Reviews with content warning for Gun violence - The Poisons We Drink

In this YA urban fantasy debut set in an alternate universe Washington D.C., humans and witchchers have been at odds for decades. At the heart of our story features Venus Stoneheart, a witcher love brewer, who is thrust into a world of D.C. politics to stop an anti-witcher law from being passed, while also looking to avenge her mother’s murder.

The Poisons We Drink is such an engaging read with parallels to current issues facing society today, as shown in Baptiste’s world-building for this book. I felt that Baptiste did a good job highlighting the various aspects of the withcher world and how that intersects in the human world (though it is considered an alternate universe). Additionally, I liked the character development in this book, especially when we get to see the conflicting values facing our characters, especially for Venus, as they try to decide what’s worth fighting for and the blurry lines that comes with power. Yet, at the focal point of the story, Baptiste illustrates the power of love as a call to action.

Overall, I can see a successful career for Baptiste after reading The Poisons We Drink. If you want a YA fantasy with a morally grey MC and their complicated family relationships, political intrigue, and how love influences our actions, I definitely recommend checking out this book.

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peachylite's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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honeyland's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I loved this book. The start was a little slow but once it got going, I really loved it. Family dynamics (both living and difficult), current politics cleverly wrapped up in a fantasy setting, a strong female main character (this is one of the few books that actually managed to make the main char cter be my favorite (besides Ty, of course)). But I also really enjoyed the side characters. I feel like all of them had important motivations and character development of their own that made them feel like they weren't just there to support the main character.
I also loved that this book was so casually queer, it was just part of the world, both for protagonists and antagonists.
The politics were super interesting, especially the last few chapters and it just felt so thought-through with many twists and intrigues that just...made sense.

I kinda felt like Levi was a introduced a little late or at least didn't show up enough by the time he did for how much of an important role he played but I didn't mind too much. It made him feel a little bit like a late story scapegoat bc despite seeing the signs looking back, I think all of them were a little too subtle to actually make me think "ooh I should have figured that out!" But since I still enjoyed him as the antagonist he was, it doesn't make or break the boom to me.

I also just generally enjoyed the world this was set in, the way magic worked, the familiars and all that came with it. One of the books that again reminded me why I love reading fantasy novels.

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betweentheshelves's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Let me start by saying if you read this, I highly recommend the audiobook because the narrator is phenomenal. The way she does different voices throughout the book really pulls you into the story and the world that Baptiste has created. Great job all around!

The story itself is dark and twisty, with an interesting magic system set up in a modern society. There is a bit of a political intrigue, though I was more interested in the family dynamics and how those relationships played out in the book. I do think it is a little on the long side, but that might have been more of an editing choice.

If you like darker, urban fantasy with family drama and complicated politics, this is definitely the book for you! The plot twists will definitely keep you guessing up until the end.

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riverlasol's review

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful tense fast-paced

4.0

this was a powerful debut about magic, discrimination, and family bonds. i did get a little lost with some of the world building moments but it was WORTH IT

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