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issa_her's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
milliei's review
3.0
The premise of this book spoke to me, and it really did have so much potential. The culture, the magic, the characters. Unfortunately the execution wasn’t perfect. The characters felt flat and rushed, and you didn’t get to know them enough during these almost 400 pages. The plot was solid, however it felt rushed and new things were thrown in all the time. I feel like if the author took an even longer time with this story to really explore the themes and characters, it could’ve been a 5 star read.
aponii's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sienna_54's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
cecetomas's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
I am completely enamored with this book. First off, I think the Author's Note in the very beginning is essential to really understand the Savannah's perspective and the environment she's been raised in. There is also a glossary in the back to help if you're not familiar with Afrikaans.
I think that in the fantasy realm, there is no shortage of books that revolve around a MC's "curse" and trying to undo or solve that curse before it undoes them. This book however stands out in the way that Savannah's curse is steeped in generational trauma and folklore and the perfect avenue to explore her feminine rage in a world that has put her and her ancestors down countless times. The way that she goes about learning about her rage, and using her intuition to evolve and shape her role in this curse impressed me at every turn. There were a few twists and turns that I found a little predictable, but it had no hinderance on my enjoyment or the impact of the book.
I think this is one of the few books that I have read that I have deemed an essential read, especially for anyone who struggles with or wants to understand generational feminine rage.
I think that in the fantasy realm, there is no shortage of books that revolve around a MC's "curse" and trying to undo or solve that curse before it undoes them. This book however stands out in the way that Savannah's curse is steeped in generational trauma and folklore and the perfect avenue to explore her feminine rage in a world that has put her and her ancestors down countless times. The way that she goes about learning about her rage, and using her intuition to evolve and shape her role in this curse impressed me at every turn. There were a few twists and turns that I found a little predictable, but it had no hinderance on my enjoyment or the impact of the book.
I think this is one of the few books that I have read that I have deemed an essential read, especially for anyone who struggles with or wants to understand generational feminine rage.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Colonisation, Grief, Racism, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Sexual harassment
elreads13's review against another edition
3.25
This was really interesting but kinda difficult to follow and a bit predictable.
girlglitch's review
5.0
Blood to Poison is a bold and unique YA contemporary fantasy, set in South Africa.
It's a slick story, with a compelling mystery, punchy action sequences and a well-wrought mythology. This is a Cape Town where magic lurks just beneath the surface, both beautiful and deadly.
I don't think I've ever read a book which deals with the concept of anger so cleverly, as both a weakness and a strength. Through the curse which has been passed down through generations of Savannah's family, Watson explores many of the issues that should make us justifiably angry: from everyday sexism and racial microaggressions to the weighty trauma of history, from slavery to the apartheid.
Without a doubt, one of the best YAs I've read in some time.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
It's a slick story, with a compelling mystery, punchy action sequences and a well-wrought mythology. This is a Cape Town where magic lurks just beneath the surface, both beautiful and deadly.
I don't think I've ever read a book which deals with the concept of anger so cleverly, as both a weakness and a strength. Through the curse which has been passed down through generations of Savannah's family, Watson explores many of the issues that should make us justifiably angry: from everyday sexism and racial microaggressions to the weighty trauma of history, from slavery to the apartheid.
Without a doubt, one of the best YAs I've read in some time.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
obsessed_w_books's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0