Reviews

The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste

emi_miller's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful 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

theknightgarden's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

3.25

pagesofnay'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? Yes

4.5

aliseonlife's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.5

utopiastateofmind's review against another edition

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.) 

The world in The Poisons We Drink is immersive and detailed. With the chapters detailing the history and other created books, it feels like you could reach out and touch it. That we could sink into this world of magic, injustice, and power. I also appreciate that magic has a cost in this world. That, for Venus, her power comes at a price. The Poisons We Drink is about cost, revenge, and sacrifice.

flowr4246's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

beautynbks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Witches, potions, and Black girl magic? Sign me up!  The cover art for The Poisons We Drink reeled me right in, and the story itself wasn't a letdown. Venus Stoneheart, a potion brewer with a knack for love concoctions?  Intriguing, right?  

But here's the thing, while the audiobook narrator was fantastic, there was a lot to unpack.  The world-building  involved  Witcher  lore  and  nuanced details, and constantly rewinding slowed my progress. By the time the plot reached a pivotal point, I was lost in the sauce or brew. (pun intended)


Was it bad? Not at all!  The story itself is solid, but the audiobook format wasn't the best match for me.   If you're looking for a captivating fantasy with a strong Black girl lead, this might be your potion of choice. Just grab a physical copy for those intricate details!

kxmsi's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective 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

3.75

crescentwolf's review against another edition

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

Prose was amazing. Storyline was twisty but not overwhelming. Worldbuilding was well done without infodumping heavy. Narration was stellar- unique character voices and full of emotion. 

zorasorel's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

3.5