The Poison Paradox by Hadley Field and Felix Green. Narrated by Thomas Busby. Thank you to NetGalley for my audio ARC. This title released end of June.

Eamon used to be a powerful mage but then he dropped out of sight. Now years later Prince Alaric is on a quest to find the mage to help him bring his brother back to life. The mage is the only person who is powerful enough to perform this kind of magic.

There are whispers that Eamon brought a young girl back to life just before he disappeared.

Alaric happens to find Eamon but he is not what he expected, he has turned into a grumpy ogre (well who wouldn’t be grumpy if they turned into a large green ogre) and he refuses to help him.

Eventually Alaric forces the mage to help him by blackmailing him. Only once Eamon starts putting the concoction together does Alaric realise what the consequence will be for him. With all the time they spend together Alaric starts falling for the grumpy ogre. Eamon is the only one who sees through Alaric’s forced happiness – Alaric’s nickname is not Sunbeam for nothing.

The book is also filled with a cast of wonderful side characters: Lily a tree nymph who loves baking, Alorna a nosy goblin, and a centaur who makes spicy stews. Trolls, sprites, and vampires round out this ragtag village of exiled outcasts.

Read this if you love a found family and grumpy x sunshine trope.

This book was so freaking funny! From the crown prince having terrible handwriting to the grumpy ogre feeding the stray cats, this book is a delight.

Sunshine prince x grumpy mage, Magic, curses, dark magic, spell, potions, QUESTS! and of course... ROMANCE!!

The part that had me dying in laughter:
“I don’t have any coin.” -Alaric
“You have your body.” -Shopkeeper
“I’ve been told not to pay for things that way.” -Alaric
“I meant manual labor.” -Shopkeeper
“Oh…” -Alaric

This is a cute, cozy fantasy with humor and will bring a smile to your face.

The Poison Paradox was a wonderfully crafted low-stakes fantasy. Following characters as they decide how far they’d go for love. When bringing someone back to life could mean exile or turning into a strange creature, what would you choose?

The book premise was good, and the story itself was well written. However, this was NOT meant for an audio with one narrator when we are going back and forth between the two male characters in third person. It was so confusing to keep up with who was talking when there was no difference in the voices and not much to indicate we switched characters. The side characters had almost humorous voices I would have liked to see more for the main characters. While I understand adding another narrator would raise the price of the audio, it would have been worth it in this case. I had to rewind multiple times as I was lost often.

3.5 stars.

You know what, this was cute. I don’t think this is sold as YA, but it’s definitely what it’s giving. I wished the magical systems were a little more complex but overall I really enjoyed it. It felt super cosy and I loved the characters dynamics.

What a fun, cozy listen this turned out to be. Thomas Busby’s narration fit the story perfectly, and I was genuinely entertained by how he brought each character to life.

The story itself felt unique, with warm, comforting vibes that make it perfect if you need a lighter read between heavier books. There are a few darker edges, but it still feels like a comforting escape, like wrapping yourself in a soft blanket.

I really liked both Alaric and Eamon, as well as the side characters who added even more charm to their journey. The fantasy lore was fun and surprisingly thoughtful, and the romance was adorable with a steady, believable progression. It is fade-to-black, and I would have loved a few more sweet, quiet moments between them, but what we got still felt satisfying.

At first, it felt a little odd having just one narrator for both POVs, but the characters were written with such distinct voices that it quickly became easy to follow.

This is a cozy, character-driven queer fantasy with gentle humor, emotional healing, and an unlikely partnership at its heart. Perfect if you want something soft but still meaningful.

Despite poison being is the title this story was a delightful gem! The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life, and I think his accent fitted the story perfectly. The only outcry I had while listening to it is when they faded to black for the romance scene, otherwise it was perfect!

The Poison Paradox is a great cozy fantasy about a prince and an ogre.

Prince Alaric seeks out his father's former mage Eamon to help him with a much needed potion. At first Eamon, who had been changed into an ogre since leaving the palace, doesn't want to help Alaric. Once he does agree the two adventure to find the needed ingredients.

I haven't read a ton of cozy fantasies, but this was a fun one! I loved both Alaric and Eamon, as well as the additional characters in the story.

The audiobook narrator did have pretty cartoonish over exaggerated voices for the characters. It also was sometimes hard to tell which character POV was happening, since there was only one narrator for a first person dual POV book.

Tropes
* Cozy Fantasy
* Ogre + Human Prince
* Grumpy Sunshine
* Only one bed
* Magic Potion
* Adventure through magical land
* Found Family
* Single Dad

3.5 stars

The Poison Paradox is a cozy fantasy that blends magical intrigue, slow-burn romance, and found family into a charming potion of storytelling. Set in a forest village of magical misfits, the story follows Eamon, a former royal potion master turned ogre, and Prince Alaric, a banished royal desperate to save his brother from a mysterious illness. Their reluctant partnership evolves into something deeper as they navigate curses, forbidden magic, and the slow unraveling of the kingdom’s magical fabric.
Thomas Busby’s performance adds warmth and whimsy, with character voices that evoke a Jim Henson-style fantasy vibe.
Eamon’s brooding reluctance pairs delightfully with Alaric’s cheerful persistence.
From a baking-obsessed woodland nymph to a village of outcasts, the side characters are quirky and lovable.
The story explores what it means to heal others while learning to heal oneself.

Thank you to the author, narrators, publisher and Net Galley for providing an E-audio ALC of this title.

Publication date July 29, 2025

It took me a while to appreciate this story as it seemed juvenile, slow, and a bit confusing. Why did the magical-fae-paranormal characters populating the “monster” village like creatures from a Grimm’s folktale act so oddly towards one another? Why did Aemon resurrect Lily, a tree nymph, from the dead? Especially knowing it would lead to his physical change into an orc, and which resulted in his lover’s abandonment? And how in the world did Prince Alaric manage get robbed of his money and boots, leaving him with an out of tune lute? Was he that dim witted? Why did he insist on playing the out of tune lute so often? The beginning interactions in the storyline just felt disparate and tedious and I was a bit bored.
However, about halfway through the book, about the point where Alaric convinced Aemon to work together to create a potion to save Alaric’s brother I began to enjoy the story, and got caught up in caring about the characters in the story. I understood Alaric and Aemon’s earlier inexplicable behavior; I understood how important saving Lily was to Aemon and why that decision led to the loss of his lover, and I understood just how committed Alaric was to resurrecting his brother, Prince Cedric, from his suspended death. The quest to procure the elements needed to make potions of all kinds, but especially the deadly potion to bring back the dead, was creative and interesting. The paranormal beings in the village were fleshed out and had purpose. When Field and Green revealed the evil king’s dastardly plan, Alaric’s brother’s misplaced loyalty to a father who used him (a child who craved parental approval and love), and the events surrounding Alaric’s banishment from the kingdom, and I was fully engaged in and enjoyed the climatic ending.
The narrator was delightful. Accent and pace of speaking enjoyable.

This book has become another DNF far in. I will definitely finish eventually but lord it is so boring. I absolutely love this genre and this could have been as incredible as Sorcery and Small Magics, but I just didn’t connect with the characters at all. They aren’t nearly as loveable as characters in similar books, and the whole Poison thing doesn’t end up being a plot point really, and I am just dragging through this.

An adorable cozy queer fantasy that felt like It could be in the world of Ella Enchanted! The ensemble of characters was the best part of this story for me; very lovable, funny, and made the fantasy world feel whole. The story has Interesting fantasy lore that felt entertaining and relatively well thought out. The romance was adorable and felt like it had a steady progression. The narrator of this audio book was wonderful! Their various voices were incredible, I loved how they changed their voice for each character, even the small characters who we only get a few lines from. Overall such a fun read and will definitely recommend this to my cozy fantasy loving friends!
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with an ARC of the audio book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A cute cosy fantasy tale about kindness and finding a way to forgivness.

Eamon's life has changed drastically in the last few years- once a well respected potions master he gave that life up and ended up living in a small community of monsters. Between keeping his head down and raising a young girl the best he can, he tries to make the best of his life.

All that is turned on his head when Alaric a careless Prince stumbles upon him and follows him home.

Undaunted by Eamons frightening appearance Alaric is determined to save his sibling at any means nessisary- even if it means blackmailing an ogre to do it.

Eamon is quick to realise that what hides under Alarics constant fake smiles is a deep pain which he is desperate to remedy. Together they fight with their own conciouses about what the future might look like as they work closely together to help the small monster community while working on Alarics request.

A sweet romance built on a friendship, with a dash of political intruigue and plenty of magic.

The audiobook for this book has been great and although I found the use of one narrator confusing for the different POVs to begin with it soon became clear that both men had very different written voices making their chapters easy to discern from each other.

The voice of Thomas Busby gave the whole story a whimsical and folk tale feel, like being read a bedtime story.

Favorite bit- How Eamon is so mindful of his temper and thoughtful about how people perceive him in his current form.

Oh my goodness, this is such a cozy, feel good, fantasy. The romance is light and fluffy and a really good balance of grumpy/ sunshine. There's no spice. only one or two fade to black (up to your interpretation scenes) and some really likeable characters.

* I don't think this is a spoiler since this happens so early on in the book* but, Mage Eamon vanished into the woods, racing for a cure to save a young girl he barely knew. In his quest to save her, his sacrifice turned him into an ogre but she was ultimately saved, Prince Alaric is now searching for the previously renowned mage and ultimately crosses paths with Eamon who wants nothing to do with the royal family.

Alaric, who has some skill in magic, brings his brother back from the dead. However, he doesn't come back right and now he needs the help of someone who has done the same. He understands there is a cost but he would rather have his brother alive than worry abut what may happen to him once he is restored.

Eamon and Alaric are adorable. In all the best ways, this reminds me of Shrek, we are just missing Donkey. and Fiona is actually Alaric who is so charming and caring. I feel as though the ending is open just enough that we could continue to explore more in the world. There's not a ton of action but it makes up for it with a truckload of heart. this was right up my alley and I hope you will give it a chance. I had the audiobook and the narrator did a great job. I just which when he would talk from each characters perspective, he would continue to use "the voices' to ensure I know who's talking.

I loved the characters so much, and I loved their blossoming relationship! I like how it unfolded slowly over months, not just instantly in love.

Spoilers below!
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The main problem is making a potion to bring someone back to life -- I'll suspend my disbelief and buy that someone dedicated to helping as many people as he can would bring a child he barely knew back to life and, in exchange, never brew another potion again after he's forced to leave town because of his appearance. I'll pretend that someone used to triage and warfare would make that calculation and still make that choice. I'll even buy that to bring back a soul requires giving up someone else's -- life for life makes sense. It's harder to but that the crown prince would willingly become an orc zombie so his brother (who he thinks he killed but didn't) can come back to life. But sure, I'll buy it. But why would the king get one brother to kill the other, then exile his one heir to search for the potion brewer to bring back his other son instead of just sending his guards to find the potion brewer, especially since he doesn't know about the cost of potion? Why go through all those extra steps? Why not just find the potion brewer again and force him to brew the potion? If he knew so little about the spell, did he even know that brewing the potion required soul binding first? It felt like a plot twist that didn't really need to happen. I appreciated that the quirk of the spell meant the king was removed from power (I saw that coming a mile off, that was a great moment!) at least.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free arc, all opinions are my own.

4.5 stars. The definition of a cozy fantasy. I am only knocking off half a star because the resolution felt a bit rushed. Otherwise, I loved this. Our two MMCs, Eamon and Alaric, were so fun to get to know. I felt like they were sufficiently fleshed out for me to feel affection for and root for them. Add in the grumpy/sunshine, and I'm swooning. I loved all the side characters too in Eamon's village, especially his adopted daughter Lily. She was a nice buffer between Eamon and Alaric. Overall I really enjoyed this.

A note on the audiobook, I have a new favorite narrator in Thomas Busby. He can do so many voices!! He was amazing. My favorite was the wolfman with that deep gravelly voice.

**Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for providing this audiobook. All opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Victory Editing and Hadley Field & Felix Green for providing the ARC audiobook, narrated by Thomas Busby, through NetGalley.

The Poison Paradox is a (mostly) cozy fantasy romance following Eamon and Alaric. Eamon is an ogre that has retired into the forest after being the king’s mage for years and years, not wanting to do potion work anymore. Prince Alaric seeks Eamon out to craft a potion to revive his dying brother. They work at the forest village Eamon lives in together to make the potion, and their relationship develops along the way.

This story truly was a mostly cozy fantasy romance. The pairing is a sociable prince and a grumpy, yet soft, ogre. I appreciated how there wasn’t any “instalove” and their relationship progression felt organic. Romance didn’t dominate the plot and the characters had personalities, interests, and lives outside of being attracted to the other character.

The magic system is pretty standard, think of basic potions and magic, and not really elaborated upon. Eamon and Alaric’s interactions are interesting and facilitate most of the story, so I didn’t mind the lack of magical detail as I was entertained by them.

Minor characters felt like they had a purpose to the story beyond adding humor. Lily was very endearing, I especially loved her teasing Eamon about things while Alaric was present. Above all with minor characters, the treatment of the goblin towards the end stood out to me. Usually in stories with a plot point like this, the belligerent, rude person that is invited to the village is kicked out if they’re not “up to par”. Alaric working things out between the villagers and allowing the goblin to stay was a point I really enjoyed.

I had a great reading experience overall and loved the romance between Eamon and Alaric. I have posted reviews to TikTok and Fable as well (@fantasylobster), they will be posted 7/21/2025 and remain up indefinitely.

The Poison Paradox surprised me in all the best ways—Cozy fantasy meets found‑family feels, with Prince Alaric and ogre‑mage Eamon’s slow‑burn partnership at its heart. The world‑building is gentle yet rich, sprinkled with humor and magic, and those grounding moments in Eamon’s garden were my favorite. If you love charming, character‑driven stories with a dash of romance and ogre-sized heart, this one’s a delight.

DNF at 20%. I really wanted to like this book but the premise was no compelling and the characters were flat. It was also really confusing to have both perspectives read by the same narrator. I often didn’t realize when it had switched. I think there was some promise, but it just wasn’t a pleasurable read for me.

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

This was a fun blend of: Cottage Core + Found Family + Fantasy + Small Town + Necromancy

It was a quick read, lots of character growth and some adventure, but not too action packed. It was a nice cozy read. I like that they left it open to either continue the story elsewhere or let it be as concluded.

🎧 ALC - the narration was good, but sometimes inconsistent with voices when switching POV's.

Hear me out; I’m not sure if this is just me, but this story reminds me a lot of *Shrek*. The beginning of the relationship felt like a romance between Shrek and Donkey, but if both were attractive and Donkey were a human. For instance, when Alaric first meets Eamon in the forest and starts following him home, despite Eamon telling him to leave, it’s similar to their dynamic on the movie when they first met. Another example is when Alaric invites creatures to Eamon's home without his consent and befriends everyone. So, if you enjoyed *Shrek*, you might find this story appealing.

Aside from the similarities to *Shrek*, this story itself is a great read, especially as an audiobook. It’s become my go-to while commuting to work and doing chores around the house, as it's light, cute, and cozy. The atmosphere is well-crafted, and the side characters are fun and diverse, though most lack depth or background. My main issue with the book is the ending; it felt rushed and too convenient for the characters. I understand this is cozy fantasy, which typically lacks major conflicts or drama, but I think the execution could have been better. Overall, it’s an entertaining read, and I had fun for the most part.

Regarding the romance, it's a slow-burn, closed-door mxm relationship. They make a cute couple, but I would have preferred fewer scenes with the side characters in exchange for more interactions between the main couple. While I didn’t miss the spice, I would have liked a bit more proximity and longing between them.