Smoke and Ashes
by
@TylaStone

Since this is my first poetry review, I did do some research as to how to go about judging it in terms of the rubric.  As you will see it is slightly different. I also looked at several other poetry books so that I had a frame of reference!

Title -9/10

The title is great! You picked a good poem to base it on. It is a powerful final note to your book. The poem sums up the overall theme of your book and the title leaves the reader intrigued without giving too much away.

Cover-3/5

I like the cover but I do think it could be a little more striking. It is visually appealing but I feel it needs something to catch the viewer's attention.

Blurb-3/5

I'm not sure about the blurb. I think it's  a little misleading. The quality of work within your book has so much depth and emotion and I think you need to reflect that within the blurb.

Theme -8/10

The theme is a little predictable but because the subject matter is so personal it makes the essence of the book incredibly compelling.

I love how you constantly come back to the idea of fire and ashes throughout the poems. It cleverly links with the title and creates a connection throughout.

Plot Development-7/10

One of your requests was for me to give my opinion on what poems to take out. Personally, I feel like you shouldn't extract any poems. Each and every one of your poems have their own individual beauty. Some of them do feel a bit rushed but they simply need polish.

I love the poem Remember When. I really like how it flashes back! I think you should consider adding that element in to more poems to extend the insight into the quality of their relationship before the breakup. This is one of my favorite poems because of its well thought out complexity.

I'm not sure about the overall progression of the book. Sometimes the poems seem a bit monotonous in terms of subject matter and the poems seem to all go to the same place. Towards the end you begin to escape this tendency a bit but then it reverts back again. I would have liked to have seen the subject move on and escape from this bittersweet love to be independent, just so there is some form of development overall.

Grammar and Spelling-18/20

Your grammar and spelling is very good throughout. Some poems do need a little cleaning up in this department but nothing too major. Maybe revise the syntax and grammar in Don't Want To Be Saved, that stood out in particular for me.

Flow and Form-18/20

Wow! I love how you have played with the structure of your poems throughout the book! The rhythm enhances the mood of your poems. It creates so much variety and impact! Particularly in Drowning, it is so cleverly structured that the words make you feel like you're sinking as you read it!

I also really like how the poems vary in length. Some people feel the need to make every poem a similar length but I think it's much more interesting and emotive to write what you feel! You aren't afraid of the power of a single sentence, which is great!

I do suggest revising the layout of Only at Night. When reading it, it seemed a little scattered and rushed.

Choice of Words-8/10

The poems are very personal and there are some beautiful moments within them. Your use of poetic devices are very original and it always works well in the context of the poems.

I also have to mention that I love your shifts in perspectives varying from first and third person from poem to poem. It's provides a sense a narration and an outside voice which creates an interesting contrast. I'd Gladly Take The Pain applies to this in particular and it's wonderful!

Sometimes it does feel like certain words have been forced in order to form a rhyme. Don't be afraid to break free of the rhyme and create free verse ever so often to make it more natural.

Originality-4/5

The personality of the subject shines bright within the writing and this becomes very personal and relatable. This intimacy makes the poems incredibly individual. My personal favorites originals are Chess, Are you Reading This and Fallen Angel!

Overall Impact-4.5/5

Poems that had particular impact me are Wonderland, Matches and Glass Heart.

I think its very hard not to experience the emotional impact of the words and I definitely recommend it to any person in love with poetry!

Well done!!!