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A Fierce and Subtle Poison
Everyone knows the legends about the cursed girl--Isabel, the one the señoras whisper about. They say she has green skin and grass for hair, and she feeds on the poisonous plants that fill her family’s Caribbean island garden. Some say she can grant wishes; some say her touch can kill.
Seventeen-year-old Lucas lives on the mainland most of the year but spends summers with his hotel-developer father in Puerto Rico. He’s grown up hearing stories about the cursed girl, and he wants to believe in Isabel and her magic. When letters from Isabel begin mysteriously appearing in his room the same day his new girlfriend disappears, Lucas turns to Isabel for answers--and finds himself lured into her strange and enchanted world. But time is running out for the girl filled with poison, and the more entangled Lucas becomes with Isabel, the less certain he is of escaping with his own life.
Seventeen-year-old Lucas lives on the mainland most of the year but spends summers with his hotel-developer father in Puerto Rico. He’s grown up hearing stories about the cursed girl, and he wants to believe in Isabel and her magic. When letters from Isabel begin mysteriously appearing in his room the same day his new girlfriend disappears, Lucas turns to Isabel for answers--and finds himself lured into her strange and enchanted world. But time is running out for the girl filled with poison, and the more entangled Lucas becomes with Isabel, the less certain he is of escaping with his own life.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published April 12, 2016
75 people are currently reading
6671 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Mabry
12 books292 followerssamantha was born four days before the death of john lennon. she grew up in dallas, playing bass guitar along to vinyl records in her bedroom after school, writing fan letters to rock stars, doodling song lyrics into notebooks, and reading big, big books.
she spends as much time as possible in the west texas desert.
A FIERCE AND SUBTLE POISON (Algonquin Young Readers, spring 2016) is her first novel.
she spends as much time as possible in the west texas desert.
A FIERCE AND SUBTLE POISON (Algonquin Young Readers, spring 2016) is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 493 reviews
June 23, 2016
17-year-old Lucas has spent all his summers in Puerto Rico, where his developer father likes to build hotels. Lucas hangs out with his friends, swims, drinks, and kisses pretty girls. But he also wonders about the local legend -- that a poison-girl with green skin and green hair lives at the end of a lonely street, a girl who can grant wishes. When tragedy strikes, Lucas decides to find out if this girl exists, and if she can help.Sigh. This book captured me with its gorgeous cover and intriguing jacket-flap copy (not what I wrote above).
Those were the best things about it.
Would it have been better if it were a genre novel, instead of turning out to be literary? Probably, because genre novels have plots.
Would it have been better if it was from some other POV instead of Luke's? Absolutely, because any other character had to be more interesting and engaging than Lucas. If this had been Isabella -- the poison girl's -- story, it could have been fascinating. What is it like to be so deadly that no one can touch you? So poisonous that insects know better than to bite you? To be hidden away all your life while stories about you swirl through the community, but to know more about your neighbors than their closest friends and family when they write their dearest wishes and toss them into your garden? That's the story I wanted to read. It's a story I'm tempted to write myself now.
Instead we get Lucas's story. Which is no story at all. He's passive and boring. He's just an observer, not a participant; none of the stakes in the story actually affect him. Even the setting in Puerto Rico is mostly wasted, especially as Lucas doesn't seem to have absorbed much of either the language (he and his native friends all seem to speak English with one another, and Lucas barely understands Spanish) or the culture. And just to rub in how pointless it is, the ending brings no satisfactory resolution, and Lucas seems almost entirely untouched by his experiences.
To be fair, people who praise this book love the "magical realism," which I'll admit is a literary technique which is almost entirely wasted on me as a reader -- I just never "get" it.
I should have taken Lola's advice and DNF'd.
I hate writing negative reviews like this, but nothing redeemed this book for me. :-(
May 18, 2017
As someone born and raised in Puerto Rico, I am more than used to seeing my island fetishized by outsiders. While this is my home, for innumerable people this is their paradise away from home. And that's it. For so many, Puerto Rico is reduced to beaches, sunsets, dancing and beautiful women. Which is why it hurts doubly to see a YA book do the same, then claim it will do otherwise, and end up portraying Puerto Rico in an even worse manner. Because, yes, having my country reduced to party and fun and vacation is bad enough, but being portrayed as an ignorant, regressive little island stuck in time and full of superstitious, uneducated and rowdy people is even worse.
Coincidentally, I divide my time here in between the two settings that the author chose to carry out the story: San Juan, where I study, and Rincón, in my parents' home which is about 15 minutes away from there. I can tell you, right off the bat, that the only accuracy this book can claim when it comes to these two places is only geographical localization. That's about it. Oh, I don't doubt the author Wikipediaed the shit out of Old San Juan, as she name dropped location after location to the point where it lost all meaning. Maybe she even visited it, but that would be even worse because that would only sustain my conclusion that she did it as a tourist. The way she described my home goes in tune with the fetishistic way in which most people describe it, and not even the generous kind. This author would have you believe that we are stuck 30, 40 years in the past. That we are all languid days and nights of party and passion. That we, the women, are uneducated, naturally sensual beings that always wear sundresses and flowers in our long, wild hair to look for men to trap. There is not a single complex or flattering representation of Puerto Rican (or even Latina) women in the entire novel. According to this novel, we are all flirty, fickle, untrustworthy and spiteful beings, said so by her male characters and reinforced by the representation of the women in this novel. The male characters themselves are boring, unremarkable and predictable as hell, but at least their representation didn't paint their entire races and genders in such a generalizing and unflattering light. And in a story set in Puerto Rico with a wide array of opportunities for diverse characters that rarely pop up in YA, this author chose a boring and completely unremarkable freaking white boy as the narrator and hero of the story. Seriously, fuck that.
Like in this book, people see the way in which we protect the mixture of Taíno and African traditions and conserve the Spanish fortifications and architecture that identify Old San Juan, and immediately assume we are stuck in an idyllic time where it was all farming and fishing and languishing under the heat. The Puerto Rico that this author describes as modern is the Puerto Rico of decades ago, stretches of villages and cottages, superstitions and seemingly conflicting beliefs. Is the Puerto Rico that tourists prefer, the one they would have us be forever. One that affects all the cultural and social progress Puerto Rico has achieved for decades.
Not only is the general representation of my island and my people, both of which grated on me til the point that I got genuinely furious, inaccurate, but the use of cultural elements, traditions and history was also done in a very irresponsible way. First off, the bits of Spanish scattered over the book rarely matched the Spanish actually used in Puerto Rico. To assume that every Latin American group speaks the same Spanish is preposterous and, quite frankly, kind of offensive. Never, in my 20-something years of living on this island and traveling all around it, have I ever, ever encountered a native Puerto Rican using the word "pinche". We do not do that. That is a thoroughly Central and South American word. Not a Puerto Rican one. Moreover, some of the Spanish was grammatically, semantically and syntactically incorrect. If you insist on incorporating bits of a language you do not speak, the least you could do is find someone who does to make sure you are not writing a string of errors all throughout your novel.
This author borrowed haphazardly from Taíno culture and then decided to throw it unceremoniously 500 years later with ridiculous incongruity into unrealistic settings that fail to resemble in any remotely accurate manner Puerto Rico in any way or form. When I got to the part where she began to describe some random indigenous village in the southern coast of the island - in the second most cosmopolitan town in the entire island, I must add - living in a societal structure that mirrored the Taíno's, all this set only about 40 or 30 years in the past, I genuinely screeched and had to restrain myself from throwing the book out a window. Not only were the Taíno elements used however the author felt like with little respect to accuracy, they were presented in the most preposterous scenario within relatively recent Puerto Rican history.
I know the author has some Puerto Rican heritage to claim, but what she wrote into her novel represents a degree of ignorance and complete disregard that infuriated me to my very core. I can talk about the flatness and overall pointlessness of the very thin plot that can be found in this novel. I could write about the shallowness of every single character, the exasperating concentration of generic and boring that was the main character and the infuriating way he treated Puerto Rican girls like they were his harem to take and use, or I could even mention how the elements of magical realism in the novel failed to impress in any way. Even if I hadn't felt offended to my core because I am Puerto Rican, the book would've been supremely mediocre in every single way. But, in the face of what it did make me feel for having shamelessly abused my country and my culture, I seriously do not give a fuck. I hated this book, not for its shitty story and main character, but for the hurt it gave me as a Puerto Rican. Seriously, fuck this book.
Coincidentally, I divide my time here in between the two settings that the author chose to carry out the story: San Juan, where I study, and Rincón, in my parents' home which is about 15 minutes away from there. I can tell you, right off the bat, that the only accuracy this book can claim when it comes to these two places is only geographical localization. That's about it. Oh, I don't doubt the author Wikipediaed the shit out of Old San Juan, as she name dropped location after location to the point where it lost all meaning. Maybe she even visited it, but that would be even worse because that would only sustain my conclusion that she did it as a tourist. The way she described my home goes in tune with the fetishistic way in which most people describe it, and not even the generous kind. This author would have you believe that we are stuck 30, 40 years in the past. That we are all languid days and nights of party and passion. That we, the women, are uneducated, naturally sensual beings that always wear sundresses and flowers in our long, wild hair to look for men to trap. There is not a single complex or flattering representation of Puerto Rican (or even Latina) women in the entire novel. According to this novel, we are all flirty, fickle, untrustworthy and spiteful beings, said so by her male characters and reinforced by the representation of the women in this novel. The male characters themselves are boring, unremarkable and predictable as hell, but at least their representation didn't paint their entire races and genders in such a generalizing and unflattering light. And in a story set in Puerto Rico with a wide array of opportunities for diverse characters that rarely pop up in YA, this author chose a boring and completely unremarkable freaking white boy as the narrator and hero of the story. Seriously, fuck that.
Like in this book, people see the way in which we protect the mixture of Taíno and African traditions and conserve the Spanish fortifications and architecture that identify Old San Juan, and immediately assume we are stuck in an idyllic time where it was all farming and fishing and languishing under the heat. The Puerto Rico that this author describes as modern is the Puerto Rico of decades ago, stretches of villages and cottages, superstitions and seemingly conflicting beliefs. Is the Puerto Rico that tourists prefer, the one they would have us be forever. One that affects all the cultural and social progress Puerto Rico has achieved for decades.
Not only is the general representation of my island and my people, both of which grated on me til the point that I got genuinely furious, inaccurate, but the use of cultural elements, traditions and history was also done in a very irresponsible way. First off, the bits of Spanish scattered over the book rarely matched the Spanish actually used in Puerto Rico. To assume that every Latin American group speaks the same Spanish is preposterous and, quite frankly, kind of offensive. Never, in my 20-something years of living on this island and traveling all around it, have I ever, ever encountered a native Puerto Rican using the word "pinche". We do not do that. That is a thoroughly Central and South American word. Not a Puerto Rican one. Moreover, some of the Spanish was grammatically, semantically and syntactically incorrect. If you insist on incorporating bits of a language you do not speak, the least you could do is find someone who does to make sure you are not writing a string of errors all throughout your novel.
This author borrowed haphazardly from Taíno culture and then decided to throw it unceremoniously 500 years later with ridiculous incongruity into unrealistic settings that fail to resemble in any remotely accurate manner Puerto Rico in any way or form. When I got to the part where she began to describe some random indigenous village in the southern coast of the island - in the second most cosmopolitan town in the entire island, I must add - living in a societal structure that mirrored the Taíno's, all this set only about 40 or 30 years in the past, I genuinely screeched and had to restrain myself from throwing the book out a window. Not only were the Taíno elements used however the author felt like with little respect to accuracy, they were presented in the most preposterous scenario within relatively recent Puerto Rican history.
I know the author has some Puerto Rican heritage to claim, but what she wrote into her novel represents a degree of ignorance and complete disregard that infuriated me to my very core. I can talk about the flatness and overall pointlessness of the very thin plot that can be found in this novel. I could write about the shallowness of every single character, the exasperating concentration of generic and boring that was the main character and the infuriating way he treated Puerto Rican girls like they were his harem to take and use, or I could even mention how the elements of magical realism in the novel failed to impress in any way. Even if I hadn't felt offended to my core because I am Puerto Rican, the book would've been supremely mediocre in every single way. But, in the face of what it did make me feel for having shamelessly abused my country and my culture, I seriously do not give a fuck. I hated this book, not for its shitty story and main character, but for the hurt it gave me as a Puerto Rican. Seriously, fuck this book.
March 29, 2018
2 1/2 stars. Hmm, I'm feeling conflicted about this.
Mabry writes beautifully and doesn't fail to do the setting (San Juan, Puerto Rico) justice with lush descriptions. I love magical realism, especially when the author infuses the writing with an equally magical quality, and I was really excited to read about a place that is rare to find in YA.
That being said, I found most of the story uninteresting. It shouldn't have been. A cursed girl lurking in the shadows of a Caribbean island should be really exciting and scary. Unfortunately, the plot is weak, even confusing at times, and the pacing is uneven. Very little is resolved and the book's ending hangs open in a way that is more annoying than mysterious.
Maybe worth picking up from a library to enjoy the writing and atypical setting.
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Mabry writes beautifully and doesn't fail to do the setting (San Juan, Puerto Rico) justice with lush descriptions. I love magical realism, especially when the author infuses the writing with an equally magical quality, and I was really excited to read about a place that is rare to find in YA.
That being said, I found most of the story uninteresting. It shouldn't have been. A cursed girl lurking in the shadows of a Caribbean island should be really exciting and scary. Unfortunately, the plot is weak, even confusing at times, and the pacing is uneven. Very little is resolved and the book's ending hangs open in a way that is more annoying than mysterious.
Maybe worth picking up from a library to enjoy the writing and atypical setting.
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March 13, 2016
I loved the idea of this book, so I was pretty eager to read it. Sadly, I was more confused than anything.
Lucas is an interesting enough character. He comes across as sort of apathetic and yet when he finds Isabel, it's intriguing to see what holds his attention. Even with that, it wasn't enough to captivate me. The secondary characters {Dr. Ford, Lucas's dad and friends, even Isabel} weren't fleshed out and while that helped paint the picture of Lucas's implied instability, it didn't help me to connect to anyone in the story.
The plot is quite loose and with the explanations that were given, it didn't seem to be enough. By the time the ending came around, I still had no idea wtf was going on. I can definitely see how people will love the story and very open ending. I kept reading because I was curious, but ultimately it just wasn't for me.
**Huge thanks to Algonuin Young Readers and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
Lucas is an interesting enough character. He comes across as sort of apathetic and yet when he finds Isabel, it's intriguing to see what holds his attention. Even with that, it wasn't enough to captivate me. The secondary characters {Dr. Ford, Lucas's dad and friends, even Isabel} weren't fleshed out and while that helped paint the picture of Lucas's implied instability, it didn't help me to connect to anyone in the story.
The plot is quite loose and with the explanations that were given, it didn't seem to be enough. By the time the ending came around, I still had no idea wtf was going on. I can definitely see how people will love the story and very open ending. I kept reading because I was curious, but ultimately it just wasn't for me.
**Huge thanks to Algonuin Young Readers and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
September 8, 2016
A finished copy was provided by the publisher for review.
I was a little torn with this one which is why I'm rating it in the middle.. I liked it and disliked certain aspects. For one, it's very dragging. Hardly anything happens until later on in the book. And it was enough for me to keep from DNFing which is saying something because I actually did enjoy her writing.
I also loved the setting because I've been to San Juan myself and can picture the streets as easily as it were in the book. The heat and the humidity felt very real. The descriptions of the trees and even the flowers, the feel of the sand beneath the characters' toes. Yep it felt like I was transported back there and I loved it. I also liked the magical aspects of it, but i felt it was also so problematic at the same time. Problematic because I always have an issue with magical realism. Because my thoughts will twist and turn and ask questions like, "WHERE DID THEY GET THESE POWERS? WHY IS IT ONLY HER WHO HAS IT? HOW IS SHE STILL COPING WITH THIS? HOW COME NO ONE KNOWS? etc." It drives me a little crazy, so eventually I give up asking myself all these questions and proceed to accept the authors portrayal of what was happening. The main character is from a male foreigner's point of view. But I also think it could have benefited from Isabel's point of view. Sometimes seeing it from one side doesn't give an all-around sense of story.
A Fierce and Subtle Poison gave me mixed emotions, but I also can't get this cover out of my head. It really depicts the story very well and the cover designer did a wonderful job.
RATING 3/5
QUOTES
What I feared was a future where I ended up a version of my dad: oblivious and arrogant, disappointed in clearly beautiful things. (55)
I'm not some imprisoned princess who's desperate for your rescue. I can take care of myself. (112)
You do not fix things, Isabel. You destroy them. (172)
To me, stories were stronger than the truth. (234)
I was a little torn with this one which is why I'm rating it in the middle.. I liked it and disliked certain aspects. For one, it's very dragging. Hardly anything happens until later on in the book. And it was enough for me to keep from DNFing which is saying something because I actually did enjoy her writing.
I also loved the setting because I've been to San Juan myself and can picture the streets as easily as it were in the book. The heat and the humidity felt very real. The descriptions of the trees and even the flowers, the feel of the sand beneath the characters' toes. Yep it felt like I was transported back there and I loved it. I also liked the magical aspects of it, but i felt it was also so problematic at the same time. Problematic because I always have an issue with magical realism. Because my thoughts will twist and turn and ask questions like, "WHERE DID THEY GET THESE POWERS? WHY IS IT ONLY HER WHO HAS IT? HOW IS SHE STILL COPING WITH THIS? HOW COME NO ONE KNOWS? etc." It drives me a little crazy, so eventually I give up asking myself all these questions and proceed to accept the authors portrayal of what was happening. The main character is from a male foreigner's point of view. But I also think it could have benefited from Isabel's point of view. Sometimes seeing it from one side doesn't give an all-around sense of story.
A Fierce and Subtle Poison gave me mixed emotions, but I also can't get this cover out of my head. It really depicts the story very well and the cover designer did a wonderful job.
RATING 3/5
QUOTES
What I feared was a future where I ended up a version of my dad: oblivious and arrogant, disappointed in clearly beautiful things. (55)
I'm not some imprisoned princess who's desperate for your rescue. I can take care of myself. (112)
You do not fix things, Isabel. You destroy them. (172)
To me, stories were stronger than the truth. (234)
May 27, 2017
I bought this book solely because I fell in love with the cover and I must say, it's one of the best decisions I've ever made! This book was a totally unexpected gem and I absolutely loved everything about it from start to finish.
The story is so interesting and unique, I've never read anything like it! The whole concept captivated me right from the very beginning and I only became more and more enraptured by this story as it went along.
I really loved the setting of the story as well! I've never read a book set in Puerto Rico before so it was really interesting getting to see glimpses of the culture. I also really loved the beautiful, lush descriptions of the scenery. I almost felt like if I reached out my hands, I found touch the beautiful but poisonous plants myself!
I also really enjoyed the little bits of Spanish mixed in here and there, I thought it really added to the atmosphere of the story! Although I don't think I would have really known what they meant if I wasn't fluent in French (French and Spanish are actually pretty similar!) and if I hadn't taken a few basic Spanish courses in high school.
I honestly can't name one thing I didn't enjoy about this book! It was refreshing to read something so different from anything I've read before and I'm really glad this cover caught my eye and allowed me to discover this story!
The story is so interesting and unique, I've never read anything like it! The whole concept captivated me right from the very beginning and I only became more and more enraptured by this story as it went along.
I really loved the setting of the story as well! I've never read a book set in Puerto Rico before so it was really interesting getting to see glimpses of the culture. I also really loved the beautiful, lush descriptions of the scenery. I almost felt like if I reached out my hands, I found touch the beautiful but poisonous plants myself!
I also really enjoyed the little bits of Spanish mixed in here and there, I thought it really added to the atmosphere of the story! Although I don't think I would have really known what they meant if I wasn't fluent in French (French and Spanish are actually pretty similar!) and if I hadn't taken a few basic Spanish courses in high school.
I honestly can't name one thing I didn't enjoy about this book! It was refreshing to read something so different from anything I've read before and I'm really glad this cover caught my eye and allowed me to discover this story!
August 15, 2016
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
This audiobook didn't really work for me. I really wanted to like. I tried really hard to enjoy it...but it just was not for me. I was really excited about this book from the start since the summary sounds really good and that title. Too bad that it didn't live up to my expectations. I actually thought about just stopping this one a couple of times but I had to spend a couple of days in the car so I pushed myself to continue. I really should have went with my first instinct.
I had a hard time connecting with the story at any level. I went in think that this was be a really unique and interesting piece. A story set in Puerto Rico with a girl filled with poison had all of the makings of a book that would be really exciting. It held my attention for the first part of the story as everything was being set into place but as the story moved forward, I found that I was losing interest. The mystery of the story just didn't feel as exciting as it really should have.
I didn't care for any of the characters. Lucas was a rich boy who was more than a little spoiled. Things seemed to go his way no matter what. Isabel just seemed strange to me. I didn't feel bad for her even though she had lived an isolated life. I really just couldn't get myself to feel anything for any of the characters.
I have to say that I am kind of on the fence regarding the narration. Graham Hamilton will not be making my favorite narrators list for this performance but I don't think that his narration took away from the story. I would have liked to hear a bit more emotion in his voice as he read the story but I thought he did a decent job. I would be willing to listen to this narrator on another work in the future.
I am not going to be recommending this book to others. The characters and plot just really fell flat for me. It was a really imaginative idea that just didn't seem to work out in the end.
I received a review copy of this book from Recorded Books via LibraryThing Early Reviewers program for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Initial Thoughts
I am not really sure what I thought about this one. It started out strong but kind of fizzled out by the end. I thought it was really a bit strange. I did really enjoy the narrator even if the story wasn't really for me.
This audiobook didn't really work for me. I really wanted to like. I tried really hard to enjoy it...but it just was not for me. I was really excited about this book from the start since the summary sounds really good and that title. Too bad that it didn't live up to my expectations. I actually thought about just stopping this one a couple of times but I had to spend a couple of days in the car so I pushed myself to continue. I really should have went with my first instinct.
I had a hard time connecting with the story at any level. I went in think that this was be a really unique and interesting piece. A story set in Puerto Rico with a girl filled with poison had all of the makings of a book that would be really exciting. It held my attention for the first part of the story as everything was being set into place but as the story moved forward, I found that I was losing interest. The mystery of the story just didn't feel as exciting as it really should have.
I didn't care for any of the characters. Lucas was a rich boy who was more than a little spoiled. Things seemed to go his way no matter what. Isabel just seemed strange to me. I didn't feel bad for her even though she had lived an isolated life. I really just couldn't get myself to feel anything for any of the characters.
I have to say that I am kind of on the fence regarding the narration. Graham Hamilton will not be making my favorite narrators list for this performance but I don't think that his narration took away from the story. I would have liked to hear a bit more emotion in his voice as he read the story but I thought he did a decent job. I would be willing to listen to this narrator on another work in the future.
I am not going to be recommending this book to others. The characters and plot just really fell flat for me. It was a really imaginative idea that just didn't seem to work out in the end.
I received a review copy of this book from Recorded Books via LibraryThing Early Reviewers program for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Initial Thoughts
I am not really sure what I thought about this one. It started out strong but kind of fizzled out by the end. I thought it was really a bit strange. I did really enjoy the narrator even if the story wasn't really for me.
March 5, 2016
I received this via Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review.
----
This was really good.
The usual things said... the writing was beautiful, haunting... the characters I fell in love with right away, all tried and true but certainly does apply here :).
The air simmers with the feel of magic, menance, and mystery... right away, we're pulled into a world with stories told about the house with the legends of the Cursed Girl. They say she has green skin and grass for hair and she grants wishes. They say her father drove her mother to madness....
BUT is any of it true?
Some things, yes.. some things no. The truth is a complicated thing in parts and yet not so much overall. Looking back, would anyone believe it? And if they did, they still might prefer the stories after all.
Lucas is pulled into Isabel's strange world without realizing it at first, and when he gets further involved, it is nothing like he expected things to be.
I loved that Lucas was the narrator and that he was upfront about he was, he was unapologetic about it but never cruel or mean in regard to his actions. Yes sometimes he can be thick-headed but he has the best intentions (in his mind).
Also that we didn't what to expect from Isabel and that she remained cloaked in shadows and mystery... We were watching things happen along with Lucas and trying to figure things out.
Seeing and hearing Puerto Rico and the stories through Lucas' eyes was refreshing as well. It is woven into the fabric of the story so wonderfully and added an extra layer to it. Another character unto itself (I love when the setting feels as alive as the people in it)
The ending is left open but with the mystery still hovering in the air around you, a sense of 'something' still there just beyond your reach.
What does it mean? Perhaps nothing, perhaps something.
Would recommend:) Well done, Miss Mabry
----
This was really good.
The usual things said... the writing was beautiful, haunting... the characters I fell in love with right away, all tried and true but certainly does apply here :).
The air simmers with the feel of magic, menance, and mystery... right away, we're pulled into a world with stories told about the house with the legends of the Cursed Girl. They say she has green skin and grass for hair and she grants wishes. They say her father drove her mother to madness....
BUT is any of it true?
Some things, yes.. some things no. The truth is a complicated thing in parts and yet not so much overall. Looking back, would anyone believe it? And if they did, they still might prefer the stories after all.
Lucas is pulled into Isabel's strange world without realizing it at first, and when he gets further involved, it is nothing like he expected things to be.
I loved that Lucas was the narrator and that he was upfront about he was, he was unapologetic about it but never cruel or mean in regard to his actions. Yes sometimes he can be thick-headed but he has the best intentions (in his mind).
Also that we didn't what to expect from Isabel and that she remained cloaked in shadows and mystery... We were watching things happen along with Lucas and trying to figure things out.
Seeing and hearing Puerto Rico and the stories through Lucas' eyes was refreshing as well. It is woven into the fabric of the story so wonderfully and added an extra layer to it. Another character unto itself (I love when the setting feels as alive as the people in it)
The ending is left open but with the mystery still hovering in the air around you, a sense of 'something' still there just beyond your reach.
What does it mean? Perhaps nothing, perhaps something.
Would recommend:) Well done, Miss Mabry
January 15, 2016
This stunning debut from Samantha Mabry is a seamless combination of magical realism and murder mystery. 17-year old Lucas spends his summers on the island of San Juan, indulging in summer romances and enjoying the local stories, like that of the cursed, poison-filled girl that grants wishes and can kill with a touch. His summer of leisure comes to a halt local girls - including his almost-girlfriend -are found dead on the beach. Then a mysterious note revealing a dark mystery appears in his room... a note that can only be from the cursed girl. Only Lucas and Isabel, a mythical girl with a sorrowful history, can unravel the truth of the recent murders before Lucas is blamed. Readers will sink into this lush and distinctive setting, losing track of fiction and reality.
April 16, 2025
I wanted to love this soooo badly, but unfortunately it didn’t deliver for me.
The premise was rocksolid and the writing was exactly what I wanted it to be. Yet the story itself was too lacklustre and the characters too one dimensional for me to properly enjoy the novel as a whole.
The premise was rocksolid and the writing was exactly what I wanted it to be. Yet the story itself was too lacklustre and the characters too one dimensional for me to properly enjoy the novel as a whole.
September 11, 2022
A Fierce and Subtle Poison seemed like it was going to be a really good book. One that didn't stay on my TBR for long, but also one that I had to think about before I could finally write my review.
Now I've never been to Puerto Rico, so this book was sort of fun to dive into. I absolutely adored the descriptions of the place, and it made me want to book a flight asap. Yet, it was the characters and some parts of the actual story that didn't do the book justice. At least in my eyes.
Lucas and Isabel were okay to a point. I just wasn't fully committed or invested in them. It was just hard to connect with them for the entire book. Sure, some of what happened to them were interesting but those were brief moments. It also doesn't help that nothing else was truly capturing my attention. At times, I felt like I was zoning in and out and had no idea what was actually going on anymore.
Then I reached the overall ending. Again, it was just an okay book in my eyes. I could see where it had potential to be a lot better though.
Now I've never been to Puerto Rico, so this book was sort of fun to dive into. I absolutely adored the descriptions of the place, and it made me want to book a flight asap. Yet, it was the characters and some parts of the actual story that didn't do the book justice. At least in my eyes.
Lucas and Isabel were okay to a point. I just wasn't fully committed or invested in them. It was just hard to connect with them for the entire book. Sure, some of what happened to them were interesting but those were brief moments. It also doesn't help that nothing else was truly capturing my attention. At times, I felt like I was zoning in and out and had no idea what was actually going on anymore.
Then I reached the overall ending. Again, it was just an okay book in my eyes. I could see where it had potential to be a lot better though.
March 4, 2016
Originally posted on Super Space Chick:
A Fierce and Subtle Poison is Samantha Mabry’s debut YA novel following a teen named Lucas who lives in Puerto Rico. Lucas is not well liked within the community, especially by the local police officer, because he is mostly viewed as a troublemaker who has everything handed to him. He spends most of his time drinking and hooking up with local girls and he doesn’t have any concrete direction for his future but he expects to work for his father once he’s old enough. One day, a girl from the states goes missing and her case because the talk of the island. Then several more girls disappear and their common denominator is Lucas. On the same day Lucas’s girlfriend disappears, he receives a mysterious note from local legend Isabel, a girl with green skin and green hair who is said to be poisonous to the touch.
A Fierce and Subtle Poison is a diverse read as it takes place in Puerto Rico. While the main character, Lucas, is half white, half Dominican, all of the supporting characters (except his hotel mogul father and Dr. Ford, a botanist living in the supposedly cursed house at the end of Calle Sol) are native to the island. The text within the novel is predominantly English but throughout the story, it’s also interspersed with some Spanish. Having taken Spanish for 5 years in school, I found it mostly easy to follow with the exception of a few words here and there. If you’re unable to speak or understand any Spanish, you’ll still be able to figure out what the author is saying for the most part (although I did struggle with a couple of words and then curse my memory for not having remembered them once I figured them out). However, the description of locations within Puerto Rico and the beaches on the islands were absolutely beautiful.
Because the characters are living on a tiny island, everyone seems to know everyone’s business. I appreciated the lore of the island and how all of the senoras would tell younger generations the same legends. The one legend we read about most is that of Isabel, the supposedly cursed girl who lives with her father Dr. Ford in the house at the end of Calle Sol. Dr. Ford is a botanist who tends to the Caribbean garden in his backyard and people fear his house because of the circumstances under which his wife left (his wife was a local island girl who was said to be cursed as a child which is why she bore an anomaly such as Isabel). Lucas becomes involved in their lives during his quest to find one of the missing girls and I won’t spoil what happens from there. One complaint I have is that the pacing of the story was very uneven. The beginning of the story is very slow, interesting, but slow and by the final pages I was worried that the story wouldn’t have enough time to tie everything up. The conclusion is open ended so if that’s a thing that bothers you, I would skip this one.
Final Thoughts: A Fierce and Subtle Poison by Samantha Mabry is an intriguing debut YA novel as it is a blend between magical realism and a thriller. The Puerto Rican island setting is described beautifully and the legends of the cursed girl who’s touch is fatal will keep you intrigued as everything unfolds. The pacing is a bit inconsistent and the conclusion is open ended but overall I found it to be a quick and enjoyable read.
A Fierce and Subtle Poison is Samantha Mabry’s debut YA novel following a teen named Lucas who lives in Puerto Rico. Lucas is not well liked within the community, especially by the local police officer, because he is mostly viewed as a troublemaker who has everything handed to him. He spends most of his time drinking and hooking up with local girls and he doesn’t have any concrete direction for his future but he expects to work for his father once he’s old enough. One day, a girl from the states goes missing and her case because the talk of the island. Then several more girls disappear and their common denominator is Lucas. On the same day Lucas’s girlfriend disappears, he receives a mysterious note from local legend Isabel, a girl with green skin and green hair who is said to be poisonous to the touch.
A Fierce and Subtle Poison is a diverse read as it takes place in Puerto Rico. While the main character, Lucas, is half white, half Dominican, all of the supporting characters (except his hotel mogul father and Dr. Ford, a botanist living in the supposedly cursed house at the end of Calle Sol) are native to the island. The text within the novel is predominantly English but throughout the story, it’s also interspersed with some Spanish. Having taken Spanish for 5 years in school, I found it mostly easy to follow with the exception of a few words here and there. If you’re unable to speak or understand any Spanish, you’ll still be able to figure out what the author is saying for the most part (although I did struggle with a couple of words and then curse my memory for not having remembered them once I figured them out). However, the description of locations within Puerto Rico and the beaches on the islands were absolutely beautiful.
Because the characters are living on a tiny island, everyone seems to know everyone’s business. I appreciated the lore of the island and how all of the senoras would tell younger generations the same legends. The one legend we read about most is that of Isabel, the supposedly cursed girl who lives with her father Dr. Ford in the house at the end of Calle Sol. Dr. Ford is a botanist who tends to the Caribbean garden in his backyard and people fear his house because of the circumstances under which his wife left (his wife was a local island girl who was said to be cursed as a child which is why she bore an anomaly such as Isabel). Lucas becomes involved in their lives during his quest to find one of the missing girls and I won’t spoil what happens from there. One complaint I have is that the pacing of the story was very uneven. The beginning of the story is very slow, interesting, but slow and by the final pages I was worried that the story wouldn’t have enough time to tie everything up. The conclusion is open ended so if that’s a thing that bothers you, I would skip this one.
Final Thoughts: A Fierce and Subtle Poison by Samantha Mabry is an intriguing debut YA novel as it is a blend between magical realism and a thriller. The Puerto Rican island setting is described beautifully and the legends of the cursed girl who’s touch is fatal will keep you intrigued as everything unfolds. The pacing is a bit inconsistent and the conclusion is open ended but overall I found it to be a quick and enjoyable read.
April 13, 2016
This story is set in Puerto Rico. The main character is Lucas, a gringo, who spend summers on the island with his dad. A Fierce and Subtle Poison starts right off with the myth of the girl with green skin and grass for hair. She lives at the cursed house at the end of Calle Sol. People dream of her and Lucas just wants to know if she is real. When Lucas’ latest fling, Marisol, disappears Lucas starts getting notes from the mythical girl.
The author of this book uses beautiful descriptive language to tell the story of a boy that I didn’t really care for. He spends his summers in a room at the hotel his father owns. Lucas is a privileged gringo who has way too much time on his hands. There are some encounters with other boys on the island, but I mostly see Lucas as thinking he is better than his friends. Of course, he is the only one the mythical girl, Isabel, wants to communicate with.
Isabel was a bit of a mystery, even now I still don’t understand her. Her father married a woman who was cursed, which resulted in a cursed child. Isabel is poison, literally. She surrounds herself with poisonous plants. The people there dream of her and throw wishes over the wall of her home. Lucas and his friends throw their wishes over too, but they don’t like to admit that they believe in the myth. The story starts with her story, or the myth of her anyways. I wish this pacing would have continued, but once we started to focus on Lucas I lost interest.
I wanted to love this book. The author talks about the island as if it is a small town. The descriptions enabled me to imagine this place, this real place, without any difficulty. I kept reading because of that beautiful writing. But, the story didn’t flow well. Lucas was a flat and unimpressive male lead. Isabel was far too accessible to be that much of a mystery. The ending was kind of adventurous, but then that too fell flat. I left this book with a meh feeling and I hate that.
The author of this book uses beautiful descriptive language to tell the story of a boy that I didn’t really care for. He spends his summers in a room at the hotel his father owns. Lucas is a privileged gringo who has way too much time on his hands. There are some encounters with other boys on the island, but I mostly see Lucas as thinking he is better than his friends. Of course, he is the only one the mythical girl, Isabel, wants to communicate with.
Isabel was a bit of a mystery, even now I still don’t understand her. Her father married a woman who was cursed, which resulted in a cursed child. Isabel is poison, literally. She surrounds herself with poisonous plants. The people there dream of her and throw wishes over the wall of her home. Lucas and his friends throw their wishes over too, but they don’t like to admit that they believe in the myth. The story starts with her story, or the myth of her anyways. I wish this pacing would have continued, but once we started to focus on Lucas I lost interest.
I wanted to love this book. The author talks about the island as if it is a small town. The descriptions enabled me to imagine this place, this real place, without any difficulty. I kept reading because of that beautiful writing. But, the story didn’t flow well. Lucas was a flat and unimpressive male lead. Isabel was far too accessible to be that much of a mystery. The ending was kind of adventurous, but then that too fell flat. I left this book with a meh feeling and I hate that.
July 13, 2016
*I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I did not finish this book. I read 65% of it, but was not able to continue it, because I did not enjoy the story.
Although the writing style was very enjoyable, I thought the plot of the story lacked pace. It was dragging and therefore not enjoyable to read. Such a shame because the premise was extremely hopeful for a packed-full storyline.
I did not finish this book. I read 65% of it, but was not able to continue it, because I did not enjoy the story.
Although the writing style was very enjoyable, I thought the plot of the story lacked pace. It was dragging and therefore not enjoyable to read. Such a shame because the premise was extremely hopeful for a packed-full storyline.
August 17, 2017
A Fierce and Subtle Poison is based on, or at least owes some inspiration to, “Rappaccini’s Daughter”, a work of science fiction by Nathaniel Hawthorne about a scientist’s daughter who becomes immune to poisonous plants but poisonous herself to others. Samantha Mabry transposes the setting to present-day Puerto Rico and ages down the cast a little; Lucas becomes a high school senior on the verge of college studies, spending one more summer in Puerto Rico at one of his father’s hotels. There he becomes ensnared in a mystery and conspiracy.
I really wish I could heap more praise upon this book. It has some neat ideas, but Mabry’s writing style does very little for me, and I didn’t much enjoy Lucas as a protagonist. The slow burn towards a recognizable antagonist means the first two-thirds of the novel is ponderous while the last third is a sometimes confusing rush downhill towards a somewhat unsatisfying denouement. In short, A Fierce and Subtle Poison has little that excited me a lot that left me wanting more.
Several reviews I’ve read praise Mabry’s “lush descriptions” of Puerto Rico, and I’m just … did I miss something? Or were they referring mostly to her descriptions of the plants, the weather, the general atmosphere of the island? Because one thing that I noticed right away about the narration is how spare it is. Reading this reminded me of watching a stage play with no extras: only the characters actually in a scene appeared to be present; Mabry’s Puerto Rico feels somewhat depopulated and lacking in a livelihood or intensity. I’m sure this isn’t the case by any means, but the way in which she has Lucas tells the story creates this effect for me.
There are times when it feels like the book is almost trying to do too much. This probably isn’t the case; there is probably the right amount of story here. Yet its organization just feels haphazard. Parts of it are like a modern-day fairytale, with Mabry emulating the Rappaccini storyline of discovery and infatuation between Lucas and Isabelle. Then parts of it are like a thriller, with Lucas a fugitive from an overzealous cop with an axe to grind (not to be confused with Axe Cop). And parts of it still are like a YA coming-of-age story with Lucas discovering he doesn’t know what he wants to do with his life (surprise, surprise).
In the end, I just didn’t get much payoff from this. I finished the last page neither enthusiastic nor particularly upset by anything that had passed. I was sad for Marisol, sad that she had to be sacrificed so quickly to the altar of plot so another boy could learn how to become a man—not that I see Lucas actually learning or changing all that much.
A Fierce and Subtle Poison has an excellent title. But it’s messy and never quite hits its stride. There’s probably room in here for love, if that’s the kind of thing you like in your YA thrillers. I’m looking for something either more or less straightforward (if that makes sense)—something that at least makes up its mind about what it wants to be.
I really wish I could heap more praise upon this book. It has some neat ideas, but Mabry’s writing style does very little for me, and I didn’t much enjoy Lucas as a protagonist. The slow burn towards a recognizable antagonist means the first two-thirds of the novel is ponderous while the last third is a sometimes confusing rush downhill towards a somewhat unsatisfying denouement. In short, A Fierce and Subtle Poison has little that excited me a lot that left me wanting more.
Several reviews I’ve read praise Mabry’s “lush descriptions” of Puerto Rico, and I’m just … did I miss something? Or were they referring mostly to her descriptions of the plants, the weather, the general atmosphere of the island? Because one thing that I noticed right away about the narration is how spare it is. Reading this reminded me of watching a stage play with no extras: only the characters actually in a scene appeared to be present; Mabry’s Puerto Rico feels somewhat depopulated and lacking in a livelihood or intensity. I’m sure this isn’t the case by any means, but the way in which she has Lucas tells the story creates this effect for me.
There are times when it feels like the book is almost trying to do too much. This probably isn’t the case; there is probably the right amount of story here. Yet its organization just feels haphazard. Parts of it are like a modern-day fairytale, with Mabry emulating the Rappaccini storyline of discovery and infatuation between Lucas and Isabelle. Then parts of it are like a thriller, with Lucas a fugitive from an overzealous cop with an axe to grind (not to be confused with Axe Cop). And parts of it still are like a YA coming-of-age story with Lucas discovering he doesn’t know what he wants to do with his life (surprise, surprise).
In the end, I just didn’t get much payoff from this. I finished the last page neither enthusiastic nor particularly upset by anything that had passed. I was sad for Marisol, sad that she had to be sacrificed so quickly to the altar of plot so another boy could learn how to become a man—not that I see Lucas actually learning or changing all that much.
A Fierce and Subtle Poison has an excellent title. But it’s messy and never quite hits its stride. There’s probably room in here for love, if that’s the kind of thing you like in your YA thrillers. I’m looking for something either more or less straightforward (if that makes sense)—something that at least makes up its mind about what it wants to be.
March 25, 2016
A FIERCE AND SUBTLE POISON was absolutely wonderful! I loved the writing, and as soon as I started reading, I couldn't put it down! I had to actually force myself to go to bed so that I wouldn't be exhausted for work in the morning. :P
I loved Lucas as the narrator, and found it refreshing to have a male protagonist for this story. His perspective kept the story moving at a quick pace, and I really enjoyed seeing the story from his point of view because he was almost as much of an outsider to the culture as I was. I loved the mystery surrounding Isabel, too, and I think that's why I loved that Lucas was the narrator. I liked not knowing what to expect from Isabel, so Lucas was perfect! He also was completely unapologetic in his womanizing ways...and I actually found that I appreciated that. He was upfront with both the girls he fooled around with, and with the reader when he told us about them. :P
As for the plot and the story itself, I absolutely loved it all! I really enjoyed the Puerto Rican stories, and loved the magical realism of the story. I don't often read mysteries, but I thought the mystery was really well done, too. It was intriguing, and definitely kept me guessing. Lucas was also a bit of an unreliable narrator sometimes, so that made the mystery even better! The ending was a little bit open-ended, which I'm not a huge fan of, but I think it reflected the magical aspect of the story extremely well. Just like Lucas, we don't know what magic is really possible in his world...and it left me extremely curious and excited to see what Samantha Mabry comes up with next!
Overall, I absolutely loved A FIERCE AND SUBTLE POISON. It was captivating, and incredibly unique. I loved the characters, and the story was well-written and extremely interesting! It was also super refreshing to see a story set in Puerto Rico, and I loved hearing the folk stories and how Spanish was woven into the dialogue of the story!!! I'd recommend A FIERCE AND SUBTLE POISON to fans of magical realism, and also to readers who are looking for some diversity in their YA!
I loved Lucas as the narrator, and found it refreshing to have a male protagonist for this story. His perspective kept the story moving at a quick pace, and I really enjoyed seeing the story from his point of view because he was almost as much of an outsider to the culture as I was. I loved the mystery surrounding Isabel, too, and I think that's why I loved that Lucas was the narrator. I liked not knowing what to expect from Isabel, so Lucas was perfect! He also was completely unapologetic in his womanizing ways...and I actually found that I appreciated that. He was upfront with both the girls he fooled around with, and with the reader when he told us about them. :P
As for the plot and the story itself, I absolutely loved it all! I really enjoyed the Puerto Rican stories, and loved the magical realism of the story. I don't often read mysteries, but I thought the mystery was really well done, too. It was intriguing, and definitely kept me guessing. Lucas was also a bit of an unreliable narrator sometimes, so that made the mystery even better! The ending was a little bit open-ended, which I'm not a huge fan of, but I think it reflected the magical aspect of the story extremely well. Just like Lucas, we don't know what magic is really possible in his world...and it left me extremely curious and excited to see what Samantha Mabry comes up with next!
Overall, I absolutely loved A FIERCE AND SUBTLE POISON. It was captivating, and incredibly unique. I loved the characters, and the story was well-written and extremely interesting! It was also super refreshing to see a story set in Puerto Rico, and I loved hearing the folk stories and how Spanish was woven into the dialogue of the story!!! I'd recommend A FIERCE AND SUBTLE POISON to fans of magical realism, and also to readers who are looking for some diversity in their YA!
May 7, 2016
“A Fierce and Subtle Poison” is a wonderful tale of magical realism and fantasy based heavily upon the stories and superstitions found in Puerto Rico.
If you’re looking for a book with typical romance, this one is not for you. The focus is more on the mysterious nature of a girl and a boy’s search to find himself. I absolutely loved the look into how Puerto Ricans view the rich Americans who are taking over and destroying the natural beauty of their homeland. For his part, Lucas, the main character, does have a love of the place and the people. It’s nice to see hope for change.
The characters are very well-developed, and the book reads at a fast and easy pace. It’s easy to get lost in the world and believe in magic again. I can’t say much else without giving away some important things, but I can say the ending is satisfying and leaves room for a sequel without needing one to make the story feel complete. It’s a really fun ride.
“A Fierce and Subtle Poison” does have some themes that might not be appropriate for younger middle graders, but anyone older who loves a good fairy tale will enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
If you’re looking for a book with typical romance, this one is not for you. The focus is more on the mysterious nature of a girl and a boy’s search to find himself. I absolutely loved the look into how Puerto Ricans view the rich Americans who are taking over and destroying the natural beauty of their homeland. For his part, Lucas, the main character, does have a love of the place and the people. It’s nice to see hope for change.
The characters are very well-developed, and the book reads at a fast and easy pace. It’s easy to get lost in the world and believe in magic again. I can’t say much else without giving away some important things, but I can say the ending is satisfying and leaves room for a sequel without needing one to make the story feel complete. It’s a really fun ride.
“A Fierce and Subtle Poison” does have some themes that might not be appropriate for younger middle graders, but anyone older who loves a good fairy tale will enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2019
Clever interesting twists in this read.
May 1, 2017
Originally Posted On The Sassy Book Geek
****Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review****
Gorgeous cover, gorgeous writing, but a not so gorgeous plot. This book has a lot going for it but at the same time I found it to be a bit tedious, I can see how some people may like or dislike it. Overall it’s just sort of a “meh” book, not necessarily awful but not anything I’d go around recommending either.
The plot was the weakest point in this book it was vague and uninteresting. It started out well enough but as it progressed and the magic and mystery of the poisonous girl got taken away the plot became a bore. I mean the story is about a cursed girl, it should be a little creepy and a little more mysterious than it actually ended up being. I honestly could care less about anything that happened in the story itself. Explanations were never really given on anything and by the end of the book I still really don’t know what went on or why.
The pacing is another thing that got a little annoying, it was all over the place. Which didn’t help the story at all, it only added to the confusion I was already experiencing.
I, however, did really enjoy the setting. Puerto Rico isn’t exactly a common place explored in YA books and the descriptions and writing definitely do it justice (at least I think so, since I haven’t actually been there). Either way the setting was lovely.
Really though the reason this book earned a two star rating versus a one star rating is the writing. The writing is absolutely gorgeous, it’s what kept me reading through the book even when the plot failed to hold my interest. I would honestly read another of Mabry’s books just for the writing and in the hopes that the plot would be a little more intriguing.
Lucas was a pretty selfish character, sorry guys but that’s just the cold, hard truth. He’s privileged and he acts like it, I can’t relate to that honestly. He lacks any real backstory as well so he never gets enough development for me to even have him be remotely relatable.
Isabel is a little different but not by much, she too, lacked any real development as well. I would have really liked a little more insight into her character since she could have proved to be a lot more interesting given the chance.
All of the secondary characters were basically used as tools to help us “get to know” Lucas and that didn’t really do anything to help me connect with him or any other characters.
This is overall a bit of a disappointment, with the writing and the setting it could have been a lot better but the plot and characters really put a damper on that. As I said I think I’ll check out Mabry’s future books since I did really enjoy her writing style.
This one is sort of up in the air for me as far as recommending goes. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend buying it but it might be something worth checking out from the library even if it’s just for the writing.
****Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review****
Gorgeous cover, gorgeous writing, but a not so gorgeous plot. This book has a lot going for it but at the same time I found it to be a bit tedious, I can see how some people may like or dislike it. Overall it’s just sort of a “meh” book, not necessarily awful but not anything I’d go around recommending either.
The plot was the weakest point in this book it was vague and uninteresting. It started out well enough but as it progressed and the magic and mystery of the poisonous girl got taken away the plot became a bore. I mean the story is about a cursed girl, it should be a little creepy and a little more mysterious than it actually ended up being. I honestly could care less about anything that happened in the story itself. Explanations were never really given on anything and by the end of the book I still really don’t know what went on or why.
The pacing is another thing that got a little annoying, it was all over the place. Which didn’t help the story at all, it only added to the confusion I was already experiencing.
I, however, did really enjoy the setting. Puerto Rico isn’t exactly a common place explored in YA books and the descriptions and writing definitely do it justice (at least I think so, since I haven’t actually been there). Either way the setting was lovely.
Really though the reason this book earned a two star rating versus a one star rating is the writing. The writing is absolutely gorgeous, it’s what kept me reading through the book even when the plot failed to hold my interest. I would honestly read another of Mabry’s books just for the writing and in the hopes that the plot would be a little more intriguing.
Lucas was a pretty selfish character, sorry guys but that’s just the cold, hard truth. He’s privileged and he acts like it, I can’t relate to that honestly. He lacks any real backstory as well so he never gets enough development for me to even have him be remotely relatable.
Isabel is a little different but not by much, she too, lacked any real development as well. I would have really liked a little more insight into her character since she could have proved to be a lot more interesting given the chance.
All of the secondary characters were basically used as tools to help us “get to know” Lucas and that didn’t really do anything to help me connect with him or any other characters.
This is overall a bit of a disappointment, with the writing and the setting it could have been a lot better but the plot and characters really put a damper on that. As I said I think I’ll check out Mabry’s future books since I did really enjoy her writing style.
This one is sort of up in the air for me as far as recommending goes. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend buying it but it might be something worth checking out from the library even if it’s just for the writing.
May 17, 2016
Very underwhelming.
A Fierce and Subtle Poison is one of my anticipated books this year. The blurb and the cover really makes me think that this one will be an epic read.
Before I enumerate the things that I find lacking in this book,let's start with what I like first.
With all due respect to the United States of America,I find it refreshing that a story was finally set in a place other than California,New York, Washington, Florida and all the states that are available. A Fierce and Subtle Poison was set in Puerto Rico and hooray because it's something different and something unique when it comes to YA books.
I also like the fact that Puerto Rican people are featured and that their culture, beliefs and lifestyle was evident in the story.
But that's it. That's the only thing I liked in the story. The main character, Lucas is the type of hero that confuses the hell out of me. He said that everyone thinks he is spoiled, including himself and sometimes,I see that it is true but it's not consistent. He is selfish on one chapter and on the other chapter, he acts selflessly and then back again to being a selfish jerk. It can't be even called as a character development because this transition happens in the middle of the book.
The plot, which sounds amazing in the blurb, was poorly executed. I like the idea of a mysterious house at the end of the street that was rumored to have some weird mojo girl with green skin and grass for hair . But the execution of the grand mystery and another mystery didn't just do well for me. Maybe because I wasn't able to really care for the character that's why I don't give a bloody fuck about their fates or maybe I was just board and skimmed the rest of the last 2 chapters so that I can read how it ends.
And let me also tell you, the ending sucks which also sucks for the book because I deducted one star because of it.
December 30, 2016
A Fierce and Subtle Poison has a really great concept that mixes magical realism and fantasy, but doesn't follow through in a way I would have hoped. I almost stopped reading because it was failing to keep my interest. That shouldn't be the case with a story involving a cursed girl filled with poison. It takes place in Puerto Rico, which is described beautifully. I just didn't connect with the characters or rough plotting.
I won an ARC in the Goodreads First Reads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
I won an ARC in the Goodreads First Reads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2016
I don't know how I feel about this book, and I went back and forth between 3 and 4 stars, so let's say 3.5, hmmm?
This book is not what I expected. I expected an atmospheric ghost story in a tropical locale. But that's not what it is.
It's a feminist coming of age story from the POV of a very privileged white male. Another book about women saving themselves and the consequences of those actions.
The writing is good, and the book moves along quickly - I read it in just a few sittings.
I can't quite put my finger on why I didn't love it. I liked it, I'm troubled by it. That's going to have to be enough.
This book is not what I expected. I expected an atmospheric ghost story in a tropical locale. But that's not what it is.
It's a feminist coming of age story from the POV of a very privileged white male. Another book about women saving themselves and the consequences of those actions.
The writing is good, and the book moves along quickly - I read it in just a few sittings.
I can't quite put my finger on why I didn't love it. I liked it, I'm troubled by it. That's going to have to be enough.
Read
February 9, 2016This is magical realism! It's quite reminiscent of Nova Ren Suma's IMAGINARY GIRLS, and I mean that in a very good way. It's about heroism, about girls staking a claim in their own stories, about cultural values and how white men think they can control and own everything (patriarchyyy). But it's a feminism novel featuring a male lead character, so those things are far more subtle than overt.
The language and writing are excellent and Mabry's an author I can't wait to read more from.
The language and writing are excellent and Mabry's an author I can't wait to read more from.
March 30, 2016
Eh, I just can't get into this one. I can't seem to connect with ANY of the characters. The story is a story inside of a story, eh.... Nothing really happening except two girls who were missing washed up on the beach. I really wanted to like this one and finish it, but it's not for me. :-/
January 28, 2016
A little bit of weird pacing but an overall good story with a nice open ending. If you're looking for something a little out there, this is a book for you.
October 20, 2020
Grief was a strange thing, bewitching and bewildering.
There's a myth about a little girl with green skin and grass for hair, whispered by the people of Old San Juan. The girl lives in a boarded-up house at the end of Calle Sol, its courtyard full of her poisonous plants.
Lucas and his friends used to make up their own stories about her when they were children. They said her touch is lethal, that her plants can make anyone's nightmares come true, that she has the ability to grant wishes. When girls start turning up dead, Lucas becomes a murder suspect. And the only one who may be able to help him uncover the truth is the girl full of poison.
"People need something to put their hope in. You be the wishing fountain now."
While I loved the setting, the nod to mythology and Isabel's mysterious affliction, I felt that they could have been explored in more detail. Admittedly, though, my issues with this book were mainly due to the characters. With Puerto Rico as the backdrop to the story, I found it a bit strange that the author chose a fair-skinned tourist as the narrator. Most of the characters felt flat and unremarkable. Lucas, despite being the protagonist, seemed especially underdevelopped. His personality traits were limited to how much he enjoyed the company of girls his age and partying with his friends. We never got to find out what he liked to do besides that.
Overall, while the concept was good, the execution was, for the most part, lacking and underwhelming, the characterisation and plot strong only in bouts.
For now the island was at peace with herself, but the old people all knew that peace has a short memory and comes with a price.
*Trigger Warnings* Depiction of systemic racism and sexism, mention of past suicide, experimentation on humans and cruelty towards animals.
There's a myth about a little girl with green skin and grass for hair, whispered by the people of Old San Juan. The girl lives in a boarded-up house at the end of Calle Sol, its courtyard full of her poisonous plants.
Lucas and his friends used to make up their own stories about her when they were children. They said her touch is lethal, that her plants can make anyone's nightmares come true, that she has the ability to grant wishes. When girls start turning up dead, Lucas becomes a murder suspect. And the only one who may be able to help him uncover the truth is the girl full of poison.
"People need something to put their hope in. You be the wishing fountain now."
While I loved the setting, the nod to mythology and Isabel's mysterious affliction, I felt that they could have been explored in more detail. Admittedly, though, my issues with this book were mainly due to the characters. With Puerto Rico as the backdrop to the story, I found it a bit strange that the author chose a fair-skinned tourist as the narrator. Most of the characters felt flat and unremarkable. Lucas, despite being the protagonist, seemed especially underdevelopped. His personality traits were limited to how much he enjoyed the company of girls his age and partying with his friends. We never got to find out what he liked to do besides that.
Overall, while the concept was good, the execution was, for the most part, lacking and underwhelming, the characterisation and plot strong only in bouts.
For now the island was at peace with herself, but the old people all knew that peace has a short memory and comes with a price.
*Trigger Warnings* Depiction of systemic racism and sexism, mention of past suicide, experimentation on humans and cruelty towards animals.
March 14, 2016
Review over on Little Lillie Reads!
This was an interesting read. I was genuinely surprised by the quality of the writing presented to me in this book. Samantha Mabry did an excellent job of combining cultural beliefs/superstitions with magic realism, and was able to create a story unlike others I have read. I read A Fierce and Subtle Poison in two sittings because it was just that intriguing. There was something about the writing that drew me in and had me craving more. I was totally invested in the myths and curses that were introduced to me in this story, and I gotta say that it were these stories in particular that allowed me to build a connection with the main character. If there was one thing I could complain about, it is that this book feels too short! By the last chapter, I had so many unanswered questions and I just wanted more.
The thing I enjoyed the most about this book was the cultural aspect. A Fierce and Subtle Poison is set in San Juan, Puerto Rico and it's clear from the beginning that Samantha Mabry had a fun and extensive time researching myths and legends passed down through the generations. It was fascinating to see how these legends (whether real or made up by the author, I am unsure) affected the characters; how they ultimately developed their whole lives -morals and personalities- due to myths. I found the inclusion of the language and the life of the island to add so much more charisma to the story. The plot was extremely fun and I just recently found out that Samantha was inspired by a short story entitled Rappaccini's Daughter, which deals with a boy falling in love with a girl full of poison.
It was interesting and refreshing to read through the narrative of a male character and I thought Samantha Mabry brought great insight into the mind of a teenage boy currently residing on a beautiful island surrounded by just as beautiful girls. I didn't enjoy reading from Lucas' point of view as much as I wanted to, mostly because he was so back and forth with himself. However, it was the combination of Lucas, his friends, and the cursed girl, Isabel, that was invigorating. These friends go through a lot in the duration of this book, between disappearing girls, unpredictable weather, and the fight to save not only yourself, but others around you.
A Fierce and Subtle Poison is the story of discovering your inner hero, acting on your deepest wishes and desires, and finding the courage to free yourself. Though I had a problem with how much was left unanswered and the open ended conclusion, this book was effortlessly written in a literary style that was just as magical as the plot itself. Samantha Mabry's debut is one that will make you want to fully emerge yourself in a world full of magic realism.
This was an interesting read. I was genuinely surprised by the quality of the writing presented to me in this book. Samantha Mabry did an excellent job of combining cultural beliefs/superstitions with magic realism, and was able to create a story unlike others I have read. I read A Fierce and Subtle Poison in two sittings because it was just that intriguing. There was something about the writing that drew me in and had me craving more. I was totally invested in the myths and curses that were introduced to me in this story, and I gotta say that it were these stories in particular that allowed me to build a connection with the main character. If there was one thing I could complain about, it is that this book feels too short! By the last chapter, I had so many unanswered questions and I just wanted more.
The thing I enjoyed the most about this book was the cultural aspect. A Fierce and Subtle Poison is set in San Juan, Puerto Rico and it's clear from the beginning that Samantha Mabry had a fun and extensive time researching myths and legends passed down through the generations. It was fascinating to see how these legends (whether real or made up by the author, I am unsure) affected the characters; how they ultimately developed their whole lives -morals and personalities- due to myths. I found the inclusion of the language and the life of the island to add so much more charisma to the story. The plot was extremely fun and I just recently found out that Samantha was inspired by a short story entitled Rappaccini's Daughter, which deals with a boy falling in love with a girl full of poison.
It was interesting and refreshing to read through the narrative of a male character and I thought Samantha Mabry brought great insight into the mind of a teenage boy currently residing on a beautiful island surrounded by just as beautiful girls. I didn't enjoy reading from Lucas' point of view as much as I wanted to, mostly because he was so back and forth with himself. However, it was the combination of Lucas, his friends, and the cursed girl, Isabel, that was invigorating. These friends go through a lot in the duration of this book, between disappearing girls, unpredictable weather, and the fight to save not only yourself, but others around you.
A Fierce and Subtle Poison is the story of discovering your inner hero, acting on your deepest wishes and desires, and finding the courage to free yourself. Though I had a problem with how much was left unanswered and the open ended conclusion, this book was effortlessly written in a literary style that was just as magical as the plot itself. Samantha Mabry's debut is one that will make you want to fully emerge yourself in a world full of magic realism.
March 30, 2016
full review up here!
I was provided a copy of this by Netgalley and Algonquin Young readers, so thanks to both! Okay I finished this book really late last night (after starting it yesterday as well!) and I've just now gotten the time to collect my thoughts. I was honestly really swept away in the lush, tropical world of this novel. I loved reading about Puerto Rico as a setting, and that was probably my favorite part of the book. The prose was pretty as well though! The one point that I just felt kind of meh about were the characters. I liked Lucas, but I felt like he was kind of inaccessible for a lot of the story. I liked Isabel, but I wish she was in it more! That is what bumped this from four to three for me personally, but I did really enjoy this and read it in just a few hours!
I was provided a copy of this by Netgalley and Algonquin Young readers, so thanks to both! Okay I finished this book really late last night (after starting it yesterday as well!) and I've just now gotten the time to collect my thoughts. I was honestly really swept away in the lush, tropical world of this novel. I loved reading about Puerto Rico as a setting, and that was probably my favorite part of the book. The prose was pretty as well though! The one point that I just felt kind of meh about were the characters. I liked Lucas, but I felt like he was kind of inaccessible for a lot of the story. I liked Isabel, but I wish she was in it more! That is what bumped this from four to three for me personally, but I did really enjoy this and read it in just a few hours!
December 11, 2016
his book had SO MUCH POTENTIAL! Being from PR, I was super excited about this but really it just ended up falling flat for me. I think the characters and the setting could have both been explored more. I almost wish it were longer so we could get a deeper look into how the setting progresses the story farther than just the legend story-telling older ladies and the beach. Lucas didn't keep me interested, I hate his father and I feel he was never really told off for being a racist sexist ass and the female characters (the most interesting ones) were not explored NEARLY as much as they should have been, imo. The mystery, despite being predictable, was what kept me interested because I wanted to see how it would play out but that also fell flat for me. This book was just 'meh', unfortunately.
December 23, 2015
AHHHHHH so crazy and good. This book wax such a delight. I felt myself trying to unravel things that weren't really unravel-able. It did for me what all good magical realism does: fascinated me. I felt greedy to see more of the world Mabry created than what she shows but she definitely keeps you entertained and absorbed, moving from one intriguing mystery to the next. The book feels how the cover looks. Simply gorgeous.
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