06/03/2025
I submitted my book to Reedsy to have an honest review done for it over a month ago and I received the review back yesterday. I have still been struggling with the loss of my son but it really meant a lot to read this review. I will post it here, but before I do, I wanted to share something.
I have found pages and pages of my son's writing over the last couple of weeks and I have been astonished by his writing. His writers voice is very different from mine and the passion, fire, pain, and sometimes humor in his writing has left me speechless at times. He has written short stories, beginnings of books he never had the chance to finish, and poetry that left my heart broken.
One day, when the time is right, and when I am ready, I am going to bring light to his work to honor him and his story and the beauty in his writing. I dedicated my collection of poems to Julian and it is heartbreaking he never got the chance to finish reading it.
In the past I had started saving money for Julian from my book sales to give him when he graduated high school and now I am going to do that for his sister Brianna.
❤️❤️❤️
Review:
A Shadow’s Lament by Sheila Ruby is a touching and emotional collection of poems; when put together they reveal the bittersweet tale of the poet and her journey. It is a heartbreaking story of neglect, abandonment, abuse, heartache, love, and growth. You see into the author’s heart, mind, and soul with every line. Sheila Ruby has done her job on making me feel each line and verse. Reading this has deeply affected me emotionally and spiritually.
These poems are divided into four different parts, similar to chapters. Each one represents a segment of the poetic story.
The rhythm, rhyme and verse keeps you in tune with the emotions of each poem. The fear, loss, sorrow…all of it we feel along with the writer. Reading this book is like an act of lyrical empathy. And, this is how poetry should be. It’s akin to listening to your favorite album and feeling every song.
I love all of the poems in this collection. However my favorite is Before Your Throne, a bold affirmation of faith in God and his mercy. There is nothing offensive or off-putting in these poems; but often the emotions it conveys range from loss, heartbreak, fears, and sorrows.
At its core is a story of resilience through a life of pain, sorrow, and abandonment. This collection is a show of strength through turmoil. It reflects the horrors of life that we go through as well as a quest for love and acceptance. These poetic works also may encourage others who are going through tough times.
I detected no errors in this book, and the formatting was beautifully done with illustrations of flora interwoven throughout the pages. The poems are beautifully penned, and well formatted. If you enjoy poetry, you will love this book. I highly recommend it. Thus, I give it a full 5 out of 5 stars.
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