This book was expertly written, and I really appreciated the way each poem was written. I found it incredibly relatable.

This was written absolutely beautifully! As someone who suffers from anxiety and depression, I really enjoyed this collection of poetry. I felt seen and understood and didn't want it to end.

This was a decent poetry collection written by a teen. While I didn't find the poems to be exceptionally well written, there is definite potential for the poet to grow as a writer. Many of the poems felt very typical of what a teen would write, but I also think it's written in a way that teens would definitely enjoy and connect to. There were a few poems that I felt stood out from the rest: Falling Apart, I Am a Volcano, There Are Monsters in Our Closets, and Glory.

Publishing date: 28.05.2024

Thank you to Netgalley and Parson Press for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

The book as a meal: I decided not to eat anything today as I felt uncomfortable in my own skin
The book left me: Reliving my teenage years

Negatives:
Couldn't relate as much as I wanted to

Positives:
You can see how the author grew and changed throughout the collection
Emits strong emotions

Features:
Illustrations with each poem

Why did I choose this one?
More poems for the poem hungry goblin.

Pick-up-able? Put-down-able?
Devourable. Very short and concise book. Doesn't overstay its welcome, but leaves a little earlier than expected.

What was the vibe and mood?
A lot of anger, uncertainty, and fear permeates this book. You feel like you are not enough, like you are too much, and not the right one all the way through the book.

Final ranking and star rating?
3.5 stars, B tier. I would give this a higher score if I had read it a few years earlier. I am simply not the right age anymore to relate to this. I did recognize myself in a few of the lines and poems, so I will bump it up a bit there. The illustrations are also gorgeous and go well with the content.

Favorite poems:
Please
Friends
Chameleon
You
Clarity
Glory

The title of this collection drew me to it but all I found was the same tone that most of the modern poets use when putting pieces together, adding them to a book and expecting magic to just happen. I felt a lot of the pieces to be showing and not telling, and there’s where much of my attention was lost and I stopped trying to find any underlying meanings I hoped would already be present.

This was a fantastic collection. I was worried that since the author is so young it would feel like a bad high school poetry project but it was far beyond anything I imagined and I am so happy I picked it up. I can't wait to watch out for more writing by this author and I plan to go back and read her debut novel. With the exception of a few poems, I really couldn't believe someone so young wrote most of these poems. This author is talented and going places and I can't wait to see what they write next. Phenomenal collection for a 16-18 year old to write and I am so happy to have read this book.

Kimi Freeman killed it with this one! I read her previous work and have become a quick fan. This collection shows just how versatile she is as an author.

This was a decent novel! It was written very very well, and was enjoyable. I hope to be able to read something by you again!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reading SOMEONE ELSE IN THE DARK early. As an avid poetry reader, I feel this collection is something special. Freeman’s ability to reach that raw part of humanity, that uncertainty and loss of innocence we all experience, is simply outstanding. This collection is heartfelt along with heartbreaking, highlighting the ways in which we grow from children with carefree tendencies to adults second guessing every little thing about ourselves—how race, appearances and accomplishments weigh on us in ways we were not prepared for. As a creative, the pressure to do great things, pressure from ourselves and our critics along with our fans, builds to an ear splitting crescendo, overtaking our thoughts and our dreams. I could feel the emotions on each page, I have felt them in my youth and in my adulthood, and I hope the ones who need this collection, who want to be seen, find this beautiful compilation.

I want to start by saying that I don't usually rate poetry because I know that it's too personal for the author. That being said, I'm going to give my honest opinion. This didn't surprise me at all, it's a lot like any other contemporary poetry book that goes viral. So it is not the best in terms of structure and originality. But still, there were some poems that hit me. I think because the author is so young, the collection seems very juvenile but, at the same time, very real. I wish I didn't relate to so many of those things because sometimes it's embarrassing to have so many feelings eating you alive when you know, deep down, that you shouldn't care so much.
As always, I think when you rate or review poetry you generally say more about yourself than anything else and I think that's the point.
So, it's not a perfect book by any means, but it was enjoyable and some parts had their impact.
Also i don't know if it was me but i noticed a lot of music references like Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodigro, etc. Not complaining though.
"Why do i look foward to going back to you just so that my life won't feel like a constant cycle of waiting?"
*Thanks to NetGalley uk, the publishers and the author for the ARC*

In Kimi Freeman's gripping psychological thriller, "Someone Else in the Dark," readers are taken on a harrowing journey into the recesses of the human mind. This novel weaves a complex web of intrigue, deception, and the fragility of identity, leaving readers questioning the boundaries of reality and illusion.

At the heart of the narrative is protagonist Emily, a woman whose life is shattered by a series of inexplicable events. Her journey to uncover the truth about her past becomes a descent into madness as she grapples with the unsettling realization that someone—or something—else may be lurking in the shadows, manipulating her every move.

Freeman demonstrates a masterful command of suspense, skillfully building tension with each twist and turn of the plot. The pacing is relentless, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they race to uncover the mysteries concealed within the pages.

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its exploration of the human psyche. Through Emily's unraveling mental state, Freeman delves into themes of identity, memory, and the nature of perception. The line between reality and illusion blurs, leaving readers questioning the reliability of their own perceptions.

The characters are intricately drawn, each with their own motivations and secrets. Emily's journey is both captivating and heartbreaking, as she grapples with the demons of her past while confronting the sinister forces that threaten to consume her.

While "Someone Else in the Dark" is undeniably a gripping read, it is not without its flaws. At times, the plot veers into convoluted territory, leaving readers struggling to keep up with the rapid pace of events. Additionally, some of the twists may feel predictable to seasoned thriller enthusiasts.

Overall, "Someone Else in the Dark" is a compelling psychological thriller that will leave readers breathless until the very last page. With its expertly crafted suspense and thought-provoking themes, Kimi Freeman's novel is sure to captivate fans of the genre and leave them eagerly awaiting her next literary offering.

Positively gutting, but in the best way. These poems deeply resonate with me personally, and even while they address romantic and sexual love, the themes within those were applicable to most types of close relationships. Freeman had wisdom beyond her years, and I will definitely be auto buying all her other poetry works when they come.

This is a great poetry anthology! I love the small story arc that is found throughout this collection. I am so impressed with the writing of this 17 year old author!

Her poetry felt honest and brave in a way that was so captivating. I also enjoyed the illustrations that went along with the poems. This collection grapples with the struggles of growing up and all of the emotional challenges that those middle school/high school days can bring. It felt real and relatable. I highly recommend picking up this poetry collection. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Parson Press for the digital ARC.

Despite being only 16 years old, these poems have a bucket load of emotion from life experiences in them. These poems will definitely resonate with a lot of teenagers and teenagers of colour. This collection portrays the emotions of enjoying the innocence of childhood and the sadness of becoming more self conscious as you get older and have to deal with outside influences. The poems are easy to read and relatable. I also really liked the simple illustrations. If this is what the author is writing at 16 I look forward to seeing where her future works take her.

Short poetry collection with some sections that could be very raw and relatable, but there were some poems that felt quite shallow with a focus on the male gaze. I believe this would appeal to a young audience and is an interesting reflection on navigating the transition from child to adult and the awkward stages in between. I feel that the author is still finding their voice and would be very interested in reading their future work.

I was in the mood to read a poetry collection, and I grabbed this one hoping it will hit the right spot. It somewhat did, but it also missed. Some of the poems were better than others in structure and style, discussing relevant and powerful personal topics that readers can relate with. I liked the addition of illustrations: I do not know if this was inspired from "Milk and Honey" by Rupi Kaur, but it definitely had that vibe and that was nice for me.

Despite being grouped in several parts throughout the book, the poems still seemed scattered and the book was not that cohesive as a whole for me. I also felt like the poems touched too lightly on some aspects, as they did not delve more into those specific things despite being quite long (I understand that the author just went with the flow, but it would have been nice to have more of a clearly illustrated perspective).

Wow. As a young adult myself, I really resonated with this poetry and found it to be very meaningful and powerful. I recognized feelings of nostalgia, self-doubt, letting go, a desire for validation, and the essence of girlhood itself in the writing. The personal nature of the writing also added to its impact, and the illustrations inside the book were beautiful, enhancing the imagery of the text. I look forward to future works by this author!

This is a quick read that is very beautifully written. It feels very real and I can see teens especially being able to relate to it. The only thing I didn't like was the poems that made it seem the author needed the approval and love of men. I would have like a little more insight into how she felt whole on her own included in those poems.

I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression since I was 10 years old. I could resonate very much with the feelings that these poems were trying to stir in me. I wouldn’t say I “enjoyed” this poetry. I didn’t find it to be thoroughly engaging or too deep. I do think that it’s incredibly admirable and I very much appreciate any work that’s honest - that tells the story of someone’s life. I know for a fact that this collection will help someone feel seen. And that’s the most important thing.

Kimi Freeman is a new to me author. I appreciated her poems and how her words flowed naturally. Growing up is hard and I was able to appreciate her poems. I would say this book is aimed for young adults! Will be using in my curriculum