Lyrics and Such - Poetry Collection Book Review

Book: Lyrics and Such 

By: Layden Robinson

Genre: Poetry Collection

Publication Date: 19 April 2015

Lyrics and Such by Layden Robinson is a collection of 58 poems, songs and lyrics on a variety of topics and themes with different ideas, tones and messages.

The collection is divided into several parts, with pieces taken from the author's various lyric and poetry collections. Each of these is mentioned here and underlined.

I felt that there was a need for punctuation especially in terms of commas that would better help with the flow of several pieces. There was also an overuse of 'within' to mean 'in'. I would have preferred the use of the latter.

While, I would like to mention my comments on all, I will just note a few recommended pieces to read in this collection:

Part 1: Songs from "Verse:

"Epitome (Wishing)" is a lovely piece; dark with lots of imagery (just the way I like it); however, I did not like the repetition at the end. Four stars to this one.

As smooth as glass our love should have lasted

Lasted, through the miles of time

Amongst the tragedy, across the tides

In the distance the sculptor rides

"Already There" has a good refrain but I felt the last line was a bit confusing, while the piece titled "Now" enjoys a good rhythm and word choice.

So now let us forget yesterday

And indulge within the now

The future will have its say

But the now still needs to be found

"Angel from Above" is a five-star piece. A must read! Similarly, the final piece in the first part of the book is titled "Unity" and is brilliant. Five stars for this one as well!

Part 2: Songs from Music Meets Emotion

"Become Free" is a beautiful song. Reading it I could feel and hear the words "become free" being said by a chorus. I enjoyed this one a lot.

Part 3: Songs from Adversity

"Mother's Side" is an emotional and beautiful piece dedicated to mothers. However, I felt the second half of it was a bit confusing. Still it's a good read.

"Disarray" is an enjoyable dark-ish poem. The conclusion is powerful and I would love to hear this recited out loud someday. Meanwhile, "Confession" is a super short piece. I did not feel the confession part as the title suggests and I wanted to read more. The opening line, however, took hold of me and I couldn't stop reading it "Dance within the masquerade as your virtue attempts to discover".

The poem "When We've Won" is a hopeful with a strong feel to the words in it.

Short, hopeful and enjoyable, "Strength and Love" is another recommended read, followed by the holding-on-themed piece "Before You Leave". The words are just full of love.

Songs from "Within"

"Forbidden" is a deep and emotional poem. A must-read, while "Floating" is an interesting piece, although I did not like the ending.

On the other hand, "Rest for Me" is a staggeringly beautiful piece. I love the music in it and would love to hear it sung or recited someday. Five stars to this one.

"Claim the clouds

The vision of the shining sun

All wrong has become undone

A romantic and his warfare

His theme and his crushing tears"

Words from The “Blues Love Undiscovered” Days

"The Moment" is five-star must-read (and sing-to) lyric. Loved it!

"Dirty Mama" is a fun song. I listened to it on YouTube and enjoyed the lively metal-ish music.

Song Lyrics from "The Vault"

"Free the World" is a stunning song and poem. A must-read that reminded me a bit of Michael Jackson's "Heal the World".

I enjoyed the piece titled "Where" with its rhythm and sense of searching.

I was once the hunter

But now I am the prey

Have you ever wondered?

Where is the way?

Other recommended pieces from Lyrics and Such Poetry include:
"Fade (I don't know)", "Life and Death", "Starlyn", "Wishing on a Rainbow", "Rise", "The Other Way", "Answers", "Warmth", "You Are" and "Better".

Overall rating: 3 stars.

Find the book on Goodreads here.

Elven Jewel by Kasper Beaumont - Book Review

Elven Jewel by Kasper Beaumont is the first instalment in the Hunters of Reloria series, which for me feels like it has many similarities with The Lord of the Rings. Elven Jewel, however, is written for a much younger audience.

Elven Jewel opens with the halflings having fun but suddenly see invading Vergai beasts, described as “reptilian creatures”. I couldn’t help but picture them as walking crocodile-like creatures.

Soon, we are thrown into a quest to seek out the elves and warn them of the incoming Vergai, who seek to steal the jewel that maintains the safety of the planet. However, the halflings and others become part of a bigger company that journey to battle the Vergai and rescue Princess Shari-Rose and the planet.

The idea of 'halflings' is reminiscent of the Hobbits in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy; however the halflings of Reloria are bound by their bond-fairies, whom they can’t live without. This is sometimes helpful but can be disagreeable, as in the story told by Sir Varnon towards the end of the novel. 

On p. 171, there is “King under the mountain”, which is a direct reference to The Hobbit. Similarly, the dwarves living under the mountain is broader reference. The company, named “the Hunters of Reloria”, is reminiscent of Tolkien's Fellowship of the Ring.

The emotions Fendi feels for Sienna are also reflected in those between their fairies, Fendi-La and Sienna-Li. Still, as readers we don't know much about fairy relationships but they are obviously easier than human-halfling ones.

We are told that the elves are "aloof", which is clearly seen in the princess and her bad temper. However, she is obnoxious! Her haughtiness shifts to wailing and the typical representation of a woman crying. For some reason, I, as a reader, felt that her emotions are fake, considering how haughty she had been a few seconds earlier.

There is a contrast in the characters of the two boys and a starker contrast between the two women: Sienna and Shari-Rose. Sienna is confident and deals with loss much better than the princess who is six years her senior.

In a confrontation between the independent and indignant Sienna and the proud princess, the reader can't help but be sympathetic towards Sienna and have the urge to smack the princess even if she is the most important character to the events of this story.

It is said at the beginning of the novel that elves are haughty. We see it in the princess and again in Daeron, her guardian, whose lengthy speech on p. 155 is too long and annoying. In it, he defends the obnoxious nature of his charge, whom he has been guarding since birth but has not tried to help or fix. The reader hopes the ordeal the princess undergoes will teach her a thing or two about humility and good manners. 

“[Randir] decided he would never understand that irksome elf. “When she’s not being an absolute troll!”

Several times in the novel, I got the feeling that the characters talk too much. An example is on p. 266, when Sir Varnon praises Fendi’s negotiation skills, and on p. 267, when Fendi talks to a half-asleep Sienna. Sir Varnon is, often, too formal at times, especially when talking with the younger characters like Fendi.

There are, of course, some memorable quotes and images in Elven Jewel. Asher tells Shari Rose: “To be kidnapped once may be unlucky Princess, but twice is exceedingly careless.”

Even though Shari-Rose is supposedly the centre of the story, we don't see her much, which is a good thing considering her temperamental character. Still, it is interesting that there is no main or single protagonist in the story. We have several heroes with different abilities and ideas. This gives a great depth to Beaumont’s Elven Jewel. There is no single protagonist; there are several heroes and the reader is free to choose their favourite.

My overall rating for Elven Jewel is 3 stars and I look forward to embarking on the rest of the journey with the Hunters of Reloria in Hunters’ Quest.

You can also follow author Kasper Beaumont and her series on:

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Website.