I always find it difficult to rate and review poetry because it is such a deeply personal medium of art, usually born from trauma and/or pain. However, this collection was an easy 5 stars. Maybe it's the richness in the imagery or the emotions I could palpably feel from the page. Maybe it's the references to all the natural and mystical wonders of the world - something I find myself drawn towards in all art forms - or maybe it's the feeling of hope and healing that comes from completing this little, but powerful, book.

Is this a perfect poetry collection? No. But am I rating it 5 stars? Yes.
Because what is perfection? Especially in terms of poetry? Especially in terms of pain?

I do not know the answer to these questions, but what I do know is that this author has struggled and suffered and brought these poems to life from the suffocating brambles growing tightly around her heart. With all this emotion, all this expression, and all these beautiful words and metaphors that I love, how could I not rate it 5 stars?