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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
Highly recommend.
This was such a beautifully written book. It read as if it were a myth, and kind of reminded me of Tolkien's writing style.
It brings up themes of climate change, and has a found family trope that I love.
This was such a beautifully written book. It read as if it were a myth, and kind of reminded me of Tolkien's writing style.
It brings up themes of climate change, and has a found family trope that I love.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Writing style takes getting used to, but once you do, it’s hard to go back!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Initially I found this book difficult to get into - while the plot moves across time quickly, the writing feels slow, and it's very different from the fantasy I usually read (your stereotypical western European stuff). Once I gave enough time and focus to get into it, I really fell in love with the world. It's richness in imagined people, histories, professions, magic is just amazing -- and opened my mind to how fantasy might look when not written by straight white men. What particularly struck me was the incorporation of a nonbinary gender, and applicable pronouns, as part of the fabric of this world. It was very lovely to read and imagine a world where the binary is not the norm - even if some cultures in the world fight for it to be. Overall, I loved it!
Also it's allegory as a climate change novel is fantastic - someone better write a thinkpiece about that.
Also it's allegory as a climate change novel is fantastic - someone better write a thinkpiece about that.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Master of Poisons was a DNF for me, but I’m going to talk about WHY because I rarely DNF books (because I feel guilt towards the book) and because I actually got through 60% of the book before stopping.
Master of Poisons is set in an African-inspired fantasy setting. The Arkhysian empire now controls most of the continent that we see in the book, including a number of northern protectorates that used to be individual smaller countries/large tribes with their own customs and languages. These peoples are usually considered barbarian to some extent because of their connection with Shadowland - a sort of spiritual realm - and the use of some types of conjure - aka magic. These northern people, the sea “pirates,” and others are all connected through marriage to create treaties and keep the peace. Now, their world seems to be facing an impending environmental crisis due to poison sand, which seem to be linked to certain types of conjure or “spirit debt,” as well as environmental exploitation and industrialization.
Djola is from one of the northern peoples, related to both the empire and the sea pirates by marriage, and has become the emperor’s Master of Poisons. A note, because I had unrealized expectations: a Master of Poisons is really good at ANTIDOTES. A Master of Poisons is not a spy master (not really) or a poisoner. Anyway. Djola has come up with a plan to fight and cure the poison sand, but this would involve the rich giving up many comforts, and Djola ends up banished, but also sent on a mission to bring back proof that his plan will work. During his banishment, he works to learn an almost-forgotten magic that I think destroys and purifies.
Awa is a young girl, also from the northern peoples. She is sold by her father to the Green Elders, which are a community which includes magic users, shadow walkers, storytellers, spirit warriors, etc. But Green Elders are despised by the Empire, for not entirely clear reasons. They are much closer to nature and the spirits of the mountains and animals. Awa learns to be a shadow walker, someone who can navigate Shadowland.
After this a whole bunch of dark, and sometimes creepy, and definitely sad stuff happens. The 60% that I read took place over about 5 years. It’s definitely set up to be pretty political, which I’m usually very down for. The pacing is slow (and maybe a little uneven but not awful) and the prose is evocative and metaphor-heavy. I also feel like the plot was a bit unclear. I understood WHY Djola was in these situations, but just had no clear idea about what the endgame was. Get rid of poison sand, but just not very clear.
But all of that wouldn’t have really bothered me that much. So here’s the thing. I feel like the worldbuilding in Master of Poisons is SUPERB. There is so much that’s interesting here, I was very curious, wanted to learn more, and the world was super compelling. Except that I feel like Hairston’s lyrical prose kind of got in the way. There’s a lot of “foreign” words and you get dumped into the middle of the story to some extent, so there’s a lot of jargon that has to be navigated. Which would be totally fine, except that things do not get explained in any sort of timely manner. In chapter 8 I finally got a little bit of an info dump and I was rejoicing! Literally every time I got an info dump in this book I was so happy because I might finally understand something. But these explanations were few and far between.
60% through and I feel like it still hasn’t really caught my attention. If I was allowed to understand the world, I would be totally OK with having a slower pace. Maybe I’m just not smart enough, or am too literal. But this just feels frustrating. I kept hoping it would get better or the ending would have a really big payoff that would make it all worth it. Part of me still really wants to hang on and see it through because I just want a really epic ending, but I shouldn’t have to slog through over half of the book. Maybe I’ll pick it back up again, but I just have too many other books I need to read right now. I feel like I need to give Master of Poisons a lot of credit for potential and the fact that I really was interested, but nevertheless I just couldn’t finish. 3/5 stars
Thanks very much to TOR and to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Master of Poisons is set in an African-inspired fantasy setting. The Arkhysian empire now controls most of the continent that we see in the book, including a number of northern protectorates that used to be individual smaller countries/large tribes with their own customs and languages. These peoples are usually considered barbarian to some extent because of their connection with Shadowland - a sort of spiritual realm - and the use of some types of conjure - aka magic. These northern people, the sea “pirates,” and others are all connected through marriage to create treaties and keep the peace. Now, their world seems to be facing an impending environmental crisis due to poison sand, which seem to be linked to certain types of conjure or “spirit debt,” as well as environmental exploitation and industrialization.
Djola is from one of the northern peoples, related to both the empire and the sea pirates by marriage, and has become the emperor’s Master of Poisons. A note, because I had unrealized expectations: a Master of Poisons is really good at ANTIDOTES. A Master of Poisons is not a spy master (not really) or a poisoner. Anyway. Djola has come up with a plan to fight and cure the poison sand, but this would involve the rich giving up many comforts, and Djola ends up banished, but also sent on a mission to bring back proof that his plan will work. During his banishment, he works to learn an almost-forgotten magic that I think destroys and purifies.
Awa is a young girl, also from the northern peoples. She is sold by her father to the Green Elders, which are a community which includes magic users, shadow walkers, storytellers, spirit warriors, etc. But Green Elders are despised by the Empire, for not entirely clear reasons. They are much closer to nature and the spirits of the mountains and animals. Awa learns to be a shadow walker, someone who can navigate Shadowland.
After this a whole bunch of dark, and sometimes creepy, and definitely sad stuff happens. The 60% that I read took place over about 5 years. It’s definitely set up to be pretty political, which I’m usually very down for. The pacing is slow (and maybe a little uneven but not awful) and the prose is evocative and metaphor-heavy. I also feel like the plot was a bit unclear. I understood WHY Djola was in these situations, but just had no clear idea about what the endgame was. Get rid of poison sand, but just not very clear.
But all of that wouldn’t have really bothered me that much. So here’s the thing. I feel like the worldbuilding in Master of Poisons is SUPERB. There is so much that’s interesting here, I was very curious, wanted to learn more, and the world was super compelling. Except that I feel like Hairston’s lyrical prose kind of got in the way. There’s a lot of “foreign” words and you get dumped into the middle of the story to some extent, so there’s a lot of jargon that has to be navigated. Which would be totally fine, except that things do not get explained in any sort of timely manner. In chapter 8 I finally got a little bit of an info dump and I was rejoicing! Literally every time I got an info dump in this book I was so happy because I might finally understand something. But these explanations were few and far between.
60% through and I feel like it still hasn’t really caught my attention. If I was allowed to understand the world, I would be totally OK with having a slower pace. Maybe I’m just not smart enough, or am too literal. But this just feels frustrating. I kept hoping it would get better or the ending would have a really big payoff that would make it all worth it. Part of me still really wants to hang on and see it through because I just want a really epic ending, but I shouldn’t have to slog through over half of the book. Maybe I’ll pick it back up again, but I just have too many other books I need to read right now. I feel like I need to give Master of Poisons a lot of credit for potential and the fact that I really was interested, but nevertheless I just couldn’t finish. 3/5 stars
Thanks very much to TOR and to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. This story/book is very hard to describe - it must be lived, relished, savored, endured and believed. Beautiful and harsh imagery, moving tale, "real" heroes. ♥️♥️♥️
I do want to preface this by saying that if you don't like slow-burn fantasy then this book is not for you because book 1 reads very lengthy and even at times repetitive as it sets up the story that leads to the present day journey. Andrea Hairston is a very descriptive writer which means we got beautiful descriptions of the foods they feasted on and the lands they wandered. You could practically smell the brine, hear the gulls by the sea, and taste the nut butter and sweet mango slices. She uses very lyrical language to set up the atmosphere in which this story takes place.
Djola is the male protagonist and he is the Master of Poisons who has been trying to use his wisdom to help the Arkhysian empire as the earth is dying. As right hand to Emperor Azizi he has been warning him since the poison deserts started to appear and urging him to practice conservation. However for years his pleas have fallen on deaf ears until farmland dries our and rivers disappear. Now at this time the people claim it's too late to change their ways.
We follow Djola as he ends up being exiled and apart of a pirate crew as a healer while coping with being separated from his family. To save them and restore his position as the emperor's right hand he must find a cute. During his exile he is working to master Xhalan Xhala, a form of ancient Lahesh conjure which will help him purify the land.
It's actually an interesting way to touch upon climate change which affects us all however people were very quick to deny and ignore until it became more apparent. And the idea of personal responsibility when many have the what's done is done mindset.
The other protagonist Awa is a young sprite from a poor family who is sold by her father to griots called The Green Elders. We follow her journey over the course of a few years as she creates a new family and comes into her own with her powers. As a character I thought she really became interesting when she was ripped from her new family and forced to survive. I found myself leaning more towards her narrative.
The Smokeland was an interesting take on the astral plain/realm often found in fantasy stories. I enjoyed the scenes when Djola and Awa connected with the Smokeland and the lines of reality sometimes got blurred. These scenes were even stronger when their paths finally crossed.
Another interesting thing is the usage of non binary characters in a way that feels very natural and not thrown in for additional diversity. The queer relationships were something I thought she took great care with developing.
If you are an experienced fantasy reader looking for an epic tale I think you will enjoy this. This is a vast world that you are dropped in and navigate your way through. The story truly started coming together for me after the 40% mark. I would love to listen to this one on audiobook as it's a fascinating world with very metaphor heavy writing and vivid descriptions.
I received an arc from Tor in exchange for an honest review
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot.com/2020/09/master-of-poisons-by-andrea-hairston.html
Djola is the male protagonist and he is the Master of Poisons who has been trying to use his wisdom to help the Arkhysian empire as the earth is dying. As right hand to Emperor Azizi he has been warning him since the poison deserts started to appear and urging him to practice conservation. However for years his pleas have fallen on deaf ears until farmland dries our and rivers disappear. Now at this time the people claim it's too late to change their ways.
We follow Djola as he ends up being exiled and apart of a pirate crew as a healer while coping with being separated from his family. To save them and restore his position as the emperor's right hand he must find a cute. During his exile he is working to master Xhalan Xhala, a form of ancient Lahesh conjure which will help him purify the land.
It's actually an interesting way to touch upon climate change which affects us all however people were very quick to deny and ignore until it became more apparent. And the idea of personal responsibility when many have the what's done is done mindset.
The other protagonist Awa is a young sprite from a poor family who is sold by her father to griots called The Green Elders. We follow her journey over the course of a few years as she creates a new family and comes into her own with her powers. As a character I thought she really became interesting when she was ripped from her new family and forced to survive. I found myself leaning more towards her narrative.
The Smokeland was an interesting take on the astral plain/realm often found in fantasy stories. I enjoyed the scenes when Djola and Awa connected with the Smokeland and the lines of reality sometimes got blurred. These scenes were even stronger when their paths finally crossed.
Another interesting thing is the usage of non binary characters in a way that feels very natural and not thrown in for additional diversity. The queer relationships were something I thought she took great care with developing.
If you are an experienced fantasy reader looking for an epic tale I think you will enjoy this. This is a vast world that you are dropped in and navigate your way through. The story truly started coming together for me after the 40% mark. I would love to listen to this one on audiobook as it's a fascinating world with very metaphor heavy writing and vivid descriptions.
I received an arc from Tor in exchange for an honest review
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot.com/2020/09/master-of-poisons-by-andrea-hairston.html
This book did a great job building a world and a magic system that was nothing like the one I knew, and I liked the roles that animals played, and the power of telling stories. I also appreciated encountering multiple Queer characters. It moved slowly, for me, however, and that made it feel long.
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was so hard to get into. The writing is heavy and I found the characters bland. I had no desire to find out where this was going.