Scan barcode
sar_lion's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
5.0
No words truly. Made me cry at the end. The characters grew and were all so likeable this time. The world is probably my favorite part because of how well done it feels to me. The perfect ending to this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
3.75
Unfortunately I think I would have liked this sequel more if I was a mythology girlie. But I'm not, and I'm not really familiar with the base mythology so I was missing that connection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
bookishkellyn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
- 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
This was an adventure full of Greek mythology, but I feel like a lot of the humor and events leading up to the rescue attempt were filler. The whole storyline would’ve been better served as an epic novel instead of a duology, but it was still an enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Injury/Injury detail
twistykris's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
- 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
4.25
A great conclusion to this duology, with delightful additional characters and a true Hero's Journey. There is SO much more Greek mythology in this book, which I really appreciated.
I enjoyed This Wicked Fate, but in all honesty, I liked This Poison Heart more. While I loved getting to know more about Circe, Nyx, Persephone, and Marie, the majority of this book is spent waiting and gathering information. They don't set out on their journey until more than halfway through. It also felt like it lacked a certain danger and action; there are some great tense, heartbreaking moments, but I wish they were drawn out more, and the ending felt abrupt and concluded too quickly for me.
I also wish the relationship between Briseis and Marie was more fleshed out (also I'm now feeling kinda meh about Marie being hundreds of years old dating a 16-year old). While I love some queer rep, their relationship just feels very insta-love; they hardly have any deep conversations and I didn't feel like it developed that much in this story.
That being said, it is still an enjoyable urban fantasy duology with some wonderful characters and strong Black girl magic.
I enjoyed This Wicked Fate, but in all honesty, I liked This Poison Heart more. While I loved getting to know more about Circe, Nyx, Persephone, and Marie, the majority of this book is spent waiting and gathering information. They don't set out on their journey until more than halfway through. It also felt like it lacked a certain danger and action; there are some great tense, heartbreaking moments, but I wish they were drawn out more, and the ending felt abrupt and concluded too quickly for me.
I also wish the relationship between Briseis and Marie was more fleshed out (also I'm now feeling kinda meh about Marie being hundreds of years old dating a 16-year old). While I love some queer rep, their relationship just feels very insta-love; they hardly have any deep conversations and I didn't feel like it developed that much in this story.
That being said, it is still an enjoyable urban fantasy duology with some wonderful characters and strong Black girl magic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Vomit, and Emotional abuse
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
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
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
kendal_reads's review against another edition
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
esme_may's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Murder, Torture, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, and Cursing
Minor: Alcohol
bellebookcorner's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
“We had this one precious life and what we did with it was entirely up to us. I wanted to use it to love and be loved in return.”
If you’re looking for a Greek Myth inspired story filled with exotic plants, magical powers, family, friendship, grief and acceptance then you’ll have to check this duology out!
This Wicked Fate is the second and final book in This Poison Heart duology!
This book is more action-packed compare to the first book as they embark on a journey together to find the last missing piece of the Heart.
The plot started out right after the ending of This Poison Heart. The writing style is the same as the previous book - it’s easy to read and the plot also flows smoothly.
The part I love most from this book is the presence of the Greek Gods and Goddess in this story!
This book also focuses more on the characters (new and old) and their background story.
The characters are very likeable especially Marie – the badass woman! and there's also Circe who gets to meet her long lost niece. I like seeing how Circe forms a bond with Briseis over time.
Overall, this is a good conclusion to the series and I find it really enjoyable and entertaining.
I’m looking forward to read more books by this author in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse and Child abuse