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blewballoon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
4 for the first half and more like 3 for the second half.
I had more fun at the beginning of this book than towards the end. Things got a little too goofy and the characters made some questionable choices as the story went on. I do think it's clear the author had a blast writing this and throwing in everything they wanted to, and I'm happy for them. I like media where I can tell the creators had a good time. If you've also read You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight by this author, it might help you figure out one of the twists in this book. That was the case for me. I didn't love the twist there, and I liked it less here.I think that's because I'm more of a "power of friendship" type person who likes to see platonic relationships shine. I also didn't really like the love interest, Marie. Apart from being really pretty and nice to Briseis, she's kind of rude to everyone else and I didn't get a sense of her personality besides that. There's a scene with poison ivy that is completely implausible and inaccurate to how poison ivy works, which took me out for a bit and I had to complain about it to my boyfriend. For positives: I loved the two completely supportive and loving moms, they bring a lot of comedic relief to the story as well. I liked the plant magic and descriptions. I liked exploring a big old house with lots of secrets. There's a lot of fun stuff here, for sure. The writing is not bogged down by overly detailed descriptions or internal thoughts, so it reads quickly. This is definitely YA due to the age of the main character, but very readable and engaging for me as an adult reader as well. I did not realize this was a duology, I think it kind of works as a standalone even with the somewhat cliffhanger/open ending. I am not sure if I will read the 2nd book or not.
I had more fun at the beginning of this book than towards the end. Things got a little too goofy and the characters made some questionable choices as the story went on. I do think it's clear the author had a blast writing this and throwing in everything they wanted to, and I'm happy for them. I like media where I can tell the creators had a good time. If you've also read You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight by this author, it might help you figure out one of the twists in this book. That was the case for me. I didn't love the twist there, and I liked it less here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and Death
Minor: Racism
futureofmydays's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Violence, Medical trauma, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism
twistykris's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.5
A unique urban fantasy with a combination of plant magic, Greek mythology, and mystery. It starts off feeling very cozy, with our main character, Briseis, navigating the world with her power of growing plants. It's kept completely secret, with only her adoptive mothers knowing about her power. Shortly after a frightening and confusing incident with a poisonous plant, Briseis receives word she's inherited a huge house from her biological aunt, so her and her mothers move from the city to a small town. After arriving, strange things start to happen and strange people start showing up on the property, turning this cozy story into one of riddles and suspense.
There are some great characters and the building secrets kept me engaged for the entire book. There was a surprising amount of Greek mythology, which I am always interested in reading. The queer rep was SO cute and the ending left me with my jaw on the floor and tears in my eyes and I immediately borrowed the sequel- This Wicked Fate- audiobook from the library.
There are some great characters and the building secrets kept me engaged for the entire book. There was a surprising amount of Greek mythology, which I am always interested in reading. The queer rep was SO cute and the ending left me with my jaw on the floor and tears in my eyes and I immediately borrowed the sequel- This Wicked Fate- audiobook from the library.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Violence
lisashelves's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Death
sonygaystation's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Grief, Toxic friendship, and Pregnancy
lennie_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Death, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
befrazzledenby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Death, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Gore, and Blood
sugarcainn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
kaitkat2213's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something green. The is amazing, not a retelling but heavy myth based but a new twist, opens a realm of possibilities and very much feels like a crumb chaser, following along on this mystery path. It definitely leaves you wanting more and more and more. It’s beautiful, even if a tad slow at the start.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Murder
rmperezpadilla's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Murder, and Sexism
Possibly obvious from the title, but there are several detailed descriptions of the effects of poisonous plants.