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karcitis's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, and Murder
Minor: Child death and Kidnapping
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: Cursing, Death, Gore, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Gun violence, Violence, Vomit, and Toxic friendship
caseythereader's review
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: Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, and Murder
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