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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
asourceoffiction's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
I loved This Poison Heart. I thought it was a brilliant combination of mythic and real, with wonderful protagonists and the biggest heart (pun not intended). And although I did love This Wicked Fate, I actually think it may have suffered in comparison to its superior predecessor.
The book follows on immediately from the events of the first one, and it was great (if emotionally wrenching) to dive straight back into the world. I loved getting more of Circe's history and seeing more of Persephone and Nyx. Briseis's found family in these books is just EVERYTHING.
I also loved the tension in parts of the book, but I did feel it lacked some of the danger and action that peppered the first. There were a couple of great dramatic moments but a lot of the story was spent waiting or gathering information, which slowed the pace a little. I also just wished it could have been longer. To really draw out the drama would have hooked me a bit more, and the end felt incredibly abrupt after so much build up.
It's still a great end to an amazing mini series, but This Poison Heart was definitely the better of the two for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, and Death of parent
hanofgreengables's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Death, Grief, and Murder
christineolivia's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Torture
Minor: Terminal illness
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
guessgreenleaf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Kidnapping
sugarcainn's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-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? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
sophiepeach's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is the second and final instalment of the This Poison Heart series following the characters of their mission set by Hecate. Delving further into Bri’s family history and powers.The story is very face paced taking place over one month. It is a young adult book and I would say it is for teenagers, so a great palette cleanser/easy read. While the atmosphere is amazing it is quite simple and there isn’t too much world building. I loved the characters and magic system and am kinda sad this is the end of the series as the concept is so cool! - 🔗 to full review https://sophiepeachreads.addpotion.com/this-wicked-fate
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent