Synopsis:
Steven Archer and Donna Lynch collaborate once again for a collection of illustrated poems and short stories about witches–some familiar and some secret; some based in history and lore, and some manifested directly from the minds of their creators. This 7″ by 10″, full-color art book includes more than 30 poems and paintings and is the sequel to Daughters of Lilith, their collaborative work released in 2010.
Edition:
Paperback
My Thoughts:
Did you know that I’m fascinated by witches? Yep, 100%.
This collection of poetry is really lovely. Each entry is about a different witch throughout history. From (random examples in no particular order) Circe to Hester Prynne.
The artwork that corresponds to each poem is stunning. I wonder – which came first? Was the art created to suit the poems, or did the art inform the writing?
There are 31 poems here, and they’re all quite good, but my particular favorites were:
She Who Watches the Lake
Jezebel’s Exit
Mother Tundra
Father of Crows
If you dig on poetry at all, I highly recommend this book. It’s short, but wonderfully written and beautifully accompanied by Archer’s art.
“You do her a great disservice
By imagining
She is only cold,
Dry death.”
About the Author (from Goodreads):
Donna Lynch is a novelist, poet, and musician currently living in Maryland. She is the co-founder along with her husband, artist and musician Steven Archer, of the industrial/ darkwave band Ego Likeness.
Her first novel ‘Isabel Burning’ was published in 2008 by Raw Dog Screaming Press, and her other written works include the poetry collections ‘In My Mouth’ (2000) ‘Ladies & Other Vicious Creatures’ (2007), and ‘Daughters of Lilith’ (2010); a novella, ‘Driving Through the Desert’ (Thunderstorm Books 2012), as well as several short stories.
‘Isabel Burning’ will be republished in German through Voodoo Press (EU) in the winter of 2012, and her second novel, the prequel to ‘Isabel Burning’, ‘Red Horses’ (RDSP) will be released in the US in early 2013. She is an active member of The Horror Writers Association.
You can visit her website here.
About the Illustrator (from Goodreads):
Steven Archer is an artist and musician living in Baltimore, MD. When not recording, DJing, or producing art, he and his wife, author Donna Lynch, tour with their dark electronic rock band Ego Likeness. He has a BFA from the Corcoran School of Art in Washington DC, and has shown his work at galleries and other venues throughout the east coast, and internationally in the form of album art and magazine illustrations. Luna Maris is his first book.
Rating:
Although I found the font occasionally challenging to read, it fit with the book’s whole vibe. And the poems were enchanting overall.
Witches By Donna Lynch, Illustrated by Steven Archer Raw Dog Screaming Press ISBN: 978-1-947879-02-7 Published: March 31 2018 Paperback 66 Pages Publisher's Website
