Poeta: Sonetas and Sonnets by Pelumi Olatinpo is an ambitious and stunningly executed symphony of language—a collection that doesn’t just invite you to read but insists that you feel. With 303 poems spanning love, war, loss, and self-discovery, Olatinpo’s work has the scope of an epic and the intimacy of a diary, making it a collection that resonates deeply, no matter where you stand in your relationship with poetry.

One of the standout features of Poeta is its structure. Divided into six movements—Monsoon, Wildfire, Drought, Eclipse, Blossom, and Prisma—the collection flows like a journey through the cycles of human experience. Each section has its own tone and emotional palette, from the torrential outpouring of Monsoon’s emotions to the sparse, raw truths laid bare in Drought. This thematic progression adds a sense of cohesion to the massive collection, making it feel more like an odyssey than an anthology.

Olatinpo’s range is staggering. One moment, you’re thrust into the chaos and devastation of conflict in poems that ache with the reality of war-torn places like Gaza. The next, you’re bathed in the soft, golden light of love’s first blush. The collection’s emotional versatility is its greatest strength—you’re never lulled into predictability, yet every shift feels deliberate and purposeful.

The sonnets themselves are a masterclass in form. Olatinpo’s command of the traditional structure never feels restrictive or formulaic; instead, he uses the form to create tension and release, as though each rhyme and volta is a heartbeat in the larger narrative. The imagery is exquisite—each line painted with vivid, tactile details. Whether it’s the "bruised sky bleeding dusk over a broken city" or "jasmine blooms unfurling like whispered secrets," the language consistently evokes a sense of wonder and weight.

What makes Poeta particularly impressive is its accessibility. Olatinpo doesn’t write from a pedestal of intellectual elitism. Instead, he bridges the divide between high art and raw emotion, speaking in a voice that is both erudite and relatable. You don’t need a PhD in poetry to feel the impact of his words. Yet, for those well-versed in the genre, there are layers of complexity that reward deeper analysis—subtle allusions, intricate wordplay, and emotional echoes that linger long after you’ve finished reading.

That being said, the sheer volume of the collection might feel overwhelming at times. With over 300 poems, there’s always a risk of emotional fatigue, especially if you’re trying to read it straight through. But this isn’t a book that’s meant to be devoured in one sitting. It’s a collection to return to again and again, discovering new favorites and hidden depths with each pass.

At 4 stars, Poeta: Sonetas and Sonnets is a triumph of modern poetry—expansive, profound, and deeply human. Pelumi Olatinpo has crafted a collection that feels both timeless and timely, challenging what we expect from poetry while remaining grounded in the universal experiences of love, loss, and identity. This isn’t just a book—it’s a literary experience, one that will stay with you long after the final sonnet. If you’re ready to be awed, Poeta is the kind of collection that doesn’t just live on your shelf—it lives in your soul.

Poeta by pelumi olatinpo was an interesting collection I couldn’t help but become easily obsessed with, I’m sure anyone else who picks it up would be the same. Definitely a must read!

This is not an easy read. I read it in small bits and really savouring every word. It's a thought provoking collection and I highly recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Poeta by Pelumi Olatinpo is a vast collection showcasing Olatinpo's poetic form 'soneta' - a hybrid form marrying the restriction of a sonnet with the musicality and emotion of a sonata (which is pretty much the origin of the sonnet form...) So perhaps that begins my issues with this collection, sometimes the poet seemed very unaware of literary heritage, from calling the monster Frankenstein, to coining soneta with the same explanation of why the sonnet is called a sonnet in the first place. The collection also lacks coherency and consistency. Olatinpo writes fervently and well about Gaza and Black American experience, only for these poems to be lost in the milieu of sudden love poetry. The collection very much reads like experiencing whiplash. Despite being sectioned into six chapters, these chapters felt repetitive and incoherent in regards to how the poems were chosen, ordered and how they related to the chapter's title.

All of which is a shame, because Olatinpo is talented; particularly with rhythm and restriction and writing about raw and global events. There just lacks a sense of conscious crafting, as if everything ever written was included, rather than taking a step back and ensuring each poem was given room to breathe and speak for itself. As it stands, the poems merge quickly into one another due to repetitive messages, images, and a lack of memorability due to the poor structuring overall.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC. I love the premise of Poets, and the elevating experience this brings to poetry and poetry lovers

The book is deep, meaningful, and a treat if poetry and sonnets are your jam.

First all, I love the introduction and the way the author introduces the reader to the Soneta and Sonnet Form and doesn't make the automatic assumption that every reader is familiar with the form. There are various readers and lovers of poems who may be introduced to it for the first time; thus, I love that the author included it. Such introductions are great for young readers, especially elementary students who struggle with poetry and the concept of it and writing it.

Next, I love the images inside this book; they are beautiful and directly connects to the poetry. I also love the way the book is structured with the images before each new part. And lastly, the words in the book are powerful and directly speak to today's time. There is love, pain, suffering, loss, passion, rage, strength, hope and faith, all weaved through this lyrical poem. The poetry makes you listen, reminds you with eyes wide open, challenges and calls out what should be seen and heard. It's lyrical, evocative, and pivotally challenges what's unspoken, ignored and pacified.

The poetry captures your attention and is thought provoking!

Devastating and beautiful. Love and loss are completely tangled up in this one. Deep, heartbreaking, and powerful.

My favorite poem was Soneta 17. The last two lines really spoke to me.
“At the wharf of your heart, battered, tossed, reeking of
Loss, yet, your love, covers me, asks me — to exhale.”

Incredible lines.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC!

The imagery in this collection is both powerful and beautiful.
A very well written and beautiful book
Evocative and lyrical and will gain a space on my shelf for sure