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Queen of Cowards
Queen of Cowards is a collection that delves into the mind of a sick poet, traveling with prose through feelings too complex to name. Carved into the form of spiders, beetles, and slugs, this collection was once the only strain of comfort to be found, and now it is being shared in hopes that others might find comfort as well. Read to your leisure a journey of learning to mourn a body that no longer loves you, and all that it entails.
- GenresPoetry
248 pages, Paperback
Published October 28, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 25, 2022
What should I say about this poetry collection? This was just so good. I loved almost every poem. They were relatable and so well written. The book is filled with hand-drawn illustrations. I was going to mention a poem or two in my review but it was so difficult to choose. Still, here's one
"I would trade my soul for starlight
But it is not worth even enough to get me through the night"
I liked the first part, titled Spiders , the most. The others are good too but this was certainly better for me. Loved it. Looking forward to reading more by the author. Definitely recommended.
"I would trade my soul for starlight
But it is not worth even enough to get me through the night"
I liked the first part, titled Spiders , the most. The others are good too but this was certainly better for me. Loved it. Looking forward to reading more by the author. Definitely recommended.
November 3, 2021
I was a beta reader for this. I am going to reread this once I get my physical copy and do a better review once my thoughts are fresh
December 21, 2021
I really enjoyed this collection of poetry. Erelah really puts heart and soul in the words. The words create imagery which is something Im not used to with poetry. I get poetry that creates feelings but this one brought images to life. A stunning collection of poetry.
November 10, 2021
I called Erelah Emerson 'a young poet' in my last review and regret the distinction. She is a poet. In fact, one of the most extraordinary I have ever read.
Queen of Cowards breaks every rule I thought I had about liking poetry. I used to think rhyming was passé (it clearly is not). I used to think poetry books should be around 100 pages (I'm infinitely glad QoC is double that). And I thought illustrations were becoming too similar to each other (Emerson's are entirely her own).
Emerson is a brilliant writer, artist and inspiration to those suffering with chronic illness. I wish I had read her when I was diagnosed years ago (if I could have). To think of suffering so much at that age is almost impossible. But she describes it in a way you feel every ounce of pain. I just hope she will be okay (and write for many years to come). Because the world needs her.
Queen of Cowards breaks every rule I thought I had about liking poetry. I used to think rhyming was passé (it clearly is not). I used to think poetry books should be around 100 pages (I'm infinitely glad QoC is double that). And I thought illustrations were becoming too similar to each other (Emerson's are entirely her own).
Emerson is a brilliant writer, artist and inspiration to those suffering with chronic illness. I wish I had read her when I was diagnosed years ago (if I could have). To think of suffering so much at that age is almost impossible. But she describes it in a way you feel every ounce of pain. I just hope she will be okay (and write for many years to come). Because the world needs her.
September 5, 2022
Sometimes it feels really good to know I'm not the only one in pain 24/7. Though it's not my personality anymore to be this harsh on myself or my body, I could relate to most of the poems in this collection and some comforted me a lot. I'm glad to have read it, but I don't recommend reading it all in a single sitting, since it can get a little depressing at times. Take your time with it.
I love the cover and the art, it's very unique and fits the mood perfectly. I love the bug theme of it all, something about it just draws me in.
I love the cover and the art, it's very unique and fits the mood perfectly. I love the bug theme of it all, something about it just draws me in.
May 3, 2022
Too many bugs
January 18, 2022
5 / 5 Stars
Don't let the amount of time I needed to finish this fool you. It wasn't the books fault I started reading it right before stuff happend in my personal life.
(Maybe it wasn't even my own fault. But let's not comment on that train of thought.)
Because wow, did I love this. I remember telling one of my friends - before I even reached the 10% mark - that I knew - I just knew - that this would be a 5 star. And it did not dissapoint.
As always, I wasn't on board with every single poem in there, but honestly, this book came very close to being a "10/10 every poem is gold" kind of thing.
Erelah Emerson really outdid herself with this one. Like, honestly, I feel like these are the best poems I've read from her. As in, they pierced right through my heart and left me feeling very emotional and raw. Probably because of the topics that were tackled in this one.
There are a lot of poems about pain and anguish. About anger and exhaustion. And about emptiness and self-hatred. A puppet on a string, unable to do anything about the body you were born and the fate you were destined with.
I'm not chronically ill, but I do struggle with depression and I couldn't help but feel like a lot of these poems were able to put what I was feeling and thinking into words.
It's a complex and personal collection that I can't reccomand enough.
(Side Note: The cover looks absolutly amazing!)
Don't let the amount of time I needed to finish this fool you. It wasn't the books fault I started reading it right before stuff happend in my personal life.
(Maybe it wasn't even my own fault. But let's not comment on that train of thought.)
Because wow, did I love this. I remember telling one of my friends - before I even reached the 10% mark - that I knew - I just knew - that this would be a 5 star. And it did not dissapoint.
As always, I wasn't on board with every single poem in there, but honestly, this book came very close to being a "10/10 every poem is gold" kind of thing.
Erelah Emerson really outdid herself with this one. Like, honestly, I feel like these are the best poems I've read from her. As in, they pierced right through my heart and left me feeling very emotional and raw. Probably because of the topics that were tackled in this one.
There are a lot of poems about pain and anguish. About anger and exhaustion. And about emptiness and self-hatred. A puppet on a string, unable to do anything about the body you were born and the fate you were destined with.
I'm not chronically ill, but I do struggle with depression and I couldn't help but feel like a lot of these poems were able to put what I was feeling and thinking into words.
It's a complex and personal collection that I can't reccomand enough.
(Side Note: The cover looks absolutly amazing!)
February 12, 2022
This poet continues to have a mastery of words, hooking me in to fully enjoy the soundiness of it which might have come across as overdone by any other poet. The illustrations go hand in hand with the poems and they strengthen each other. This is such a beautifully haunting collection that hits different if you have a chronic illness. I could not put it down.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews