Publication Date: December 22, 2024
In the Darkness of Shards is a raw, unflinching collection of poetry that explores trauma, love, and the journey of self-reclamation. With piercing honesty, Catherine Castillo reflects on a relationship where love and pain intertwined, exposing the toxic cycles and emotional chaos that shaped it.
Through vivid, evocative verses, she invites readers to examine their own relationships, confront their own hidden wounds and begin their own healing journey.
More than just poetry, this book offers a lifeline for anyone navigating toxic relationships, loss, and transformation. Each verse provides a mirror to the heart and a guide to reclaiming strength through vulnerability. In the Darkness of Shards is a testament to resilience, showing that even in the darkest moments, self-understanding and empowerment are within reach.
Catherine Anne Castillo’s heart is broken. Like many who have stood in this place, she looks and finds a way to pour out her grief. In the Darkness of Shards is the vessel into which she empties her heart.
In less than 90 pages, the story of a match which seemed perfect, is told in poetic form. Looking at the table of contents, the reader can see the path of unraveling by the title of each entry. The length of each entry is just right for both followers of poetry and those not usually drawn to this genre. These snippets can be digested and thought through to form a picture of the hope and longing of Castillo and the dismissiveness of her lover.
The forward that opens the book lets the reader know just how personal to expect the content. Because of this, there were several metaphors that were not obvious to me and several parts that felt like an inside story that only the couple themselves would understand.
Catherine Anne Castillo creates a collection of verses in authoring In the Darkness of Shards to tell the story of her heartbreak, and maybe here, the reader will find remnants of their own love loss. 
Catherine is a debut author, entrepreneur, and creative enthusiast, driven by an insatiable curiosity and passion for diverse experiences. Originally from Manila, Philippines, she’s a modern Renaissance woman with prowess in healthcare, startups, arts, and innovation. When not immersed in her work, Catherine finds peace in nature, self-care, and lifelong learning. Through her writing, she aims to inspire others to embrace their unique journeys and seize every opportunity for growth, joy, and adventure.
