"What kills feelings is indifference, or fear"

"In a world where everything was forbidden and immoral. 

As if anyone could control or demand their own feelings.

Or as if time could kill them.

Time does not kill.

What kills feelings

is

Indifference, or fear." 

Where lie the lines that separate legend from history? 
Some may think history recollects only fact, whereas legend captures the possibility of the magic behind it. But, what about a love that seemed so out-of-this-world, but was doomed from its beginning?

In "Ines' Words" by Haidji we follow a heartbreaking yet historically faithful prologue in which we learn about the forbidden, everlasting love story between Ines de Castro and King D Pedro I, which will be key to the rest of the story. In the novel, we can experience the author's exploration of the essence of true love throughout all, without the cruel boundaries of time.

In a poetic retelling of Ines and King D Pedro's romance, the author reflects upon how setting can play an equally important part in a love-story as the lovers themselves do, and how the place can dramatically represent the lovers' fate. 

Haidji's narrative and poetic style is definitely something very unique and refreshing. She characterises her voice as an author with changing structures and form, varying from free verse to full-on prose with a strong sense of poeticism. Furthermore, she includes within her techniques the usage of references to pop-culture through songs or literature, which, once again, help the story have a breath of fresh air. 

Some of my favourite quotes (besides the one heading the review) include:

"Chants of love, made by the last sunrays of the day.

Projecting kings and queens coming out of the same statue."

and

"Like it happens when people sometimes stumble by following similar paths in the midst of many others, no matter how much space they have around them.

Like an undercover meeting that can also be called a collision,

caused by the unconscious desire to touch each other."

The book is, indeed, a short read, but one that requires praise for its experimentation in its more formal aspects and the seamlessness with which these are dealt with in such an unusual way. We hope to see more works of Haidji in the future and see how these expand further throughout the different forms of art. 

I would also like to take the time to say thank you to Haidji herself, who was lovely enough to send me this copy for a review. <3 

Thank you for taking your time to read me today.


I hope you have a wonderful day!