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Cyanide Kisses: The works of a manic, bipolar, dissociative mind.

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Cyanide The works of a manic, bipolar, dissociative mind is a powerful, roller coaster journey through one woman’s mind and her continuous battle with mental health. Each poem is filled with raw emotion guaranteed to capture readers attention while introducing the author’s private world and how she has dealt with the emotions she faces daily. Mental health is one of the most common afflictions facing the world. Jana O’Dell courageously shows us her personal struggles while highlighting her highs and lows in a style that is both engaging, relatable and unique. Cyanide Kisses, with its free flowing form and classic rule breaking format, will make you reflect in ways you never have before; and leave you with a better understanding of how mental illness can affect someone in a way they never let be seen.

58 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2020

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About the author

Jana O'Dell

6 books9 followers

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5 stars
29 (47%)
4 stars
23 (37%)
3 stars
8 (13%)
2 stars
1 (1%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Rachael .
172 reviews
September 7, 2020
First of all, how impactful is this cover? Disturbing, painful, scary- all of which reflect what mental health struggles can feel like to those who experience them.
This image simply served to preface what was to come in this raw and powerful depiction of the manic, bipolar, dissociative mind.

Written by Jana O'Dell in the form of poems that do not adhere to the typical format you might expect (a free-flowing structure), readers are taken on an uncensored journey through the experiences and inner workings of a woman who has faced these mental health battles. Inspired by reality, Jana draws upon personal obstacles with the occasional, more lighted hearted poems of strength and hope scattered amongst the chaos and pain.

My personal favourites were Burgundy lips, Manic, The Prowl and Solitude.
My only complaint is that it was too short!! Got through it so fast and just wanted to savour every word. I have re-read my favourites several times already, each time with further reflection and more admiration than the last.

Many thanks to Jana O'Dell for the opportunity to enjoy this work of art.
Profile Image for Maria.
462 reviews25 followers
July 22, 2020
#ReadingRush
Cyanide Kisses
51 pages
Genre: Poetry
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Unread shelf since: July 2020
Keep/donate?: Keep
**Thank you to the tagged author for a gifted copy of this book**

SYNOPSIS: Cyanide Kisses: the works of a manic, bipolar, dissociative mind is a powerful, rollercoaster journey through one woman’s mind and her continuous battle with mental health.

REVIEW: I’m so excited to be adding this to my keep shelf with my other poetry! Jana O’Dell has written an incredibly raw, and powerful poetry book that captures the struggles of mental health with truth and clarity. I absolutely loved that it was written in a free flow format— it wasn’t like other poetry which sticks to rules. I feel like by reading this I feel emotionally connected to the author and her journey, which has opened my eyes to struggles people face. While I have not faced the same struggles, I underlines and highlighted so many lines that resonated with me. Some of the poems really made me emotional, but then they were followed up by lighter poems, which made the collection as a whole the perfect balance of dark and light. This is an author I will for sure be paying attention to!
Profile Image for Bobbi Wagner.
4,468 reviews46 followers
July 1, 2020
This is my first book by this author, I loved it and can't wait to see more from her! This is a shorter book that is full of poems coming from a manic, bipolar mind and thoughts and feelings. This book was wrote with lots of heart and some of the poems will hit you in the heart or maybe even bring a tear to your eye. I had no problem identify with some of them and have my favorites. This is a book I would highly recommend. I know you will find your favorites and maybe even find yourself among the pages. Loved this book!
Profile Image for Rachel.
Author 2 books78 followers
August 8, 2020
Wow. This book really explained how it feels to have bipolar and mental illness. These poems are phenomenal. I wanted to pick a favorite to post but I couldn't because I had a few favorites. I couldn't choose just one. If you want to read a book of the bipolar mind through poems, this is the book to read. I can't wait to read more by this author.
Profile Image for Andi Finnell  (spookybooknerd4ever).
311 reviews15 followers
September 5, 2020
This book of poetry is completely real and raw. I got goosebumps just turning the pages. The poetry jumps out at you, strangles you and drags you down with it. I loved it. My favorites from this collection were Unleashed, Inner Pep Talk, Who I Once Was and The Wait. I highly recommend this book. Run, don't walk, to grab this today!!!!!
Profile Image for Shawna Marshall .
381 reviews5 followers
July 9, 2020
⭐I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review ⭐

This book really hit home for me! This book is the works of a manic, bipolar, dissociative mind and you can feel the raw emotions dripping from the pages. As someone who also suffers from mental illness (although a different kind) each poem in this book hit deep for me and made it that much better. There is the perfect amount of dark and emotional poems and a few lighter poems. I love it like that. I think the lighter poems are there to lift you up so when reading you don't stay in that dark mindset. It was a quick read and i definitely will read more by this author.
Profile Image for Book Faery.
160 reviews42 followers
June 29, 2021
Cyanide Kisses is a book of poetry that shines a spotlight on how mental illness can affect an individual. I found the works within this book to be brutal, raw and ultimately outstanding. @janaodell.author took her most vulnerable moments and recorded the raw emotion within each poem; I could feel them pouring though the pages. I am so thankful for my signed copy. I will read this over and over again!
Profile Image for Jessica Sanders.
72 reviews6 followers
July 18, 2020
I absolutely LOVED this! From daylight to dark this looks into the depths of the mind written on paper in the form of poetry. Short, simple, yet so deep.
.
" Rainy Day Blues: P. 41"
"Hating who I am,
Yet loving the vision
Of who I may become,
My own worst enemy,
My own memories,
Disappointments,
Regrets,
Doomed as the sun on a rainy day,
In Hope's of a new beginning,
Yet always prepared
To never again see the light."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Ann.
379 reviews2 followers
September 11, 2020
I finished this up over a cup of coffee this morning. Definitely different vibes from the other poetry collection but still just as lovely. I enjoyed them. The “dark” but beautiful vibes from each page was wonderful to take in. The author is extremely authentic and I love that. I’ve seen a lot of poetry that kind of follows trends or influencer vibes. This is not it. Very real this writing is.
Profile Image for Alexsis.
670 reviews7 followers
September 11, 2020
Synopsis: Cyanide Kisses. The works of a manic, bipolar, dissociative mind. Written with a no rules format.

Review: This was an incredible work of poetry. I resonated with so many poems and lines of poems. I feel as though I can see better what might go through a mind of those with mental illness better. My favorites were: Inner Pep Talk, Raindrops, and Who I Once Was.
5 reviews
July 8, 2020
Raw and powerful a must read!

I am always in search of connection and when I came across this work I was instantly drawn to it. Like me the author struggles with mental illnesses. This work speaks to my own heart. I love the raw, flow in which it is written. Empowerment, perseverance, and strength among the chaos. I highly recommend this for anyone who has a mental illness or for anyone who knows someone who does and wants to further understand what it is like.
Profile Image for Maria Preston.
113 reviews3 followers
September 8, 2020
OK , I read this book in like 10 minutes , as once I started I could not put it down so to speak , she takes you on a darkest adventure , which most of us could relate , as we all have bad days , and worse maybe . I found it captivating and passionate work , which only inspired me to write more of my poetry , the poems give off loads of emotions , and you just feel her energy in her words . I found each poem very inspiring indeed and was captivated all through the book , I just could not put it down at all , that's why I finished so quickly .
This book was very colorful , it makes you thirst for more , blood red passion all through , no doubt at all . will re read again soon , as now I have this in my library .

I find poetry , very relaxing even if it is dark , and exhilarating , blood thirsty writing . I would definitely read more of her work if she asked me too .

Great read , and pleased I did .
Profile Image for Sara (onourshelves).
736 reviews15 followers
September 8, 2020
Very evocative collection of poetry. The feeling of the cover is completely replicated especially at the beginning of this collection, which I thought was a really nice touch. I also thought the emotional fluctuations from poem to poem were really well done, and really reflected the feelings of the author.

This was a very short, very good read, and I would recommend it.
Profile Image for Jessica.
Author 19 books53 followers
July 3, 2021
Encouraging, thought-provoking, and unapologetically bold. I love all the poems in this book, some more than others (obviously) but every single piece is worth reading.
Profile Image for Melina Lobo.
799 reviews93 followers
June 25, 2020
Fight the battle they chose to create.
Destroy and demolish,
take your power back,
take yourself back,
🦄🦄🦄
Cyanide KissesThe works of a manic, bipolar, dissociative mind, is a poetry book by Jana O'Dell that follows a woman's journey while dealing with mental illness.
In this book the author is influenced by her own personal struggles with mental health and so the poetry is stripped back and bare, letting the words speak for itself.
The poetry has a definite dark undertone to it not only because of the topic of choice, but also because of the way it is written.
However, not all the poems seem to be written the same way. While there are definitely a few really good poems in here that stick to the theme of the book, some just feel out of place either because they feel off topic or just don't have the same depth of emotions.
The writing style of the poems aren't traditional, but overall it's average with only a few of them delivering what they were meant to.
It's a small and quick read if you are looking for something different in the poetry division.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 6/10
Melina L.
Profile Image for Stephanie_Reads_.
136 reviews11 followers
July 29, 2021
Isn't it lovely how so much sadness can be so beautiful...

POETRY

Hmm, how do we feel about it? I have never really been a fan. I think because I have never known the macabre or dark side of poetry. Needless to say, your girl is now a fan

Dark or Gothic poetry is the perfect way to express deep pain and self-conflict. Probably the cheapest therapy around, in my opinion. I was allowed to read some delectably dark poetry written with the "no rules" format, which does not follow the typical sing-songy, rhyming poetry you are used to, and I LOVE it. So much so that I thought I would share a few of them with you tonight. Enjoy.

The words that fell on these pages were some of the most strangely beautiful sentences I have read in a long time. Maybe because part of me feels this way most of the time, or because I too have a maniac, bipolar, dissociative mind. Either way, these pages resonated with me enough to write this blog and share them with you.

SIDENOTE: I will not be sharing the complete poems, Just a few lines of a couple of my favorites. If you would like to read them yourself, this book is free on Amazon with Kindle Unlimited or just pennies to get yourself a copy. Enough of my blah blah blah, please enjoy a few excerpts from some pretty badass poetry.

"The Temptress"

... she walked by in midnight attire,

blood curdling red like wine,

... she was my poison.

I was forever under her spell


"Ghost of the Past"

... her hatred of anyone who ever did her wrong,

Amongst those lovelies there are:

Blood Lust, Unleashed, Who I Once Was, Rear View Memories (I really love this one), Uncertain Truth
and so many more...


So Poetry, how do we feel? If you're dark and lonely, cold and sad, or sexy and lustful, ill be over here waiting to divulge into your words.
Sincerely, a nonbeliever that poetry was anything but roses are red, and violets are blue.


Profile Image for Sheri.
728 reviews4 followers
August 20, 2020
Wow! Just look at the cover of this book! I absolutely love it. This book of poem was darker than the other one. This one dove in more personally about the author and living with mental illness. You truly feel all kinds of emotions while reading these poems. If you enjoy poems you must check out this author!
Profile Image for Lindsay.
4 reviews
June 13, 2020
Not What I Imagined

Based on the title of this book, I was expecting it to be filled with plagued, deep emotion about mental illness but it read more like a poetry book that had a few poems here and there that were about mental illness and the rest were just bland. It’s also about a 15 minute read which was not what I expected. Each page is a different poem, some only a couple of lines. It seemed like it was stretched out to make the book longer than it actually is. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it but I didn’t completely hate it either. I’m just disappointed.
Profile Image for Bookaholic__Reviews.
691 reviews135 followers
October 30, 2024
Cynanide kisses has such a beautiful and brutal cover. At its core, it takes a raw look look into mental health. The blurb said, "Every line is my soul on paper hoping to help heal," and I think that truly sums this collection of poetry perfectly. Hauntingly beautiful, it deserves a place on every poetry lovers shelf.
Profile Image for Samantha Hawkins.
398 reviews69 followers
May 21, 2021
"Cyanide Kisses" by Jana O'Dell

This book of poetry gives you an in depth look at a dissociative mind. The introduction pages express O'Dell's courageous struggles with her mental illness and how she hopes this book will leave readers with a better understanding of how mental illness can affect those around them.

I received this book of poetry from author @janaodell.author in exchange for an honest review. I'm so glad that I reached out to her to review this because she is actually located about thirty minutes from where I live in West Virginia! I haven't read a book of poems since my high school days but I really enjoyed this book. The poems "Blood Lust", "Thirsty", and "Cunt" are a few of my favorites.

I give this a solid 5 🌟 and I can't wait to dive into O'Dell's newest work and you guys should do the same! It's her last release until year 2022!
Profile Image for Tammy - .
1,001 reviews132 followers
July 25, 2021
It's been quite some time since I've read poetry, but I saw this collection recommended and I thought that I'd check it out. I meant to take just a quick peek, and I ended up reading the entire collection in one sitting. It's a quick read. It's 56 pages of poems, some of them only a few lines each, but it is quite an impactful read.

Written from the mind of a person suffering with mental illness, these poems are hauntingly beautiful. I borrowed this book in KU, but with poems like 'Rainy Day Blues', 'Rear View Reflection', and 'Blood Lust', I think that I may have to purchase this one for my permanent collection so that I can highlight and come back to them often. I've rarely been so deeply touched by so few words. This really is an amazing work of poetry, and even if you're like me and haven't read poetry in awhile (or ever), I recommend that you read this collection.
Profile Image for Sarah Clark.
72 reviews47 followers
May 29, 2022
“In an instant, she was my madness”

This quote instantly became my favorite as I read the first poem. Mrs. O’Dell hit it out of the park with this book of poetry. My attention was immediately captured by the first poem The Temptress. “She wept like her soul was on fire” another fantastic and beautiful quote! I truly cannot get enough of this poetry style. Some of them are love poems with a darker vibe and LGBTQ+ vibes(these probably my favorite ones). Could I ask for anything better?! No I couldn’t. Each poem sucked me in deeper and left me craving for more. I enjoy writing poetry but don’t typically enjoy reading it. I highly recommend Cyanide Kisses to everyone, whether poetry is something you usually enjoy or not.
Profile Image for Tina Smith.
42 reviews6 followers
August 26, 2020
Mental Illness has always carried a stigma of “You don’t look sick”, “Just get over it”, “What do you have to be depressed or anxious about”. Oh if it were that easy to undo the madness that goes on in the mind. I am so thankful for people like Jana O’Dell who through her own battle has embraced the terror of this disease yet speaks words of encouragement so that others do not feel alone.
I think anyone dealing with mental illness and even those who don’t would benefit from reading these pieces of Jana’s heart poured out on paper. This book of poetry give you insight into what goes on i the mind of a person with mental illness.
Profile Image for Leila.
81 reviews
August 8, 2024
Not sure why the mental disorders were listed, but okay.

Unleashed

Look at you, cowered over, searching for a way to make this about me.
You foolish soul.
Can you feel my resentment building?
My anger toward your very breath?
Can you not see what you have created?
The monster in me is eager to feed off your lies.
All of your insecurities, all of your pain, you have unleashed the part of me I tried hard to bury away.
Yet, you took your shovel dug me up.
Do not underestimate my power, my worth.
I will demolish everything you ever hoped and prayed for so I can sit back, basking in all of my new found glory while I watch you struggle and beg like I have for you.
Profile Image for The._Bookarazzi.
186 reviews3 followers
October 4, 2020
Cyanide Kisses is a book of raw and powerful poetry. This book mainly apprehend the struggles of a person with mental illness with truth. I loved the idea of writing them in a free flow format, I loved reading it this way. I felt like I had some emotional connection with the journey of the author. I could feel how what a person struggles in their life. Some of the poems were very emotional and the others were fresh and light. I could relate some of tge poems with my life conditions.

Overall a good read! Loved it!
October 7, 2020
I received this poetry book as an advanced copy. First of all I want to say I enjoyed this book thoroughly!! Next I want to say the title is what had my interest ss I'm always up for some insight into the mind. I connected with these poems in a somewhat personal way. The highs and lows of these poems really show insight into a bipolar, mania, dissociate mind. I reread these wonderful poems about three times each. A favorite of mine was Blood Lust and Cyanide Kisses.
Profile Image for Ayla.
74 reviews
October 21, 2020
Poetry is fun because there’s truly no right way of doing it, and it can be a very freeing outlet. Cyanide Kisses was an interesting read because the author showed the reader the highs and lows she experiences while living with a slew of mental illnesses. It tended on the dark side, but there was a real beauty to it as well.

At only 56 pages, it’s absolutely worth the read. Some of my favorite poems from the collection were:
The Temptress
Inner Pep Talk
Burgundy Lips
Moonlight Reflections
Profile Image for Lina Pendragon.
189 reviews1 follower
March 6, 2022
This book of poems is a intimate look into the mind of someone struggling with their mental health. These poems obey no rules, they are simply raw emotion spread on paper.

I enjoyed reading these poems. The author’s mental health struggles (bipolar, mania, and dissociation) are not ones I can personally relate to, but some of these poems hit me hard. It was almost as is she knew my life and innermost feelings. That’s what I love about poetry; sometimes it seems like it’s written for you.
Profile Image for Amy Garcia.
93 reviews6 followers
Read
October 10, 2020
It was unlike anything I have read before. It is a collection of poems that provide a raw visual of one woman’s journey with mental illness. I personally related to Unleashed, Moonlight, & Who I Once Was. I applaud the author for being so transparent & I hope anyone who battles with mental illness can find solace within the pages.⁣
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