Review by hanreads__ - The Poisoner

A review by hanreads__
The Poisoner by I.V. Ophelia

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

"𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲."

It’s hard to believe that someone so incredible at writing could only be publishing their first novel, especially when it’s written as well as it is.

I was honoured when I was asked to be an ARC reader because I was so excited to purchase this book and devour it, especially after seeing everything the author had posted, you would be crazy not to be!

When I say this story involves the enemies to lovers trope, I mean ENEMIES TO LOVERS. This is one of first books that I have seen LIVE UP to that trope and truly work with it the way they’re meant to. It’s a cat and mouse game between Silas and Alina until Silas falls in love with Alina and her soul.

Alina is a very unique character who enjoys testing poisons and antidotes out. She doesn’t really care what others think about her, nor what goes on around her unless it’s regarding her best friend Phoebe. Phoebe and Alina are super cute friendship wise. They’re complete opposites and yet since childhood, they’ve been one another’s person, and you can really see that related in the authors writing.

Silas is a playboy, one without a care in the world, especially when it comes to what, or should I say who, he eats. He’s rich, he’s powerful, he’s everything Alina loathes and other women love. I love the dynamic that starts out as a chase between Silas and Alina; I love that their dynamic turns complicated and unexplainable, something that only they understand.

The book is set within the Victorian Era which I personally found really interesting to read as the research and love the author has is present throughout the world building and simpler details such as the clothing. It made the book even more interesting to read, and fitted the genres perfectly.

Unfortunately, there were two scenes that I did dislike within the book, and while I don’t want to give any spoilers, I do want to talk about how the author DID NOT justify a single bad thing that took place. I like that when I was looking for explanations as to why Silas did what he did, I got a clear explanation that made sense but once again, didn’t justify anything. The anger I had and continue to have for Silas is crazy, but I’m really excited to read the sequel and see how things play out.

Finally, the thing I really enjoyed but went crazy at is the plot twist that happened during the story. I was kicking myself when it all became clear, but I love that it wasn’t so obvious that it actually made you made that you couldn’t just guess it there and then. It made the story more enjoyable, it made the story more fun.

I would recommend this story 100 times over if it meant that Ophelia got the love she deserved alongside her writing. Her writing was unique and different, it had little twists and turns that made you fall in love with Silas just to make you remember why you shouldn’t. It had the perfect backstory for Alina to make you love and appreciate her character, her personality, and everything that she does.

If you do read this story, I would make sure to check the TRIGGER WARNINGS as I would hate for anyone to be triggered, but all in all, I think this book will do amazing and be a best seller one day, I truly do. Once again, thank you Ophelia for allowing me the privilege to read this story before it came out, it was an honour.

Content Warnings

A review by hanreads__ The Poisoner by I.V. Ophelia

A review by hanreads__
The Poisoner by I.V. Ophelia