The Prince and the Poisoner

Carnival of Fae #1

by Helena Rookwood

Royal intrigue, wild magic, and slow-burn romance that’s perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, and Holly Black.

Steal from a prince.
Poison a princess.
She could win her freedom or destroy a kingdom…
With her mysterious gift for potion making, Lira knows she could be more than just a healer in a traveling circus. Her sights have always been set well beyond a life of poverty lining the pockets of circus masters.

When Lira’s magical skills attract the attention of two men powerful enough to bring down kingdoms, Lira sees an opportunity to escape. But the freedom she seeks comes at a price…

Disguised in the ranks of the fabled Carnival of Stars, Lira travels to the palace, tasked with stealing from a prince, poisoning a princess, and putting an end to a royal engagement. But she soon realizes she’s a pawn in a much bigger game of magic and betrayal.

And when she finally meets the prince, Lira must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice in order to prevent a war. Her freedom…or her heart.

The Prince and the Poisoner is the first book in the Carnival of Fae romantic fantasy series. If you like complex magical worlds, characters faced with difficult choices, and plot twists you don’t see coming, you’ll love this action-packed series.
Welcome to the world of Terentia, where the fae have abandoned the human kingdoms to fight amongst themselves and magic simmers in the shadows…
Scroll up and one click to start reading The Prince and the Poisoner today!

Genres: Fantasy, Fae, Fantasy Romance, Romance

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 24, 2020

Reviews

[Restless Isabelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

A royal assassination plot, a magical carnival with a secret and an incredibly bad tempered and immature MC. I should have enjoyed this - the carnival setting, the royal intrigue and the constantly layered bargains. It should have been my jam! But, instead I found Lira incredibly selfish, bratty and childish. It was so hard to connect with her. As for the twisty turny plot, it held such promise but I felt that we made little to no meaningful progress. Instead it was just a tangle of characters with hazy motives. I found myself skimming chunks, and considering DNF multiple times.

[Mandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was captivating. I enjoyed the story that this author created. It was fun and exciting.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure where to even begin with this review. I'm voluntarily reviewing this book as I was given an ARC for it. I requested this ARC because of the beautiful cover and the fact it mentioned fae, a fantastically magical carnival, and the title hinted at a slight fairytale retelling aspect. I am ashamed to say I have not read any of Helena Rookwood's other works, something I hope to remedy in the future! This book majorly surpassed my expectations. I wasn't sure what to expect of this book, and it thoroughly blew me away. Rescued by a mysterious stranger, our protagonist finds herself making a very dangerous deal for her freedom. But that deal leads to other deals and lies and magic and so much more. A spectacular carnival is planned as well as a royal wedding between two very interesting members of royalty. What Lira, the protagonist, thought would be a somewhat simple deal turns into a massive world of confusion, magic, lies, deceit, and maybe even love. What was the true meaning of the deal she made, who really asked it of her, and why did she get roped into all of this? I'm personally not the hugest fan of Lira but I found myself rooting for her as she got caught in all manner of situations. I am very eager to read the next book and get some answers. This book reminded me a bit of Caraval, with a dash of the Iron Fey series as well. I hope many others pick up a copy of this book!

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars! This was a really intriguing book that didn't go in a predictable direction. Lira is not a typical morally-driven character. She's admittedly selfish and has her own agenda for most of her actions. She's shrewd and has an extraordinary penchant for potion-making. Because of her skills, she gets pulled into a plot to poison the princess in exchange for her freedom to pursue a life as a healer.

This is classified as a fantasy romance, but it's not overly heavy on the romance aspect. While reading, you won't be sure who the villain or the hero is, they all do questionable things. I shipped her with different characters throughout the book and then they'd do things that just ruined my attraction/respect for them (don't like cowardice and don't like when FMC is a pawn). That said, I do have a preference and a hope that Davorin is end-game. I hope he acted the way he did as a way to protect her/maintain appearances. And, he's a prince, so the title of the book could've been referring to him?

Given the moral grayness of Lira and the other potential love interests, I think character development is going to be explored in future books. So I'm excited to read the next book when it comes out!

[Lene Blackthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, when I started to read the book and saw the heroine's situation, I wondered if I'd like the book or it would turn into a pity party (or anger party) for her, as she grabbed my heart from the start and got me emotionally invested.
After all, I ended up staying awake until 2am, hungrily devouring the pages even though I knew I should rather sleep, unable to put it aside. Needless to say, this was the first book in months that has kept me awake so long rather than appreciating the need for sleep before working the next day.
The biggest pull in this story was probably Lira's situation for me. Desperate situations calling for desperate measures; a strong, stubborn woman fighting with all she got for her freedom and dreams, only to have them crushed over and over again, being blackmailed and manipulated by many, crossed by those she barely come to trust. Despite being kicked to the bottom repeatedly, she never gave up trying to crawl back up; surviving torture, threats, heartache, false accusations, or guilt. Her wisely depicted character is pulling all the string in the story, although the story itself puts her rather into a position of a marionette, her strings being pulled by those with power and money. Princes, lords, and circus masters have taken interest in the peasant girl with a knack for herbs and potion making, laced with non-explainable intuition/ feeling for her skill.
Magic is very intricately woven into the world building, lurking in the shadow until it bursts out. The brilliantly written story focuses more on the characters, like prince Kristian or Davorin, princess Fenella, or the girls at the circus, or even the mysterious Grand Master. All of them participating in a dance of machinations, own agendas, and using the weaknesses of others as a means to the end, regardless of who is the pawn and what consequences the actions might have. The story very nicely shows the world is never only black or white, revealing the motives behind the characters' behavior, and how one's action of hostility might be a defense act from other point of view, or how just different opinions might lead to misunderstandings and heated exchanges. I very much enjoyed the emotional intensity of the story, even with the bits of violence needed to develop the plot. And although the romance was very subtle in comparison the other elements, one can sense it below the surface, toying with the characters. I must say I absolutely LOVED this book, and am sure I will love the whole series, on top with the main characters.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I love Helena Rookwood's writing however I was not in the least expecting to be blown away by this, the first book in her new series, Carnival of Fae. I love anything to do with circus, magic and most especially the fae and this book has all of these three characteristics, plus a really wild heroine who gets into the most risky of escapades and who mires herself deeper into yet more trouble. Lira is a potion maker working in a dingy circus where the masters are cruel and despotic, but she manages to escape and get picked up by a man who turns out to be Eirik, who knows more about her than he lets on, and who saves her only because he has a plan he wants her to follow. She is to audition for the Carnival of Stars, the best and most renowned carnival ever, in order to infiltrate the palace where the Prince of Swords, was to become engaged to the Princess of Coins and to poison the princess, to stop the union of the two houses. Once she gets there though things become even more confusing as The Grand Master himself, gives her a job too, and suddenly she is not a healer but a poisoner and a thief. This story is a helter skelter of emotions and a whirlwind narration of actions full of twists and turns which complicate the plot and really entice the readers. I love the character of Lira even though at times she seems really naive and Kit is quite the charmer but a coward deep down who looks after himself first and foremost. Every time I had to take a break from reading I just kept thinking of the story and needing to get back to my book. The story is truly magical and I love where it is going and I am dying to get book 2 into my hands as soon as possible.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this story through Hidden Gems and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I requested this ARC because anything to do with Fae instantly captures my attention, so I had to find out what it was all about! This book absolutely reeled me in. It opens with Lira being chased by angry villagers and instantly peaked my interest to find out more about her and her motivations. I love her backstory, I love that she has refused to be broken or made complacent by her current life in the traveling circus. Things really get interesting for Lira when she runs into a mysterious stranger while making her escape and he comes to her aid with an agenda of his own. I love the mystery of Lira and why she is the best potion maker there is. I love the grandeur and mystery of the Carnival of Stars and its Grand Master. The way the tarot is incorporated into the history of this world is so awesome. I can't wait to find out what's in store for Lira in the next book!

[underseabookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride!

I'm so invested in this story. Lira goes through so much in this book. All she wanted was to be free of her chains, but encountered a world full of deceit, magic, and mystery.

The romantic prospects are also interesting. I'm team Davorin all the way. I felt his intentions with her were true, despite what happens in the end.

There's something I still don't trust about Kit. In general, I feel he has no true affections for Lira. There's a lot of red flags, but we'll see where this all goes. Can't wait to pick up the next book!

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the world of Terentia, where the fae have abandoned the human kingdoms to fight amongst themselves and magic simmers in the shadows…

Read this and well I just had to see what it was all about and omg it’s is awesome! This first book has a little something for everyone I think. The circus, magic, fae, action, adventure, drama, intrigue, suspense, twists and turns, this fantasy will just grab you and drag you into its amazing world and not let you go! Go on, give it a read!

[Nite0wl29 · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!

This book was unlike anything I expected going into it. There aren’t a whole lot of fae in this (only one, actually) but I’m really hoping we see more of them in the next book since their magic and kingdoms is mentioned a lot more in the last half of the book. There’s so much scheming and plotting you really don’t know who to trust. I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat!

I can’t wait to read book 2!!!

[Jessie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A winding fae tale

Great characters and such a fun story!! I couldn’t put it down.... or course now I have to wait for the next book to see who all the characters really are!!! Love the slow burn romance in it... curious as to which way it will end though.

[Nalou · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

To be completely honest, I think I went into the book expecting some kind of things, a way of putting the story together I guess, and that it would inevitably end in a romance (or going towards that) since I usually see it (and, these weeks, look for it). It didn’t go in the direction I thought it would. At all. I’m having trouble naming what exactly didn’t go as I expected it, I think it was the book as a whole.

First of all, I don’t know what to feel towards Lira. There were times I really liked her and understood she had to do certain things, even morally questionable sometimes, and then there were times I just couldn’t bring myself to like her, and I know it’s not because of her complexity, because I’ve loved complex characters, including their faults, while here it was like I didn’t know which feeling would take over in the end, and I still don’t, some time after finishing reading it. It might have to do with other characters, though… While I understood her reticence to believe Jade and trust her, given the context, I never could get above some of the Prince’s actions, and despise the guy with a force that made it hard to read scenes in which she feels like she’s falling for him (or his “charm” at least).

Plot-wise, I’m very much satisfied. While I think some scenes might not be needed (and kind of threw me off, I didn’t know what to make of them being in the book, couldn’t see what they brought since it didn’t seem like they were related to the general plot), it was overall very well done, and I kept on jumping to conclusions I shouldn’t have, expecting things to go a certain way and realizing it wouldn’t at all because of this or that. New elements come to life, and influence Lira and her decisions (with good reason), and I think you really understand why she can’t quite make up her mind because you can’t either (and I actually started doubting any and everybody in the book, haha). It sure kept me entertained and hooked to the book.

I think I can’t give it 5 full stars because in the end, though I appreciate Lira, I still can’t quite connect to her, and because of those particular scenes that made reading some parts a bit tedious, but overwise it’s a pretty good book, and it seems like it’s going to be an interesting series. Give it a try!

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy from Hidden Gems

[Gypsy Madden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had so many twists and turns as Lira gets to know the various people about the palace and in her new carnival home. Who can she trust? Everyone seems to have an agenda, and all of them have flaws, including our heroine as she waffles between actually going through with poisoning the princess and how self-centered, greedy, and uncaring she is about other people. It made her less than sympathetic, but she was still a fascinating character. Me, I personally only identify with the morally good characters, so I didn’t really find anyone to latch onto, but the storyline itself made up for that as I tried to unravel who worked for which side, what characters were going to do, the wonder and magic of the carnival, and the intrigue of palace life. There really isn’t much romance to this story, until near the end, since the prince in question doesn’t really seem interested in Lira beyond being a skirt to chase in that moment and is a coward at standing up for her. I didn’t give the story full stars mainly for the italicized swear words Lira uses frequently. They’re made up fantasy world words, but they’re still swear words no matter what they are. It’s like authors these days can’t write without the crutch of using them. It wasn’t so much that they were used as I heard a young kid refer to his diaper as his “daidi”. So, each time she uttered that word, I cracked up laughing, which just wasn’t the reaction I should have during tense situations. Same thing with “dindo”. And because we don’t have the real words, I had to take stabs at what she meant by them. Honestly, I’m still not certain what “beske” means and is it the same as “dindo”? Her home circus really could have used more description. All I got out of it was that it was a group of trailers, like an old-world gypsy encampment, and nothing else. I also got confused on the pins with there being so many different ones, and they just seemed to overcomplicate the story since they didn’t seem that important to the actual plot.

[NoNo JoJo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preface: I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
Explicit content: Violence, abuse, murder, death
Actual rating: 4.5 stars

This was an interesting book. I like the world it's set in, especially once we get to the carnival. The characters all feel fleshed-out and realistic. Our protagonist is relatable, even if she's not always sympathetic. That's actually one of the interesting points of this novel - everyone is so fleshed-out that they're all pretty much jerks, just in different ways. The only unequivocally good characters are all in the background. Everyone else is either petty, backstabbing, untrustworthy, selfish, cowardly, or some combination thereof. It made for interesting reading, but was also a little frustrating at times - there are a few points in the book where you really feel like you can't root for /anyone,/ and it does get a little exhausting. Clearly there's a lot of set-up for future character development, though, which I adore, so hopefully future books follow through.

The plot reminded me a little of a game at times - one with conflicting quests that set you on diverging paths. Our protagonist gets offered two clashing opportunities, and has to decide if she'll go with one, try to do both, or attempt to escape altogether. Watching her bounce between her choices was interesting. The ultimate culmination was pretty good, too, and sets up the series for a lot of intrigue moving forward - I'm really curious to see where the central romance goes, given how much of a jerk both leads are at times. Are they really even attracted to each other? Or is it the magic between them that's drawing them together?

Overall, this was pretty well-written, and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys general fantasy, especially with a big of a carnival twist.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book in an extremely promising paranormal series that you just can't put down once you start, then this isn it! Our protagonist, Lira, an extremely talented potion maker who is slaved to a low class carnival where if she breaks their rules she get beaten. Finally finding a way to escape she is caught by Eirik who gives her a deal she can't refuse, just kill a princess to stop a wedding between two kingdoms which would stop a war. But she's just a potion maker to heal not kill! But to get what she wants, she accepts which ends her up in the famous Carnival of Stars led by the Grand Master who seems to see that she has more than just healing potion power. He wants her for his special circle. But in order to be let in, all she has to do is accept the deal the Grand Master is offering; to steal an object of importantce to him held by the prince. Now she must kill a princess and steal an object from the prince in order to get what she wants in the end, an entrance to Guildhall where she could help save people with her potions. But when Eirik keeps pushing his end of the deal and Lira meets the prince which she feels drawn to, as he to her, but to save his own misdeeds, keeps throwing Lira under the bus, she doesn't know who to trust. Bad decision after bad decision has us going through so many twists and turns that it has your head spinning. I won't give you any more about this story so you can take the magic ride on your own. Suffice it to say, not only does Lira find out things about herself and humanity, she discovers things aren't always what they seem! I can't wait to read book two in this series to see what other crazy things Lira and the untrustworthy prince get themselves in to. I received and ARC from the author but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Rosie Rizk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lira knows the value of her unparalleled potion making and healing skills. Skills that are so accurate, they are almost magical. However, her masters are fully aware of it as well. Just as her escape goes badly wrong, a rescuer turns up. In exchange for agreeing to poison a princess, Lira is promised her freedom and assistance towards fulfilling her dreams. Caught up in multiple plots, and finding herself the pawn in many other's plans, Lira must find a way to extricate herself before things turn lethally wrong.

The book was nicely written, with enough magic and an interesting plot to keep my attention. There were several parties introduced, and Lira unluckily managed to get herself entangled in several political and magical agendas. She also had to decide whether her freedom was worth becoming a murderer for, or even if she had a choice about it.

Lira was quick to flirt with any and every rich and handsome man she met. It was part of her act as a potion seller, but it still irritated me every time, especially since most of the men she met were royal, rich, and hot. I didn't care for any of the male characters, and the romance with the prince was too cliche.

I enjoyed the bits of magic and the questions it introduced. The characters were also nicely complex. They weren't all good and sympathetic, nor were they purely evil. Lira had to choose between two tasks, both of which offered opportunistic prizes upon fulfillment, both of them dangerous and complicated to complete. Either choice could send her on a different path in life, if she survived them. While I didn't like all her choices at the end, I would want to read the next book to know how it all ends.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE THRILLING ADVENTURE!!!
Ride on! Helena delivers a unique approach with all the anarchy, escapades and havoc running amuck, tossing this baby into a tizzy with astonishing results. A raging tempest of fervent events chocked-full of stirring circumstances keep you flipping page after page. Unveiling a foray of drama, angst, intrigue, mystery and mounting suspense spirals, ruling the roost fusing this bad boy to life spectacularly. Bucking the odds, blazing the field, propelling this baby into the eye of the storm, breaking it down, throwing it into a tailspin with a life altering, mind-blowing culmination. A tumultuous wild ride with a surplus of unexpected mishaps and surprising incidents that blasts all of your emotions into play perfectly. Unveiling a foray of drama, angst, intrigue, uncertainty and mounting suspense spirals, ruling the roost fusing this bad boy to life spectacularly. Toss in distress, turmoil and perplexing situations along with a boatload of danger, dodging calamity, you have one block busting adventure. The characters are authentic, genuine and realistic with depth and individuality that feels like you can just reach out and touch them. The scenes are so graphically detailed and descriptive it's like being transported to ground zero with them. Remarkable job Helena, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.

[Candice Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised and delighted with this new series. I enjoyed the excellent world building and fascinating characters we are introduced to in this first book. I found the blend of circus tricks with herbs and potions and the hint of magic very intriguing. The main character Lira is very polarizing, you either love or hate her and I finished the book still trying to decide what I felt about her. She makes some crazy choices in her attempt to get away from her old life and prove her talents in healing. She is running away when she is captured /rescued by Eireck who makes her an offer. Poison the princess and be able to join the guild for healers. She agrees with this plan only to make another bargain with the grand master of the carnival, to steal a mysterious bowl from the prince. This girl just makes one poor choice after another but I still felt bad for her when her tent and her tools were destroyed.
I'm excited to read more in future books and get to know more about this amazing world and answer some questions about the hidden talents she has to manipulate the curious items the grand Master has been collecting. Fly on the magic carpet with Lira and Kit to the north to uncover more secrets!

[DragonReader167 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful read!

We follow Lira, a potion maker who is the best at what she does. She's desperate to go to the Guildhall, to train with the best healers in the land, there's a problem though. She's stuck in a carnival that likes to abuse its members for whatever reason they see fit. When another traveler rescues her from said carnival, she learns it's because she's been chosen to poison a certain member of the royal household. And she has to join with the most famous carnival in the land to do it, the Carnival of Stars.

Lira kind of strikes me as a high and mighty brat in the beginning, which I didn't much care for to be honest. But as the story goes on, it warmed on me a bit. Kit is much the same with how he flip flops from one side to another, you never know what he's going to do next. We only see the story from one perspective, Lira's, so I'm curious what the story would be like if we saw it from Kit's perspective. What would he be thinking of the potion maker that joined up with the Carnival of Stars?

I liked the Carnival, it's much the same as you'd think a circus would be if you combined it with a fair, only with magic.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

She hated her life. All she wanted was something better. For people to give her the respect she felt she was due for her skills. When she finally escapes broken and battered she finds herself in a new and different hell. She has no idea who to trust and what to do with the choices she now has. He saw her and something about her kept him enthralled or was it a ruse? He may not like the choices he has but he also has no allegiance. Can they trust each other? Absolutely not. And that's exactly wat keeps you turning the pages. This new to me author takes us into a world filled with possibilities and wonder. She has no idea who she is but everything is telling her she's more than she knows. This author gives us a story that will have you hanging on the edge of your seat wondering what happens next. Yes it is a series and you will have to read the next book and maybe more to get to the ending. It's truly going to be a rough ride if it's anything like the start. I love the characters with just enough intrigue to keep you wondering about the outcome or twist.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Prince and the Poisoner (Carnival of Fae Book 1) by Helena Rookwood is an exciting adventure following a highly talented healer who escapes from a cruel circus to make a life for herself as a free woman and to possibly apprentice at the healers Guildhall. She is chased relentlessly by the Circus Masters henchmen, but rescued by a mysterious man and whisked away. He proposes that if she will poison a princess, he will ensure that she gets to the Guildhall and is accepted as apprentice.

When she arrives at the castle of the King and Queen of a neighboring realm, she encounters the powerful Master of a traveling carnival. He proposes that he will allow her to become a part of his elite circle of performers if she will agree to steal an artifact from a prince. What's a girl to do?

This a stunning story of intrigue, magic and the legendary fairy realm, now vanished. I read the Prequel earlier and can't wait to continue this adventure. Very exciting! I was given a copy of this book by the author and am voluntarily posting an honest review.

[Amanda Sagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my honest review after receiving a requested ARC copy of The Prince and the Poisoner.

What can I say that can do this book the justice it deserves? Hmm, well, I most certainly didn't adult today! I had no time as this book kept me completely engrossed, turning the pages, ignoring the outside world as I fell under the spell of the fabulous world of the carnival and Lira's journey through intrigue and hardship, budding friendships and the making of enemies.
Helena has a way with words that make it easy to immerse yourself totally inside the fantastical world she has created and invest yourself in the characters, both rooting for some and hoping that a few others recieved their comeuppance!
I often say that I'm looking forward to the next book after the beginning of a series (And I truely am!) but this is most definitely one of those that I am seriously itching to get my hands on! It honestly is fantastic!

[Carolina Malfettano · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good story but...

It was a little slow at least for me. The first chapters until Lira meets Eirik and the real story begins are boring and just fillers that I wished were over as soon as I started reading. After that, the story stars to develop and it’s pretty good and interesting. Every character has an ulterior motive, but we only know what Lira wants and there are many situations where we are left asking ourselves: ‘what the hell is going on with that character?’. The Romance it’s not much. And the male interests is kind of pretty ambiguous. I’ve read the dessert night series by this same author and I much prefer it.
A fantasy of this characteristic from my point of view should be more action filled or more quickly to read. But overall I finished it and I liked it. I don’t know when, but I believe that I will keep going with this series to see where it goes.

[Sascha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3,5 stars ⭐
I read this book in three days follow along to read my thoughts.
Day 1: the action starts right from the beginning!! You are sucked into the story immediately.
Day 2: I love it! Just when I think I have figured it out something new comes along. The characters do seem a little inconsistent at times. I miss a little depth there so far. The world is very good so far! The whole idea of circuses and such do really pull me in! I have never read anything like this before!
Day 3: omg omg what is happening!!? I certainly didn't see that coming! The last part of the book is so full of action!! I had no idea this would happen! I so desperately want to read the second book!! This was an amazing story with multiple unexpected twists and turns and this amazing world! I will recommend this to everyone who enjoys a quick adventurous read with an enormous cliffhanger!! 😊

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really really enjoyed this book. It's completely original with the ideas. A carnival within a fantasy setting, it's amazing. Helena has spent a lot of time developing these characters and the world they live in. This isn't a book I would recommend for pre-teens or early teens, it's better for an older teen, young adult, new adult. Character development was a ride, while you wanted to root for the main characters, there were points where it just didn't feel like it was doable because as a reader we see them at some of their worst moments that make unlikable or unreliable. But I didn't out right hate anyone, I did get annoyed at times. In terms of plot, it was unexpected but I enjoyed it. I can't wait for the next one. I did receive an ARC.

[Melissa Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! It was exciting and intriguing and Lira was so stubborn and snarky.

I love me a good snarky character that you can't help but bang your head at sometimes. Lira reminded me so much of some of my favourite characters when they use their charm and guile to influence whatever situation they find themselves in. While also being so damn stubborn that you want to yell at them and bang your head on a wall. Many times through this book I found myself cursing Lira or being embarrased for her.

Kit is as charming as any leading male (who also has the benefits of being a Prince) their interactions and chemistry really drew you into their story.

I loved the direction this story was going and I cant wait to read the prequel and the sequel

[Oksana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike a lot of novels in this genre, you do not fall in love with the main character immediately. On the contrary, I wasn't sure what to make of Lira and I was hoping this won't turn into a pity-party. But it didn't. The more I read, the more I understood her. Despite a fairy tale setting, a lot of the characters are so raw and real, it makes one wonder; and that's what made me want to continue with the story. The carnivalesque setting made The Prince and the Poisoner even more interesting. It's full of magic, adventure, and intrigue. I am really looking forward to the next book.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The setting, plot and writing was amazing, but the mc was extremely dumb, i found myself so annoyed by her stupid decisions, it's like she doesn't learn from her mistakes, she could have saved herself so much trouble by not being so naive and stupid, and the romance... i liked kit, but after he did her so dirty, i'm hoping they just become friends and she ends up with another, because i can't stop thinking about how awful his character is. Still, i'm looking forward to the second book, hopefully lyra use her mind more in it

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay book. A quick read but nothing earth shattering.

The overall plot was actually pretty refreshing and intriguing.The world building was pretty good too. The characters however, were shallow and lacked any true depth or motivation, and were absolutely unrelatable. There was no attempt to build any emotional attachment to any of the characters and the MC is mostly an arrogant ass and self absorbed to boot. These characters had loads of potential but due to the awkward pacing, the relationships were rushed and forced.

Completed the book but probably won't read book two.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I recieved an Advanced Review Copy of this book."
I have to admit I enjoyed this book. So much drama was going on. I never knew what to expect. I liked the characters. The MFL really had a temper. But I believe I would too if I had to go through everything she had to. There was to many hot sounds MC's. I liked book. It was different that what I'm used to. It's magical. I'm interested to know why she reacts the way she does to everything also. Cannot wait to read more.