//REVIEW// *ARC provided by @netgalley in exchange for my honest review.*

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

// ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

// Contemporary YA Fantasy

Briseis has the enchanting ability to influence and communicate with the plants and flowers around her. When a relative of hers dies she comes to inherit an estate that has more in store for her than she could imagine including an apothecary, hints to her lineage and her abilities and a walled garden filled with deadly plants. She also finds herself the target of a of a group looking to gain access to a rare immortality elixir that only she can provide them. Bri must use her abilities and new found knowledge to protect herself and her family.

I don't give out five stars easily but within the first 50 pages I knew this would be a five star read for me. I loved the writing, the suspense, all the fantastical elements, the diversity and the characters. This book was so much fun to read and as someone who at one point could have been described as Little Shop of Horrors obsessed I just couldn't get enough of the similar vibes this book was giving me.

Perfect for fans of Little Shop of Horrors and Cinderella is Dead.

// Release Date: 6/29/2021

Who is pre-ordering? I just did because I need a physical copy for my shelves.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the e-arc to me. I want to start off by saying I am surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! It’s been a while since I have admired a young adult novel. This story is perfect for people who enjoy plants, Greek mythology, and mystery.

This Poison Heart follows an adopted daughter, Briseis, who has the unique ability to control plants. Briseis and her parents visit a small town where she tries to put the puzzle together about her abilities, why she is immune to poison, and her birth family’s past. All while very strange things keep happening around her.

In addition to an intriguing and mysterious storyline, this book has a positive and healthy display of an LGBTQ+ family and a realistic family dynamic between parents and a teenager, which I appreciated reading in a young adult book. It also has a great atmosphere with detailed descriptions. It even made me a better plant mom. While reading this book, I was eager to tend to my own plant babies! I am really looking forward to reading book two!

4.5/5

This Poison Heart was such a fun blend of secrets, ancient family lineages, and Greek Myths. I sped through this book, and had such a fun time reading it and learning about all the secrets the Colchis family had, and being able to connect all the dots with Briseis, the main character.
It was fun to revisit some of Greek mythology, and to learn more about Medea, and a few versions of her story. This Poison Heart did feel pretty short, and most of it was setting up for the following books, but I am so excited to find what happens next!

I never expected to find myself in a world of poisonous plants and ancient witchcraft, but Kalynn Bayron has crafted a world so real that no one has to look far to find themselves.

This Poison Heart introduces us to Briseis, a girl whose life has never had enough answers, but she’s about to be introduced to many more questions. As if her ability to magically grow and handle strange plants isn’t enough to tackle, she inherits land which has secrets beyond what anyone on this Earth would expect to find. The world around her is changing with every turned key and new encounter, but what is it that only she seems to be able to uncover?


The book has everything that I love! LGBTQ+ representation, BIPOC own voices stories, relevant and topical references, and of course, Greek mythology. With so many elements to tackle, Bayron ensured that each had its place, and wove them together so seamlessly that you feel completely immersed. I very fondly compare this book to being inserted into a video game - the world unfolding around you, the main character uncovering secrets, and being confronted with dangers when getting too close. The author did lose me a bit on the technical terms of many of the plants, which sometimes failed to provide a clear mental picture unless you’re familiar with the species, but the setting oozes Gothic vibes that, juxtaposed with the vibrant characters, truly embrace both the darkness and the hope of the story.

One of the strongest points is the characters. With so much to tackle in terms of world-building and fantasy elements, it’s easy for the characters themselves to become other-wordly as well. But Bri and her moms are so down to earth and real that they ground the whole story and fill it with love. This is a book where sexual identity is never put into question, and while Bayron makes sure to tackle the complexities of being Black in modern America, she allows the queer characters to be themselves without any pressure on who they love. Besides the family, Bri’s journey to Rhinebeck is ultimately a journey of coming into one’s self, and the hard truth of leaving people behind who are not willing to accept the real you. In having Karter and Marie in Bri’s new world, not only are the characters well established in their roles (Karter is a friend, Marie the love interest), but they show just how important the people around you are to your growth.

I have high hopes for the sequel, to which the author so amazingly set up. By the end of this books, the stakes have been set, the pressure is on, and I’m hoping we don’t miss a beat between that last line and the next book.

The metaphor might be obvious as this is a “plant-based” novel, but growth is the main driving force. Whether it be whatever’s growing behind that mysterious locked door, or that Bri herself describes the freedom of being yourself, growing and thriving in all senses of the word are what make this a stellar read.

I knew I’d enjoy this book when I read the dedication page (proud plant mom here🙋🏾‍♀️). It’s a lighthearted and fun YA fantasy novel. I loved the fantasy elements, the friends Briseis made, and her own self growth over the book. There is plenty Black and LGBTQ+ representation in this story. Bayron added commentary on race and societal issues that added depth to the characters and plot. The ending will leave you wanting more. I seriously can’t wait for the sequel!

Synopsis: Briseis is a girl with a unique and deadly power: she can grow plants from tiny seeds with a single touch. When Briseis’s aunt dies she inherits a creepy, mysterious estate in rural NY. Briseis find instructions, an apothecary, and a hidden garden with the deadliest plants. Over the summer, living in this estate, she finds out many secrets about her family that has lived long before her.

This book was absolutely AMAZING!!! One of the best YA novels I’ve read in a long time. I’m so happy #Netgalley gave me the honor of being able to read it early, now the only thing I can do is read it over and wait impatiently for the sequel. I highly recommend this book to anyone who’s a fan of Greek mythology, and just Black Girl Magic in general. If it’s not clear from this review, let me just say that I loved this book and would buy it for all of my friends.

#ThisPoisonHeart #NetGalley

This book's a little bit witchy, a little bit eerie, and all kinds of mysterious. Briseis has always had something more than a green thumb. It's led to her love of botany, but it also causes her to keep friends at arm's length to protect her secret. Her life is turned upside down when she finds out she has inherited an estate from her birth family. She and her moms go to stay the summer at the old house, complete with secrets in the turret, poisons in the garden, a fully stocked apothecary, and more than one hidden door. Briseis will uncover the story of her gift and dig into a whole new world waiting just out of sight.

What I loved about this one: the family dynamic, first and foremost. Bri's moms are supportive and protective with a side of goofy muchness. Second, the house's mysteries were enticing. The discovery of each new door or key had my mind whirring with the possibilities. The infusion of myth, magic, and botany was clever and fleshed out. Also, the story takes place in a community where they are in the process of defunding the police. I loved the window into what that might look like and all the people it could benefit.

What didn't work for me: there's an instalove-ish plot, which is a personal pet peeve. Also, Briseis' investigation of family/town mysteries was fun, but the conclusion of it all felt a bit rushed and lacked punch in comparison. After the buildup of clues, the flurry of final reveals left me unsure how to feel about the situation or how to invest in the glaring cliffhanger.

I recommend this to ya fantasy fans looking for something mysterious and mythological in a modern setting. It also features two sapphic relationships, which is always a plus. Thanks to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book! It's out next week on 6/29.

Not all gifts are welcome. Briseis is bright and determined and if keeping herself in check didn’t require so much of her energy, she’d be an excellent student. But as it is, trying to stop plants – flowers, trees, grass – from reacting to her presence takes a lot of focus. Furthermore, when you’re hiding who you are, it’s hard to keep your friends or make new ones. So when Briseis learns that her birth sister’s mother willed her a property in the countryside, Briseis and her mothers decide to leave Brooklyn and their flower shop for a while and spend the summer in the house the teenager inherited. Despite her fear of being overwhelmed when surrounded by plants, Briseis finds herself able to relax in a brand new way. She also realises there’s more to what she inherited than an old house and a garden. Her birth family’s history goes back a very long time and her ability to make plants grow is only the tip of the iceberg. The safe part of the iceberg.

The main character, Briseis, is relatable despite her incredible gift, her two moms – Mom and Mo – are wonderful, all three are complex and flawed but full of love and trust. I loved the moms, the relationship between them and their relationship with their daughter.

When the three of them first arrive in the small town near which the estate is located, Briseis and her parents worry that everyone seems so white, and Briseis brings up the movie Get Out and jokes that she doesn’t want a white woman living in her body. With a few words here and there, Bayron inserts social commentary in a way that feels so natural it almost seems inadvertent. Very efficient, however.

Because they’re new to the area, Briseis and her parents meet the secondary characters at the same time as the reader. We have the same information about the people they come across. We trust who they trust, dislike who they’re wary of. Not all are who they seem to be and those who apparently are might reveal themselves not to be in the next book. Whatever happens, I hope we get to see more of Marie, the gorgeous young woman who pikes Briseis’s interest, and her unusual bodyguard Nyx, as well as Mama Lucille, Dr Grant and her father the alchemist, and others.

I enjoyed Kalynn Bayron’s debut novel Cinderella is Dead a lot last summer, and was looking forward to her second book. I’m happy to say that I liked it even more and that the issues I had with the writing of the first book aren’t a problem with this one. This Poison Heart feels like The Little Shop of Horrors meets Percy Jackson, with Greek mythology mixed with killer plants and Black girl magic.

Bayron sets the atmosphere cleverly, slowly, quietly, until it becomes stifling and thrilling towards the end. Speaking of which, This Poison Heart is the first book in a series and ends on a stunning cliffhanger. I don’t know when the next installment is planned and I hope we won’t have to wait too long to find out what happens next.

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of This Poison Heart!

I absolutely loved Cinderella is Dead, and so I was extremely excited to read another YA fantasy from Kalynn Bayron. Although this story is almost entirely different from Cinderella is Dead in all ways, I loved it at least as much, if not even more. I love that the main character is a Black girl from Brooklyn, and I connected with her life in the city and her family's struggles to make enough money to be able to live comfortably and run their florist shop. I also love all of the references to Greek mythology and the ways that Briseis and her family connect with those ancient myths. The plant magic that Briseis has is well crafted and the theme of protecting the earth and helping the plants flourish really spoke to me. The world-building is great, and I love the ways that the real-world pieces connect with the magical elements. The supporting characters in the book are also well-developed and interesting, and I especially loved reading about Briseis's relationship with her two moms. I really appreciate this kind of LGBTQ rep, where it isn't necessarily a major theme of the story but is just part of everyday existence. I absolutely loved everything about this book, and I am already super excited for a sequel!!! Highly recommend!!

Things I liked: the queer rep, the diverse cast of characters, the spooky house, the mythology background, the magic.
Things I wanted better from: the writing style in the beginning of the book, more development of the romance --felt a little sudden.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron was a magical adventure of self discovery, family, and history. Bri's Poison Ivy like powers over plants and her curiosity won me over in an instant. Some of the tropes in this book are not in the premise, so I will not be including them in my Notion list until after the release date to avoid any spoilers.

Premise

Briseis can turn seeds into full bloomed plants in an instant, and helps her moms out at their flower shop. But when her birth aunt dies, she leaves her entire estate to Bri, so Bri and her moms head up to Rhinebeck for the summer. The old house has an apothecary, and after strangers start showing up to the house, Bri learns that she not only can grow plants, but can make elixirs. However, there is more to this inheritance than Bri expects.

Worldbuilding

As a New Yorker myself, I've been to Brooklyn and Rhinebeck many times. However, Kalynn's writing brings me right back to the business of Brooklyn and the quaint streets of Rhinebeck. Not only were the towns beautifully written, but the gardens in the estates were incredible. The gates in front of the Poison Garden, the walk over, inside the garden, it was so beautiful to read and imagine. As a fantasy novel taking place in today's world, one doesn't usually think as worldbuilding as super important, but it really makes the gardens, apothecary, and estate stand out.

In addition, the magic built in the story was so fascinating. I can't speak to everything due to spoilers, but let me tell you, the magic twist was great. Besides that, Bri's magic specifically was some of my favorite magic I've read recently. Poison Ivy is my favorite Batman villain, and I've always loved her powers. Not only that, but during quarantine I went a little plant crazy, so this book was especially wonderful to read after becoming a plant lover.

Characters

I loved all of these characters. One seemed a tad fishy to me from the start, but I won't spoil who! As a young high schooler, Bri is learning who she is, but on top of that she deals with her powers and how they effect her life, as sometimes she loses control over them. As sketchy as it seemed, moving up to Rhinebeck showed an acute change in Bri, as she finally had friends in this new town that she started care about. Bri's moms, Mom and Mo, were also just utterly hilarious. Their banter was spot on, and it was evident how much they cared about Bri, even if she was spending the summer learning about her birth family.

The other folks in town such as Karter and Marie I did feel like I needed more time with them. Then again, this is a series, so I know I'll get to see them soon! There was a lot of mystery surrounding these two characters, and while some of the information was revealed during the course of This Poison Heart, there will be even more in the next book about these two characters.

In addition, one of my favorite characters was Dr. Grant, a social worker who was answering 911 calls instead of the police. This made me so happy. As someone who is very for defunding the police and fixing our justice system, seeing it in a contemporary novel just made my day. This is the kind of side story that should be in novels. Even though it's not the focus, it's a great opportunity to bring social justice into a book.

Overall

For such a short book, I was blown away. The worldbuilding and magic building was spot on. The character development and relationships were also fascinating to watch unfold.

Briseis Greene is good with plants. It’s not your average green thumb, though – she has a mysterious magic that allows her to grow seeds into blossoms in seconds, and bring a wilted husk of a plant back to life. Her hold on this magic is somewhat tenuous, though, and the plants don’t always stay in her control. When she receives a message that her aunt – from a birth family she has had no contact with since her adoption – has passed away and left her a house in the countryside, she and her moms pack up to go and find out what exactly Bri has inherited. She soon finds herself entangled in magic and mystery, besieged by even more questions about the family she came from.

The magical world of this novel is a combination of magic and mythology, which I love. I also adored the spooky setting of the old house and its mysterious gardens. Bri’s relationship with her parents (her two adopted moms) was fantastic, as was the representation in this novel – aside from Bri’s two moms, Bri herself is queer (bi or pan) as is her female love interest, and most of the characters in the book are people of color. I wasn’t that into the romantic aspect, to be honest - I appreciate the wlw representation but it’s kind of insta-love-y. But that was one of my only minor complaints about the novel. I’m interested to explore this world more when the next book comes out.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

I was charmed, if a bit underwhelmed, by Kalynn Bayron’s debut, Cinderella is Dead, and I had high hopes for her sophomore novel, This Poison Heart. Once again, she’s taking inspiration from folklore and mythology, which I found instantly appealing.

I loved the mix of influences that show up here. It’s in part an homage to Greek mythology, apparent from the name of the protagonist, Briseis, to some other allusions and plot points. There’s also a Secret Garden-esque feel, but a more modern and inclusive take, with Black and LGBTQ+ people front-and-center.

I enjoyed the way the plant/garden/elixir elements were explored. That’s never been an interest of mine, but it was conveyed in a way that made it interesting, especially in how it connected with the historical elements.

A major highlight is the characters and their relationships with one another. Briseis has a lovely bond with her two moms, who support her as she digs into her heritage about receiving her inheritance from her biological mother. Her journey of having to find out who she is is incredibly relatable, and it’s beautiful to see more adoptive children represented on the page, even if in this case there is a fantastical twist.

I did find the romance a bit underwhelming in comparison to the other elements. However, this is the first in what looks to be a series, so I suppose there’s room to grow as the story goes on.

This book is an absolute delight, and I cannot wait for more (especially given that it ends on a cliffhanger)! If you love fantasy influenced by Greek mythology and fairy tales, you’ll enjoy this book!

“My friends were pulling away from me, my parents were worried about me, school was a mess, and this power squatting inside me was trying to break free. How much more of this could I take before I reached a tipping point? Before I did something I couldn’t take back?”

For seventeen-year-old Briseis, Brooklyn is her safe haven. It’s full of concrete and pavement, perfect for someone who wants to hide their unusual gift with plants. Because no one can know that with a single touch, Bri can grow plants in minutes…or that poisonous plants don’t seem to affect her. But when Bri’s aunt dies and leaves her a crumbling mansion and forty acres of land in rural New York, Bri and her parents decide to take a chance and move there for the summer. With no one around for miles, Bri finally has the chance to experiment with her gift, and when she discovers a secret garden on the property, it feels like fate. Except Bri isn’t the only one interested in plants. Mysterious strangers begin showing up and asking for remedies from the old apothecary in the house. Peculiar letters reveal hidden rooms. And Bri finds part of the garden only she can enter, a part filled with poisonous plants. All Bri wants is to finally find somewhere she can fit in. But when secrets from long ago are disclosed and her family is targeted by a nefarious group searching for an immortality elixir and a deadly plant, Bri must learn to control her gift if she wants to protect her family’s past, present, and future.

After absolutely loving Cinderella Is Dead, I had high hopes for Kalynn Bayron’s next novel, and I was not disappointed. This Poison Heart will wrap its vines around you and refuse to let you go until you’ve read the final page. Briseis is a fantastic protagonist, and I loved watching her bloom throughout the book. Her moms are also now two of my favorite literary parents ever! Their relationship with Bri is so healthy and fun, and I wish I could join them for a movie sometime! Bayron does an excellent job combining elements from The Secret Garden with Greek mythology in unexpected ways. Additionally, I can’t wait to see how the seeds of romance planted in this book will grow in the sequel. With literal Black Girl Magic, wonderful representation, and an enthralling mystery, This Poison Heart will knock your stalks off!

Content Warnings: Murder, death of a parent, blood and gore, decapitation, dismemberment, strong language

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

Wow okay, I don't know where to start.

This Poison Heart, in a brief summary, is about a Briseis Colchis, an adopted girl who is able to manipulate plants - that meaning controlling it, being immune to poisons and more. When she and her moms go to her birth family's house ( that she inherited ) over the summer, they believe that this may solve some problems. Yet there is definitely a catch and things aren't as they seem - not with the town nor the people in it.

The gorgeous cover was enough for me to know that I was going to love it and I was correct. Bri was a likeable, powerful character that so many people could resonate with as well, due to the black and bisexual rep. Plus sapphic romance ahh. The rest of the side characters were also just as enjoyable and mysterious. Also this is a Mom and Mo stan account - it's so refreshing to see two alive and supportive parents. Their relationship with Bri was so healthy and we love to see it.

The plot was also elaborate yet not too confusing, and for someone who doesn't know that much of mythology, I was able to understand and was intrigued by it all. Some of the twists were also so unexpected and left me shocked. This was such a unique spin of the myth and I loved it.

The only thing that I feel was lacking was the romance. It was rather bland to me? I didn't like the love interest much either, which was the cause of me giving it four stars rather than five.

Anyways, I need a sequel now. I can't wait for the sequel. This was so stunning.

I already can't wait for the sequel! Black girl magic, Greek mythology, secret gardens, and queer YA fiction bundled together into a book that I didn't know that I needed. Fans of LEGENDBORN by Tracy Deonn will love this as well.

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.)

I absolutely adored this book! It’s filled with Greek Mythology, buried family secrets, a creepy old Victorian home with a beautiful Apothecary and a secret garden filled with the worlds most poisonous plants.

Bri comes from a long lineage of Magical women that have the ability to transform herbs and plants into potions, healing balms, and elixirs. When her family is informed that she has inherited a home and property, she and her two Moms pack up to begin a new life. Upon moving in they are have numerous trespassers inquiring about the apothecary. When Bri decides to reopen the Apothecary, it opens the doorway for people that want to steal the garden’s secrets for themselves. This book is rich in magic, symbolism, and an excellent action adventure that ends on a cliff hanger. I cannot wait to read the continuation of this brilliant story!

I knew Kalynn Bayron was talented after reading her debut, Cinderella is Dead, but this book really brought that point home and showcased her immense talent in the best possible way. It’s a gothic novel with Black girl magic, elemental powers, family secrets, a secret garden, LGBT rep, and Greek mythology running throughout. Plus, it’s topped off with a stunning cover. What’s not to love? In this case, you have my full approval to judge this book by its cover.

I’ve always loved stories that incorporate Greek mythology, but this one does it in a completely unique way in a field that is saturated in Greek myths. The plot was compelling from the start, rapidly snowballing until it picked up an amazing amount of speed in the last quarter of the book. I found myself simultaneously rushing towards the end and dreading the end, because it meant that I’d run out of book and I just wanted to keep reading this amazing piece of art.

Briseis is a compelling main character, one that I easily identified with and wanted to see her do well. She’s both loyal to her family and struggling with loneliness. Her elemental magic keeps her isolated from her friends, making it difficult to maintain close friendships. When she has an estate left to her by a dead relative that she’s never met, she has a chance to start over in a new place, surrounded by plants. But it brings a whole new set of difficulties, and she does’t quite know who she can trust.

I enjoyed meeting the people around her as well, with the characters having their own engaging personalities. There were plenty of humorous aspects to the story, and I found myself chuckling many times as I read. Bayron works in pop culture references so effortlessly and naturally, it’s a perfect example of YA authorship.

I only had two complaints about the story. My first is that one of the characters was clearly suspicious, and Briseis never picked up on anything about it. It seemed blatantly obvious to me, and as soon as the first clue appeared, my wheels started turning, even though nothing ever clicked for Briseis until literally everything got spelled out. The other was the way that Briseis and her love interest had a kind of insta-love connection, rather than having things develop a bit more slowly and naturally. Other than that, this book was damn near perfect, and I’m already dying to get my hands on the next book (as soon as it comes out). Yep, it’s that good.

Wow!!! “This Poison Heart” by Kalynn Bayron was one of the best novels i have read this year and in general. From the very beginning it drew me in with a story about a girl who is struggling to make and keep friends and with everyday stuff along with a little secret power. I loved the idea from the very beginning of her power with the plants I loved seeing how she and plants interacted with each other including poisoned ones. Like so many others I too loved the little Greek mythology twist that brought more depth into the story. Overall, I really enjoyed every word of this book Brislies story was really well told!

There are so many stunning covers out there these days, and this is one of them. Between that and the Poison Ivy (an antiheroine from the Batman universe for all you non-nerds out there) vibes I was getting from the description, this book called to me.

All of the Greek mythology references in this story were unexpected, but being a mythology fan, it was a very welcome surprise. The MC’s name comes from a character in The Iliad. Since I read it decades ago, I didn’t make the connection until I Googled how to pronounce her name. I also loved learning about all the botanicals. It’s clear the author performed extensive research, and some of them are unique and fascinating, but also kind of scary.

One of my favorite things about this novel is Briseis’s family. Her two moms are perfect examples of loving, supportive parents – and they’re also a great comedy team. I laughed so many times over their conversations and comments and unlike many YA novels, these parents play a bigger role in the story. Friends have never been plentiful in Briseis’s life, and she’s hoping to make a fresh start after inheriting the estate and moving to a new town. From almost the moment they arrive, strangers begin showing up and asking for tinctures and elixirs and soon Briseis feels as if she’s found her niche in running an apothecary where she can help people. But she didn’t just inherit the house – it comes along with dark secrets, curses, and shocking surprises. I plowed through this book in two days – that should tell you how difficult it was to put down.

The ending comes with a huge cliffhanger, and you can bet I’ll be anxiously waiting for the next book in the series. If you’re a fan of urban fantasy with a splash of mystery and a dose of Greek mythology, you can’t go wrong with This Poison Heart.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.