This poison heart (This Poison Heart) Author: Bayron, Kalynn | ||
Price: $9.83 |
Summary:
Teenaged Briseis, who possesses a supernatural power over plants, even poisonous ones, inherits a dilapidated estate in rural New York and must protect herself and her family from centuries-old secrets that threaten their lives.
Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: UG Reading Level: 4.80 Points: 14.0 Quiz: 518515 |
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 06/01/2021 *Starred Review* Briseis has a supernatural gift. Whatever seed or plant she touches grows into full bloom, and she's immune to the various poisons plants hold. But Briseis hasn’t yet mastered her skill, often leaving her and those around her in precarious situations. So when Bri’s family gets a call saying that her birth mother’s sister has left her a home in upstate New York, they take it as a much needed break from the stressors of city life. What at first seems like a fairytale opportunity for Briseis to make friends, find love, and reopen her birth-family’s apothecary soon becomes a mindboggling quest for answers as she grapples with realizations about her lineage and gift. The lush landscapes Bayron paints remind readers of beauty found not only in large acreages of land but even in bustling cities. Beyond the physical beauty it imparts, the greenery of this novel also creates an intimate space that delicately holds the weight of the issues Briseis grapples with, such as friendship, queerness, adoption, secrecy, and gentrification. Despite Briseis’ struggles, it is refreshing to see the love and support of her moms throughout the story, breaking the mold of the traditional family model. 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. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.