“Everything Is Poison” by Joy McCullough is a gripping historical novel that dives into the dark, complex world of 17th-century Rome. Carmela Tofana’s story of apothecary secrets, poison, and survival is haunting and empowering.. Tthis book is both thought-provoking and beautifully written.

3✧!!
╰ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ mini review down below!

my thoughts🧪┆ this was such a fun read!! and it was historical fiction, which is a genre that i need to read more of!<3 what i loved most was carmella’s character development throughout the book, the story follows carmella as she finally gets to work in her mothers apothecary on her 16th birthday. i learned so much about struggles women went through back then - and how husbands would treat their wives. i also enjoyed the poetry strung in the chapters!! overall this was a good book, quick and easy to binge!!

characters🧸!!

➼ carmella
╰ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ she was our fmc, and i really did enjoy seeing her character develop and grow throughout the story. it was fun to see her work with her mother and also how she learned compassion and how to make the right decisions and calls! she wasn’t my favorite fmc - i couldn’t really relate to her at all, but i still enjoyed her story nonetheless!💌

bottom line┊this was overall a pretty fun and interesting read!! i liked it, but historical fiction isn’t really my thing - but i would definitely recommend - if you love historical fiction, or if you want a book to binge!! thank you so so so much to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with my first arc!!
~saisha🤍
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You ever read a book that had one large feature that ruined the book for you?

That’s what happened to me with Everything is Poison.

Every chapter of this book had a poem before it (chapter one would end and there would be a poem before chapter two, etc). I’ve seen this storytelling tactic work before, to great effect. Not here, however, because the poems were bad. This is solely my opinion and I know poetry is one of the most subjective written mediums out there but I just thought every single one was a waste of page count and storytelling space. If they were even marginally better I could’ve rolled my eyes a little and just dismissed them as amateur attempts, but these poems were truly bad. I completely question why McCullough thought they were a good idea.

This book is marketed as a YA book but I don’t really feel like teenage girls will appreciate it as the target demographic due to the emphasis on listening to your elders, not being able to match people’s energy, and having to hide your rage against men because of the consequences it might bring to your doorstep. At the same time, the target demographic might appreciate the attention to historical details when it comes to herbal remedies and reading anything related to Guilia Tofana (which is why I wanted to read this book).

It just wasn’t a good book for me. I suspect it’ll be a great book for some, though.

I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Reviews rated three stars or under will not appear on my social media. Thank you.

This was such a good read and made the pharmacist/toxicology nerd in me happy and as a true crime junkie, I approve of this book. :) As a pharmacist, it's always interesting to read books with a pharmacy/medicine theme because there are not that many books out there that I've seen--not counting nonfiction books--about a pharmacist or someone in medicine. I would assume it's extremely difficult for an author who doesn't have a medical background to do the necessary research to make everything medically accurate, so I also occasionally get wary reading books set in a pharmacy/apothecary because I look at them with a ton more scrutiny. I WORK in that setting, so I know what it's like on a day-to-day basis with patient interactions and what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to dispensing medicine for patients.

Everything is Poison immediately caught my eye because it's about Giulia Tofana, the maker and mastermind behind the Acqua Tofana concoction that killed hundreds of men in Italy during the Renaissance, although this number could be much larger. I did a whole presentation about it during my clinical rotation at my state's Poison Control Center since it was assumed to have belladonna in it, along with arsenic and a whole bunch of other poisons. (My presentation was about plant poisons.) When I saw this on NetGalley, I KNEW I had to request it.

To put things in modern-day examples, Giulia is the pharmacist, Maria and Laura are her pharmacy technicians, and Carmela, Giulia's daughter, is a pharmacy intern (so a pharmacy student) trying to learn the ropes of her mom's role in the hopes that she one day can take over the apothecary and run it. The story follows Carmela as she turns 16 and starts to work in Giulia's apothecary. As she works there, she starts to learn about the dark underbelly of her mother's apothecary business beyond the standard cosmetics, love potions, arthritis creams, and other medicines she dispenses.

There were so many times I laughed because a lot of the tasks that Guilia, Maria, Laura, and Carmela do in the apothecary are still things that pharmacies do to this day- inventory and purchasing, compounding, counseling patients on different medications, giving recommendations to patients for different ailments, and even when they separate their more "dangerous" drugs/ingredients from the rest of their inventory behind the counter reminds me of how the pharmacy I work at keeps our controlled substances behind a locked room and our hazardous drugs (aka our NIOSH drugs) on separate shelves away from the rest of the drugs. Every time there was an interaction they had with a patient who was asking about this remedy or the other, my mind immediately went to the modern-day equivalent to what I would've recommended if I was the pharmacist there and it was sort of fun to make those connections. I know that in reality, I don't think Giulia Tofana ran an actual storefront apothecary in a building and most likely just had a small stand somewhere, but it was nice to see that the everyday tasks were just like any other pharmacy you'd see today, so I liked and appreciated the accuracy of pharmacy practice overall.

I loved how Giulia was trying to teach Carmela empathy throughout the story by telling her that they have to take care of everyone who steps through their doors and help them in any way they can, no matter how much they do or don't like them as people. Empathy is a huge aspect of working in healthcare and I felt like Carmela needed to learn to set aside her personal biases about the people she knew who came through the apothecary doors and help them. There were many times where I couldn't stand Carmela's attitude and thoughts towards some of the things she came across while working in the apothecary and I kept muttering to myself, "JUST SUCK IT UP AND HELP THEM!" I appreciated the character growth she had throughout the story, especially when it came down to her frenemy relationship with Violetta.

(Side note: It was kinda funny reading about Carmela trying to essentially gatekeep the pharmacy profession from Violetta and not letting her work there because she bullied Carmela when they were kids. They reminded me of Michael Scott and Toby from The Office.)

The only critiques I had about the story were the ending and how Aqua Tofana wasn't the main focal point of the story. The ending--albeit I read the ARC so I'm putting that here as a disclaimer--felt very abrupt and didn't sit right with me. I felt like it needed to be longer and more fleshed out because there were a lot of unanswered questions I had. There is a major event that happens within the last 30-40 pages of the story, and all of it happens extremely quickly and then the story just...ends. It felt incomplete. I would've loved to read about what happens immediately after the ending of the story, and no, I'm not talking about the epilogue which takes place a few years after (which was extremely cute). The book overall is 304 pages which is on the shorter side of books I've read this year, and I wouldn't have minded reading another 50-60 pages on how Carmela and the rest of the women handle the apothecary following the ending of the story.

Additionally, for a story about Giulia Tofana, her daughter, and the other women who helped Giulia dispense Aqua Tofana, the poison itself was more of a subplot and an underlying theme compared to the rest of the story, which was just the apothecary running on a day-to-day basis and the happenings inside the apothecary every day. We see the fallout and the consequences of people finding out about Aqua Tofana and SOME of the people who use it, but I wish we could've seen more about how it helped different people who needed it since that's what many girls and women ended up turning to in reality.

For a woman who made such an impact on the community in helping out girls and women who felt like they had no other choice, especially to the point where she, in real life, admitted to killing over 600 men with Aqua Tofana (and this number could be significantly higher!), we don't see a lot of those interactions between anyone who works at the apothecary and those people who wanted to get Aqua Tofana. It's been said that Aqua Tofana was the bestseller out of everything that Giulia Tofana sold, yet I didn't feel like that was reflected in the writing and the story at all. This was a time when women were married off to significantly older men, and most of the time the marriages were loveless and abusive. Many didn't see a way out until Aqua Tofana. Those who used it would tell their friends and it was very much through word of mouth that it blew up and became a silent but deadly poison. I would've loved to read more about how Aqua Tofana helped the women who needed it and the wide impact it had on the community.

Overall, this will be quite the banger to kick off 2025 releases, and if you're looking for a YA historical fiction story to read, I highly recommend this!

This tells the story of a young girl wanting to learn everything her mom knows about apothecary. She wants to help people until she finds out her mother makes Aqua Tofana, a poison, that is given to mainly women, to poison their abusive husbands. She learns that anything can be a poison depending on how it’s administered. The story gave me The Lost Apothecary vibes, but it was all in one timeline instead of jumping back and forth. It was a quick read for me. Favorite quote: "Everything is poison, love."

This book was a rich and wonderful tapestry of a tale that had me hook line and sinker from the get go. I rooted for the characters, the plot was nice and juicy to keep me fed, and the setting was just so well thought out and interesting that I literally could not put this down. I read it in a single sitting! I will definitely be going out of my way to purchase a physical copy of this book, this is something that needs to be on my shelves for me to admire and pick back up sometime in the future

McCullough has a niche and there is intense value to the historical fiction she's sharing with teens. It's a reminder that truth is stranger than fiction much of the time. She features 17th century women (several from real life) that used the power how they knew which was to use poison. In this situation, Carmela begins working in her mother's apothecary, a more "upstanding" opportunity to dispense the potions that many other women needed, while still providing everyday remedies for issues.

I wanted more of the verse to add a deeper layer because they were so beautifully crafted and added a shot of intensity when other chapters felt like they took too long to develop. It's a bit of a slow burn but with that rage that many women felt, I can see how that was incorporated into the story. I like a little more snap to YA stories to keep them moving.

I truly believe that this is going to be an incredibly impactful book for so many young people. Everything is poison follows Carmela as she discoveries the secrets and stories behind her mother's apothecary. Filled with strong women and the need to help others, Singnora Tofana fills her shops with all sorts of remedies and potions. From helping with joint pain to helping women escape awful men for good. Seeing the development through Carmela's eyes as she becomes a woman was enlightening and really makes you think about womanhood.
Everything is Poison was such an important and impactful read. Even though the book is written as fiction, there are so many real stories that we still see today. I appreciate the thought and care Joy McCullough put into her writing and I'm so grateful to Penguin Teen for sending me an ARC!

Everything is Poison
Joy McCullough
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorite Quote:
“There are so many who have no one else to turn to, even if you think you know otherwise. Even if it looks like they have a mother, a sister, a friend. Maybe there’s a reason they can’t turn to those closest to them. That’s where we come in. That is the daily work we are here for. Giving women a choice over what happens in their bodies. Are we clear?”

I absolutely loved this book—words can hardly do justice to how much I enjoyed it. The themes felt incredibly relevant, and I was especially drawn to the relationships and deep understanding shared between the women. When I first came across *Everything is Poison* on NetGalley, I was thrilled to dive into it, and it did not disappoint. The writing is exceptional, and the interludes about the people of Campo Marzio added such richness to the narrative. Carmella’s story feels like a coming-of-age journey, but in a wholly unique and compelling way. This book was so captivating, it’s made me want to grab a La Tofana Apothecary sweatshirt. Absolutely phenomenal.

I have been fascinated by the history of Aqua Tofana ever since listening to Bailey Sarian’s podcast episode about it, so I was thrilled to read "Everything is Poison" by Joy McCullough.

The story follows Carmela Tofana as she begins apprenticing at her mother’s apothecary in 17th century Rome. She quickly discovers the apothecary's secret creation, Aqua Tofana, a tasteless and odorless poison that was sold to women to help them escape their abusive relationships. The mix of prose and poetry added a unique touch, though the fast pacing made it a bit challenging to keep track of all the characters. I really enjoyed the apothecary setting and the themes of resilience and women supporting one another.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author, which brought an extra layer of emotion and authenticity to the story. The combination of real history and fiction was woven beautifully, giving the historical aspects a modern and relatable feel.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Teen, and PRH Audio for providing me with the eARC and audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free earc of this book.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE „Everything is Poison“!!!! It’s my first book by Joy McCullough but it certainly shan’t be my last.

The book follows Carmela, the daughter of Giulia Tofana (look her up, if you don’t know who she is) as she turns 16 years old and starts working in her mothers apothecary. This has been Carmelas lifelong dream/goal and she will do everything she can to ensure that she does a good job. Soon however Guilia and the other apothecary workers let her in on a secret: they invented and produce Acqua Tofana - a nondetectable and deadly poison. Soon the apothecary starts getting into trouble and Carmela is left to figure out the next steps.

The only aspect of the book which I found to be lacking was the pacing, as all the events happen within a couple of months (I feel like it might’ve been a bit realistic if it was closer to a year). Nevertheless the book was absolutely amazing.

The book has quite beautiful prose and is interspersed with poetry that reveals that Carmela isn’t the only one making experiences like these.
What I personally really loved, were the setting and vibe of the apothecary, the found family and the wonderful character development that multiple characters (including our main character Carmela) undergo.
Though the book is classified as Historical Fiction, it certainly doesn’t read as such. It is a slower book but it is written in a very easy and engaging way.

Id recommend „Everything is Poison“ to really anyone, as it is a beautiful story about helping and uplifting others and feminism. Especially if you’re interested in Poisoners/Giulia Tofana this will be the book for you. It was a great first read of the year.
Go read this beautiful story when it comes out on January 14!!

At the age of 16, Carnela becomes an apprentice in her mother’s apothecary shop in Rome. Slowly, she begins learning the secrets, and why some might call them witches. When a desperate wife comes in asking for a “remedy” for her husband, Carmela learns about Aqua Tofana, a poison.

This was a pretty quick read. The primary characters were well developed and interesting. The secondary characters were stereotypical and flat. The story itself was a bit simplistic and predictable. I would have liked more depth to the story. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

This is definitely my favourite Joy McCullough book yet! Besides the fact that historical female poisoners in Rome is so cool, the interwoven poetry and prose conjures this story that is about some very specific women and their relationships, while also casting a broader tale about women and their power. The plot is historical, but the emotions and relationships, and message, seem to transcend it. At heart, this book is a story about female power, not only through poison but the other healing methods of the apothecary, and the threat that poses to people, and largely men, in power. It’s complicated and at times we only see part of the story, but it’s not just supposed to be about the Tofana apothecary and its women, but about many women and some men who interact daily in the streets of Rome and abroad. While reading, I felt really immersed in the story and ended up finishing the book about as quickly as I might have if it were only poetry. If you’re a historical reader, like a book about supporting women’s supposed wrongs, or any of this sounds interesting, I would definitely recommend checking this out!

I was not sure what to think about this as I began to read but found that I could not put the book down. The characters, the stories, and the interludes in verse drew me in. Ultimately a powerful, well-written, thought-provoking novel showing the power and love between and of women.

It will certainly be on the shelf for my students.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review the ARC.

I’m officially obsessed. One of my final books of 2024 and one of the best books I’ve read all year. I’m excited to read the author’s other books. I loved the writing, told between prose and verse. The characters were rich and complex. I cannot recommend it enough.

Carmela Tofana has turned 16 and is excited to finally be able to join her mother working in her apothecary in seventeenth century Rome. While most of the potions and tinctures they create are to heal, there is also one of last resort, for women whose husbands’ cruelty leaves no other option.

This was a fascinating read. The characters were well written and very relatable. I loved the writing style. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

I really loved how the book used poetry interspersed through the book to weave a bigger picture of the city as a whole and the lives touched by the apothecary in various ways. It added a great depth to the story the setting and was an interesting way to set the pace of the book. I also loved the characters they were so richly done and really shone. I did however think the ending felt a bit abrupt and I wished some of the problems set forth had more of an explanation for how they were resolved. Other than that the plot was well done it was interesting to see how different events wove back into the story and how the characters smaller choices had such lasting impact. All around a beautifully written book.

Joy McCullough has done it again. This author consistently brings the reader into a historical setting and brings the stories of lesser known women to life. Everything is Poison is compelling, emotional, thought provoking, and challenging. The story of La Tofana as experienced by her daughter allows readers, likely 14 years plus, to relate to one of the many characters and possibly understand a world in which women and "lesser than" individuals must move carefully and help each other. I also appreciate that McCullough explains a bit of the history at the end and that she extrapolates for the story.

This was one of my most anticipated reads, and I am so happy I got the eARC! Magic, feminism, and mystery come together to form a quick but engaging book. I loved the background of potential witches and what women had to go through just to prove themselves to be taken seriously. Sadly a still-realistic and relevant read, but very important. I also really loved the poetry woven in!

A good work of historical fiction about the ways women help each other. The novel critiques patriarchy and shows the power of community.