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ameserole's review
4.0
A Sweet, Bitter Poison is the novella within the Women's War series. In this, we get a glimpse of what really happened to a certain marriage before the first book. It was really cute to see Brynna and Aaltyn falling in love.
At first, he didn't really care that she wasn't producing a male heir. He just kept saying it wasn't their time yet and that it will eventually happen. I'm sure he was just having fun with the whole process of creating a baby.
Besides the romance, we do get some drama and talks of potential war lurking around. Then there's the vision of a divorce so that a new marriage could quiet the talks and threats of war. Of course, Aaltyn wants nothing to do with it because he actually loves his wife. Then the unthinkable happens and his hands were forced.
In the end, this was definitely eye opening and I kind of wished I read this before I dove into the first book. It also got me even more excited to jump into the sequel.
At first, he didn't really care that she wasn't producing a male heir. He just kept saying it wasn't their time yet and that it will eventually happen. I'm sure he was just having fun with the whole process of creating a baby.
Besides the romance, we do get some drama and talks of potential war lurking around. Then there's the vision of a divorce so that a new marriage could quiet the talks and threats of war. Of course, Aaltyn wants nothing to do with it because he actually loves his wife. Then the unthinkable happens and his hands were forced.
In the end, this was definitely eye opening and I kind of wished I read this before I dove into the first book. It also got me even more excited to jump into the sequel.
theivorywitch's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Miscarriage
Moderate: Infertility, Sexism, Infidelity, and Misogyny
Minor: War, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
elthechameleon's review
fast-paced
Even if I disregarded that fatalistic aspect, Brynna's choice to enter the Abbey makes much more sense when one learns of her sister, Marly's, suicide when faced with an unwanted marriage. She lived her life with a sense of self-sacrifice for greater womankind.
I will say, while I enjoy the female fantasy and the spotlight on older women, the violence in these books, especially the scenes at the Market at the Abbey, feels gratuitous at certain times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexism, Miscarriage, and Grief
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