I'm very new to poetry but these I really enjoyed. Dark, raw, and emotional. I thought this was very powerful.

DNF 30%
I couldn't connect with the style or whatever they author was trying to say. I lived random lines but I couldn't see how they were connected to the while poem, even less the book. Not for me.

A collection of poetry can often present both a challenge and a perplexing endeavor. Engaging with a new poet typically introduces a distinct lexicon and emotional spectrum that may initially feel foreign and beyond comprehension. In this regard, "Momento Mori" emerges as a succinct yet poignant anthology characterized by its dark themes and intimate emotional resonance. While the anticipation of motifs centered around mortality and remembrance was warranted, the work consistently dwells within darker thematic waters.

Particularly striking is the poem "To My Father" from section V, which explores the mourning of an absent paternal relationship—a complex emotional landscape that resonates deeply and unexpectedly. This examination of a relationship never fully realized offers a universally relatable experience that lingers in the consciousness long after reading. The intertextual references to Edgar Allan Poe introduce fascinating layers, providing echoes of his literary legacy that enhance the narrative depth without the need for excessive elaboration. This invites inquiry into the poet's own connections with Poe’s oeuvre and how these resonate throughout her work.

As a brief collection, this initial reading reveals words dripping with venomous intensity and a palpable attitude. The lines often coalesce into a formless mass, occasionally punctuated by expletives, leading to interpretations fraught with confusion and a sense of rejection—an experience common to those unaccustomed to poetic forms. My own journey with poetry reflects this; studying the works of Wilfred Owen during my “O” level examinations didn’t elicit immediate emotional engagement or understanding of his intricate stanzas. However, having gained insight into his life, particularly in the context of World War I, I have developed a nuanced appreciation, returning repeatedly to his poems.

Lenore Nox, the poet in question, presents a vibrant and original voice. It is imperative to reach the conclusion of this collection and undertake a second reading, setting aside any preconceived notions or biases. Embrace her voice and allow the raw emotion and richly observed details to permeate the reading experience. These poems will not overwhelm or diminish your self-worth. Instead, they offer reflective turns of phrase and poetic values that invite contemplation, often mirroring the complexity of solving a cryptic crossword puzzle, ultimately rewarding the reader’s patience and reigniting a passion for poetry. In Nox’s work, we encounter a poet who has candidly excavated her inner self, through which she articulates our darkest thoughts and unacknowledged truths with striking honesty.

I didn't expect such straightforward references to the real world and was sometimes a bit lost in the plot line, but anyways, it was beauttifully created, reflective, and pleasure to read.

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Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with this free eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I was very interested in reading this small collection of poetry. I find poetry to be difficult to review because I think it's such a personal genre. However, I just couldn't really get into this collection. However, I found the poem "To My Father" to be the one that caught my attention the most.

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.