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professor_kei's review
adventurous
slow-paced
3.5
I really wanted to love this book.
The concept grabbed me - think oppressive divide between humans and magical folks and a political agenda with a government that targets & tracks magical folks while convincing the general public they're dangerous, violent, and unpredictable. Under the guise of "protection and public safety," policies are developed that contribute to the hatred, oppression, and targeting of Magical people, or Witchers.
But the story dragged on in some places, and some things didn't make sense according to the books own rules of magic. Then, after dragging it out, the ending seemed rushed and confusing.
The concept grabbed me - think oppressive divide between humans and magical folks and a political agenda with a government that targets & tracks magical folks while convincing the general public they're dangerous, violent, and unpredictable. Under the guise of "protection and public safety," policies are developed that contribute to the hatred, oppression, and targeting of Magical people, or Witchers.
But the story dragged on in some places, and some things didn't make sense according to the books own rules of magic. Then, after dragging it out, the ending seemed rushed and confusing.
ashleykhoffman's review against another edition
I just straight up wasn't having a good time. I can't really hammer down why as a lot of people seem to have had the opposite experience. I just didn't connect with any of the characters and I found their relationships largely unrelatable. I found the MCs experience akin to child abuse that everyone passed off as normal. I didn't fully understand any elements of the magic system except for potions. Half of this story could have been eliminated to make the world building stand on its own a little here, but as it exists now it just dragged for me. It felt like it was carrying an agenda rather than an engaging story. I wish I'd liked it more.
lolocherry's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
3.25
laurenju90's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Death of parent
mweis's review against another edition
2.25
*I received an audio review copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
The Poisons We Drink is a YA urban fantasy set an alternate United States where humans treat witchers as second class citizens. It's in this world, where Venus Stoneheart is struggling to support her family by making illegal love potions when she gets caught up in a dangerous game of politics and secrets.
I think the second half of this book is much stronger than the first. I struggled in the beginning to understand the set up of this world and then found the pacing to be incredibly uneven throughout. It did start to pull together for me in the back half but by then it was an uphill climb to get me to enjoy the story. Honestly if I hadn't had the audiobook, I probably would have given up. Though Lynnette R. Freeman's narration was excellent.
I appreciate the queernormative world and love the thematic explorations of racism and classism, grief and mental illness, power and morality, and more, and I think a lot of my issues with the pacing can be fixed with more experience and better editing.
Overall, while I really struggled through this I think the ideas were solid and would be interested in seeing something else from Bethany Baptiste.
The Poisons We Drink is a YA urban fantasy set an alternate United States where humans treat witchers as second class citizens. It's in this world, where Venus Stoneheart is struggling to support her family by making illegal love potions when she gets caught up in a dangerous game of politics and secrets.
I think the second half of this book is much stronger than the first. I struggled in the beginning to understand the set up of this world and then found the pacing to be incredibly uneven throughout. It did start to pull together for me in the back half but by then it was an uphill climb to get me to enjoy the story. Honestly if I hadn't had the audiobook, I probably would have given up. Though Lynnette R. Freeman's narration was excellent.
I appreciate the queernormative world and love the thematic explorations of racism and classism, grief and mental illness, power and morality, and more, and I think a lot of my issues with the pacing can be fixed with more experience and better editing.
Overall, while I really struggled through this I think the ideas were solid and would be interested in seeing something else from Bethany Baptiste.
ala77's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this! The pacing was great, the plot was developed, all the little details before each chapter, and all the small plot points came together in a neat little bow at the action packed end. The characters dialogue was so real and funny it was never boring to read:)
emtebbe's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
helenamt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
smilesgiggle's review
4.0
This cover does not lie - a beautiful and harsh look at life, inclusion and how to create an even playing field. At times, I got lost between all the characters.
Baptiste does an amazing job illustrating the distortion between us and them, us vs. them. Attempts at working together have stalled - and now the High Witcher is doing what she feels she must. Sacrificing her people for the greater good. Venus isn't up for it - fighting to protect her younger sister and social justice without sacrificing her morals.
Baptiste does an amazing job illustrating the distortion between us and them, us vs. them. Attempts at working together have stalled - and now the High Witcher is doing what she feels she must. Sacrificing her people for the greater good. Venus isn't up for it - fighting to protect her younger sister and social justice without sacrificing her morals.