Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 27/01/2023
Published by: Bloomsbury Publishing Plcs
ISBN: B094NRVJJ2
Cover:
The vibrant colours and gorgeous illustrations are hard to fault! I love the stunning portrayal of Briseis as she rocks her natural hair and glasses with confidence. The design also has strong connections to the story, giving a glimpse of what the book is about.
Writing:
The beautiful, emotive narrative from Briseis’s point of view creates an intimate tone that immediately drew me in. I also loved the witty banter between Briseis and her mothers, which effortlessly adds humour to the narrative. Besides this, the unique magical world steeped in the Greek mythology of Medea was fascinating and helped build a compelling climax.
…plants are kind of like people. Tell a person they’re worthless, hurt their feelings everyday—they’d wither, too.
Storyline:
Initially, the storyline seemed simple as Briseis, her family, and their situation was established. Once the stage has been set, the story’s tension slowly builds as the mystery surrounding Bresis’s birth family unravels and suspicious events occur. There is danger, action and several twists as the story races towards a gripping climax. Yet, even as everything comes together, a new challenge emerges, which sets things up nicely for the next book.
Main character:
The protagonist Briseis is infused with a sweet and cheery personality that makes it easy to like her character. While she does not always make the right decision, her emotions and motives are well-detailed in the narrative, making her character realistic and relatable. I also loved the details about her hair and other aspects of her experience as a black girl.
You’re some kind of actual black girl magic
Secondary characters:
Briseis’s moms were one of the best parts of this story! Their love for Briseis was remarkably heart-warming and wholesome, plus their banter and interactions made me laugh several times. The only other character who stood out to me was the villain since they are given an interesting backstory and some complexity. Hopefully, a few more characters will be given bigger roles in the next book.
Romance:
Although there is only a touch of romance in this story, it is a realistic portrayal of teenage attraction. I am eager to see how the flirting and chemistry here develop in the next book.
Narration & Audio:
The narration by Jordan Cobb made the story even more enjoyable as different voices and tones are used for various characters and aspects of the story. My only complaint is that the narration was not always as expressive as I wanted for intense scenes in the story.
In summary, ‘This Poison Heart‘ is a brilliant story filled with lovable characters and a captivating writing style. While the start may have been simple, the story gradually becomes more intricate and compelling. This increasing complexity reminds me of Fairy Tale by Stephen King, which those who liked this may also enjoy.
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