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asourceoffiction's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
I loved This Poison Heart. I thought it was a brilliant combination of mythic and real, with wonderful protagonists and the biggest heart (pun not intended). And although I did love This Wicked Fate, I actually think it may have suffered in comparison to its superior predecessor.
The book follows on immediately from the events of the first one, and it was great (if emotionally wrenching) to dive straight back into the world. I loved getting more of Circe's history and seeing more of Persephone and Nyx. Briseis's found family in these books is just EVERYTHING.
I also loved the tension in parts of the book, but I did feel it lacked some of the danger and action that peppered the first. There were a couple of great dramatic moments but a lot of the story was spent waiting or gathering information, which slowed the pace a little. I also just wished it could have been longer. To really draw out the drama would have hooked me a bit more, and the end felt incredibly abrupt after so much build up.
It's still a great end to an amazing mini series, but This Poison Heart was definitely the better of the two for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, and Death of parent
hanofgreengables's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Death, Grief, and Murder
christineolivia's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Torture
Minor: Terminal illness
lennie_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for my arc.
After the dramatic cliffhangers from the end of first book I was desperate to know what Briseis was going to do next.
I absolutely loved her as a character and I also really loved her mum's, and how normal they all felt. I also loved the little found family that Bri gathered around her.
I found the magic system fascinating and loved all of the plant lore and Greek Mythology, especially some of the lesser known ones.
I still think the romance was a bit insta-love-y and i had trouble at times really investing in it.
I really liked both of the characters but i feel like we missed the part where they got to know each other before liking each other. Idk maybe I'm just being cynical.
I really enjoyed the ending and in my mind I like to imagine Bri and her family running their little apothecary in their quaint little town whilst solving mysteries and getting involved with supernatural hijinks. It feels rife for a tv spin off tbh and i for one would absolutely devour a cosy witchy low stakes black girl magic tv show.
After the dramatic cliffhangers from the end of first book I was desperate to know what Briseis was going to do next.
I absolutely loved her as a character and I also really loved her mum's, and how normal they all felt. I also loved the little found family that Bri gathered around her.
I found the magic system fascinating and loved all of the plant lore and Greek Mythology, especially some of the lesser known ones.
I still think the romance was a bit insta-love-y and i had trouble at times really investing in it.
I really liked both of the characters but i feel like we missed the part where they got to know each other before liking each other. Idk maybe I'm just being cynical.
I really enjoyed the ending and in my mind I like to imagine Bri and her family running their little apothecary in their quaint little town whilst solving mysteries and getting involved with supernatural hijinks. It feels rife for a tv spin off tbh and i for one would absolutely devour a cosy witchy low stakes black girl magic tv show.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Blood, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and Death of parent
icarusandthesun's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.0
an okay read—really, just okay.
i read this poison heart some years ago and thought it was quite enjoyable—the greek mythology, the plants, the likable characters. this wicked fate still had all three of those, but somehow it just didn't have the same impact, the same excitement to it.
i found the whole story except for the ending pretty average and uninteresting. the storyline had this basic, linear feeling to it—it was pretty obvious what was going to happen most of the time. you knew in advance how the next chapter was going to make you feel.
the romance between briseis and marie was a little unbelievable? not because they weren't compatible but simply because they never really talked? not a lot of (deep) coversations, nothing. the only times they interacted was to plot or to kiss/hug. their relationship didn't go through any sort of development, wasn't deepened at all. i think that was handled way better in the first book.
i did however like the ending! it made me tear up a little bit and was all in all just very wholesome. definitely the only extraordinary thing this book's got going on for it.
i read this poison heart some years ago and thought it was quite enjoyable—the greek mythology, the plants, the likable characters. this wicked fate still had all three of those, but somehow it just didn't have the same impact, the same excitement to it.
i found the whole story except for the ending pretty average and uninteresting. the storyline had this basic, linear feeling to it—it was pretty obvious what was going to happen most of the time. you knew in advance how the next chapter was going to make you feel.
the romance between briseis and marie was a little unbelievable? not because they weren't compatible but simply because they never really talked? not a lot of (deep) coversations, nothing. the only times they interacted was to plot or to kiss/hug. their relationship didn't go through any sort of development, wasn't deepened at all. i think that was handled way better in the first book.
i did however like the ending! it made me tear up a little bit and was all in all just very wholesome. definitely the only extraordinary thing this book's got going on for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
guessgreenleaf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Kidnapping
emilyhv's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Murder, Torture, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit
liferhi_inspired's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
📝 1st Person POV, sapphic & bisexual rep
While the This Poison Heart was all about Briseis finding herself and who she’s meant to be, This Wicked Fate is her heroes journey/quest to save those that she loves the most.
The Greek Mythology in this book is MUCH heavier than the previous book, which I really enjoyed. It’s not the typical mythology that I’m use to seeing, which was really interesting and entertaining.
📝 1st Person POV, sapphic & bisexual rep
While the This Poison Heart was all about Briseis finding herself and who she’s meant to be, This Wicked Fate is her heroes journey/quest to save those that she loves the most.
The Greek Mythology in this book is MUCH heavier than the previous book, which I really enjoyed. It’s not the typical mythology that I’m use to seeing, which was really interesting and entertaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
kendal_reads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Abandonment