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This Poison Heart
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
Darkness blooms in bestselling author Kalynn Bayron's new contemporary fantasy about a girl with a unique and deadly power. 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.
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Lizpixie
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Bk2 of May is done. I‘m really hoping this means my mojo is coming back, but I‘ve prob just jinxed it! The 1st in a YA duology by a BIPOC author, it features an LGBTQ+ & BIPOC cast in a mythology/magical retelling of the Medea story involving poison gardens & earth magic. I loved it so much I‘m already halfway through the sequel. #BookspinBingo #Doublespin #FourFoursIn23 #NoBuy2023Bingo #ReadingTheUSA #NewYork #Pantone2023 #ReadySetRead

LeeRHarry I loved this duology too 😊 2w
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 2w
5feet.of.fury I loved this one, such a great world 2w
Lauredhel Ooh, love that cover. It sounds great 2w
PuddleJumper 🎉🎉 2w
51 likes5 comments
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ThePageantHam
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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four stars across the board in april twenty three ✨️
none remarkable, but all good 👍🏻
and these color palettes go so well together 👀

onward to may, happy reading trails y'all 😎

11 likes1 stack add
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Cupcake12
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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A contemporary fantasy about a girl with a unique and deathly power. Briseis can grow plants from seeds and into beautiful blooms. This also includes deadly poisonous plants.
Briseis is left an estate by a relative. A place surrounded by plants, trees and so much more. A place where she can learn to control her gift. But Briseis comes across letters and keys that lead to dangerous places only she can enter. Can‘t wait to get hold of book 2!

TheAromaofBooks I've had this one on my shelf for quite some time and still haven't gotten to it! It looks so interesting, though! 3mo
Cupcake12 @TheAromaofBooks it really is sooooo good x 3mo
33 likes2 comments
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Cupcake12
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Just picked up my library hold and the librarian gave me a matching bookmark 📖
#librarybook #newbookmark

27 likes1 stack add
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sarahgreatlove
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Ooooo I loved this. I have a new favorite author. Loved the setting, big old crumbly house ooooo yes that‘s my jam. Lots of great references to myths and musicals. Adored it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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hissingpotatoes
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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5/5⭐ Take Strange Horticulture, put it in the framework of a Nancy Drew game, mix in a bunch of Greek mythology, & voila, you have this masterpiece.

I stayed up way too late reading this book, & once I finished I immediately started the sequel. I adore the world the author built & honestly kind of want to live in Rhinebeck. This book is perfect for those who love mystery, magic, mythology, apothecaries & plants, & old houses with secrets.

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living_for_literature
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
Pickpick

Wonderful diverse YA fantasy that is a retelling of Medea, which made me want to know more about the myth as well as more about plants. I can't wait to read the sequel

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Kenyazero
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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I liked this more than the last book I read by this #ColoradoLocal author (Cinderella is Dead)! I enjoyed Briseis's plant power, having adopted moms, and the overall feel of the story. In the last 10%, it did drop back into the overly dramatic and mostly unbelievable style that I disliked in her other book. This was recently featured in a #RainbowCrate, which is why I read it! #LGBTQ #PlantMagic

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Catsandbooks
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Debra thank you so much for the awesome #nightmaremakerswap box! The bookmarks are so cute and I can't wait to work on the cross stitch project with the tools you got me! I've been wanting this book for so long so I'm happy to have it! Thank you again! 🧡

Deblovestoread I‘m so glad you like everything. It was a fun box to put together and I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did 7mo
ShelleyBooksie Love the bookmarks! 7mo
LibrarianRyan Those bookmarks are awesome!! 7mo
5feet.of.fury Oooh I love that book! And the bookmarks are sooo cute 7mo
DanaManiac Oh I love that book! Enjoy 💜 7mo
49 likes5 comments
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LazyLimaLife
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Pickpick

Such a cliffhanger! On to book 2!

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ShyBookOwl
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Such a fun greek myth reimagining with magic, well-written black characters, and LGBTQ+ romances. Highly recommend!

#LetterT #alphabetgame @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

38 likes1 stack add
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Deblovestoread
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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I liked all of the books I finished this week. There was something about Miriam that kept me reading. I appreciate that she speaks her mind. TPH was a good YA fantasy. Thank you @DanaManiac for gifting it to me. Ghost was my #AuthorAMonth pic and also my July #Doublespin.

My goal for the upcoming week is to finish Night of the Living Deed & This Time Tomorrow and read The Invention of Wings & Olympus, Texas.

LeeRHarry I have just finished TPH and enjoyed it too 😊 10mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 10mo
Cinfhen I really liked 10mo
42 likes3 comments
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ShyBookOwl
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Completed my modest annual reading goal. June was a slow month but July has been one great read after another. Looking forward to keeping it going.
52nd book was a re-read of This Poison Heart. About to start the sequel (so excited!).

fredamans Congrats! 11mo
Deblovestoread Well done🙌🏼 11mo
Ruthiella Good job! 👏👏👏 11mo
ShyBookOwl @fredamans @Kdgordon88 @Ruthiella Thanks! I like a modest goal. Keeps me motivated by not anxious lol 11mo
Tera66 Yay! Awesome!👏👏👏 11mo
69 likes5 comments
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Blerdgal_Fenix
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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I am going to give this 4.5 stars because you have to read a second book. Lol the story was well done & the pieces came together. I could guess some but there were plot twist. Now I have to read the second book because there is so much more to know. This book weaves Greek myths & history together while giving a modern story. Add to your stack but make sure to add both. I am glad I waited till second book launched last month! 😉#woc #magic

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Blerdgal_Fenix
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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I take a book everywhere — lol I got to sit and rest my legs while everyone was buzzing around me. I had the best time. This was a sitting room for convention attendees. I enjoyed butter beer & reading. Can‘t read about magic without my wand.#Potterheads can you guess whose wand this is? #magic #fandays #readanywhere #poc #woc #magic

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Blerdgal_Fenix
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Saw this online and thought this was amazing look at the main characters from this book. I can‘t believe how twisty this book is the secrets that come about. If you like chills, suspense, magic, this is the book. I will shout out one of my favorite characters of this Book “Lou” - he was in for a short time & stole the show in his pages. I would read a series on him and his family 🔥#kitchenwitch #herbs #magic #mystery #woc

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Blerdgal_Fenix
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Welp this book has me by the throat!! I can‘t get away from the story. Unlike the previous book by this author of a reimagined fairy tale, this book is based off a story of a disciple of Hecate and how myth and truth are woven together to tell the stories of a time before internet. This magical story with real life reference and even more practical responses to magic is amazing. #poc #woc #magical #ny #plants #wlw #lgbtq #hecate #greece #legacy

BookwormAHN Sounds really good! 11mo
14 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Deblovestoread
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Dana, thank you so much for this great swap. You are right, This Poison Heart, sounds right up my alley and I think I‘m going to start it today. It sounds sooooo good! Love the chocolate (a fave), candle, bookmarks, pin and postcards. Just a wonderful box of goodies! Thank you.

DanaManiac Yay! I hope you enjoy everything. I can‘t wait to hear what you think about it! Also, the sequel just came out. Happy reading! 11mo
julieclair Love the “You Fell Asleep Here” bookmark. I need one of those!🤣😴 11mo
63 likes1 stack add2 comments
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AmandaBlaze
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Thank you, @BeaG, for the book and goodies!
#SpookySummer Swap

wisherwishinguponastar “This Poison Heart“ was a lovely book with a beautiful cover! I am super excited for the sequel that just came out as well. I hope you enjoy! 11mo
DanaManiac Such a good book! I hope you enjoy! 11mo
DanaManiac @booksellerofyourdiscontent I‘m so excited for the sequel as well!! 11mo
S3V3N You‘re welcome 11mo
25 likes4 comments
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Branwen
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Pride Month: Day Twenty One! 🌈

I couldn't decide between these two books for my video this week - so I talked about them both! 😆 Both are great contemporary stories; one a rom com, and the other a more serious look at relationships - but they're both FANTASTIC!

#pridemonth #queerbooks #lgbq

YA Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkDPpwnJNSM

Adult Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3DLOdocs7U&t=23s

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Branwen
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Pride Month: Day Twenty! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

The sequel to this book comes out tomorrow so it seemed like a great day to feature this book! Basically this story features a black queer girl with Poison Ivy like powers, a crumbly old gothic mansion, tons of cool plants, and a mystery! It was one of my favorite YA books from last year so I am SUPER EXCITED to read the next one! 💕📚

#pridemonth #queerbooks #lgbtq

5feet.of.fury I have the second on preorder, I‘m SO excited 12mo
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Branwen
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Pride Month: Day Four! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

I will never stop talking about this book! It was so so so good! Combine a mysterious manor house, Greek mythology, and a gay Black Poison Ivy, and you have a bit of an idea of what makes it so incredible!

#pridemonth #queerbooks #lgbtq

48 likes1 stack add
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lirahlu
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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OMG! Read this now. It's so good. I can't wait to read Part 2!
5 🌟

5feet.of.fury Yessss! Just finished this recently and I‘m so glad I don‘t have to wait too long for book 2! 13mo
Yuki_Onna @lirahlu
Hey! 😊 Will start shopping for #soss in the next days and I wonder: Do you prefer the jungle or the sea (or do you dislike one of them?) as design theme?
What is your fave landscape type/country to travel to?
13mo
lirahlu @Yuki_Onna I'm so excited for #soss! I love the sea AND the jungle. I'm very much a fan of all things green and love the water. Deserts and bleak landscapes make me so sad. I've always wanted to visit the a coastal town in the U.K. but I love rivers and lakes. Fun fact: my husband grew up in Germany! 13mo
Kar2b I loved this book, too, and have its sequel preordered. Did you read “Legendborn”? That‘s another top YA read of mine from last year. (And another sequel I have on preorder. LOL) 13mo
lirahlu @Kar2b I have not read "Legendborn" but will definitely add it to my TBR. 13mo
48 likes1 stack add5 comments
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5feet.of.fury
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Pickpick

A Greek myth influenced coming of age/embracing your gifts story with diversity and LGBTQ representation, relatable characters, magic, Poison Ivy powers, and mystery story elements. It all works.

a slow start, but still gave enough to hold my interest. Then things start coming together and it was addicting. Book 2 is out in June and I am READY.

(Pics from my garden, hopefully I have more bloomed by Book 2, I don‘t have Briseis‘s green thumb)

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5feet.of.fury
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Spring is spring-ing. Multiple books, multiple beverages.
🌸Happy Friday

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Zoe-h
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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So good!!! I was hooked from the first page even though the real plot didn‘t pick up for a while. I didn‘t even notice! How could l when the this is basically a fantasy version of The Inheritance Games? The one thing that did not grip me is the immortal love interest 1) because I feel like there wasn‘t enough of a build up and it was very sudden 2) because a 375 year old who looks like a 17 year old dating real 17 year old is creep as heck. 5🌟

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kera_11
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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I MEAN LOOK AT THIS COVER COME ON
Briseis in the simplest terms, can control and grow plants but is also immune to all poisons. and that‘s the powers she knows of. when her birth family leaves her a house and she starts to learn about their family and history with her moms in tow, there‘s connections to magic and greek mythology that she would never have seen coming. I‘m practically foaming at the mouth waiting for the second book to come out.

Liatrek I love this cover so much❤️❤️ can‘t wait to read the book! 1y
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staci.reads
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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This was a ton of fun! A young girl who has powers that allow her to make plants grow inherits a creepy, mysterious old house and begins to uncover the secrets of the town and her own heritage. It's clearly set up to be a series, and I will be looking forward to the next installment! Filled with magic and adventure!

Andrea313 Thanks for the review! This is on my TBR, and I can't wait to get to it! 1y
SW-T Think the next book is out in June! Excited to see what‘s next. 😁 1y
Marialou I absolutely adore this book and the author 1y
72 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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BookBelle84
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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I liked this but I didn't love it. I think after reading Cinderlla is Dead my expectations were slightly too high. Still an enjoyable read, Greek mythology, a poison garden and a creepy house with hidden rooms, what's not to like? And the moms in this book make the story. I am curious enough to finish the duology and I think this is a stunning cover! #popsugar #pop22 - a Sapphic book.

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Bookish_Gal
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Love how her books start off so basic and, half way through, go crazy: You‘re engaged, so let‘s ramp it up. Briseis is nicknamed “Black poison ivy” for a reason. She‘s amazing & confident. There‘s so much between her & the mystery girl & the nice boy. Suspicious of both thou. Buildup came slow, yet powerful. gale winds of whaattttt. Ending left me wild & questioning; glad sequel coming in June. She‘s amazing with those bombshells & #lgbtq rep.

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TiminCalifornia
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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I really enjoyed this #YAFantasy from #QueerBookBox. A real mystery and good page turner. The MC was likable and relatable I remember a stage where I was ‘between friends‘ as I developed different interests from my childhood friend group and hadn‘t made new connections yet. It‘s lonely. Also the hyper-awareness that your parents are struggling financially is stressful. Ending here was rushed but still a pick for me.

#bookspin for January.

Suet624 You just brought back a whole bunch of memories from my teen years. 😳 1y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! This one is on my TBR - I got it via OwlCrate last year!! 1y
44 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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SpeculativeFemale
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Last full read of 2021 did not disappoint!

This book and its wonderful characters had me so wrapped up today that I finished the entire thing in just over three hours. Definitely a good way to spend a chunk of my holiday vacation!

kplovesbooks Love this cover! 😍 1y
34 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Booknerd222
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Booknerd222
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Booknerd222
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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My #owlcrate edition

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Booknerd222
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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TheBookKeepers
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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@DanaManiac I finally finished! I thoroughly enjoyed this one, thank you for sharing it and giving me the extra time to finish it late ❤️ I‘ll mail it back to you tomorrow! Great round ladies!! @kellyann28 @Johanna414 #lmpbc

DanaManiac Oh yay! I‘m so glad you liked it. I can‘t wait to read everyone‘s comments ☺️ 2y
kellyann28 Excited for book 2 to come out 😍 2y
TheBookKeepers @kellyann28 me too!! I have questions needing answered 😂 2y
See All 7 Comments
DanaManiac The book came and I loved reading everyone‘s comments! I kept laughing and yelling “I know, right?!” 🤣🤣 @Johanna414 @kellyann28 2y
kellyann28 @DanaManiac 😂😂 This was a fun one to write on! 2y
Johanna414 @DanaManiac This one was so fun! 2y
TheBookKeepers Hahaha it was great! All the books this round really were! @DanaManiac glad it made it back to you ! Happy holidays (edited) 2y
62 likes1 stack add7 comments
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kissmehardy
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Pickpick

BUCKLE UP WHEN ENTERING THIS ONE, KIDS. You may think you know what's coming, but you certainly won't call everything. #yafantasy

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JenniferEgnor
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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If you like plants, (especially poisonous), Greek mythology, the occult, witchcraft—this book is for you. I loved it and I couldn‘t put it down! As Briseis is called in the book by another character, you can think of her as the Black Poison Ivy—and she‘s amazing. This book reminded me of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane, but this book was so much better. If only I had this power! I also loved all the queer characters! 🌱🌑🍄🐺 🇬🇷

Linsy That sounds amazing! 2y
JenniferEgnor @Linsy a sequel is coming! I loved this book so much. 2y
Chrissyreadit I agree it sounds amazing! 2y
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KelsiTaylor
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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IF I START ONE MORE BOOK THAT I THINK IS A STANDALONE BUT IS ACTUALLY AN UNFINISHED DUOLOGY, I‘M GOING TO LOSE MY SHIT!!!! This book is absolutely top tier, so many twists, amazing characters, and the coolest magical powers of all time🥀

kera_11 Remind me to read this after the second book drops 2y
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wisherwishinguponastar
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Pickpick

I initially bought this book because of the author‘s first name (I love to support all Kalynn‘s- no matter the spelling). I am so glad I grabbed this because Bri‘s story of finding out about herself and her amazing powers was a lovely escape. It was your standard teen read, but with likable and capable parents, a teenager who learns and grows and talks about her problems, and magic!!!!

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ozma.of.oz
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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A picture is worth 1000 words.

1. Yeah, it‘s the 1st thing to draw my eye, & if it doesn‘t make me stop to really look, I usually won‘t look past that.
2. Honestly? The less direct info about a story I can get from the cover art, the better. Also, 👎🏻👎🏻 movie tie in covers.
3. The artwork for this book is gorgeous & I need it.

#SundayFunday Have a great day and don‘t forget to tag me!

HiMyNames_Alyssa Yes! Ninth House was very intriguing cover art for me! I also adore the Cape Cod Murder Mysteries cover art 🥰 2y
51 likes1 comment
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TheBookKeepers
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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kellyann28 Enjoy! 🎉 2y
56 likes1 comment
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Sharpeipup
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Thanks @RamsFan1963 for the tag!
1. Tagged
2. Blackberry
3. Isn‘t it Bromantic?
4. Positive feelings lately
#wondrouswednesday @Eggs

Eggs 🙏🏻 📚👏🏻 2y
19 likes1 comment
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kellyann28
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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I enjoyed this one! Definitely a unique and original story for me. Now I want to read more mythology books!
#LMPBC @DanaManiac @Johanna414 @TheBookKeepers

Johanna414 Great picture! 2y
DanaManiac Love this pic! And I‘m glad you liked it! 2y
Moonprismpower Yeah great pic! The frame around the book really centers my focus. I‘ve got this on my TBR too. 2y
TheBookKeepers 🤩 so excited for this one! 2y
kellyann28 @Johanna414 @DanaManiac @Moonprismpower Thank you for the picture love ❤ 2y
35 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Emily92Bibliophile
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Notice the bookmark- I picked it at random at the library I work at, not knowing the Greek mythology roots within this story. Very fitting!🪴🏺🩸

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Emily92Bibliophile
This Poison Heart | Kalynn Bayron
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Pickpick

🪴 The weaving of Greek Mythology, Gothic Elements, and poisonous plants formed into a magical story of Black Girl Magic. I honestly had no idea what I was getting into when I started this, and had few expectations- all I knew was that librarians raved about this book, and it took BookTok by storm… I just had to read it and I am so glad I did! 📚read the rest of my REVIEW at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3999250193