‘The Poison Season’ by Mara Rutherford was a captivating read with lush storytelling, an insanely intriguing plot, dreamy world-building, amazing characters, and such a sweet, pure-hearted romance. I was utterly swept away by this exquisite fairytale-worthy fantasy. Highly recommend.

Mara Rutherford knows how to tell a story!
And that cover....*chefs kiss*

Leelo is 17, and follows the rules Endla, until she meets an outsider, Jaren and everything she thought she knew turns out not to be so true.

The story starts off a bit slow with all the world building, however the setting is pretty awesome.

I didn't connect with these characters as much as I have in her other books, but I'd still recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley, Mara and publishers for this arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for the opportunity to read an advanced copy!

This book recently came onto my radar through TikTok. I saw the cover, and I knew I needed to read it. It's safe to say I wasn't disappointed by this book.

A slow-burn fated romance between two people who are supposed to hate each other. Leelo is a young woman on an island she is sworn to protect, no matter the cost. Her people protect the island and in return, the island protects them. But what happens when Leelo's loyalty is put to the test? Save an outsider, or protect her island?

Leelo's character is unique and dynamic. She's always been told she is fragile, but what if her love and compassion are in fact her greatest strength? This book is beautifully written, and the world Rutherford creates is vivid and dark.

It took me a while to get into this book, but once hit about 20% I was locked into the story. The ending was perfect for this kind of story, and I enjoyed the pacing of the last half of the book. Overall, I think this book is well-written, and it makes the perfect easy fantasy read.

Rating: 4.2/5

This was a unique, haunting story about sacrifice and love on an island that kills. Literally.

While I enjoyed the ending (which had a rush of events and adrenaline), the middle part of the novel seemed to move at a slow pace.

If you enjoy action and adventure, this might not be enjoyable to you. If you enjoy slow-burn fated characters, this might be more your style.

And it has a happy ending if you like those stories :)

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford before publishing.
All thoughts spoken are my own.

GR rating: 4 ⭐'s
My rating: 4 ⭐'s

Leelo has lived her entire life in Endla, protected by the bloodthirsty forest and poisonous lake the surrounds their island. Keeping the Outsiders at bay who wish to destroy it.
Most from Endla have the gift of enchanted song, however, some are born without this gift, and are exiled in their twelfth birthday, and Leelo's younger brother is coming up on his. Leelo struggles with the fact that he will soon be exiled.
When she stumbles upon an outsider about to drown in the lake, Leelo must make a decision. Follow her customs and inform the council so he meets his death, or save him. But she makes her choice and betrays her family, her people and her home.
Living with her choice, if they are found out it could lead to devastating consequences for both her and Jaren, but they're growing closer with each visit, and Leelo learns that not all Outsiders are dangerous. And it's not just the outside world that's a danger.

I loved the beginning of this book. The plot, the world building, the writing. Everything about it drew me in. The wandering forest was such a unique idea and I was absolutely engrossed in this book, and couldn't wait to read more, however, I feel as though the ending fell a bit flat for me. I still thoroughly enjoyed it, but wanted... more?

I enjoyed the characters, and like anyone else, absolutely love a good romance. While this one was cute, it seemed like the story sidelined once Leelo and Jaren admitted their feelings to each other, and overall it read young. I would have loved to learn more about the forest, or the wolves that were brought up throughout the story. I just wanted more about the world, and less about the romance aspect (which is saying a lot for me).

All in all, I still really did enjoy the book, and read it over a few nights. It definitely reads a bit younger, and I think a young me would have been absolutely thrilled with it. As an adult, I just needed "more" to make it a five star read.
Still reccomend it to those that love a good YA book.

Releasing December 6th 2022

This book was interesting, if a little predictable at times. I would have liked a little bit more explanations/depth on the actions/reactions of the characters (the aunt and the cousin, especially), it was not really clear where their anger and resentment came from. Otherwise, an enjoyable YA read.

First and foremost I love the cover. Any book with a Charlie Bowater cover is one that I know will be worth the read. That still holds after reading The Poison Season! I was so intrigued by the map inside because it is such a small setting, but the plot really packs a punch. Right from the prologue I love how the Wandering Forrest becomes a character. An inanimate object as a book villain? Maybe?! Jaren and Leelo have a strange connection from the beginning and Jaren is very drawn to her and The Forrest. I love their relationship because it is different from many other books. Jaren is not an alpha male and he always seems to be lost. Sage and Leelo also have this interesting dichotomy even though they are raised in the same house. Leelo is a curious and gentle soul while Sage is brash and violent. I was so emotional over and protective of Tate and think he is the strongest character by far. He grows up in a home where he is constantly ridiculed by family yet he is kind and strong. He is a shining light in the face of adversity. The storyline is original and exciting and I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book. The characters are well written and the writing flows well. The twist that is somewhat hinted at throughout the book wasn’t a huge surprise and made the dramatic conclusion slightly less so. But overall this was an amazing story and I loved being immersed in the book. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

** spoiler alert ** I was given an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to them for letting me read this!

I feel like modern YA fantasy/romance has been missing the mark for me lately. I really liked the concept here. The idea of a living Forest was fascinating, as well as the idea of an island totally isolated by a lake of poisoned water. I had so many questions! The opening chapters only piqued my interest. The culture on the island was really unique, and I started wondering if the Forest was some kind of evil god the islanders worshipped, especially when they watered the trees with blood. I thought, based on those earlier chapters, that this book would be at least 4 stars.

Unfortunately, the second half devolved into a very trope-y YA romance. I didn't buy the relationship between the 2 characters. I didn't really feel connected to Jaren. My interest in Leelo waned once her only goal became to make out with Jaren. I felt like the author had set this book up with so many fascinating and unique ideas, and then just dumped them for a very color-by-number romance. The answers, what haphazard ones were provided, felt very much like afterthoughts. The dialogue toward the ending of the book was complete infodumping and felt extremely jarring. The way this book ended left me feeling pretty disappointed, especially considering what a strong start it had. I seem to have the minority opinion here, so maybe it just wasn't a good time for me to read it? I suggest giving it a shot when it's released.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Let me start by saying that I really enjoyed this book. I found that as I got deeper and deeper into the story I found myself reading faster, which is always a fabulous sign. For me, the core message of The Poison Season was to remain open-minded and take time to listen and learn about experiences that are different from your own. We see Leelo and Jaren have major perspective shifts as they dismantle their beliefs, but we also see other characters who struggle immensely with this crumbling of their reality. This core concept is an important message and reality, and I love how it's explored through this magical and fictional lens.

I thought the romance between Jaren and Leelo was cute, the family relationships were complex, and the magic of the world was intriguing. I do wish there was some more history shared about the forest, magic songs, and incantu. There was quite a bit of explanation, but I would have loved a bit more understanding.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and a younger version of me would have enjoyed it even more. I'm so glad to have read it and I will definitely recommend it in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for sharing this advanced digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this book with really high expectations and maybe that’s partly why it let me down.

Leelo loves on an island that is surrounded by a poisonous lake that protects her village from the outsiders who wish to destroy it, or so she believes. Her home is also surrounded by a bloodthirsty forest. If you don’t develop magic in this village you are exiled at the age of 12-13 (I forgot which). She also, of course, saves the life of an outsider and now everything she knows is in question.

This book was so predictable it was actually almost painful. To me, it reads more like 2012 ya. Which, isn’t bad, it it wasn’t what I was expecting.

There’s a moment on the show Seinfeld where Elaine is forced to watch The English Patient and she says, “stop telling your stupid story about the stupid desert and just die.” That pretty much sums up how I felt.

I hated the people of Leelo’s village. I didn’t even like Leelo much, she fell a bit flat.

Overall, this book was just not for me, I think there is an audience for it. But the whole creepy “The Villaige” vibe stories has just been done a little too much and much better.

Captivating plot, stunning world building and amazing characters make this romantasy just perfect. This is my first read by this author and I’m excited to now dive into their backlist.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving this ARC, and this does not influence my review. The cover is so gorgeous! This book had a 3rd omniscient POV, which I didn’t like. However there was an enticing world-building and great writing style that got me absorbed into the story, and the romance was okay.

I keeping going back and forth with this author. Although I liked her debut duology, the last two books (this one is included in that) she has written have just not been for me. I don’t know if it is because they are standalones or the writing. It could honestly be both. The writing, especially for this one, felt on the younger YA side and I’m just not a fan of that.

The book is told from multiple point-of-views but done in third-person narrative. The point-of-views came more from Leelo though than Jaren. It does make sense as to why it is done this way since they are from different areas but she is the one who lives on a mysterious island where outsiders are not welcome.

I don’t think the characters were bad. I just didn’t connect with them. They do go through some harsh things, especially Leelo. She has to maneuver her feelings and still try to be there for her family even though it feels like some of them belittle her. A lot of the side characters had very little page time and were mostly there for certain plotlines. Leelo very much as the “not like other girls” vibe going on and it’s one trope I just can’t do.

Even though the setting was interesting I felt like the world-building lacked overall and I still had some unanswered questions. I wouldn’t say that this book was any different than others I have read with similar styles. It was just average. 🤷‍♀️

Overall, this wasn’t for me. I wanted to like it but it is hard when the writing doesn’t work for you and you can’t connect with the characters. I love the cover though!

In Endla, outsiders are given a choice: the Forest or the Lake... but the result is the same: they are never heard from again. Leelo has spent her entire life there, raised to appease the bloodthirsty forest and the poisonous lake that protects her island from outsiders who want. to destroy then... or at least she is raised to believe that. In her community if you help or even fall in love with an outsider there are severe punishments: from being shunned, exiled, or even sent to become an outsider. In Endla, if your magic does not awaken by the age of 12 you will be banished to become an outsider... so when Leelo’s beloved brother is sent to become an outsider since his magic does not awaken she begins to question if this is truly right, if sending children into a dangerous world is fair? Things get even more complicated when she sees a young outsider on the verge of drowning in the lake... and instead of doing what she was raised to do, kill him, she rescues him. Despite knowing it is the ultimate betrayal to her family, her best friend, and even Endla she cannot find it in herself to kill him. Yet the more she helps him the more at risk they both are because if he is discovered not only will they kill him they will likely also kill her, but an unlikely thing begins to happen as they begin to fall for one another. Can their love survive or will the poison surrounding them kill them? Leelo will be faced with difficult decisions and discover dark family secrets, and must choose between her heart and doing what her community thinks is right. This was a fantastic read for me, the story gave me The Village vibes with its romance and small community and secrets and a deadly forest, but it was so well done and the romance between Leelo and Jaren was sweet. I appreciated how well the story wrapped up and would definitely recommend it for people!~

*Thanks Netgalley and Inkyard Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This arc was kindly provided by the Inkyard via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

The Poison Season has some of the strongest beginning chapters of any YA novel I have read this year. We were introduced to this eerie and mysterious forest where people have been fighting all their lives to keep safe. And immediately, the villagers show us what happens when that safety is threatened. I was drawn in to this remote town and Leila's isolated life right from the very beginning.

And I really wish that amazing atmospheric set up translated through the rest of the novel.

However, the climax and conclusion of The Poison Season fell flat to me. The romance was almost instant, making me wish we had seen more internal dialogue about falling in love with someone they know they shouldn't. All the suspension that had been built in the beginning was lost through constant plot reveals and empty conclusions. Things were revealed extremely quickly without much build up and in rapid succession. Before I had time to process what I had read, something else was being revealed and then another in just a handful of chapters. By the end, I was a bit overwhelmed with everything and wishing there were just a few more chapters to wrap up the book

Overall, it was a pleasant read. I enjoyed learning about the mysterious island and those who inhabit the forest within, but some questions still aren't answered. But that seems to be the running theme of The Poison Season.

A secluded village on a remote island where the people live to appease the island and it's magic at any cost. Told in two perspectives.

This book was absolutely breathtaking in my opinion. The prose was patiently slow paced. It brilliantly painted atmosphere, mood, romance and nail-biting suspense. The secluded village cult and eirie singing to coincide with various ceremonies style of horror was written to perfection. The forbidden romance was so sweet and never vulgar. The complicated family conflict was fantastic. I personally loved everything about this!

My heart is still racing.

My hands are still shaking.

My lungs are burning from holding my breath.

Definitely one of the best books I've read this year!

Thank you Inkyard Press and Netgalley for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

is a story that grabs you by your hand and leads you all the way into the forests of this fantasy world with a magical lake. What could be magical about a lake you say, well probably a good amount of poison, and let's add a little amount of deadly songs on an isolated island in the middle of the lake. Sounds exciting much? Well it also has some dark secrets hidden on the island, and there could be some more around it. I don't even have anything else to add, it's just an amazing book, and you need it on your radar like right now, because if you'd like to read a story that you'll be fully immersed in, this is for you.

All Leelo knows is the island of Endla and its enchanting song-filled forest. Her people have the gift of weaving songs that serve them throughout their lives, worshiping the Forest, ensnaring animals for hunt, and capturing unsuspecting travelers who may wish to harm Endla. Even though the Forest is bloodthirsty, and the lake that surrounds them is poisoned, Leelo calls this place home. Her cousin, Sage, is her closest companion, and they have been charged to serve a year as Watchers to protect their land from the the threat of wanderers coming to their shores. The task is simple: kill any outsider who finds their way to Endla.

Leelo is honored to be a Watcher, but she is tenderhearted. She does not relish the thought of killing anyone who intrudes on their land, nor any animal that the Forest provides them to eat. Every blood sacrifice is excruciating to bear, a trait that separates her from the majority of her people. And as the months tick on, she will also have to bear the loss of her brother Tate, who will be cast out, just as all the other children who do not share the gift of singing enchantments.

Her whole world is turned upside down when she is the one who, seemingly by fate, catches a stranger hitching a dangerous boat ride across the poisonous lake. Leelo is faced with a decision: turn him in, or try to save this mysterious man from certain death. Secrets are exposed, and danger is at the door, knocking!

***

Okay, this is a hit. I really liked this story, I loved the writing style, it was all paced very well, and no explicit sex scenes... Just a really well-rounded book that would be completely appropriate for teens and older. I also really loved Leelo's sensitivity to the world around her. In fantasy tales I have read, the female lead is often someone with thick skin, fearlessly outspoken, willing to be violent, etc... Which is great! But I cannot really relate to a character like that. I found myself empathizing with Leelo's soft heart and steadfastness in the face of danger.

No book is perfect, and I did feel like there were some gaps in the story that I would have liked to have been filled. I believe we should have seen more of the process of Jaren's leg healing. If a wound was down to the bone, he would have likely had more issues with it than we saw, and it didn't feel realistic enough. I wish we had also gotten more glimpses of the conversations that helped bond Leelo and Jaren. Their relationship could have been developed a tad bit more and have made all the difference. And lastly, I wanted to explore more of the Forest. We know it is out for blood, but it is a character of it's own, and I felt that its evil core was underdeveloped.

I received this ARC from NetGalley to give my honest opinions. I really enjoyed this, and look forward to more from Mara Rutherford!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book!
"You're like a swan, rare and beautiful. You have so much magic in you, Leelo."

Premise:
Two starcrossed lovers. One lake, one song, one forest.
Leelo is not like the other watchers, she doesn't want to kill anything. Jaren isn't like the other outsiders, he can hear the songs of the Endlans without the fatal urge to walk into the poisonous lake. What happens when the girl who won't kill meets the one person she needs to kill?

Review:

It took me exactly a month to finish this book. Normally, I am a reader who will finish a book in two or three days maximum, but not this time. I truly did love the world of Endla and the dual perspectives of both characters, but something greatly annoyed me about this book, which is what I think made it such a good read...
The characters in this book are all very different and yet very similar. They all hold a passion within them to protect their family and the ones they love, it's just a matter of what lengths they will go to in order to do this. The actions that one of the characters, Sage, takes to do this had me so agitated that I had to take a few days off from this book before I could continue reading. But I think this just goes to show how realistic and well thought-out the characters were because the reasonings behind their actions are relatable once they are explained. It's very rare for me to feel such frustration towards a character, but I believe that this just means that a character was extremely well-written.
The pacing of this book was okay, It really picked up towards the end which I was grateful for because once it did, I could not put this book down until I finished it. The stakes that had been thoughtfully placed throughout the story finally came to the light and made for a spectacular finale, I just wish that this feeling had been more evident earlier in the book.
This book had some of the best and most entrancing descriptions I've seen in a very long time. The third-person perspectives really helped the world-building and helped to create the horrific but beautiful wandering forest of Endla, which I think was one of the best things about this book. The forest is a character of its own, and as the story progresses, the personality of the forest becomes further unveiled, which was a nice addition to the story. The forest was probably my favorite character of this story. From the very first page, you know that the forest will be a major player and this is something that remains prevalent throughout the entire story.

Review copy and pasted from my goodreads review