I do not think that Memento Mori by Lenore Nox was for me. I am not sure if I just didn't connect with any of the poetry narratives, but it felt like the poems were trying too hard to be edgy. The only ones I actually enjoyed were the meditations on religion. I am sure there are people out there that will absolutely love this collection, but unfortunately, I am not one of them.

I found Momento Mori a brief, elegant collection of poems with a dark tones and intimate emotions. I had expected themes of death, of course, and perhaps of remembrance to live beforehand, but it certainly stayed in the darker end of the pool.
"To My Father" in section V really broke through to me - the mourning of a relationship that was never even had, an absent father and all that could have been. A deeply personal and relatable issue that I wasn't really expecting and will sit with me for a long time.

I found the references to Edgar Allen Poe exciting - echoes of his works added an interesting layer to some of the works, a deeper level of storytelling in a way, and evoke further meaning without adding words. Would love to know about the poet's connection to Poe's works and how they relate to it all!

Thank you to Lenore for the words, and the opportunity of reading this ARC.

I am not the most practiced when it comes to analyzing poetry and authorial intent, but Lenore Nox's raw and passionate poems and verses were powerful enough that I felt myself going through the emotional journey with them.

Some of them spoke to me on a more personal level than others, but none of them I disliked. If you're in a place where you can experience rage, grief, and sadness I would recommend this quick read.

A book of poetry can be both a challenge and a chore.

A new poet to you has a lexicon of words and emotional chords that initially seem to be conveyed in a foreign tongue. Beyond your grasp and understanding.

Thankfully this is just a short book of verse.

First read through, as above and more so. Words seem to drip with venom and attitude. Lines mingle into mush and the only thing that stands out is the odd curse word and misunderstanding equals confusion and rejection.

Can I just .say this is how poetry can seem to the untrained ear. I studied William Owen the great World War I poet for “O”level and didn’t get it or feel the stanzas and emotive language immediately. Now with a greater understanding of his life and that conflict. I have a measured appreciation and return to his poems from again and again.

So Lenora Nox. What a vibrant and original voice.
Please reach the end of this book and immediately re-read it and allow any prejudice and baggage to be set aside.

Find her voice and allow the raw emotion and the rich observations to spill off the page. They will not overwhelm you, destroy any faith you hold or diminish your selfworth.

These poems are not empty words but reflective turns of phrase and poetic values that enable you to reflect, contemplate, struggling for answers like cryptic crossword but rewarding your patience and decision to enjoy poetry once more.

A poet who has poured out her heart, searched her inner self and through her honesty, given voice to our darkness thoughts and unspoken truths.