"Child of the Moon" by Jessica Semaan is a poignant exploration of healing and resilience in the face of trauma. Through evocative poetry, Semaan invites readers on a journey through fear, shame, and despair, ultimately finding solace in the unconditional love that guides her towards healing. Set against the backdrop of the Lebanese Civil War and the author's own turbulent family life, each poem offers a raw and honest glimpse into the complexities of the human experience. With its powerful messages and relatable verses, this collection is a testament to the strength found in vulnerability and the enduring light that shines even in the darkest of times.

There is no possible way, I think, to review this book without butchering how beautiful it is. So, I want to first put out that this poetry collection is phenomenal!

My deepest admiration for the author to her courage in putting out something so raw. She was fearless in showing us her vulnerability which only makes her look like a superwoman to my imagination. The way she organically sets her story to her readers makes you want to ponder and catch for breath each time.

A poignant collection of gorgeous poetry, I have nothing but respect for Jessica Semaan!

Child of the Moon by Jessica Semaan is a powerful and moving collection and a very impressive debut. The collection is centred on the theme of healing and will offer comfort, solace and inspiration to those who read it. Scattered throughout are simple yet beautiful illustrations that I thought made a nice addition to the book. I defy anyone to read this book without feeling moved by the author's struggle.

I did not like this book. The writing was childlike but told a story that was definitely not for children. Confusing to keep up with in poetry form

4.5 Stars (I received an e-arc from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review)

I have been reading a lot of poetry collections in the past couple months but this one is by far one of my favourites. The collection is a story of the author's experience with living in a war zone literally (the Lebanese Civil War) and figuratively (dealing with narcissistic parents). As well as her experience living in the united States and how it helped her to connect back to her culture. It is a journey of hurt, trauma, healing and finding yourself; realizing that in a sense while she was a hurt child, she was also dealing with another hurt child in her mother. This book is filled beautiful illustrations many of them including moon imagery. In the end promising to put a stop to the cycle of violence/abuse that her family has suffered through, starting with her own children.

I enjoyed this poetry book! I found that it was powerful and moving. I really loved the writing style. The was the poet wrote these strong poems. Like with every poetry book, I wasn't crazy about every single poem but more of them I did enjoy. There was a lot that I could relate to. I have fun looking and seeing all the art throughout these pages. I also liked how the art reflected the poetry. I love the way Jessica plays with worlds and weaves her feelings out into poems that made me feel and made me think. Overall, this is a wonderful read and moved me.

After Amanda's Lovelace books I thought that there wasn't going to be a poetry book that hit me that hard, but ...wow. Just wow, this book is surreal.

I really liked this book!! It was that poetry book that I was waiting for and came in the perfect time.
Since I read The princess saves herself in this one, I struggled to connect with a poetry book. However, the half moon part and "The magic I wish she told me growing up" really hit me hard. I almost cried.
I felt so identified with most of the poems and I think that is what poetry is about: being able to feel through words what the author felt physically and mentally in a period of time. I am not here no criticise her writing style because I have no idea how poems "should" be written. I am basing mi opinion on what the book made me feel. So, I think Semaan did a great job, it's like all the poems here are speaking to you, to help you, and I really appreciate that.

It's kinda traumatic and depressing, but also really good and I loved it so much!
Will mostly go out and buy this book, despite having already read it...

‘In between being your mother and father,
I forgot to be your daughter
And became the child of the moon

“In her debut collection, Semaan offers an upfront &moving glimpse into the true nature of healing: an imperfect, nonlinear journey"--Amanda Lovlace, bestselling author of the princess saves herself in this one

An illustrated poetry collection about finding light in the darkness. Set against the backdrop of the Lebanese Civil War and the author’s turbulent family life, Child of the Moon is a powerful reflection on her journey through fear, shame and despair, and the unconditional love that helped her begin to heal from childhood trauma.’

Child of the Moon by Jessica Semaan spoke to me on a deep, visceral level. Each poem is a snippet of soul, plucked from the author's deepest and darkest places. From a childhood steeped in war, and in familial trauma. The author turned to the ever present moon, a constant source of solace. Interspersed among the (hopefully) cathartic poems are drawings of the moon, and people in solidarity. These are poems of trauma and abuse, of guilt, anger, and shame, and of hope and acceptance. Many poems dealt with issues of self-worth and self-confidence, a dearth of which I suffer from. This collection gave me hope, a feeling of not being alone in my sense of shame for merely existing. Recommended for any who have ever found themselves feeling lost and alone. Seek solace in the moon and find a friend who will never abandon or judge you.

***Many thanks to Netgalley/ Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing an ecopy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I love that this collection of poetry is both beautiful and reflects childhood issues and problems and how those may play out in adult life. This is a fantastic collection of poetry; I am so glad to have had the opportunity to read it and look forward to seeing a hard copy in the future!

Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I cried while reading this book because I started remembering words and feelings I never shared and never knew I had. Everyone goes through trauma in different ways. I found this poem to be honest and relatable to my own traumas. I am a child of the moon, and I understand.

"To the women that sweat, cried, bled for me
I dedicate this ink to you"

This book is a relatable, emotional, and honest

This poetry collection is very powerful. I loved it a lot. Many of the words presented were memorable and very lyrical.

This is an excellent poetry collection. I often have issues with modern poetry feeling all the same and feeling like the short, staggered poems keep me at a distance. However, Semaan has a rhyme and cadence to her poems that draw me and in and wrap me in her feelings. This collection has very short more modern poems and also longer more stylized poems. As with all poetry collections, there were ones that didn't quite work for me as a reader, but overall, this is a really good one.

Don’t ask me why I am feeling this or that
I will tell you lies
Ask me how I am feeling this or that
I will tell you the truth

This is one of the few books that caught my attention when I was browsing Netgalley some time ago. It has a beautiful cover and upon reading that it’s a poetry book, I knew I had to read this!

To be honest, I don’t know how to review a poetry collection since I know that every collection I read is too special for the author and not giving it 5-stars is wrong. Child of the Moon feels too personal, I know it is, and it tackles emotional issues like childhood trauma, family conflict and self-healing which I think the author delivered beautifully. It’s raw and powerful, started a bit dark but ended in a much lighter note, with a comforting note from the author.

Children of the same moon #1

Your moon and my moon are old friends
Let’s make them our cocoon
And lie in each other’s arms

There are beautiful illustrations in between entries and I like how simple the words are. It’s easy to read, much of a free-verse style, and the title itself is compelling. You will also feel different emotions with each page, there were times I felt angry, sad, hopeful and inspired which made me love it even more.

Overall, I liked this book! It tells us things about having a broken family, cultural diversity, surviving inner war, and most importantly, healing.

Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Raw and eloquently written poems. Ms. Jessica Semaan unapologetically expressed her feelings and struggles into words and I felt it. Her poems are also uplifting but not in a preachy way. What makes this collection powerful is that it exudes sincerity. I enjoyed it and finished it in one sitting.

Many thanks to my dear friend, Justine, who recommended this to me. (Check out her review by clicking her name)

Hauntingly beautiful phrases and even more beautiful illustrations. Child of the Moon tells raw stories that are truly unforgettable. A must-read for poetry lovers

I did enjoy this set of poetry. I think some people can relate to what she has put into the poems and others can learn from it.

A story about healing and survival. So many people need to understand that it’s okay not to be okay.

Jessica Semaan really pours her heart into this debut collection. Very powerful writing! Even the introduction is written with such eloquence. Fear, shame, and despair resonate throughout the book. The author takes the reader along her journey of trauma and healing. Highly recommended!!!

This book is composed by poems and some drawings.
The author reflects on some aspects of her life.

I really enjoyed this book. It is very well written, and I identified with the poems.
Really pleasant read