Scan barcode
A review by xrvnge
This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
[no spoilers!]
Quick note, I listened to the audiobook and I think most readers - at least, white readers - should as well. Jordan Cobb did brilliantly and helped fully immerse me into the lives and experiences of these black women, in a way I’m not sure I could just reading the book on my own, as a white guy.
Another note - I’m neurodivergent, and possibly the furthest thing from a critical reader. I think this book is absolutely amazing, but I honestly can’t tell if adult critical readers would also enjoy it. I say it’s still worth the read :)
After finishing This Poison Heart, one question still floats around my head. Is this middle grade or YA?
The first 2/3 of this book absolutely reads as middle grade. It’s filled with convenient coincidences, repetition of ideas, and quite a lot of “I could stay here and find more answers to this mystery… but my mommies might be worried about me so bye!” - so if that really frustrates you, maybe best to skip this one.
My roommate is a primary school teacher, and about halfway through the book I suggested she put this in her classroom. But as soon as I finished, I had to take my suggestion back. Without giving any spoilers, I recently finished Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, and listening to those last few chapters felt like I was still reading it! There’s death, violence, body horror, death… not explicitly graphic, but certainly not sugar coated either!
My confusion over the age demographic of this story aside, my favourite aspects were undeniably the characters and themes surrounding family. Maybe I just project onto and read about too many orphaned main characters and it’s made me soft, but Briseis and her mothers could always make me smile or cry in their scenes together. Even just their motif, “Love you,” “Love you more” meant so much to me.
Friendship also plays a big role, with scared, lonely Briseis finally being able to open up and build trust in Carter and Marie (I hope that’s how you spell them). Her and Carter’s friendship felt realistic, and I love how naturally it builds up throughout the book. My ONLY critique is that everything about Marie feels somewhat rushed, but it didn’t affect my listening experience, and I still like her as a character.
The Greek Mythology stuff surprised me! I know all my mythology from Hades (game), so it was fun being able to learn a lot a more! And the twist at the end… it makes me so excited for the next book! I hope and feel as though it will take a slightly darker turn, and become something so different!
I haven’t ranted about a book like this in so long, and it feels amazing. I hope I find more fun books like this in the future!
Quick note, I listened to the audiobook and I think most readers - at least, white readers - should as well. Jordan Cobb did brilliantly and helped fully immerse me into the lives and experiences of these black women, in a way I’m not sure I could just reading the book on my own, as a white guy.
Another note - I’m neurodivergent, and possibly the furthest thing from a critical reader. I think this book is absolutely amazing, but I honestly can’t tell if adult critical readers would also enjoy it. I say it’s still worth the read :)
After finishing This Poison Heart, one question still floats around my head. Is this middle grade or YA?
The first 2/3 of this book absolutely reads as middle grade. It’s filled with convenient coincidences, repetition of ideas, and quite a lot of “I could stay here and find more answers to this mystery… but my mommies might be worried about me so bye!” - so if that really frustrates you, maybe best to skip this one.
My roommate is a primary school teacher, and about halfway through the book I suggested she put this in her classroom. But as soon as I finished, I had to take my suggestion back. Without giving any spoilers, I recently finished Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, and listening to those last few chapters felt like I was still reading it! There’s death, violence, body horror, death… not explicitly graphic, but certainly not sugar coated either!
My confusion over the age demographic of this story aside, my favourite aspects were undeniably the characters and themes surrounding family. Maybe I just project onto and read about too many orphaned main characters and it’s made me soft, but Briseis and her mothers could always make me smile or cry in their scenes together. Even just their motif, “Love you,” “Love you more” meant so much to me.
Friendship also plays a big role, with scared, lonely Briseis finally being able to open up and build trust in Carter and Marie (I hope that’s how you spell them). Her and Carter’s friendship felt realistic, and I love how naturally it builds up throughout the book. My ONLY critique is that everything about Marie feels somewhat rushed, but it didn’t affect my listening experience, and I still like her as a character.
The Greek Mythology stuff surprised me! I know all my mythology from Hades (game), so it was fun being able to learn a lot a more! And the twist at the end… it makes me so excited for the next book! I hope and feel as though it will take a slightly darker turn, and become something so different!
I haven’t ranted about a book like this in so long, and it feels amazing. I hope I find more fun books like this in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Minor: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
If scenes of death trigger you, know there is one at the end! More information, though a spoiler - Death of a parent, a little graphic