Fiction written in verse, often called a verse novel or novel-in-verse, is a hybrid genre that uses poetic forms—such as free verse, sonnets, or blank verse—instead of prose to tell a sustained story. These narratives focus on emotion, intimacy, and concise imagery, frequently utilized in young adult (YA), middle-grade, and contemporary literary fiction to explore character depth. Also related to Epic Poetry which I’ve included in this category.
What if a book could transport you back to AIM screen names, late-night drives, and your first heartbreak?
This week I’m reviewing *irl* by Danielle McMahon, a poetry chapbook that captures the feeling of growing up in the 1990s with surprising tenderness. Poetry isn’t usually my genre, but this one found exactly the right nerve to press.
Read the full review to see why this small collection left such a lasting impression.
A candid review of Goblin Market and Other Poems by Christina Rossetti, exploring its lush language, heavy symbolism, religious themes, and why this classic Victorian narrative poem didn’t quite work for me.
Get the reading prompt “Read a book written in verse” in the Playing Card Reading Challenge? Want to try reading something different? Try Narrative poetry!