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talliereadsandwrites's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this one more than I actually did. I enjoyed the writing style but wasn’t really connecting with the overall content. All in all, a quick read but none of the poems really stuck with me. The titles all being “Portrait of a…” made them all blend together in my mind but that might just be a me issue. I felt like this had a lot of potential but just didn’t resonate with me. I would give another book by the author a chance for sure. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
asynonymroll's review
3.0
Harbinger by Shelley Puhak
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Netgalley & publisher for the ARC!
I am going to be incredible honest, I did not enjoy this one as much as I thought I would. I had such high hopes as I truly enjoy poetry but it felt like these were poems that they would dive deep into in an advanced AP poetry class or something. They were hard to read and held little to no emotional impact for me which is how I usually see poetry and rate it - how if effects me emotionally. I understood the core concepts of femininity, womanhood, sexual experiences, motherhood, etc but it did not land with me in any way.
potterandpromises's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.0
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book via a giveaway, with a review being encouraged but not required.
Athletically, this book is very, very pretty, from the cover to the bird silhouettes inside. Unfortunately, that’s the best thing it has going for it.
This book is mostly fine, not great, but fine. I’m sure some other reader could connect to it, but I could not. At 61 pages, this felt too long. I only liked a few of the poems. Also, this being an ARC I'm not supposed to share specific quotes, which is fair, but let's just say that while I’m sure ass-jiggling can be described... well? this book does not do that.
redwrapped's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Harbinger is a courageous exploration into feminity, motherhood, personality and self, and artistry. Each poem functions as a portrait of a moment in time or a small whisper about a state of mind or physical being. Not a single poem missed the mark; each can be tied together to form a full portrait of a person. The theme is stuck to, and the author carries it with pure gravitas and craft.
The quality of each poem is the same as the one proceeding it, and the one that follows. Which doesn't mean that they are benign or basic. The quality is adhered to throughout the collection, which is its strength. The author's voice and tone is strong, and a unique sort of indent across each poem. I loved all of the unconventional views and expressions, all of the unusual ways of capturing a "portrait" of someone. For example: Portrait of the Artist as a Pipe, and Portrait of the Artist as a Squirrel.
Each poem is done in the style of a confessional poem, often reminiscent of the dense, weaving imagery that sticks in your mouth, designed to be read aloud that will remind you of Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton at their best.
Thanks to Ecco and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The quality of each poem is the same as the one proceeding it, and the one that follows. Which doesn't mean that they are benign or basic. The quality is adhered to throughout the collection, which is its strength. The author's voice and tone is strong, and a unique sort of indent across each poem. I loved all of the unconventional views and expressions, all of the unusual ways of capturing a "portrait" of someone. For example: Portrait of the Artist as a Pipe, and Portrait of the Artist as a Squirrel.
Each poem is done in the style of a confessional poem, often reminiscent of the dense, weaving imagery that sticks in your mouth, designed to be read aloud that will remind you of Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton at their best.
Thanks to Ecco and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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