DNF,

Requested this before I started her previous book and realized I didn't enjoy her style.

*Thank you to the publisher for this eARC.

This Poison Heart was a book that I had anxiously been waiting for since I first heard about it. I got the sense that it was going to be like a retelling of The Secret Garden with perhaps a more sinister calling ala Little Shop of Horrors. And I happen to love both of those things. So, when I was approved for an advanced copy, I snuggled under my soft blanket and began to read.

The main character is a teenage girl named Briseis who has a unique ability when it comes to plants. This has been helpful with the family store however also very scary because she is unsure how to control it within the barricades of small city life. She and her mother's find out that she has inherited a house from her birth family, and decide to make the trip to check it out. On the outside it looks like an old dilapidated house with tons of land but, what is actually going on inside and outback is so much darker than that.

I was immediately drawn into the setting of This Poison Heart. It started with the descriptions of Brooklyn and the small plant shop with apartment above it. I could tell that this was a close family unit. I loved how they interacted with each other, and how you learn more about each of them as the story progresses. You also learn secrets about Briseis birth family and how they are connected into the mystery of everything that is going on around her. This mystery, a mixture of fantasy and Greek mythology, kept me turning pages. The descriptions of the house and garden and the little town of Rhinebeck. The descriptions of the plants moving and wrapping themselves around Briseis felt so very real to me. It was almost as if I was walking right next to her and feeling them brush up against me. As someone who has been to Rhinebeck before, I could visualize what Kalynn Bayron was talking about. I also found appreciation for the commentary on racial and social concerns within living in a suburb of America.

The Poison Heart kept me on my toes throughout. There was a couple times where I got suspicious of certain characters and my suspicions turned out to be either correct or way off base. I enjoyed the mystery and the connection between all of the characters. I look forward to seeing these characters and continuing on this journey in the sequel. Hopefully all of my questions will be answered too!

Rating 4.5 Stars

This book was a journey. I really loved the aspects and adventure. I absolutely adored Bri, she was strong and inspiring. I might even say this was just as good as Cinderella is Dead, which was a surprise. It was overall a really fun read! I read it in one sitting! I would definitely recommend.

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron was a great read. I featured it as Book of the Day on all my social media platforms, and I included it in my monthly roundup of new releases for my Black Fiction Addiction blog.

This has been the year for fantasy rooted in nature and Greek mythology reimagined. Both of which bring my readerly heart such joy.

This new contemporary fantasy YA novel by Kalynn Bayron, This Poison Heart, combines my two favorite tropes, into a fantastically fun reading experience.

Briseis, a teen girl with unique powers, has the ability to grow plants from seed with one touch. She and her adoptive parents are clueless as to why grass, vines, and even tree limbs gravitate toward her as she walks down the street. When Bri’s aunt dies and leaves her rural New York estate to her, it provides Bri with the opportunity to finally learn how to control her gift. Leaving Brooklyn behind, their seemingly charming new house is more sinister than they imagined with an old-school apothecary, walled gardens with deadly botanicals, and secrets to Bri’s unique family lineage. She soon finds herself up against a centuries-old curse that includes the deadliest plant on earth.

This book surprised me. I went into it expecting a flowery YA fantasy, but its complexity was actually incredibly refreshing. It is layered with rich elements of Greek Mythology, descriptive and memorable botany lessons, along with commentary on social and racial issues, and LGBTQ+ representation.
I’m purposely being vague about the Greek mythology twist, but I will share that it’s about an underrated character I’ve been eagerly waiting for an author to write about.
With a nod to my childhood favorite, The Secret Garden, this book could easily be one of my favorites this year.

It is a perfect book to add to your summer reading TBR. I can’t wait to read Cinderella is Dead, Kalynn Bayron’s debut novel.

As you might be well aware, Greek mythology is often tragic, and the only tragedy about This Poison Heart is that I have to wait for the sequel!

Thank you to the publisher, @bloomsburyya and @netgalley for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advanced copy of This Poison Heart from the publisher so I could share my review with you!

Content Warnings: Violence, gore (mild), death of a loved one, rituals, and poison.

Briseis has a gift, but it seems like it's more work than it's worth. Bri’s presence has a special effect on plants, allowing them to flourish from decay instantaneously. With her touch, seeds burst into blooms and trees, but she has little control over the influence she has over plants. When she’s in public, she finds all the greenery leaning her way, desperate for a taste of her magic, which can be a little hard to explain. So, when she inherits a mysterious rural estate from the birth family she’s never met, Bri embraces the chance to finally let her powers stretch. Upon arriving at her new home, though, Bri discovers a complicated family past attached to her birth mother. Everyone in the town seems to know more about her family than Bri herself, yet no one has clear answers to give her about her powers or her past. It seems that Briseis inherited more than just an estate from her family, but even she couldn’t have expected the darkness lurking in the abandoned gardens.

You can get your copy of This Poison Heart on June 29th from Bloomsbury YA!

When I picked up This Poison Heart, I thought it was a standalone novel, but thankfully I was wrong! The sequel will be coming in 2022, but I don’t know how I will wait after reading THAT ending! Until then, I will have to settle for staring at the gorgeous cover and hoping for a happy ending for Bri.

This Poison Heart has won its place as one of only a handful of 6-star reads for me this year! I adored the characters, the magic, and the mystery. I was a fan of Kalynn Bayron’s debut “Cinderella is Dead,” but I feel as though she really came into her own in this sophomore novel. The plot was extremely engaging, and I felt a real connection to the characters and their circumstances. Bayron has cemented her position as an instant-buy author on my list with This Poison Heart!

My Recommendation-
If you love twisty magical stories with plenty of mystery, you need to pick up a copy of This Poison Heart. This book would be perfect for fans of Poison Ivy, Black Girl Magic, and all things witchy!

Kalynn Bayron’s much-anticipated next book has officially arrived, and it’s not to be missed.

Briseis Greene has an affinity for caring for plants – as in, she can grow them from seeds to lush and vibrant blooms simply by touching them. When Bri’s aunt dies and leaves Bri her estate in a rural part of New York, Briseis and her parents decide to head up there for the summer. Surrounded by plants and flowers of all kinds, Briseis hopes to learn to control her gift better, but she soon discovers that her lineage holds more secrets than she could possibly imagine.

One of the most standout aspects about the book is the overarching air of mystery, primarily regarding Bri’s ancestry. The mystery begins after Briseis learns about her aunt and only builds from there. Bayron steadily builds the suspense and intrigue, allowing the story to unfold at a carefully devised pace. Like Briseis, readers will want to learn everything about her family tree. But the beauty lies in how Bayron takes her time to offer answers. Along the way, she drops important tidbits that return later in the story. She doesn’t talk down to readers, but she also doesn’t withhold too much information. She provides all the clues so that readers can make their own predictions and enjoy the ride along the way.

Along with an intriguing mystery, Bayron creates an alluring cast of characters. As the story is told in first person through Bri’s point-of-view, readers learn more deeply about her mindset, her relationship with her parents, and the effect her powers have on her self-image (in both positive and negative ways). The people Briseis meets in Rhinebeck continue to up the ante. Bayron writes characters who both stir up more questions and answer existing ones. Briseis forms new and important relationships that keep the story interesting, especially through Karter and Marie.

'This Poison Heart' is nothing short of spellbinding. Readers will quickly devour it. Bayron imbues her story with Greek mythology while bringing her own unique and clever twist. She offers a contemporary fantasy that will appeal to readers who love the genre and readers looking to dip their toes in for the first time. Through Briseis, Bayron reminds readers to embrace their own inner power (though maybe not quite in the same way as Bri). The book is steeped in literal queer Black girl magic. We can’t think of anything more enchanting than that.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for an early copy!


Aaaaaaah, I'm so torn about this book!

First off, because I can't not mention it: look at this gorgeous cover! Gorgeously gorgeous, I just love it.

I also absolutely adored all of the middle part of the novel.
It introduces a new sort of magic, one that's rarely, if ever, been used in YA novels: Briseis can control plants and make them do incredible things with the touch of a finger. This is quite an original concept, and I was sold just from reading the summary. This Poison Heart being good representation of LGBTQ+ people of colour is also a huge plus.
So, yes, all of the middle of this novel is absolutely awesome.
There's an incredible set of characters, from Briseis' moms, who are just freaking hilarious, to Briseis herself, who's incredibly badass and brave, and let's not forget the friends she makes, who are absolutely weird but delightful.
The suspense is definitely there, too, as is a really good plot that truly had me hooked and going through pages at a probably unhealthy speed.

So why didn't I give this book a 5-star review?
Because of the very beginning of the book and the ending.
The beginning felt a bit fuzzy to me, for lack of a better word. It truly felt as if Kalynn Bayron knew the universe she was creating so well, that she sometimes forgot to actually explain it to us readers. Unfortunately, it makes for a slightly confusing first few chapters. In the sake of honesty, most of the things I was really confused by in the first chapters do get some explanation later on, but I like knowing enough about the universe to feel like I'm not lost.

As for the ending...
I think the main issue for me was that it was just too much happening at the same time. There was one plot twist after the other, with the plot getting thicker and thicker, while the number of pages left to read got increasingly smaller...
It made me feel as if there was so much crammed in there that I barely had time to come to terms with one twist and BAM the next one was coming, but not in a really good way.
This is a very personal opinion, and I'm sure many readers won't feel that way, but as far as I'm concerned, the ending would have deserved at least two more chapters to make some things a bit more clearer and lose this feeling of "I'm just telling you every single thing in ten pages, deal with it".

All in all, though, this was an awesomely suspenseful read, filled with great mythology references, a badass character (more than one, even), awesome parents, and nice representation.
Can't wait to read the sequel!

I enjoyed everything about this summer-gothic-magic book, from the worldbuilding to the characters. A must-read for fans of YA and/or fantasy, the biggest problem is wanting to read the next book in the series immediately.

I didn’t read the synopsis of this book before diving in, so it kept surprising me, which was incredibly fun. I thought Briseis’s gift of growing plants (though that description feels too simple for what she does) felt fresh and unusual, and I absolutely loved the ties to mythology. Bayron’s story is inventive and smart, and creates a compelling narrative without losing sight of writing fantastic characters. I don’t LOVE horror, but this had just enough elements to keep me invested without turning me off. Most of all, I could not wait to find out what happens next.

Well. This was everything I could have wanted.

I loved Briseis. She’s smart and powerful and is trying to navigate being a teenager with a sort of magic. Her moms are the legit best and I could have done with a million more scenes of them.

Plot wise, it was so good. The setting and the plants are described so vividly, it’s like I was there. There’s a gentle build up of mystery while the story unfolds and it’s absolutely maddening and delicious at the same time. I loved second guessing what was happening and sweet sparkling pandas, that ending…

Overall, I would have happily read 100 more pages of this story and can’t wait for the next book because I definitely need more of these characters.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

This was such a fabulous read! Chock full of magic and fantasy! A fabulous YA read for the summer! I cannot wait to get everyone I know a copy! A fabulous plot and character development throughout the whole novel!

I feel like I have a new amazing author that i can’t get enough of. Bayron has a unique and captivating way of incorporating elements of queer representation, fantasy and folklore, you’re thrown in at the start of the book to a story you just can’t stop reading..,I honestly was in a reading slump and didn’t even realize it until I sat and read this one in a day.

She had me thinking that I figured a couple things out and while there was one element that was easy to guess, everything else just came as a surprise. Things were weaving seamlessly together and the plot flowed; while character development could be expanded on a little bit more for some of the side characters, this may be intentional since this is book 1, and I’m sure we are going to get more in the follow up. (But I’m reading the wait till 2022).

I must also mention, the queer rep was done superbly, never pausing to interject explanation in a way that felt out of place, everything felt normal and inclusive.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for sending me an advanced copy of this to review! I loved Cinderella Is Dead last summer, so I was super excited to get to this one. It definitely lived up to the hype for me! A little bit of mythology, a little bit of magic, and a little bit of mystery. It’s the perfect summer read.

The most enjoyable thing about this book is its take on Greek mythology. It’s a retelling that pulls other elements into it, making it a unique reading experience. This is based on a myth I don’t know a lot about, but it pulls a lot of different elements into it to make the story incredibly engaging. Plus, Bri’s voice as a narrator adds to the engaging nature of the story. She’s spunky and fights for what she loves.

While the main premise of this is fantasy, there is quite a bit of mystery in it as well. Specifically, a family mystery. By the end, it gets pretty suspenseful, and leaves off on a cliffhanger! Bayron is also a master of description. It really draws you into this house that Bri has inherited, adding to the mystery. It’s almost as if the plants are characters of their own, always reaching for Bri. Overall, it’s so atmospheric and makes you want to keep reading stories in this world.

The only reason this isn’t getting five stars from me is that there were a few elements that were a bit predictable to me. There were plot elements that I could see coming from the beginning. However, they didn’t take away from the overall mystery behind the plot. Also, there was some insta-love, which isn’t always my favorite, either.

All in all, this is a unique, engaging story that will definitely leave you wanting more!

I really wanted to *love* this book. I did enjoy it, it was a fun read. It just took a really long time for me to get into it. About 40% of the way into the book I wanted to give up. I'm glad I stuck with it because I absolutely devoured the ending but it took a long time for me to click with the characters and mystery. 3.5/5.

I loved the way the author combined the mystery and magic system in this book. At first Briseis's powers seem pretty straight forward but as the mystery unfolds and we learn more about the garden and her family the magic becomes more amplified too. The way the family history is entwined with Greek mythology is also wonderfully done. The characters are well written, I love Briseis's family and how supportive they are of each other. The townspeople are great too and bring a lot of the gothic elements to life. On the surface the town seems like a fairly normal small town but the townspeople really show the hidden side of things. All around I really enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down. I am so excited to read the next book.

Fabulous YA fantasy. I love the premise of the girl who connects with plants and is immune to poison. Mix that with creepy gothic old-house vibes and the Greek mythology connections and you have an immersive world that has you yearning to know more. The plot was fast-paced, with lots of intrigue and interesting twists and turns. Briseis is a character you really root for. Can't wait for the next installment in the series!

Briseis has always been different, never feeling as though she fit in, largely due to the fact that she harbors a secret. Bri has the power to make plants grow, a power that she and her Moms protected fiercely. When an unexpected visitor arrives at the family’s cramped Brooklyn apartment Bri learns that she has just inherited a large estate in Upstate New York. This is the perfect opportunity for the family to start over, but nothing is quite as it appears…strangers begin to arrive sharing cryptic messages with Bri about her powers and her family’s lineage. As Bri begins to discover more about her family’s history she quickly learns she must harness her power to protect everything she loves, including herself, against a century old curse.

Wow, where to start…I absolutely adored this book. I have to preface my review by stating that I don’t do plants, I think most plants whither just being in my presence, and I didn’t know how much I would enjoy a book about “plant magic” something I had never read before. Bayron changed my mind about that very quickly! I’ll start with highlighting what I loved:
-The family relationships, they were so rich and you really feel the love the characters have for one another.
-The magic! It was such a unique form of magic that literally grew with the progression of the book.
-Greek mythology! I was not expecting to be sucked in to a lesser known tale of ancient Gods, which just added to the beauty and mystery of the book.
-Speaking of mystery…this book kept me on my toes, twists and turns abound! I audibly gasped “Oh my God” and that cliff hanger ending.
-The representation in this book is fantastic, both for the Black community and the LGBTQ+ community.
There was not much I did not enjoy about this novel, there were times I was frustrated with a character’s choices and the ending felt a bit rushed to me, however, I assume the second novel will allow the reader to jump right into the action!
If you’ve been on the fence, I would not hesitate to read this book! It is a quick read that packs an amazing punch! Bravo Kalynn Bayron! This book is pure magic.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

//REVIEW// *ARC provided by @netgalley in exchange for my honest review.*

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

// ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

// Contemporary YA Fantasy

Briseis has the enchanting ability to influence and communicate with the plants and flowers around her. When a relative of hers dies she comes to inherit an estate that has more in store for her than she could imagine including an apothecary, hints to her lineage and her abilities and a walled garden filled with deadly plants. She also finds herself the target of a of a group looking to gain access to a rare immortality elixir that only she can provide them. Bri must use her abilities and new found knowledge to protect herself and her family.

I don't give out five stars easily but within the first 50 pages I knew this would be a five star read for me. I loved the writing, the suspense, all the fantastical elements, the diversity and the characters. This book was so much fun to read and as someone who at one point could have been described as Little Shop of Horrors obsessed I just couldn't get enough of the similar vibes this book was giving me.

Perfect for fans of Little Shop of Horrors and Cinderella is Dead.

// Release Date: 6/29/2021

Who is pre-ordering? I just did because I need a physical copy for my shelves.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the e-arc to me. I want to start off by saying I am surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! It’s been a while since I have admired a young adult novel. This story is perfect for people who enjoy plants, Greek mythology, and mystery.

This Poison Heart follows an adopted daughter, Briseis, who has the unique ability to control plants. Briseis and her parents visit a small town where she tries to put the puzzle together about her abilities, why she is immune to poison, and her birth family’s past. All while very strange things keep happening around her.

In addition to an intriguing and mysterious storyline, this book has a positive and healthy display of an LGBTQ+ family and a realistic family dynamic between parents and a teenager, which I appreciated reading in a young adult book. It also has a great atmosphere with detailed descriptions. It even made me a better plant mom. While reading this book, I was eager to tend to my own plant babies! I am really looking forward to reading book two!

4.5/5