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on_bries_shelf's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape
booksanna's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The Poison Study was a beautifully written story of a traumatized woman struggling with staying alive in a world that seems to be against her. As she explores the castle and her new role as the doomed food taster, she starts to realize what really matters in her life.
Firstly, Yelena’s characterization was done very well. Her personality felt unique and realistic, and her humor has made me chuckle multiple times throughout the book. Her trauma and backstory felt very real and emotional, it added a great depth to the story and made me slightly concerned for the main heroine’s mental health. Her search for a friend and understanding amongst this madness made me root for her even more. And I loved how Yelena didn’t settle for a role of a damsel in distress and instead chose to repay the people that helped her. It made me so happy when she asked Ari and Janco to train. I just loved that it was her first thought to become independent .
Secondly, the world building was an interesting concept inspired by a militaristic society with a dictator with unusual traits typically not associated with powerful leaders. I actually enjoyed the backstory of the Commander and how he gained his power. It’s really interesting a country switch from a feudalist system to a totalitarian system. Now that I am thinking, the killing of the magical babies is loosely inspired by the Bible . I also felt it was interesting how the Commander retained all the power through respect and loyalty and of course murder which seems to be unavoidable in ya fantasy. I liked the different districts (which kinda reminded me of Hunger Games), and I thought the festivals were a nice touch to the story that added more intrigue. I also really appreciated the map that provided some guidance on the visual comprehension of the story. Love when books do that!
Thirdly, although I really enjoyed the story I have some bones to pick with it. The romance between the love interest and the MC seems to have sparked from nowhere. The buildup to the confession didn’t create tension or explain why the characters fell for each other. It seemed to have just happened for the sake of the story rather than the characters own actions. I also thought Valek having every job possible and still interacting with the MC and getting sleep was highly impossible. How is he doing all that ? Otherwise I enjoyes the story.
Firstly, Yelena’s characterization was done very well. Her personality felt unique and realistic, and her humor has made me chuckle multiple times throughout the book. Her trauma and backstory felt very real and emotional, it added a great depth to the story and made me slightly concerned for the main heroine’s mental health. Her search for a friend and understanding amongst this madness made me root for her even more. And I loved how Yelena didn’t settle for a role of a damsel in distress and instead chose to repay the people that helped her.
Secondly, the world building was an interesting concept inspired by a militaristic society with a dictator with unusual traits typically not associated with powerful leaders. I actually enjoyed the backstory of the Commander and how he gained his power. It’s really interesting a country switch from a feudalist system to a totalitarian system.
Thirdly, although I really enjoyed the story I have some bones to pick with it. The romance between the love interest and the MC seems to have sparked from nowhere. The buildup to the confession didn’t create tension or explain why the characters fell for each other. It seemed to have just happened for the sake of the story rather than the characters own actions. I also thought Valek having every job possible and still interacting with the MC and getting sleep was highly impossible. How is he doing all that ? Otherwise I enjoyes the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, and Torture
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
poetsofsweetpea's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The story premise is good but it almost reads like a rough draft. We get told rather than shown what happens. The narration was also flat and the strange music at the end of every chapter break pulls you out of the story and at times seems to mock the story itself. if you are interested in this series, I hear there is a revision coming. Listen to that one instead. its probably better done and the story itself isn't bad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Murder, and War
kassidyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, and Violence
juliagulia's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Blood
xerlynz_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I didn’t expect much from this but considering I finished it in one sitting I guess I did enjoy it more than I thought.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
jamby4546's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, and Murder
danameow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse and Rape
maevebillings's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Vomit, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Transphobia, Blood, and Sexual harassment
malima's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Poison study starts with Yelena, a girl that has been in prison for a year because she killed the son of a powerful man, both of which had tortured her, being selected to become the food taster of the Commander, Ixia's ruler, after the previous one had died.
She learns to recognise poisons and to defend herself, she makes some friends, falls in love, finds out she has magic, and gets involved in the country's politics.
Mostly, this book is okay. It's exactly what you'd expect from a YA Fantasy book, nothing less, nothing more. Nothing bad about it, but also nothing special about it.
All the relationships - both platonic and romantic - somewhat lack chemistry, but not to a degree that makes them unbelievable either.
I kept reading because it was an enjoyable enough read and I had no reason to stop, but planned not to continue with the sequel. Luckily, the end does pick up, and once we get to know more about the political plot brewing inside Ixia and Yelena gets involved in it, the plot did catch my interest.
The relationships didn't become any more interesting, though, but the dimension of their political allyship between Yelena and her love interest made me willing to overlook their lack of chemistry towards the end.
There is no way this series will become one of my favourites, but the glimpse we got into the magical and political landscape in Ixia and its neighbour Sitia towards the end, makes me think the series will probably turn out to be in overall an enjoyable, if mediocre, read after all.
She learns to recognise poisons and to defend herself, she makes some friends, falls in love, finds out she has magic, and gets involved in the country's politics.
Mostly, this book is okay. It's exactly what you'd expect from a YA Fantasy book, nothing less, nothing more. Nothing bad about it, but also nothing special about it.
All the relationships - both platonic and romantic - somewhat lack chemistry, but not to a degree that makes them unbelievable either.
I kept reading because it was an enjoyable enough read and I had no reason to stop, but planned not to continue with the sequel. Luckily, the end does pick up, and once we get to know more about the political plot brewing inside Ixia and Yelena gets involved in it, the plot did catch my interest.
The relationships didn't become any more interesting, though, but the dimension of their political allyship between Yelena and her love interest made me willing to overlook their lack of chemistry towards the end.
There is no way this series will become one of my favourites, but the glimpse we got into the magical and political landscape in Ixia and its neighbour Sitia towards the end, makes me think the series will probably turn out to be in overall an enjoyable, if mediocre, read after all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Torture
Moderate: Rape, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Transphobia and Trafficking