Surrounded by a poisonous lake and a bloodthirsty forest, the residents of Endla will go to any lengths to protect their island from outsiders—even killing them. Anyone without Endlan magic is banished, and now Leelo’s brother is facing that fate. Though it’s the custom, Leelo finds herself questioning it. When she encounters an outsider about to drown in the lake, she faces a difficult choice: stay loyal to her community and leave them to die, or take a risk and save the stranger, challenging the belief that all outsiders are dangerous.

The Poison Season* was a captivating fantasy that drew me deep into the world of Endla, immersing me in Leelo’s journey and the vibrant yet ominous setting. The worldbuilding was vivid and compelling, and the characters felt authentic and complex, despite their otherworldly qualities. Their actions, conversations, and inner conflicts felt very real. There’s a touch of romance, along with dark, thought-provoking scenes that added depth to the story. I appreciated the well-paced plot and the way it kept me reflecting on its themes, and the ending provided a satisfying conclusion.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Poison Season and recommend it to fantasy enthusiasts. This was my first book by this author, and I’m eager to explore more of her work.

I absolutely loved this cozy fantasy. It might not be cozy to some but it def felt cozy to me. It was exactly what i needed to gget me out of a reading slump and im so happy i picked it up! Would def recommend!

I really struggled with this book. There was nothing really memorable about it. It had some redeemable moments but the writing did not flow as well as it could have.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>The Poison Season</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

<i>The Poison Season</i> by Mara Rutherford is a captivating blend of fantasy and romance, set in a lush and perilous. Rutherford, known for her ability to weave intricate tales with strong, relatable characters, does not disappoint in this latest offering.

<h4>The Details</h4>

The story centers on the island of Endla, a place shrouded in enchantment and menace. The island's inhabitants possess a unique power tied to the poison that permeates their environment, making their lives both fascinating and fraught with peril. The protagonist, Leelo, is a young woman on the cusp of an important rite of passage. Her journey is one of self-discovery and courage as she grapples with the rigid traditions of her people and the emerging truths about her own identity and desires.

Leelo's character is compelling, marked by a blend of vulnerability and strength that makes her both relatable and admirable. Her internal struggles and evolving relationships, particularly with her family and the mysterious outsider, Jaren, add depth to her character and drive the narrative forward. Jaren, a foreigner who finds himself trapped in Endla, serves as a catalyst for Leelo's transformation. Their relationship is a delicate dance of trust and mistrust, love and fear, which Rutherford handles with finesse.

The world-building in <i>The Poison Season</i> is exceptional. Rutherford paints a vivid picture of Endla, with its treacherous beauty and the ever-present danger of the poison that flows through its veins. The author’s descriptions are lush and immersive, drawing readers into a world that is both enchanting and deadly.

<i>The Poison Season</i> is also notable for its pacing. The story unfolds with a careful balance of tension and revelation, keeping readers engaged without sacrificing character development or thematic depth. Rutherford's prose is elegant and accessible, making for a smooth and enjoyable read.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>The Poison Season</i> by Mara Rutherford is a richly imagined and beautifully written novel that will appeal to fans of fantasy and romance alike. Its compelling characters, intricate world-building, and thoughtful exploration of universal themes make it a standout addition to the genre. Whether you are new to Rutherford's work or a longtime fan, this book is sure to enchant and enthrall from beginning to end.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really whimsical and dreamy read that was very immersive.

The Poison Season follows Leelo who lives on an island far away from the outsiders on the other side of the poisonous lake. Those with magic are the only ones allowed to stay on the island, those without are cast out of their society to find their own way in the world. When Leelo discovers a boy her age on the island who came from outside, Leelo is forced to reconsider everything she thought she knew about the dangerous 'outsiders'.

I think the characters were the strongest part of the book. I really liked Leelo and I thought the way she approached the world around her was very unique. I liked Jaren's chapters too, he was such a sweet character. There were times I thought the relationship between him and Leelo felt like a bit much, but overall, I didn't mind it. This book was easy to get through, one that could easily be read in one sitting.

The only negative I really had was with the magical, dangerous forest. We knew it was a dangerous place and yet the tension, the danger was lacking a little in the book. There weren't many times when I felt scared of it, despite the main character saying how terrible and cursed it was. I also wished we got more information about the singing magic used by the islanders. It seemed like a cool concept but it wasn't talked about much.

All in all, a pretty good read. I enjoyed this one.

A secretive island with blood-thirsty woods. A people who sing death. A lake filled with poison. A Romeo and Juliet-esque love story. The Poison Season had so many things going for it. But, I felt that the story lacked something to set it apart from other fantasy tales. The characters felt flat to me and I just didn't understand the urgency of the situation. But, I still enjoyed this book as a way to pass the time.

Leelo lives on an island separated from the rest of the world by a poisoned lake and a deadly forest on the island. She's always been loyal to her community and her people, but she can't accept that her younger brother is set to be exiled if he doesn't gain the magic to protect himself from the forest. But when Leelo rescues an outsider, she begins to question everything about her community and uncovers secrets that could change her whole world.

Leelo's community is a cult. She lives in a cult. There's no way around it. It's a cult. The storyline wasn't all there for me. I just felt like it could be more. Every page I was waiting for just a little bit more.
The characters were standard YA characters. The setting was a standard YA setting. The story was a standard YA story. That's not to say I didn't like it! I actually had a lot of fun reading this. The plot was intriguing and the writing was beautiful, but it just never quite got there.
The whole time I was screaming at Leelo to wake up and get out of this cult she was trapped in and when she did, I was happy.

Overall, it was fine. It was fun and I don't regret reading it, but at the end of the day, it was nothing super unique or special.

This book was a little hard to get through and some scenes were hard to stomach. I have enjoyed Rutherford's previous books, but the content of this one was difficult.

I liked this book. It was a simple, easy read that checks off a few YA-trope boxes (enemies to lovers, family secrets, and the enemy is out to get us because they always have been). I loved the Wandering Island. I actually wanted more of the dark and deadly forest. I wanted to dig into its soil, let its roots wrap around me and draw me into its heart. Instead, I felt like we stayed very surface with this island. The Island was this sentient being, and yet we didn't really get to know it. Why did the island require blood. Did it take revenge against them if they didn't? All we really know is that it doesn't want people to leave.

The enemies-to-lovers shift felt pretty sudden. I think because it didn't feel like a true enemies-to-lovers. Jaren never felt like an enemy to me, more of a forbidden romance trope now that I think about it, but Jaren and Leelo were super cute in their innocence.

Overall, while the storyline itself was predictable, it was still a sweet, YA with a twist of darkness tossed in. The story was a quick read and I recommend this book for anyone who liked the Buried and the Bound. It was giving me the same dark fantasy vibes.

Leelo is an Endlan, one who lives on an island surrounded by a poisoned lake while tending to the Wandering Forest, a bloodthirsty group of trees that seem to be nourished by blood. Jaren is an Outsider who ends up trapped on the island.
The first half is pretty good but dark for a YA fantasy, in my opinion. It's an exciting world, and the characters are okay, though most don't contribute much to the story except Leelo's cousin Sage and her Aunt Ketty. Leelo isn't happy; she isn't into killing animals, much less people, and because her brother Tate doesn't have the magic they use to lure prey to the trees, he is forced to leave the island. She is drawn to the different world that Jaren describes to her, even if she technically should have killed him as an outsider.
The second half is where the book fails. It's both rushed and incomplete if that makes sense. All the conflicts are resolved quickly, but the results don't answer some of my questions about the world. I loved the cover and the first part of the book, but was disappointed with the ending. It all just came together too slickly. The magic didn't seem to matter in the end.

As a long time Mara Rutherford fan, this book did not disappoint. From the very first chapter I was hooked and enjoyed the characters and the world building.

Perfect for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the inner workings of a small magical town. I greatly enjoyed following the characters along as they unraveled the secrets plaguing their town. The pace is rather slow, but if you have time to read, then I definitely recommend The Poison Season!

"The Poison Season" by Mara Rutherford is a captivating and immersive fantasy novel that transports readers to a world of magic, intrigue, and danger. Rutherford's storytelling prowess shines as she crafts a tale of mystery, power struggles, and the complexities of a fantastical realm. The book's vivid world-building and well-developed characters create an immersive reading experience that resonates with young adult readers. Rutherford skillfully weaves together elements of fantasy, politics, and personal growth, leading readers through a journey filled with twists and turns. "The Poison Season" is an enthralling read that invites readers to explore a world where secrets and alliances hold the key to survival, leaving them eagerly anticipating each revelation and unexpected development. As the characters navigate challenges and uncover hidden truths, readers are left with a sense of excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead in this thrilling fantasy saga.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy in exchange for a review!

I loved this book - the magical elements in the book, the characters, and the writing. I also love how it was standalone. For some reason this summer I have found it harder to get into fantasy novels (I used to read them so fast in middle and high school) and the fact that this wasn't a series was perfect for someone who needed a great fantasy novel to read but didn't want to commit to a series. I loved following Leelo and her journey throughout the book and I wanted to keep reading more about the Endla and the Forest. Overall, I would recommend this book for people who want to start reading fantasy and lovers of different worlds.

In The Poison Season, we’re taken through the life of a young woman in a sheltered community that live in a sinister forest. Leelo has been raised to protect their magical forest at all costs. Their people are protected by the forest, and in turn they must guard it from outsiders. Between her home and the land of outsiders is a large poisonous lake. Nothing that touches the lake water survives. Leelo and others like her keep watch over the lake during the winter to ensure no outsiders walk across while it’s frozen. Anyone who crosses to their forest from the outside must be sacrificed to the forest.

The forest demands many sacrifices…

The people who live in the magical forest have magical voices. I don’t recall that the origin of their magic voices was fully described in the story; however, the people have a song for many things. They sing during celebrations, but they also have a “killing” song. When sung, creatures of the forest cannot resist the temptation to follow the sound. Ultimately, they are “fed” to the forest. The song is so powerful that it cannot be sung while the lake is frozen. Human outsiders can’t resist the song either.

The story had a lot of potential but I think that it lacked character depth. When Leelo finds love, their interactions and conversations do not get played out well for readers. It left me wondering why either of them liked each other at all. Their relationship wasn’t properly explored. Also, her cousin seems borderline obsessed with Leelo. Why she has such strong feelings isn’t explained. Did she have abandonment issues? She acted as though Leelo was such a thorn in her side, but then would be desperate to keep her around and to herself. Why? There was a level of family dysfunction that wasn’t quite clear between them.

The Poison Season is a dark fantasy tale with a deceiving cover.

While I love the beauty of the cover, it doesn’t quite match the darkness in this book. Sure, the description tells us of a bloodthirsty forest. It was the bloodthirsty people I found to be a little bit shocking. I won’t give away the truly darkest scene of this book, but it was definitely a depiction of a horror movie scene. I thought it was a bit much for a teen fantasy, but maybe I’m just a little sensitive.

First book by Mara Rutherford for me and I really enjoyed the writing style and story. The forest or the lake? Leelo grows up with the stories or warnings of the poisonous lake that protects their home from outsiders. But she’s starting to have some doubts and when she seeing an outsider drowning she makes a decision that will change her life. A great romantasy book with wonderful world building.

I have said it before and I will say it again, I adore Mara Rutherford and anything that she writes. I also absolutely adore this cover... like it is seriously beautiful. I loved this romantasy and think that the world building and the plot were fantastic. I really loved almost all the characters in this book and those I didnt like got what was coming to them which I enjoyed. Overall I loved this story and cant wait to make the next book she writes my personality as well.

I purchased this book for our collection. It was originally requested for a program, and shared during book talks.

Mara Rutherford really knows how to give an atmosphere in her writing. The Posion Lake and the Woods are two interseting locations, the woods left me with more questions than answers. Leelo (cute name, 5th element fan?) worries for her little brother who doesn't seem to be developing his singing power. Not having it means death by lake or woods.

With YA we get a few tropes thrown in the love interest, coming of age elements. It's honestly a good lullaby book. Simple but entertaining. However if your looking for something utterly wild then this isn't for you.

Overall it is a 3 for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.