The Grace Year meets The Devouring Gray in Mara Rutherford’s atmospheric new fantasy The Poison Season, which follows a girl named Leelo Hart who unintentionally draws a stranger to her island with her magic, leaving her with a choice—rescue him from the lake, or risk betraying her insulated community’s safety and customs. Is everything the elders taught her of outsiders true, or is there something more sinister surrounding their island than its poisonous waters?

The story actually revolves around two characters: Leelo Hart, and Jaren, a boy who lives on the other side of the poisoned lake that seems to be immune to the singing coming from Endla. Leelo has spent her whole life on Endla, isolated from outsiders and protected by the poisonous lake and magical forest that surrounds it, with her mother Fiona, her aunt Ketty, and her cousin Sage, coexisting with the bloodthirsty forest and respecting the poisonous lake that protects her island from outsiders who seek to destroy it. As a Watcher in training, she must spend one year protecting her home from outsiders.

The Endlans are an isolated people who are cared for by the forest and care for it in turn - offering it blood sacrifices by singing magical songs that lure animals to them. In this world, nothing happens until it does. Outsiders caught on Endla are given the choice of the Forest or the Lake. Neither choice is a good one. As much as Leelo cares for her community, she struggles with the knowledge that her brother Tate, who has no magic of his own, will be exiled and forced to live with the outsiders unless he gains enchantment powers before his birthday.

Most people on the island have the gift of enchanted singing, but those who don’t gain this gift by their twelfth birthday are exiled from the island. Then comes the day that Leelo sees a young outsider on the verge of drowning in the lake after being chased there by a rather large wolf. She knows she is supposed to leave him to his fate, but, instead, she betrays her family, her best friend, and her whole community by helping nurse Jaren back to health, understanding that discovery could lead to unthinkable consequences for both of them.

As they grow closer, Leelo and Jaren discover that not all danger comes from beyond the lake—and they can only survive if Leelo is willing to question the very fabric of her society, her people, and herself. This accessible fantasy world is filled with magic, evil forests, and haunting revelations. It will perfectly satisfy your spooky cottage-core dreams. This story is a standalone. The story wraps up nicely so that a sequel should not be necessary.

3.75 ⭐️
Thank you Netgalley for sending me an e-arc of this book.

I honestly loved this book more than I expected to. It took me a while to get into it (about 20%) but after that, I finished most of it in one sitting. I really liked the main characters and their relationship was adorable. I was able to predict most of the plot twist but that didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the story.

Overall, it was really good book.

Endla is a remote island on the other side of a town where outsiders are banned. Should anyone venture they are given two choices: the lake or the Forest. No one should escape alive. Leelo is faced in an impossible decision when she stumbles upon an unwilling outsider, Jaren. Jaren, escaping a wolf, finds the safety of the island only to realize he only stumbled on certain death. Both of them end up learning more about the other than they wish to know. Now Leelo must decide if betting it on the heart - and uncovering the secrets of Endla - is worthier than the loyalty to her family.

The premise of this book was interesting, albeit I admit it was nothing out of the ordinary or overly unique. Regardless, the way the story was written sparked my interest more and more with each passing chapter. It intrigued me to know more about Endla, its secrets, and especially the secret in Leelo's family. The narrative and interactions were rather dynamic and balanced, giving us important information when needed without being overbearing or turning dull. The story in the end gave us a solid conclusion and closure to not only the plot but also the character's ilves. It felt satisfying.

The characters, however, felt short to what the story itself was bringing us. I failed to connect with anyone and I wasn't particularly excited about the romance that developed. If any, the romance was what I liked the least about everything. It just didn't seem convincing to me. In this aspect, the book felt mediocre. Overall, The Poison Season is a story that will most definitely keep you entertained and intrigued. But don't expect a deep romance or complex characters.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I picked up The Poison Season and finished it in one sitting! Every time I thought about getting up to go to the bathroom or get a snack, it pulled me back in with it's mysteries and plot twists. The magic system in The Poison Season was unbelievably compelling with magic coming in the form of the wordless songs of the Endlan people. Those born without magical voices are cast out of the small close knit society, which lives in a Wandering Forest with a life of its own. Every word Mara Rutherford wrote I drank eagerly. What a marvelous book! 5 out of 5 stars

This was a great fantasy read! Loved the characters and the story! 4.5 stars from me. Definitely recommend! Thanks for the ARC!

What a lovely read. Thank you so much To Mara and her publisher for allowing me to read this book early and be a part of your street team. This book was a magical fantasy filled with whimsy and wonder and dark secrets. Felt very reminiscent of M Night’s The Village and Small Favors. There was so many twists and turns that I had not seen coming and overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you love, a good whimsical fantasy, filled with romance and haunting secrets, this is definitely a book for you.

For the most part, I did not enjoy this story. I thought it was incredibly boring—the pace was snail-like. I grew bored with all the waiting around for Jaren to get better. The ending seemed a bit rushed, and Sage and Aunt Ketty were unbearable characters that just made the story even worse. Leelo didn’t have much character development either—by the end of the story she could BARELY stand up against her cousin and aunt, and all she cared about was romance and her mother and brother. The lore of the forest could’ve been much more fleshed out too. I feel like I didn’t know it well, which is a problem when it’s the biggest antagonist.

ATMOSPHERE. LOVE. DESPERATION. POISON. DEATH. HOPE. What more could you want from a book? Honestly, The Poison Season is fabulous. I enjoyed the author’s previous works, but this one is my favorite. I love the mysterious aspect of the magic and the island and what has happened in the past.

Leelo is an amazing character, because she isn’t ready to give up everything to change the world. She’s scared, she has feelings and she’s not perfect. Her relationship with her family is one of the main focuses of the book, and as I know from previous books Rutherford is an absolute talent at crafting some of the best sibling and familial relationships I’ve ever read. This book is no exception to that. In fact, my heart broke several times throughout this book, because none of the characters were perfect or right or wrong. It was so lovely, and honestly, just don’t have the words for it.

As a character, Leelo’s arc was one of the best I’ve seen in a YA book. There is so much growth and learning from her as a person, and she is willing to admit to herself and others when she’s made a mistake. She wants to be honest, but she also wants to help, and this is the problem Leelo has to face. She has a decision she must make.

There is also a romance in the book, between Leelo and the outsider, Jaren. There are some interesting aspects of this woven throughout the book, and I liked it. I felt that their slowly growing romance and attraction was well done.

I love the world that was created, it was enchanting and mystical, and I like that it had a dark and creepy atmosphere to it. I felt it contrasted nicely with the atmosphere of the town. It gave me the chills at some points.

This is a great winter read, especially if you love evocative, YA fantasy dosed with atmosphere and powerful character arcs.

4.5 stars
This was an incredible story.
This unique story with a wandering forest, poisoned lake and a strange community, was beautifully written. The characters were fun and engaging.

Read if you enjoy:

>> YA Fantasy
>> Secrets
>> Sacrifices
>> Strong FMC
>> More secrets and lies
>> Romance

Did I mention the secrets? Actually, I was surprised with all the twists this book had which is not normal for me.
Overall, I recommend this book!

A slow-build story.

The writing and the world building of The Poison Season were great. I adore a good story with a darker theme and this one centered around a poison lake, spooky sentient forest, and creepy ritual sacrifices.

The character development felt lacking for me. I think there were so many seemingly vital characters in this story that none of them really shined even with the reader following Leelo and Jaren, whose alternating views are shown with each new chapter.
The pacing felt a little slow and the chapters switching between Leelo and the island and Jaren and his family had me confused at times. This probably had to do with all the characters in the story.

Though, I would say The Poison Season is an enjoyable YA Fantasy. One I will be rereading in the future as that ending solidified it for me.


Thank you Inkyard Press via BookishFirst for the early copy to read and honestly review.

They say don’t judge a book by its cover but I’m glad i did! This was a wonderful read. It matched it’s gorgeous cover!

Thank you to NetGalley, Inkyard Press, and Mara Rutherford for the opportunity to read The Poison Season in exchange for an honest review.

Having read the Crown of Coral and Pearl duology and Luminous, I was certainly excited for another book by Mara Rutherford. The Poison Season was written during Rutherford's quarantine time during COVID, and the book reflects the way we all probably felt during that time of isolation. Being isolated on an island since birth, the dynamic between the island residents of Endla and those dubbed as "outsiders," there is certainly something to be said about staying on one place for an exponential amount of time.

Leelo lives with her mother, aunt, and cousin on a secluded island surrounded by a lake of poison. Any living thing that touches its water dies: plants, animals, and people. The only way across is with a boat specially designed with a sap that keeps the poison at bay. There is no reason to cross, except to get rid of their incantu: those who do not have a magical singing voice. The incantu are banished to the outside and the boat is always pulled back, though no one would dare try to get onto Endla, for Endlans kill outsiders. Outsiders, anyone who is not an Endlan, are deemed dangerous and killed by the Endlans. "Outsiders," on the other hand, tend to find Endlans to be odd and frightening, and when incantu arrive to make their way in the outsider life, they are often not trusted.

When a wolf drives outsider Jaren onto the left-behind Endlan boat amidst a storm, he finds his only option to escape the wolf is to take his chances on Endla. Leelo sees him and helps him with an injury, ultimately hiding him from the other Endlans. The girl can't even kill a rabbit, let alone find the nerve to kill a human boy, regardless of her potential threats upon him. Of course, she ends up falling in love. With an outsider, no less. She could be killed for such a feat!

And let's not forget that the island is a Wandering Forest. It thinks. It breathes. It thirsts for blood...

This novel explores the deep-seeded secrets that families can carry, and how those secrets can tear a family apart. It also explores the idea of first love and being able to choose for love over duty. This book seems slow and secluded, but that's the masterful craft of the perspective and perfects the feel of isolation and how the world is seen by someone who has known nothing outside their bubble for an entire lifetime. 

An excellent young adult novel with hard-handed topics that relate to today's young adult audience and echoes the experiences young people have gone through during the pandemic. Yet another great work from Mara Rutherford.

Absolutely love this story. I couldn’t put it down. Hands down had a wonderful time reading this. 10/10 recommend it to anyone.

Such a lovely story. Gradual world building that was creatively laid out, and vivid story telling that made visualizing easy. I loved the sweet romance that slowly built within the story. No insta love here. Creatively written, with characters that were easy to relate to


Things that grab my attention...when the antagonist is an ancient forest that requires blood to survive. This book was not what I expected.

The atmosphere of Endla is almost like religious zealotry when it comes to their thoughts and feelings of the Wandering Forest. Protect the forest, and the forest will protect them is what they believe. For some, the sacrifices they make to live the life they are used to becomes too much. Leelo's emotional struggle was so raw when her brother is sent across the poisonous lake to the mainland because he doesn't have magic. Then followed by moral decision when she finds an outsider on the island shortly after. Does she do what she's been taught to do, and kill him, or does she listen to her heart and help him survive? What I don't think she expects, is the very sweet, and slow way both her and Jaren fall for each other.

If you're looking for a sweet, emotional fantasy read with a clean slow burn romance be sure to add this one to your list! .

Atmospheric, magical, romantic cottage core 🖤✨️

The Poison Season by @mararutherfordwrites sweeps you away to Endla, an island of magical singers protected by a poisoned lake and a sacrifice-loving wandering forest. There you meet beautiful, soft-hearted Leelo and her mother (the dreamer), her cousin (the doubting realist) and her aunt (the bitter and vindictive one with a tragic past). And THEN, Leelo meets an outsider, Jaren, whose presence on the island would be an immediate death sentence if discovered. And THEN the story really begins- and it's bitter-sweet, and immersive...and then the twists start coming. I can't recommend it enough 🖤

Wow!! What a fascinating concept, the wandering forest and the poison lake…I loved how unique the premise was! I read so much fantasy that sometimes stories can feel a bit same-same, even if they’re well written. This felt fully its own and was so good! Captured my attention from the first paragraph and I could hardly put it down.

I loved the slow, sweet romance between Leelo and Jaren, they’re both so pure that you can’t help but adore and root for them. The vitriol from Sage and Ketty gets really intense and felt maybe a little unjustified once the reason behind it is revealed, at least on Sage’s end. But I was really satisfied with how everything ended and worked out for the main characters. This was def one of my favorite reads this year!

I really enjoyed reading this, it was a fairytale that kept me reading from the start. The cover is gorgeous and why I picked it and I am happy I did. It was satisfying and the characters were adored.

Dnf at around Chapter 3. This has to do with my own personal taste and nothing to do with the author’s writing. I’ve enjoyed her work in the past and would like to come back to this when I’m not as easily triggered with its themes. 3 stars given for what I managed to read; solid start to the book, but a little confusing and hard to follow, even with the world building included.

Thank you to @netgalley and @inkyardpress for proving me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book was absolutely charming. It is a dark fairytale but has an undercurrent of hope. The premise was pretty unique, the characters were well developed, and the setting was magical and mysterious. The world building was so rich and vivid, I could absolutely picture Endla in my head. This is a story I was thinking about even when I wasn’t reading it. I loved Leelo as a main character. She was kind, but strong and determined. I loved to see her character development. And the romance with Jaren felt organic and not at all insta-lovey. I thought the pacing of the first three quarters of the book was great. It was a slow build, but it flowed really well and allowed for a lot of backstory. The last quarter of the book, however, is where it dropped a star for me. It felt like a lot happened in a very short period of time. I honestly think there was enough story left for a sequel! However, I still really enjoyed this book as a whole, and it’ll definitely be one I reread in the future.

4/5 Stars 🌟

The Poison Season

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

Mara Rutherford did an amazing job building this world! I haven’t seen this magic concept or a plot like this before and it was really interesting to read. I loved all the characters and even the characters I didn’t really like I still felt heartbreak for them. Mara had some very complex characters and I loved watching all of them develop throughout the story.

Leelo is an amazing heroine who has stong values and morals and such love for her people and family. You really get to connect with her though the book. Jaren barges into Leelo’s life and really changes how she sees her people and their way of life. I know I already said it but I’m gonna say it again. The plot of this book is amazing and I really enjoyed reading this book. It did take me some time to get into the book, but once you’re in you just can’t put the book down.