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The Poisons We Drink
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fantasy (2024)In a country divided between humans and witchers, Venus Stoneheart hustles as a brewer making illegal love potions to support her family.
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.
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.
496 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2024
392 people are currently reading
38196 people want to read
About the author
Bethany Baptiste
2 books587 followersBETHANY BAPTISTE is a national bestselling, award-nominated author and a slightly responsible grown-up living in Jacksonville, Florida, in a little brick house with two chaotic evil dogs, too many books, and not enough scented candles. You can find her and her antics at bethanybaptiste.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,005 reviews
February 15, 2024
*UPDATE 12/18/2023* I’ve already gotten several accusations online from people saying I am a fake account Cate Corrain used to post negative and hateful reviews on Goodreads. Let me be clear, I am not. What Cate Corrain did is absolutely awful, bigoted, and racist. My review of this book is not in any way associated with her. Before you go around in my comment sections and DMs accusing me of racism, please actually read my reviews. Again, I literally have no affiliation to the scandal. You can find the receipts on Twitter to know what accounts she was using. Also if you actually took the time to read my review, you would notice I have very valid reasons for why I didn’t enjoy this read.
———
Usually, I start my reviews with what I like about a book, but I've got nothing.
Please note I am in the minority in my opinion. Read some other reviews as well if you are interested in The Poisons We Drink. As of now, the book has high praise from other reviewers. This is just my opinion.
The writing is juvenile and made this book much longer than it needed to be. It had this style of repeating short, clunky sentences, which I think are used to evoke emotions or show how moving a statement is supposed to be. Instead, it meant I was skimming whole chunks of the book.
"A heady dose of euphoria.
An addictive sense of home.
A mounting swell of empowerment.
A connection no human could ever understand."
"The tender act stirred nothing in her.
No sense of comfort or warmth or love.
She felt like the Tin Man.
Hollow with no heart."
Combining these into full sentences would sound much cleaner and make the whole book flow naturally. I wish these were the only two instances, but my copy is highlighted with many similar passages.
The writing style affected my ability to understand the characters. Venus might have been a great main character, but my connection to her was shallow at best, bordering on non-existent. Her motivations were being told, not shown, so the emotion behind it was missing. It's a shame because she could have been a great main character. Her life built a great background for a lot of anger and rage, but she never seemed to feel that deeply. The secondary characters were little more than shadows and hard to keep track of, they were all so similar.
What was the overall arc of the story? Within the first fifteen/twenty percent, I like having a general idea of where the story is going, but the pacing was painfully slow. Nothing came together until the 50% mark, and the last half was just as tedious. The storyline should have come together quickly. It had moments of intense action followed by lethargic descriptions of the character's clothes, and choppy descriptions of emotions. I can forgive a slow start if the beginning is world-building, or the rest has great pacing. Otherwise, the story needs to be edited down to key components.
I am bummed I didn't like this one. The premise sounded fantastic, but the sloppy writing and meandering plot got in the way of a remotely enjoyable reading experience.
Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for the advance copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
———
Usually, I start my reviews with what I like about a book, but I've got nothing.
Please note I am in the minority in my opinion. Read some other reviews as well if you are interested in The Poisons We Drink. As of now, the book has high praise from other reviewers. This is just my opinion.
The writing is juvenile and made this book much longer than it needed to be. It had this style of repeating short, clunky sentences, which I think are used to evoke emotions or show how moving a statement is supposed to be. Instead, it meant I was skimming whole chunks of the book.
"A heady dose of euphoria.
An addictive sense of home.
A mounting swell of empowerment.
A connection no human could ever understand."
"The tender act stirred nothing in her.
No sense of comfort or warmth or love.
She felt like the Tin Man.
Hollow with no heart."
Combining these into full sentences would sound much cleaner and make the whole book flow naturally. I wish these were the only two instances, but my copy is highlighted with many similar passages.
The writing style affected my ability to understand the characters. Venus might have been a great main character, but my connection to her was shallow at best, bordering on non-existent. Her motivations were being told, not shown, so the emotion behind it was missing. It's a shame because she could have been a great main character. Her life built a great background for a lot of anger and rage, but she never seemed to feel that deeply. The secondary characters were little more than shadows and hard to keep track of, they were all so similar.
What was the overall arc of the story? Within the first fifteen/twenty percent, I like having a general idea of where the story is going, but the pacing was painfully slow. Nothing came together until the 50% mark, and the last half was just as tedious. The storyline should have come together quickly. It had moments of intense action followed by lethargic descriptions of the character's clothes, and choppy descriptions of emotions. I can forgive a slow start if the beginning is world-building, or the rest has great pacing. Otherwise, the story needs to be edited down to key components.
I am bummed I didn't like this one. The premise sounded fantastic, but the sloppy writing and meandering plot got in the way of a remotely enjoyable reading experience.
Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for the advance copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
March 4, 2024
Do you love young adult urban fantasies that feature politics, family, and love potions? If so, then look no further than
The Poisons We Drink
by Bethany Baptiste. The country is divided between humans and those with magic. Eighteen-year-old Venus Stoneheart supports her family by making illegal love potions. Magic users are being discriminated against and tyrannized by humans. An impending Registration Act law will result in further restrictions on magic users.
When tragedy strikes their mother, Venus must now keep her younger sister Janus safe. When the head of the magic wielders offers her the chance to get revenge, it comes with a steep price. Magic, power, trust, and corruption mix with magic and power in this compelling story.
Venus wants to live in peace, but an event three years ago caused a deviation in her. It’s dangerous and unpredictable. Who will end up controlling who? Janus is reckless, but fun-loving and powerful. The secondary and tertiary characters are well defined and complex as well, but there are many of them.
The worldbuilding was excellent in this one. However, there were some occasional pacing issues and the book seemed a little too long because of that. There is plenty of action and violence as well as a few surprises along the way. A long list of content warnings is provided at the beginning of the book. There are many kinds of love potions, not just the one that immediately comes to mind. A list is provided at the end of the book along with a glossary of terms.
Overall, this was an entertaining story with compelling characters, excellent world-building, and some unique differences in the magic system. Political intrigue, accepting responsibility, discrimination, family, friendship, love, grief, death, trust, vengeance, power, love, fear, and fractured relationships play various roles in this exciting story. I hope this is the first book in a series featuring Venus and her family and friends.
SOURCEBOOKS Fire and Bethany Baptiste provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for March 05, 2024.
-------------------------------------------
My 4.07 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
When tragedy strikes their mother, Venus must now keep her younger sister Janus safe. When the head of the magic wielders offers her the chance to get revenge, it comes with a steep price. Magic, power, trust, and corruption mix with magic and power in this compelling story.
Venus wants to live in peace, but an event three years ago caused a deviation in her. It’s dangerous and unpredictable. Who will end up controlling who? Janus is reckless, but fun-loving and powerful. The secondary and tertiary characters are well defined and complex as well, but there are many of them.
The worldbuilding was excellent in this one. However, there were some occasional pacing issues and the book seemed a little too long because of that. There is plenty of action and violence as well as a few surprises along the way. A long list of content warnings is provided at the beginning of the book. There are many kinds of love potions, not just the one that immediately comes to mind. A list is provided at the end of the book along with a glossary of terms.
Overall, this was an entertaining story with compelling characters, excellent world-building, and some unique differences in the magic system. Political intrigue, accepting responsibility, discrimination, family, friendship, love, grief, death, trust, vengeance, power, love, fear, and fractured relationships play various roles in this exciting story. I hope this is the first book in a series featuring Venus and her family and friends.
SOURCEBOOKS Fire and Bethany Baptiste provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for March 05, 2024.
-------------------------------------------
My 4.07 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
March 27, 2024
4/5 stars
Tropes and what to expect:
- unique magic
- queer characters
- politics
- racism (against a fantasy race)
- set in the present with dates mentioned (2023)
Overall I really enjoyed this book, I liked the unique magic system as well as the personalities of all of our main characters. I feel like Bethany brought a great perspective to this story. I am especially impressed because this is Bethany's debut novel, so I can't wait to see what her books are like as her writing career takes off.
The magic system in this book, especially the lore around brewing and potions felt really refreshing and interesting. While not entirely a unique system it is definitely more rare than the typical ones that are seen in fantasy and YA. I feel like Bethany gave us just enough lore and background details to flesh out the magic without getting bogged down in unnecessary complexities. The magic integrated so well into the plot and the world. But I do feel like there is a bit of a learning curve with fantasy books, and since this one doesn't provide tons of context it may feel confusing or odd for a first time fantasy reader.
The story in this book takes a while to get going, the first 20% is all setup with lots of focus on getting to know the characters. This book does have a ton of characters. It took me a little time to get everyone straight but I don't feel that any of them were unnecessary. The large cast does all play important roles and their personalities are fleshed out and distinct. Once the plot does really kick in the pacing is great, I really enjoyed the plot that this book laid out. I don't want to go into details but I was surprised by a few of the little twists and turns that the story took.
My ARC was for an audiobook copy of this book, and I really enjoyed the audio. The audio quality in this book is really nice. The narrator does a great job with all of the different voices without feeling excessive. Every character has a somewhat unique and easily identifiable voice. My favorites were Venus, Janice and Presley, I can tell that extra care was taken to make their voices stand out. There were no background noises or any kind of mouth/narrator noises, the audio is clear. There are a few points where you can hear a cut & retake but none of them are jarring, just a little noticeable.
Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
Tropes and what to expect:
- unique magic
- queer characters
- politics
- racism (against a fantasy race)
- set in the present with dates mentioned (2023)
Overall I really enjoyed this book, I liked the unique magic system as well as the personalities of all of our main characters. I feel like Bethany brought a great perspective to this story. I am especially impressed because this is Bethany's debut novel, so I can't wait to see what her books are like as her writing career takes off.
The magic system in this book, especially the lore around brewing and potions felt really refreshing and interesting. While not entirely a unique system it is definitely more rare than the typical ones that are seen in fantasy and YA. I feel like Bethany gave us just enough lore and background details to flesh out the magic without getting bogged down in unnecessary complexities. The magic integrated so well into the plot and the world. But I do feel like there is a bit of a learning curve with fantasy books, and since this one doesn't provide tons of context it may feel confusing or odd for a first time fantasy reader.
The story in this book takes a while to get going, the first 20% is all setup with lots of focus on getting to know the characters. This book does have a ton of characters. It took me a little time to get everyone straight but I don't feel that any of them were unnecessary. The large cast does all play important roles and their personalities are fleshed out and distinct. Once the plot does really kick in the pacing is great, I really enjoyed the plot that this book laid out. I don't want to go into details but I was surprised by a few of the little twists and turns that the story took.
My ARC was for an audiobook copy of this book, and I really enjoyed the audio. The audio quality in this book is really nice. The narrator does a great job with all of the different voices without feeling excessive. Every character has a somewhat unique and easily identifiable voice. My favorites were Venus, Janice and Presley, I can tell that extra care was taken to make their voices stand out. There were no background noises or any kind of mouth/narrator noises, the audio is clear. There are a few points where you can hear a cut & retake but none of them are jarring, just a little noticeable.
Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
April 24, 2024
I tried very hard to like this.
The overall idea of the way magic works, the price the magic user has to pay, and the morality involved with using said magic should have made for an excellent novel. (This is the only reason this books gets two stars and not one). Bethany Baptiste had an opportunity to really send a message to her readers in this YA/Teen novel that sometimes the ‘right’ decision is hard. It could have promoted self reflection, critical thinking, and the difficulty of determining morality. Instead, the best word I can come up with to describe the justifications for the choices made in The Poisons We Drink is problematic.
Hypocrisy
There is blatant hypocrisy from: toting freedom, free will, and autonomy, alongside binding blood oaths and love potions (given to people unknowingly!) without any morality being addressed. Bethany Baptiste addresses this once (maybe twice), early on, as the lead gal has a conscience momentarily. But then it’s gone and it’s like the entire book is built off the premise that our leading character crew ‘know best’. This kind of attitude is what leads (eventually) to discrimination, egoism, and a divided society!! How ironic that in a book about bringing down the egoist barriers they literally put up new ones that seem okay; but only if you 100% believe in our characters being ‘right’. Sorry but that doesn’t work for me.
Wheres the Remorse?
Additionally, there is little to no remorse (especially towards the end) for the usage of magic that takes away free will. From the beginning we are told that the oppression of the magical community is abhorrent, the proposed registration act is a disgusting attempt to control people, and that the world assumes magic users are dangerous because of their inherent powers which is unfair. I agree these are all awful things and solid themes that should be discussed. Instead of critical representation and questions we are given a slew of excuses for why it’s okay to hurt others to gain something important. Even going so far as to say:
”Only monsters get things done.”
Not only is reality not that simple; but I’m not convinced half our ‘good’ characters are in the right! If you are going to write YA/Teen books then you should consider your core audience and how impressionable they are. Choosing to be awful as the only way to survive is not what I want any child, teen or, for that matter, adult thinking is necessary. This argument is not an acceptable justification to make potions that take away people’s free will and convince them of things that aren’t true, or make them flat out follow orders.
A continuing theme in the end is that It’s okay to do these awful things as they are in the name of good. It’s not okay to use similar tactics to control others just because they are using them to oppress you! This seems obvious to me, but as of late there are a lot of YA/Teen books (Iron Widow comes to mind) that seem to tote power or control as equality. This book even goes so far as to justify someone’s persecution because they did other ‘bad things’ even if they didn’t do the thing they were initially accused of and received punishment for! (I could also rant about fair justice and not prejudging situations or people; but this review is long enough already!)
The Writing
Moving on to the actual structure and writing of the book. I really disliked the narrator of the audiobook. Some of her character voices were annoying and at times ridiculous. It’s perhaps worth noting I’m pretty new to audiobooks (only my 8th ever) but I just couldn’t handle the narration; so I switched to an ebook halfway through to complete The Poisons We Drink. I had hoped that the issues I was starting to have with pacing and immature writing (don’t tell, show!) were partially because of the audiobook. Sadly they were not.
This book goes from being boring, to sudden activities that knocks you over the head. However each step of the way events are convenient and clearly fits into a pre-set puzzle. The plot is so transparent that the ‘twist’ fell flat for me. In no way did the twist feel smart, clever, or even all that unique for me. Unfortunately the one emotion I did have upon finishing this novel was relief. I was relieved to have it be over, thankful I get to post a review about it it’s issues, and ready to tell folks not to bother with this problematic story.
Sorry to hate on this
I know many of you love this one and I’ll probably get comments about how I’m being too harsh or otherwise judgemental. I’m truly sorry you may feel that way.
For me, I cannot in good conscience endorse problematic stories. You can be a good person who gets caught up in a bad situation (which is the attempted argument in this book) but you don’t get to then continue being awful ‘just because’ once the immediate situation is resolved. What the story should be about is feeling remorse for your actions and how to come to terms with what you did (accepting the terms NOT justifying them). Think of the third Hunger Games novel where Katniss struggles to reconcile her numerous kills even though without them she would not have survived. This is what I think novels like this should address and struggle with because it’s realistic and sets up serious critical thinking by the reader.
Needless to say I will not be reading book 2 in which (I assume) our gal and her crew rise to more power to further their interests and toss aside anyone (using a potion of course) that is in their way. No thanks.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
The overall idea of the way magic works, the price the magic user has to pay, and the morality involved with using said magic should have made for an excellent novel. (This is the only reason this books gets two stars and not one). Bethany Baptiste had an opportunity to really send a message to her readers in this YA/Teen novel that sometimes the ‘right’ decision is hard. It could have promoted self reflection, critical thinking, and the difficulty of determining morality. Instead, the best word I can come up with to describe the justifications for the choices made in The Poisons We Drink is problematic.
Hypocrisy
There is blatant hypocrisy from: toting freedom, free will, and autonomy, alongside binding blood oaths and love potions (given to people unknowingly!) without any morality being addressed. Bethany Baptiste addresses this once (maybe twice), early on, as the lead gal has a conscience momentarily. But then it’s gone and it’s like the entire book is built off the premise that our leading character crew ‘know best’. This kind of attitude is what leads (eventually) to discrimination, egoism, and a divided society!! How ironic that in a book about bringing down the egoist barriers they literally put up new ones that seem okay; but only if you 100% believe in our characters being ‘right’. Sorry but that doesn’t work for me.
Wheres the Remorse?
Additionally, there is little to no remorse (especially towards the end) for the usage of magic that takes away free will. From the beginning we are told that the oppression of the magical community is abhorrent, the proposed registration act is a disgusting attempt to control people, and that the world assumes magic users are dangerous because of their inherent powers which is unfair. I agree these are all awful things and solid themes that should be discussed. Instead of critical representation and questions we are given a slew of excuses for why it’s okay to hurt others to gain something important. Even going so far as to say:
”Only monsters get things done.”
Not only is reality not that simple; but I’m not convinced half our ‘good’ characters are in the right! If you are going to write YA/Teen books then you should consider your core audience and how impressionable they are. Choosing to be awful as the only way to survive is not what I want any child, teen or, for that matter, adult thinking is necessary. This argument is not an acceptable justification to make potions that take away people’s free will and convince them of things that aren’t true, or make them flat out follow orders.
A continuing theme in the end is that It’s okay to do these awful things as they are in the name of good. It’s not okay to use similar tactics to control others just because they are using them to oppress you! This seems obvious to me, but as of late there are a lot of YA/Teen books (Iron Widow comes to mind) that seem to tote power or control as equality. This book even goes so far as to justify someone’s persecution because they did other ‘bad things’ even if they didn’t do the thing they were initially accused of and received punishment for! (I could also rant about fair justice and not prejudging situations or people; but this review is long enough already!)
The Writing
Moving on to the actual structure and writing of the book. I really disliked the narrator of the audiobook. Some of her character voices were annoying and at times ridiculous. It’s perhaps worth noting I’m pretty new to audiobooks (only my 8th ever) but I just couldn’t handle the narration; so I switched to an ebook halfway through to complete The Poisons We Drink. I had hoped that the issues I was starting to have with pacing and immature writing (don’t tell, show!) were partially because of the audiobook. Sadly they were not.
This book goes from being boring, to sudden activities that knocks you over the head. However each step of the way events are convenient and clearly fits into a pre-set puzzle. The plot is so transparent that the ‘twist’ fell flat for me. In no way did the twist feel smart, clever, or even all that unique for me. Unfortunately the one emotion I did have upon finishing this novel was relief. I was relieved to have it be over, thankful I get to post a review about it it’s issues, and ready to tell folks not to bother with this problematic story.
Sorry to hate on this
I know many of you love this one and I’ll probably get comments about how I’m being too harsh or otherwise judgemental. I’m truly sorry you may feel that way.
For me, I cannot in good conscience endorse problematic stories. You can be a good person who gets caught up in a bad situation (which is the attempted argument in this book) but you don’t get to then continue being awful ‘just because’ once the immediate situation is resolved. What the story should be about is feeling remorse for your actions and how to come to terms with what you did (accepting the terms NOT justifying them). Think of the third Hunger Games novel where Katniss struggles to reconcile her numerous kills even though without them she would not have survived. This is what I think novels like this should address and struggle with because it’s realistic and sets up serious critical thinking by the reader.
Needless to say I will not be reading book 2 in which (I assume) our gal and her crew rise to more power to further their interests and toss aside anyone (using a potion of course) that is in their way. No thanks.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
February 11, 2024
I have to hand it to "The Poisons We Drink" – this book was an absolute page-turner; I couldn't put it down. The concept of the story is something else, and the action-packed narrative kept me hooked from start to finish.
At the heart of the plot is Venus, thrust into a perilous journey after her mother's tragic murder. Summoned by the Grand Witcher to brew a potion, Venus is pulled into a world of politics and magic, navigating challenges she was never meant to face. The twists and turns in the narrative, especially towards the end, took me by surprise and added a layer of depth that I truly appreciated.
The world-building in this book is nothing short of amazing. The author has crafted a rich and immersive environment, and I particularly enjoyed the intricacies of the magic system. It adds a unique layer to the story, making it stand out in the fantasy genre.
Characters play a pivotal role in any story, and "The Poisons We Drink" delivers on that front as well. The characters are well-crafted and entirely believable, each with their own depth and complexities. Venus's journey, marked by deviations and choices, feels genuine and relatable.
The ending, as I mentioned, took me by surprise, and I love when a book keeps me guessing. The well-executed twists and reveals added a layer of satisfaction to the overall narrative. It's evident that the author has put thought into every aspect of this book.
"The Poisons We Drink" is a thrilling adventure that deserves the applause. If you're into magic, political intrigue, and protagonists facing the consequences of their choices, this one's for you. A must-read for fans of action-packed fantasies!
At the heart of the plot is Venus, thrust into a perilous journey after her mother's tragic murder. Summoned by the Grand Witcher to brew a potion, Venus is pulled into a world of politics and magic, navigating challenges she was never meant to face. The twists and turns in the narrative, especially towards the end, took me by surprise and added a layer of depth that I truly appreciated.
The world-building in this book is nothing short of amazing. The author has crafted a rich and immersive environment, and I particularly enjoyed the intricacies of the magic system. It adds a unique layer to the story, making it stand out in the fantasy genre.
Characters play a pivotal role in any story, and "The Poisons We Drink" delivers on that front as well. The characters are well-crafted and entirely believable, each with their own depth and complexities. Venus's journey, marked by deviations and choices, feels genuine and relatable.
The ending, as I mentioned, took me by surprise, and I love when a book keeps me guessing. The well-executed twists and reveals added a layer of satisfaction to the overall narrative. It's evident that the author has put thought into every aspect of this book.
"The Poisons We Drink" is a thrilling adventure that deserves the applause. If you're into magic, political intrigue, and protagonists facing the consequences of their choices, this one's for you. A must-read for fans of action-packed fantasies!
October 2, 2023
A stunning YA urban fantasy debut by Bethany Baptiste. The story centres around a young Witcher, Venus Stoneheart who works as a potions brewer for hire.
There are many themes explored in this book, racism/classism, mental illness, political control and it is written well.
When Venus’s world come crashing down and she has to fight back, she finds out just how far some people will go to get what they want.
I thoroughly enjoyed this new magical world, the writing, the characters (p.s Leap is the best familiar!) and the wonderful world building. - I hope she gets a sequel or a spin off. I need more.
There are many themes explored in this book, racism/classism, mental illness, political control and it is written well.
When Venus’s world come crashing down and she has to fight back, she finds out just how far some people will go to get what they want.
I thoroughly enjoyed this new magical world, the writing, the characters (p.s Leap is the best familiar!) and the wonderful world building. - I hope she gets a sequel or a spin off. I need more.
March 7, 2024
The Poisons We Drink
by Bethany Baptiste
YA Urban Fantasy
NetGalley ARC
Sourcebooks Fire
Pub Date: March 26, 2024
Ages: 14+
In an alternative America, there are humans and Witchers, and the humans are afraid of the Witchers' magic and have passed laws that do not protect the Witchers from violence.
Venus is a Witcher and to make a living she brews illegal love potions. But these are not just 'the making someone fall in love with you' potions, these can involve making someone love an idea, any idea.
Then one night Venus's mother is killed and now she has to protect her little sister. The Grand Witcher finds the killer and gives Venus the opportunity to punish him, but in doing so she finds herself forced to pay the Grand Witcher back with a blood oath.
Having no choice but to brew potions for the grand witcher that would give her the power to control some of D.C.'s politicians, Venus finds herself torn between doing what is ordered of her, what is right, and what could save all the Witchers from the humans who only want to see them dead.
Even though it's the typical 'them against us' story, I liked the idea of magic being the dividing line. Venus lives in the 'gray' area, meaning she knows the difference between legal and illegal but because she is a Witcher she has no choice but to do illegal things in order for her family to survive. I get that, I can connect with her, but she had a self-centeredness that I did not like.
Also, the world-building and magic needed more. I wasn't deeply drawn into the story because it felt as if there was only one layer to it when there could've been more, and looking for those missing layers made it a slow read.
There's history to the world and the Witchers but it's vague, and the magic, I feel a lot is left out about the type and how powerful they can be. And the character 'It', where it came from wasn't explained in detail and I have no clue how it came to life and what it really is. And it's power: it needs more what and why, etc...
Another thing that made this a slow read was a lot of choppy, three or four-word sentences that would have made more sense combined, and some of the poor word choices (digits instead of fingers) made me cringe. I get not wanting to overly use words and to be unique, but it's better to say what you mean instead of making the reader think; what the heck?!
I did like the story, the idea, plot, but a little more depth with the magic, world, and characters could earn this one more star.
3 Stars
by Bethany Baptiste
YA Urban Fantasy
NetGalley ARC
Sourcebooks Fire
Pub Date: March 26, 2024
Ages: 14+
In an alternative America, there are humans and Witchers, and the humans are afraid of the Witchers' magic and have passed laws that do not protect the Witchers from violence.
Venus is a Witcher and to make a living she brews illegal love potions. But these are not just 'the making someone fall in love with you' potions, these can involve making someone love an idea, any idea.
Then one night Venus's mother is killed and now she has to protect her little sister. The Grand Witcher finds the killer and gives Venus the opportunity to punish him, but in doing so she finds herself forced to pay the Grand Witcher back with a blood oath.
Having no choice but to brew potions for the grand witcher that would give her the power to control some of D.C.'s politicians, Venus finds herself torn between doing what is ordered of her, what is right, and what could save all the Witchers from the humans who only want to see them dead.
Even though it's the typical 'them against us' story, I liked the idea of magic being the dividing line. Venus lives in the 'gray' area, meaning she knows the difference between legal and illegal but because she is a Witcher she has no choice but to do illegal things in order for her family to survive. I get that, I can connect with her, but she had a self-centeredness that I did not like.
Also, the world-building and magic needed more. I wasn't deeply drawn into the story because it felt as if there was only one layer to it when there could've been more, and looking for those missing layers made it a slow read.
There's history to the world and the Witchers but it's vague, and the magic, I feel a lot is left out about the type and how powerful they can be. And the character 'It', where it came from wasn't explained in detail and I have no clue how it came to life and what it really is. And it's power: it needs more what and why, etc...
Another thing that made this a slow read was a lot of choppy, three or four-word sentences that would have made more sense combined, and some of the poor word choices (digits instead of fingers) made me cringe. I get not wanting to overly use words and to be unique, but it's better to say what you mean instead of making the reader think; what the heck?!
I did like the story, the idea, plot, but a little more depth with the magic, world, and characters could earn this one more star.
3 Stars
January 19, 2024
I wanted to love this book, but there were issues. First off, it was way too long... The book dragged on and on and on, it felt neverending and it ultimately took away from the story. It was weeks before I finished it, and I read it every day. There were too many characters to keep track of, and they were all unlikeable. It was also pretty obvious that this was a debut, the writing and storytelling didn't flow and felt choppy.
That being said, there is still a good story in there with a world I enjoyed being in. And that cover is just stunning. 3.5 stars rounded down.
That being said, there is still a good story in there with a world I enjoyed being in. And that cover is just stunning. 3.5 stars rounded down.
March 5, 2024
This is by far my favourite trad pub debut this year. Everything is just so good??? If you told me Bethany Baptiste put out 5+ books before this one I'd believe you. I'm obsessed.
From the start it was clear the author put a lot of thought and care into the worldbuilding. I could visualise everything perfectly.
The magic system is well developed, and magic (in this case brewing potions) has a cost. Venus could pretty much die at any second if the potion she brews is strong enough, and if she doesn't, she needs a long time to recover. If you like your magic with consequences this is the read for you!
I really liked how detailed the potions were as well, the different types of love potions and the illustrations and recipes at the back of the book.
The story was very engaging, I found myself unwilling to stop reading, needing to read just a bit more, and a bit more.
Character wise, Venus was of course my fav, but I also loved Patches, Leap, uncle Bram, Janus and Tyrell. I also thought Nisha and Matrika were written well too. Presley is the only one that I didn't really connect to, because we saw so little of them on page.
It was easy to root for Venus and her family, and hate the baddies, except there's so many twists you're not sure who the baddies REALLY are. I can say that I didn't see the final villain coming at all.
The romance was a smaller part of the book, it was more plot focused and I don't mind that. Though if we had more of it, maybe I'd feel like I know Presley better.
As for the rep, I'm really looking forward to seeing the ace one in the final version. I saw the author's review on Goodreads mentioning it, and I'm a bit sad it wasn't in the arcs, but what can you do? Still, we got bi & non binary rep!!
The Poisons We Drink works as a standalone, because just about everything is wrapped up by the end, but I'd still love a sequel.
Read this if you like witches, the revenge trope, political intrigue, interesting storylines and believable characters.
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
From the start it was clear the author put a lot of thought and care into the worldbuilding. I could visualise everything perfectly.
The magic system is well developed, and magic (in this case brewing potions) has a cost. Venus could pretty much die at any second if the potion she brews is strong enough, and if she doesn't, she needs a long time to recover. If you like your magic with consequences this is the read for you!
I really liked how detailed the potions were as well, the different types of love potions and the illustrations and recipes at the back of the book.
The story was very engaging, I found myself unwilling to stop reading, needing to read just a bit more, and a bit more.
Character wise, Venus was of course my fav, but I also loved Patches, Leap, uncle Bram, Janus and Tyrell. I also thought Nisha and Matrika were written well too. Presley is the only one that I didn't really connect to, because we saw so little of them on page.
It was easy to root for Venus and her family, and hate the baddies, except there's so many twists you're not sure who the baddies REALLY are. I can say that I didn't see the final villain coming at all.
The romance was a smaller part of the book, it was more plot focused and I don't mind that. Though if we had more of it, maybe I'd feel like I know Presley better.
As for the rep, I'm really looking forward to seeing the ace one in the final version. I saw the author's review on Goodreads mentioning it, and I'm a bit sad it wasn't in the arcs, but what can you do? Still, we got bi & non binary rep!!
The Poisons We Drink works as a standalone, because just about everything is wrapped up by the end, but I'd still love a sequel.
Read this if you like witches, the revenge trope, political intrigue, interesting storylines and believable characters.
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
dnf
March 15, 2024DNF at 70%
It's a weird combination for me to give up that far in the story and still rate a book with three stars (which is not bad after all), but I simply can't with this book. I've been struggling with it for weeks and the subpar execution of what seemed like an interesting concept made me wish for it to end, so I can just move on, and for me it's a sign it's time to stop fighting with a book. On language level it was more than many other YA novels have to offer, I have to give the author that. The style here is raw and the story doesn't shun violent themes. Baptiste tried to create a fully-fledged urban fantasy world based on inequality and prejudice. Even though they seemed expository, I enjoyed tidbits of information about this reality at the beginning of each chapter.
But the story was painfully dragging, needed polishing, and it was completely lacking any point. Violet is driven only by rage, which doesn't resonate with me (of course, I'm willing to admit that this book was written with some other reader in mind, but it doesn't make the story better). I found it very hard to care about her or any other characters. I have a feeling that it's another YA fantasy written with very specific anti-systemic themes in mind, in which the author is focusing more on their agenda, and not enough on the plot, which results in a flat story.
It's a weird combination for me to give up that far in the story and still rate a book with three stars (which is not bad after all), but I simply can't with this book. I've been struggling with it for weeks and the subpar execution of what seemed like an interesting concept made me wish for it to end, so I can just move on, and for me it's a sign it's time to stop fighting with a book. On language level it was more than many other YA novels have to offer, I have to give the author that. The style here is raw and the story doesn't shun violent themes. Baptiste tried to create a fully-fledged urban fantasy world based on inequality and prejudice. Even though they seemed expository, I enjoyed tidbits of information about this reality at the beginning of each chapter.
But the story was painfully dragging, needed polishing, and it was completely lacking any point. Violet is driven only by rage, which doesn't resonate with me (of course, I'm willing to admit that this book was written with some other reader in mind, but it doesn't make the story better). I found it very hard to care about her or any other characters. I have a feeling that it's another YA fantasy written with very specific anti-systemic themes in mind, in which the author is focusing more on their agenda, and not enough on the plot, which results in a flat story.
March 3, 2024
Narrated by Lynette R Freeman
Story itself was a bit bland but the narration was A++ *chef's kiss*
I'd love to give a decent breakdown of the plot, but it confused me a lot so all I can tell you is that our main protagonist, Venus, makes love potions and eventually lands in hot water that she has to find a way out of. She is in some kind of debilitating pain for most of the story (for various reasons) and her family is generally a hot mess.
There are all kinds of twists and turns, and because I wasn't paying attention the whole time (the political intrigue was BORING) it was very hard to work out whose side people were actually on. It seemed like there was a lot of switching.
So very twisty, and if you're paying closer attention than me you'll likely catch a few enjoyable surprises.
I wasn't sold on the parent-hating this book seemed to favour. We're definitely seeing a teenage point of view here, with parents seeming to be the root cause of everything that goes wrong in this book. I wasn't real keen on it, and it was another thing that set my mind wandering, because I didn't really want to hear it.
That's the interesting thing about audio - if the opinions of the book aren't really shared then it's easy to tune out. I found a lot of the smaller moments really entertaining but missed the depth in a few of the bigger themes because they were wrapped up in packaging that didn't agree with me.
And there are a LOT of big themes here. There's a looooong list of trigger warnings at the start, so expect some heaviness going into this.
The lighter moments are really what kept me listening. There are some really fun scenes and interactions between characters sprinkled in amongst all the heaviness, and it was extra delightful listening to these because the narration was so fantastic.
And here we come to my absolute favourite part - the narration. Freeman did such an incredible job bringing these characters alive. Jay actually annoyed me SO MUCH but at the same time I adored that characterisation. This one gets an extra star from me just purely based on how much the narration added to the story. It was easy to differentiate between characters, and there was so much personality conveyed. Would happily listen to any audiobook from this narrator.
So while I don't think the story will entertain everyone, I would recommend this book purely on the strength of the narration. It was such a fun listen, even though the second half of the actual story dragged. Just those voices were enough to keep me going.
With thanks to Netgalley for an audio ARC
Story itself was a bit bland but the narration was A++ *chef's kiss*
I'd love to give a decent breakdown of the plot, but it confused me a lot so all I can tell you is that our main protagonist, Venus, makes love potions and eventually lands in hot water that she has to find a way out of. She is in some kind of debilitating pain for most of the story (for various reasons) and her family is generally a hot mess.
There are all kinds of twists and turns, and because I wasn't paying attention the whole time (the political intrigue was BORING) it was very hard to work out whose side people were actually on. It seemed like there was a lot of switching.
So very twisty, and if you're paying closer attention than me you'll likely catch a few enjoyable surprises.
I wasn't sold on the parent-hating this book seemed to favour. We're definitely seeing a teenage point of view here, with parents seeming to be the root cause of everything that goes wrong in this book. I wasn't real keen on it, and it was another thing that set my mind wandering, because I didn't really want to hear it.
That's the interesting thing about audio - if the opinions of the book aren't really shared then it's easy to tune out. I found a lot of the smaller moments really entertaining but missed the depth in a few of the bigger themes because they were wrapped up in packaging that didn't agree with me.
And there are a LOT of big themes here. There's a looooong list of trigger warnings at the start, so expect some heaviness going into this.
The lighter moments are really what kept me listening. There are some really fun scenes and interactions between characters sprinkled in amongst all the heaviness, and it was extra delightful listening to these because the narration was so fantastic.
And here we come to my absolute favourite part - the narration. Freeman did such an incredible job bringing these characters alive. Jay actually annoyed me SO MUCH but at the same time I adored that characterisation. This one gets an extra star from me just purely based on how much the narration added to the story. It was easy to differentiate between characters, and there was so much personality conveyed. Would happily listen to any audiobook from this narrator.
So while I don't think the story will entertain everyone, I would recommend this book purely on the strength of the narration. It was such a fun listen, even though the second half of the actual story dragged. Just those voices were enough to keep me going.
With thanks to Netgalley for an audio ARC
Read
March 4, 2024Full review below
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https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....
November 12, 2023
Firstly thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Where to begin... This was an incredible debut novel. The world building was absolutely incredible. The little blurbs at the start of each chapter gave information and context to the novel and its world without feeling patronizing or info-dumpy. The characters are layered, nuanced, flawed and incredible beautiful.
As a reader with a complex and often difficult relationship with their parents Venus's struggles with her mother were deeply, deeply relatable. Her struggles and wants to make her mother proud while feeling that she just couldn't measure up hit deeply. Her relationships with her sister, uncle, aunt and cousins, as well as Presley added incredible depth to her, to her story and to them.
Now the story, what a ride! I loved sitting in this world and learning about it, Venus, her family and the times they are living in. Having this book take place in the year 2023 was an incredible choice. It all feels so present and as if it truly could be our world even though it isn't. As we worked towards the first big tragedy of the story my heart clenched and I worried for Venus and her family. When it struck I shocked, it wasn't what I thought it would be, but I loved being surprised.
As Venus and her family struggle to process this loss and get drawn deeper into the struggle for witcher's rights and freedom to live as they want to live I found myself having to put the book down now and then to process what I was reading. As white reader I am aware of the incredible privileges I hold and sitting with the discomfort of what was happening was something I felt was important, especially given the times we are currently living in. While I am part of the LGBTQ+ community and understand the fear of having to fight for rights that others take for granted, I am also aware I am very lucky in many aspects.
The third act of his book made my head spin in incredible ways. The twists and turns and reveals throughout the last 150ish pages of the digital copy I had access too were amazing. Some I had figured out with context clues and hints along the way while other shocked me to my core and left me in tears. Both of joy and sorrow.
I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. The world was deep, rich, and layered as were the characters. None of them were perfect, they made mistakes which often got the people they love hurt, but they did what they did because they believed it was right. They did what they knew and when they knew better they did better. I cannot wait to pick up this book when it comes out in March and read it again.
Where to begin... This was an incredible debut novel. The world building was absolutely incredible. The little blurbs at the start of each chapter gave information and context to the novel and its world without feeling patronizing or info-dumpy. The characters are layered, nuanced, flawed and incredible beautiful.
As a reader with a complex and often difficult relationship with their parents Venus's struggles with her mother were deeply, deeply relatable. Her struggles and wants to make her mother proud while feeling that she just couldn't measure up hit deeply. Her relationships with her sister, uncle, aunt and cousins, as well as Presley added incredible depth to her, to her story and to them.
Now the story, what a ride! I loved sitting in this world and learning about it, Venus, her family and the times they are living in. Having this book take place in the year 2023 was an incredible choice. It all feels so present and as if it truly could be our world even though it isn't. As we worked towards the first big tragedy of the story my heart clenched and I worried for Venus and her family. When it struck I shocked, it wasn't what I thought it would be, but I loved being surprised.
As Venus and her family struggle to process this loss and get drawn deeper into the struggle for witcher's rights and freedom to live as they want to live I found myself having to put the book down now and then to process what I was reading. As white reader I am aware of the incredible privileges I hold and sitting with the discomfort of what was happening was something I felt was important, especially given the times we are currently living in. While I am part of the LGBTQ+ community and understand the fear of having to fight for rights that others take for granted, I am also aware I am very lucky in many aspects.
The third act of his book made my head spin in incredible ways. The twists and turns and reveals throughout the last 150ish pages of the digital copy I had access too were amazing. Some I had figured out with context clues and hints along the way while other shocked me to my core and left me in tears. Both of joy and sorrow.
I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. The world was deep, rich, and layered as were the characters. None of them were perfect, they made mistakes which often got the people they love hurt, but they did what they did because they believed it was right. They did what they knew and when they knew better they did better. I cannot wait to pick up this book when it comes out in March and read it again.
February 25, 2024
3⭐️
another book where main character has some monster/weird presence in her mind sjjsjsjsjjsj
the magic system is very unique and interesting the plot had many twists since the beginning, betrayals on betrayals on betrayals, but the book felt a lil too long and plot was dragging a lil
however the romance was chef's kiss, it was so good, the tension>>>
Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
another book where main character has some monster/weird presence in her mind sjjsjsjsjjsj
the magic system is very unique and interesting the plot had many twists since the beginning, betrayals on betrayals on betrayals, but the book felt a lil too long and plot was dragging a lil
however the romance was chef's kiss, it was so good, the tension>>>
Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
March 11, 2024
This is a captivating fantasy adventure that kept me hooked from start to finish. Venus Stoneheart's journey through a world of dark magic and political intrigue is both thrilling and immersive.
The world-building is rich and vivid, drawing readers into a divided country filled with danger and mystery. The magic system adds depth to the story, while the well-developed characters, especially Venus, feel authentic and relatable.
What sets this book apart is its unpredictable plot, filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. It's a must-read for fans of fantasy and political intrigue, offering a thrilling ride from beginning to end.
The world-building is rich and vivid, drawing readers into a divided country filled with danger and mystery. The magic system adds depth to the story, while the well-developed characters, especially Venus, feel authentic and relatable.
What sets this book apart is its unpredictable plot, filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. It's a must-read for fans of fantasy and political intrigue, offering a thrilling ride from beginning to end.
March 5, 2024
This audiobook was made available to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a young adult fantasy novel set in our recognizable modern world with magic added in the form of Witchers. The term 'witchers' seems to encompass multiple forms of magic from healers to shape shifters, to potion makers, and everything in between.
Venus is a teenager who is supporting her family using her powers to brew and sell illegal love potions, leveraging her ability as a deviant host to sentient parasitic magic with its own danger and price
For complicated and (spoiler) reasons, Venus is the primary magical wage earner in her household. This impacts her relationship with her parents and siblings beyond the usual parentification of eldest daughters.
This story had multiple minor characters in political style relationships. To keep up, I took notes of who was who and how they related to the story. The first half of the novel primarily focuses on world building at a steady but slower pace. About midway through the novel, a reveal sets off the real action, and the pace picks up accordingly.
I found the magic system to be interesting, complex, bloody, and dark. The 'Witcherpedia' references were absolutely adorable.
Witcher social standing is cleverly handled in a way that explores how racism functions to oppress POC in frustrating and nonsensical ways in the USA. Sometimes, when this is a theme in a novel, it can feel overdone or heavy-handed. I find this type of storytelling requires a delicate balance, which this novel manages lightly and to great effect. I found the parallels to the Black Lives Matter protests and clashes with police violence, perfectly handled. The unbelievably satisfying ending, left me with the hope this is the first book in a planned series.
I truly enjoyed the audiobook version. The narrator, Lynnette R. Freeman, with slight changes in tone and pitch, created uniqe voices for the characters, assisting my ability to keep characters separated.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read/listen to and review this novel.
This is a young adult fantasy novel set in our recognizable modern world with magic added in the form of Witchers. The term 'witchers' seems to encompass multiple forms of magic from healers to shape shifters, to potion makers, and everything in between.
Venus is a teenager who is supporting her family using her powers to brew and sell illegal love potions, leveraging her ability as a deviant host to sentient parasitic magic with its own danger and price
For complicated and (spoiler) reasons, Venus is the primary magical wage earner in her household. This impacts her relationship with her parents and siblings beyond the usual parentification of eldest daughters.
This story had multiple minor characters in political style relationships. To keep up, I took notes of who was who and how they related to the story. The first half of the novel primarily focuses on world building at a steady but slower pace. About midway through the novel, a reveal sets off the real action, and the pace picks up accordingly.
I found the magic system to be interesting, complex, bloody, and dark. The 'Witcherpedia' references were absolutely adorable.
Witcher social standing is cleverly handled in a way that explores how racism functions to oppress POC in frustrating and nonsensical ways in the USA. Sometimes, when this is a theme in a novel, it can feel overdone or heavy-handed. I find this type of storytelling requires a delicate balance, which this novel manages lightly and to great effect. I found the parallels to the Black Lives Matter protests and clashes with police violence, perfectly handled. The unbelievably satisfying ending, left me with the hope this is the first book in a planned series.
I truly enjoyed the audiobook version. The narrator, Lynnette R. Freeman, with slight changes in tone and pitch, created uniqe voices for the characters, assisting my ability to keep characters separated.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read/listen to and review this novel.
August 2, 2024
I’m so glad I found this audiobook on NetGalley—it was such an incredible experience. It’s the type of book I want to have in my personal library and re-read. Venus and her sister Janus took me on such an exhilarating journey that I absolutely loved.
"The Poisons We Drink" is a magical blend of witches, political intrigue, and unpredictable villains. Each turn of the page had me on the edge of my seat, especially when secrets were revealed and the truth emerged. I was completely caught off guard by the plot twists amidst all the unfolding events. Moreover, I really enjoyed seeing Venus and Janus grow as characters throughout the story.
Additionally, whenever Presley and Venus share a scene, I can't help but feel giddy. They just look so perfect together. If there's ever a sequel, I really hope we get to see their love story evolve even more.
Moreover, if you're into witches, magic, love, and a bit of comedy, I highly recommend checking out this fantastic book. It'll definitely take you on a wild ride.
Lastly, a huge thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for allowing me to listen to this incredible audiobook. I'm eagerly looking forward to reading it again and getting my hands on a physical copy once it's released.
"The Poisons We Drink" is a magical blend of witches, political intrigue, and unpredictable villains. Each turn of the page had me on the edge of my seat, especially when secrets were revealed and the truth emerged. I was completely caught off guard by the plot twists amidst all the unfolding events. Moreover, I really enjoyed seeing Venus and Janus grow as characters throughout the story.
Additionally, whenever Presley and Venus share a scene, I can't help but feel giddy. They just look so perfect together. If there's ever a sequel, I really hope we get to see their love story evolve even more.
Moreover, if you're into witches, magic, love, and a bit of comedy, I highly recommend checking out this fantastic book. It'll definitely take you on a wild ride.
Lastly, a huge thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for allowing me to listen to this incredible audiobook. I'm eagerly looking forward to reading it again and getting my hands on a physical copy once it's released.
October 13, 2023
Format Read: Ebook from Netgalley (releases 3/5/24)
Review: The concept and messages in this book are very current and need to be told more in literature but this one was not a favorite read of mine. The world building left me lost and unable to picture it and there were so many characters I was often not interested in going back to reading. The same story written in a different style would have worked for me a lot more.
Recommended For: Those who wants a YA fantasy with lots of current real world issues.
Review: The concept and messages in this book are very current and need to be told more in literature but this one was not a favorite read of mine. The world building left me lost and unable to picture it and there were so many characters I was often not interested in going back to reading. The same story written in a different style would have worked for me a lot more.
Recommended For: Those who wants a YA fantasy with lots of current real world issues.
March 12, 2024
2024 reads: 58/250
i received an advanced review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
venus makes her living as a brewer making illegal love potions. it’s a dangerous business, which becomes even more clear when her mother is killed by an enemy. when venus is given the option to avenge her mother, she takes it, despite the steep price of having to make poisonous potions to use against D.C.’s most influential politicians.
i’ve been looking forward to this book for a long time, and it was absolutely worth the wait! i really enjoyed the magic system, as i think the potion aspect is very unique. it was also unique how this magic had negative physical effects on venus. i loved reading about how this affected her and how she pushed herself anyway (even though she really shouldn’t have) to reach her goals.
i listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator suited venus and the story so well. i highly recommend this book to ya fantasy fans!
i received an advanced review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
venus makes her living as a brewer making illegal love potions. it’s a dangerous business, which becomes even more clear when her mother is killed by an enemy. when venus is given the option to avenge her mother, she takes it, despite the steep price of having to make poisonous potions to use against D.C.’s most influential politicians.
i’ve been looking forward to this book for a long time, and it was absolutely worth the wait! i really enjoyed the magic system, as i think the potion aspect is very unique. it was also unique how this magic had negative physical effects on venus. i loved reading about how this affected her and how she pushed herself anyway (even though she really shouldn’t have) to reach her goals.
i listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator suited venus and the story so well. i highly recommend this book to ya fantasy fans!
March 22, 2024
Obligatory Disclaimer re: Cait Corrain: The absolutely horrific actions taken by almost author Cait Corrain are inexcusable and Bethany Baptiste deserved better.
I don’t know that I would have thought to request this ARC had it not been for the explosion on Twitter. It’s possible that I may have seen it on NetGalley and been intrigued enough to want to read it—I’m often very fond of their audiobook section and I’m always up for a book that draws parallels between political and socioeconomic issues we experience in our day to day—but, who knows.
What I do know is that I had to restart this audiobook three times. I fell asleep twice while listening to it.
I do want to note here that I think the narrator was brilliant. She did a pretty excellent job, actually, of bringing these characters to life. I just think the source material wasn’t doing her any favors.
There were so many ideas and concepts in this story that had exceptional foundations—these were genuine topics I wanted to explore a conversation about in a fantasy setting. The fight against the darkness within us. The corruption of power. The question and importance of consent. The consequences of ignoring consent. Racism. Slavery. Economic impacts. Hate. Revenge…
The execution was just not great. I don’t know if I’d classify most of it as bad…but it wasn’t engaging. There was a violence to the characters that I didn’t love, excusing of absolutely abhorrent behavior because of the emotions one feels. And I just feel that with the commentary Baptiste included, so many of these topics needed to be addressed in more nuanced and consequential ways.
One of the most disappointing is the fact that the idea of force and consent was so prevalent throughout the book, but never adequately addressed. It was almost as though violations of consent were only wrong when they happened to the main character, wrong in the way it forced her into a situation where she was at the mercy and control of another. But was there any consideration or care for those whose consent was violated outside of the main character and those she cared about?
No.
And honestly, that’s half the problem with the United States as it is! Far too many people are so selfish that they don’t care about the rights of others being taken away until they, themselves, find that they need those rights for one reason or another. It was such a horrifying perpetuation of this problem that I found myself feeling massive amounts of ick for a large portion of the story.
For the rest of it, I was just painfully bored. I don’t know how many others experienced this, but I constantly felt like the story was painfully slow. Every time I started to get interested, usually at crux and climactic moments, it was followed by utterly draggy chapters and suddenly I find my mind wandering.
There was a lot of potential in this book and near every time, it just missed the mark.
And what’s wild is I tried so hard to finish The Poisons we Drink. I restarted it when I needed to, I rewound when my mind wandered. I sat through painfully boring sections in hopes of reaching the exciting ones. Then I DNF’d @ 77%.
I do believe that there’s some merit to this story. I can appreciate some of Baptiste’s attempted messaging. I just needed more and I needed better.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t know that I would have thought to request this ARC had it not been for the explosion on Twitter. It’s possible that I may have seen it on NetGalley and been intrigued enough to want to read it—I’m often very fond of their audiobook section and I’m always up for a book that draws parallels between political and socioeconomic issues we experience in our day to day—but, who knows.
What I do know is that I had to restart this audiobook three times. I fell asleep twice while listening to it.
I do want to note here that I think the narrator was brilliant. She did a pretty excellent job, actually, of bringing these characters to life. I just think the source material wasn’t doing her any favors.
There were so many ideas and concepts in this story that had exceptional foundations—these were genuine topics I wanted to explore a conversation about in a fantasy setting. The fight against the darkness within us. The corruption of power. The question and importance of consent. The consequences of ignoring consent. Racism. Slavery. Economic impacts. Hate. Revenge…
The execution was just not great. I don’t know if I’d classify most of it as bad…but it wasn’t engaging. There was a violence to the characters that I didn’t love, excusing of absolutely abhorrent behavior because of the emotions one feels. And I just feel that with the commentary Baptiste included, so many of these topics needed to be addressed in more nuanced and consequential ways.
One of the most disappointing is the fact that the idea of force and consent was so prevalent throughout the book, but never adequately addressed. It was almost as though violations of consent were only wrong when they happened to the main character, wrong in the way it forced her into a situation where she was at the mercy and control of another. But was there any consideration or care for those whose consent was violated outside of the main character and those she cared about?
No.
And honestly, that’s half the problem with the United States as it is! Far too many people are so selfish that they don’t care about the rights of others being taken away until they, themselves, find that they need those rights for one reason or another. It was such a horrifying perpetuation of this problem that I found myself feeling massive amounts of ick for a large portion of the story.
For the rest of it, I was just painfully bored. I don’t know how many others experienced this, but I constantly felt like the story was painfully slow. Every time I started to get interested, usually at crux and climactic moments, it was followed by utterly draggy chapters and suddenly I find my mind wandering.
There was a lot of potential in this book and near every time, it just missed the mark.
And what’s wild is I tried so hard to finish The Poisons we Drink. I restarted it when I needed to, I rewound when my mind wandered. I sat through painfully boring sections in hopes of reaching the exciting ones. Then I DNF’d @ 77%.
I do believe that there’s some merit to this story. I can appreciate some of Baptiste’s attempted messaging. I just needed more and I needed better.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read
February 20, 20242/19/24 Update: With Cait Corrain having returned, insisting her review-bombing was a result of substance abuse, meds, and autism and 2024 debuts are once again being targeted by review-bombing accounts, I think this will be my final update for this author's note on here. GR has become an unsafe space and I hate that GR forces authors to engage in a space meant for readers.
Also, I added "ace" to the reps portion. The manuscript used for ARCs was one submitted for copy edits, not final edits. The final manuscript has significant changes the ARCs simply do not reflect. So, the ace rep and other revisions are simply not present in the ARCs because, at the time, I wasn't aware that early version of the manuscript would be used for ARCs.
Side note: I accidentally hit follow for an account when trying to access this book page via my phone. I immediately unfollowed. So, my apologies for any confusion.
Stay safe, y'all. ✌🏿
Hi, y’all!
If you’re interested in reading my YA urban fantasy debut, THE POISONS WE DRINK, I’ll be listing its reps and content warnings.
REPS:
Black, bi, non-binary, South Asian, mental illness (PTSD, anxiety, depression), ace
CONTENT WARNINGS:
Morally gray characters, complicated parent-child relationships, police brutality, fantasy violence, fantastical racism, magical coercion, gun violence, politics, parental death, child death, and dying/death.
In addition, there are depictions of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.
Other content warnings include self-harm (such as needles for finger pricking and daggers for palm slitting to perform spells), blood and gore, sexual situations, real and fantasy drugs, underage drinking, and profanity.
If the content warnings in THE POISONS WE DRINK are too triggering, take care of yourself first. It's totally okay to skip the book and prioritize your mental health.
IF YOU LIKE:
💖Practical Magic + Breaking Bad
💖Morally gray Black witches
💖Love potions that crawl down throats
💖Ride-or-die nonbinary baes
💖"Fuck the gov" vibes
💖Black family love
You’ve come to the right place!
If you have any questions about the rep and content warnings, or if you'd like to know more about any specifics, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter or leave a comment below.
Thank y’all! 🥰
Also, I added "ace" to the reps portion. The manuscript used for ARCs was one submitted for copy edits, not final edits. The final manuscript has significant changes the ARCs simply do not reflect. So, the ace rep and other revisions are simply not present in the ARCs because, at the time, I wasn't aware that early version of the manuscript would be used for ARCs.
Side note: I accidentally hit follow for an account when trying to access this book page via my phone. I immediately unfollowed. So, my apologies for any confusion.
Stay safe, y'all. ✌🏿
Hi, y’all!
If you’re interested in reading my YA urban fantasy debut, THE POISONS WE DRINK, I’ll be listing its reps and content warnings.
REPS:
Black, bi, non-binary, South Asian, mental illness (PTSD, anxiety, depression), ace
CONTENT WARNINGS:
Morally gray characters, complicated parent-child relationships, police brutality, fantasy violence, fantastical racism, magical coercion, gun violence, politics, parental death, child death, and dying/death.
In addition, there are depictions of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.
Other content warnings include self-harm (such as needles for finger pricking and daggers for palm slitting to perform spells), blood and gore, sexual situations, real and fantasy drugs, underage drinking, and profanity.
If the content warnings in THE POISONS WE DRINK are too triggering, take care of yourself first. It's totally okay to skip the book and prioritize your mental health.
IF YOU LIKE:
💖Practical Magic + Breaking Bad
💖Morally gray Black witches
💖Love potions that crawl down throats
💖Ride-or-die nonbinary baes
💖"Fuck the gov" vibes
💖Black family love
You’ve come to the right place!
If you have any questions about the rep and content warnings, or if you'd like to know more about any specifics, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter or leave a comment below.
Thank y’all! 🥰
January 28, 2024
Definitely recommend you to read this book, the magic system is so unique that I struggle to draw comparisons to anything else I’ve read recently.
The story is heavily steeped in deep lore, originality and magical elements, which truly show the author’s creativity and charm. I wish we could have seen more of these aspects, like make-dos, magical artefacts and other character’s gifts, earlier on as they were really captivating. Chapters began with excerpts of articles, books, letters etc, which reminded me of Fourth Wing and really helped to flesh out your understanding as a reader.
The world Bethany Baptiste weaves is rich in black culture, history and sociological commentary, the parallels between the plight of witchers in her society and POC in our own is enlightening and thought provoking. Especially so with the rights movement and the ample blood spilled and lives lost on the road to freedom. The representation for realistic and true to life ethnicities, cultures, genders and sexualities was refreshing, particularly within a fantasy book.
It did take a while for me to get immersed into the book, I would say around at 50% things took a turn and I finished the rest in one sitting.
Thank you Sourcebooks for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The story is heavily steeped in deep lore, originality and magical elements, which truly show the author’s creativity and charm. I wish we could have seen more of these aspects, like make-dos, magical artefacts and other character’s gifts, earlier on as they were really captivating. Chapters began with excerpts of articles, books, letters etc, which reminded me of Fourth Wing and really helped to flesh out your understanding as a reader.
The world Bethany Baptiste weaves is rich in black culture, history and sociological commentary, the parallels between the plight of witchers in her society and POC in our own is enlightening and thought provoking. Especially so with the rights movement and the ample blood spilled and lives lost on the road to freedom. The representation for realistic and true to life ethnicities, cultures, genders and sexualities was refreshing, particularly within a fantasy book.
It did take a while for me to get immersed into the book, I would say around at 50% things took a turn and I finished the rest in one sitting.
Thank you Sourcebooks for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
April 28, 2024
Got an arc from Netgalley! 4.5/5
A candy-coated urban fantasy with a poisonous center, and I say that as a compliment! I love a good contemporary fantasy, especially one as punchy and twisty as this! A smidge rough around the edges (some adverb repetition I probably wouldn’t have noticed had I not been listening to the audiobook, but nothing major whatsoever, easily polished things) but the book is an evident labor of love from the author, with so much heart put into it, I cannot wait to see where she goes from here, because she’s an undeniably talented storyteller. I want more from this author, and the treatment of this book by the publisher is appalling because the book is GOOD, and the author and book deserve better.
A candy-coated urban fantasy with a poisonous center, and I say that as a compliment! I love a good contemporary fantasy, especially one as punchy and twisty as this! A smidge rough around the edges (some adverb repetition I probably wouldn’t have noticed had I not been listening to the audiobook, but nothing major whatsoever, easily polished things) but the book is an evident labor of love from the author, with so much heart put into it, I cannot wait to see where she goes from here, because she’s an undeniably talented storyteller. I want more from this author, and the treatment of this book by the publisher is appalling because the book is GOOD, and the author and book deserve better.
December 29, 2024
Wow this book was a great fantasy book if I must say so myself. 1st the cover of this book is awesome and i caught my attention from the bottom of the book shelf in BAM. Bethany Baptiste a black author who have no written many books really showed out on this book.
The descriptions and the language used along with the dialogue in this book was off the chain good y'all it is a must read
The descriptions and the language used along with the dialogue in this book was off the chain good y'all it is a must read
Want to read
August 22, 2023I LOVE stories about girls getting the revenge they deserve. The main character brews illegal love potions and explores the deep dark underbelly of Washington DC? The stakes are high, she's out for revenge, and this sounds SO GOOD
February 26, 2024
I am a sucker for a story about witches, and this one was a really good one!
Venus Stoneheart is a witch, living in a version of the US where witches and humans are divided by hatred and prejudice. She is also a brewer of love potions, a trade which just so happens to be illegal.
The potions Venus brews are ethically iffy, to say the least, but I liked that the story was very upfront about the fact that sometimes people are forced to make less than desirable choices in order to survive, but that it doesn’t necessarily make them bad people.
I thought the little excerpts from Witcherpedia and other places at the beginning of the chapters were a fantastic way to world build. Very early on I felt like I had a clear picture of what this world was like and how it operated.
There is some spicy stuff in this book but, given the story feels very much aimed at the older end of YA, I personally felt like this was handled in an age-appropriate way.
Venus is a very damaged and angry young woman but she is also compassionate and loyal and she loves those around her deeply. She made stupid, and sometimes terrible, decisions and still remained incredibly likeable. She really felt like an 18-year-old who found herself suddenly needing to be the adult, even though she really wasn’t ready for everything that entailed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks UK for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Venus Stoneheart is a witch, living in a version of the US where witches and humans are divided by hatred and prejudice. She is also a brewer of love potions, a trade which just so happens to be illegal.
The potions Venus brews are ethically iffy, to say the least, but I liked that the story was very upfront about the fact that sometimes people are forced to make less than desirable choices in order to survive, but that it doesn’t necessarily make them bad people.
I thought the little excerpts from Witcherpedia and other places at the beginning of the chapters were a fantastic way to world build. Very early on I felt like I had a clear picture of what this world was like and how it operated.
There is some spicy stuff in this book but, given the story feels very much aimed at the older end of YA, I personally felt like this was handled in an age-appropriate way.
Venus is a very damaged and angry young woman but she is also compassionate and loyal and she loves those around her deeply. She made stupid, and sometimes terrible, decisions and still remained incredibly likeable. She really felt like an 18-year-old who found herself suddenly needing to be the adult, even though she really wasn’t ready for everything that entailed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks UK for providing me with an ARC of this book.
October 13, 2023
I was very excited to plunge into this one. The premise of sentient potions that can kill you is fantastic, the analogy to the last few years is so very relevant, and the family dynamic of this book is tense and full of places to grow.
There was a lot of potential, and the emotions of the writer certainly gave it a good angry push forward, but sadly it was missing focus.
Despite the action, I felt like nothing was really happening for the first 35% of the book and I kept wondering where we were going with all this.
The magic system was very unclear for most of the book... why is it so risky for our main character, but not the person who brews health potions?... or if it is, how does she cover the extreem cost, since she needs a 3rd level health potion every day and extra every time she does a 2nd level love potion.
I was annoyed at those kinds of details, and ended up losing interest and reading diagonally through the magic sequences. It's obviously a complex system, but it felt obscure as well.
There is also lots of subplots, which is usually fun, but because the main plot is introduced so late, and is meandering, it was hard to care as much as I should have about any of the smaller ones.
All in all, I think it will make 16+ and new adults happy, because it is very relevant, but I think it could have been a much stronger novel with more focus on the main themes.
I look forward to see the next work of the author, though, as I feel experience will only make her grow stronger in her craft, and she has an amazing creativity and voice.
There was a lot of potential, and the emotions of the writer certainly gave it a good angry push forward, but sadly it was missing focus.
Despite the action, I felt like nothing was really happening for the first 35% of the book and I kept wondering where we were going with all this.
The magic system was very unclear for most of the book... why is it so risky for our main character, but not the person who brews health potions?... or if it is, how does she cover the extreem cost, since she needs a 3rd level health potion every day and extra every time she does a 2nd level love potion.
I was annoyed at those kinds of details, and ended up losing interest and reading diagonally through the magic sequences. It's obviously a complex system, but it felt obscure as well.
There is also lots of subplots, which is usually fun, but because the main plot is introduced so late, and is meandering, it was hard to care as much as I should have about any of the smaller ones.
All in all, I think it will make 16+ and new adults happy, because it is very relevant, but I think it could have been a much stronger novel with more focus on the main themes.
I look forward to see the next work of the author, though, as I feel experience will only make her grow stronger in her craft, and she has an amazing creativity and voice.
January 10, 2024
For years, I've been looking for a book where a witch wreaks havoc with love potions. It was a concept in my head that sounded thrilling, but I couldn't find a proper execution myself. Thanks to Bethany, I need to look no further and I finally have read the book I've been looking for!
The thing that first drew me to this book was the cover real (absolutely gorgeous) and, once I read the synopsis, it became one of my anticipated reads for 2024. I was so happy when I got approved for the ARC (thanks NetGalley!).
The Poisons We Drink is a story about love. Familial love, romantic love, love for an idea, the yearning for love and the ways love can be twisted and manipulated by someone's selfish intentions. The pain and joy that comes with loving and being loved, and the sacrifices that are made in the name of love.
It's not an easy book to read at times, it explores the harsh reality that BIPOC people in the US face everyday and is honest in its anger, but it ends on a positive, albeit bittersweet, note of hope for the possibility of change and the construction of a better future.
The thing that first drew me to this book was the cover real (absolutely gorgeous) and, once I read the synopsis, it became one of my anticipated reads for 2024. I was so happy when I got approved for the ARC (thanks NetGalley!).
The Poisons We Drink is a story about love. Familial love, romantic love, love for an idea, the yearning for love and the ways love can be twisted and manipulated by someone's selfish intentions. The pain and joy that comes with loving and being loved, and the sacrifices that are made in the name of love.
It's not an easy book to read at times, it explores the harsh reality that BIPOC people in the US face everyday and is honest in its anger, but it ends on a positive, albeit bittersweet, note of hope for the possibility of change and the construction of a better future.
February 24, 2024
[3.8 ⭐️]
did-not-finish
May 30, 2024Maybe soft DNF for now? I can't pay attention even after starting the audiobook a second time. I find it hard to care about either the characters or plot.
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