Review: Bleed Like Me: Poems for the Broken | Azzurra Nox (ARC)

This review is spoiler free.

‘I’ve been cleansing my soul
Trying to get rid of you.
But no matter how many times I try
I still find pieces of you that linger inside.’

Published: 2019, by Twisted Wings Productions.
Pages: 303
Format: eBook/ARC from Netgalley
Genre: Poetry
Contains: Violence, Blood/Gore, Death, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Anger, Sexual Content, Rape, Sexual Assault, Drugs/Alcohol, Self Injury

I received a copy of this book from Twisted Wings Productions through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

‘Bleed Like Me: Poems for the Broken’ is an anthology of poems exploring the theme of love and the wounds that it can bring. From the exhilaration of first love, to the damage of unrequited love, this book takes you on a journey of little memories as they come alive across the pages.

I was first introduced to this book by Netgalley, the gorgeous cover immediately sparking my interest. Everything about this book appealed to me, from the title to the themes, and I was desperately hoping it would live up to my high expectations. Thankfully, it did.

I’d not heard of Azzurra Nox prior to this anthology, but her work immediately drew me in. The brutality and honesty across the pages was breathtaking, each poem tearing you apart as you feel the emotions depicted within the poems. I was in constant awe of the author’s way with words as she described each emotion perfectly. Although, many of the poems were tormented and violent, there are also those that were the opposite, causing you to experience a whirlwind of emotions as you progress through the collection. The themes are dark and painful, yet they’re spread across the pages in digestible chunks, making for an incredibly elegant read.

Some of my personal favourites are:

• Last Wish
• Ice Princess
• Pain Inflictor
• Restless
• The Enchanted Forest
• Broken Doll
• Girl in the Mirror
• Bag of Horrors
• Throw Me Out To Sea
• A Haiku For All The Boys I’ve Kissed

Overall, I adore this collection. Azzurra Nox’s work is some of the best contemporary poetry I’ve read, and is definitely someone to look out for in the future.

5/5