Reviews with content warning for Racism - This Poison Heart

I loved this so much!! I need the sequel right now!! I really enjoyed Cinderella Is Dead when it came out, but This Poison Heart has me at stan levels for Kalynn Bayron. Ma'am can do no wrong. I will read ANYTHING she writes. Also desperate for the sequel *cries in queer*

This Poison Heart is about Briseis, an adopted Black girl with two moms. She's always been able to grow plants well past what would be considered normal. Then when a lawyer comes to visit, she tells Briseis that she's inherited a manor from her biological mom and aunt. Together, Briseis and her moms decide to try it out for a month. Briseis finds letters from her aunt and begins to learn there's much more to her family heritage than she thought.

I loved Briseis's character so much. Her knack with plants was so cool. I loved seeing all she could do with her magic and seeing her bring her family's apothecary back. I really hope we get to see more of the apothecary in book 2. Honestly, give me a novella just about Briseis growing the plants and selling them to her customers, I WOULD LOVE IT.

I didn't know there was Greek mythology in this until like a couple days before I read it. I am a hoe for any type of mythology, so my interest and fascination skyrocketed and this book fucking delivered. Between the mystery of the manor and Bri's blood family, to murder and magic, I was captivated by this book and I did not want it to let go. Honestly, I'm ready to reread this now.

There's just a small hint of romance in this book and I'm so curious to see what will bloom between these two. I'm rooting so hard for them. Yes these are plant puns.

Rep: adopted Black pansexual female MC with two Black moms, sapphic Black female love interest, Black male side character, Black female side character.

CWs: Blood, death, death of parent, injury/injury detail, murder, violence. Minor: mentions of racism and past instances of police brutality.

Content Warnings

imstephtacular's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Content Warnings

madarauchiha's review against another edition

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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,

Content Warnings

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