A review by tatyana_
The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 “Love is a messy thing…” 
 
Venus Stoneheart brews illegal love potions to help her family in a country divided on how to move forward in a world between humans and witchers. Her family business forces her to brew potions that can reunite families or tear people apart. It is a dangerous practice that takes a toll on her mentally and physically and deeply strains her relationship with her mother. She also struggles with the guilt and shame she harbors from a dreadful night that has permanently affected her magic and her relationship with her best friend. Everything changes when Venus’ mother is killed and she is sucked into a world she is ill-prepared for. All of the danger and responsibility she previously felt is multiplied tenfold as she now serves the Grand Witcher. Now she must grieve, navigate a new world of politics and betrayal, and figure out how to avenge her mother. 
 
I really enjoyed this book and was hooked from the start. Once I saw the book was dedicated to Baptiste’s haters I knew I was going to love it. I loved the layers and character dynamics. The plot twists were well done and satisfying to read. Love is a major theme in the book, from self-love to familial love, to love of ideas. Venus’ relationships with her mother, sister, cousin, best friend, and uncle are pivotal to her development and the plot. She is angry and grief-stricken, and trying to do everything on her own as a young 18-year-old who needs to take care of her sister. This makes her rash and closed off at times, but the love and loyalty she has for her family and friends shines brightly. The world building is a major strength. The way the author details the magic system, politics, and local history is excellent. I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by Lynette R. Freeman. The narration deeply enriched the atmosphere and characters.  
 
Thank you to the Netgalley, author Bethany Baptiste, and, RB Media for an advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own. 
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