heartsfl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.75
Yoooo. I dropped this book like what? almost a year ago and didn't even give it a chance. I decided to start reading all my unread books and oh em gee, I am so glad I did.
I love the concept of veil witches and the Night market so so much. The plot twists held me by my throat.. Bro I was about to burst his balls bro. Then we find out that. And she got to keep her magic, which I love bc I hate when books take it away.
I wish we coul've explored the Night Market more bc, imo, it had sooo much potential. The ending felt a bit rushed and they could've given us some updates about Harrison, Solly, Jared snd the Market n stuff. They didn't clear up things about which annoyed me bc I totally thought it was going to be Dex. I wish the explored the lore a bit more bc I feel like a lot more could've been done?
I love love love Savannah and her style, like bro she inspiring me omg. I also loved the tension between her and Dex, it was everything.
I really really loved this book and I'm so glad i picked it back up.
I love the concept of veil witches and the Night market so so much. The plot twists held me by my throat.
Spoiler
Dex is a veilwitch? But a good one? (kind of predictable but I loved it.)Spoiler
Inez is the Jackal, but she's actually not its Rosie?? her daughter???? I felt so betrayed and wanted to kill Quinton (he was screaming them red flags, displaying it like it was a pride flag bro.)I wish we coul've explored the Night Market more bc, imo, it had sooo much potential. The ending felt a bit rushed and they could've given us some updates about Harrison, Solly, Jared snd the Market n stuff. They didn't clear up things about
Spoiler
Arrow's successor (or maybe they did and I missed it?)I love love love Savannah and her style, like bro she inspiring me omg. I also loved the tension between her and Dex, it was everything.
I really really loved this book and I'm so glad i picked it back up.
vampire_burrito's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I mostly enjoyed the parts about anger and trauma and the way it's passed down through generations and Savannah's rage. I also liked that the book was set somewhere other than America but apart from that this felt like a very boring, standard fantasy that didn't really succeed in keeping me gripped. I think I wanted to like this more than I did, so that's part of why I wasn't obsessed. But I would definitely say that this is worth picking up and I don't regret reading it.
cw: on-page domestic violence (it's not very graphic, but just be careful.)
cw: on-page domestic violence (it's not very graphic, but just be careful.)
cutlet's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
waytoomuchplants's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
kaiden1565's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
I loved this book, it was right up my street when it comes to books ! Just perfect.
Blood to Poison is a gripping exploration and vindication of anger, rooted in South African history. It was great to read about a young woman is able to be angry, confident and kind, all at once. Savannah has a lot to be angry about, and her anger remains a source of strength, even as she wrestles with its intensity.
This is my first book by Mary Watson, but her writing style was absolutely brilliant; I’ll definitely be adding her previous books to my TBR!
Tw: racism, abuse. magic induced self harm, misogyny, sexual harassment
Blood to Poison is a gripping exploration and vindication of anger, rooted in South African history. It was great to read about a young woman is able to be angry, confident and kind, all at once. Savannah has a lot to be angry about, and her anger remains a source of strength, even as she wrestles with its intensity.
This is my first book by Mary Watson, but her writing style was absolutely brilliant; I’ll definitely be adding her previous books to my TBR!
Tw: racism, abuse. magic induced self harm, misogyny, sexual harassment
kaiiyo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Domestic abuse
dana02's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mishedme's review against another edition
1.0
I have three things to say about this book:
1. slang
2. the out-of-the-pocket conclusions to which Savannah arrived
3. the INCONSISTENCIES
The amount of times that this book made me say 'I'm going to lose my fucking mind' is literally uncountable and I have witnesses to prove this. At first I was going to rate it 2⭐ just because the sheer cringe of some of the parts made me burst into maniacal laughter but looking back at those instances....not even a hint of fun time there.
I just couldn't get over the inconsistencies no matter how hard I tried. You mean to tell me that Savannah doesn't remember Dex at all, doesn't as much as think of him after their first meeting up until the point when she meets him again and then SUDDENLY she's going on about how she's longed for his ass??? PLEASE. And the same thing happens towards the end of the book when she's all like 'I have to get out of here. I'm so terrified of Dex that I can't even be in the same house' (paraphrasing it, obviously) and literally TWO CHAPTERS LATER she declares how she 'cannot bring herself to be afraid in his presence'. GOD.
Not even going to talk about the time when she was describing her dream, woke up and proceeded to SOMEHOW come to the conclusion that he tried to get into her room. No further explanation apparently.
Oh and lastly, can someone please explain what was Rosie's ultimate goal/motivation to become the Jackal supposed to be? Girl had literally no motivation behind her actions whatsoever. The whole 'plot twist' came totally out of the left field.
I picked up this book since I've been eyeing it for quite some time in the bookstore but oh boy was I greatly disappointed. Everything from the characters to the setting and the magic system felt severely underdeveloped...It's a no for me.
1. slang
2. the out-of-the-pocket conclusions to which Savannah arrived
3. the INCONSISTENCIES
The amount of times that this book made me say 'I'm going to lose my fucking mind' is literally uncountable and I have witnesses to prove this. At first I was going to rate it 2⭐ just because the sheer cringe of some of the parts made me burst into maniacal laughter but looking back at those instances....not even a hint of fun time there.
I just couldn't get over the inconsistencies no matter how hard I tried. You mean to tell me that Savannah doesn't remember Dex at all, doesn't as much as think of him after their first meeting up until the point when she meets him again and then SUDDENLY she's going on about how she's longed for his ass??? PLEASE. And the same thing happens towards the end of the book when she's all like 'I have to get out of here. I'm so terrified of Dex that I can't even be in the same house' (paraphrasing it, obviously) and literally TWO CHAPTERS LATER she declares how she 'cannot bring herself to be afraid in his presence'. GOD.
Not even going to talk about the time when she was describing her dream, woke up and proceeded to SOMEHOW come to the conclusion that he tried to get into her room. No further explanation apparently.
Oh and lastly, can someone please explain what was Rosie's ultimate goal/motivation to become the Jackal supposed to be? Girl had literally no motivation behind her actions whatsoever. The whole 'plot twist' came totally out of the left field.
I picked up this book since I've been eyeing it for quite some time in the bookstore but oh boy was I greatly disappointed. Everything from the characters to the setting and the magic system felt severely underdeveloped...It's a no for me.
frostyreadsss's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
“Child, you are so much more than your anger. It is a tool, sometimes necessary. Your anger does not define you.”
Blood to Poison is a gripping exploration and vindication of anger, rooted in South African history. It was great to read about a young woman is able to be angry, confident and kind, all at once. Savannah has a lot to be angry about, and her anger remains a source of strength, even as she wrestles with its intensity.
This is my first book by Mary Watson, but her exquisite writing style (blending important issues with magic, folklore, an emotionally endearing protagonist and the South African heritage) was absolutely magnificent and I’ll definitely be adding her previous books to my TBR!
Tw: racism, abuse. magic induced self harm, misogyny, sexual harassment
Blood to Poison is a gripping exploration and vindication of anger, rooted in South African history. It was great to read about a young woman is able to be angry, confident and kind, all at once. Savannah has a lot to be angry about, and her anger remains a source of strength, even as she wrestles with its intensity.
This is my first book by Mary Watson, but her exquisite writing style (blending important issues with magic, folklore, an emotionally endearing protagonist and the South African heritage) was absolutely magnificent and I’ll definitely be adding her previous books to my TBR!
Tw: racism, abuse. magic induced self harm, misogyny, sexual harassment
girlreading's review against another edition
4.0
Childhood best friends-to-lovers, angry girls, South African history, generational curses, feminist understones and rival witch markets, what’s not to love?
This was a fantastic exploration of misogyny, generational pain and the power of girls harnessing their anger and it was brilliant.
With high stakes, a compelling protagonist and twists and turns that genuinely took me by surprise, this fast paced urban fantasy had me gripped from the first page until the last and one I’d highly recommend.
TW: racism, abuse. magic induced self harm, misogyny, sexual harassment
This was a fantastic exploration of misogyny, generational pain and the power of girls harnessing their anger and it was brilliant.
With high stakes, a compelling protagonist and twists and turns that genuinely took me by surprise, this fast paced urban fantasy had me gripped from the first page until the last and one I’d highly recommend.
TW: racism, abuse. magic induced self harm, misogyny, sexual harassment