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lj_mx18's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I really enjoyed many aspects of this book, but the age difference between marie and Bri really ruins a lot of this series for me, because even if she is in the body and mind of a 17 year old/teen, she still has 300 years of life experience. So their relationship feels predatory. I think the fact this is YA makes it a bigger issue, because young teens will be reading it. My 13 year old sibling read this. I think all of the parts I really enjoyed about this book are overshadowed by the complicated implications. Because if Marie is in the body of the 17 year old and Bri ages, then the issue arises of Bri being physically older and being into a 17 year olds physicality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment and Toxic relationship
bruhbruh's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child abuse
bibookworm's review
adventurous
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? Yes
5.0
5/5 Stars! This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron is an amazing start to a queer YA duology. The book follows Briseis, a teen who can secretly control plants. Bri never knew her birth family, she was adopted by a loving wlw couple and never felt the urge to reach out to her biological family. The story of This Poison Heart really kicks off quickly with Bri inheriting her biological family’s legacy as well as the mystery tied to it. This book is perfect for fans of the Greek myth factor of Percy Jackson and the Black Girl Magic factor of Legendborn. One thing I really loved about this book is the abundance of Queer rep! I also really enjoyed how the town Bri moves to is focused on community care and highlights what a world phasing out Police looks like. Def recommend if you want an amazing Diverse fantasy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse
The character Carter has a very toxic relationship with his motherreadingwithkaitlyn's review
adventurous
slow-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? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Grief, Vomit, Excrement, Death of parent, Child death, Death, Child abuse, Gun violence, and Infidelity
Poisoning, diabetes mention.eeriekeri's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Murder
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Pregnancy, Death, Medical content, Child abuse, Infidelity, and Violence
madarauchiha's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? N/A
4.75
❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 my about / byf / CW info carrd: uchiha-madara 💜 💙 💚 💛 🧡 ❤️
I'm disappointed that I didnt check because its ya genre so I'll have to adjust my interpretations accordingly. But it's incredibly sweet and lighthearted and I really love this lil lesbian couple and their adopted daughter plot.
I also didn't realize it's a series. After the finale I kinda don't want to continue reading it. Mostly because I prefer adult genre, and because the ending didn't really compell me to want more. It's not that it was bad per se, but in combination with the weird pedophilic love interest? No thanks, that's put me off. I'm sure it'll be dealt with in the second book but I'd rather read a spoilered summary, THEN decide if I want to read the book.
▪ “I’m Dr. Khadijah Grant. I run the civilian Public Safety Office here in Rhinebeck. How are you all this evening?” When she caught sight of Mom she bit back a smile.
“We’ve been better,” Mo said. “Public Safety Office? So, you’re not a police officer?”
“No, ma’am,” Dr. Grant said kindly. “I’m a licensed social worker, and my department handles incidents called in on the non-emergency line.”
I like that there's no police. It's very well incorporated into the plot line, and honestly a relief to read about.
▪ Her eyes were the color of ink and her skin was like the velvety petals of the calla lily, Black and beautiful. She had a jet-black mass of thick, lustrous hair framing her head. Set among the valleys and peaks of her natural hair was a crown of golden gilded rays.
I'm quoting this both to point out the darkskinned represention and how lovely the prose is.
▪ I grabbed a copy of The Changeling and set it on the counter. I felt bad that he was giving me the field guides for free so I figured I could at least find something to pay for.
VICTOR LAVELLE REFERENCE OMG
pedophilia discussion:
▪ Marie leaned against the seat. “That illness I told you about, the one that made me so sick I thought I would die? It was plague. Some strain of the Black Death.”
“What?” I couldn’t comprehend what she was saying. “You’re telling me you got the plague? How is that even possible?”
“It was a long time ago,” Marie said quietly.
I was done trying to be polite. “How old are you? Because I’m really, really confused.”
“Three hundred and seventy-six.”
I dont like that this female love interest(?) is literally an adult, and way too old for her. at least I hope 'shes quite taken with you' doesn't meant anything romantic. Marie has the appearance of a teenager. The MC is about 16 years old at the time.
content warnings:
minor child death, injuries, anti miscegenation, drugs, whorephobic language,
medium poison, injuries, hamilton musical mention, animal death, gore, blood, misogyny, murder, death, gun violence, police,
major poisons / poisoning, medical content, murder, body horror?, violence, blood, child abuse, dogs, kidnapping,
I'm disappointed that I didnt check because its ya genre so I'll have to adjust my interpretations accordingly. But it's incredibly sweet and lighthearted and I really love this lil lesbian couple and their adopted daughter plot.
I also didn't realize it's a series. After the finale I kinda don't want to continue reading it. Mostly because I prefer adult genre, and because the ending didn't really compell me to want more. It's not that it was bad per se, but in combination with the weird pedophilic love interest? No thanks, that's put me off. I'm sure it'll be dealt with in the second book but I'd rather read a spoilered summary, THEN decide if I want to read the book.
▪ “I’m Dr. Khadijah Grant. I run the civilian Public Safety Office here in Rhinebeck. How are you all this evening?” When she caught sight of Mom she bit back a smile.
“We’ve been better,” Mo said. “Public Safety Office? So, you’re not a police officer?”
“No, ma’am,” Dr. Grant said kindly. “I’m a licensed social worker, and my department handles incidents called in on the non-emergency line.”
I like that there's no police. It's very well incorporated into the plot line, and honestly a relief to read about.
▪ Her eyes were the color of ink and her skin was like the velvety petals of the calla lily, Black and beautiful. She had a jet-black mass of thick, lustrous hair framing her head. Set among the valleys and peaks of her natural hair was a crown of golden gilded rays.
I'm quoting this both to point out the darkskinned represention and how lovely the prose is.
▪ I grabbed a copy of The Changeling and set it on the counter. I felt bad that he was giving me the field guides for free so I figured I could at least find something to pay for.
VICTOR LAVELLE REFERENCE OMG
pedophilia discussion:
▪ Marie leaned against the seat. “That illness I told you about, the one that made me so sick I thought I would die? It was plague. Some strain of the Black Death.”
“What?” I couldn’t comprehend what she was saying. “You’re telling me you got the plague? How is that even possible?”
“It was a long time ago,” Marie said quietly.
I was done trying to be polite. “How old are you? Because I’m really, really confused.”
“Three hundred and seventy-six.”
I dont like that this female love interest(?) is literally an adult, and way too old for her. at least I hope 'shes quite taken with you' doesn't meant anything romantic. Marie has the appearance of a teenager. The MC is about 16 years old at the time.
content warnings:
minor child death, injuries, anti miscegenation, drugs, whorephobic language,
medium poison, injuries, hamilton musical mention, animal death, gore, blood, misogyny, murder, death, gun violence, police,
major poisons / poisoning, medical content, murder, body horror?, violence, blood, child abuse, dogs, kidnapping,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Death, Gore, Gun violence, and Misogyny
Minor: Child death, Drug use, and Racism
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