**Thank you, Netgalley and publisher, for giving me an electronic ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

I really enjoyed the magic and the consequences but the characters were annoying. I get that they wanted to have fun and go out to a party but how stupid can they be when they know that, if they're caught they can get shot. I found myself wondering why someone would be a brewer when the consequences are that dire. I also liked the familiars and their pact with the families. Finding out how familiars are made however shocked me.

There were parts of this story that had me utterly captivated & I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the story if the house was on fire, however there were other parts that felt like I was walking up struggle street through cement. The pacing wasn’t amazing, I personally prefer more consistent pacing & worldbuilding over the jarring stop and go style story telling. The magic system was interesting, the MC for the most part was enjoyable to follow but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I didn’t roll my eyes a fair few times and get frustrated at the choices that were made. Despite not always enjoying it, it is excellently written & the way the story is structured will keep you pushing through those lulls for the amazing chapters & reveals. All in all a good story but not one I’d necessarily pick up again.

When Venus's mother is murdered, she is left to takeover the illegal family business of brewing love potions. However, as Venus investigates her mother's murder, she discovers secrets that have been kept from her, that prove to be detrimental.

Baptiste crafts an interesting magic system that is unique, alongside a political atmosphere that our main character becomes entangled with. Venus is a sarcastic, humorous and playful character, but has so much fierceness.

“Please, come in.” Venus made a sweeping gesture of the kitchen. “While you’re here, would you like something to drink? Bleach? Drain cleaner?”

The world is complex and there is a lot going on. I loved the extracts of worldbuilding at the beginning of each chapter as they also helped understand the world a little better.

Slow-paced at first, this book is a magical and action-packed adventure that will entice any fantasy lover.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
I wasn’t able to fully get invested in this book. I think the writing style just wasn't for me. I'd love to maybe try reading this again in the future and see if I can connect to the writing more. But for now I had to DNF. Rating two stars because I don't think it was anything wrong with the book, but it just wasn't for me.

Venus is just trying to get herself and her family out of this. Tryna make sure they survive and using every means necessary, including her potion making skills. Wielding love and loathing to give herself and those she loves an edge. This story, world and magic system are completely enthralling and so familiar. No matter how chaotic it gets, she'll figure it out.

I can't believe I'm saying this but, this would've been better as a duology. There's a lot of worldbuilding in the front end, which takes time for the plot to come through, so the end feels rushed.

However, the characters were interesting, a lot of grey areas over doing things that are 'right' versus doing things that are right, if that makes sense.

I did love the world of this book and would be interested in reading more stories in this world.

This book was dark and exciting and I couldn't stop reading! If you like Legendborn, you'll love this book.

The Poisons We Drink immediately grabbed my attention and didn’t let go until the final page. Bethany Baptiste’s writing is immersive and fast-paced, drawing you into a world where the stakes are high and every chapter leaves you eager to find out what happens next.

The story centers on Venus Stoneheart, a resourceful and relatable protagonist hustling as a brewer of illegal love potions in a country divided between humans and witchers. Venus’s struggle to support her family while navigating the dangers of a fractured society felt authentic and urgent. I found myself deeply invested in her journey, rooting for her as she faced both external threats and personal dilemmas.

What truly sets this book apart are its complex characters and the emotional depth of their struggles. Venus’s relationships-with her family, friends, and those who challenge her-are portrayed with nuance and heart. The world-building is rich, and the tension between humans and witchers adds layers of intrigue and danger to every decision Venus makes.

Baptiste weaves in themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the search for belonging, making the story not just thrilling but also heartfelt. The ending is both satisfying and leaves you wanting more, and I can’t wait to see what this author writes next.

If you’re looking for a gripping YA fantasy with memorable characters and a unique twist on magic, The Poisons We Drink is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks Fire for an earc copy of this book.

DNF @ 20%

I have tried to pick up this book on multiple occasions, but unfortunately I just have not been able to get into it or connect with the characters in a meaningful way. Each time i pick up this book, I am in love with the premise of the book, and the world setup, but I've not been able to develop a real connection to the characters or dive into the story properly, and end up putting it back down.

I think this book would be great for those who don't mind a slower beginning, and a lot of heavy worldbuilding early on.

This fantasy novel had some compelling elements: an urban setting, real world consequences, and what seems like a fun magic system with the potion brewing.

Unfortunately the pacing here didn’t quite work for me. There wasn’t a lot for the MC to do much of the time, and the middle part of the book dragged somewhat as the same conversations and conflicts were rehashed over and over.

I love the writing and the world building. This is a creative and well written book that would be a great addition to any library serving teens.

disappointed in myself for how much i didnt love this. the cover is beautiful, i loved the idea of it but unfortunately, the story just did not hook me in the way i wanted it to.

Usually, I dive into fantansy books featuring main characters who look like me. But for some reason, this one just isnt grabbing my mind. I've started and stopped this work of words several times since it was added to my shelf

After finishing The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of fascination and frustration. From the very first page, I was drawn into Venus Stoneheart’s world—a place where magic is both a blessing and a curse, and the lines between right and wrong blur in unexpected ways. I’ve always been a sucker for stories that mix fantasy with real-world issues, and Baptiste delivers on that front, exploring themes like racism, classism, and political manipulation. It felt like a gritty, magical version of our own society, which immediately hooked me.

Venus, a young witcher trying to make ends meet by brewing love potions, is a character I could root for, but also one I struggled to fully connect with. Her moral dilemmas are powerful and relatable, especially when her world begins to unravel, but I sometimes found myself wanting more depth in her personal journey. The book has a large cast of characters, and while I understand why that’s important for the story, it made it harder to keep track of who everyone was and what their motivations were at times.

The pacing also threw me off a little. There were moments where the action dragged, and I found myself wishing things would pick up faster. However, the world-building was incredibly well done—Baptiste’s take on magic felt fresh and immersive, and the political aspects of the story kept me intrigued, even when I wasn’t as invested in the characters’ arcs.

One thing that really stood out to me was how the book made me think about the consequences of power and control. The potion recipes at the end were a nice touch, and it added a layer of authenticity to the magic system that I appreciated. Even though the book didn’t hit every mark for me personally, it left me thinking long after I finished reading, which, for me, is the mark of a well-done fantasy novel.

In the end, I’d recommend The Poisons We Drink to anyone who loves complex, morally gray characters, magical systems with depth, and stories that don’t shy away from tackling serious societal issues. While it didn’t completely resonate with me, I can see its appeal to readers who enjoy a more thought-provoking fantasy. It’s a book that lingers, and even if I didn’t always love the pacing, the story stuck with me.

Felt like all the pieces were there for me to love this book, but the pacing kept tripping me up. The unique magic system was amazing and painful, the political aspect, the social oppression, and a badass FMC - all of these should have made this book a no-brainer, but unfortunately the pacing was chunky, making it hard to build momentum. A cool standalone fantasy that should have been amazing but was just okay.

This YA urban fantasy debut by Bethany Baptiste follows Venus Stoneheart, a young Witcher who brews potions for hire. The story delves into several important themes, including racism, classism, mental illness, and political control, all of which are explored thoughtfully throughout the book.

When Venus’s life is upended and she’s forced to fight back, she learns just how far some people are willing to go to achieve their goals.

The magical world, the writing, the characters (especially Leap, the best familiar!), and the world-building were all highlights for me. I’m hoping for a sequel or spin-off because I can’t wait to dive back into this world.

This urban fantasy caught my attention immediately because it had characters who felt authentic rather than traditional fantasy tropes. There is the classic us versus them with the humans versus the magic-enabled Witchers, but there was a lot of crossover with marriages and such. I particularly appreciated the arguments that each group fronted regarding the other, and I felt that this could lend itself to some great discussions around otherness without being politically heavy-handed. Thematic topics of loyalty, family, perseverance, morality, and service abound. I could easily see it as a high school book club.

There are plenty of plot twists that I didn't see coming, so that keeps the forward momentum going. The audio version is extremely well done, so I highly recommend that version. Enjoy, my friends!

Thanks also to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Disappointing Dive into Urban Fantasy

The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste presents an intriguing premise: a world where magic and politics collide, and love potions are both a livelihood and a weapon. However, despite its potential, the execution falls short in several areas.

Venus Stoneheart, our protagonist, is thrust into turmoil after her mother's untimely death, taking on the dangerous role of a Brewer in a society that criminalizes her craft. While the setup promises a thrilling journey, the narrative is bogged down by uneven pacing and choppy sentences, leading to a climax that feels both sudden and unsatisfying.

The world-building, though creative, often overwhelms the reader with its complexity, making it challenging to fully immerse oneself in the story. Additionally, the dialogue is marred by repetitive descriptions and instances of misogynistic language, detracting from the overall reading experience.

While the supporting cast offers some bright spots, with lively and well-developed characters, they aren't enough to offset the novel's structural issues. The themes of family, magic, and societal prejudice are present but lack the depth and cohesion needed to make a lasting impact.

Final Verdict: Despite its promising concept, The Poisons We Drink struggles with execution, resulting in a read that doesn't quite deliver on its potential.

I’d been looking forward to this book from the moment I first heard about it, and I’m so glad I finally was able to read it. This is an excellent story of love in many forms and the ways children pay the cost of their parents’ choices. There are so many fantastic bonds in this story, especially between Venus and her sister, Janice. Family is such a complex weaving of connections, and I love that family isn’t just blood but also the people you choose. The politics of this is also timely and at times rough, but handled so eloquently within the world. I had such a great time with this book and had trouble putting it down.

It’s always disappointing when something sounds sooooo good but it just doesn’t get there. I loved the premise behind this and the magic system was great too. The follow through here didn’t work for me. I struggled through much of it.