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rayarriz's review against another edition
3.0
interesting
This book definitely broke my reading slump. I think it's a good story, even if a few scenes were dull. The writing was pretty okay. Overall, kept me wanting to see till the end.
This book definitely broke my reading slump. I think it's a good story, even if a few scenes were dull. The writing was pretty okay. Overall, kept me wanting to see till the end.
100pagesaday's review against another edition
5.0
Giulia d'Adamo wants nothing more than to learn her mother's craft as an apothecary in 1633 Palermo. However, Giulia's mother is overly cautious when it comes to training Giulia in anything more than the kitchen arts since the herbs she works with not only have the power to heal, but the power to harm. Before her mother is able to teach her anything more, Giulia's mother is accused and killed for supplying the poison to the wife of the Duke de Verdi in an attempt to kill the abusive and treacherous Duke. Giulia flees to Naples to live with her Aunt Isabetta, a courtesan. Giulia must take up the trade in order to earn her keep. However, the Duke di Verdi's brother, Domenico, runs Naples and the Camorra, a mafia to control and extort the citizens of the town and the Duke di Verdi is still looking for Giulia in connection to her mother. Giulia decides to seek retribution on her own and supplies the wife of the equally villainous Domenico with the poison necessary to kill him. Other women soon begin to come to Giulia with similar issues and word spreads of Giulia's talent. With Domenico's death, the Duke di Verdi knows who must be responsible and begins to close in on her.
Based on the life of Giulia Tofana, The Poison Keeper weaves a dangerous tale of how and why Giulia Tofana became known as the most notorious and effective poisoners of her time. At first, Giulia is difficult to like. She is defiant and does not understand the intricacies of her mother's business. However, she is forced to grow up quickly after her mother's death and must learn that society does not treat everyone fairly, especially women. With vibrant detail, the city, clothing and buildings of Renaissance Italy come alive. I loved learning about herbs and poisons and the power they hold alongside Giulia. I also enjoyed the relationships that Giulia was able to build with other women that she helped and how they eventually rallied her effectively when the Duke di Verdi had decided her fate. With family secrets, exciting friendships and a tumultuous political backdrop, The Poison Keeper is a fast-paced and exciting read. While there is much speculation about the life and death of the real Giulia, I'm glad that her story can continue after The Poison Keeper and I'm excited to see what she does next.
This story was received for free in return for an honest review.
Based on the life of Giulia Tofana, The Poison Keeper weaves a dangerous tale of how and why Giulia Tofana became known as the most notorious and effective poisoners of her time. At first, Giulia is difficult to like. She is defiant and does not understand the intricacies of her mother's business. However, she is forced to grow up quickly after her mother's death and must learn that society does not treat everyone fairly, especially women. With vibrant detail, the city, clothing and buildings of Renaissance Italy come alive. I loved learning about herbs and poisons and the power they hold alongside Giulia. I also enjoyed the relationships that Giulia was able to build with other women that she helped and how they eventually rallied her effectively when the Duke di Verdi had decided her fate. With family secrets, exciting friendships and a tumultuous political backdrop, The Poison Keeper is a fast-paced and exciting read. While there is much speculation about the life and death of the real Giulia, I'm glad that her story can continue after The Poison Keeper and I'm excited to see what she does next.
This story was received for free in return for an honest review.
natking's review against another edition
Honestly, stopped caring. Not sure if I was invested in the first place.
amac_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting historical fiction novel set in Italy during the 1700s. I enjoyed the premise and the author did an excellent job at incorporating historic details throughout the story without it slowing down. I also really enjoyed the herbal details that were included, which gave a glimpse into historical remedies. There were a few typos throughout the work, including one instance of first-person while the rest of the book was in third, but otherwise I enjoyed the work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
bexwat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mibookobsession's review
5.0
Giulia Tofana is the daughter of a skilled apothecary, but her mother refuses to take her as an apprentice. After her mother is arrested and executed for supplying poison for the Duke deVerde's failed murder, Giulia is forced to flee her home and live the life of a courtesan in her aunt's establishment in Naples. Vowing revenge on the Duke for her mother's death, she takes a job as an apothecary assistant to learn the trade while secretly studying her mother's book of poison recipes. Aqua Tofana is undetectable but will cause the victim to sicken and die over time. Now Giulia is helping women all over Naples to free themselves from abusive marriages.
I didn't realize until the author's note at the end that this was based on a true historical figure. Giulia Tofana confessed to killing 600 men with her poisons in Rome. The story was truly fascinating and had me riveted until the end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I didn't realize until the author's note at the end that this was based on a true historical figure. Giulia Tofana confessed to killing 600 men with her poisons in Rome. The story was truly fascinating and had me riveted until the end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
amac_reads's review
4.0
This was an interesting historical fiction novel set in Italy during the 1700s. I enjoyed the premise and the author did an excellent job at incorporating historic details throughout the story without it slowing down. I also really enjoyed the herbal details that were included, which gave a glimpse into historical remedies. There were a few typos throughout the work, including one instance of first-person while the rest of the book was in third, but otherwise I enjoyed the work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
bookingwithjanelle's review
4.0
Courtesans, gangs, dukes, leather workers, mercenaries, and apothecaries. What more could a girl ask for?
I find it so intriguing to read about women like Guilia and her mother, these Poison Keepers. How homemade tinctures and tonics can be used for good or for bad, sometimes depending on who you ask. In a time where women were treated as livestock or worse, someone was looking out for them.
Revenge always seems justified at the beginning, but Guilia realizes as she digs herself deeper into it that it only creates more darkness and endangers more people. Swift’s historical fiction story was enjoyable to read and this is definitely a topic I am always willing to dive into.
I find it so intriguing to read about women like Guilia and her mother, these Poison Keepers. How homemade tinctures and tonics can be used for good or for bad, sometimes depending on who you ask. In a time where women were treated as livestock or worse, someone was looking out for them.
Revenge always seems justified at the beginning, but Guilia realizes as she digs herself deeper into it that it only creates more darkness and endangers more people. Swift’s historical fiction story was enjoyable to read and this is definitely a topic I am always willing to dive into.
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