Reviews

The Poison Diaries by The Duchess Of Northumberland, Maryrose Wood

bethyboo29's review against another edition

4.0

This was different. Very different to any other book I've read, so I quite enjoyed it. It didn't blow my mind but it kept me entertained for a time. Indeed I enjoyed this book. (:

noregrets4life33's review against another edition

4.0

This small book is also a small delight. The writing is simple and beautiful, and the story is easy to follow along with. It is like an updated fairy tale of sorts. Not deep reading by any means, but a beautiful litte distraction that is worth snapping up for a couple hours of reading. The morals found within are very nice as well. I enjoyed this book in its own way.

jennymcgoldrick's review

dark emotional medium-paced

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content

angeliqueazul's review against another edition

3.0

The Poison Diaries is a light and quick read. It is hard to actually rate this book because even though the ideas are interesting, the story is rather rough. In the first part nothing really happens except that Weed shows up and nevertheless, Maryrose Wood does not manage to build up round characters on these many pages! Jessamine is the only one we get to know a little better but the decisions she makes are so contradicting that I just could not stop questioning her as a character. Another issue is trust: Weed and Jessamine know each other so little, they hardly ever tell each other what they are thinking and feeling, so that when it comes to trusting each other in the second part I thought it would be much harder for the both of them. Well, it was not really and that is one of quite a few 'loose ends' the second part offers. Weed and Jessamine's burning love for each other and J's father suddenly being the absolute evil - sorry but that was just too unrealistic!
I liked the whole idea with the poisons and the plants and Weed as an idea of a person - you could really make something out of that. The whole idea with the poison prince was something I did not really understand. On the one hand, what power does he actually have and on the other, he and his plants with their three (or four) tasks for Weed turned the YA fantasy book into some kind of parable with a meaning for life-attempt, which made the book as a whole even more confusing.
In the end I felt more sorry for all the animals and people that had to die just to save Jessamine (who is not really worth it in my opinion) than for the two lovers that are seperated forever (or so it seems). Where cruel death is concerned, Wood actually has a talent to make you shiver. Other than that the language was very simple. Conclusion: An enjoyable read - but not worth buying, keeping or thinking about it much.

sezzrah's review against another edition

lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

rory_celebrian's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

ilovereading_tn's review against another edition

4.0

The story is set in an isolated cottage near Alnwick Castle. Jessamine Luxton lives with her father, Thomas, who grows gardens and is a feared and respected apothecary. To avoid people trying to trick his daughter into telling his secrets, Thomas keeps his daughter secluded in the cottage with only the gardens and house to tend to and no one to talk to. When a visitor brings an orphaned boy, Weed, to the cottage claiming that he has special gifts, Thomas takes him in. Weed and Jessamine quickly grow fond of each other. They hang together in the gardens and take long walks while talking about everything in their lives. Jessamine tells him about her gardens and the forbidden garden of her fathers that contains the dangerous and poisonous plants. Jessamin and Weed soon fall in love and he is able to finally confess to her what his "special gift" is. She then finds out how dangerous the plants can be and Weed will have to accomplish certain tasks to try to save her.
Amazingly good book from start to finish. This was a quick read that left me wanting more. The conclusion of the story definitely ended with room for a sequel to be made so I can't wait for that one to come out. This story had the romance that I crave and the mystery and suspense to keep me guessing the whole way through.

artemismatchalatte's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death and Murder

reka111's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

At least, when it comes, the black night of death will not frighten a creature still blind from being born. That is some comfort, is it not?

Basically, I came across this book on goodreads and I didn't regret reading it (exceptionally). It was intresting to say at least. I mean I fell in love with herbs/poisons because of this book.

Jessamine was a very interesting character, a real independent and wild protagonist, I loved her personality. 

Weed was very interesting, not only because he could talk with plants, but because he emerged from nothing and left into nothing.

Oleander is one of my very loves, I fell in love with him immediately and Jessamine is definitely stronger than me, because if he wanted me as queen I would have fallen on the spot.

The plot was okay (but nothing special) easy to follow and enjoyable.  I definitely recommend it to those who love the Middle Ages and are interested in the strange world of plants and poisons. 

emilyambers's review against another edition

3.0

This book is a good read. I found it interesting and original as i have not read anything quite like it. The magical element running through the book is fascinating. The book got better the more i read, i could imagine the the location and i could relate to the characters. The fact that there was an element of mystery and suspense throughout the book was also great. All in all i liked this book.