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cecetomas's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I am completely enamored with this book. First off, I think the Author's Note in the very beginning is essential to really understand the Savannah's perspective and the environment she's been raised in. There is also a glossary in the back to help if you're not familiar with Afrikaans.
I think that in the fantasy realm, there is no shortage of books that revolve around a MC's "curse" and trying to undo or solve that curse before it undoes them. This book however stands out in the way that Savannah's curse is steeped in generational trauma and folklore and the perfect avenue to explore her feminine rage in a world that has put her and her ancestors down countless times. The way that she goes about learning about her rage, and using her intuition to evolve and shape her role in this curse impressed me at every turn. There were a few twists and turns that I found a little predictable, but it had no hinderance on my enjoyment or the impact of the book.
I think this is one of the few books that I have read that I have deemed an essential read, especially for anyone who struggles with or wants to understand generational feminine rage.
I think that in the fantasy realm, there is no shortage of books that revolve around a MC's "curse" and trying to undo or solve that curse before it undoes them. This book however stands out in the way that Savannah's curse is steeped in generational trauma and folklore and the perfect avenue to explore her feminine rage in a world that has put her and her ancestors down countless times. The way that she goes about learning about her rage, and using her intuition to evolve and shape her role in this curse impressed me at every turn. There were a few twists and turns that I found a little predictable, but it had no hinderance on my enjoyment or the impact of the book.
I think this is one of the few books that I have read that I have deemed an essential read, especially for anyone who struggles with or wants to understand generational feminine rage.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Colonisation, Grief, Racism, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Sexual harassment
nomonbooks's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a YA fantasy romance and I appreciate the romance taking a backseat to the story. I'm really glad I read this but I don't think it will stay with me forever. I loved reading this story set in South Africa about a coloured (preferred term in SA and noted at the start of the book) young woman who holds so much anger. The first opening scenes where a guy shouts at her from his car and she grabs a bat and smashes in the hood makes the whole book worth a read. I love the embrace of anger and the illustrated necessity of having that anger as a weapon, especially as a woman.
I thought the dream sequences were really well done and solidly interwoven into the plot.
I do feel like there were too many moving parts at times and the focus wasn't enough on the main thrust of the story. A lot of things happened and some of them I was kind of drifting as to why I was there. There were some bad decisions made by the characters given the stakes and some moments that I didn't quite understand their reasoning when more sensible decisions were definitely available.
Overall I enjoyed this and would reccomend.
I thought the dream sequences were really well done and solidly interwoven into the plot.
I do feel like there were too many moving parts at times and the focus wasn't enough on the main thrust of the story. A lot of things happened and some of them I was kind of drifting as to why I was there. There were some bad decisions made by the characters given the stakes and some moments that I didn't quite understand their reasoning when more sensible decisions were definitely available.
Overall I enjoyed this and would reccomend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Body horror, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Self harm, and Injury/Injury detail
grrrlbrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I’m really struggling with slug brain at the moment, but this book is INCREDIBLE, I loved it so much! Anger, blood magic, curses, intergenerational trauma - just such a good read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Genocide
thalia_r's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Watson's use of anger in this book is great. She really gets across the build up of rage Savannah feels from the injustices she's faced in her life, mostly due to racist and sexist attitudes. It was also great for me to read a story from a South African author, it's a perspective I haven't read before. I also enjoyed the magic in this world. The curse and it's origins was something I don't feel like we often see and I liked the nuance that was involved in the magic system as the story progressed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
cereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Domestic abuse, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual content, Racism, Stalking, and Confinement
mjscooke's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received an advanced reading copy of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and...
There is so much to love about Blood to Poison by Mary Watson. The novel is a fantastical take on come of age and coming to terms with your emotions. Savannah has all the typical teenage drama with the added weight of the familial curse. Throughout the novel she learns more about her curse, her family, and herself in deeply engaging well-paced story that at its heart is a tale of generational trauma that addresses tough issues through the lens of magic and mystery. I'd highly recommend this any fan of YA fantasy particularly those looking for novels without an Afrocentric view. And while you can't judge a book by it's cover... I'd buy this just to have the artwork on my self as it is stunning!
There is so much to love about Blood to Poison by Mary Watson. The novel is a fantastical take on come of age and coming to terms with your emotions. Savannah has all the typical teenage drama with the added weight of the familial curse. Throughout the novel she learns more about her curse, her family, and herself in deeply engaging well-paced story that at its heart is a tale of generational trauma that addresses tough issues through the lens of magic and mystery. I'd highly recommend this any fan of YA fantasy particularly those looking for novels without an Afrocentric view. And while you can't judge a book by it's cover... I'd buy this just to have the artwork on my self as it is stunning!
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Death, and Sexual harassment
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