A fantastic YA debut that’s full of danger and corruption in a world divided.
I absolutely loved the magic system and can definitely see Practical Magic as an influence. The brewing in particular is vivid and as colourful as the books cover.
The book starts off at a slow and cozy pace as we are introduced into the world and the characters. The murder mystery element creates tension and the pace seems to flow nicely to a big crescendo at the end.
I enjoyed the underlying themes that are explored through the story and characters. Most obvious is prejudice and oppression that mirrors real world difficulties. The plot does centre around political issues so possibly would be of interest to readers wanting to read a more serious fantasy.
The audio was very well narrated and really brought the story and characters to life.
Overall I think this is a book about love and all its different forms.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an audio ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

Politics, family, and magic! A beautifully constructed world of Witchers living in the DC era trying to live and survive in an environment of fear and prejudice. Venus Stoneheart is the brewer of her family - love potions are her speciality. When the brewing of one familial love potion - reuniting an estranged father and son - sets off a series of wild events with massive and far-reaching consequences not only for Venus herself, but her family, friends, and Witchers country-wide. There is corruption, coercion, love, fear, camaraderie, murder, lies and truths that all unravel into a gorgeous tapestry of this Magical world. It pulls you in with more and more questions as each answer is unveiled!

I received an ALC through Netgalley for review. This is my opinion.

First, the narrator narrates with her whole chest. Seriously, she nails a ton of accents (from BIPOC snarky teens to Indian matriarchal types). Each of her voices are distinct and done well.

On to the book itself!

The Poisons We Drink has:
⭐️Teenaged snark (lots of it)
⭐️Diverse cast
⭐️VENGEANCE
⭐️Big family dynamics
⭐️A complex magic system
⭐️Social commentary through fantasy

The Poisons We Drink is a YA Urban Fantasy about Venus, a potion-brewing Witcher who's taken over for her mom when her mother can no longer brew. Brewing potions is agonizing, requiring pain from the creator, while simultaneously being illegal. When Venus's mother is murdered, she begins working with the Grand Witcher to exact vengeance on the ones responsible. But everything is not as it seems.

I really enjoyed the magic system; the depictions of the gruesome nature of Venus's work were not...enjoyable exactly, given the nature of the description, but really well-written and agonizing to read. Maybe it's just my English Lit degree popping to the forefront here, but the layers of metaphor of being a Witcher and brewer are really interesting and through provoking, particularly through the lens of social commentary and magical racism.

One thing to note about TPWD is that it felt very episodic in nature. Not necessarily in a bad way, but it felt almost like an entire season of a TV show in a book. It's very past-paced with little down time. Not a negative for me, especially since it makes picking up and putting down the book a little easier, like you don't have to figure out where you are if you start the next chapter, you're just on to the next section of the adventure.

Also, I really enjoyed how Baptiste really nailed teenage sarcasm, snark, and that sort of gnarly twist of feelings that come with being a teen. Baptiste's language felt really genuine to kids that age. Props, because that's not easy to do.

Thanks to Netgalley, RB Media, and Bethany Baptiste for the ARC.

This story is about a Witcher named Venus who is trying to support her family by making illegal love potions. She has an inner voice that antagonizes her that she tries to keep at bay but cause her to get into some dangerous positions. Due to some unfortunate circumstances Venus agrees to a blood oath to seek revenge but with the oath she struggles with who to trust.

The premise of the book was definitely interesting but I found myself struggling to follow the story overall. I think this was a me thing as I am not generally a fantasy reader and this was my intro into the genre. I believe that I would have had a better experience if I read this in another format. The book was still good despite some struggles. I would definitely read what the author choose to write in the future

I was so excited to get an ARC for this book, I mean, look at that cover!! Thanks to #NetGalley I was also lucky enough to land the audiobook, which btw, is absolutely fantastic! Obsessed with the narrator! She was perfectly able to show a variety of different voices and emotions for different characters. As many of us audiobook isteners tend to do, I also spend up the audio at some points and her voice still rang clear and consice and I was able to follow along and understand perfectly what was happening. I absolutely loved the narrator and woud definately keep an eye out for this voice actor for future audiobook endeavours. The audiobook was fantastic, so 3 stars, if not 4 for the narration, but personally the story wasn't for me, so I gave a lower rating.

So, I wanted to like this book so badly! After hearing about all the drama surrounding a certain unnamed author attacking and harrassing a number of #bipoc authors, I sort of went on a mission to read and support the authors being harrassed, so naturally, with this stunning cover and intriguing synopsis, I was really hyped to start this book.

Unforunately, I have a history of not liking books I start off excited about, so I'm not sure what I expected. It also took me over a month to get 70% into it, which should have been a sign considering I usually can read a book of this length in 2-3 days. I'm so sad I didn't enjoy this because I really super wanted to love it! I also feel a bit weird about posting a negative review, but I am also adamant about supporting and encouraging readers to pick things up on their own, and decide for themselves what they like and dont like, so I'm going to share a bit of my feelings (good and bad) about this one and maybe it's totally up your alley, who knows.

The Poisons We Drink takes place in moddern day America where humans and witches (witchers) live together. It's about a young woman running her own business in love potions when she gets swept up in "less-than-ethical" deals of a political variety. There is also some sort of mystery behind her mother's death that I believe is linked to her or the people she's working for/with, but I dnf'd the book, so I'm not sure.

There were a few aspects I feel like I should have enjoyed, such as the "It" inside our heroine's head. It loosely reminded me of what I had wanted after the end of Holly Black's The Book of Night. I like that the heroine is a young sort of entrepreneur running her own system. I like the concept and idea of the potions and the magic system. I think the concept is fun, and yay for black excellence!! I wanted to appreciate the interconnectedness of the story, and the drama, the lore and how we're fed information, but honestly it made my head spin. The story is jam-packed and a lot is going on, so I think people who like many different aspects of one main conflict will enjoy it. There was also a non-binary love interested that I liked and wished we had gotten more of. I actually think the book could be so fun, but it just somehow fully missed the mark for me and I'm disappointed I didn't like it... but I think so many people *will love this.. sadly it wasn't for me.

I don't know if I can pinpoint what I didn't like, since it's mostly all over the place. I was somehow able to get my hands on the ebook and audiobook and neither medium worked for me! I was so painfully bored and uninterested in what was going on for the character, as well as not feeling connected to her character (and as a character-driven reader, she felt cold and unemotional to me, so I wasn't able to emotionally connect to her). This could just me a me thing since I definitately zoned out a bit while reading, but I also found the story a bit disorganized and chaotic. There was a lot going on and I think it was supposed to come across as actiony and a business for the main character, to show she's got a lot going on, but it felt too hectic for me to follow. I wish there had been more racial tension. I feel like this was how it was sold to me and either I was zoned out when that was going on or, it's at the end of the book that I didn't read, but I was looking forward to that and feel like I missed it.

I wanted to love this and I tried SOOOO hard to stick to it, but I DNF'd at 72%. It was getting to the point, for me, where if I had continued, I would begin to hate the book, rather than just not like it, and that seems unfair, so I'm stopping here.

I wish there was more critical input I could give, so people could determine if this is something they want to pick up, but at this point, I can't. I know there's definiately an audience for it, and I will always recommend books (especially for YA readers) by black authors, but I personally will not be reading this again (or, likely, finishing it).

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.

It's hard to believe this is a debut novel. The characters and plot are so intricately developed. Venus is far from perfect but she is fiery and determined to save all of those she loves. I love the family dynamics - especially between Venus and Janus. They are so incredibly close but also push against each other as sisters should. There are a few obvious plot holes but the twists at the end took me completely by surprise. If you enjoy urban fantasy I HIGHLY recommend this one!

The narrator was PHENOMENAL! I definitely enjoyed the story more because of the narration.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.

4.5 stars rounded up

I really enjoyed this book. It had everything I want in a good fantasy/witch story. The only reason it lost any for me is that parts of it gelt like they dragged on just a bit. But overall, I'd definitely recommend it and really enjoyed it.

3.5 stars!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, RB Media and Bethany Baptiste for giving me the audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review!
-
This book was so fun! There were a lot of things I absolutely LOVED about this book and then some things I didn't like so much.
To start off with the good, the world building is so amazing! The magic, the familiars, the plot twists and plot points were all so well done. I was completely immersed in this magical word. I spent a lot of free time listening to this audiobook because I was so curious what would happen next.
-
Our narrator, Lynette R. Freeman did an amazing job telling the story and also giving each characters their individual speech patterns which helped a lot especially because there were so many characters in this book, (which was a little overwhelming)
-
The few things I would've personally changed is the length of the book, the story is great but unfortunately it just felt like it was going on for a really long time, I think cutting it back would help keep people more interested. The book also had so many characters that at certain times I had to remind myself who was who, again my book being an audiobook kind of helped ease my confusion because of the different vocal tones that the narrator was able to put on.
-
For a debut book this was really well done and I'm personally excited to see what other books come out from this author!

Bethany Baptiste's YA urban fantasy debut, featuring the captivating protagonist Venus Stoneheart, is a literary gem that takes the reader on an extraordinary journey into a magical realm. As a young Witcher and skilled potions brewer for hire, Venus faces a world filled with societal issues like racism, classism, mental illness, and political control. Baptiste weaves these complex themes seamlessly into the narrative, providing depth and relevance.

In the midst of Venus's personal upheavals, the audiobook's narration brings out the emotional nuances, making the experience truly enchanting. The parallels between the struggles in Venus's fantastical world and real-world issues add layers of meaning to the story.

Just as Venus fights back when her world crumbles, the audiobook, with its exceptional delivery, draws listeners into the character's resilience and determination. The exploration of themes and the well-crafted storytelling make it an enthralling experience, akin to diving into a magical world where every moment counts.

Pairing this immersive audiobook experience with the sentiments expressed about Bethany Baptiste's work, it's clear that both offerings provide a rich and fulfilling escape into worlds where magic, social commentary, and compelling characters intertwine seamlessly. For enthusiasts of captivating storytelling and immersive fantasy, this audiobook is a must-listen, promising an experience that lingers long after the final chapter.

Let me start by saying that I am not a fan of contemporary novels. However, this book might just have changed that! The way the magical world was intertwined with the real one was magnificent! I loved how little of our world was actually in the story, not making it annoying in any way.

The main character was all I’ve ever wanted in one - fierce, but far from perfect. She sounded so real to me! She made some choices that were not that good, but she owned up to them, fully admitting they were wrong. This, in my opinion, is how a character should be written.

Another thing I thoroughly enjoyed was how subtly we understand that the characters are black - not being imposed too much, not being repeated all the time. It was just shown. Same as the non-binary character. Thank you for doing that, it was truly a pleasure to read!

All in all, it is a book worth reading and worth rereading. I am certain that a reread will give me so much more and I am definitely planning on doing so!

♡ Audiobook Review ♡
♤ Release March 5 ♤
- YA
- Dystopia
- Witches and Wizards
- Urban Fantasy

. First, this cover is gorgeous! Simply perfection.
. Second, the narrator, Lynnette R. Freeman deserves an audiobook narrator award because she did a heck of a GREAT job. I swear each character had a different or unique voice. So she had it very easy for people to just "listen" to the audiobook without having to the kindle or physical version. Great job, Lynnette. I need to listen to every book she has done. This audiobook is 5 stars, no questions asked.
. 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

♤Thank you, Netgalley and RB Media, for the ALC for my honest opinion | review.♤.

I wanted to fall in love with this book because the premise is so unique and interesting. However, I just can’t get into fantasy. I have aphantasia which means I don’t see images in my mind. This makes understanding and connecting with fantasy really difficult. I know so many people are going to love this book though. It’s set in the US in a current alternate world in which witches exist and are being heavily policed by the government. It’s kind of like how the super heroes are controlled in The Incredibles but they still work in an underground capacity.

Super fun ya fantasy novel. The characters were well done and the story flowed well. The world building was easy to follow. Great story!

I enjoyed this story so much. There was romance, fantasy, an incredible magic system, political intrigue along with multilayered family dynamics. The voice actor who narrates the audiobook is amazing and really does a wonderful job portraying the characters individually and really felt like there were multiple people narrating at times.

The main character was the shining star for me. Not only is she challenged by the death of her, issues within her personal life and among her family members, but she also has to navigate high level individuals weaponizing her against politicians to further their own goals. Even further, she has a sentient dark passenger (deviation) and is constantly having to resist its urges.

There are also little excerpts from sources like Witcherpedia that provide information and extra detail for the plot and really assists with world building.

The only real issue I had with the book was pacing. The story was very slow in the beginning, then as the story went on there was too much going on at once. It was hard to follow at times.

That being said, I would absolutely read a sequel or another book from this author. And I would recommend it to my friends. Thank you NetGalley for providing this audiobook for my review.

This books makes you think and make you have all the feeling. You're not ready for.
In a world where people with magic are discriminated against because of the magic which almost felt like an apartheid or Jim Crow was a powerful message.

The parallels I made in my mind while listing to this book made me sad and also make me feel hope. your truly learn the meaning off all the sorts of love in the world and how it can ben used against your enemies. Venus is truly a powerful character that went through to much in her life and the journey that she will make in this book with her family wil not make it easy but will it fix the relationship with her sister Janus.

The way that is story is told it will keep you on the edge off your seat until the last minute. I also felt the pain that author probably has experience in a world where she would not be accepted but by reading this book you have the hope that maybe by reading these kind of books we can improve this world

The narrator does an amazing job. She does do voice for all the characters which I'm normally not something I enjoy but she was really good and it didn't annoy me like after hour 4 of listening.

Thank you NetGalley for this Audiobook

I loved this story! I'm definitely hoping for a full series and more of these characters. Would love to see others povs as well (especially Presley). The narrator did a fantastic job though I have to say I hated Janice's voice.

Initially I was slightly overwhelmed by the number of characters but they were quickly very clearly described and personalities created so there was little confusion after that. Similarly the world building was set up beautifully and I can absolutely picture this place that is and isn't like our world. I loved Venus' character growth and journey and how every character would die for eachother. A stunning debut!

I mean this book was 16 hours! It's a me thing, I sometimes lost interest half way with audiobooks that are over 10 hours. It takes a lot to make a book that keeps you interested for 16 hours.

You know, some aspects of this book are interesting. I think the part that I appreciated or liked the most were the conversations about race and the "fuck the government" attitude. Everything else was just boring to me.

Some parts of the magic system were interesting but like everyone is using love potions and trying to one up each other. Like it becomes a bit repetitive. Especially the "No, I'm the one that's been playing all of you!" *Insert evil laugh here*.

Don't let my review steer you away from reading it.

I got an audiobook-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was exceptionally written, the world-building, magic system, and overall action were all lovely. The characters are morally grey and have to face their mistakes and actions and Venus is easy to relate to. This book tackles a broad range of themes including racism/classism, mental illness, and political control paired with the action-packed plot it made the book a page-turner and I couldn't put it down.

4.5 Stars

This was entertaining AF!

I listened to this on audio which is out of my comfort zone, but the voice actress did a phenomenal job expressing the different characters, emotions, and projecting the vibe of each scene.

I've always been a fan of villains and this book gave me multiple likable villains and one I wanted to punch in the jaw.

The politics, the bond, and the theme of weaponizing your love all resonated. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

From the start to the end, I was completely hooked. “The Poisons We Drink” was action packed and filled with love, loss, and laughter. Venus is thrown into politics and magic after her mother was murdered. Through her journey, Venus navigates challenges with magic, brewing potions and the Rights of Witchers. To be a debut novel, the world building was incredible! The characters were relatable, and I enjoyed the banter between Venus and her family. The plot twist had my jaw dropping, I did not expect it and I loved how the relationship came in full circle (trying not to spoil it). I enjoyed following the adventure of Venus and crew, this is definitely a must read!