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imstephtacular's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Death, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, and Vomit
Minor: Slavery, Body horror, and Death of parent
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book picks up where "This Poison Heart" leaves off. This was actually slower than I thought it was going to be especially with how the first book ended. It felt like everything was less urgent despite the clock they are racing against.
What I really did like was the character growth of Briseis over the two books and how she came into her powers. Though I loved the character growth of Briseis I wish we had a chance to find out more about some of the side characters too. Who knows maybe we will get another book in the same universe.
The plot was also good, but I think was expecting more adventure with how the last book left off. I think the exception versus reality was why this is a 4 star read and not a 4.5 or 5 star read.
By all means though I still highly recommend this duology for a lovers of YA urban fantasy and for Greek mythology retellings. I enjoyed it a lot and would read it again.
What I really did like was the character growth of Briseis over the two books and how she came into her powers. Though I loved the character growth of Briseis I wish we had a chance to find out more about some of the side characters too. Who knows maybe we will get another book in the same universe.
The plot was also good, but I think was expecting more adventure with how the last book left off. I think the exception versus reality was why this is a 4 star read and not a 4.5 or 5 star read.
By all means though I still highly recommend this duology for a lovers of YA urban fantasy and for Greek mythology retellings. I enjoyed it a lot and would read it again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Minor: Murder and Vomit
platoniciris's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? N/A
5.0
These books <333
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse and Vomit
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Violence
sarah984's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I really liked This Poison Heart, so rating the sequel this low is really disappointing. My favourite things about the first book were the mysterious gothic atmosphere, the sense of discovery with Briseis's powers, and the family relationship and all of those things are basically abandoned in book 2 for a boring Greek mythology inspired adventure story. The romance is so bland that I kept forgetting the two characters were together but then they'd kiss and it was a bit jarring. The members of Briseis's birth family were not well integrated into the story, and the ending the LI gets didn't feel earned to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Murder
Minor: Blood, Chronic illness, Confinement, Kidnapping, Medical content, Animal death, Child abuse, and Drug use
relin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Vomit, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Alcohol and Death of parent
The adult/minor relationship is like odd, a 300 year old 17year old whoazrah786's review against another edition
adventurous
4.25
**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
CW: grief, violence, blood, gore, injury, death, death of parent/family member, murder, child abuse, emotional abuse, kidnapping, vomit
--
Where the first book had more mystery to the plot, This Wicked Fate falls more under an adventure quest type storyline and I loved it just as much.
Continuing on from the exact point the story stopped at the end of This Poison Heart, we find Bri in a state of grief and shock with what has happened to her mother and with the sudden appearance of members of her birth family. Now they have 28 days to locate and retrieve the last piece of the Absytrus Heart in order to save her mother, something thought to be impossible and made even more difficult since there are other’s searching for the piece too.
Once again the Greek mythology was really cleverly woven into the story with the narrative also branching out and slowly introducing some of the more well known elements from the myths and legends. I really love how this has expanded the universe this series is set in because I’ll say it right now, if Bayron ever wants to revisit it and write other story then I am so down!
I loved Bri’s character more and more with each page I read from how she continued to hone her powers to her persistence to help her loved ones through all the unknowns and grief that were surrounding her. Inspiring and full of heart she has definitely become one of my favourite YA protagonists.
If you enjoy books that are full of adventure, mythology and Black girl magic, strong with the themes of family and sisterhood plus wholesome sapphic rep then this series is for you!
Final Rating – 4.25/5 Stars
CW: grief, violence, blood, gore, injury, death, death of parent/family member, murder, child abuse, emotional abuse, kidnapping, vomit
--
Where the first book had more mystery to the plot, This Wicked Fate falls more under an adventure quest type storyline and I loved it just as much.
Continuing on from the exact point the story stopped at the end of This Poison Heart, we find Bri in a state of grief and shock with what has happened to her mother and with the sudden appearance of members of her birth family. Now they have 28 days to locate and retrieve the last piece of the Absytrus Heart in order to save her mother, something thought to be impossible and made even more difficult since there are other’s searching for the piece too.
Once again the Greek mythology was really cleverly woven into the story with the narrative also branching out and slowly introducing some of the more well known elements from the myths and legends. I really love how this has expanded the universe this series is set in because I’ll say it right now, if Bayron ever wants to revisit it and write other story then I am so down!
I loved Bri’s character more and more with each page I read from how she continued to hone her powers to her persistence to help her loved ones through all the unknowns and grief that were surrounding her. Inspiring and full of heart she has definitely become one of my favourite YA protagonists.
If you enjoy books that are full of adventure, mythology and Black girl magic, strong with the themes of family and sisterhood plus wholesome sapphic rep then this series is for you!
Final Rating – 4.25/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Murder, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Kidnapping
readingthroughinfinity's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
queer_bookwyrm's review
adventurous
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? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: death, grief, poisonous plants, violence
Happy Publication Day, This Wicked Fate by Kalynn Bayron! This sequel was a satisfying conclusion to the story of Briseis in this Greek mythology reimagining. We get plenty more Black Girl Magic and lots of cute kisses between Bri and Marie.
We pick up with Bri, Circe, Persephone, and Marie as they take on an impossible task for Hecate in order to bring Bri's mother back from the underworld. They must reunite all the pieces of the Absyrtus Heart on an island that might not even exist.
This book had a lot of themes in grief and generational trauma. We get a lot more of Marie this book, and she's a great comic relief. She's everyone's favorite hot head. Bri gets to do some really badass stuff with the Devil's Pet. We get to meet more gods! In the end I found I mostly felt bad for Karter, though what he did was pretty unforgivable.
This was a great conclusion to this story and was a fun reimagining with plenty of cute kisses between Marie and Briseis. Thank you Kalynn for creating imaginative worlds and magic that center Black girls and queer girls!
Happy Publication Day, This Wicked Fate by Kalynn Bayron! This sequel was a satisfying conclusion to the story of Briseis in this Greek mythology reimagining. We get plenty more Black Girl Magic and lots of cute kisses between Bri and Marie.
We pick up with Bri, Circe, Persephone, and Marie as they take on an impossible task for Hecate in order to bring Bri's mother back from the underworld. They must reunite all the pieces of the Absyrtus Heart on an island that might not even exist.
This book had a lot of themes in grief and generational trauma. We get a lot more of Marie this book, and she's a great comic relief. She's everyone's favorite hot head. Bri gets to do some really badass stuff with the Devil's Pet. We get to meet more gods! In the end I found I mostly felt bad for Karter, though what he did was pretty unforgivable.
This was a great conclusion to this story and was a fun reimagining with plenty of cute kisses between Marie and Briseis. Thank you Kalynn for creating imaginative worlds and magic that center Black girls and queer girls!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Violence
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.5
There is only one way that Briseis can save her mother. She must find the final piece of the Absyrtus Heart, one of the most deadly things in the world. In order to find it, Briseis must learn about her family history. Turning to blood relatives that she's never met and learning about their secret powers is the only way that she can save her mom.
However, it turns out that Briseis and her family aren't the only one looking for the last piece of the heart. The fates spell out a journey, one that could lead to more tragedy. Will Briseis be able to harness her power and magic in time to save the ones that she loves?
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for an advaced copy of this to review! I eagerly awaited this sequel after reading This Poison Heart, because how could you not with that ending? I had to know what was going to happen next, and I'm so glad this lived up to my expectations!
What I loved about these books is the way that Bayron plays with Greek mythology. It feels different than any other retelling that I've read before. This is truly where she excels in writing because even though you might be familiar with the story, there's unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing all throughout. If you're at all familiar with the myths here, you'll love the tiny easter eggs throughout.
And the characters! The combination of the world building, the magic, and the characters makes this a truly engrossing book. Despite a bit of a slow start, once the action picks up, it never lets go. You won't be able to get to the end fast enough. And then you'll be sad it's over.
It's definitely safe to say that Kalynn Bayron is a writer I will continually be watching for her amazing skill for retellings!
However, it turns out that Briseis and her family aren't the only one looking for the last piece of the heart. The fates spell out a journey, one that could lead to more tragedy. Will Briseis be able to harness her power and magic in time to save the ones that she loves?
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for an advaced copy of this to review! I eagerly awaited this sequel after reading This Poison Heart, because how could you not with that ending? I had to know what was going to happen next, and I'm so glad this lived up to my expectations!
What I loved about these books is the way that Bayron plays with Greek mythology. It feels different than any other retelling that I've read before. This is truly where she excels in writing because even though you might be familiar with the story, there's unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing all throughout. If you're at all familiar with the myths here, you'll love the tiny easter eggs throughout.
And the characters! The combination of the world building, the magic, and the characters makes this a truly engrossing book. Despite a bit of a slow start, once the action picks up, it never lets go. You won't be able to get to the end fast enough. And then you'll be sad it's over.
It's definitely safe to say that Kalynn Bayron is a writer I will continually be watching for her amazing skill for retellings!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Violence, Gore, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Vomit