Such an intriguing magic system and really vibrant characters. I was hooked! Will definitely pick up this author again.

Incredible. Bethany is in a league of her own with this. The representation is fantastic. And it has all the elements of a fantasy book I adore. Can’t wait to see what comes next

I do think that this story had some strong point but I do think the pacing is what took me a bit to fully get into the story, but I can definitely seeing people get into this one. Definitely think the plot was strong but the delivery just missed the mark for me.

The Poisons We Drink is a timely book focusing on socially hot topics such as politics and culture woven throughout a fantasy story. The main character, Venus Stoneheart, is a strong, intelligent witcher, who finds herself digging deep into her soul to decide what side of the war she wants to end up on. I think this story will be a hit with young adults who read Angie Thomas and Tomi Adeyemi.

Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.

I loved this magic-system, the portrayal of injustice and discrimination, the diverse cast of characters, and the complexity of the characters. This book was full of mystery and tension. Make sure to read the trigger warnings-it has a few tough topics some should be warned about.

This was a book that I couldn’t put down. Loved the magic system and the commentary on government. Amazingly done!

I am thoroughly impressed that "The Poisons We Drink" is a debut novel! Bethany Baptiste wrote a compelling story with an interesting magic system while also incorporating what it's like to be a black woman in modern-day society and the racism that one may deal with. I loved the characters in this book and the lore surrounding the magic. This book had a fresh take on "witchery," and I just overall really enjoyed this story.

The cover of this book drew me in immediately! The magic system in the plot is extremely unique and overall has features relevant to societal issues that many teens will find relatable. I absolutely added this title to our cart for the library teen department and am excited to share it with patrons. I did feel like the plot had quite a few holes and found myself confused a few times while reading.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the e-arc!
Let me tell you, this book lives up to every expectation I had! In this book, we follow Venus, who brews illegal love potions in order to support her family. Brewing potions is dangerous, and getting caught means death, but when Venus's mother is killed, Venus is willing to do anything to protect her little sister. She is offered a chance to take revenge on her mother's killer, but at the cost of brewing a potion that enslaves very influential politicians. This promise blew me out of the water with how unique it is and how intriguing the plot line sounds.
The world-building in this book was excellent! The magic and the potions or so unique and complex. I love the use of potions in fantasy, and this book untitled them perfectly! The intrigue and the overall plot weren't too confusing but still extremely engaging.

The poisons we drink is a fantastic tale of humans vs witchers that’s filled with poisons and potions and magic. It’s also a story that tackles some big issues including racism, injustice, and oppression. The characters were wonderfully endearing, particularly Venus and the lengths she would go to to protect those she loves. I loved the modern day D.C. setting, it was super neat to see a place I’m familiar with filled with magic. I adored this one so much and will definitely pick anything else I find by this author. 4 stars.

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Poisons We Drink

Author: Bethany Baptiste

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 5/5

Diversity: Black American Sapphic MC, Black American characters, Indian American character, Sapphic character, Non-Binary character

Recommended For...: young adult readers, urban fantasy, fantasy, witches, queer, contemporary

Publication Date: April 30, 2024

Genre: YA Urban Fantasy

Age Relevance: 16+ (police brutality, violence, racism, gun violence, parental death, child death, PTSD, anxiety, depression, self-harm, gore, drugs, underage drinking, language, grief)

Explanation of Above: There are scenes and mentions of police brutality, gun violence, and violence in general. There is one on-page death of a parent and mentions of death of a child. There are moments of PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, and forms of self-harm. There is some blood and vomit gore. There are mentions of drugs and underage drinking. There is some strong language. There are also scenes and mentions of racism and racist acts.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Pages: 480

Synopsis: 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.

Review: Oh. My. God. This book was EVERYTHING. I absolutely devoured this read and I can’t wait to re-read it. The book was captivating, the story was just so addicting, and I loved everything about this book. I loved the main characters. I love the mix of witchcraft and the LORE. I usually do not do well with urban fantasy style books because I’m more of a “magic fits better in my mind with medieval style settings” but omg this has made me reevaluate my stance cause this was THAT GOOD. I felt like the background was well set up, the worldbuilding was great, the characters were well developed, and just EVERYTHING. I LOVE THIS BOOK. Like I don’t know how else to say that? Uhh… READ THIS BOOK.

The only thing I would say was a slight ding was some of the pacing here and there was a bit off in places, but other than that I NEED MORE.

Verdict: I loved it. I need more =). Highly recommend.

Gorgeously written, magical, and truly moving. A YA novel that digs deep into family trauma, modern day poisons, and what it means to step into your power.

The Poisons we Drink has a captivating premise and a multifaceted and intriguing main character. This world where witches and politics intertwine is dangerous and hard to navigate for those who wish to be active players. I found the ending to be a little drawn out and felt the story could have been a little shorter. But I also enjoyed uncovering the secrets of Venus’s world with her.

The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste gave me the vibes THUG would have if it had magic in it. The word building was deeply rooted into the political climate that perpetuates the worse realities of racism in America, and I think that's what made this book powerful. The characters had personal stakes and political stakes that elevated the plot even more. I really enjoyed it, and I hope there is a sequel.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

Usually, I am not the type of girl that likes to read books about magic, practical or not, but this was such a good book that I didn't even mind that it was stepping out of my usual comfort zone for books.

The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste is a captivating young adult novel that immerses readers in a world divided between humans and witchers, where magic, power, and betrayal intertwine in a dangerous game of survival.

At the heart of the story is Venus Stoneheart, a talented brewer who navigates the treacherous underworld of illegal love potions to support her family. As Venus grapples with her inner turmoil and the dark magic within her, her world is shattered when an enemy's iron bullet kills her mother. Suddenly thrust into a position of responsibility for her reckless sister Janus, Venus faces difficult choices and dangerous alliances.

Bethany Baptiste's storytelling is gripping and immersive, drawing readers into a richly imagined world where moral ambiguity and political intrigue reign supreme. Through Venus's eyes, readers are taken on a journey of self-discovery and redemption as she navigates the complex web of power dynamics and personal demons.

The character development in The Poisons We Drink is masterfully done, with each character exhibiting depth, complexity, and flaws that make them feel authentically human. From Venus's struggle with her magic to the ruthless machinations of the Grand Witcher, every character adds depth and nuance to the narrative, keeping readers engaged and invested in their fates.

What sets this novel apart is its exploration of themes such as power, revenge, and the consequences of our actions. As Venus delves deeper into the corrupt underbelly of her city, she must confront the blurred lines between right and wrong and grapple with the weight of her choices.

Overall, The Poisons We Drink is a compelling and thought-provoking read that will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the end. With its dynamic characters, immersive world-building, and suspenseful plot twists, this novel will undoubtedly captivate fantasy and political intrigue fans. Bethany Baptiste has crafted a spellbinding tale that lingers in the mind long after turning the final page.

I think this is a great YA fantasy to get into because it’s a bit more simple so you won’t get too lost. The cover is so stunning that you immediately want to read it and the themes of magic and loss are well done as well.

I tried multiple times, but I couldn't get into this one. I might try the audiobook route to see if the characters are more entertaining through narration. But I found them flat, and with so many of them, it was just tedious to read.

I was initially really excited to read The Poisons We Drink because it seemed like a fairly unique and timely addition the magical genre. Unfortunately it fell short of my expectations and that was primarily because of the magic system.

I will say that I liked the characters, though "like" is a strong word. The main character, Venus, is definitely an unlikable character but I do understand where she's coming from given the way her life is portrayed in the book. The same with her sister and her mother and most of the rest of the characters. They all have more than their fair share of struggles and you can see why they'd act and react the way that they do. And having such a cast of flawed characters would have been fine and less of a deterrent if, as I mentioned before, the magic system was explained better.

At first I liked how there were different types of magic presented. But the whole concept of how the poisoners and potions worked did not make sense at all to me. There weren't enough details as to why certain types of magic required more than others and why certain helpful magical items weren't used more often. (Exactly what goes into the enchanted protective ring that Venus was given and why wasn't that given to more witchers, especially potioners?)

In the end I would say that The Poisons We Drink was okay, I guess, but I wouldn't really say I enjoyed it that much.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

Enjoyable YA that focuses on magic, family bonds with fantastic world building.