Shadows of Myth and Legend by E.J. Stevens

Publisher: Sacred Oaks Press

Release Date: March 3, 2010

Source: Author

A collection of dark faerie tales inspired by folklore, myth and legend told in the haunting lyrical style of dark poet E.J. Stevens. Filled with poems about vampires, werewolves, and other paranormal creatures of the night.

I have a deep appreciation for poetry. I'm constantly marvelling at how some poets are able to portay such such vivid imagery and evoke some strong emotions with a few well-written stanzas. E.J. Stevens shows us that she has such talent in Shadows of Myth and Legend.

Shadows of Myth and Legend offers a wide variety of ghoulish and bittersweet tales of lost loves, lust, and revenge that are told in a smoothly dark and melodious manner. The collection of poems are split into four chapters and each one represents the elements of air, fire, earth and water. Within each chapter Stevens' poems flow gracefully and bring about that richness from old folk lore that tends to be forgotten in our modern times. The subjects from each of the poems range from the usually popular paranormal creatures (vampires, werewolves, faeries, etc.) to the lesser known like selkies, brownies, hippocamps and the extremely frightening Wendigo.

Stevens' poems alternately chilled me and piqued my curiousity because of the different mythological creatures and again, I have to mention how potent the imagery is in this work of hers; there is also the tone for each poem that occasionally switches from ominous and sorrowful to an almost humerous inflection--and the ease that Stevens shows in doing this is impressive. My only complaint is that I wish some of the poems were expanded a bit more--some had a story-like quality to them and I would read on only to have the poem abruptly end. This frustrated me to no end because of how engrossing the poetry was.

Despite that slight drawback, I really enjoyed E.J. Stevens' poetry. Shadows of Myth and Legend is a lyrical and spooky collection that will appeal to anyone with a penchant for eerily beautiful things.

Rating: 4.0