bloomingrose92's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it! Favorite book of the year! Just love how Donnelly weaves together soft magic systems that feel grounded absolutely sensical (similar to Goose Girl), with a deep thesis about fear and perceptions that destroy us.
johanna_b's review against another edition
3.0
*3.5 stars*
Sophie has always been told that she is too kind and that it makes her weak. She tries to control her emotions but her heart always seems to get the better of her. Until the day it's taken. However by some miracle Sophie survives which infuriates her stepmother the Queen, but Sophie soon discovers that something darker than the Queen looms on her path and that she will be tested more ways than she ever could have imagined.
I had such a hard time rating this book and I'm still not completely satisfied with the 3.5 stars I've given it. There wasn't anything bad about it, it just wasn't very memorable. I thought Sophie's character development was really smooth and I like how clear the distinction was between her character at the beginning versus the end of the book. Another thing I enjoyed was how the real poison was other people's words and that, in reality, there was nothing else holding her back except those words and it did a great job of showing just how powerful they can be.
My one qualm though was that the book should have ended differently. I always love the feeling of reading the last pages of a book and the satisfaction that comes with it but all this book left me was confused. I thought the epilogue did a nice job of setting up a future story but the ending of Sophie's story should have just ended with her. Instead the author felt it necessary to add a bunch of rag tag clues to a bunch of random fairy tales which did nothing but leave the ending muddled and overall not very enjoyable.
If you are considering reading this book and haven't read the author's previous retelling Stepsister than I would recommend checking that one out first. As I said at the beginning, it wasn't bad, there just wasn't anything that really stuck with me from it. Happy Reading :)
Sophie has always been told that she is too kind and that it makes her weak. She tries to control her emotions but her heart always seems to get the better of her. Until the day it's taken. However by some miracle Sophie survives which infuriates her stepmother the Queen, but Sophie soon discovers that something darker than the Queen looms on her path and that she will be tested more ways than she ever could have imagined.
I had such a hard time rating this book and I'm still not completely satisfied with the 3.5 stars I've given it. There wasn't anything bad about it, it just wasn't very memorable. I thought Sophie's character development was really smooth and I like how clear the distinction was between her character at the beginning versus the end of the book. Another thing I enjoyed was how the real poison was other people's words and that, in reality, there was nothing else holding her back except those words and it did a great job of showing just how powerful they can be.
My one qualm though was that the book should have ended differently. I always love the feeling of reading the last pages of a book and the satisfaction that comes with it but all this book left me was confused. I thought the epilogue did a nice job of setting up a future story but the ending of Sophie's story should have just ended with her. Instead the author felt it necessary to add a bunch of rag tag clues to a bunch of random fairy tales which did nothing but leave the ending muddled and overall not very enjoyable.
If you are considering reading this book and haven't read the author's previous retelling Stepsister than I would recommend checking that one out first. As I said at the beginning, it wasn't bad, there just wasn't anything that really stuck with me from it. Happy Reading :)
san17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Brilliant
sarahd7276's review against another edition
5.0
I just LOVE Jennifer Donnelly! This book DOES NOT DISAPPOINT! While Stepsister is my favorite of the pair, Poisoned is a perfect homage to the goodness and naïveté of “Snow White”. Sophie is trusting and open and believes in the good of people, much to her detriment. And, even though she’s abused and murdered, the huntsman did his job, she keeps on doing the right thing.
Her male compatriots never try to overshadow her or mansplain. They’re there to support her and help her make her way back to the throne, which is rightfully hers.
Intricately written and achingly beautiful.
Her male compatriots never try to overshadow her or mansplain. They’re there to support her and help her make her way back to the throne, which is rightfully hers.
Intricately written and achingly beautiful.
ermalundberg's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars
Check trigger warnings before reading.
12+
It was alright. I feel like after reading a big series it just wasn’t that good. Sophia is basically a spoiled privileged brat who is used to getting her way and people let her get her way no matter what. In the end after she didn’t die for the 4th time I was saying ‘just die already for Pete’s sake’ cause I tell you it was so unrealistic surviving all those times almost getting killed. Don’t even get me started on the Stepmom ‘Queen’ who turns good at the end. I hate when villains all the sudden ‘turn good’.
Check trigger warnings before reading.
12+
It was alright. I feel like after reading a big series it just wasn’t that good. Sophia is basically a spoiled privileged brat who is used to getting her way and people let her get her way no matter what. In the end after she didn’t die for the 4th time I was saying ‘just die already for Pete’s sake’ cause I tell you it was so unrealistic surviving all those times almost getting killed. Don’t even get me started on the Stepmom ‘Queen’ who turns good at the end. I hate when villains all the sudden ‘turn good’.
sarahp85's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe I should have read this one before reading stepsister. As that one was SO good, this felt a bit like a letdown.
I mean, it is not bad. I enjoyed it, just not nearly as good as Stepsister is!
I mean, it is not bad. I enjoyed it, just not nearly as good as Stepsister is!
tiffanysbookshelf96's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very good story from the classic snow white. I like that all the main things from the fairytale was kept throughout this story but with its own spin. I also really liked that there wasn't a prince that saved the day!
danie_faye's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
2.0
I had some high hopes for this book. I get it's a retelling, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. Following the original storyline, the author used the Queen's attempts of taking the Princess's life. However, how many times can you attempt to take a person's life before it's like "c'mon!" Lastly, I know with retellings you have to add something different to make it stand out, but adding the four horsemen? I don't get it. Went in expecting a 4/4.5 rating, but the wow factor just wasn't there for me.