Grimlock ♥ Ultra Magnus

I had a moment of worry.  I'd been eyeing both books, and I'm never sure on poetry, so I bought one first.   I went with the second collection, not realizing that, although this had an introduction - a lovely, lovely introduction by Neil Gaiman - so I was like, 'I don't know.'   The truth is I love the other book's aesthetics: the thick, textured paper, the lovely pastel color of the cover.   This book called out to me less on that pure cover-lust level. 

It's a nicely put together book, but I won't lie, I would have paid more for a lush, gorgeous book like the second. Or for an edition of it.  I still would.   Still, maybe it's greedy to ask for that, as the truth is that this is a gorgeous collection of poetry.  Knowing it was her first, I was worried.   Would it stand up to the second book?   So many times, I read the second stand-alone book first, and then the first, and I wonder how an author could have improved so dramatically in such a short time. 

Would this be the case again?   Not to worry.  Or I shouldn't have.   If you adored her second collection of poetry, and I did, you'll likely adore this one just as much.   Kasturi simply put out one perfect book, and then another.   

If anything, I cried harder during this one.   You should have seen me devouring just one more page, just one more poem, before the Shirley Jackson awards started.  You should have seen me looking up, wondering if anyone could see how misty-eyed I was getting.   

I usually worry over this and put a book away.  In this case, I simply kept reading.   If anyone saw me crying, so be it.   I didn't care.   I just wanted another poem. 

I still do.   I'll probably curl up into a corner, and whine and moan about not having anymore.   

PS - Sandra Kasturi is one of the most warm people I've met at Readercon and given how many generous and kindhearted authors there are there?   That's not an easy feat.   Not that it impacts her writing at all, but I just thought I'd mention it.  I kinda l like supporting lovely people, and if that's a concern at all for you?   She's amazing!