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mayachuchu13'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
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Everything was great. Love the story, romance, plot twists. All of it was well thought-out and the MC is so likable, I was rooting for her since chapter one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Gaslighting, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Gun violence
Only two confusing things (#2 is a spoiler): 1. If Bri literally has magic powers it’s kinda stupid how she has this “there’s no such thing as magic!” attitude every time she learns something new. You literally grew up with magic powers, why are you so doubtful of witches and spells??bek_p87's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
4.5
I very much enjoyed this from Bayron, even more so that 'Cinderella Is Dead', which I read earlier this year and loved. Greek mythology, plant magic, a mysterious inheritance, and Black queer people just existing - this had so many fantastic aspects. I can't wait to read 'This Wicked Fate' and find out what happens next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent and Gaslighting
booksalacarte's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
3.25⭐️ 1.5🌶️ (romantic tension only)
This book has a really interesting magic system and great background work in mythology and plants. I really enjoyed Bri and her relationship with her parents. I almost wish it was just those 3 saving this magic world.
There were a LOT of pop culture references. Like a lot. For a fantasy, it was a little interruptive.
I found the pacing in the first half of the book to be very slow and drawn out without the context to back up the pace. I felt like some dialogue was very forced and stilted, making the continued line broken and feeling like you flipped two pages instead of one.
The other thing that made me pause was the age gap romance. I don’t know why the age gap is an issue here for me.
This is a lgbtqia+ YA book. Be aware of language and other trigger warnings. I would recommend it for a 15+yo.
This book has a really interesting magic system and great background work in mythology and plants. I really enjoyed Bri and her relationship with her parents. I almost wish it was just those 3 saving this magic world.
There were a LOT of pop culture references. Like a lot. For a fantasy, it was a little interruptive.
I found the pacing in the first half of the book to be very slow and drawn out without the context to back up the pace. I felt like some dialogue was very forced and stilted, making the continued line broken and feeling like you flipped two pages instead of one.
The other thing that made me pause was the age gap romance. I don’t know why the age gap is an issue here for me.
This is a lgbtqia+ YA book. Be aware of language and other trigger warnings. I would recommend it for a 15+yo.
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder, Death of parent, Cursing, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Gaslighting
mtnest's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gaslighting, Violence, and Cursing
therainbowshelf'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? It's complicated
4.0
I liked this more than the last book I read by this Colorado local author (Cinderella is Dead)! I enjoyed Briseis's plant power, having adopted moms, and the overall feel of the story. In the last 10%, it did drop back into the overly dramatic and mostly unbelievable style that I disliked in her other book. This was recently featured in a Rainbow Crate Book Box, which is a major factor in why I read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Death, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Murder, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Violence
Poisoningtheoceanrose's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.5
This book turned in a way I didn't expect, but I liked it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Murder, and Violence
bubothereader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
3.5
This Poison Heart is the Greek mythological fantasy I’ve been looking for. It wraps mythology in without being overwhelming about it. Plus, plant magic! I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that has this kind of Druidy plant magic and it was perfect.
I appreciated how Bayron also mulled on gender divides. Like, how mythology about women is likely displayed in the manner it is because men wrote their stories. This is something we as women still face today in the way men write us vs how women write us. It’s a completely skewed lens.
The characters are some of my favorite parts. I enjoy that Briseis is a botanist, but isn’t an overall nerd. The parent relationship was VERY present in the novel and they were lesbians. I appreciate when authors include parents in books about teens and I LOVE the representation.
Dropping a full star for the 300-year old plus love interest. Have we learned nothing from Twilight?
This book was magic. I adored every second of reading it. Can’t wait to add it to my To-Keep shelf and get my hands on the sequel.
I appreciated how Bayron also mulled on gender divides. Like, how mythology about women is likely displayed in the manner it is because men wrote their stories. This is something we as women still face today in the way men write us vs how women write us. It’s a completely skewed lens.
The characters are some of my favorite parts. I enjoy that Briseis is a botanist, but isn’t an overall nerd. The parent relationship was VERY present in the novel and they were lesbians. I appreciate when authors include parents in books about teens and I LOVE the representation.
Dropping a full star for the 300-year old plus love interest. Have we learned nothing from Twilight?
This book was magic. I adored every second of reading it. Can’t wait to add it to my To-Keep shelf and get my hands on the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Toxic friendship
decembermagpie's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Self harm, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
cerilouisereads's review
adventurous
dark
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, and Body horror
Moderate: Gaslighting, Medical content, and Violence
kayladaila's review
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
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