Really enjoyed the questions this presents on nature vs nurture and our family dynamics. Very heavy reading at times, but in a good way.

**Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an e copy in exchange for an honest review**

The author bears her soul in this collection of poetry, where she speaks of her family, and of herself. I found some of the poems to be a bit staccato in feeling, and some a bit stiff. Other times I found them quite lyrical and had a nice flow. Phipps' word choices painted some vivid imagery.

My favourite poems from the collection are Nina, Pro-Choice, Reflection and the Heartbreaker Poem.

Some quotes that spoke to me:

"Nina keeps her hair short because Nina didn't braid her self worth into its length." P. 10

"Clipped her wings to keep her from flying too close to the sun..." p. 17

"Leave before they realize I am not worth staying for" p. 18

"Feel his matchstick fingers strike against my skin." p. 40

This collection had very beautiful prose. Unfortunately, I found it a little too dark and depressing for me to enjoy. It made it difficult to relate to it.

this collection of poetry couldn't keep my interest. I was quite bored and I did not like it at all. I was not a fan

4 stars

Why did i say that cause i adore this dark poetry and could relate to some of the poems. I loved the way she described the family issues and issues of being in pain or hurt. This will uplift you which it did for me.

I will keep a look out for more the poet’s book in the future!

Thank you for the lovely advance copy Netgallery !

Crown Noble is another beautiful win for Button Poetry. Bianca Phillip's is raw, vulnerable, and ready to have the reader explore topics she has presented.

Anything Button Poetry releases is worth it's weight in gold.

5/5.

As one of my first approaches to the world of poetry, I was greatly attracted by this book. I approached with a very open mind, not really knowing what to expect, and boy it was a journey.

I really loved how the author easily switched between poetry and prose and I always found that her style choices were perfectly in line with what she was trying to tell and the emotions which she was trying to spark in the reader.

And she did, indeed, spark so many emotions. She told of family, grief and mourning, relationships, coming out, self-discovery…she really brought us on a beautiful journey with herself.

I want to thank Button Poetry and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was drawn to this poetry collection because of the cover and thought it might be a really nice read. The writing in it was beautiful in some parts, and there were a lot of really impactful moments. It speaks mainly about family, forgiveness, dealing with grief, and other difficult things. I thought it was very well done, but I, unfortunately, didn't connect to the themes or the writing at all.
It was written in a style that is very descriptive and long, written almost as if the author is telling a story instead of writing poetry. There is nothing wrong with that style of writing, but it's not what I personally like in poetry. I don't like when poetry is written in normal sentences, or in huge bulks of text.
However, if you like themes of family and a longer more descriptive style of writing, then this might be a great read for you! The collection is very short as well so it's quite a quick read.

These days I’ve been giving a long overdue chance to my poetry genre exploration. After reading several highly popular & well-hyped ones and being baffled with the underwhelming contentment, I decided to give a try to the ones unexplored yet.

After reading the impressive Advance Praise, I had high hopes from this one. Though I was not disappointed, I wasn’t blown away by its brilliancy and this is where the main card comes- for several parts when I was not able to get into it, I KNEW the problem is probably with me, and not with the book and its contents.

Coming to my review: I liked it and definitely enjoyed it. It promised to be raw and dark in its exploration of twisted family dynamics, acceptance (or the lack of it) of same-sex lover, the pull of a family on the person that can’t be easily shaken off and how it threatens to suffocate that person, familial love in its simplicity and complexity. It delivered well and I could easily connect with the pieces.

What didn’t work for me: The proses, especially related to Nina. I mentioned above how it possibly is just me but the writing style adapted to convey the emotions had my eyes blast past the repetitive “Nina” which evidently had me lose interest in it.

Again, this is just me but the proses with the writing style of “……./……/……./” seems to be “in trend” these days that I just cannot seem to get into. The proses, which I thought could’ve been so impactful, seemed to lose its impact and be so erratic and fragmentary.

This compelling debut collection delivers what it promises and it does it good. I especially liked its bluntness and appreciate the author putting her vulnerability out so beautifully.

Thanks to NetGalley and Button Poetry for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Crown Noble By Bianca Phipps

Rating: 3 / 5 Stars

Publication Date: 8/25/2020

** Thank you to Netgalley, Button Poetry, and of course, Bianca Phipps, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this collection, but it was a struggle for me. I often had to put it down for a bit and then go back. It has some deep themes, specifically based on family and hurtful experiences, and a lot of them hit close to home. I did like it, but I don’t think I will pick it up again based on the connections I felt.

It was very difficult for me to get into this book. I wonder if it is related to my personal experience being so different from what the poems describe? I think that for someone that can relate to Bianca Phipps. The poems are deep, very timely, and address an array of important topics. I truly wish I could've enjoyed them more one way or another.

I greatly enjoyed Bianca Phipps’s exploration of her relationship with her parents and forgiveness. I would definitely recommend this to other fans of contemporary poetry.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the arc.

I absolutely loved how this poetry collection wasn’t like the other modern poetry reiterating the same message. This collection was really nostalgic for me and explored family dynamics beautifully and how we remember them. I felt I really related to this since I, too, have lost my father and those specific pieces hit hard for me. I really encourage you to pick this up for a refreshing style. Crown Noble is dark and beautiful.

Crown noble

I typically don’t read poetry collections but I somehow found myself reading this. While I enjoyed some chapters, some didn’t really do it for me. It was overall an interesting read.

It explores relationships and the role your parents play both consciously and subconscious in making you who you are. I loved how vulnerable Nina was.

It got a bit too dark for me but I still enjoyed reading it nonetheless.
This book will definitely get you in your feelings and have you deep in thoughts.

Crown Noble by Bianca Phipps

4.75 stars

This poetry collection was brilliant. It’s very short. Shorter than I wanted it to be. I wish it was longer. This collection hit me in a lot of ways. It felt lyrical and it flowed well. It was honest and raw. The emotions behind the poems were palpable and Phipps provides a poetry collection filled with poems that pack a punch. I just wish it was longer, but oh how, I loved it anyway. Definitely recommend it to anyone who is a fan of poetry or looking for a short collection to dip their toes into.


Whimsical Writing Scale: 5

Plotastic Scale: 4.5

Cover Thoughts: It’s a sweet cover. It’s not a favorite, but I really like the simplicity of the fruit tree.

Thank you, Netgalley and Button Poetry, for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Bianca Phipps’ debut poetry collection Crown Noble is a genuine and raw account of life and how our experiences shape who we are as people. The collection covers topics such as grief, guilt, family and identity – topics that have been discussed timelessly in poetry, but this collection really stood out for me. It is definitely worth the read!

Crown Noble captures the undercurrents in life, the currents that flood our everyday lives and the conflicts that stay with us forever. The collection explores family dynamics, relationships, and the impacts of these things on our lives. It was really powerful, and I was touched by the poetry and how Bianca Phipps entrusts her life within her readers hands. It was very personal and raw and that was interesting to read.

I particularly enjoyed the poems: Crown Regent, Born to Embody It and Almosts which touched my heart strings! I did shed a tear after reading Almosts I can’t lie! I found her verse to be imbued with love and honesty, especially when she talks about her relationship with her mother and the death of her father. Her sacrifices are laced throughout the collection but there is a sense of hope that really stands out.

The poems really stick with you, even the shorter poems are so sharp and emotive. The collection stirred a lot of emotions within me and I am very glad I picked it up! If poetry is your kind of thing (or isn’t) and you want to try something new, I would recommend it.

There are some trigger warnings so check them out before reading the poetry collection. Thank you to Net Galley for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

This powerful, moving collection of poetry was truly stunning. It's the kind of poetry I want to scribble all over, scrawl notes in the margins of, tear out and stick up on my walls. I can't wait to buy a paper copy and do just that.

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This poetry collection had so much depth that I’m usually missing from most of the modern poetry I’ve read in the past. The complex family dynamics are a constant theme throughout and I felt so much emotion throughout.

The poems are connected to each other in so many different ways, and dark emotions carried through every single one. Powerful collection, definitely recommend.

I absolutely love how this book explores family dynamics, and how much hurt they can bring to our lives. They shape who we become, how we love, trust and how we view ourselves.
I think that this collection was powerful, and well done. I love what the author brought into this. It’s not always easy to navigate pain and the feel of estrangement from ones parent.

I myself could relate to most of the poems, and they truly hit a piece of my heart. It tends to get you thinking, making you realize and become conscious of your feelings towards these things. Overall I really enjoyed this.


Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to review and read this beautiful masterpiece. & a big thank you to the publisher as well. All opinions and review are all mine and have no relation to Netgalley or the publisher.

Crown Noble, is the debut by Bianca Phipps, navigating the crossroads of familial ties and forgiveness. Phipps in her collection ruminates on the ways we are shaped as humans.
What I respect so much about this collection is the raw honesty of the words displayed in these poems. Lines throughout jump out and capture you as you delve deeper into these poems. Poems such as ‘Stay With Me’ in the collection run like the author is emptying her thoughts on to paper, and these thoughts spill out some wonderful lines such as ‘I spilt sorry like an accident’ - such a simple line but just leaps out in the text.

Throughout this book there are long form poems, and these are I feel where the collection really excels. ‘Stay With Me’, ‘When The Boy Says He Loves My Body’ and ‘Almosts’ are perfect examples of this as the writer indulges us in poetry that has incredible impact. I won’t lie after reading ‘Almosts’ I was in tears, capturing the grief and loss of losing someone in a way that is done so heartbreakingly.

Smaller gems include, ‘Stick’, Pro-Choice’ and ‘Another Note About My Father’ which are short but hit you in a way that just stays with you, that honesty seeping into the pages once again and striking you anew. Phipps here debuts a collection that leaves you feeling everything she feels and it’s not easy but it is incredibly crafted.