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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: Death, Violence, Blood, and Vomit
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Death of parent and Alcohol
The adult/minor relationship is like odd, a 300 year old 17year old whobedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death
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: Death, Vomit, 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, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gore, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Vomit
starrysteph's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
4.25
This Wicked Fate was everything I wanted in a sequel. Kalynn Bayron continues to gift us with the best elements from This Poison Heart: a brilliantly creative spin on Greek mythology, a unique magic system, delightful flora descriptions and language, and some sapphic love (especially great to see between older characters!).
The pacing was much stronger here; we're gently reminded of where things left off in the first book and then the clock starts ticking.
There are touching descriptions of grief and loss, and Bri has such a wonderful support system of family and loved ones that allowed her to navigate her pain.
I don't think I've ever read a Greek mythology-inspired story quite like this. I don't want to spoil it by revealing who we run into ... but be ready for some fun surprises and to rethink old myths in a new light.
One big ick (as I mentioned in my review of This Poison Heart): the massive immortal/mortal age gap. This just makes me uncomfy. If Marie + Bri were really two teenagers, their relationship would be beyond charming and healthy and lovely. But Marie is 300+ years old and that imbalance of wisdom and power really rubs me the wrong way. She is depicted with the maturity level of a 17 year old, so it is relatively easy to forget ...
I love a well-rounded duology and this was such a fun + adventurous read that I'd recommend to teens and adults alike.
Thank you to Bloomsbury and Storygram tours for sending a copy my way. :)
CW: death/murder, death of a parent, grief, blood, gore, vomit, violence, kidnapping, mentions of child abuse & emotional abuse
The pacing was much stronger here; we're gently reminded of where things left off in the first book and then the clock starts ticking.
There are touching descriptions of grief and loss, and Bri has such a wonderful support system of family and loved ones that allowed her to navigate her pain.
I don't think I've ever read a Greek mythology-inspired story quite like this. I don't want to spoil it by revealing who we run into ... but be ready for some fun surprises and to rethink old myths in a new light.
One big ick (as I mentioned in my review of This Poison Heart): the massive immortal/mortal age gap. This just makes me uncomfy. If Marie + Bri were really two teenagers, their relationship would be beyond charming and healthy and lovely. But Marie is 300+ years old and that imbalance of wisdom and power really rubs me the wrong way. She is depicted with the maturity level of a 17 year old, so it is relatively easy to forget ...
I love a well-rounded duology and this was such a fun + adventurous read that I'd recommend to teens and adults alike.
Thank you to Bloomsbury and Storygram tours for sending a copy my way. :)
CW: death/murder, death of a parent, grief, blood, gore, vomit, violence, kidnapping, mentions of child abuse & emotional abuse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Murder
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
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? No
4.5
This sequel picks up literally where THIS POISON HEART finishes. It had been nearly a year since i'd read that book that when I started this one, I was so confused and couldn't see how they slotted together. I had to go back to the first book, reread the last 5 chapters to refresh my memory and then restart this one. Then it started making a lot more sense!
I have to say, this book stressed me out so much. It was an absolute rollercoaster of a book, especially when it hit the half way point! It's really full on with the Greek mythology - which i'm not usually a fan of - but it fit in so well with the storyline.
I loved the characters - the familiarity of the original characters plus the introduction of those that were briefly mentioned in THIS POISON HEART. I love everything that they bring to the story, and I love their relationships with each other.
Bri has literally, no pun intended, bloomed in this book. It's as though she was only just getting started in the previous book, and then showcased what she's capable of in this book.
What a fantastic conclusion to the duology - really looking forward to seeing what else this author comes up with!
I have to say, this book stressed me out so much. It was an absolute rollercoaster of a book, especially when it hit the half way point! It's really full on with the Greek mythology - which i'm not usually a fan of - but it fit in so well with the storyline.
I loved the characters - the familiarity of the original characters plus the introduction of those that were briefly mentioned in THIS POISON HEART. I love everything that they bring to the story, and I love their relationships with each other.
Bri has literally, no pun intended, bloomed in this book. It's as though she was only just getting started in the previous book, and then showcased what she's capable of in this book.
What a fantastic conclusion to the duology - really looking forward to seeing what else this author comes up with!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Vomit
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