This was a fun and interesting collection of supernatural poetry. The poems themselves aren’t anything life changing but all in all it was a fun and entertaining experience.

Lovely and emotional poetry, powerfully introspective in the style of Rupi Kaur. Recommended to those who love poetry.

For regular readers of my blog, you will know that when it comes to contemporary poetry, I’m not the biggest of fans. However, a poetry collection that is called Witchcraft and Monsters? I am here for it. When I saw the cover, I requested it immediately. I didn’t even know that it was poetry, I didn’t even read the blurb… I just… well… requested it. And I’m so glad that I did.

If there’s anything Kala knows, it’s monsters.
Witchcraft and Monsters is a debut poetry collection by Kala Godin.

Kala understands that the human body can be its own kind of monster. She knows the way strangers both see her and don’t.
There is magic in everything we do.
And there are monsters in each of us.

This collection is broken into five main parts: witchcraft, fairytales, bodies, bad ideas, and endings. Now, the book is only 53 pages long, so each section is very short. The section that packed the biggest punch for me was ‘Witchcraft’. It was the section where I could relate to the most poems. There were a few other poems throughout the collection where I could relate but the aforementioned section was my favourite.



“I keep
Raising the dead,
Like it’s going out of style.
Rise dead feelings,
Dead issues,
Dead ideas…”
– Kala Godin, Witchcraft and Monsters



The thing that I liked the most about this book was that it was darker than most contemporary poetry that I’ve read. I liked the references to Greek Gods, to the devil… Just dark stuff in general. It was definitely speaking to my high school emo side *cue nervous laugher here*. Okay, I’m still kinda in that stage.

Usually, the lack of rhyming is an issue for me. I kind of like the old school style of poetry more where it’s got a rhyming scheme, but that might just be because that’s the only poetry that I’ve read my entire life due to the stupid English curriculum in the U.K. ANNNNYYWWAAAYYY, I digress. Like I said, lack of rhyming is usually an issue, but in Witchcraft and Monsters, it didn’t bother me. I liked the rhythm of the poems.



“They tell me
I’m more witchcraft than girl.
More wolf than woman.
Like it’s a bad thing
To be the predator,
And not the prey.
– Kala Godin, Witchcraft and Monsters



Overall, I actually really enjoyed this short collection of poetry, which surprised me (in a good way.) I’m still going to say that contemporary poetry isn’t my most favourite type of poetry, but I am learning to look at poetry as texts that you don’t have to consume all in one go. They are collections that you can keep going back to whenever you’re in a different mood, or a different time in your life.

Disclaimer: this book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

A solid YA novel that was a good purchase for my library. Students have read and enjoyed it, and I purchased it because of this review copy.

4.5 Stars ( I received an e-arc from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review)

I feel like I haven't seen a lot of poetry collections that include own voices disability rep, which is great that we are getting more diversity in the poetry community. Although I am still relatively new to reading poetry, the doesn't seem common as opposed mental health representation. Witchcraft, fantasy and commentary on how her body has dealt with her disability. Go read this for yourself and check out this amazing collection.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, and I decided to read this book because of the beautiful cover and I was interested in poems focusing on the theme of witchcraft.

This is a really easy book to read because not only is the book only 54 pages, but the poems are also short. I liked the overall themes of the poems, but I never really got into the writing style. Just as I felt like I would get into a poem it would end, I definitely felt like most of them should have been longer. There was so much more that they could have explored.

I think my favorite poem from the collection was Predator. These lines in particular spoke to me: “Like I should be a passive thing. Like I should be a soft thing. Like soft things don’t bite. Like passive things won’t put hexes on people.”

This collection could have been magnificent. It has some really good themes. But in general I didn’t find myself moved by the writing. In the end I gave it 2 stars on Goodreads, but my rating is probably closer to a 2.5. I would be interested in reading more by this author.

I requested this in hopes to bring me more into poetry. I mean, with a title like "Witchcraft and Monsters," how could I resist?

And I enjoyed the poems. Am I a poetry convert after this - no. But I will at least try more poetry, which is all I can ask for.

Fantastic collection, overall.

This is an emotional collection of poems relating to witchcraft, fairy tales, and mythology. I enjoyed this more than I first expected.

I received this from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

First and foremost this cover is absolutely stunning and pulled me in- then I found out it was poetry and it is so hard to find really good poetry in my opinion that pulls the reader in. I truly loved every poem, every page and have added the author to my auto read list. Pick this one up you will not be disappointed!

I really enjoyed the poetry in this collection and would love to have more by this author. Thank you for the opportunity to read this before it was published.

Witchcraft and Monsters is a very quick poetry collection that is packed with a lot of feeling. I enjoyed the many references to Greek Gods and fairytale stories, but I especially appreciated reading the poems about disability- as I think it's so important to get different perspectives on how others view and interact with the world. This collection is unique and interesting, and I look forward to the author's future works.

I am not a huge fan of most poetry, and it isn't for lack of trying. This cover called to me and the synopsis pulled me in the rest of the way and I requested it for review.



I adored this poetry book, it was not what I was expecting and it was strong and emotional and I felt every word of it deep in my insides. Kala did such a beautiful job pulling me in as a non-poetry reader and her words resonated so strongly. It may because I understand being/ feeling broken and overcoming that feeling. The way that she expressed herself was simple yet deep and I did't feel like I was missing a bigger picture, I felt like I was there with her.


All that being said this is a very emotional read - at least it was for me, and there my be trigger points or words that cut and that is part of it, but if you are not prepared it may not be for you.


I do recommend this book, but as a casual poetry reader not an expert :).

I loved this book; everything about it. It resonated with me so deeply and I absolutely adored the fact that it made me feel like I wasn't alone in my personal struggles - there's someone out there that feels the exact same way that I do. I cannot wait to purchase this book and have it in my library to read over and over again.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a review copy. 

I gave this a four out of five stars. I really enjoyed the authors writing it was so beautiful. Her poetry is unique and amazing, totally magical. I'm going to end up buying myself a physical copy. You should totally check it out! I loved her writing so much I highlighted some of my favorite lines.

Here are a few of my favorite lines:

"I don't know love in small doses. I know how to spill my entire being out. I know how to love completely."

"I am too much of myself for them, But never enough, Of what they want,"

"I am waiting, For my throne of bone, Blood, and ash."

"She doesn't want to be saved. Doesn't want to be the damsel. of the Fiance. So she'll teach herself how to a tsunami instead."

I went into reading this expecting a book format rather than poetry, but even so, I was not disappointing. It was a very easy read and I enjoyed all the poems. Though light and easy to breeze through, the poems were filled with emotion. Im not a huge fan of poetry but I appreciate the writing style and loved the themes.

Interesting subject but I did not enjoy this sadly. It is a poetry collection and I just expected more from it. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This poetry collection is very enjoyable, I felt like the author did a good job of interpreting mythology and using it to build these short well-written narratives. There's not much on can say about a short collection like this but I would definitely buy this book to enjoy again or use as inspiration in my own writings.

This was a moving and powerful story that left me both satisfied and begging for more. I cannot wait to see what else this author has in store!

I was initially drawn to the cover of Witchcraft and Monsters. I thought it was a novel at first. I'm a poetry fan, and I liked this collection for its original vibe. Kind of a darker bent to it, but that's what I liked. It reminds me of voodoo incantations despite the fact that it's not voodoo. Several lines stayed with me. Poetry is at its best when even one single line implants itself forever in your mind. A beautiful collection of truths honestly stated. Love it! Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute short book with poems. I had thought it was a novel at first and I'm not usually one to read poems but these were great.