I’ve declined to rate this book on Goodreads because it didn’t feel fair to bring the rating any lower after the Cait Corrain situation. I genuinely think this book just wasn’t for me. I couldn’t find myself really rooting for any of the characters most of them just irritated me. The magic and the world building felt weird and at times too convenient (the whole “they can sense us because of our high body temps” just being thrown in at the beginning is one example). It just seemed that “because we aren’t human” was used as a reason for everything with no real info given beyond that, and I don’t love that low effort world building style. I can absolutely see the merit in this book, I think for a lot of young people this will be a great book with great representation, but it just didn’t spark any strong feeling from me, I regret to say.

THE POISONS WE DRINK is a book about a group of characters trying to survive as a people who are discriminated against and find the truth of their past as they decide on their future. It's about friendship, family, loss, lies, greed, violence, hate, magic, manipulation, romance and sacrifice. It's a very gritty and dark story with some strong, violent themes.

I loved the book cover! I was completely on board with this author's premise and letter at the start of the book as I felt very similar. I liked the writing style. I liked the characters overall. Venus, Janus, Tyrell, Presley, Uncle Bram and Patches. Although, that is with the concession that I thought they were frustrating and I wanted to strangle them all. Lol! Except Patches. I just wanted to hug that one and have humorous chats (not that the cat could talk except with meaningful looks and actions). I liked the representation of a nonbinary character. For some that may be an issue. It was confusing sometimes with the English language being as it is, but I thought the author did a stellar job trying to make it clear when they were speaking or involved in a scene. I also thought the representation of how those who are discriminated against and the target of hate violence was accurate in all its terribleness as was the example of groups of people sabotaging each other for power and greed. I thought the storybook world was super creative and intriguing. I also enjoyed most of the last chapter as it gave a positive outlook on the future although that was a bit ruined by characters continuing to manipulate and control other people.

What didn't I like? This story was like a teenager's terrible shipwreck on high octane. There was so much drama. Characters (both adults, teenagers, and authorities) making decisions of hurt and violence without thought. A constant, intense whiplash of emotions. Resentment, anger, heartbreak. Family and friends not caring how they hurt each other. Hurt piled on top of hurt. So many terrible choices made by these characters. They wouldn't communicate anything honestly, which would have solved most all of the issues. No one wanted to ask for help. So many secrets, so much loss and violence, and almost all of it could have been avoided. There was the suspension of belief I had to use as one girl was the only one who could brew the needed potions out of thousands of witchers to save their people. Then there was the sadness and wrongness of messages that were promoted, like this one:

"Love was an awful, messy thing that made you do awful, messy things to prove you wanted it."

There were many views/messages/themes presented that were jaded and I disagreed with. And that's okay, but it's also pretty in your face without question. Such as never addressing that it's morally wrong to have teenagers brew potions that cause pretty harrowing damage to themselves, many times unsupervised with their guardians making them do it for money, and with the possibility that brewing could kill them. Also, it was never questioned that it just might be wrong to brew love potions that control other people. Or it being wrong to tie a man to a stake, give him a love potion that makes him fall in love with the idea of himself dying, and then burn him alive at the stake while he's crazily laughing since he's in love with himself burning to death and have a bunch of people watch as entertainment. It wasn't a story my heart wanted to wade through for hours. And it didn't leave me feeling better. More like inciting more anger and frustration. It's a miserable way to view life, and rather hopeless and heartbreaking.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This wasn't the right fit for me. It's a story that pours out grief and anger for all the discrimination and violence in the world with more hurt, violence and characters who make terrible choices in the name of love and change. Readers who are looking for this type of read, may connect with this book.

Content: Lots of swearing (mostly f-words), violence, a love scene between two teens, death (both murder and self-defense), self-harm for magic, vicious greed and manipulation. There is a warning in the book summary provided by the publisher/author. It's accurate and should be noted.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Turn the Page Tours, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I appreciated the diversity that The Poisons We Drink featured. I enjoyed the fantasy aspect of magic, witches, and political intrigue but the writing didn't work for me. I couldn't quite get into it, and the writing was a little juvenile for my tastes. That being said, I think it's still a good work and would purchase it for my library as I have a diverse group of reading levels.

I was outraged over all the hurt and injustice!

The Poisons We Drink is the kind of story that both hurts your heart, and gives you hope. If you’re in the mood to witness the struggle and sacrifice that comes from protecting those you love, you should grab this book right now.

There are several reasons I would recommend this book to fantasy readers. Venus Stoneheart is a fierce heroine with a dark side. She has to pay steep consequences for supporting her family, and to advance a secret mission to save Witcher society. It’s all morally gray, which makes for great reading.

Also, I’m a sucker for stories that mirror the true injustices happening in real society. I think when authors place a mystical lens on prejudice and social injustice, it causes young readers to think outside the box. It’s easy to right the wrongs with magic, potions, and blood oaths. In the real world, it’s protest and political voting to garner change. I think stories like this can resonate with young people better than true history in the classroom.

Bethany Baptiste packed more twists in this story than I could count. The Poisons we drink is hard to put down!

Would you be friends with the main character IRL?
I can see how Venus Stoneheart would be a challenging friend. She’s the kind of person who wants to solve all the world’s problems on her own, but would help others she loves in an instant. It’s a loveable yet annoying flaw that I’d be drawn to in real life. Let me help you Venus!

The world in The Poisons We Drink is immersive and detailed. With the chapters detailing the history and other created books, it feels like you could reach out and touch it. That we could sink into this world of magic, injustice, and power. I also appreciate that magic has a cost in this world. That, for Venus, her power comes at a price. The Poisons We Drink is about cost, revenge, and sacrifice.

Thank you Sourcebooks Fire for the early copy of The Poisons We Drink.

Five full stars. It's marketed as a YA novel but I recommend it as a necessary read for all ages. Especially American readers as so much of this story runs parallel to what this country has gone through and is going through currently.
Was it an easy book to read? No, you were scared along with the main characters for their families and loved ones. You felt how tired they were from grief and betrayal. Bethany Baptiste is an incredibly talented author and I can't wait to read whatever she's releasing next.

My favorite things about this book:
A new (to me at least) magic system! I am so burnt out on fae magic but the system of Witchers, brewing and potions was so good. I ate it right up.
I loved the representation of the LGBT+ community in this book and how love was celebrated, no matter how complicated.
I absolutely loved the FMC, Venus. She never gave up even she was knocked down 100 times it seems. (I would have absolutely given up if I faced what she did).
Everyone had a secret. Every single character was hiding something from someone else and that kept me wanting more.
There is a cat!
The cover?! Stunning.

Things I didn't like:
The ending felt a little anticlimactic, however honestly it didn't take much away from the book for me.

Check the trigger warnings for this book, especially if death is hard for you. The author does an amazing job of taking care of the reader at the beginning of the book but there is loss in the story.

This is a fun book with a lot of things to say. I rooted for the female character all throughout, and really appreciated the political critique it wove through the fantasy worldbuilding and plot. We need more voices like this.

Venus Stoneheart, the 18-year-old protagonist, supports her family by making illegal love potions, which added an interesting dynamic to the story. The world-building was well-done, particularly the blend of politics, magic, and family issues.

However, the book felt a bit overcrowded with characters and subplots, making it challenging to keep track of everything. The pacing slowed down in the middle, and some parts felt disjointed. Despite these issues, I enjoyed the dark, atmospheric setting and the complex themes of power and corruption. While it didn’t fully hit the mark for me, it’s still a promising debut with strong elements that fans of dark fantasy might appreciate.

I was originally drawn to this book because I was intrigued by this type of magic system. It was certainly an interesting system, though I did get a bit confused by it at times. I did like that there was a glossary of terms at the end of the book, which did help clarify some aspects of the magic system. I felt like the pacing was a bit off for me; some parts dragged a bit and other parts had revelations occurring at a breakneck pace. I enjoyed the social commentary on systems of power, politics, racism, imbalance of wealth, etc. Many of the characters in this book tended towards being morally grey. While they weren't always the most likeable characters, I think this moral greyness suited the feel of the book. I would recommend this to readers high school and above that enjoy fantasy books with unique magic systems. I look forward to seeings more work from this author in the future.

The premise of this book was great, but the story itself fell short and just wasn’t for me. Magic system was unique and only interesting thing though

I support women´s rights, but more than anything I support women´s wrongs! Venus is such an amazing morally grey character, and honestly one of the best things about this story was the characters. Everyone is so complex and well-developed that I was enthralled the whole time, holding my breath and hoping everyone would survive.
The plot, while engaging, felt repetitive and obvious, but I would have liked for the author to trust the reader more and not spell everything out for us.
The first 30% of the story is a lot of setup, and I am honestly not mad. I love that we got time to get to know the characters and care about them, in order to feel the stakes. This was an amazing debut and I can´t wait to see what the author will publish next!

I wanted so much to love this, but it was a DNF for me. The pacing was really slow and I never got to a point in the book where my interest was caught. I'd like to try the author again in the future, but this just didn't work for me.

Thank you for my beautiful ARC from @sourcebooksfire @colouredpagesbt ! I am honoured to be a part of this book tour, and promote such an amazing upcoming release!

Synopsis:

In a country divided between humans and witchers, Venus Stoneheart hustles as a brewer making illegal love potions to support her family.

Love potions is a dangerous business. Brewing has painful, debilitating side effects, and getting caught means death or a prison sentence. But what Venus is most afraid of is the dark, sentient magic within her.

Then an enemy's iron bullet kills her mother, Venus’s life implodes. Keeping her reckless little sister Janus safe is now her responsibility. When the powerful Grand Witcher, the ruthless head of her coven, offers Venus the chance to punish her mother's killer, she has to pay a steep price for revenge. The cost? Brew poisonous potions to enslave D.C.'s most influential politicians.

As Venus crawls deeper into the corrupt underbelly of her city, the line between magic and power blurs, and it's hard to tell who to trust…Herself included.

If you like witches, the revenge trope, political intrigue, interesting storylines and believable characters, this book is for you. I absolutely loved the world-building and the magic system in this book. The magic system of intricate and dangerous potions adds a risk factor throughout the read and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I simply could not put down this book, it kept me engaged and turning the page until the end.

A 5-star read from me through and through.

See links to purchase! Publishes March 26th 2024!!

In Bethany Baptiste's stunning Young Adult fantasy debut, "The Poisons We Drink," 18-year-old Venus Stoneheart emerges as a compelling protagonist in an alternate version of the Washington, D.C. area, where magic and politics intertwine.

Following in her mother Clarissa's footsteps, Venus grapples with her identity as the new Love Witcher after Clarissa's tragic murder. With her magical brewing abilities, Venus navigates a world of intrigue and danger, all while battling the trauma-induced corruption she calls "It." The novel delves into Venus's struggles as she attempts to balance her magical responsibilities with the inner turmoil caused by It.

Character development fluctuates throughout the story, with some figures taking center stage before receding into the background, yet each contributes to the overall richness of the narrative. Additionally, the inclusion of potion recipes adds an immersive element, inviting readers to further engage with the world of witchcraft. While the narrative pacing occasionally slows and the plot becomes convoluted due to extensive world-building explanations, patient readers are rewarded with unexpected twists and turns that lead to a satisfying conclusion. Overall, this novel presents an intriguing premise that, while unevenly executed, offers a captivating glimpse into a world where magic and politics collide.

The Poisons We Drink was a very inventive book that played on potions and magic in a way that felt very fresh. I thought that the characters were very fun to read about and the writing was fluid and made me want to keep reading. Overall, very enjoyable and definitely would recommend to a vast majority of my friends :)

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

I love a book that takes place in DC and seems like it actually takes place in the DC where real people live. Baptiste does incredible world building in her version of DC, willed with witches and senators who want to take them down. I loved the combination of young and old characters, as well as all of the potions they make.

I would absolutely read another book with these characters, I hope the author doesn't move on too fast!

I DNF this at 11%

I just couldn't get into it. It wasn't anything wrong with the book per say. The characters were more lively than any other fantasy I have read recently. There was a ton of world building and a cool caste system in place. There was clearly going to be something happening in this book.

I just couldn't get into it. I have no idea why it just didn't click. I am completely willing to chalk this up to me and not the book. I can see the potential, but don't have the attention span to wait it out this time. I will possibly try this again when my brain isn't fried.

Look at that cover. Look. At. It. 😍

I am not sure what originally drew me into The Poisons We Drink (besides the cover. Have I mentioned how gorgeous it is?) but at the moment it is a bit heavy for me. I know plenty of my YA aged patrons who will absolutely devour this book and I will be recommending it to them even it wasn't for me.

There’s nothing I love more on a book than seeing myself and being able to relate to the main character like I did Venus! Sometimes, righting wrongs does not turn out how we visioned it, but it’s what you do after the plan fails, that matters.

If you have not read this story, do yourself a favor and grab it today.

I have mixed feelings regarding this book….
There are some parts that I like and some parts that didn’t really work out for me even though the blurb sounds very interesting.

The characters are well developed and very complex, there’s a lot of morally grey characters with their own secrets and reasons for their actions which sometimes makes it hard for me to pin point the culprit behind Venus’s (FMC) mom murder.
Venus was a great character, I admire her love for her sister, her intelligent and her strength.

The world building is unique but at the same time it’s also quite complicated, especially regarding the witches and their powers.
I struggled to remember all the terms and information given at the beginning which sometimes can be confusing for me.
I found out there’s a glossary at the end of the story that explains some of that information. It would be nice if it was put at the beginning of the story.

This story felt too long and also dragging in some parts, the main plot also didn’t start until it hit the 30% mark. Although, the last few chapters are quite intense and I was surprised by that plot twist!

Just a warning that some parts/topics in this story can be sensitive to some readers, there’s a list of trigger warnings inside the book but I’ll listed here for you if you want to know beforehand.

For a debut novel, it was pretty good – I love the plot idea and the unique world building.
It would've been better if the length was shorter and maybe made this into a series so the readers can immersed into the world building slowly.

Thank you to Turn the Page Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: This story contains morally grey characters, complicated parent-child relationships, police brutality, fantasy violence, fantastical racism, magical coercion, gun violence, politics, parental death, child death, and dying/death.
In addition, there are depictions of post-traumatic stress disorder anxiety, and depression.
Self-harm, blood, gore, sexual situation, fantasy drugs, underage drinking and profanity.