Deadly Poisons and Deadlier Secrets

Briseis is a girl with a gift that at times seems more like a curse. Though her ability to take a plant from seed to full flower with a single touch is a boon for her mothers’ florist shop, the way that every plant Briseis passes tries to uproot itself just to get close to her makes it hard to be out in public. And her abilities frighten those close to her, making friends hard to hold on to. So how, when even her mothers seem nervous about her powers, can Briseis ever explain the other part of her gift? The dark and fascinating ability she can’t help but explore: her strange affinity for and immunity to even the most deadly of poisonous plants.

When a woman claiming to be her Aunt dies and Briseis is suddenly willed the woman’s massive estate in rural New York, it seems too good to be true. Not only will it solve the financial problems plaguing her family, the vast fields and woods around the estate will finally give Briseis a chance to stretch her powers. And maybe even find out how she came by her extraordinary gift. But this unexpected gift comes with dangerous strings attached.

I was never able to predict this book, not for one second. Bayron kept me on my toes the whole time and yet I never felt that as a reader I was being thrown twists just for the sake of unpredictability. Every inch of This Poison Heart’s intricate plot is immaculately laid out; all the pieces to the puzzle there just waiting for Briseis (and the reader) to unlock the secret of who she is and where she comes from. Thank the book gods, however, that the sequel comes out later this year, because that ending had me stressed out. If you’re someone who doesn’t like being left hanging, book two, This Wicked Fate, will be out in June, so you might want to wait and read them both at the same time.

Me, I’ll just re-read and cry my same tears.

I loved Bayron’s inclusion of Greek mythology in her world building. I should have expected it, given Briseis first name and the eventual reveal of her biological family’s surname, but it still took me pleasantly by surprise that it became such a large part of the plot. And though it shouldn’t need pointing out, I also want to express my appreciation for how casually queer This Poison Heart was. Briseis’ two mothers – Thandie and Angie – are amazing. Aside from being the epitome of marriage goals, they’re also a prominent part of Briseis’ journey. A journey which includes Briseis falling for the mysterious Marie – who knows more than she admits about Briseis’ biological family and their secrets – without her sexuality itself having to be part of the plot. She likes Marie, and that’s just a fact. Queer people just are, without anyone having to have a coming out character arc. It’s nice, and frankly Briseis has enough to deal with as it is, what with a dangerous group of unknowns determined to use her in their hunt for a fabled elixir of immortality.

Whether you’re a poisonous plant nerd, a fan of Greek mythology, a lover of cozy apothecary horror (the cozy is more early on, before things get seriously creepy), or looking for more queer fantasy horror by Black women to add to your reading list, I cannot recommend This Poison Heart enough. It’s thrilling, funny, heartfelt, dark, and beautiful.