A review by yellowbinge
The Heartbeat of the Universe: Poems from Asimov's Science Fiction and Analog Science Fiction and Fact 2012–2022 by Emily Hockaday

hopeful reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Publishing date: 01.04.2024
Thank you to Netgalley and Interstellar Flight Press. My opinions are my own. 

The book as a meal: Science textbooks, a muesli bar, and some coffee
The book left me: Feeling like a nerd (affectionate) 

Negatives:
Some poems might require you to know some physics, math's, or science to properly understand
Some repetitive titles

Positives:
The chapters had great cohesion with every poem
Themes range from completely scientific to the mundane of everyday life

Features: 
An overall theme of love and existence, science and creativity merged, split up in 5 different sections with different themes, scientific facts galore

Why did I choose this one?
I have a confession to make ... I am a nerd. A science nerd ... and a poetry nerd. So, this hit home almost immediately. I love a collection that merges themes like this. Absolutely beautiful cover too. 

Pick-up-able? Put-down-able?
Devourable. I was gobbling up poem after poem, rolling in nerdy facts and lines in absolute delight. Some of the poems were really short, others a little bit longer. It is a very quick read if you sit with it, but I think I would recommend a slower approach and let it sink properly in. 

What was the vibe and mood?
It almost feels like watching a scientist and an artist make out and proclaim their love to each other. This is such a visual and transcending collection, but the central theme is clear: Love across time and space. Or maybe that isn't the theme at all, but it resonated that way with me.
This is speculative fiction, so it might translate differently for you. 

Final ranking and star rating?
5 stars, S tier. I think this is one of those books that have an overall low appeal to the general audience, but high appeal for a few specific people. The target audience will gobble it up (I am the target audience, I gobbled it up). A beautiful collection that does what it sets out to do wonderfully. I will be buying a trophy copy to keep on my coffee table, and I will be yapping about this book to my friends and audience.