Love and Loss.

"Flux" is a collection of prose and poetry written by 21-year-old, Orion Carloto, on two comprehensive and complementary subjects: love and loss. When I first heard that Carloto would be compiling her words into a published book, I was ecstatic. Her unpublished pieces have many times sparked inspiration me and many others to write.

The art of putting your raw experiences into cohesive sentences is seldom underappreciated when it’s labeled prose or “contemporary poetry ”. "Flux" is not built on the foundations of E.E. Cummings or Walt Whitman, rather its ideas and themes possess modern twists on the ubiquitous ideas of love and loss.

"Flux" is categorized under poetry, and whilst the compilation does harbor poetic structures, it is not a book of poetry. If you plan on buying this book expecting fresh perspectives highlighted by enjambment and undiscovered emotions, this is not it.

Rather, "Flux" is a journal— a personal journal. This is where a lot of people get turned off. Don’t get me wrong, just because Flux reads as a journal, does not discredit the genius of the work.

There is something so interesting and valuable about reading another’s personal journal entries.

When writing about universal themes, such as love and break-ups, it’s difficult to find something that your audience will read and empathize with. The prose in the book is full of wild metaphors, and the structure is all there but there is something unnatural about the way they are written.

It is in the smaller, simpler pieces that "Flux" truly stands out. The choice of words and illustrations that go along with them are expertly placed; it reaches out and pulls you into the intense scenarios. Carloto takes a simple string of words and attaches a powerful sting to each one. Readers should expect to feel a deep connection to Carloto when the book comes to an end.

I appreciate the honesty of this book. It correctly captures the pain and confusion that comes with heartbreak, followed by the continuous progression of self-love and acceptance. This is just the beginning for this author, the potential to grow is clearly there.

I would recommend this book to anyone who prefers contemporary prose and poetry over classic sonnets. It is a quick read, and it’s guaranteed to spark something in anyone who’s ever been in love.