Book Review: Honor by C.S Phoenix

Honor by C.S Phoenix Book Review

AD—Gifted. I received a copy of Honor in exchange for an honest review. Please see my review policy for more details.

C.S Phoenix creates a vivid and breathtaking portrayal of her trauma through poetic word that is as beautiful as it is breaking.

The poet explores her relationship with food, body dysmorphia, and childhood trauma. She speaks about her struggle to stop being afraid of who she is. Her inner thoughts and pain are laid bare for the world to see in a bold and courageous affirmation of self. In these words, “To burn bright/for the next lost soul/Who needs a beacon, C.S Phoenix begins a journey of healing not only for herself but also to pave a path others can follow.

In reading Honor, I found it resplendent with emotion. It may not be emotion you want to feel, but it is emotion you need to feel. “I’m working on healing/But I’m afraid/To feel.”

Through the writing you will discover how valuable and necessary friends are; that tiny gestures of conversation and consideration mean infinitely more than you ever imagined. Perhaps one moment of genuine connection with you is why a stranger with only grey before him decided to keep living and discovered a rainbow once the storm cleared.

Each poem journeys toward the healing conclusion that love begins when you love yourself and nothing is braver than living. “The road is calling out to me/It is screaming my name.”

Honor by C.S Phoenix is a rocky narrative, but it keeps you enraptured until the end. Each bump is as necessary as it is jolting. As you read, you will begin to explore the darkest corners of yourself and discover you hold the light you need to heal. “You’re not finished yet.”

C.S Phoenix says she thinks of herself as a phoenix. Each time she burns to ash, she is reborn as a stronger and more complete version of herself. Throughout the book you will experience this rebirth not only through the writing but also through the evolving illustration of a phoenix’s lifespan that is cleverly woven in throughout the pages.

Each poem in this book is a window into the soul. Each poem asks why, how, when? “But you tell me I can be more.”

The most alive poems ask what if and explore what a future could look like. Alternate Endings II connects with me most in its portrayal of a life that could have been. It is descriptive of a moment we have all faced when gazing into our futures from a point in our past.

Alternate Endings II, excerpt

Maybe

We would live in a little mountain town

Foster and adopt kids

Who just needed love.

More love than they thought they deserved.

Follow this journey of healing one poem at a time. Experience the pauses and gaps that give you space to breathe and contemplate how the emotion of what you are reading plays into your life. Discover compassion. Discover your value. Discover yourself! “I’m not everybody’s cup of tea.”

If you are so called, purchase Honor here. Discover C.S Phoenix’s world of words through her website and stay tuned for the evolving journey of Honor in the sequels, Integrity and Candor!

Looking for more fantastic books to read this summer? Check out my reviews category!

What elements of Honor connected with you? Is this a book you are compelled to read? Tell me below!

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36 Comments

  1. Cindy Georgakas

    Superb review Jaya!
    💕

  2. Ena

    Thanks for checking out my blog! Looking forward to reading more of your posts!

  3. D. Wallace Peach

    I love poetry that goes deep and digs into the pain of life and growth. Sometimes it captures big emotions in a way prose is unable to do. And frequently it resonates on a universal level even if the actual experience isn’t quite the same. This sounds like one of those collections. Thanks for sharing your review, Jaya, and many congrats to CS.

  4. I'm All Booked Up YA

    We usually don’t read poetry, but this book sounds very good.

  5. gemmaajaynee

    This sounds like a very emotional journey through beautiful written words. I don’t actually read a lot of poem books but I can appreciate that people have a wonderful way with words x

  6. Lisa's Notebook

    This sounds like an absorbing read, tackling the age-old issue of how we can learn to love ourselves first. The alternative endings are an interesting touch too. Great review, Jaya, thank you!

  7. Jenny in Neverland

    This sounds like an excellent read with lots of difficult things to read about but the way you’ve written about it, it sounds beautiful x

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you, Jenny!

  8. Charlie

    Not heard of this book before but it sounds interesting. I will check it out. Thank you for sharing.

  9. ellegracedeveson

    I haven’t heard of this book before but it defiantly sounds very interesting! Thank you so much for sharing their work with us and for such a in-depth review. I always appreciate a good review! Xo

    Elle – ellegracedeveson.com

  10. Corinne

    I’ve not read any poetry books in a while, this sounds great, the topics all sound really interesting and would make for some emotive poems!

    Corinne x

  11. Stephanie

    While I’m sure this is an absolutely spectacular book for so many people, I think it would be especially triggering for me as someone who has dealt with eating disorders and body dysmorphia for so much of my life. However, I appreciate the author’s willingness to share their story in this form. I can imagine that it’s educational, emotional, and really wonderful in so many ways for the right readers.

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you for sharing these thoughts with me, Stephanie! It is definitely important to look out for our own wellbeing when choosing reading materials.

  12. Mariann Yip

    Love this review.

  13. readandreviewit1

    Amazing review! This sounds like such a raw read, it’s completely different to what I’d usually pick up but I’m really compelled to read it. I love that it explores such important themes as well as connections between people and the quotes you included are so thought-provoking! Thank you so much for sharing x

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Love that you enjoyed this review!

  14. ✨Teresa Maria | Copywriter for Sustainable Brands✨ (@TeresamariaThe)

    You’ve written so beautifully about this book. It sounds like quite a vulnerable reading experience, but I bet totally worth it. Thank you for sharing your opinion on it!

    Teresa Maria | Outlandish Blog

    1. Jaya Avendel

      What a lovely comment! Thank you so much for sharing.

  15. aimsysantics

    What a great way to reflect and heal yourself through the narrative of poetry and then producing it into a book. Sounds like you really enjoyed reading through the various poems. Thank you for your review!
    Aimsy xoxo

  16. Lauren

    I haven’t heard of this book before, it is interesting, not usually what I would read. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience.
    Lauren x

  17. Jodie | That Happy Reader

    This sounds like such a powerful read Jaya – and one I know I would enjoy. Lovely review. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Unwanted Life

      It must make for a really interesting collection of poems, if you can read them while going in a journey with the author as you go through the book. I haven’t come across something like this concept before, so it’s really appealing, especially with it’s links to mental wellbeing

      1. Jaya Avendel

        I thought you would enjoy the concepts throughout this book! Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

  18. Lamittan Minsah

    What a stunning review of the book “Honey”. Completely gives one the appetite to read. I love it.

  19. Daphny Aqua

    A wonderful review, you’ve trapped this book lover it. I will for sure put in my list for my next book haul. 🙂

    1. Jaya Avendel

      I am delighted to hear it, Daphny!

  20. Deeksha Bhardwaj

    Wonderful review! Thanks for sharing with us, Jaya😄

  21. Keep Calm & Drink Coffee

    The book is intriguing, among the words you wrote Dysmorphia remained in my mind.
    You end telling to discover “I’m not everyone cup of tea.” So I think I would steal your thought and write “I’m not everyone cup of coffee.”
    Thanks a lot Jaya!

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Love your spin on the poetic line!

  22. Michele Lee

    I enjoyed reading your thoughtful review, Jaya. Thank you for sharing Phoenix’s work with us. Sounds like the kind of content that would be a good fit for the narrative therapy workshops I assist with.

    1. Jaya Avendel

      What a lovely thought, Michele! I think books like this are definitely a help in healing.

      1. Michele Lee

        Thank you for sharing! I think so. I bookmarked your page and will revisit the book. 🙏🏻

  23. Ingrid

    Thank you for the recommendation, Jaya!

  24. Jacqui Murray

    This sounds difficult, not because of the writing skill but the content. Excellent review.

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