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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
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I enjoyed this sequel, but it definitely wasn't as strong as the first book. I felt there were pacing issues, and I felt like I was waiting for something to happen for most of the book.
That isn't to say that I didn't thoroughly enjoy it, I love this series and the characters, it was hard not to be engaged.
I just was hoping for a bit more, considering how strong and well developed the first book was.
I did like the inclusion of more mythology, this was definently took more of a turn away from science and leaned more into the fantasy aspect, but it still worked really well.
I know this is only a duology but I would read another book in the series, I feel like there is still more to explore and I just really love the world that Kalynn Bayron has created.
That isn't to say that I didn't thoroughly enjoy it, I love this series and the characters, it was hard not to be engaged.
I just was hoping for a bit more, considering how strong and well developed the first book was.
I did like the inclusion of more mythology, this was definently took more of a turn away from science and leaned more into the fantasy aspect, but it still worked really well.
I know this is only a duology but I would read another book in the series, I feel like there is still more to explore and I just really love the world that Kalynn Bayron has created.
Definitely read this, especially if you enjoyed the first book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Minor: Death of parent
liferhi_inspired's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
📝 1st Person POV, sapphic & bisexual rep
While the This Poison Heart was all about Briseis finding herself and who she’s meant to be, This Wicked Fate is her heroes journey/quest to save those that she loves the most.
The Greek Mythology in this book is MUCH heavier than the previous book, which I really enjoyed. It’s not the typical mythology that I’m use to seeing, which was really interesting and entertaining.
📝 1st Person POV, sapphic & bisexual rep
While the This Poison Heart was all about Briseis finding herself and who she’s meant to be, This Wicked Fate is her heroes journey/quest to save those that she loves the most.
The Greek Mythology in this book is MUCH heavier than the previous book, which I really enjoyed. It’s not the typical mythology that I’m use to seeing, which was really interesting and entertaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
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
sophiesometimesreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
This book had a pretty different vibe to the first, which surprised me. It got a lot more epic in nature than the cosy urban fantasy vibes of the first, but I still enjoyed it.
I liked the twist on traditional Greek mythology and how that was woven into the story and the magic system. I also really loved the discussion of adoption and Bri not having to choose between her blood family and her mums, because both can be family concurrently.
The story did feel a little info-dumpy at times, particularly in the first half of the novel, which made it a bit difficult to read. Bri was a lot more clueless in this book, too, which was also pretty frustrating towards the end.
In saying this, I did enjoy the storyline and thought it was a good conclusion to the duology.
I liked the twist on traditional Greek mythology and how that was woven into the story and the magic system. I also really loved the discussion of adoption and Bri not having to choose between her blood family and her mums, because both can be family concurrently.
The story did feel a little info-dumpy at times, particularly in the first half of the novel, which made it a bit difficult to read. Bri was a lot more clueless in this book, too, which was also pretty frustrating towards the end.
In saying this, I did enjoy the storyline and thought it was a good conclusion to the duology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence
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
missrosymaplemoth's review against another edition
2.5
I enjoyed This Poison Heart, which made This Wicked Fate a bit disappointing. The pacing was a major issue and I thought the book had a lot of filler and could have been 100 pages shorter. I enjoyed the way the story wrapped up and the interpersonal relationships but couldn’t get myself to root for some characters such as Marie. I would have liked this story more if it was just one long book.
☀️2/20
☀️2/20
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Murder, and Vomit
notsobinaryart's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Grief, and Blood
Minor: Murder, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Stalking, Child abuse, Death of parent, Animal death, Medical content, Domestic abuse, Self harm, and Gore
michelles_book_nook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
⚠️ CW: parental death ⚠️ Sometimes sequels turn out to be disappointments but this was so beautifully captivating and gave the best end to this amazing story! This book picks up right where we left off in This Poison Heart and follows Bri as she embarks on a journey to rescue her mother, but to do that she must do the impossible and find the last fragment of the Absyrtus Heart. However, nothing about her journey will be simple as she has to turn to her blood relatives to learn the secrets of their powers and take her rightful place among their ancient lineage. And with dark forces at play and deadly botanicals creeping up of her she must harness her power to change the most dangerous of fates ahead of her. I honestly could not put this book down! It was just so good. It continues with its intoxicating mix of fantasy and greek mythology that adds such an interesting magical realism twist as well as being filled with great bipoc and LGBTQIA+ representation. I did find this one to be a bit slower than the first though which is why I dropped it down a star but with so much going on it definitely felt necessary in parts. Overall, I highly recommend this series if you're a YA fantasy lover!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
maralaene's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
When I started this series, this is most definitely not where I thought it would end up. I was not going into this set thinking - hey I’d love to read some mythology-inspired fantasy. But here we are.
That being said, I enjoyed the doses of mythology history amidst the magic and the story. I like how different gods were woven into every day life - at jobs that perfectly fit their persons. This felt much more plot than character focused compared to the previous book. There were things I was expecting and still a number of other things that I wasn’t, so i would say this was an overall engaging book.Though I will admit, I thought they were going to have to pull a Disney Hercule’s move and go fetch her Mom’s soul from the river based on the fate’s conversation…a bit disappointed that wasn’t it!
Reminded me a bit of Lore and a bit of Percy Jackson!
✓ Gods and magic
✓ Diverse cast
✓ Hero’s Journey
That being said, I enjoyed the doses of mythology history amidst the magic and the story. I like how different gods were woven into every day life - at jobs that perfectly fit their persons. This felt much more plot than character focused compared to the previous book. There were things I was expecting and still a number of other things that I wasn’t, so i would say this was an overall engaging book.
Reminded me a bit of Lore and a bit of Percy Jackson!
✓ Gods and magic
✓ Diverse cast
✓ Hero’s Journey
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Grief