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Poison Malice Twisted
She's sweet, forbidden poison - and she's the only one who can save him
Aisling is the last witch standing. She guards her family home and the source of their power from the fae eager to devour it. Grief and loneliness mark her days, twisting her up inside until the night she opens her door to a dark stranger...
His malice threatens to undo them both
Even among the fae, Niall is considered broken. War has stoked his lust for blood, for cruelty, for control. All he knows is death and depravity, until the day he steps inside Aisling's home and finds everything he's ever wanted...
A forbidden attraction so strong, so twisted, they cannot resist
But Niall's vow requires that he sacrifice it all.
Every day that Naill and Aisling give in to their twisted desires, the house moves closer to ruin. Corrupted magic seeps from every crack, the walls draw closer, and the house is torn apart between the fae and human worlds.
If the house falls, both their worlds fall with it. But the only way to save it will force Aisling and Niall apart for all of eternity.
Poison Malice Twisted is a standalone dark paranormal romance novel of love, sacrifice, and weird architecture by USA Today bestselling author Steffanie Holmes. This story of a clever witch, a wicked fae prince, and a house with a mind of its own will be impossible to put down.
Aisling is the last witch standing. She guards her family home and the source of their power from the fae eager to devour it. Grief and loneliness mark her days, twisting her up inside until the night she opens her door to a dark stranger...
His malice threatens to undo them both
Even among the fae, Niall is considered broken. War has stoked his lust for blood, for cruelty, for control. All he knows is death and depravity, until the day he steps inside Aisling's home and finds everything he's ever wanted...
A forbidden attraction so strong, so twisted, they cannot resist
But Niall's vow requires that he sacrifice it all.
Every day that Naill and Aisling give in to their twisted desires, the house moves closer to ruin. Corrupted magic seeps from every crack, the walls draw closer, and the house is torn apart between the fae and human worlds.
If the house falls, both their worlds fall with it. But the only way to save it will force Aisling and Niall apart for all of eternity.
Poison Malice Twisted is a standalone dark paranormal romance novel of love, sacrifice, and weird architecture by USA Today bestselling author Steffanie Holmes. This story of a clever witch, a wicked fae prince, and a house with a mind of its own will be impossible to put down.
404 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2021
62 people are currently reading
1600 people want to read
About the author
Steffanie Holmes
84 books1,359 followersSteffanie Holmes is the author of steamy historical and paranormal romance. Her books feature clever, witty heroines, wild shifters, cunning witches and alpha males who get what they want.
Before becoming a writer, Steffanie worked as an archaeologist and museum curator. She loves to explore historical settings and ancient conceptions of love and possession. From Dark Age Europe to crumbling gothic estates, Steffanie is fascinated with how love can blossom between the most unlikely characters.
Steffanie lives in New Zealand with her husband and a horde of cantankerous cats. Learn more about Steffanie at her website: www.steffanieholmes.com. She also writes dark science fiction under the name S C Green.
Want to be informed when the next Steffanie Holmes paranormal romance story goes live? Sign up for the mailing list! http://eepurl.com/ZrowD
Before becoming a writer, Steffanie worked as an archaeologist and museum curator. She loves to explore historical settings and ancient conceptions of love and possession. From Dark Age Europe to crumbling gothic estates, Steffanie is fascinated with how love can blossom between the most unlikely characters.
Steffanie lives in New Zealand with her husband and a horde of cantankerous cats. Learn more about Steffanie at her website: www.steffanieholmes.com. She also writes dark science fiction under the name S C Green.
Want to be informed when the next Steffanie Holmes paranormal romance story goes live? Sign up for the mailing list! http://eepurl.com/ZrowD
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
June 13, 2021
This was such a marvelously written story. I loved Niall and Aisling, but the character/element that stole the show was the house. The romance trope—BDSM—wasn’t quite my thing but it was well written and didn’t detract from the storyline. All in all a creative fantasy stand-alone!
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June 7, 2021DNF @ 31%
So... much... instalust...
So... much... instalust...
May 11, 2021
One mysterious house, a witch - Aisling and a Dark Fae - Niall. Sworn enemies locked together even if they dont want to be. Its an engaging twisted dynamic between Aisling and Niall. They should hate each other but struggle with what they know and what they feel. It almost feels like the house in this book is another character in it. Theres so many secrets in this book that its had to keep up with them all. Both Aisling and Niall have their own too. Most based on a lack of trust between them. It definitely keeps you on your toes. Theres so many plot twists and a brilliant ending that completely threw me. It was that good. Its a fantastic read with a great characters too
October 15, 2023
Steffanie Holmes is easily one of my favorite authors in this world. It doesn't matter what she writes, I'm always on the edge of my seat and enjoying her stories. While I'm mostly caught up with her newer work, I still have to catch up with some of her older books. One of the books I had to catch up with was this book. Since I've been reading loads of Fae novels lately and grew a little bored with them it took a while before I was in the mood, but today I was very in the mood.
Like all books by this author I've loved each and every second. The world building in this book is amazing. The author manages to combine some sort of magical house with a nuclear apocalypse, the world of faerie and a faerie war and there might also be some time manipulation involved. At first glance you would say that a combination like that can never work and yet this story was perfection and everything worked perfectly.
That's mostly because the author does an amazing job focussing on the relationship between the witch and her Fae man. Although they are enemies and although he's infiltrating her house to destroy both the house and her there is chemistry from the start and both characters feel this unexplainable connection that makes it impossible to stay away from each other. The tension is amazing, their emotional struggles wonderfully written and at times the book gets insanely hot.
And although the focus is on the romance and the connection between these two characters the mythology is actually very well thought out too. The author doesn't go into too much detail when it comes to the nuclear war and the faerie conflict and yet everything works and fits perfectly. Even the solution of all the issues in the end, which is a complicated one you'll have to discover for yourself, strangely enough works!
O, and I think this is the second bookhouse ever I fell in love with!
Like all books by this author I've loved each and every second. The world building in this book is amazing. The author manages to combine some sort of magical house with a nuclear apocalypse, the world of faerie and a faerie war and there might also be some time manipulation involved. At first glance you would say that a combination like that can never work and yet this story was perfection and everything worked perfectly.
That's mostly because the author does an amazing job focussing on the relationship between the witch and her Fae man. Although they are enemies and although he's infiltrating her house to destroy both the house and her there is chemistry from the start and both characters feel this unexplainable connection that makes it impossible to stay away from each other. The tension is amazing, their emotional struggles wonderfully written and at times the book gets insanely hot.
And although the focus is on the romance and the connection between these two characters the mythology is actually very well thought out too. The author doesn't go into too much detail when it comes to the nuclear war and the faerie conflict and yet everything works and fits perfectly. Even the solution of all the issues in the end, which is a complicated one you'll have to discover for yourself, strangely enough works!
O, and I think this is the second bookhouse ever I fell in love with!
May 11, 2021
I really liked this book more than I thought I would honestly.
It’s been a couple days since I finished reading this book and I’m still not quite sure how I feel about it. To say I was frustrated and confused would be an understatement. I really enjoyed Niall and Aisling as characters but sometimes they frustrated me to no end too. Almost all problems to be had could have been resolved with better communication between them and that’s one of the issues that irk me. It felt like unnecessary drama at least to me. I’m also not sure how I felt about the ending... maybe I’m just a little slow but I was highly confused and everything didn’t really fall into place for me at the end. I would’ve preferred a different outcome or at least a better explanation/tie in. Even though I’ve criticized this book harshly, I still greatly enjoyed it. There were plenty of twists and turns that keep you engaged as well as a sentient house (which lets be honest is awesome!) I also had a ton of fun trying to figure out the mystery with Niall along the way.
I still delighted in the read and was sad to see the book come to an end.
It’s been a couple days since I finished reading this book and I’m still not quite sure how I feel about it. To say I was frustrated and confused would be an understatement. I really enjoyed Niall and Aisling as characters but sometimes they frustrated me to no end too. Almost all problems to be had could have been resolved with better communication between them and that’s one of the issues that irk me. It felt like unnecessary drama at least to me. I’m also not sure how I felt about the ending... maybe I’m just a little slow but I was highly confused and everything didn’t really fall into place for me at the end. I would’ve preferred a different outcome or at least a better explanation/tie in. Even though I’ve criticized this book harshly, I still greatly enjoyed it. There were plenty of twists and turns that keep you engaged as well as a sentient house (which lets be honest is awesome!) I also had a ton of fun trying to figure out the mystery with Niall along the way.
I still delighted in the read and was sad to see the book come to an end.
January 16, 2022
DNF @73%.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book.
A post-apocalyptic setting.
An opinionated house where nothing is constant.
A ruthless fae warrior and the last witch with the power to save the fae kingdom. And a a dash of BDSM.
Such an interesting mix of themes!
But the promised BDSM was short-lived and after the first half, the book read like a bodice ripper: lavish, kind of cheesy and so very dramatic. E.g.:
”You saved my life,” she whispered.
”Yours is the only life worth saving.”
(After he deceived her most of the time, rejected her after their first love making and is the reason why he had to save her life in the first place.)
I liked Aisling’s and Niall’s relationship in the beginning, but it lost its charm after the first xxx scene. Especially Niall’s character changed from “unapologetic fae-hole who loves to dominate” to simply “miserable”.
I loved the house, the atmosphere and especially the plot twist with the flow of time, but I lost all motivation to read another 30%.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book.
A post-apocalyptic setting.
An opinionated house where nothing is constant.
A ruthless fae warrior and the last witch with the power to save the fae kingdom. And a a dash of BDSM.
Such an interesting mix of themes!
But the promised BDSM was short-lived and after the first half, the book read like a bodice ripper: lavish, kind of cheesy and so very dramatic. E.g.:
”You saved my life,” she whispered.
”Yours is the only life worth saving.”
(After he deceived her most of the time, rejected her after their first love making and is the reason why he had to save her life in the first place.)
I liked Aisling’s and Niall’s relationship in the beginning, but it lost its charm after the first xxx scene. Especially Niall’s character changed from “unapologetic fae-hole who loves to dominate” to simply “miserable”.
I loved the house, the atmosphere and especially the plot twist with the flow of time, but I lost all motivation to read another 30%.
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July 30, 2022DNF @ 31%
May 1, 2021
I am...enchanted. When I signed up for this ARC I was expecting a dark, fantastical, sex-fueled romance set in a unique house.
Y'all. It was so much more. A paradox of time and legend. A masterfully woven tale of magic and intrigue. A Gothic masterpiece of vivid imagination. I am FLOORED. Thus was unlike anything I've ever read. Filled with mystery, betrayals, lies, deceit, pain, vulnerability, hope, and above all else, love.
Aisling is the witch of Hollythorn House. Doomed to roam the halls of an architectural wonder alone, her only companion is a black cat with white mittens and an ever-changing house that seems to have a mind of its own. Niall is a broken, tormented fae warrior who bathes in the blood of witches and seeks the heart of the house to save his brother and people. Neither Aisling nor Niall have any idea what lies ahead as they navigate their intense chemistry, unspoken dreams, magical discoveries, and inevitable fate.
I'm not giving anything away. There is so much to discover and piece together. You'll think you've figured it out and then BAM, something new throws you off course. This is a 5 star read but as a devout reader and reviewer, I need to process this story before I can fully grasp the rating. If you're looking for a sexy, intense, magical romance, then THIS IS IT. Highly recommend this book, because holy shit it was unbelievable.
⭐ 𝙀𝙙𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩. ⭐
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July 21, 2021DNF 70%
I was really intrigued by this book based on the summary and its ratings, but it was unbelievably bizarre from the start. How can the magic from one witch's house (even the house has the magic of a few other witches in it) recreate an entire realm for the fae after all of Earth is doomed in a post-apocalyptic wasteland?
But no matter! Let's assume the witch's magic is very powerful (even though she doesn't know how to use it) because MAGIC, and sally forth into the pages!
BUT THEN, our heroine's sister dies (I think on page 13). They've been living together for four years as the only people they ever communicate with. And... her death has almost no effect on the heroine?? OKAY!
AND THEN, our fae hero sacrifices himself and approaches the heroine's home (she's the last witch on earth), and even though the heroine KNOWS that the fae want to capture the house's magic and kill her, SHE LETS HIM IN.
THEN they get to know each other, they practice using weapons and exploring the house and he looks for how he can steal her magic to fix the fae realms. I skimmed pretty much all of this, because I only wanted to see the big fight between the hero and the heroine when he admitted that he wanted her magic to fix the fae realms.
But the Big Relationship Fight wasn't what I had hoped it would be, either.
Let me know if you loved it and maybe I'll finish it... Someday.
I was really intrigued by this book based on the summary and its ratings, but it was unbelievably bizarre from the start. How can the magic from one witch's house (even the house has the magic of a few other witches in it) recreate an entire realm for the fae after all of Earth is doomed in a post-apocalyptic wasteland?
But no matter! Let's assume the witch's magic is very powerful (even though she doesn't know how to use it) because MAGIC, and sally forth into the pages!
BUT THEN, our heroine's sister dies (I think on page 13). They've been living together for four years as the only people they ever communicate with. And... her death has almost no effect on the heroine?? OKAY!
AND THEN, our fae hero sacrifices himself and approaches the heroine's home (she's the last witch on earth), and even though the heroine KNOWS that the fae want to capture the house's magic and kill her, SHE LETS HIM IN.
THEN they get to know each other, they practice using weapons and exploring the house and he looks for how he can steal her magic to fix the fae realms. I skimmed pretty much all of this, because I only wanted to see the big fight between the hero and the heroine when he admitted that he wanted her magic to fix the fae realms.
But the Big Relationship Fight wasn't what I had hoped it would be, either.
Let me know if you loved it and maybe I'll finish it... Someday.
May 2, 2021
I just finished this amazing book. All I can say is that everyone should read it. It's clever and twisted, creepy and beautiful. A heroine with a dark desire and a love of pain. An anti hero who is dark and twisted and complex. A story that warps every concept it touches and house that doesn't follow the rules. The love story, the story of survival, the pure poetry of this book makes my heart happy. I loved the dark aspects, I loved the Gothic moments the almost haunting moments and I really loved the cruel and twisted fae and how they came to be in this story. Steffanie Holmes has long been a favourite author of mine and everytime she blows me away I think its just a matter of time before everyone I'm the world notices how amazing her mind is, but THIS book is so perfect, I just don't see how she can top it!
August 17, 2021
DNF 73%
Picked this up for a book club. I liked the fae/witch premise well enough, but the world building was sparse.
There was one thing that bothered me and was not resolved: the Fae's use of the word "brownie" for the serf/slave characters. There was never any explanation for this or description of who these characters are in the fae realm. I kept on thinking the author would explain this, but I saw no signs she was ever going to circle back to this. It was extremely disappointing and I wish I had given up on the story earlier.
Picked this up for a book club. I liked the fae/witch premise well enough, but the world building was sparse.
There was one thing that bothered me and was not resolved: the Fae's use of the word "brownie" for the serf/slave characters. There was never any explanation for this or description of who these characters are in the fae realm. I kept on thinking the author would explain this, but I saw no signs she was ever going to circle back to this. It was extremely disappointing and I wish I had given up on the story earlier.
April 30, 2021
Wow, I mean seriously wow! I’m not sure what I was expecting when I started this book, but it by far shocked, amazed and enthralled me all at once! I could not put it down and found myself glued to the pages until the bitter end! Full of mystery, mayhem, pain and deception this book is absolutely brilliant and through all of that the stand out emotion in the end is LOVE! Not giving a my spoilers as honestly I couldn’t do it justice if I tired but I explore you all to go forth and read it straight away! It’s for sure on my list of reread books in times of not being able to find a book to hold my attention. Most definitely recommend it and urge you all to read it!
May 4, 2021
“He sang her name as he fell, like a priest succumbing to reverence, like a hymn that rose to the heavens to anoint some long-dead saint. And then he fell.”
I have never read something this unique. I went into it knowing very little about it. All I knew was that it was a dark fantasy romance. The cover sucked me in. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.
The back story, the way the house was interwoven with the characters and the world, just blew my mind. I honestly had no idea what was going to happen next. I couldn’t even make guesses as to where this book was heading.
The romance between the characters and the way sub-space was described was so, so good. I don’t feel like there’s a lot of explanation when there’s a dom/sub relationship but this book really connects you with how this works for them both. It was beautiful.
I highlighted A LOT in this book. There were so many quotes that stuck with me.
So grateful to have had this arc.
“His kiss was everything- it was summer days and wicked hot nights and beautiful, tragic life.”
I have never read something this unique. I went into it knowing very little about it. All I knew was that it was a dark fantasy romance. The cover sucked me in. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.
The back story, the way the house was interwoven with the characters and the world, just blew my mind. I honestly had no idea what was going to happen next. I couldn’t even make guesses as to where this book was heading.
The romance between the characters and the way sub-space was described was so, so good. I don’t feel like there’s a lot of explanation when there’s a dom/sub relationship but this book really connects you with how this works for them both. It was beautiful.
I highlighted A LOT in this book. There were so many quotes that stuck with me.
So grateful to have had this arc.
“His kiss was everything- it was summer days and wicked hot nights and beautiful, tragic life.”
May 9, 2021
I liked the premise but I really could not get into this story. It is not one of my usual genres but I thought Hey why not try something new. I went into this with an open mind, I really did try to get into the characters and the story. The writing was a bit jagged but it had a good flow to it. Would I recommend this story sure, it just was not for me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 8, 2021
This book is just as amazing as the rest of Stephanie's other works, she just has a way of bringing you fully into her stories as you read.
This book gave me some mild Romeo and Juliet vibes with the two characters supposing to be enemies but yet trying to fight the sparks of romance that are trying to form between them.
The house is like its own entity and does give you some really good moments throughout.
Honestly, this is one of my most loved books by this author and nearly knocked Nevermore of that most loved spot, but as I said nearly ..nothing can beat morrie though but this has taken second place very easily
This book gave me some mild Romeo and Juliet vibes with the two characters supposing to be enemies but yet trying to fight the sparks of romance that are trying to form between them.
The house is like its own entity and does give you some really good moments throughout.
Honestly, this is one of my most loved books by this author and nearly knocked Nevermore of that most loved spot, but as I said nearly ..nothing can beat morrie though but this has taken second place very easily
May 4, 2021
Bittersweet
Poison Malice Twisted is as the title says it is a story if a love that is so twisted with malice it is nothing but poisoned from the get go, 2 people destined to be enemies so entwined with love and growth that they are hard not to fall in love with.
Poison Malice Twisted is a Great love story from Steffanie one that although heavy is very easy to swollow
Poison Malice Twisted is as the title says it is a story if a love that is so twisted with malice it is nothing but poisoned from the get go, 2 people destined to be enemies so entwined with love and growth that they are hard not to fall in love with.
Poison Malice Twisted is a Great love story from Steffanie one that although heavy is very easy to swollow
May 14, 2021
Witch vs. Fae
This story has it all. It's so deep and has so many layers.
✔Enemies to lovers
✔Dark Gothic Romance
✔Good vs. Evil
✔Hot PNR steamy
Aisling a lonely witch with nothing left but her family's house, where she is trapped.
Niall a dark fae that wants nothing more but to steal the magic left in the house. That is until he meets the beautiful witch occupying it.
I first fell in love with Stephanie's writing when I picked up Miskatonic Prep. Her mind is so cleaver and it really shines through in her story telling.
Totally recommend this book to anyone into PNR / gothic steamy reads.
This story has it all. It's so deep and has so many layers.
✔Enemies to lovers
✔Dark Gothic Romance
✔Good vs. Evil
✔Hot PNR steamy
Aisling a lonely witch with nothing left but her family's house, where she is trapped.
Niall a dark fae that wants nothing more but to steal the magic left in the house. That is until he meets the beautiful witch occupying it.
I first fell in love with Stephanie's writing when I picked up Miskatonic Prep. Her mind is so cleaver and it really shines through in her story telling.
Totally recommend this book to anyone into PNR / gothic steamy reads.
April 28, 2025
what the....lol...
May 4, 2021
Enchanting....
I'm not sure there's another word to describe this book.
Aisling and Niall's love story is tragically beautiful. Almost Romeo and Juliet tragic.
"She is for loving, for tenderness. I can giver her only pain, only blood."
This book gripped me from the beginning, the world building sucked me right into the story, leaving me wanting more. I could really picture everything happening around both MC's.
I really connected with the characters through their pain, grief, and guilt.
Read this book! You wont be disappointed.
Thank you Talk Nerdy 2 Me PR and Steffanie Holmes for providing me an eARC in exchange for a review. This review is being left of my own will, all opinions are my own.
I'm not sure there's another word to describe this book.
Aisling and Niall's love story is tragically beautiful. Almost Romeo and Juliet tragic.
"She is for loving, for tenderness. I can giver her only pain, only blood."
This book gripped me from the beginning, the world building sucked me right into the story, leaving me wanting more. I could really picture everything happening around both MC's.
I really connected with the characters through their pain, grief, and guilt.
Read this book! You wont be disappointed.
Thank you Talk Nerdy 2 Me PR and Steffanie Holmes for providing me an eARC in exchange for a review. This review is being left of my own will, all opinions are my own.
February 21, 2024
Seriously disappointed with this read. The plot (to me) lacked substance. Each chapter felt like a broken record with little to nothing happening. Everything felt dragged out. Multiple chapters were boring.
The premise of the book was a good idea. Sadly, it was executed badly.
The premise of the book was a good idea. Sadly, it was executed badly.
July 1, 2021
Fun, dystopian love story! Widdershins is the best character by far! 🤩
May 8, 2021
Consent schmonsent: who needs it? Everyone.
Once upon a time in the not-so-distant past, BDSM was considered a psychopathological disorder related to sociopathy. In the modern era, EL James posited to readers that BDSM relationships do not require affirmative consent. This book brings the two perspectives together in a way that was disturbingly reminiscent of the criminological academic study of Ted Bundy’s or Ed Kemper’s crimes.
Although the part of the book that is about the magical house and the fracturing time-space continuum between the human realm and the fae realm is fascinating and well-written, the part where Aisling has no personal boundaries whatsoever regarding sexual encounters was a dealbreaker. Random violent assault is not a D/s relationship. Further, Niall’s specific fantasies about Aisling involved her no longer being alive by the end of the encounter, which, again, is not a D/s relationship.
While I have no doubt that the author plans on writing a 7-part series here, I couldn’t even make it to the end of this book.
Once upon a time in the not-so-distant past, BDSM was considered a psychopathological disorder related to sociopathy. In the modern era, EL James posited to readers that BDSM relationships do not require affirmative consent. This book brings the two perspectives together in a way that was disturbingly reminiscent of the criminological academic study of Ted Bundy’s or Ed Kemper’s crimes.
Although the part of the book that is about the magical house and the fracturing time-space continuum between the human realm and the fae realm is fascinating and well-written, the part where Aisling has no personal boundaries whatsoever regarding sexual encounters was a dealbreaker. Random violent assault is not a D/s relationship. Further, Niall’s specific fantasies about Aisling involved her no longer being alive by the end of the encounter, which, again, is not a D/s relationship.
While I have no doubt that the author plans on writing a 7-part series here, I couldn’t even make it to the end of this book.
May 6, 2021
This book. This book! Seriously, this book. You have to read this book right now. I barely have words to describe how amazing this story is. It’s absolutely perfect.
You know what it’s like when you read a really incredible book and you just feel euphoric and deeply satisfied. That’s this book.
A fated forbidden romance between mortal enemies, a witch and a dark fae. A house with magic and a mind of its own. Forbidden love trapped inside an impossible paradox. This book is full of steam, angst, betrayal, loyalty and love.
The only regret you’ll ever have about this book is that you didn’t read it sooner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
You know what it’s like when you read a really incredible book and you just feel euphoric and deeply satisfied. That’s this book.
A fated forbidden romance between mortal enemies, a witch and a dark fae. A house with magic and a mind of its own. Forbidden love trapped inside an impossible paradox. This book is full of steam, angst, betrayal, loyalty and love.
The only regret you’ll ever have about this book is that you didn’t read it sooner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 7, 2021
Ok, first off I read a prior iteration of this tale some time back. The story has been expanded and altered, but it is still essentially the same. The sexual aspect of the book has been heightened with the addition of some kink. The two main characters are also better defined.
Aisling is an untrained witch who lives in a strange house. Hollythorn House is caught on the edge of the fae and human worlds, and is being consumed by "the void". When we first meet Aisling she lives with her sister, but that doesn't last long and then she is alone in the house. If you can call it a house. Rooms appear and disappear, there is a permanent on-going storm in the back yard, and if that isn't bad enough, the void is taking over the dining room. There is also the cat who disappears and reappears with things that are not from the house or its environs.
Niall is a fae who has the ability to see the magic in a person or object. As this magic is very important to existence in the fae world, this is a big plus. Few fae know that he can do this. He has been trained as a warrior, a member of the Slaugh, and he uses his ability to help the ruling fae collect the energy stores that witches have cached in objects. He also occasionally steals one of the magical " batteries" for himself. Well, not exactly for himself. For his brother who is being held by another fae until a debt is paid. When Niall has a chance to save Eamon's life by swapping places with him and attempting to enter Hollythorn House he takes it, hoping to find a way to steal the house's magic and save the summer court of the Fae which is dying in an endless winter.
When Niall knocks on the front door of the witch's house, he doesn't expect to see the girl he has dreamed about since he was a child. He knows he has to get inside and meet her. Aisling can't believe her eyes when she sees the fae she has been dreaming about for years at her front door. She is even more astonished when the house actually lets him enter.
You will need to read the book to find out how these members of two species that hate each other, will get along when trapped together in the ever-changing Hollythorn House. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Aisling is an untrained witch who lives in a strange house. Hollythorn House is caught on the edge of the fae and human worlds, and is being consumed by "the void". When we first meet Aisling she lives with her sister, but that doesn't last long and then she is alone in the house. If you can call it a house. Rooms appear and disappear, there is a permanent on-going storm in the back yard, and if that isn't bad enough, the void is taking over the dining room. There is also the cat who disappears and reappears with things that are not from the house or its environs.
Niall is a fae who has the ability to see the magic in a person or object. As this magic is very important to existence in the fae world, this is a big plus. Few fae know that he can do this. He has been trained as a warrior, a member of the Slaugh, and he uses his ability to help the ruling fae collect the energy stores that witches have cached in objects. He also occasionally steals one of the magical " batteries" for himself. Well, not exactly for himself. For his brother who is being held by another fae until a debt is paid. When Niall has a chance to save Eamon's life by swapping places with him and attempting to enter Hollythorn House he takes it, hoping to find a way to steal the house's magic and save the summer court of the Fae which is dying in an endless winter.
When Niall knocks on the front door of the witch's house, he doesn't expect to see the girl he has dreamed about since he was a child. He knows he has to get inside and meet her. Aisling can't believe her eyes when she sees the fae she has been dreaming about for years at her front door. She is even more astonished when the house actually lets him enter.
You will need to read the book to find out how these members of two species that hate each other, will get along when trapped together in the ever-changing Hollythorn House. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 22, 2022
A witch stuck in a magical house alone for years suddenly finds her enemy and the man who has been haunting her dreams for as long as she can remember suddenly at her door. Aisling is the last witch left, she guards her family home that is the source of all their powers and the power that the fae are desperate to devour. She’s been trapped, alone, grieving the lost of her family... isolated and the void in the home is growing. Niall is tormented, cruel, and twisted... he is bloodthirsty and sadistic... yet he will do anything to free his brother. Niall has been dreaming of the same girl all his life, and when he decides to sacrifice himself in stead of his brother to the home that could kill him he finds that it is occupied by said dream girl and that the home hasn’t killed him but allowed him inside. Now he must find the source of the magic to protect the fae lands and his brother... but he finds that he does not want to betray the beautiful woman who lives her and who has consumed his every thought. Fighting between obligation and feelings, Niall will have to decide where his path lies and if it means betraying the one person who has chosen to love him. Aisling finally has the man of her dreams in her home, she is finally not alone but he is hiding secrets as well as the fact that he is emotionally stunted and runs at the first sign of feelings. His betrayals will run deep, and she’ll have to ask herself if she can forgive him and embrace his sadistic side as well. It also doesnt help that her powers are growing while the house is slowly beginning to crack... and that the fae will want to burn down her house and kill her. Trapped inside with the enemy who consumes their every thought, Aisling and Niall will hurt each other but ultimately find a love neither had expected.
December 15, 2021
i’m gonna keep it brief.
i honestly have no opinion about this book, i literally feel indifferent. i don’t go out my way to read 3rd person pov simply because i usually feel disconnected from the characters. i wish i could say i’m mad at the choices niall made, but i really don’t care. the way the book was set up was a weird mix of first and third person point of view. it was odd reading this just because i was kind of gliding through the words, not really grasping the information.
the plot was okay. is wasn’t really basic but it also wasn’t really unique. i wasn’t blown away by the characters decisions because it was just really average.
i don’t have an opinion on the characters because i don’t really know them. it was cool reading this book but i didn’t feel any well drafted emotional connection to niall or aisling. i also wanna say that niall was supposed to be this cold, calculated warrior, but he’s too impulsive to be calculated and precise.
overall this book is extremely average. it was definitely labeled incorrectly because this is NOT a dark romance. it felt more on the contemporary side with some kinky sex. quick read tho!
i honestly have no opinion about this book, i literally feel indifferent. i don’t go out my way to read 3rd person pov simply because i usually feel disconnected from the characters. i wish i could say i’m mad at the choices niall made, but i really don’t care. the way the book was set up was a weird mix of first and third person point of view. it was odd reading this just because i was kind of gliding through the words, not really grasping the information.
the plot was okay. is wasn’t really basic but it also wasn’t really unique. i wasn’t blown away by the characters decisions because it was just really average.
i don’t have an opinion on the characters because i don’t really know them. it was cool reading this book but i didn’t feel any well drafted emotional connection to niall or aisling. i also wanna say that niall was supposed to be this cold, calculated warrior, but he’s too impulsive to be calculated and precise.
overall this book is extremely average. it was definitely labeled incorrectly because this is NOT a dark romance. it felt more on the contemporary side with some kinky sex. quick read tho!
May 7, 2021
This book was not at all what I was expecting. It was an unexpected journey filled with twists and turns in every direction. I loved the idea of the book and most of the aspects of it. I do believe that some things get muddled and I found myself getting a bit confused and lost but I was always finding myself being brought back in with the explanations given. I wish that there was a more in depth explanation on the house and the fae. I felt like the book was very rushed and could have used a bit of a slow down in the middle to help explain some of what was going on. Poison Malice Twisted was enjoyable and OMG that ending came out of left field and I didn't expect it, although looking back I should have because there were obvious clues. With some fine tuning this story would be a 5 star. The author is on to something here and another book may be just what is needed...but who knows. All in all the book was fanciful, magical, thrilling, emotional and steamy!!!
July 9, 2021
This book is a proof that a story does not need to have a long list of characters and extremely complicated world building to be brilliant and keep the reader engaged reading just about one couple. Even though having potential triggers, the story is a thrilling reading experience spiced with violence and kink, yet maintaining deep emotional connection and strong love underneath the pain. Both Niall and Aisling are exquisite characters, complex and troubled, with their dreams, desires, passion, and flaws. Surprises meet the reader at every corner, sometimes literally - as the Hollythorn House seems to have a mind of its own, imbued with magic and taking care of its residents in its own twisted way. But the war between fae and witches is waiting just outside the door, together with eternal winter, and in the desperate time when there seems to be no escape, loving with complete abandon might be the only way how to keep sane and survive.
October 15, 2022
I was pleasantly surprised by this book!
Witch vs fae
So you know I was already vibing 😎
✅ haunted-ish house
✅ suuuuuper morally grey hero
✅ dom/sub sprinkles
✅ spiceeeee
✅ enemies to lovers
✅ pretty dark tbh CHECK CW/TW BEFORE PROCEEDING!
The book was a fun read, I went into it pretty blind and not really expecting much of anything. I enjoyed the book a lot! Niall was pretty dark and messed up tbh but we love our fictional men to be this way. 💃🏻
Aisling was interesting and I wish we had a bit more backstory on her. I loved the idea that her witch family’s magic fueled the house to keep her and her family safe from the void/Fae/bad things out there.
The twist at the end was super cool!! Though they were enemies to lovers, the Instalove was real. But that’s okay because I was vibing with the spicy time. 😂
Gothic/PNR story about witches, fae, and a haunted house. It was unique and I enjoyed the ride!
Witch vs fae
So you know I was already vibing 😎
✅ haunted-ish house
✅ suuuuuper morally grey hero
✅ dom/sub sprinkles
✅ spiceeeee
✅ enemies to lovers
✅ pretty dark tbh CHECK CW/TW BEFORE PROCEEDING!
The book was a fun read, I went into it pretty blind and not really expecting much of anything. I enjoyed the book a lot! Niall was pretty dark and messed up tbh but we love our fictional men to be this way. 💃🏻
Aisling was interesting and I wish we had a bit more backstory on her. I loved the idea that her witch family’s magic fueled the house to keep her and her family safe from the void/Fae/bad things out there.
The twist at the end was super cool!! Though they were enemies to lovers, the Instalove was real. But that’s okay because I was vibing with the spicy time. 😂
Gothic/PNR story about witches, fae, and a haunted house. It was unique and I enjoyed the ride!
May 1, 2021
3.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this story! I read it in one sitting! It was full of magic and action!
I loved the characters. Naill and Aisling were both very strong characters. There was a plot, but the real story was Naill and Aisling’s love story. How they found each other and how they fit together. The dual POV in this book helped not just with backstory but also to understand what each character was feeling. If I didn’t have Naill’s point of view, there’s a good chance I would not have liked him at all.
As much as I enjoyed the story, I would have liked a little more explanation of the work and a little more backstory. The ending seemed a little sudden, and I’m not sure if this is it or if there will be more. I would have just liked things to be wrapped up a little better.
Overall this was an entertaining read!
I really enjoyed this story! I read it in one sitting! It was full of magic and action!
I loved the characters. Naill and Aisling were both very strong characters. There was a plot, but the real story was Naill and Aisling’s love story. How they found each other and how they fit together. The dual POV in this book helped not just with backstory but also to understand what each character was feeling. If I didn’t have Naill’s point of view, there’s a good chance I would not have liked him at all.
As much as I enjoyed the story, I would have liked a little more explanation of the work and a little more backstory. The ending seemed a little sudden, and I’m not sure if this is it or if there will be more. I would have just liked things to be wrapped up a little better.
Overall this was an entertaining read!
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