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gen_nh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
First couple of chapters were a bit slow for my preference but it picked up quickly after that and the relaxed and matter of fact way sexuality/race/gender is approached is great to read. Non of those factors were defining parts of the characters and were just naturally part of them.
I loved the mix of tense action and emotional moments, and the mythology mixed with real life was really well executed.
I loved the mix of tense action and emotional moments, and the mythology mixed with real life was really well executed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Death, and Gun violence
kalienareads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Moderate: Violence
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
mel_muses's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was super fun and I absolutely loved the world the author built. As I was reading (listening to the audiobook) the vines moved, the flowers bloomed, and everything came to life. It managed to be sweet and full of love - even amid the intrigue and gruesomeness at the end.
My one gripe is that towards the end the writing felt a bit cheap, or at least forced, with an over-reliance on the villain archetype.
I don't think I connected with Briseis completely, but I clearly see how her story could and does mean so, so much to queer Black girls. Briseis as a character and her moms as her family was the perfect backdrop for a story so full of heart, as This Poison Heart is.
I can't wait to read This Wicked Fate and see where the rest of this story goes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Grief
bookishkellyn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Briseis "inherits" her birth mom’s ancestral home, embraces her familial botanist gifts as a real life “Black Poison Ivy“, and learns about her ties to Greek mythology and the dangers that accompany it. Fun and great representation. Ends on a cliffhanger. Points off for a slow start and some editing errors.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Violence
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
amongthestars's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
trips's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
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? No
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this! The beginning is quite slow but once more and more mysteries are discovered, the plot really gets rolling. The plot involves a mysterious inheritance, and that in itself is generally enough to get me to try out the book!
I loved Briseis's moms, the various interesting characters in the small town Briseis has found herself in, and all the plant-y visuals.
My only major critique is that the story has about 5 too many references to extremely current pop culture, to the point where I don't think this book will age very well, and the book spoils a movie that isn't particularly old (is that even allowed? lol), it just felt weird to include.
The plot involves a lot of Greek mythology, so if you like books like Percy Jackson, I'd give this a try.
I loved Briseis's moms, the various interesting characters in the small town Briseis has found herself in, and all the plant-y visuals.
My only major critique is that the story has about 5 too many references to extremely current pop culture, to the point where I don't think this book will age very well, and the book spoils a movie that isn't particularly old (is that even allowed? lol), it just felt weird to include.
The plot involves a lot of Greek mythology, so if you like books like Percy Jackson, I'd give this a try.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Violence
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
One of my favourite genres is magical realism. I like our world, with a little something extra. So this was totally up my street. It's delightfully mysterious, and just the right side of creepy.
I adored Briseis and her family and was immediately intrigued in their history, and that of Briseis's birth family. The tie to Greek mythology was fascinating, particularly when its ties to history were investigated.
The story is gripping, emotional and scary, and the huge cliffhanger at the end left me desperate for the next book in the series!
I adored Briseis and her family and was immediately intrigued in their history, and that of Briseis's birth family. The tie to Greek mythology was fascinating, particularly when its ties to history were investigated.
The story is gripping, emotional and scary, and the huge cliffhanger at the end left me desperate for the next book in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, and Violence