This was a fun and interesting collection of supernatural poetry. The poems themselves aren’t anything life changing but all in all it was a fun and entertaining experience.

Lovely and emotional poetry, powerfully introspective in the style of Rupi Kaur. Recommended to those who love poetry.

For regular readers of my blog, you will know that when it comes to contemporary poetry, I’m not the biggest of fans. However, a poetry collection that is called Witchcraft and Monsters? I am here for it. When I saw the cover, I requested it immediately. I didn’t even know that it was poetry, I didn’t even read the blurb… I just… well… requested it. And I’m so glad that I did.

If there’s anything Kala knows, it’s monsters.
Witchcraft and Monsters is a debut poetry collection by Kala Godin.

Kala understands that the human body can be its own kind of monster. She knows the way strangers both see her and don’t.
There is magic in everything we do.
And there are monsters in each of us.

This collection is broken into five main parts: witchcraft, fairytales, bodies, bad ideas, and endings. Now, the book is only 53 pages long, so each section is very short. The section that packed the biggest punch for me was ‘Witchcraft’. It was the section where I could relate to the most poems. There were a few other poems throughout the collection where I could relate but the aforementioned section was my favourite.



“I keep
Raising the dead,
Like it’s going out of style.
Rise dead feelings,
Dead issues,
Dead ideas…”
– Kala Godin, Witchcraft and Monsters



The thing that I liked the most about this book was that it was darker than most contemporary poetry that I’ve read. I liked the references to Greek Gods, to the devil… Just dark stuff in general. It was definitely speaking to my high school emo side *cue nervous laugher here*. Okay, I’m still kinda in that stage.

Usually, the lack of rhyming is an issue for me. I kind of like the old school style of poetry more where it’s got a rhyming scheme, but that might just be because that’s the only poetry that I’ve read my entire life due to the stupid English curriculum in the U.K. ANNNNYYWWAAAYYY, I digress. Like I said, lack of rhyming is usually an issue, but in Witchcraft and Monsters, it didn’t bother me. I liked the rhythm of the poems.



“They tell me
I’m more witchcraft than girl.
More wolf than woman.
Like it’s a bad thing
To be the predator,
And not the prey.
– Kala Godin, Witchcraft and Monsters



Overall, I actually really enjoyed this short collection of poetry, which surprised me (in a good way.) I’m still going to say that contemporary poetry isn’t my most favourite type of poetry, but I am learning to look at poetry as texts that you don’t have to consume all in one go. They are collections that you can keep going back to whenever you’re in a different mood, or a different time in your life.

Disclaimer: this book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

A solid YA novel that was a good purchase for my library. Students have read and enjoyed it, and I purchased it because of this review copy.

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

I feel like I haven't seen a lot of poetry collections that include own voices disability rep, which is great that we are getting more diversity in the poetry community. Although I am still relatively new to reading poetry, the doesn't seem common as opposed mental health representation. Witchcraft, fantasy and commentary on how her body has dealt with her disability. Go read this for yourself and check out this amazing collection.

I requested this in hopes to bring me more into poetry. I mean, with a title like "Witchcraft and Monsters," how could I resist?

And I enjoyed the poems. Am I a poetry convert after this - no. But I will at least try more poetry, which is all I can ask for.

Fantastic collection, overall.

This is an emotional collection of poems relating to witchcraft, fairy tales, and mythology. I enjoyed this more than I first expected.

I really enjoyed the poetry in this collection and would love to have more by this author. Thank you for the opportunity to read this before it was published.

Witchcraft and Monsters is a very quick poetry collection that is packed with a lot of feeling. I enjoyed the many references to Greek Gods and fairytale stories, but I especially appreciated reading the poems about disability- as I think it's so important to get different perspectives on how others view and interact with the world. This collection is unique and interesting, and I look forward to the author's future works.

I am not a huge fan of most poetry, and it isn't for lack of trying. This cover called to me and the synopsis pulled me in the rest of the way and I requested it for review.



I adored this poetry book, it was not what I was expecting and it was strong and emotional and I felt every word of it deep in my insides. Kala did such a beautiful job pulling me in as a non-poetry reader and her words resonated so strongly. It may because I understand being/ feeling broken and overcoming that feeling. The way that she expressed herself was simple yet deep and I did't feel like I was missing a bigger picture, I felt like I was there with her.


All that being said this is a very emotional read - at least it was for me, and there my be trigger points or words that cut and that is part of it, but if you are not prepared it may not be for you.


I do recommend this book, but as a casual poetry reader not an expert :).

I loved this book; everything about it. It resonated with me so deeply and I absolutely adored the fact that it made me feel like I wasn't alone in my personal struggles - there's someone out there that feels the exact same way that I do. I cannot wait to purchase this book and have it in my library to read over and over again.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a review copy. 

I gave this a four out of five stars. I really enjoyed the authors writing it was so beautiful. Her poetry is unique and amazing, totally magical. I'm going to end up buying myself a physical copy. You should totally check it out! I loved her writing so much I highlighted some of my favorite lines.

Here are a few of my favorite lines:

"I don't know love in small doses. I know how to spill my entire being out. I know how to love completely."

"I am too much of myself for them, But never enough, Of what they want,"

"I am waiting, For my throne of bone, Blood, and ash."

"She doesn't want to be saved. Doesn't want to be the damsel. of the Fiance. So she'll teach herself how to a tsunami instead."

Interesting subject but I did not enjoy this sadly. It is a poetry collection and I just expected more from it. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This poetry collection is very enjoyable, I felt like the author did a good job of interpreting mythology and using it to build these short well-written narratives. There's not much on can say about a short collection like this but I would definitely buy this book to enjoy again or use as inspiration in my own writings.

This was a moving and powerful story that left me both satisfied and begging for more. I cannot wait to see what else this author has in store!

I was initially drawn to the cover of Witchcraft and Monsters. I thought it was a novel at first. I'm a poetry fan, and I liked this collection for its original vibe. Kind of a darker bent to it, but that's what I liked. It reminds me of voodoo incantations despite the fact that it's not voodoo. Several lines stayed with me. Poetry is at its best when even one single line implants itself forever in your mind. A beautiful collection of truths honestly stated. Love it! Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute short book with poems. I had thought it was a novel at first and I'm not usually one to read poems but these were great.

I was not huge on the poems in this collection. It may work for others but I had to finish it as soon as I could. For me not one to pick up again.

“Because changing your appearance is easy,
But you can’t rearrange the furniture of your head so simply.”
– Kala Godin

WITCHCRAFT AND MONSTERS was something else. I was drawn in by the vividly dark cover. The fact that it was a poetry collection intrigued me even more. This collection was right up my alley; it was dark but still had the soft edges of emotion. Each poem was interwoven with magical elements and imagery, making the collection even more enjoyable.

My Favorite Poems:
- Predator
- Devil’s Candy
- Labyrinth
- I Hold Olympus in my Palm
- Bone Queen
- Teeth
- Dear 17
- Haunted Houses Look a Lot Like People
- Small Absolutes

I loved the different references to mythology, magic and creatures. It was the perfect combination of poetic thoughts and magic. The collection was broken into five parts: On Witchcraft, On Immorality & Fairytales, On The Body, On Bad Ideas and On Endings. Each part had a variety of themed poems. The writing itself was poetic, yet laced with a darker undertone.

Predator
“They tell me
I’m more witchcraft than girl.
More wolf than woman.
Like it’s a bad thing
To be a predator,
And not the prey.”

The only aspect I didn’t like was the length of the collection. I would have loved if there were more poems. It was 54 pages long and came to an abrupt end. Maybe this will change in the final print, but I’m not sure. I do however recommend this collection to anyone who likes magical elements and mythical themes in their poetry.

* Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Creepy goodness! I'm going to tell everyone about this book! Thank you netgalley for the free arc in exchange for an honest review!