Praise
Isaacson’s writing has depth, and many of the poems are rich in detail and feeling. Her style leans poetic in the traditional sense. Sometimes abstract, sometimes lyrical, but always intentional. . . For readers who appreciate poetry with a reflective, spiritual, or historical angle, this is a strong and meaningful read. Isaacson has a distinct voice, and her work invites you to pause, think, and feel.
Love in the Time of Plague is dense, layered, and honestly kind of massive. But if you like poetry that feels like wandering through a library and a church at the same time, you’re in for a treat.
You drift through eras, images, and moods like walking through a cathedral filled with stained glass and whispers of memory. Some parts read like historical fantasy and others feel like personal prayer . . . The way the poems echo each other, especially the ones about Notre Dame and the recurring garden motifs, kept me emotionally anchored.
What I appreciated most is that Isaacson doesn’t just write characters; she composes them like music - layered, expressive, and ancient in soul. The subtle power dynamics, philosophical undertones, and historical atmosphere around Carnelian make her more than a figure. She’s mythic.
… Drawing inspiration from the landscapes of Cornwall and the paintings of J.W. Waterhouse, Isaacson writes with a voice that is both intimate and grand, grounding the sacred in the everyday. There’s a constant motion between the personal and the mythical. Her words rise like tides, returning again and again to resilience, devotion, and the endurance of beauty in chaos.
I’d rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. . . Isaacson’s use of classical structures feels intentional rather than old-fashioned, and her spiritual undertones carry real weight. Readers who love poetry that feels lush, symbolic, and unapologetically emotional will find this collection rewarding.
Storm Watcher reads like standing on a cliff at dawn. Quiet, reverent, and filled with light. Emily Isaacson’s words rise and fall like waves, carrying deep faith and the echoes of classical art. I loved the blend of spirituality and human experience in her verses. It’s a collection that rewards slow reading and reflection.
I didn’t expect to be so moved by Storm Watcher. The poems felt like walking through someone’s memories and prayers all at once. I could almost hear the sea and feel the loneliness she writes about. Isaacson’s writing reminded me that poetry can still be emotional without being sentimental.
Emily Isaacson’s Storm Watcher combines poetic discipline with emotional vulnerability. Her command of sonnet and requiem forms gives structure to raw personal themes like faith, illness, and endurance. . . It’s an ambitious work that bridges tradition and modern sensibility.