This slim volume is an absolutely gorgeous interweaving of text and image. It is a piece that begs the reader to sit, savor, and soak in the art within. Very thankful that I got the chance to read this, and I plan to seek out more from this author in the future.

I absolutely adore how the art and words work together. One without the other would be empty. This is something I'll come back to again and again.

Such a beautiful and heartfelt collection of words. I'm thankful for this unique perspective. I am also love the emotion that is displayed through the cover art.

A beautiful short piece combining written word and artistic interpretations. I was mostly drawn to this piece due it it’s presentation in English and Cree. As a Hawaiian, I will always support and read works by indigenous authors and am so grateful to the use and exposure of indigenous languages.

I’m slowly finding my way - appreciating and understanding and reading more poetry and want to thank NetGalley for the chance to read this lovely work by Samantha Erron Gibbon.

Sparse and evocative, a visual poem where the narrative is carried is by the images as much as the words. It was great timing to read this alongside Ursula K. Le Guin's Always Coming Home.

This was such a wholesome read with beautiful readings, lerfect for those times you jst want to feel warm but don’t feel like reading.

The artwork is amazing along with the flow of the book. It goes over the stages of life - loved the buffalo hunt drawings and the tree one. It's hard to pick a favorite.
I will have to get a hard copy.

The cover caught my attention and I was expecting some interesting poetry on the inside. I found the illustrations to outshine the poetry, and there wasn't much poetry to start with.

There could've been potential in this collection had it been more focused on writing, although maybe this was one of those cases where the art would speak for itself.

This book just wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Querencia Press for this ARC.

I am going to go buy this book at my local bookstore. It was that captivating that I want to read it again and again - while the prose was sparse, it combined with the illustrations were moving. And the illustrations were stunning! The book mixes Cree and English - making the Cree words used accessible to non-Indigenous readers yet Gibbon still stays true to her culture.

I would highly recommend!

I have read Vermilion through a couple of times now and I have spent some time sitting with the words and the artwork, and also doing a little outside reading, but I still don’t feel entirely prepared to give a full review/rating to this piece, especially as someone who is not from the same cultural and linguistic background as the author - so take everything I say with that in mind.

Even though the work as a whole is very short, there are so many layers to understanding. The author wrote in the description, “I look forward to sharing this book with all my kin interested in teaching or reading a story that is both accessible and wonderfully mysterious that we could come back to again and again, with each time harnessing a new understanding." I think that is definitely accomplished here and I do feel like each time one returns to the poem and artwork they will expand their understanding or relationship to the piece. I am also sure that one’s personal and cultural background will influence their understanding. I don’t necessarily think I am the target audience for this work but I do feel thankful that I got to experience it, and I found both the words and images to be intriguing and moving. Definitely would recommend.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Querencia Press, and Samantha Erron Gibbon for the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review!*

"vermilion" is a beautiful artpiece that weaves poetry and visuals into one. gibbon chooses words with care to showcase indigenous culture and create a lingering connection both her poetry and paintings.

Incredible art style in every page, beaming with color, and something I had yet to see before, but somehow felt familiar. Though not many words are said, every phrase captured is beautifully written, showing that not much needs to be said. A powerful multicultural piece with an almost poetic display of motherhood, Vermilion is a beautiful exhibition of images, and powerful words to accompany them.

I enjoy graphic books like this, where the pictures are just as important as the words. The words were sparse and poetic, and the pictures were amazing. They were all about this main woman, and I kept seeing the theme of duality, which made me think about my own life and the roles I've had to play.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

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

3.5 Stars.
That was an interesting book mostly about the theme of motherhood. It is a really short poem and it is kind of different from what I'm used to read in poetry but I like innovative ideas in creating any kind of art. The illustrations were a bit peculiar but it's part of what makes this book so interesting to discover. The cover is stunning!

I… don’t know how to review this. For one thing, I read it as an ebook, which is probably not the way to go. I’m guessing this book is about 100 words long, total, and consists mostly of stylized illustrations that accompany and augment the sparse text.

So, on one hand, this wasn’t what I thought I was getting into when I requested this book on NetGalley. Still, I’m reading this as on singular somewhat meditative poem or song. I’m glad I read this even though I’m struggling to put my feelings into words. The structure sort of demands that you stop and think every few words. I assume the effect of reading it in a print layout would only enhance that meditative experience.

Thank you to the publisher for letting me read this book as an ARC.

This was a brief but stunning work. The art complimented and enhanced the poetic language, both reflecting back on each other. It was both warm and nurturing.
Thank you for the ARC - this is a collection I could come back to time and again.

Thank you to Querencia Press via NetGalley for providing me with this ARC! Although not quite what I expected, I enjoyed the illustrations that accompanied the poetry— it felt very connected and the illustrations helped the words come to life. I appreciated the simultaneous simplicity and complexity, between the words of the prose and the meaning behind them. I enjoyed reading and hope to read more from the author!

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this!

vermilion is certainly very interesting and is absolutely the artists own expression; she has a style and that comes through very clearly. I will say that it is entirely dependent on you liking the artists style!

This was unlike anything I had read before. I really appreciated the pictures in between the text; I think it helps bring the story to life. This is told simply, but nothing is lost in the meaning and impact it leaves you with. Highly recommended for poetry lovers or those who want to dip their toes into something new.

Thank you Querencia Press for a copy of vermilion!

"vermilion is a stunning multilingual and multidimensional piece of poetic artwork. This is a spiritual song of motherhood, creation, and dreaming in Cree-Métis. I look forward to sharing this book with all my kin interested in teaching or reading a story that is both accessible and wonderfully mysterious that we could come back to again and again, with each time harnessing a new understanding."

REVIEW:
A different form of poetry than I'm used to, but a very welcome one. I love how the visual pieces add another layer of meaning and self-reflection into each word. Simple and warm. A gorgeous depiction of motherhood!