Reviews

The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste

Only show reviews with written explanations

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

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

3.5

thatqueengabby's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

this book was jam packed with action and crazy twists. it was phenomenally done and the concept of magic with such a distinct negative side is something under explored in the genre.
i really hope baptiste and venus can find a new agent and publisher because i'd love to see a sequel 🥺

Content Warnings

gdulecki's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous tense medium-paced

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

3.5

I wanted to like this so much more than I did!!! It was one of my most anticipated releases for the year, and while I did read it quickly I didn’t love it. The first 200 pages or so felt like a slow build to the real plot (and it definitely started speeding up when the plot was revealed!!). The characters were annoying, and I especially did not like the romantic subplot with Venus and Presley. That all feels very harsh - there were definitely things I really enjoyed about this book, including the way deep relational bonds and commitments are navigated and the messiness of how we lean on these bonds (or don’t) during times of grief and trauma.