Kalynn Bayron

How much would you risk to save the ones you love? Would you tempt even the most dangerous fate?

Briseis has one chance to save her mother, but she'll need to do the impossible: find the last fragment of the deadly Absyrtus Heart. If she is to locate the missing piece, she must turn to the blood relatives she's never known, learn about their secret powers, and take her place in their ancient lineage. Briseis is not the only one who wants the Heart, and her enemies will stop at nothing to fulfill their own ruthless plans. The fates tell of a truly dangerous journey, one that could end in more heartache, more death. Bolstered by the sisterhood of ancient magic, can Briseis harness her power to save the people she loves most?

This Poison Heart #2

This Wicked Fate

We had this one precious life and what we did with it was entirely up to us. I wanted to use it to live and be loved in return.

We would be mortal and fragile together and there way something beautiful about that.

It was the reality I never knew I wanted, but that Mom and Mo had somehow been able to prepare me for, a blending of the past, the present, and the future. Not a choice between any of them but the combined joys and sorrows of each in their own way. I was the seed set in the soil, nurtured by the love of my family, and allowed to grow, to stretch, to reach for the sun.

There is no way author did not reference Tangled

Mo caught me up and pulled me between them. As they clung to me, I caught a glimpse of Circe. She hung back, dabbing at her eyes. I stuck my hand out and motioned for her to join us. She hesitated, and then Mom and Mo both reached for her, bringing her in close.

“How far are you willing to go for the people you love, Briseis?” She smiled warmly. I was completely lost. “You’ve crossed an ocean,” she continued. “You’ve braved the sea and this wild island, and now you’re here, to save your mom. Gods, what a remarkable person you are. To be loved by a person like you is the most any of us could ever hope for. I would go to the ends of the earth to make sure the people I care about most could be free from their burdens, from their fears. Let me do this for you and for Circe and for those who may come after. Let me do my part to unburden you.”

"You've been around forever, you're sad about it. Got it. Completely understandable. Have you tried therapy in the last couple hundred years? It might help."

He took three lumbering steps, and suddenly a sinking feeling, falling. No.

"You think we actually have a chance?" I asked.

"I do," she said. "I really do. But no matter what, I'd walk through whatever fire lies ahead for a chance to make you happy."

"We're gonna get you some anger management, boo" she called over her shoulder. "I'll pay for it."

"I should fold you in half and put you in a suitcase. Then I should take the suitcase and run it over with my car."

The gesture hit me right in the chest. Something so simple as offering to feed someone who was grieving.

"How is it that some of us have no time left and others have more than anyone could ever truly need?"

"He did what now? That's definitely not in the Disney version."

The weight of this grief held me to the bed, made it hard to breathe. I thought if I didn't get up I might lie there forever.

Would you tempt even the most dangerous fate to save the ones you love?

Briseis has one chance to save her mother, but she'll need to do the impossible: find the last fragment of the deadly Absyrtus Heart. To locate the missing piece, she must turn to the blood relatives she's never known, learn about their secret powers, and take her place in their ancient lineage.
But Briseis is not the only one who wants the Heart, and her enemies will stop at nothing to fulfill their own ruthless plans. The fates tell of a truly dangerous journey, one that could end in more heartache, more death. Strengthened by the sisterhood of ancient magic, can Briseis harness her power to save the people she loves most?
Bestselling author Kalynn Bayron continues the story of Briseis and her family's unique magic in the sequel to This Poison Heart.

This Poison Heart #2

Eilidh 

We weren't sailors or pirates. We were two people with the ability to control plants and an immunity to poison and two immortals, one of whom was my girlfriend. There was a lot of strange and wonderful power between the four of us, but I still wasn't confident it would be enough.

Sassy New Yorkers disrespecting Greek gods is exactly the Percy Jackson vibes I needed 

Minnie Mazuera

"You don't have anybody in your life that you love, do you?” I asked. 

 I faced Hermes. Fear settled in the pit of my stomach, but I had something to say and this man-this god whatever he was-was not going to stop me. 

Janice

Just like the first book in this duology, this story was well-written, interesting to read and not all that complicated. I really enjoyed reading it.

Even though I struggled to remember certain characters from the first book (which I read 6 months ago) I still enjoyed this book. It hit hard.

3.75/5

Even though I struggled to remember certain characters from the first book (which I read 6 months ago) I still enjoyed this book. It hit hard.

I read This Poison Heart recently, and after that ending, I knew I needed to pick this up ASAP. Like the first book, I was instantly swept up in the story and devoured it in one sitting. I love the magical system and seeing Briseis' power develop even more. She became so confident in her abilities, and it was satisfying to see her blossom (pun intended.) I also liked the quest element. It added so much adventure to the plot. I thought it took too long to kick off, but when it did, it was entertaining. The only thing that didn't work for me was the romance. It felt very surface-level. I'm not sure if maybe it's because I'm not the biggest fan of Marie, but I didn't feel the connection between her and Briseis. Other than that, I enjoyed this series and would recommend it if you like stories inspired by Greek mythology.

Heather Harrington

When I started this series, this is most definitely not where I thought it would end up. I was not going into this set thinking - hey I’d love to read some mythology-inspired fantasy. But here we are. 

That being said, I enjoyed the doses of mythology history amidst the magic and the story. I like how different gods were woven into every day life - at jobs that perfectly fit their persons. This felt much more plot than character focused compared to the previous book. There were things I was expecting and still a number of other things that I wasn’t, so i would say this was an overall engaging book. Reminded me a bit of Lore and a bit of Percy Jackson!

Tace

When I started this series, this is most definitely not where I thought it would end up. I was not going into this set thinking - hey I’d love to read some mythology-inspired fantasy. But here we are. 

That being said, I enjoyed the doses of mythology history amidst the magic and the story. I like how different gods were woven into every day life - at jobs that perfectly fit their persons. This felt much more plot than character focused compared to the previous book. There were things I was expecting and still a number of other things that I wasn’t, so i would say this was an overall engaging book. Reminded me a bit of Lore and a bit of Percy Jackson!

✓ Gods and magic
✓ Diverse cast 
✓ Hero’s Journey

2,5 - I love Greek mythology or any mythology at that. At the end of This Poison Heart, I was hesitant about reading the second book bcs I was afraid that the whole book would just focus on Bri getting the remaining pieces of the Heart, but I wanted to know how this duology ended. Sad to say I was right. The pacing went from slow to fast out of nowhere. Apart from that, I love how close-knit Bri is with her moms and her "new" family. One thing about Kalynn Bayron is that she knows how to evoke emotion through her writing

Joy KBA

Yora

WOWWW dit was echt een vet leuk boek! De magische wereld was super vernieuwend, echt vet leuk om over te lezen. Ook vond ik de family banter cute, dat is wel eens fijn na al die fantasy boeken waar de ouders of dood of mentaal gestoord zijn. En de Griekse mythologie erin vond ik een leuke toevoeging

This book continues the story of the first and includes a lot of interesting ideas abt love, family, fate and friendship as well as mercy

This Wicked Fate This Poison Heart #2

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