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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
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
I liked this more than the last book I read by this Colorado local author (Cinderella is Dead)! I enjoyed Briseis's plant power, having adopted moms, and the overall feel of the story. In the last 10%, it did drop back into the overly dramatic and mostly unbelievable style that I disliked in her other book. This was recently featured in a Rainbow Crate Book Box, which is a major factor in why I read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Death, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Murder, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Violence
Poisoninglovelymisanthrope's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
I received a copy of this book in my OwlCrate last year. I kept bumping it to read because I kept finding books I wanted to read more, but I wish I picked this up sooner!
"This Poison Heart" follows a teenage girl named Bri. Bri has an extraordinary gift: she can manipulate plants and flowers. Her and her adoptive moms are really struggling to scrape by in their Brooklyn apartment, but it seems their luck is about to change because Bri finds out an aunt, she did not know about, has left Bri her estate. Now Bri and her moms are uprooting their lives to check out this new home, but they soon uncover that Bri's legacy has powers they had no idea about. Now Bri is in a new town, trying to uncover what her powers really are for, all while trying to keep her family safe.
This book was so atmospheric, and I had the best time reading about Bri and her plant power. The home she moves into is kind of abandoned and needs a little work because it is overrun with plants. This home and new town were so creepy but beautiful: the perfect vibe to get you into the spooky season spirit. I also really appreciated all of the diversity and representation in this book. I also really enjoyed seeing Bri explore all the different friendships she encountered in this story. She has some friends who seem to have a hard time accepting her, she has some friends who she wants to be more than friends, she has some friends that are endlessly supportive, and she has some sneaky friends who are trying to trick her. Navigating different friendships is difficult at any age, but it can be especially daunting in your teenage years. Kaylynn Brown is an immensely talented author, and you are doing yourself a disservice if you do not pick up something by her.
I cannot wait to pick up the sequel to this book, because that cliffhanger has me both angry and hopeful!
"This Poison Heart" follows a teenage girl named Bri. Bri has an extraordinary gift: she can manipulate plants and flowers. Her and her adoptive moms are really struggling to scrape by in their Brooklyn apartment, but it seems their luck is about to change because Bri finds out an aunt, she did not know about, has left Bri her estate. Now Bri and her moms are uprooting their lives to check out this new home, but they soon uncover that Bri's legacy has powers they had no idea about. Now Bri is in a new town, trying to uncover what her powers really are for, all while trying to keep her family safe.
This book was so atmospheric, and I had the best time reading about Bri and her plant power. The home she moves into is kind of abandoned and needs a little work because it is overrun with plants. This home and new town were so creepy but beautiful: the perfect vibe to get you into the spooky season spirit. I also really appreciated all of the diversity and representation in this book. I also really enjoyed seeing Bri explore all the different friendships she encountered in this story. She has some friends who seem to have a hard time accepting her, she has some friends who she wants to be more than friends, she has some friends that are endlessly supportive, and she has some sneaky friends who are trying to trick her. Navigating different friendships is difficult at any age, but it can be especially daunting in your teenage years. Kaylynn Brown is an immensely talented author, and you are doing yourself a disservice if you do not pick up something by her.
I cannot wait to pick up the sequel to this book, because that cliffhanger has me both angry and hopeful!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Violence, Murder, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Torture, and Stalking
jazminnnnnnn's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Stalking, Toxic friendship, Grief, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
toffishay's review
adventurous
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? No
3.75
I'm interested in the plot and excited ton see where the series goes. I struggled with the writing that had a few too many pop culture references and teen speak. It's a modern YA book, so that isn't terrible but that sometimes has a way of pulling me out of the world. I really like Marie and I want to see more of her. There is a bit of a twist that I saw coming and has an element at the end that I always dislike in books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Sexism, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Pregnancy
linesiunderline's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.75
Loved loved loved this! Here are just a few reasons why:
The representation is phenomenal - never seeming forced, instead natural and real and nuanced.
The family dynamic between Briseis and her moms is so wonderful - loving and warm and open. Mo (one of Bri’s moms) is hilarious. What a strong and memorable character.
Bayron brings the mansion that Briseis inherits to life so evocatively. I could picture it in rich detail, which was what I had hoped for going in. I was not disappointed.
Plants. All the plants.
So much mythology.
It gets REALLY exciting towards the end. Oh, and talk about a cliffhanger. You’d better like cliffhangers.
My only hesitation here is the pacing. It was a slower start. I didn’t really mind because I felt immediately invested in the characters, but it was imbalanced compared to all of the action at the end, in my opinion.
I need to own this one. And I can’t wait for the follow up next year!
The representation is phenomenal - never seeming forced, instead natural and real and nuanced.
The family dynamic between Briseis and her moms is so wonderful - loving and warm and open. Mo (one of Bri’s moms) is hilarious. What a strong and memorable character.
Bayron brings the mansion that Briseis inherits to life so evocatively. I could picture it in rich detail, which was what I had hoped for going in. I was not disappointed.
Plants. All the plants.
So much mythology.
It gets REALLY exciting towards the end. Oh, and talk about a cliffhanger. You’d better like cliffhangers.
My only hesitation here is the pacing. It was a slower start. I didn’t really mind because I felt immediately invested in the characters, but it was imbalanced compared to all of the action at the end, in my opinion.
I need to own this one. And I can’t wait for the follow up next year!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Gore
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Murder, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
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