Skin, edited by Lindy Ryan & Toni Miller
Quick Synopsis: Under Her Skin is the first volume in Black Spot Books “A Women in Horror Poetry Collection”. This first collection features a diverse group of CiS and trans women, as well as non-binary femmes, writing under the theme of poetry and body horror. Driving at the heart of what it means to be women and/or feminine in our society, this collection takes an unfiltered and unflinching look at topics ranging from motherhood to societal beauty expectations, control of our own bodies and what it means to be a woman underneath the skin.
Review: This E-Arc was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. There were a number of things that I really appreciated within the collection. I like the theme and how each of the poems were woven within that tapestry. Although each poem was written by a different author or featured a different topic, it still was connected to the overarching theme of body horror. I also appreciated perspectives that I could never possibly understand as a CiS woman. In most arenas of writing, diversity is sorely lacking and giving those voices the ability to express themselves is of the utmost importance. There were a few stand out poems for me, personally:
- Smile, by Nico Bell
- Anything But What Is, by Linda M. Crate
- My Tainted Touch, by Mary Rajotte
- Untouched, by Marilyn Tabiola
- Words Unspoken, by Mary Rajotte
- Shredded Alterations, by Sara Tantlinger
- Outside In, by Dalena Storm
- Pieces, by Annie Neugebaur
- Growing Pains, by Amy Lowenstern
- Shed, by Vivian Kasley
The primary issue I had with this collection was that many of the poems were convoluted and focused more on the theme of the book rather than the message of the poems. The voices of those who wrote the poems felt lost. For a select few, listed above, I found there was a perfect blend, but the majority were unable to create a path that I as a reader could follow. I felt that this was a missed opportunity. I also found myself putting the collection down and not really wanting to keep reading it. As a fan of horror and poetry, this collection didn't keep me interested. I believe this was due to how many of the authors ran away with the metaphors and forgot the ability to connect with the reader.
Rating:
Under Her Skin, edited by Lindy Ryan & Toni Miller
Quick Synopsis: Under Her Skin is the first volume in Black Spot Books “A Women in Horror Poetry Collection”. This first collection features a diverse group of CiS and trans women, as well as non-binary femmes, writing under the theme of poetry and body horror. Driving at the heart of what it means to be women and/or feminine in our society, this collection takes an unfiltered and unflinching look at topics ranging from motherhood to societal beauty expectations, control of our own bodies and what it means to be a woman underneath the skin.
Review: This E-Arc was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. There were a number of things that I really appreciated within the collection. I like the theme and how each of the poems were woven within that tapestry. Although each poem was written by a different author or featured a different topic, it still was connected to the overarching theme of body horror. I also appreciated perspectives that I could never possibly understand as a CiS woman. In most arenas of writing, diversity is sorely lacking and giving those voices the ability to express themselves is of the utmost importance. There were a few stand out poems for me, personally:
- Smile, by Nico Bell
- Anything But What Is, by Linda M. Crate
- My Tainted Touch, by Mary Rajotte
- Untouched, by Marilyn Tabiola
- Words Unspoken, by Mary Rajotte
- Shredded Alterations, by Sara Tantlinger
- Outside In, by Dalena Storm
- Pieces, by Annie Neugebaur
- Growing Pains, by Amy Lowenstern
- Shed, by Vivian Kasley
The primary issue I had with this collection was that many of the poems were convoluted and focused more on the theme of the book rather than the message of the poems. The voices of those who wrote the poems felt lost. For a select few, listed above, I found there was a perfect blend, but the majority were unable to create a path that I as a reader could follow. I felt that this was a missed opportunity. I also found myself putting the collection down and not really wanting to keep reading it. As a fan of horror and poetry, this collection didn't keep me interested. I believe this was due to how many of the authors ran away with the metaphors and forgot the ability to connect with the reader.
Rating:
aparker9514's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.25
kyliereads341's review
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5