Briseis has a gift: she can grow plants from tiny seeds to rich blooms with a single touch.
When Briseis's aunt dies and wills her a dilapidated estate in rural New York, Bri and her parents decide to leave Brooklyn behind for the summer. Hopefully there, surrounded by plants and flowers, Bri will finally learn to control her gift. But their new home is sinister in ways they could never have imagined--it comes with a specific set of instructions, an old-school apothecary, and a walled garden filled with the deadliest botanicals in the world that can only be entered by those who share Bri's unique family lineage.
When strangers begin to arrive on their doorstep, asking for tinctures and elixirs, Bri learns she has a surprising talent for creating them. One of the visitors is Marie, a mysterious young woman who Bri befriends, only to find that Marie is keeping dark secrets about the history of the estate and its surrounding community. There is more to Bri's sudden inheritance than she could have imagined, and she is determined to uncover it . . . until a nefarious group comes after her in search of a rare and dangerous immortality elixir. Up against a centuries-old curse and the deadliest plant on earth, Bri must harness her gift to protect herself and her family.
From the bestselling author of Cinderella Is Dead comes another inspiring and deeply compelling story about a young woman with the power to conquer the dark forces descending around her.
Goodreads | Amazon
Rating: 4 Stars
My Review: Although this author has blocked this site. I still enjoy her stories. This one was just as good as Cinderella is Dead. I loved the pacing and characters. The tale was thrilling and stunning and I could not stop reading.
About the Author
Review
“A verdant read as rich as the greenery within it, This Poison Heart will wrap its vines around you and never let go.” - Kayla Ancrum, author of THE WICKER KING
“Bayron takes an old story, turns it on its head, and makes it her own with a stunning display of pacing, character, and legacy.” - #1 New York Times bestselling author E.K. Johnston
“Thrilling and magnetic, This Poison Heart pulses with true Black girl magic and endless mystery.” - Julian Winters, award-winning author of RUNNING WITH LIONS
“Kalynn Bayron does more than re-write a fairy-tale . . . She breaks it apart and rebuilds it into a wholly original and captivating story where girls finally decide for themselves who lives happily ever after.” - Brigid Kemmerer, New York Times bestselling author of A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY, on CINDERELLA IS DEAD
“Bayron weaves science and Greek mythology into a captivating lore that lends weight to this fantastical contemporary story. She conjures entertaining and realistic dialogue and attentive characterization, while incisive descriptions and sumptuous prose evoke a wonderfully gothic atmosphere.” - Publishers Weekly, starred review
“This Poison Heart masterfully weaves a unique story grounded in the depths of Greek mythology and Black girlhood, ideal for lovers of folklore or those who enjoy the thrill of a well-paced and unanticipated adventure.” - Booklist, starred review
“Bayron strikes just the right balance of mystical and modern, bringing elements of mythology and spirituality to Bri’s family roots while situating her securely in a relatable adolescence.” - The Bulletin of the Center of Children's Books
“Bayron conjures a world filled with magic and mystery. Brings much-needed inclusivity and contemporary flavor to the teen fantasy genre.” - Kirkus Reviews
"I’m a big fan of tropes and love seeing how marginalized authors take them in new and interesting directions, something Bayron does very well here, and a big part of that is due to how well-developed her characters are. . . . . It’s a fast-paced mystery with a clever twist on the myth of Medea. The story is full of queer Black girl magic, and I can’t wait to see where Kalynn Bayron takes it." -Locus Magazine
“The twists and turns of this fantasy tale will keep readers engaged . . . . Readers will be inspired.” - School Library Connection
“Flipping the Cinderella tale on its head, Bayron’s take challenges patriarchy with kick-butt heroines and a counter-story that will forever change how readers perceive fairy tales.” - Booklist, starred review, on CINDERELLA IS DEAD
“Readers looking for dystopia, queer romance, LGBTQ inclusiveness, and women sticking it to the patriarchy will be pleased.” - SLJ on CINDERELLA IS DEAD
“A queer dystopian fantasy that questions written history and societal expectations.” - Shelf Awareness on CINDERELLA IS DEAD
“Bayron’s deconstructive reimagining of the classic fairy tale is ambitious, replacing the happily-ever-after with a tragic legacy and a defiant, feminist tone.” - Publishers Weekly on CINDERELLA IS DEAD
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