Reviews with content warning for Kidnapping - This Wicked Fate

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.

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azrah786's review against another edition

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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
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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

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readingthroughinfinity's review against another edition

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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

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starrysteph's review against another edition

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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

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