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thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
5.0
I loved everything about this book. Greek mythology, plant magic, the cutest moms, everything! Bri is a fantastic heroine and I loved her practical way of looking at things. Gimme the sequel, plz.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Stalking, Torture, Grief, and Blood
sarah984's review against another edition
funny
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
4.0
I was a little bit nervous picking this one up after not really enjoying Cinderella Is Dead, but it really surprised me. This is an urban fantasy story about a teen adoptee with plant powers and an immunity to poison who inherits a mysterious mansion from her birth mother. The powers are interesting and feel unique as we learn about them along with Briseis, and the mystery and gothic feel are compelling. I really liked most of the characters, particularly Briseis and her moms, who have a really great relationship. The romance is a little silly but it gets the job done.
I'm knocking off a star because the pacing got weird near the end (it's a bit of a slow mystery following a trail of breadcrumbs and then in the last 20 pages or so about 4000 things happen) but overall this was a huge improvement and I'm looking forward to the sequel.
I'm knocking off a star because the pacing got weird near the end (it's a bit of a slow mystery following a trail of breadcrumbs and then in the last 20 pages or so about 4000 things happen) but overall this was a huge improvement and I'm looking forward to the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Blood, Cursing, Death, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Murder, and Stalking
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Gun violence, Toxic friendship, Vomit, and Violence
azrah786's review against another edition
4.5
**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
CW: death of family members, self-injury, stalking, poisoning, blood, murder, violence
A retelling by Kalynn Bayron? I just knew it was going to be something unique and instantly draw me in.
If you enjoyed Tracy Deonn's Legendborn then you'll love this too! (And vice versa.)
This Poison Heart follows Briseis, a teenage girl who has a magical affinity for plants.
Since a young age plants have been physically drawn to her and she can make pretty much anything grow at will – a brilliant ability to have, though also one that has proven difficult to keep under wraps, when your mums own a flower shop. One day, she receives news that an estate in a rural town has been left in her name by her birth aunt, which provides Bri with the perfect space and opportunity to fully practice her powers and also the chance to get to know more about her biological family. However, the discovery of an old-school apothecary, a secret garden full of dangerous plants and with strangers turning up on the grounds it becomes clear that this inheritance involves more than it first appeared to.
Though it feels like there is a mish mash of different stories coming together in this retelling, at its heart it is very much a reimagination, and a very clever one at that, of the story of Medea from Greek mythology.
Bayron is absolutely masterful at merging fantastical elements into a contemporary setting. The writing itself felt as though it was giving off its own magic which encompasses you in the way of a classic fairytale, and this paired with the air of mystery that slowly creeps into the overall plot meant I was instantly hooked. The pacing is a little on the slower side however, I found I didn’t mind that much.
A big part of Bri’s character in this book is about self-discovery as well as her learning to become more comfortable with and opening up her true self to other people. I’ll admit she was a little too trusting and naïve at times but I really enjoyed following her development, discoveries and relationships with other characters. I particularly loved the family relationships, more YA books with supportive parents who are also present for the entire story please!!!!
The romance that came about felt a little rushed and underdeveloped though I was fascinated by the characters that this part of the plot helped to introduce and can’t wait to find out more about them.
I’m not going to say anything more but that explosive ending and the final reveals have got me pretty excited to see where the rest of the story goes!
Final Rating – 4.5/5 Stars
CW: death of family members, self-injury, stalking, poisoning, blood, murder, violence
A retelling by Kalynn Bayron? I just knew it was going to be something unique and instantly draw me in.
If you enjoyed Tracy Deonn's Legendborn then you'll love this too! (And vice versa.)
This Poison Heart follows Briseis, a teenage girl who has a magical affinity for plants.
Since a young age plants have been physically drawn to her and she can make pretty much anything grow at will – a brilliant ability to have, though also one that has proven difficult to keep under wraps, when your mums own a flower shop. One day, she receives news that an estate in a rural town has been left in her name by her birth aunt, which provides Bri with the perfect space and opportunity to fully practice her powers and also the chance to get to know more about her biological family. However, the discovery of an old-school apothecary, a secret garden full of dangerous plants and with strangers turning up on the grounds it becomes clear that this inheritance involves more than it first appeared to.
Though it feels like there is a mish mash of different stories coming together in this retelling, at its heart it is very much a reimagination, and a very clever one at that, of the story of Medea from Greek mythology.
Bayron is absolutely masterful at merging fantastical elements into a contemporary setting. The writing itself felt as though it was giving off its own magic which encompasses you in the way of a classic fairytale, and this paired with the air of mystery that slowly creeps into the overall plot meant I was instantly hooked. The pacing is a little on the slower side however, I found I didn’t mind that much.
A big part of Bri’s character in this book is about self-discovery as well as her learning to become more comfortable with and opening up her true self to other people. I’ll admit she was a little too trusting and naïve at times but I really enjoyed following her development, discoveries and relationships with other characters. I particularly loved the family relationships, more YA books with supportive parents who are also present for the entire story please!!!!
The romance that came about felt a little rushed and underdeveloped though I was fascinated by the characters that this part of the plot helped to introduce and can’t wait to find out more about them.
I’m not going to say anything more but that explosive ending and the final reveals have got me pretty excited to see where the rest of the story goes!
Final Rating – 4.5/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping and Stalking
kayladaila's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley for the review copy! The book came out while I was reading it, so I switched to the finished copy halfway through reading the book.
Everything about This Poison Heart is right. The characters come from diverse backgrounds and there are all types of queer representation. The story seamlessly references Greek mythology with nods to the Victorian gothic and musical theater. I am required to share that there is a reference to Hamilton and two references to Hadestown. I simultaneously couldn’t put The Poison Heart down and tried to savor it because I never wanted it to end. This is definitely one of my favorite books of the year.
Everything about This Poison Heart is right. The characters come from diverse backgrounds and there are all types of queer representation. The story seamlessly references Greek mythology with nods to the Victorian gothic and musical theater. I am required to share that there is a reference to Hamilton and two references to Hadestown. I simultaneously couldn’t put The Poison Heart down and tried to savor it because I never wanted it to end. This is definitely one of my favorite books of the year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Gaslighting, Gore, Kidnapping, and Torture
Minor: Bullying and Stalking
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
tascaraudo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
5.0
This book was so fun to read! I loved Bri's relationship to her parents, and the way she interacts with other characters as the story progresses. The growth of her power and connection to her emotions is wonderful. The whole story is a mystery within another mystery, and the ending is a banger!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Stalking
There is very little the main character has to deal with in terms of explicit racism. She is allowed to be a character without having to struggle with this specific kind of oppression within the story.caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
Thanks to Bloomsbury YA for the free advance copy of this book.
- Time for a QUEER SCREAMING review! Adoptive moms! Bisexual heroine! Sapphic longing! Magic! Plants! Mystery! Mythology! THIS POISON HEART is twisty and suspenseful and full of incredible imagery and I loved every page.
- I loved watching Briseis come into her power while she unraveled family secrets. I also loved that her moms were so loving and engaged - so wonderful to see in a YA novel.
- I've always been a big fan of Greek mythology, and it was great to see some of the women who often get pushed aside in those stories get the spotlight.
- Let's also talk about how most of this book took place in a small town that was in the midst of defunding its police department and sent a social worker out on distress calls!
- THAT CLIFFHANGER THOUGH. I need the sequel!
- Time for a QUEER SCREAMING review! Adoptive moms! Bisexual heroine! Sapphic longing! Magic! Plants! Mystery! Mythology! THIS POISON HEART is twisty and suspenseful and full of incredible imagery and I loved every page.
- I loved watching Briseis come into her power while she unraveled family secrets. I also loved that her moms were so loving and engaged - so wonderful to see in a YA novel.
- I've always been a big fan of Greek mythology, and it was great to see some of the women who often get pushed aside in those stories get the spotlight.
- Let's also talk about how most of this book took place in a small town that was in the midst of defunding its police department and sent a social worker out on distress calls!
- THAT CLIFFHANGER THOUGH. I need the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Murder, Stalking, and Violence
booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
*I received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.
THIS POISON HEART is about a Black girl coming into her own in a place made for her, and taking on the strange power and responsibility of her birth family's history in the process.
I like the world building and backstory in terms of place and history, but where this really thrives is in its characters. Bri's relationship with her moms is complex and nuanced, conveying years of personal history between the three of them without crowding the page with in-jokes. Her lapsed friendships have enough detail to feel like they matter to her, and maybe mattered a great deal more previously, but they don’t take up too much space with characters who will barely appear in this story. The cast of named townspeople is numerous enough to feel full, but it’s a manageable number of characters (something that felt especially important as the various lies and half-truths start to become evident). Bri herself is glorious, thriving in a strange and unexpected place. The focus is on her as she explores the house and town, starting to make a space for herself where she isn’t constantly hiding.
Given that this is the first book in the series, I think the pacing is great. For the first 75% of the book the felt like it could maybe be standalone in the sense that plot flows really well, I understood why characters were where they were and were doing what they were doing, and the bits that I didn’t understand were obviously part of the mystery at the core of the story. There’s a reveal that happens late in the book that turns the first part of it from good to brilliant. It takes choices by various characters which seemed to Bri to be illogical or contrived in some way and gives them a new weight and context. The text handles that transformation smoothly, making the whole book better without invalidating the first impression.
I liked this and I'm excited to see where the rest of the series goes!
THIS POISON HEART is about a Black girl coming into her own in a place made for her, and taking on the strange power and responsibility of her birth family's history in the process.
I like the world building and backstory in terms of place and history, but where this really thrives is in its characters. Bri's relationship with her moms is complex and nuanced, conveying years of personal history between the three of them without crowding the page with in-jokes. Her lapsed friendships have enough detail to feel like they matter to her, and maybe mattered a great deal more previously, but they don’t take up too much space with characters who will barely appear in this story. The cast of named townspeople is numerous enough to feel full, but it’s a manageable number of characters (something that felt especially important as the various lies and half-truths start to become evident). Bri herself is glorious, thriving in a strange and unexpected place. The focus is on her as she explores the house and town, starting to make a space for herself where she isn’t constantly hiding.
Given that this is the first book in the series, I think the pacing is great. For the first 75% of the book the felt like it could maybe be standalone in the sense that plot flows really well, I understood why characters were where they were and were doing what they were doing, and the bits that I didn’t understand were obviously part of the mystery at the core of the story. There’s a reveal that happens late in the book that turns the first part of it from good to brilliant. It takes choices by various characters which seemed to Bri to be illogical or contrived in some way and gives them a new weight and context. The text handles that transformation smoothly, making the whole book better without invalidating the first impression.
I liked this and I'm excited to see where the rest of the series goes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Stalking, Blood, and Medical content
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