Book Review- Decadent Poetry from Wilde to Naidu edited by Lisa Rodensky

I was not too familiar with the Decadent movement at all but after reading the Book of Jade by David Park Barnitz, I became very interested in reading more.  Though the majority of the poems in here were not as dark as Barnitz, I still counted many favorites among them, especially Wilde.  I definitely need to add Wilde's poetry to my collection.  A few favorite authors are Lionel Johnson, Aubrey Beardsley, and Arthur Symons.

Book Review- Celtic Lore & Spellcraft of the Dark Goddess: Invoking the Morrigan by Stephanie Woodfield

I have always been fascinated with the Celtic goddesses, the Morrigan, and when I saw this book a few years ago, I was happy to get it.  Overall I liked it, it had fascinating lore and history of the Morrigan and the time periods she was worshiped in, but I cringed when I saw that the author cited references from Edain McCoy and Christopher Penzcak.  Also I skipped many of the spells and exercises at the end of the chapters for they were too Wiccany and some, New Agey for me.  I will continue to read the myths, legends, and lore until I have enough to compare with her findings.

  

Book Review- The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian (Conan the Cimmerian #1) by Robert E. Howard

 Alright, after reading H.P. Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith I knew I had to read Robert E. Howard as well and where better to start than with the legendary Conan?  I wasn't sure what I expected even with everything I've heard (and watched) about Conan but I was actually pretty happy with it, surprisingly.  I wish more than 3 women would be anything other than helpless slaves or terrified runaways and I really got tired of Conan's "Kiss me, girl," quotes (maybe Howard's Sword Woman will make up for that when I read it) but the action scenes and the execution of the stories I thought were well done.  I have bought a few other non-Conan books by Howard, so I look forward to seeing what else he can do with other characters.

  

Book Review- Ireland: A Celebration of Verse Edited by Roy Benjamin

I enjoyed the many different poems dedicated to and/or about Ireland but the sections that I enjoyed the most were Fabulous Journeys and Mythical Beings, Tender Love, Fatal Love, and Curses.  I am always on the lookout for Celtic verse or verse on the Celtic lands and this is only the second book I've come across that falls under those categories.  I was quite happy with this little gem and some of my favorite poems include the Fairy Host, Labasheedy (the Silken Bed), Down by the Salley Gardens, I Shall Not Die for Thee, and Were Not the Gael Fallen.

The most amusing line I read in this whole book is from the poem Labasheedy (the Silken Bed) by Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill.

"your hair is a herd of goats
moving over rolling hills,
hills that have high cliffs
and two ravines."  

Book Review- Fearworms- Selected Poems by Robert Payne Cabeen

This book wasn't exactly to my taste but nonetheless the poems were extremely entertaining and clever.  My favorite poem is the Promise.  This poem was melancholy and summoned vivid images that invoked the sense of loss and sadness the poem spoke of.  The language of it was elegant and grabbed you immediately.  Krampus Comes to Town was also a poem I enjoyed very much.  The artwork is amazing and I love the randomness of themes, layouts, and fonts for each page.

There is only one issue I have with this book and that it seems I must have picked a poorly bound copy.  A majority of the first half of the book is completely unattached now from the spine.  I can't turn a page without fear of the page coming out with my hand.  This is a newly bought book and I am disappointed that it is in the condition it is now from one reading.  I don't know if all the books are like that or if it's just mine, just make sure when you get yours you flip through the pages first.

Overall this book was incredibly entertaining even if not to my exact taste and I love the narrative style these poems are written in and the artwork is a fun addition.

    

"Horror" read by D. L. Myers

My Reading of Painted in Blood