Review of Bestial Mouths by [Author's Name]

Bestial Mouths is a mesmerizing and unsettling collection that plunges deep into the realms of nightmares, metamorphosis, and the liminal spaces where the beautiful grotesque resides within the human psyche. The author’s mastery lies not only in the vivid imagery and striking metaphors but in the haunting way the poems linger in the mind long after reading.

The collection is built upon the unsettling and surreal, blurring the boundaries between dream and reality. Each poem feels like a fragment of a dark, twisted dreamscape, where the familiar is distorted into something eerie and unfamiliar. The exploration of metamorphosis is particularly striking, as the poems twist the human form into something animalistic, monstrous, or alien, challenging the reader’s perception of self and identity. This is not transformation for the sake of horror alone, but as a way to explore the fragility of the human experience.

What stands out most in Bestial Mouths is the ability to navigate the liminal spaces—the thresholds between life and death, sanity and madness, beauty and decay. The grotesque in these pages is not merely shocking or disturbing; it is beautiful in its vulnerability, raw in its honesty. The imagery dances between dark eroticism and existential dread, creating a sense of both attraction and repulsion. The mouths that inhabit this collection are not just literal but metaphysical, representing voices that speak from the shadows, from places of unspoken desire and hidden fears.

The language is at once poetic and primal, with moments that are lush and lyrical, followed by sudden, sharp fragments that jolt the reader into a new reality. The tone shifts between quiet introspection and feverish urgency, echoing the instability of the human mind as it grapples with its inner monsters.

Ultimately, Bestial Mouths is a powerful meditation on the duality of beauty and horror that resides within us all. It reminds us that the things we fear most—the monsters, the nightmares—are often reflections of our own inner turmoil. This collection will not be easily forgotten; it invites readers to confront their own dark corners, embracing the grotesque beauty that lies hidden within.

For readers who appreciate poetry that pushes boundaries and explores the visceral, the primal, and the uncanny, Bestial Mouths is a must-read.

Publishing date: 14.11.2024
Thank you to NetGalley and RDS Publishing for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

Now THIS is horror poetry. This was exactly what I have been looking for all year in this very specific genre.

I probably like this a lot more because I am a woman that goes through phases of feminine rage, and this book has been infused with the essence of feminine rage. You can really feel the surge of emotions through the pages. The horrors of womanhood, the beauty of it, and the dangers of pushing a woman too far.

The poems were so descriptive and visceral without being crude and overly saturated with gore. I could imagine my own place amongst the lines, in the poems, in their shoes.

I experienced emotions from unbridled rage, to deep and drowning sorrows from this collection. I think a lot of women will when reading this.

Final ranking and star rating?
4.5 stars, A tier. Absolutely stunning. This is prime horror poetry. Beautiful and magnificent. If you, like me, have struggled with finding horror poetry that touches upon the "horrific and beautiful" ... Don't sleep on this collection.

Favorite poems:
Asudem
Skinwalker Moon
Jane
Impulse

★Thank you to NetGalley and Raw Dog Screaming Press for providing me with a copy of this book to review★
Bestial Mouths by Brenda S. Tolian is a poetry collection which revolves around themes of trauma, exploitation and power.
When I first saw it, I was immediately drawn to the name of the collection and, to some extent, the cover. However, unfortunately, I did not have the best time with this. Initially, what struck me was the odd and often annoying formatting of these poems. Most of them are centred, which is fine, but a lot of the poems have large portions where there is only one or two words per line. Rather than having a certain effect, it just made the poem annoying to read, and it took several rereads to understand the content rather than focusing on the structure.
In addition to this, I found that the poems were at times incoherent. There was a surprising mix of extremes within them, as, on the one hand, there were some poems that were blunt and very on the nose with the meaning, yet there were also poems that were overly-confusing and difficult to decipher.
Despite this, it is clear throughout every poem the amount of emotion that the author has put into her work. It is a collection that feels extremely personal, and that is admirable. It is not necessarily a collection that I would revisit, but I do think that there are some powerful and sickening images that come from it. I think that the Tolian is brilliant at creating strong and grotesque imagery. There are certainly a few hard hitters from this collection, and there were a few poems that I particularly enjoyed including: Eros Root, Johnathan Fry, Melancholy, Apple, Child and Opio-Cordyceps.
This collection will be upsetting to some, so please check the content warnings before reading.
I have kept this review intentionally short, as I don't feel that it is productive to linger on the negatives, particularly when there were other reviews that did not encounter the same issues that I did. However, it is also important to express my honest opinion of this collection. That being said, I would definitely like to read more from this writer, and will be looking into them further. I don't want to let one collection reflect completely on the writer's work, especially as there were poems within it that I thought were well-written and eerie.
Overall, Bestial Mouths is a poetry collection that is dividing. On the one hand, it was hard to keep track of, at times blunt, and the formatting was definitely something I would reconsider. On the other hand, there were some really good, grotesque moments. I was a huge fan of the eco horror elements of Bestial Mouths, and I think that if Tolian played more into the physical horror rather than explicitly stating the meaning, it would have been a better collection for me. With this in mind, I gave the collection: ★★

Dr. Brenda S. Tolian, DA, MFA, lives and writes New Orleans and is the author of Blood Mountain, published by Raw Dog Screaming Press. As an active member of the Horror Writers Association and the Angela Carter Society, Brenda's work blends haunting narratives with deep literary insights. She holds degrees from Adams State University and Regis University (MFA) and earned her Doctorate in English Literature Pedagogy from Murray State University. Brenda's work has been featured in numerous anthologies and publications, showcasing her unique voice, fierce narratives, and poetry of the female experience through dark fiction, folk, gothic and southwestern horror. Her newest collection of poetry is Bestial Mouths.

Bestial Mouths is a collection of gothic poetry tinged with pagan folk horror. The poems themselves are minimalist and fragmented, tools which Tolian is attempting to use to create a mythic or mysterious tone throughout the pieces. Furthermore, the underlying rhythms and hints of veiled formalism create incantatory pieces that enchant the reader. For example, the poem “You” begins

you were never a martyr

you were an open coat

cold influx of air

silk on my throat

A hand in my hair

Everyone has left

These are typical of Tolian’s lines, and readers who enjoy this sort of minimalist gothic poetry will certainly enjoy this book.

Bestial Mouths by Dr. Brenda S. Tolian creates a personal grimoire that readers will find spell-binding and elusive. Tolian presents her poems without ornament or poetic trickery, creating sparse and alienating pieces that beg the reader to engage with them. For readers who enjoy intentionally gothic poetry, especially poems that are minimal and sparse, this book cannot come more highly recommended.

Bestial Mouths was so raw and macabre. Dark secrets unfolding in every page. This collection was immersive and heart felt. I read this with fascination and full focus. The many lives of different women at the heart of evil.

I didn't know horror poetry was a thing with the cover drawing me in at first glance. The first page had me intrigued and had me dreading for more.

I loved the writing and the way the collection was put together. I will be reading more from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and RDS Publishing | Raw Dog Screaming Press for an ARC digital copy for my honest review.

The cover is awesome! This is a great collection of poetry! They are dark but very well written. If you enjoy poetry, I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Brenda S. Tolian, RDS Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Bestial Mouths by Brenda Tolian is a poetry book that explores themes of identity, trauma and sexuality. Filled with unsettling imagery and themes, the author does a good job of blending haunting narratives using inspiration from gothic, folk horror and the grotesque.

Many poems in this book examine the "bestial" aspects of human nature, using symbols and powerful depictions of metamorphosis. The author delves into topics such as societal control over female bodies. As a person who doesn't read much poetry I found some of the poems to be both likeable and relevant, especially as a fellow woman in today's world. The poems that I enjoyed most were "Full Moon", "Johnathan Fry", "Melancholy", "Child" and "Awake Now".

Despite enjoying some of the poems I'm not quite sure that I enjoy this type of poetry, often times some of the poems in the book felt like an incohesive jumble of words. I would rate this book 2.5 stars, thank you netgalley for a arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book is exactly what it said it would be. From the cover to the content it has a somewhat old Saxon dark poetry essence. It explores a few sexual themes using darker imagery. This collection isn't lighthearted or cheery its morbid I mean that as a compliment. The Intention behind it seems to be to paint a scene of a dark ambiance with vivid imagery and eloquent vocabulary. Given the description this book does what it said it would it and it does it well

If you love or like horror and gothic, you will love this book. I had to read a few poems again and again because it was weird sounding but after reading a couple times I got the gist of the poem. Its a great collection and would love to read more from his author.

I received a free copy of the book and is voluntarily writing a review

A firebrand of a poetry collection that was dark and powerful. I enjoyed reading almost all of the poems in this short collection. Each of them are a masterpiece in itself and can stand proudly on its own. Love how fresh and unique this collection was. Highly recommend to all lovers of poetry!

Bestial Mouths is a gothic, horror, poetry chapbooks by Brenda S. Tolian.

I love the cover, which is what drew me into requesting this poetry book.

There were a handful of poems that I liked. The others felt like the rhythm wasn’t there and they sounded similar. While the theme carries over, it made a lot of the poems sound the same.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The cover is beautiful! The inside is not beautiful in the sense that we are used to but it's breath takingly good. I love the layers and the feeling of dread and darkness. I received a free eARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity.

Bestial Mouths by Brenda S. Tolian is a macabre poetry collection that focuses around scenarios and descriptions that are dark, often violent in nature. These poems are quite clearly personal and drawn from some deep and harrowing feelings that Tolian experiences.

That said, many of these poems do not necessarily meld with me as a reader. I do not think that is something that takes away from their content or purpose, but often I felt like the double meaning behind the multitude of these poems was hard to pinpoint. The rhythm of the poetry felt oddly paced in many of these works, and often the poems read a touch juvenile.

That said, the content of the poems themselves is rich and dark, and there is a clear passion in each piece that is included in this collection that makes Tolian stand out as a writer. Each piece is vibrant on its own, and there is a quality to each that feels fleeting, like walking in on something should be left unseen. Tolian quite obviously excels in descriptions that create an air of dread and disgust.

Standout poems I loved were Apple, A Work in Progress, and Child.

Thank you to Raw Dog Screaming Press, Brenda S. Tolian, and NetGalley for this advanced copy!

A deeply raw telling of things that lurk in the darkness. This collection features works that are moving and thought provoking. Each one peeling the layers of something deep within.

Great horror book. IT's ok, seems like a sister book to Grave Matters. Love the cover, really draws you in.

La autora crea un nicho único en el mundo literario, fusionando narrativas inquietantes y poesía con inspiración del gótico, el horror folclórico y lo grotesco. Escribe sobre lo queer, lo oscuro y lo filosófico, explorando lugares poco mencionados con un simbolismo visceral.

Con una tapa que es horrible y hermosa a la vez, y una sinopsis que promete mucho, esta obra simplemente no cumplió con mis expectativas. La poesía de horror me intriga y definitivamente probaré más de ella; esta fue más bien regular para mí.

La autora usa una imaginería hermosa y definitivamente le daré otra oportunidad en el futuro. Me encantaría ver una novela corta o algo con un formato más largo de su parte, porque percibo una voz impresionante detrás de las palabras.

This creepy, gothic collection will haunt you in more ways than one. Brenda s Tolian is a ,aster of the macabre, of writing about things that creep in the dark.

Enjoyed this poetry collection from Brenda S Tolian. All the poems were good, December Mother was my favorite. #BestialMouths #NetGalley

This chapbook consists of tragic, lyrical pieces evoking feelings akin to the "werewolf form" contorting and refiguring the body into its truest form. Demons in human and mythological form amass in these poems, oozing with feminist perspective. From "asudeM" to "Acrobat Girl," readers handle the tortured lens of inner femininity and societal conformity from the narrator's POV, while with the persona poem "Melancholy" and the amplification technique used in "Impulse," we are left with the sad emptiness the narrator's acceptance of the violence they're a victim of. My favorite of the collection was "Bone of Word, Bone of Feather" as I feel it really was a good example of the storytelling nature a poem can undertake. Thank you, NetGalley and RDS Publishing, for the access to this work!

💀 Melioë💀
lies on the lips
cutting of nails
scrying the future
in mountain cut trails
hear the wind moaning
the earth catches the heel
the bestial mouths chanting dark spells
my body is changing,
into something else this touch of madness
hot in the blood
words they are magic
in coming undone
beyond the veil of dreaming and sleep unraveling the secrets i no longer keep

💀Asudem (Medusa)💀
" tangle your hand in the biting mouth, her hair dances alive slip it down slow like rope around the neck don’t be afraid swing above as you swung below mastication of teeth snapping of jaw body and bone slip in the dark eyes close swimming the dark water words muted mid-song virgins in love virgins done wrong naive they drink the wine secrets spun anew hard in the belly like slippery stone some things you tell others you swallow a story was told here that was a lie she begged in razor blades knees bent like bird’s wings a delicate snap broke at the neck broke at the breast feathers falling like snow there are things a girl never asked for there are gazes given, ignored some things are forcefully taken cracked vessel left empty a ghost on the acropolis floor first penetration violent opening next framing a whore veneration like sugar on the tongues of the women in town they created the stoning in tandem with men wives of the monsters crawling on knees to the stone where the innocent are tied small sacrifices, tiny teeth silence the story behead the woman sew serpents in stitches right into the scalp loop knots into the lips silence is expected let men wither under her shame a moving veil she will stone them all."

📝 The author has carved a unique niche in the literary world, blending haunting narratives and poetry with inspiration from the gothic, folk horror, and the grotesque. She writes the Queer, dark, and philosophical exploring the places rarely talked about with visceral symbolism.

Haunting, intricate, and steeped in rich folklore.
Deep..descriptive..raw...
I do appreciate poetry/poems once in a while though they are not my usual cup of tea.
From the collection, here are the ones which stood out for me:
Melioë, Asudem (Medusa) Stone, A Dream, Coil, Full Moon, Ninava, Johnathan Fry

Thanks to NetGalley and RDS Publishing for the arc 🖤

3.45✨