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Poison's Kiss #2
Poison's Cage
A single kiss could kill. A single secret could save the kingdom.
Iyla and Marinda have killed many men together: Iyla as the seductress, Marinda as the final, poisonous kiss. Now they understand who the real enemy is—the Snake King—and together they can take him down. Both girls have felt as though they were living a lie in the past, so moving into the King's palace and pretending to serve him isn't as difficult as it sounds. But when you're a spy, even secrets between friends are dangerous. And each girl has something—or someone—to lose. Does every secret, every lie, bring them closer to the truth or . . . to a trap?
Iyla and Marinda have killed many men together: Iyla as the seductress, Marinda as the final, poisonous kiss. Now they understand who the real enemy is—the Snake King—and together they can take him down. Both girls have felt as though they were living a lie in the past, so moving into the King's palace and pretending to serve him isn't as difficult as it sounds. But when you're a spy, even secrets between friends are dangerous. And each girl has something—or someone—to lose. Does every secret, every lie, bring them closer to the truth or . . . to a trap?
332 pages, Hardcover
First published January 16, 2018
35 people are currently reading
1815 people want to read
About the author
Breeana Shields
5 books420 followersBreeana Shields is an award-winning author of fantasy novels for teens including THE SPLENDOR, THE BONE CHARMER, and POISON'S KISS.
When she’s not writing, Breeana loves reading, traveling, and playing board games with her extremely competitive family. She lives near Washington D.C. with her husband, her three children, and two adorable, but spoiled dogs.
When she’s not writing, Breeana loves reading, traveling, and playing board games with her extremely competitive family. She lives near Washington D.C. with her husband, her three children, and two adorable, but spoiled dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
April 12, 2020
Good follow up to Poison's Kiss... I really enjoyed this duology!
October 4, 2017
A FANTASTIC sequel that may be better than the first book. Beautiful writing, heart stringing, and that ending... very much a win.
January 28, 2018
Thank god - It's no love triangle.
And I did read - CHIPKALI as someone's assigned name! :D
Overall, it is simple read with lots of action and predictable plot-twists.
P.S.: RTC!
And I did read - CHIPKALI as someone's assigned name! :D
Overall, it is simple read with lots of action and predictable plot-twists.
P.S.: RTC!
January 7, 2018
We follow Marinda a poison maden otherwise known as a Visha kanya who can kill with a single poisonous kiss. After growing up training together Marinda and Lyla are given targets to take down for the Raja. Lyla gathers the information and Marinda makes the kill, but they're both unhappy with this arrangement. They would have ran away a long time ago if it wasnt for Marinda sick little brother Mani and their handler holding his medication.
The character developpement was well done and the different relationships between all the characters was absolutely fantastic. I connected with almost every major character. The relationship between Marinda and Mani was so heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I really liked the romantic interests for Lyla and Marinda. They felt more like equals than the typical bossy and dominating male. I also enjoyed the addition of Varas character.
I loved the complex and raw female friendship between Marinda and Lyla in this book. Since we get Lylas perspective in this sequel I was able to really understand her motives. I came to realize how losing so many years of her life changed her. At first I got their two points of view mixed up and had to remind myself who I was following, but it was totally worth it to get into Lylas head. I came to feel very strongly for her and what she went through.
I love it when a book grips me so completely I dont even notice how far Ive read. I was just so happy to be back in this world I couldn't put it down. The writing was easy to get immersed in and the character developpement didnt slow down the pace. The world and mythology were super fascinating. I adored all the lore about the Gods and poison madens. The plot twist took me by surprise even though I had my doubts about the direction it was going in.
I didnt realise this was only a duology and the ending killed me. I need more and Im sad to see it end after connecting with the characters so much. The author crafted a compelling plot with amazing characters and a rich world. Id definitely recommend picking up this duology if you enjoy YA fantasy. It deserves a lot more recognition than its getting. I loved the sequel even more than the first book so if you read the first one and enjoyed it you should pick this one up. You wont be disapointed.
*received for review consideration*
The character developpement was well done and the different relationships between all the characters was absolutely fantastic. I connected with almost every major character. The relationship between Marinda and Mani was so heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I really liked the romantic interests for Lyla and Marinda. They felt more like equals than the typical bossy and dominating male. I also enjoyed the addition of Varas character.
I loved the complex and raw female friendship between Marinda and Lyla in this book. Since we get Lylas perspective in this sequel I was able to really understand her motives. I came to realize how losing so many years of her life changed her. At first I got their two points of view mixed up and had to remind myself who I was following, but it was totally worth it to get into Lylas head. I came to feel very strongly for her and what she went through.
I love it when a book grips me so completely I dont even notice how far Ive read. I was just so happy to be back in this world I couldn't put it down. The writing was easy to get immersed in and the character developpement didnt slow down the pace. The world and mythology were super fascinating. I adored all the lore about the Gods and poison madens. The plot twist took me by surprise even though I had my doubts about the direction it was going in.
I didnt realise this was only a duology and the ending killed me. I need more and Im sad to see it end after connecting with the characters so much. The author crafted a compelling plot with amazing characters and a rich world. Id definitely recommend picking up this duology if you enjoy YA fantasy. It deserves a lot more recognition than its getting. I loved the sequel even more than the first book so if you read the first one and enjoyed it you should pick this one up. You wont be disapointed.
*received for review consideration*
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November 27, 2018I love the shifting of different perspectives in this book and also the connection to snakes and using them to spy. The mythology is amazing. Love this duology. If you're looking for more Indian mythology books, pick up this series.
July 27, 2018
The story is so so good! I am glad that I listened to one of my reader friends who recommend me this book. At first, I thought this book is about a snake or romance. But then, it gave me more than that. I am really happy. If you haven't really it yet, please do. Because the characters and the plot are super amazing, the plot twist is cool, and even though they included a romance in here, they also included us with something related to a friendships and family. It's so gorgeous! Pick it up, guys!
January 16, 2018
This ending had me in tears. Such a fast and easy read that broke my heart and put it back together many times. Getting the additional perspective of Ilya slowly became my favorite part. Because I understood her reasonings for everything. In the first one I was sure Ilya was selfish and a double agent but reading Poison’s Cage I realized I was wrong. Ilya had been wronged so many times that her perceived selfishness was because others expected her to be put last. Ilya became my favorite character in this duology. Amazing story. Fully recommend!!
August 8, 2017
Okay. I forgive you, for breaking my heart. Because the ending was perfect. Just perfect. 💜
January 24, 2018
"Each weapon is a work of art, and I wonder what drives the impulse to make the instruments of death so beautiful."
Marinda and Iyla infiltrate the Naga in an attempt to kill the Nagaraja. They somehow continue to work with each other despite the lies that are woven into their lives and plans. They can hardly trust each other but still continue to rely on each other as their missions unfold.
The Story- I liked how this story of a vish kanya was still able to continue as the girls essentially aim to overtake the organization that turned them into monsters. The story flows easily and like the first book, was a very easy read. There really weren’t many dull moments as our characters are metaphorically thrown into a pit of snakes and are never quite out of danger throughout the story. It seems the entire time that the Naga are always just one step ahead of the girls.
Though the book continues my favorite aspect (the Indian/Hindu/Buddhist inspired world building) it also brought back aspects I didn’t like, that first and foremost being the romance. This time, Iyla has her chance at romance, and it seems one meeting was enough to have a hold on her heart. Though love at first sight can always be built upon, which later I am sure it is assumed the characters bond between the pages), their encounter did not seem to justify their actions before they really had a chance to get to know one another.
For me, this book was mainly triggering two things I liked: lives in imminent peril with a dash of cultural flavor. If that’s your main dish and you liked the first book then I say this is the book for you. If the somewhat bland romance is going to be a problem for you then maybe don’t put this at the top of your to-be-read list. However, with that being said, let me reiterate that this book isn’t focused on the romance but more of comradery between Marinda & Iyla and how it is challenged.
The World Building- Although the first book set up the world with the vish kanya, this book gave a little more information regarding the Nagaraja, Tiger Queen, Crocodile King, and Garuda. I always have extra love for a book that incorporates real culture or folklore into its story, and this is no exception. There is something intriguing about transforming an idea to fit into another story, especially when it’s not your typical westernized/European/medieval style folklore. I do wish there was just a smidge more about the other factions, though, it would be expected that it would focus on the Naga. I did appreciate that Garuda had a slightly bigger role (since Garuda is an enemy to the Naga), and that even though typically is seen as male was written as female! Yay, girl power! I loved how Shields portrays their true forms as well. The concept made the Raksaka seem much more present and fearful.
The Characters-Iyla really stood out in this book, and for me was more the main character than Marinda. Again, I didn’t care much for her romance, though the girl does deserve to have someone she isn’t just trying to trick. Overall her character’s spirit and conviction is what shines the most. Though Marinda fights tooth and nail for Mani and occasionally for Iyla, Iyla is still the much better friend of the two.
I felt that Deven was really lack luster in this book. His character didn’t really do much of anything, and also just didn’t seem to fit. He’s supposed to be a prince, but didn’t really act very or do anything very princely.
The Soundtrack- The Dear Hunter - The Poison Woman
ARC provided by Random House via Netgalley for a fair review
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Marinda and Iyla infiltrate the Naga in an attempt to kill the Nagaraja. They somehow continue to work with each other despite the lies that are woven into their lives and plans. They can hardly trust each other but still continue to rely on each other as their missions unfold.
The Story- I liked how this story of a vish kanya was still able to continue as the girls essentially aim to overtake the organization that turned them into monsters. The story flows easily and like the first book, was a very easy read. There really weren’t many dull moments as our characters are metaphorically thrown into a pit of snakes and are never quite out of danger throughout the story. It seems the entire time that the Naga are always just one step ahead of the girls.
Though the book continues my favorite aspect (the Indian/Hindu/Buddhist inspired world building) it also brought back aspects I didn’t like, that first and foremost being the romance. This time, Iyla has her chance at romance, and it seems one meeting was enough to have a hold on her heart. Though love at first sight can always be built upon, which later I am sure it is assumed the characters bond between the pages), their encounter did not seem to justify their actions before they really had a chance to get to know one another.
For me, this book was mainly triggering two things I liked: lives in imminent peril with a dash of cultural flavor. If that’s your main dish and you liked the first book then I say this is the book for you. If the somewhat bland romance is going to be a problem for you then maybe don’t put this at the top of your to-be-read list. However, with that being said, let me reiterate that this book isn’t focused on the romance but more of comradery between Marinda & Iyla and how it is challenged.
The World Building- Although the first book set up the world with the vish kanya, this book gave a little more information regarding the Nagaraja, Tiger Queen, Crocodile King, and Garuda. I always have extra love for a book that incorporates real culture or folklore into its story, and this is no exception. There is something intriguing about transforming an idea to fit into another story, especially when it’s not your typical westernized/European/medieval style folklore. I do wish there was just a smidge more about the other factions, though, it would be expected that it would focus on the Naga. I did appreciate that Garuda had a slightly bigger role (since Garuda is an enemy to the Naga), and that even though typically is seen as male was written as female! Yay, girl power! I loved how Shields portrays their true forms as well. The concept made the Raksaka seem much more present and fearful.
The Characters-Iyla really stood out in this book, and for me was more the main character than Marinda. Again, I didn’t care much for her romance, though the girl does deserve to have someone she isn’t just trying to trick. Overall her character’s spirit and conviction is what shines the most. Though Marinda fights tooth and nail for Mani and occasionally for Iyla, Iyla is still the much better friend of the two.
I felt that Deven was really lack luster in this book. His character didn’t really do much of anything, and also just didn’t seem to fit. He’s supposed to be a prince, but didn’t really act very or do anything very princely.
The Soundtrack- The Dear Hunter - The Poison Woman
ARC provided by Random House via Netgalley for a fair review
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December 21, 2017
POISON’S CAGE is a very strong and beautifully written sequel, full of fantasy, folklore, and romance!
Fans of POISON’S KISS are sure to enjoy this book! I loved delving deeper into this fascinating world, and I very much enjoyed the folklore woven throughout the story and thought that really served to enrich the world. The world building itself is even more robust than in book one and just so well done. There are some truly gorgeous descriptions and prose throughout
I really enjoyed the plot of the story itself. I definitely had some high stakes that kept me engaged throughout and the fact that I was never sure of who was double crossing whom made reading it so much fun and kept me on my toes.
While both books in this duology pack an emotional punch that will hit readers right in the feels, Shield’s manages to also deliver an ending that is absolutely perfect and will definitely please her readers. An original premise and entertaining read!
Fans of POISON’S KISS are sure to enjoy this book! I loved delving deeper into this fascinating world, and I very much enjoyed the folklore woven throughout the story and thought that really served to enrich the world. The world building itself is even more robust than in book one and just so well done. There are some truly gorgeous descriptions and prose throughout
I really enjoyed the plot of the story itself. I definitely had some high stakes that kept me engaged throughout and the fact that I was never sure of who was double crossing whom made reading it so much fun and kept me on my toes.
While both books in this duology pack an emotional punch that will hit readers right in the feels, Shield’s manages to also deliver an ending that is absolutely perfect and will definitely please her readers. An original premise and entertaining read!
December 29, 2017
What I would do for an ARC of this book ;-;
July 12, 2019
This duology has just been so enthralling to read!! I'm sad to see the end of it, but I enjoyed every minute of it! I highly recommend these books!
While this book was an excellent sequel to the first, Poison's Kiss, I didn't love it quite as much. But hey, it's still getting a 4.5 🌠! So obviously I still loved it.
The story picks right up where the first left off. We get more depth and development of the mythology surrounding the Raksaka, as well as seeing Marinda discover new skills as a visha kanya. We get more backstory on Ilya, and see other new, and slightly unexpected, relationships bloom. We also see some losses, which I'm still processing 😢
I don't want to say too much and give away the storyline, so this is definitely a brief review. Moving on to my 2 minor issues and then wrap this up.
1) The alternating chapter perspectives took some getting used to. In Poison's Kiss we only follow Marinda's PoV. I was kinda sad not to continue that same layout, I love Marinda's character so much! It was good to see more backstory on Ilya, and you actually grow to like her. My main issue was that the perspective swap was actually confusing at first who's you were reading & while in Ilya's head you almost start to be influenced to dislike Marinda for all the wrongs Ilya lays at her feet.
2) The new romance in this book is like insta-insta-love. Marinda & Deven's at least had some setup first in Poison's Kiss, but this new one is sooo excellerated!! And Fazel never seems to get the character development as Deven got. He just seems kind of one-dimensional.
Ok, so that's that. I really do recommend these books if you love India inspired stories and dangerous poisonous ladies and their snakes 🐍 These are fast-paced, quick reads, nd so enjoyable 😊
While this book was an excellent sequel to the first, Poison's Kiss, I didn't love it quite as much. But hey, it's still getting a 4.5 🌠! So obviously I still loved it.
The story picks right up where the first left off. We get more depth and development of the mythology surrounding the Raksaka, as well as seeing Marinda discover new skills as a visha kanya. We get more backstory on Ilya, and see other new, and slightly unexpected, relationships bloom. We also see some losses, which I'm still processing 😢
I don't want to say too much and give away the storyline, so this is definitely a brief review. Moving on to my 2 minor issues and then wrap this up.
1) The alternating chapter perspectives took some getting used to. In Poison's Kiss we only follow Marinda's PoV. I was kinda sad not to continue that same layout, I love Marinda's character so much! It was good to see more backstory on Ilya, and you actually grow to like her. My main issue was that the perspective swap was actually confusing at first who's you were reading & while in Ilya's head you almost start to be influenced to dislike Marinda for all the wrongs Ilya lays at her feet.
2) The new romance in this book is like insta-insta-love. Marinda & Deven's at least had some setup first in Poison's Kiss, but this new one is sooo excellerated!! And Fazel never seems to get the character development as Deven got. He just seems kind of one-dimensional.
Ok, so that's that. I really do recommend these books if you love India inspired stories and dangerous poisonous ladies and their snakes 🐍 These are fast-paced, quick reads, nd so enjoyable 😊
July 9, 2018
UN SECOND ET DERNIER TOME JUSTE PARFAIT ! UN COUP DE COEUR !!
J'ai vraiment adoré ce second tome, encore plus que le premier.
Pourquoi ? Parce que la mythologie, l'univers de l'auteure (le ratsaka) se développe et surprend le lecteur avec plein de rebondissements et révélations.
J'ai aimé l'intrigue, il y avait de l'action jusqu'à bout.
j'ai aussi aimé le fait que le roman soit écrit à 2 voix, toujours avec Marinda mais aussi Iyla, sa meilleure amie, ce qui permet de mieux comprendre ce personnage et de renforcer les liens qui la lie à Marinda, qui paraissaient bien superficiels dans le tome 1.
Les personnages sont un régal :
* Marinda pour sa volonté et sa détermination à faire tomber le Nagaraja, mais aussi son envie d'aider ses proches, en particulier Iyla et sa capacité à toujours remettre ses choix en question.
* Iyla qui m'avait parue instable dans le premier tome, à ne pas savoir pour qui sa fidélité allait. Iyla cherche aussi à faire des choix pour elle, en ayant assez de vivre dans l'ombre et à avoir à se sacrifier pour Marinda. Ces choix, sa manière de penser se comprennent totalement. Mais au fond, quand on craque la carapace de colère, de peur et d'égoïsme, on sent une fille sensible qui a beaucoup souffert et essaie de faire ce qu'elle peut du temps qui lui reste.
* Mani parce que c'est Mani tout simplement.
* Kadru car j'ai toujours senti qu'elle avait bcp d'affection pour Marinda, elle lui a toujours dit la vérité et n'a jamais reporté ses faits et gestes à Balavan, ce qui en fait pour moi une "fausse" méchante.
* J'ai aimé Fazel aussi que finalement j'ai préféré à Deven qui reste vraiment en retrait dans ce tome, du coup sa relation avec Marinda passe aussi en second plan (et limite, on s'en fout !).
J'ai adoré la fin très émouvante et avec un beau message, le genre qui te met le sourire en refermant le livre.
Par contre, petit bémol, j'ai trouvé que certaines scènes manquaient de profondeur et on passe vite dessus (par ex. Le Raja qui n'est pas qqn de tout gentil, certaines scènes avec lui méritaient qu'on y revienne et qu'on les développe plus, la scène finale avec Balavan, trop rapide, idem avec Mani... c un peu trop abrupt,...)
Sinon, du bonheur, on en redemande des petites sagas comme ça !
J'ai vraiment adoré ce second tome, encore plus que le premier.
Pourquoi ? Parce que la mythologie, l'univers de l'auteure (le ratsaka) se développe et surprend le lecteur avec plein de rebondissements et révélations.
J'ai aimé l'intrigue, il y avait de l'action jusqu'à bout.
j'ai aussi aimé le fait que le roman soit écrit à 2 voix, toujours avec Marinda mais aussi Iyla, sa meilleure amie, ce qui permet de mieux comprendre ce personnage et de renforcer les liens qui la lie à Marinda, qui paraissaient bien superficiels dans le tome 1.
Les personnages sont un régal :
* Marinda pour sa volonté et sa détermination à faire tomber le Nagaraja, mais aussi son envie d'aider ses proches, en particulier Iyla et sa capacité à toujours remettre ses choix en question.
* Iyla qui m'avait parue instable dans le premier tome, à ne pas savoir pour qui sa fidélité allait. Iyla cherche aussi à faire des choix pour elle, en ayant assez de vivre dans l'ombre et à avoir à se sacrifier pour Marinda. Ces choix, sa manière de penser se comprennent totalement. Mais au fond, quand on craque la carapace de colère, de peur et d'égoïsme, on sent une fille sensible qui a beaucoup souffert et essaie de faire ce qu'elle peut du temps qui lui reste.
* Mani parce que c'est Mani tout simplement.
* Kadru car j'ai toujours senti qu'elle avait bcp d'affection pour Marinda, elle lui a toujours dit la vérité et n'a jamais reporté ses faits et gestes à Balavan, ce qui en fait pour moi une "fausse" méchante.
* J'ai aimé Fazel aussi que finalement j'ai préféré à Deven qui reste vraiment en retrait dans ce tome, du coup sa relation avec Marinda passe aussi en second plan (et limite, on s'en fout !).
J'ai adoré la fin très émouvante et avec un beau message, le genre qui te met le sourire en refermant le livre.
Par contre, petit bémol, j'ai trouvé que certaines scènes manquaient de profondeur et on passe vite dessus (par ex. Le Raja qui n'est pas qqn de tout gentil, certaines scènes avec lui méritaient qu'on y revienne et qu'on les développe plus, la scène finale avec Balavan, trop rapide, idem avec Mani... c un peu trop abrupt,...)
Sinon, du bonheur, on en redemande des petites sagas comme ça !
January 8, 2018
Helllllo emotional rollercoaster! I read Poison's Kiss and Poison's Cage back to back because after I read the first book, I just couldn't stand not knowing what would happen next! I absolutely loved this series and I thought it was incredibly unique and entertaining. I've read very mixed reviews, but I would highly recommend these novels. They are jam packed with action as well as romance, magic, and loooots of snakes!
I loved all of the characters and really enjoyed how I felt like I wasn't sure who I could trust while reading. That aspect put a special twist on the novel that made me feel on the edge of my seat at all times. Marinda was definitely a hardcore character and I loved how she had good morals, but she would also do whatever it took to protect the ones she loved.
All in all, Poison's Cage was everything I wanted and more! I loved the action, romance, and the fast paced plot. I would highly recommend both Poison's Kiss and Poison's Cage to readers who enjoy YA fantasy novels. It was a great read and I look forward to reading more from Shields in the future. Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for sending this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I loved all of the characters and really enjoyed how I felt like I wasn't sure who I could trust while reading. That aspect put a special twist on the novel that made me feel on the edge of my seat at all times. Marinda was definitely a hardcore character and I loved how she had good morals, but she would also do whatever it took to protect the ones she loved.
All in all, Poison's Cage was everything I wanted and more! I loved the action, romance, and the fast paced plot. I would highly recommend both Poison's Kiss and Poison's Cage to readers who enjoy YA fantasy novels. It was a great read and I look forward to reading more from Shields in the future. Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for sending this novel in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2018
I am really happy with this sequel. Lots of great things were revealed, loose ends were tied up, but what I cannot stop getting all misty about was that ending!
I was a big fan of Poison's Kiss and was eager to see how the series ended. I was extremely happy with this sequel and almost wish it was not the end.
•Pro: In my review for Poison's Kiss, I stated that I wanted more of the Iyla-Miranda friendship in this book, and you know what? Shields delivered. I loved getting to the root of their relationship and watching each of them make sacrifices for the other.
•Pro: Shields gave us so much more of the folklore in this book. We learn more of the origin story and I found it all quite fascinating.
•Pro: We got more of the beautiful writing I admired so much in the first book as we delved further into this world.
•Pro: Good things finally happen for Iyla. I don't want to say too much, but the fates finally did her a solid, and I was simply overjoyed that Shields gave Iyla a little happiness.
•Pro: So many ends were tied up quite nicely. I am a closure-ho, so you know I was loving all the answers I got, and let me tell you, there were some fantastic reveals.
•Pro: This book was much more emotional for me than Poison's Kiss. Some many good, bad, and in-between things happen in this book, and as I was celebrating some amazing beginnings, I was mourning some heartbreaking endings.
•Pro: I just want to take this time to give Breeana Shields a standing ovation for that ending. She may have broke my heart, but she more of less put it back together with that conclusion. I am getting chills just thinking about it.
A round of applause for that ending!!!
Overall: A beautiful, emotional, and satisfying ending, which gave me closure and left me drying some happy tears.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
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I was a big fan of Poison's Kiss and was eager to see how the series ended. I was extremely happy with this sequel and almost wish it was not the end.
•Pro: In my review for Poison's Kiss, I stated that I wanted more of the Iyla-Miranda friendship in this book, and you know what? Shields delivered. I loved getting to the root of their relationship and watching each of them make sacrifices for the other.
•Pro: Shields gave us so much more of the folklore in this book. We learn more of the origin story and I found it all quite fascinating.
•Pro: We got more of the beautiful writing I admired so much in the first book as we delved further into this world.
•Pro: Good things finally happen for Iyla. I don't want to say too much, but the fates finally did her a solid, and I was simply overjoyed that Shields gave Iyla a little happiness.
•Pro: So many ends were tied up quite nicely. I am a closure-ho, so you know I was loving all the answers I got, and let me tell you, there were some fantastic reveals.
•Pro: This book was much more emotional for me than Poison's Kiss. Some many good, bad, and in-between things happen in this book, and as I was celebrating some amazing beginnings, I was mourning some heartbreaking endings.
•Pro: I just want to take this time to give Breeana Shields a standing ovation for that ending. She may have broke my heart, but she more of less put it back together with that conclusion. I am getting chills just thinking about it.
A round of applause for that ending!!!
Overall: A beautiful, emotional, and satisfying ending, which gave me closure and left me drying some happy tears.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
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June 24, 2018
I definitely didn't like this as much as the first installment. I still find this a great twisted story and I liked how things were done.
May 6, 2018
Wow! This book was such an incredible read! I really enjoyed the first book, so I was very curious about the sequel. And this was exactly the sequel I was hoping for. The story is so unique and full of fantasy. There is a lot of action in this book, and that makes it even better! The last pages were very emotional, it literally mades me cry. And then there are also the amazing characters in this book. I love every single one of them! This book was such a great sequel. I know I will reread this duology a lot of times in the future! ❤
October 4, 2018
I should've never waited so long to read the sequel. I spent the first half trying to remember what happened in book 1. But I really loved this conclusion. The last part had me on the edge of my seat, and I really like how everything was resolved.
October 23, 2023
Omg the synopsis makes me so scared what are Iyla and Marinda keeping from each other and who or what do they have to lose omg I swear if they betray each other aghhh I can’t how is she so good at playing the part like jeez I would forget right away lol but leading Balavan on and making him think she wants him agggh and him getting flustered holy I already know this book is gonna be gooddd how the heck is Iyla here and whyyy omg I’m scared Iylas gonna fall for Balavan or do something stupid that ruins everything aghh Iyla would’ve been just fine in the Widows Village I don’t understand why she thinks she needs to go back for her safety and it’s so Ann how she wants Marinda to be the first to do stuff like she can’t read ur mind and you left her way before she left you so I don’t understand why she thinks she deserves any of Marindas help Iyla acts like she’s the only victim and Marinda was apart of this whole scheme to hurt her on purpose like come onnn ugh so annoying ugh Iylas story is so hard to get an opinion from like I’m so torn I understand her side completely but on the other it’s like she needs to look from both sides and I feel like she needs to more than Marinda because Iyla has all the info she knows what’s going on and has the ability to it from every angle unlike Marinda who’s still in the dark about many things which makes it harder for her to see everything so every animal thing has followers omg is there gonna be like a big battle between all of them lol what does this mean wow Iyla getting 500 hundreds taken from her that is insane she doesn’t even get to hope to be reborn or anything all that’s gone and Marinda is getting kinda annoying bc she’s staying really ignorant like obviously you didn’t do it to her but it was bc of you that it happened Marinda’s existence caused Iyla the pain and obviously that’s not fair but she has to realize that’s why Iyla is mad at her thinking about how lonely Kadru must be so sad but when they’re together and everyone’s afraid of them omg it makes me so happy like yea be scared lolll and Marinda getting the snakes to become her personal spies soooo smart I’m glad she and Kadru somewhat have each other to understand bc no one else does Iyla needs this man in her life lolll he’s literally perfect for her the fact she got all flustered and all her usual works didn’t do anything to Fazel abhahb to gooddd if she didn’t have the snakes none of that info would have been made wow that’s so scary and she can’t even tell anyone until Iyla gets back and takes her out omg so good I wonder how this’ll play out that is actually so sweet how Iyla chose Marinda without even meaning to it shows that their connection is still strong even tho all that stuff has happened I’m glad their rekindling and how Marinda is helping her get her years back finally lol ugh it’s annoying me how Iyla is making mistakes and stuff bc in the first book she seemed like the type who never did that anything wrong lol but I can’t believe Balavan might be the Snake King like that’s so scary and the babies Marinda took have a whole new meaning so scary lol omg this girl is stressing me out lol leaving so quickly I wouldve been so scared lol and I don’t understand Kadru at all like she’s so two sided she’s just so hard to read and figure out agh this is so goodddd Iyla freaking getting captured and depending on info Marinda gave her to stay alive and Fazel trying to get Iyla to be serious for 2 seconds and not sarcastic to good loll I hate how Deven treats Marinda like an entire stranger evil person when he’s reminded of what she is like get over it he needs to trust her and stop acting like shes a monster every time he sees her do something that’s snake like or whatever omg a child having to see his sister be killed in disgusting ways omggg Mani is traumatized enough and why do I feel like Balavan put those nightmares into him or something it just doesn’t seem right I can just see Iyla being the type to ruin a relationship without even meaning too Fazel is the perfect person for her bc he can understand and move forward from those moments that she doesn’t really mean at first when Balavan found them I was like that was so abrupt like huh but then when Garuda showed herself I was like whattt ok that makes this scene 10x better lol whatttt first off ew that she keeps saying the followers wanted to make them so powerful like girl you could’ve said no but Marinda being Balavans daughter like huhhh what how why I’m shook oh gosh the one good thing Iyla is doing to help Fazel and it’s going to be the king of Sundari that deals with them aghh it’s making me mad how Mani is literally getting into trouble all the time like wouldn’t Marinda still want to sleep close to him and not leave his side it’s been what a couple days max since they were reunited like what lol and I called it that Balavan was putting the nightmares into Mani’s mind it was the most obvious thing ur kidding me first she lets her emotions run her and chooses the wrong palace then she thinks she can destroy the scale bc she’s the daughter and nothing happens Bahaha omg im literally cringing this is so baddd I have such bad second hand embarrassment for her bahah it’s so funny when the main character thinks their like the chosen one or whatever and it ends up no being true I can’t to good bahhha that’s actually crazy kidnapping Varas daughter and making her into a weapon that will kill her own mothers followers wow didn’t see that coming imagine if Iyla is his daughter or something lol it’s sad that Mani died so quickly like there wasn’t much to it but like imagine knowing ur the cause of it Marin’s chose the wrong place resulting in Mani not getting the order to leave which kills him sad it’s not to shocking finding out that Kadru is Balavans daughter but the way she switched when she wanted Marinda to tell her where or what it is seems real sus like that reaction made me not trust her one bit idk something about it seems off I can’t believe Mani is actually dead like it’s done I hope Marinda turns psycho on Balavan and becomes a baddie lol I love when that happens it’s like their origin story to becoming evil bahah I feel so much for Iyla like she is probably the most real character bc I bet almost all humans who were treated the way she was and in general would selfishly want the thing that would save them no matter the ppl who got hurt in the process that’s human nature and the fact she doesn’t deny it but does have guilt over those feelings is so real and ugh how she felt so bad for being rude to mani and it being to late when she realized that he was someone she loved 😭 I just feel all her guilt and suffering and confusion and stuff I don’t understand what Marinda thought Kadru was going to do like she was gonna become this sweet person who only wanted to help them like get real this is so dumb lol oh my lanta whattt that happened so fast why did Balavan make the mistake of having so many lives taken from him obviously it would make him weak and the snakes biting him then Marinda stabbing him and Kadru betraying him and saying he told her mercy is weakness and destroying the relic it was all to fast baha Kadru is killing her all bc she grew to care for her and also cause she’s jealous that she has humans who love her huhhh and the irony of getting killed by a poisoned kiss!! Too gooodddd stop it rnnnnnn she’s free?!? She’s normal and Kadru basically killed herself for this to work omgg how she craved affection and always touched Marinda 😭😭 now she can rest since Balavan is gone I can’ttt I’m sad Jasu and the other snakes aren’t hers anymore ughhh and how she saved all her friends except Mani whyyyy this is so sad Kadru!!!😭😭 ughh it’s so true Mani forgave her so long ago and now she can forgive herself Fazel is so perfect for her and I’m so glad they found each other and can live for so so long together when she said she finally feels safe I started tearing up idk why but at the end Iyla has held such a special place in me idk why but I feel for her so much and I’m so happy she found happiness and is content 😭😭❤️ it’s so crazy to think this all started with a girl choosing to not kill a boy and the way she asked if humans try replicate their past lives and that Mani will come back to her in some way cryinggg I’m for real crying in the club like your kidding “I would recognize those eyes anywhere” 😭 and when she said hi monkey welcome home I lost it omggg this was such a good book I would recommend it to everyone this needs so much more hype than it has it’s so underrated and I’m so glad I was amongst the people who got to experience this duology I would say this book is a 4.5 and def better than the first which is saying a lot ugh having Iyla’s pov and expanding on every character the entire book was so good I get slow when fantasy books reach the climax and falling action bc I get stressed and I don’t read fast enough to find out what happens but pushing through was such a good decision and I didn’t think I would be affected the way I was by Kadru, Iyla, Mani/Marinda but I def was crying at the end for each of their endings I can’t put into words but this book was just amazing all around and such a pleasant surprised filled with so many different aspects that I can’t really think about it’s faults rn but I would say just go read it! I’m not one to reread books but this duo I definitely want to reread!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2017
This was a pretty good book. I really love the covers...very simple but pretty. There's way more going on in this one than the first one. I feel like that I got to get to know the characters much more. And that ending though. It was perfect. Totally makes up for almost killing me! I wish there was more!!
January 11, 2018
Full review over at The Bookaholic Blurbs!
There's no perfect ending for Poison's Kiss than Poison's Cage. Fast-paced, mythology-rich and exquisite character arcs, this book lands a spot in my Best Books of 2018, no doubt! It was beautifully written and I want more books like this in my life and in yours, too!
Thank you, Penguin Random House International, for the galley!
There's no perfect ending for Poison's Kiss than Poison's Cage. Fast-paced, mythology-rich and exquisite character arcs, this book lands a spot in my Best Books of 2018, no doubt! It was beautifully written and I want more books like this in my life and in yours, too!
Thank you, Penguin Random House International, for the galley!
July 15, 2018
This book gives readers more insight into Miranda and Iyla's backgrounds as well as into the mythology behind this story. It gives us twice as much drama, intrigue, and heartbreak as the first book and perfectly wraps up this series.
January 3, 2018
I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Brilliant!! Utterly brilliant! Seriously I have no other words to describe this book. Poison’s Cage by Breeana Shields is the fantastic conclusion to Marinda’s story that began in Poison's Kiss. Full of intrigue, politics, and crisis of conscience, readers will not want to set this book down until the final page. I just thought I loved the first book, it doesn’t even compare to my feelings after finishing its sequel.
Picking up a few months after the end of Poison's Kiss, Marinda is back with Gita and heading to the Naga’s hideout. She is determined to bring the Naga down and bravely volunteers to be a spy for the raja in exchange for her brother Mani’s safety. I’ll admit I was a little lost at the beginning of the story as it’s been a year since I read the first book, but I quickly caught up to what was happening and realized that Marinda was getting herself in over her head. One of the things I love about Marinda’s character is her honesty and loyalty to her friends. This girl would die if it meant saving one of them and that is a real possibility going into the Naga’s inner circle.
But it isn’t just Marinda returning to the Naga. Ilya also goes on assignment from Deven to protect Marinda. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t a fan of Ilya in Poison's Kiss. I liked her, and I felt sorry for her. Here is a girl whose whole life has been taken in service to the Naga and in creating the visha kanya, the poison maiden Marinda. Yet as much as she resents Marinda, she loves her. They have a bond that goes deeper than just friends. These girls survived atrocities at Gopal’s hands and they did so together. I loved seeing their relationship from both girls. In fact, I fell in love with Ilya reading her POV chapters. She is such a conflicted character and I loved her redemption in this novel.
While Poison's Kiss was a fantasy, it focused more on Marinda and her discovering the Nagaraja. This book focuses more on the mythology and building of those myths. I absolutely fell in love with the plot. I loved learning more about the Naga, Garuda, and the others. I found it interesting how the author built her own myths on these characters who appear in Hindu texts. I loved how it was interwoven with this plot to bring down the Nagaraja and the truth behind what he actually is. Seriously couldn’t have predicted it and it gave me chills while reading. As I’ve already said….Brilliant!
Overall I believe that I loved Poison’s Cage more than I loved the first one and I really didn’t think that was possible! I loved getting two POVs, Marinda and Ilya’s. I loved their friendship, I loved Deven (because seriously that has to be said), and I loved the mythology. This book broke me in the end though. I cried like a baby and then cried some more. It’s a beautifully written story about two strong girls willing to give their lives to save the other. If you enjoyed the first, if you enjoy fantasy, grab a copy and read it as soon as you can. It will not disappoint!
Brilliant!! Utterly brilliant! Seriously I have no other words to describe this book. Poison’s Cage by Breeana Shields is the fantastic conclusion to Marinda’s story that began in Poison's Kiss. Full of intrigue, politics, and crisis of conscience, readers will not want to set this book down until the final page. I just thought I loved the first book, it doesn’t even compare to my feelings after finishing its sequel.
Picking up a few months after the end of Poison's Kiss, Marinda is back with Gita and heading to the Naga’s hideout. She is determined to bring the Naga down and bravely volunteers to be a spy for the raja in exchange for her brother Mani’s safety. I’ll admit I was a little lost at the beginning of the story as it’s been a year since I read the first book, but I quickly caught up to what was happening and realized that Marinda was getting herself in over her head. One of the things I love about Marinda’s character is her honesty and loyalty to her friends. This girl would die if it meant saving one of them and that is a real possibility going into the Naga’s inner circle.
But it isn’t just Marinda returning to the Naga. Ilya also goes on assignment from Deven to protect Marinda. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t a fan of Ilya in Poison's Kiss. I liked her, and I felt sorry for her. Here is a girl whose whole life has been taken in service to the Naga and in creating the visha kanya, the poison maiden Marinda. Yet as much as she resents Marinda, she loves her. They have a bond that goes deeper than just friends. These girls survived atrocities at Gopal’s hands and they did so together. I loved seeing their relationship from both girls. In fact, I fell in love with Ilya reading her POV chapters. She is such a conflicted character and I loved her redemption in this novel.
While Poison's Kiss was a fantasy, it focused more on Marinda and her discovering the Nagaraja. This book focuses more on the mythology and building of those myths. I absolutely fell in love with the plot. I loved learning more about the Naga, Garuda, and the others. I found it interesting how the author built her own myths on these characters who appear in Hindu texts. I loved how it was interwoven with this plot to bring down the Nagaraja and the truth behind what he actually is. Seriously couldn’t have predicted it and it gave me chills while reading. As I’ve already said….Brilliant!
Overall I believe that I loved Poison’s Cage more than I loved the first one and I really didn’t think that was possible! I loved getting two POVs, Marinda and Ilya’s. I loved their friendship, I loved Deven (because seriously that has to be said), and I loved the mythology. This book broke me in the end though. I cried like a baby and then cried some more. It’s a beautifully written story about two strong girls willing to give their lives to save the other. If you enjoyed the first, if you enjoy fantasy, grab a copy and read it as soon as you can. It will not disappoint!
December 12, 2018
Breeana Shields is a young adult fantasy author from the Pacific Northwest. Her debut, POISON’S KISS, was released in January 2017. A reader, writer, traveler and graduate of Brigham Young University, Shields has received much acclaim for her first novel. The sequel, POISON’S CAGE was released in January 2018.
POISON’S CAGE is the thrilling conclusion to Breeana Shields’s magical duology. Picking up in the middle of the action soon after POISON’S CAGE ends, it follows both Marinda and Iyla as they struggle in espionage, trust and danger. Marinda has decided to return to the Naga Castle to spy on the Nagaraja, and Iyla is unsure of where her loyalties lie. Through spying and deception, they must work together to free themselves from all those who hold them back from happiness. The world and mythology expand, and a better understanding of the scope of the world is achieved.
POISON’S CAGE was even better than POISON’S KISS. It involved the same characters with a few dynamic additions and took the world to new heights. Immediately, I was excited by the new approach to this novel: dual points of view. Iyla and Marinda are not always together in the novel, making it necessary for Shields to alternate between them. I think this improved the story rather than adding unnecessary complications. Because of this new mode of narration, more action occurred, and the story ran at a much faster pace.
The chapters of the book involve more cliffhanger endings than the first book because the reader has to wait now for another chapter to hear from the other character. Iyla’s point of view made me a little skeptical at the beginning about her motives and trustworthiness, but she quickly developed into one of my favorite characters. Her point of view allowed Shields to slowly peel back the layers of her mind and motivation until she was fully exposed. Perhaps Marinda’s change was even more revolutionary; she became increasingly daring with her mind and not just her poisonous kiss. She utilizes new powers that connect her with mysterious characters. Kadru also added depth to the plot that was beyond what I ever had expected. Devon was his usual supportive self, and Mani has always been an adorable character. New characters added so much to the story and were able to expand what was known about the mythology of the world in book one.
Shields artfully seized the opportunity to enhance this mind-bending and fascinating world that is full of surprises. I was thrilled with how the story turned out, and the ending was exactly what I wished for. All in all, this duology took me for a ride I was not expecting. I am so glad I had the opportunity to read it. I highly recommend both of the books to young adult readers who love breathtaking stories filled with intriguing and fantastical elements. Even if you were not thrilled by POISON’S KISS, I would recommend giving POISON’S CAGE a chance. It uses a slightly different means of telling the story and much more happens throughout the book.
Reviewed by Grace P., Teen Board Member
POISON’S CAGE is the thrilling conclusion to Breeana Shields’s magical duology. Picking up in the middle of the action soon after POISON’S CAGE ends, it follows both Marinda and Iyla as they struggle in espionage, trust and danger. Marinda has decided to return to the Naga Castle to spy on the Nagaraja, and Iyla is unsure of where her loyalties lie. Through spying and deception, they must work together to free themselves from all those who hold them back from happiness. The world and mythology expand, and a better understanding of the scope of the world is achieved.
POISON’S CAGE was even better than POISON’S KISS. It involved the same characters with a few dynamic additions and took the world to new heights. Immediately, I was excited by the new approach to this novel: dual points of view. Iyla and Marinda are not always together in the novel, making it necessary for Shields to alternate between them. I think this improved the story rather than adding unnecessary complications. Because of this new mode of narration, more action occurred, and the story ran at a much faster pace.
The chapters of the book involve more cliffhanger endings than the first book because the reader has to wait now for another chapter to hear from the other character. Iyla’s point of view made me a little skeptical at the beginning about her motives and trustworthiness, but she quickly developed into one of my favorite characters. Her point of view allowed Shields to slowly peel back the layers of her mind and motivation until she was fully exposed. Perhaps Marinda’s change was even more revolutionary; she became increasingly daring with her mind and not just her poisonous kiss. She utilizes new powers that connect her with mysterious characters. Kadru also added depth to the plot that was beyond what I ever had expected. Devon was his usual supportive self, and Mani has always been an adorable character. New characters added so much to the story and were able to expand what was known about the mythology of the world in book one.
Shields artfully seized the opportunity to enhance this mind-bending and fascinating world that is full of surprises. I was thrilled with how the story turned out, and the ending was exactly what I wished for. All in all, this duology took me for a ride I was not expecting. I am so glad I had the opportunity to read it. I highly recommend both of the books to young adult readers who love breathtaking stories filled with intriguing and fantastical elements. Even if you were not thrilled by POISON’S KISS, I would recommend giving POISON’S CAGE a chance. It uses a slightly different means of telling the story and much more happens throughout the book.
Reviewed by Grace P., Teen Board Member
January 11, 2018
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
If you read Poison’s Kiss awhile ago, you might want to consider rereading it before picking this one up. This book picks up pretty much where the last one left off and there is not much time spent on recapping the first. Usually I like a re-cap, but in this case it worked for me that there wasn’t. You are reminded of a few things that happened in the first book, but there is never a huge info dump, which made the flow of the book at the start that much more heart pounding as you are immediately thrown into the action. This sequel has a lot more action than the first which made it hard to put down at times.
I can’t remember if Marinda was the sole POV in the first book, I kind of remember that there were some chapters from Iyla’s view point but this book switched back and forth between the two more than the first. I enjoyed getting to know Iyla better in this book. She is such a sad and bitter girl, but as you get to know her you understand her issues and start rooting for her life to get better. I still like Marinda although she is still a bit on the wimpy side. She does however prove herself to be worthy of heroine status. There were not as many scenes with her and Mani together, which I missed. I loved their relationship in the first book, and did enjoy the special moments they had in this book, I just wanted a few more. Deven was also not in this book as much as I would have liked although Marinda thought of him often.
The Hindu and Buddhist mythology that is the basis for this story was fascinating. I don’t know much about these myths but this book makes me want to read more. I was very intrigued by the Naga and the Garuda characters and thought that they made a good evil vs. good pairing. The storyline that develops from these two mythical creatures was fascinating and at times surprising. The idea that humans can lose their humanity and become monsters was well done in this story. I also liked that the idea of reincarnation and that everyone lives more than one life (including animals) was an interesting concept and how it was used in the book was a nice twist.
Great sequel to this wonderful duo-logy. Lots of action and some twists in the plot that kept me guessing at how it was all going to end. Some light and sweet romance thrown in as well. Loved the India like setting which made this story such a joy to read. Looking forward to seeing more from this author in the future.
https://elnadesbookchat.com/
If you read Poison’s Kiss awhile ago, you might want to consider rereading it before picking this one up. This book picks up pretty much where the last one left off and there is not much time spent on recapping the first. Usually I like a re-cap, but in this case it worked for me that there wasn’t. You are reminded of a few things that happened in the first book, but there is never a huge info dump, which made the flow of the book at the start that much more heart pounding as you are immediately thrown into the action. This sequel has a lot more action than the first which made it hard to put down at times.
I can’t remember if Marinda was the sole POV in the first book, I kind of remember that there were some chapters from Iyla’s view point but this book switched back and forth between the two more than the first. I enjoyed getting to know Iyla better in this book. She is such a sad and bitter girl, but as you get to know her you understand her issues and start rooting for her life to get better. I still like Marinda although she is still a bit on the wimpy side. She does however prove herself to be worthy of heroine status. There were not as many scenes with her and Mani together, which I missed. I loved their relationship in the first book, and did enjoy the special moments they had in this book, I just wanted a few more. Deven was also not in this book as much as I would have liked although Marinda thought of him often.
The Hindu and Buddhist mythology that is the basis for this story was fascinating. I don’t know much about these myths but this book makes me want to read more. I was very intrigued by the Naga and the Garuda characters and thought that they made a good evil vs. good pairing. The storyline that develops from these two mythical creatures was fascinating and at times surprising. The idea that humans can lose their humanity and become monsters was well done in this story. I also liked that the idea of reincarnation and that everyone lives more than one life (including animals) was an interesting concept and how it was used in the book was a nice twist.
Great sequel to this wonderful duo-logy. Lots of action and some twists in the plot that kept me guessing at how it was all going to end. Some light and sweet romance thrown in as well. Loved the India like setting which made this story such a joy to read. Looking forward to seeing more from this author in the future.
https://elnadesbookchat.com/
May 1, 2018
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (slight sexual references, violence, slight gore)
Pages: 332
Author Website
Amazon Link
Disclaimer: I received this book through KidLitExchange in exchange for a review. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Iyla and Marinda have killed many men together: Iyla as the seductress, Marinda as the final, poisonous kiss. Now they understand who the real enemy is—the Snake King—and together they can take him down. Both girls have felt as though they were living a lie in the past, so moving into the King's palace and pretending to serve him isn't as difficult as it sounds. But when you're a spy, even secrets between friends are dangerous. And each girl has something—or someone—to lose. Does every secret, every lie, bring them closer to the truth or . . . to a trap?
Again, this book had a really interesting premise and the book had fairly good writing. This book also had great plot development, however there was a lot wrong with this book.
The plot was very fast paced and the world was undeveloped as well. There was too much crammed into this book that it really made the book very weighted and heavy. It really should have been two separate books. The book also was split into multiple POVs but kind of neglected some of the more interesting characters.
Verdict: Action packed but over filling.
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (slight sexual references, violence, slight gore)
Pages: 332
Author Website
Amazon Link
Disclaimer: I received this book through KidLitExchange in exchange for a review. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Iyla and Marinda have killed many men together: Iyla as the seductress, Marinda as the final, poisonous kiss. Now they understand who the real enemy is—the Snake King—and together they can take him down. Both girls have felt as though they were living a lie in the past, so moving into the King's palace and pretending to serve him isn't as difficult as it sounds. But when you're a spy, even secrets between friends are dangerous. And each girl has something—or someone—to lose. Does every secret, every lie, bring them closer to the truth or . . . to a trap?
Again, this book had a really interesting premise and the book had fairly good writing. This book also had great plot development, however there was a lot wrong with this book.
The plot was very fast paced and the world was undeveloped as well. There was too much crammed into this book that it really made the book very weighted and heavy. It really should have been two separate books. The book also was split into multiple POVs but kind of neglected some of the more interesting characters.
Verdict: Action packed but over filling.
December 21, 2017
Thanks to the #kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
What a fun sequel to POISON'S KISS (and guess what - this really is the conclusion - this isn't a trilogy, like so many books these days!). We pick up right where we left off; Marinda, full of poison as the chosen rajakumari, has left her brother, Mani at the palace in Deven's care. She's gone to infiltrate the Naga, the people who serve the Snake King. And its a mission that will take all of her cunning, because she's up against Balavan, the highest-ranking member of the Naga, who is more than he seems to be.
Marinda's counterpoint, the seductress Iyla, is along as well, at her own choosing. And she's battling her own demons and deciding where her loyalty lies. When she meets Fazel, a follower of the Crocodile King, Iyla has to decide whether to really open up and let love into her life.
Told in alternating viewpoints of Marinda and Iyla, I thought this was really well done. Dual viewpoints can be tricky to pull off but each of these characters has such a strong voice I was completely pulled into their stories. The pacing is excellent and the conclusion was action packed. I will admit to tearing up and, had I not been in public, a tear or two might have been shed toward the end (I'm not giving away why - I really didn't see it coming and don't want to ruin it, or the way everything comes together in the end.)
I think I may have enjoyed this one even more than the first book; since I was already familiar with all of the language and the belief system that the author built, it was a matter of slipping back into the world rather than learning it anew.
A fun read and a really satisfying conclusion.
What a fun sequel to POISON'S KISS (and guess what - this really is the conclusion - this isn't a trilogy, like so many books these days!). We pick up right where we left off; Marinda, full of poison as the chosen rajakumari, has left her brother, Mani at the palace in Deven's care. She's gone to infiltrate the Naga, the people who serve the Snake King. And its a mission that will take all of her cunning, because she's up against Balavan, the highest-ranking member of the Naga, who is more than he seems to be.
Marinda's counterpoint, the seductress Iyla, is along as well, at her own choosing. And she's battling her own demons and deciding where her loyalty lies. When she meets Fazel, a follower of the Crocodile King, Iyla has to decide whether to really open up and let love into her life.
Told in alternating viewpoints of Marinda and Iyla, I thought this was really well done. Dual viewpoints can be tricky to pull off but each of these characters has such a strong voice I was completely pulled into their stories. The pacing is excellent and the conclusion was action packed. I will admit to tearing up and, had I not been in public, a tear or two might have been shed toward the end (I'm not giving away why - I really didn't see it coming and don't want to ruin it, or the way everything comes together in the end.)
I think I may have enjoyed this one even more than the first book; since I was already familiar with all of the language and the belief system that the author built, it was a matter of slipping back into the world rather than learning it anew.
A fun read and a really satisfying conclusion.
April 3, 2021
Mmmm 2.5 stars.
The sequel to Poison's Kiss, Poison's Cage places its heroines into the viper's den (rather literally) to collect information that will stop the Nagaraja for good.
I was interested in this sequel because it promised a dual perspective narration between Marinda, the heroine of the first book, and Iyla, her duplicitous childhood best friend turned spy. And the tension between them was good at the beginning, but ultimately it fell to the background as Iyla found a boring love interest. Not to say that her beau is a bad dude, but he's boring, kind of like Deven. Speaking of Deven, the romance between Marinda and Deven is... it's there. Didn't do much.
The plot itself also started off interesting, but it fizzled out as time went on. The Crocodile King and the Tiger Queen were severely under-utilized and a lot of the themes of greed and monstrosity never really got enough page time to be fleshed out in an interesting way. Everything tied up too conveniently for me to ever really feel worried about the potential stakes of the story. I still liked the concepts, though, and the mythology that Shields built up in this fantastical world. I also noticed that she put more effort into making the world more immersive.
Anyway, Kadru is a lot of fun. Also, I'm still peeved that the wisdom boy didn't show up again. And I'm not a huge fan of the epilogue.
The sequel to Poison's Kiss, Poison's Cage places its heroines into the viper's den (rather literally) to collect information that will stop the Nagaraja for good.
I was interested in this sequel because it promised a dual perspective narration between Marinda, the heroine of the first book, and Iyla, her duplicitous childhood best friend turned spy. And the tension between them was good at the beginning, but ultimately it fell to the background as Iyla found a boring love interest. Not to say that her beau is a bad dude, but he's boring, kind of like Deven. Speaking of Deven, the romance between Marinda and Deven is... it's there. Didn't do much.
The plot itself also started off interesting, but it fizzled out as time went on. The Crocodile King and the Tiger Queen were severely under-utilized and a lot of the themes of greed and monstrosity never really got enough page time to be fleshed out in an interesting way. Everything tied up too conveniently for me to ever really feel worried about the potential stakes of the story. I still liked the concepts, though, and the mythology that Shields built up in this fantastical world. I also noticed that she put more effort into making the world more immersive.
Anyway, Kadru is a lot of fun. Also, I'm still peeved that the wisdom boy didn't show up again. And I'm not a huge fan of the epilogue.
December 8, 2017
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
In this fantasy conclusion to Poison’s Kiss, the connection to Indian folklore is deeper and even more appealing than ever. Marinda and Iyla’s lives pick up immediately following the end of book one, as does their practice of deceit. Marinda learns more about her past—how she was subjected to hundreds of snake bites as a child to become the visha kanya, the identity of her parents who gave her away, and where her mystery brother Mani came from—as Iyla learns more about their present, and how they must defeat the Snake King in order to save themselves and those they love. From former assassins to current spies, Marinda and Iyla’s alternating points of view pulls one into their dilemma, even as we wonder and ask, who can we really trust? Will their loyalty to each other and their friendship destroy them both, or help to save their lives? At turns heartbreaking, romantic, surprising, and full of danger, the final book in this duology begs the question, who’s double crossing whom? Original fantasy at its best! 🐍
In this fantasy conclusion to Poison’s Kiss, the connection to Indian folklore is deeper and even more appealing than ever. Marinda and Iyla’s lives pick up immediately following the end of book one, as does their practice of deceit. Marinda learns more about her past—how she was subjected to hundreds of snake bites as a child to become the visha kanya, the identity of her parents who gave her away, and where her mystery brother Mani came from—as Iyla learns more about their present, and how they must defeat the Snake King in order to save themselves and those they love. From former assassins to current spies, Marinda and Iyla’s alternating points of view pulls one into their dilemma, even as we wonder and ask, who can we really trust? Will their loyalty to each other and their friendship destroy them both, or help to save their lives? At turns heartbreaking, romantic, surprising, and full of danger, the final book in this duology begs the question, who’s double crossing whom? Original fantasy at its best! 🐍
Want to read
April 1, 2019Marinda and Iyla must work together to save themselves and the ones they love from the wrath of the Snake King (Najaraja).
I have always been infatuated and terrified by female snake charmer in the circus shows, they looked beautiful and dangerous. I feel the exact same way toward the first book... it was beautiful and terrifying and mesmerizing... I have the finale would be big and satisfying.
I want Marinda to heal (maybe using maraka fruit) or defeat her enemies. I thought that she might sacrifice herself because she is beyond deadly, or at least give Iyla her years back. Or burn the tent with Kadru and her pets to the ground.
I have always been infatuated and terrified by female snake charmer in the circus shows, they looked beautiful and dangerous. I feel the exact same way toward the first book... it was beautiful and terrifying and mesmerizing... I have the finale would be big and satisfying.
I want Marinda to heal (maybe using maraka fruit) or defeat her enemies. I thought that she might sacrifice herself because she is beyond deadly, or at least give Iyla her years back. Or burn the tent with Kadru and her pets to the ground.
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