Scan barcode
A review by urbookishamiga
The Poisoner by I.V. Ophelia
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Okay so I’d been putting this book on the back burner for a while because I was in my ✨alien romance era✨… but in 2025 we’re going a little more Paranormal. And lemme tell you, this was a great book to start 2025 with!
First, I loved that this book isn’t just like all the other vampire books where the blood sucker can’t walk in the sun. This was great because we get to experience the “creature” stalking Alina during the day and night time. It was just *chefs kiss
Second, I loved that Alina isn’t some pink-wearing-damsel in distress (not saying this is a bad thing), it’s just so nice to see a different kind of FMC who’s not afraid of wearing mourning black and accepts that she is different, that she is intelligent/a woman of academia, and she’s a bada** poisoner. She’s seriously one of my new favorite FMC’s. Like seriously she’s so cool.
My heart was racing for the most part of the book until about 60%. There was a tiny bit a lull, HOWEVER, it was necessary as her “quiet time in a lab” is important for the books plot. I had a baby inclination of what would happen in the end, but I did NOT anticipate what truly happened. The baby cliffhanger left me wanting more and I cannot wait to read book 2.
Please make sure to read the triggers if you are sensitive to dark subjects. I personally went in blind but can see how this read may affect sensitive readers. Please make sure you are comfortable with the TW’s before continuing. Your mental health matters.
First, I loved that this book isn’t just like all the other vampire books where the blood sucker can’t walk in the sun. This was great because we get to experience the “creature” stalking Alina during the day and night time. It was just *chefs kiss
Second, I loved that Alina isn’t some pink-wearing-damsel in distress (not saying this is a bad thing), it’s just so nice to see a different kind of FMC who’s not afraid of wearing mourning black and accepts that she is different, that she is intelligent/a woman of academia, and she’s a bada** poisoner. She’s seriously one of my new favorite FMC’s. Like seriously she’s so cool.
My heart was racing for the most part of the book until about 60%. There was a tiny bit a lull, HOWEVER, it was necessary as her “quiet time in a lab” is important for the books plot. I had a baby inclination of what would happen in the end, but I did NOT anticipate what truly happened. The baby cliffhanger left me wanting more and I cannot wait to read book 2.
Please make sure to read the triggers if you are sensitive to dark subjects. I personally went in blind but can see how this read may affect sensitive readers. Please make sure you are comfortable with the TW’s before continuing. Your mental health matters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death and Mental illness
Minor: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Kidnapping
Please read the TW’s before starting your read.