A review by drlisak
Master of Poisons by Andrea Hairston

4.0

I received an ARC of this gorgeous books in advance of publication, so in many ways this review is slow in coming. That is because the book itself is a rich, luscious journey of words that I found myself savoring and reading slowly. In that sense, if you are looking for a quick action fantasy read, this is not that. However, it is a journey worth taking, not only for the poetry of the language and the dream-like atmosphere that Hairston creates, but also for the challenging questions and issues that connect directly with the real-world. This is a story that reflects on so many important things in subtle and yet impactful ways. Things like: power, gender, human responsibility toward natural world and one another, relationships, memory, ancestry and how it connects to the future. It is a book that needs to be explored thoughtfully, and with a mind open to new understandings of the world we live in.

I have always admired Hairston's ability to weave magic into her words and introduce me to characters and worlds which spark my own imagination and desire to learn more. This book does not disappoint.