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lennie_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for my arc.
After the dramatic cliffhangers from the end of first book I was desperate to know what Briseis was going to do next.
I absolutely loved her as a character and I also really loved her mum's, and how normal they all felt. I also loved the little found family that Bri gathered around her.
I found the magic system fascinating and loved all of the plant lore and Greek Mythology, especially some of the lesser known ones.
I still think the romance was a bit insta-love-y and i had trouble at times really investing in it.
I really liked both of the characters but i feel like we missed the part where they got to know each other before liking each other. Idk maybe I'm just being cynical.
I really enjoyed the ending and in my mind I like to imagine Bri and her family running their little apothecary in their quaint little town whilst solving mysteries and getting involved with supernatural hijinks. It feels rife for a tv spin off tbh and i for one would absolutely devour a cosy witchy low stakes black girl magic tv show.
After the dramatic cliffhangers from the end of first book I was desperate to know what Briseis was going to do next.
I absolutely loved her as a character and I also really loved her mum's, and how normal they all felt. I also loved the little found family that Bri gathered around her.
I found the magic system fascinating and loved all of the plant lore and Greek Mythology, especially some of the lesser known ones.
I still think the romance was a bit insta-love-y and i had trouble at times really investing in it.
I really liked both of the characters but i feel like we missed the part where they got to know each other before liking each other. Idk maybe I'm just being cynical.
I really enjoyed the ending and in my mind I like to imagine Bri and her family running their little apothecary in their quaint little town whilst solving mysteries and getting involved with supernatural hijinks. It feels rife for a tv spin off tbh and i for one would absolutely devour a cosy witchy low stakes black girl magic tv show.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
icarusandthesun's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
an okay read—really, just okay.
i read this poison heart some years ago and thought it was quite enjoyable—the greek mythology, the plants, the likable characters. this wicked fate still had all three of those, but somehow it just didn't have the same impact, the same excitement to it.
i found the whole story except for the ending pretty average and uninteresting. the storyline had this basic, linear feeling to it—it was pretty obvious what was going to happen most of the time. you knew in advance how the next chapter was going to make you feel.
the romance between briseis and marie was a little unbelievable? not because they weren't compatible but simply because they never really talked? not a lot of (deep) coversations, nothing. the only times they interacted was to plot or to kiss/hug. their relationship didn't go through any sort of development, wasn't deepened at all. i think that was handled way better in the first book.
i did however like the ending! it made me tear up a little bit and was all in all just very wholesome. definitely the only extraordinary thing this book's got going on for it.
i read this poison heart some years ago and thought it was quite enjoyable—the greek mythology, the plants, the likable characters. this wicked fate still had all three of those, but somehow it just didn't have the same impact, the same excitement to it.
i found the whole story except for the ending pretty average and uninteresting. the storyline had this basic, linear feeling to it—it was pretty obvious what was going to happen most of the time. you knew in advance how the next chapter was going to make you feel.
the romance between briseis and marie was a little unbelievable? not because they weren't compatible but simply because they never really talked? not a lot of (deep) coversations, nothing. the only times they interacted was to plot or to kiss/hug. their relationship didn't go through any sort of development, wasn't deepened at all. i think that was handled way better in the first book.
i did however like the ending! it made me tear up a little bit and was all in all just very wholesome. definitely the only extraordinary thing this book's got going on for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
bek_p87's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really enjoyed this conclusion to the 'This Poison Heart' duology, although the major plot points were a little predictable. A gorgeous queer fantasy with plant magic, Greek mythology, and family (both found and blood) dynamics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I enjoyed this sequel, but it definitely wasn't as strong as the first book. I felt there were pacing issues, and I felt like I was waiting for something to happen for most of the book.
That isn't to say that I didn't thoroughly enjoy it, I love this series and the characters, it was hard not to be engaged.
I just was hoping for a bit more, considering how strong and well developed the first book was.
I did like the inclusion of more mythology, this was definently took more of a turn away from science and leaned more into the fantasy aspect, but it still worked really well.
I know this is only a duology but I would read another book in the series, I feel like there is still more to explore and I just really love the world that Kalynn Bayron has created.
That isn't to say that I didn't thoroughly enjoy it, I love this series and the characters, it was hard not to be engaged.
I just was hoping for a bit more, considering how strong and well developed the first book was.
I did like the inclusion of more mythology, this was definently took more of a turn away from science and leaned more into the fantasy aspect, but it still worked really well.
I know this is only a duology but I would read another book in the series, I feel like there is still more to explore and I just really love the world that Kalynn Bayron has created.
Definitely read this, especially if you enjoyed the first book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
kendal_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Kidnapping, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
decie's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Violence
esme_may's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Torture, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol
sammy_nor's review against another edition
adventurous
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Grief
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Child abuse
sophiesometimesreads's review
adventurous
emotional
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
3.5
This book had a pretty different vibe to the first, which surprised me. It got a lot more epic in nature than the cosy urban fantasy vibes of the first, but I still enjoyed it.
I liked the twist on traditional Greek mythology and how that was woven into the story and the magic system. I also really loved the discussion of adoption and Bri not having to choose between her blood family and her mums, because both can be family concurrently.
The story did feel a little info-dumpy at times, particularly in the first half of the novel, which made it a bit difficult to read. Bri was a lot more clueless in this book, too, which was also pretty frustrating towards the end.
In saying this, I did enjoy the storyline and thought it was a good conclusion to the duology.
I liked the twist on traditional Greek mythology and how that was woven into the story and the magic system. I also really loved the discussion of adoption and Bri not having to choose between her blood family and her mums, because both can be family concurrently.
The story did feel a little info-dumpy at times, particularly in the first half of the novel, which made it a bit difficult to read. Bri was a lot more clueless in this book, too, which was also pretty frustrating towards the end.
In saying this, I did enjoy the storyline and thought it was a good conclusion to the duology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence
bellebookcorner's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
“We had this one precious life and what we did with it was entirely up to us. I wanted to use it to love and be loved in return.”
If you’re looking for a Greek Myth inspired story filled with exotic plants, magical powers, family, friendship, grief and acceptance then you’ll have to check this duology out!
This Wicked Fate is the second and final book in This Poison Heart duology!
This book is more action-packed compare to the first book as they embark on a journey together to find the last missing piece of the Heart.
The plot started out right after the ending of This Poison Heart. The writing style is the same as the previous book - it’s easy to read and the plot also flows smoothly.
The part I love most from this book is the presence of the Greek Gods and Goddess in this story!
This book also focuses more on the characters (new and old) and their background story.
The characters are very likeable especially Marie – the badass woman! and there's also Circe who gets to meet her long lost niece. I like seeing how Circe forms a bond with Briseis over time.
Overall, this is a good conclusion to the series and I find it really enjoyable and entertaining.
I’m looking forward to read more books by this author in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse and Emotional abuse