A review by bubothereader
This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

adventurous dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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? Yes

3.5

This Poison Heart is the Greek mythological fantasy I’ve been looking for. It wraps mythology in without being overwhelming about it. Plus, plant magic!  I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that has this kind of Druidy plant magic and it was perfect. 

I appreciated how Bayron also mulled on gender divides. Like, how mythology about women is likely displayed in the manner it is because men wrote their stories. This is something we as women still face today in the way men write us vs how women write us. It’s a completely skewed lens. 

The characters are some of my favorite parts. I enjoy that Briseis is a botanist, but isn’t an overall nerd. The parent relationship was VERY present in the novel and they were lesbians. I appreciate when authors include parents in books about teens and I LOVE the representation. 

Dropping a full star for the 300-year old plus love interest. Have we learned nothing from Twilight?

This book was magic. I adored every second of reading it. Can’t wait to add it to my To-Keep shelf and get my hands on the sequel.  
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