3.5

This is the first time I read a poetry collection by Trista Mateer, and I'm actually quite content with it. The theme is really interesting, intertwining Greek myths with tarot cards was done in a compelling way, and I also really liked the images that accompanied the poems. I haven't read the first part about Aphrodite, but after this I know that I will definitely reach out for it, among with Trista's other collections.

The topics explored are moving and powerful, and the poems I like the most are poems about surviving trauma, the way men's behaviour is often excused without adequate reason, and exploring female anger and roles in society. I think the author did an excellent job depicting these ideas, with constant switching between the poet and the goddess Artemis in the narrative, and I know that I would definitely love to read more by her in the near future.

Thanks to Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing for providing me with eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Oh. Wow.

Feral, angry, and powerful. The flow is phenomenal and it pulled forth raw emotion. Through Mateer's words I felt heard, I felt seen, I felt held tenderly and told that it is okay to be a human, I felt loved. I could quote this entire book to you, show you each poem that meant the most, the ones that drew forth feelings I preferred stay hidden, but I think I'll leave it to you.

"I write poems for you the way other people bring flowers to graves."

Once again Trista Mateer comes in with an incredibly powerful and moving book that left me speechless. This book of poetry is exactly what we need right now. Poetry about not being the victim even when that is what society wants for you, about not being quiet and polite even though quiet and polite get approval. Poetry about being loud, finding your path, being you, and demanding respect in a world that wants you to sit still and look pretty.

as a long time fan of trista mateer, it is always thrilling to read a new collection of hers! aphrodite made me do it was a stand out collection that seemed like it couldnt be topped, however it seems that artemis has done just that. fierce and intriguing, this book was fantastic

I loved 'Aphrodite Made Me Do It' so I was SO excited about this collection.
Using a mix of tarot, visual art, poetry, and obviously the thematic mythology it really speaks to me.
Though some of it leans more towards journaling than structured poetry, it's beautiful and honest and raw and it HURTS. But in a great way.

**Disclaimer: I received a free advanced readers copy of Artemis Made Me Do It by Trista Mateer through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this opportunity.

Artemis Made Me Do It by Trista Mateer is a collection of poetry from the author's perspective but also from the perspective of the Greek god Artemis.  It is set to be published on September 6th, 2022.  I rated it three stars on Goodreads.


Here's the summary from Goodreads:

Bestselling and award-winning author Trista Mateer returns with another magical approach to self-care in her newest goddess-themed poetry collection, Artemis Made Me Do It. 
Using the framework of tarot and conversation, Mateer approaches myth through a witchcraft-inspired lens and uses it to explore timeless issues like burnout, survival, trauma, and the restorative power in taking control of your own lore.
Artemis speaks to what is wild and untamed in all of us, and in this new collection, she asks for a moment of calm.

I have to admit that modern poetry isn't always my thing, and about half of this collection felt that way for me.

The real standout in this collection are the parts that take on the perspective of Artemis.  Her narrative was really compelling and I found it really interesting to read about her thoughts on various moments from her myths.  I really wanted more of the collection to be from her perspective and to read more of Trista Mateer's take on the goddess' perspective.

I also liked the moments of art in between the different poems.  Some of them were quite lovely.

I didn't love the poems about Trista Mateer as much, but there were still some really good ones.  I found some of the themes she reflected on quite poignant.

If you like modern poetry, then I definitely recommend this collection to you.  It was well written, just not completely persoanlly for me.

Rating: 4/5
(Gifted a copy on NetGalley in exchange for a review)

“Artemis Made Me Do It” is a solid collection of poems invoking themes of trauma and recovery, rage, and divinity by Trista Mateer.

The book is lovely, with integrations of collages and art to help center and drive the narrative. It switches between Artemis and the Poet’s POVs as they tackle different but thematically linked problems from women turning into bears and difficult relationships with mothers. The middle section is by far the strongest and Mateer’s poetry on rage and family had real heart to them. There’s a glossary up from to help those newer to Greek Mythology, which was wonderful.

The poems occasionally fall into tropes that are, while not bad, fairly standard with the topics and pull the work as a whole short. There is also a running pattern of tarot cards which, while never badly done, did feel underutilized.

“Artemis Made Me Do It” was a good read with several poems being clear standouts. I was glad to dip my toes into Mateer’s poetry!

While I think I liked Aphrodite Made Me Do It a bit better, I still really enjoyed the experience of Artemis Made Me Do It. I'm not big into poetry, but the combination of poetry, prose, and art in this series really works for me. (It looks like Persephone will be next, and I can't wait!) As a Greek myth girlie, the incorporation of mythological stories and themes with Mateer's modern struggles and triumphs is compelling. 3.5 stars

I resent my own resiliency.
I don't want to bounce back.
I don't want to be strong.
Trample me underfoot
and just let me stay down.
God, just let me stay down.
-BURNED OUT

TW (as given by the author): blood/gore, body image, death/grief, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, rape, sexual harassment
(I would add): stalking, misogyny, suicidal ideation

I'm a big fan of Greek Mythology and absolutely loved Trista Mateer's first book in this series.

This one does not disappoint in the slightest. Mateer's way with words is just beautiful and heartbreaking.

I love the use of mix media and think that it helps add to the poetry and Mateer's work and messages. I cannot wait to read more of her work in the future.

What a gorgeous exploration of crafting a place inthe world as a woman who has been repeatedly denied a slef-assured existence. Mateer uses ominous mythological frameworks to explore the depth of the most human emotions in their rawest, most visceral form. This was equal parts tender, hard hitting and empowering. Also have to add that it was visually stunning. I look forward to anything else the author puts out

Aphrodite Made me do it was one of the very first books I was approved for on this website. So when I found out Trista had written a second book and I was approved for it, I was over the moon. I read this book 3 times now.

It's beautiful and hard hitting there is alot of line which hit so hard you just have to pause for a second. You will feel this story in your heart and soul.

Please read the TW and be in a safe place if any of them are your triggers.

This is everything I love about poetry. This collection is empowering, at times soft and kind, sometimes vulnerable and raw, sometimes harsh and full of anger, but always powerful. There isn’t a single poem that I didn’t like, that didn’t make me feel.

The collages were the perfect counter-balance to the mythological references, highlighting the dialogue between modern life and myth, between Artemis and the poet, emphasizing the way the poetic voice draws its strength from Artemis’s myth.

Although the message of this collection is obviously deeply personal, it’s a message that should be heard by every girl and woman; be kind with yourself, be powerful, be loud and take as much space as you need, it’s okay to break, just don’t forget you were never meant to submit to the desires of others.

Artemis Made Me Do It is an astounding piece of art! I was first introduced to Trista Mateer with Aphrodite Made Me Do It and then Girl, Isolated, and I love the way she tells stories through the shortened prose that is poetry. The images and words compliment each other so well and simultaneously keep you in the present while calling back to a “tale as old as time” that is the oppression women have faced over the ages. I loved that she included a glossary in the beginning because even though I am familiar with Artemis, the specifics were super helpful context. I love the way that the text went back and forth between Artemis’ perspective and Mateer’s, or the “poet’s.”

I'm a huge fan of everything I've read by Trista Mateer, and ARTEMIS MADE ME DO IT was no different. The poems were beautiful, and I absolutely loved the collage-style of art spread throughout it. I especially loved the tarot cards - I want Trista to make an entire deck and I'd absolutely buy it.

So many beautiful lines, including:

"There are so many versions of me / Not even I recognize all of my faces"
"What if I never really know myself well? What if my entire personality is made of trauma responses and coping mechanisms? What if I'm too tired to try to get better?"
"I'm done being sad about you in a big way but I'm still not done being sad about you in small ways yet okay?"

All of these lines are so relatable! Trista Mateer has a way of punching me in the gut which sentences like this. Another wonderful collection of poetry!

I received an ebook copy of Artemis Made Me Do It by Trista Mateer from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Having read Aphrodite Made Me Do It in the past, I was looking forward to Artemis Made Me Do It as well. Of course it lives up to my expectations and then some, its well written and thought provoking. While still containing too many relatable parts. Intertwined with mythology related to Artemis. I highly recommend reading this poetry collection!

I've started only recently to read poetry, and I'm still trying to understand it, but this collection was so powerful. The poems resonated with me and I could see myself in them. They go back and forth describing Artemis with the current women, and it left me speechless. It's a collection that I would recommend to anyone, but especially to women who needs to be heard. After reading it, you will feel the need to take action and change your life.

I am a huge fan of Greek Mythology and poetry, so getting both genres in one book was right up my alley!! I was instantly pulled into the format and style of writing in this collection. I enjoyed the incorporation of Artemis’ plight and the more personal plight of the author. There is a strong theme of feminism and strength as a woman within this collection.

It is a quick read - I read it in under an hour. I enjoyed the images of mixed media and pop culture references. I enjoyed Mateer’s take on Artemis’ perspective in some of the major plots in her story.

I would recommend this collection to fans of Greek Mythology retellings such as The Song of Achilles or The Silence of the Girls.

(I received this book from Central Avenue Publishing through NetGalley as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)

Another stunning book by Trista Mateer.

Artemis Made Me Do It hit harder than I was prepared for.
From the beginning I was hooked, this book will speak to the nurturer in you- especially those of us who were thrust into the role "I supposed eldest daughters never really get to be children for long".

The art works throughout this book are captivating and heart breaking with varied mediums.

If you adored her book "Aphrodite Made Me Do It" as much as I did or have a particular affection for Greek Mythology then this should be an instant add to cart.

I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest and fair review- And let me tell you I was ecstatic to be given this opportunity and even more excited to find that it lived up to all my hype. I can't wait to purchase this book and add it to my own shelf like a weird trophy I can randomly quote to give my siblings life advice.

Ohhhh this was stunnnnnnning. I will definitely be buying a finished copy when it comes out.

Poetry for me is less about the literary things it may do or if it is groundbreaking in terms of writing style or metaphors; it is more about how personally I connect to the words on the page and if I find something of value in those words. In this book I absolutely found connection and value. There were numerous poems I wanted to memorize and continue rereading.

The overall theme of the poetry and inspiration being the Greek goddess Artemis is present throughout the collection and really helps center unite all the poems in the book. The poems that connected very clearly to her mythology were interesting to read and added a great deal to the entirely of the book. I also really loved the incorporation of artwork, most of it being collage, among the poetry.

I really enjoyed the combination of artwork mixed through with the poetry which I felt really helped get the message across.

Overall a really strong feminist piece of work portraying the parallels between Artemis and modern day women

For me the layout of the book was confusing at times- especially the random journal prompts midway through the book. Overall a quick enjoyable read