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sumayyaha's review
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I absolutely love the characters, especially Esmond and Lilet. I also really like Isaveth and Mander. The amount of suspense was exquisite. I loved how the mystery unfolded, a little sad for Lady Nessa though (about the sage lord's death). I also really loved how Esmond and Isaveth are together. I will definitely read more books by R.J Anderson and so should you.
cimorene1558's review
2.0
Started it, and just wasn't feeling it enough to finish. I'm in a funny reading mood lately.
brandypainter's review
5.0
Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
R.J. Anderson is an auto-buy author for me (and also a friend), but her Uncommon Magic books may be absolute favorite. A Little Taste of Poison is the follow-up to last year's A Pocket Full of Murder. It is the perfect follow-up and surpassed all the expectations I had.
Isaveth has an amazing opportunity to attend Tarreton College on a scholarship and be trained in Sage Magic. This is not something any commoner, never mind a Moshite, has ever done. Isaveth grasps the opportunity though she know it will be difficult. Yet it would also give Isaveth a chance to see Esmond again. They have not seen each other since freeing her father from the false murder charges against him. Both Isaveth and Esmond are eager to have the true mastermind of the crime brought to justice, but he is always two steps ahead of them.
It's always hard to write reviews to sequels without any spoilers of the first book. I attempt it as much as possible but can never avoid it altogether. If you haven't read A Pocket Full of Murder, read that first and then come back here.
Isaveth and Esmond are such an incredible team and magnificent characters. Both of them are developed more in this story. In A Pocket Full of Murder Esmond was in Isaveth's world for the most part, and this time that is switched around. We also see Esmond's family more. This switch works incredibly well and, taken with the first book, it rounds both of their characters out incredibly well. As a result of the revelations of book one, Isaveth and Esmond also have to renegotiate how they react to and deal with each other. They still can not spend time together openly which makes things challenging. Isaveth feels awkward as the Esmond she sees in public is so very different from the boy she came to know and care for in his disguise as Quiz. Another change in this book is that we see Esmond's family interactions and theses are fascinating and insightful as well as a minefield of intrigue and smart people trying to outsmart each other. It's brilliant.
There are several familiar secondary characters who return and it feels like seeing old friends. I particularly enjoyed seeing Isaveth's sisters again. Several new characters are introduced as well. Isaveth has new enemies waiting for her when she arrives at school, but she makes new friends too including Eulalie, the vivacious daughter of an important law enforcement official. Isaveth and Esmond had to do so much alone in the first book, it is wonderful to see them have more people they can rely on. It enriches both of their characters so much. Seeing what this brings out in Esmond, who is not used to being able to rely on anyone else, is great. I can't tell you who my favorite secondary character is because of spoilers but know you're in for a treat!
The mystery in this book is even better than the first one. (And that's saying a lot.) The book is impossible to put down and fast paced. There are so many twists and turns and surprises, each one of them more delightful than the last. And it continues that way to the very last page. I was squealing with delight and happiness at the end of the story and then nearly fell off the couch after reading the Epilogue.
Read the book. Read both the books. You'll thank me.
R.J. Anderson is an auto-buy author for me (and also a friend), but her Uncommon Magic books may be absolute favorite. A Little Taste of Poison is the follow-up to last year's A Pocket Full of Murder. It is the perfect follow-up and surpassed all the expectations I had.
Isaveth has an amazing opportunity to attend Tarreton College on a scholarship and be trained in Sage Magic. This is not something any commoner, never mind a Moshite, has ever done. Isaveth grasps the opportunity though she know it will be difficult. Yet it would also give Isaveth a chance to see Esmond again. They have not seen each other since freeing her father from the false murder charges against him. Both Isaveth and Esmond are eager to have the true mastermind of the crime brought to justice, but he is always two steps ahead of them.
It's always hard to write reviews to sequels without any spoilers of the first book. I attempt it as much as possible but can never avoid it altogether. If you haven't read A Pocket Full of Murder, read that first and then come back here.
Isaveth and Esmond are such an incredible team and magnificent characters. Both of them are developed more in this story. In A Pocket Full of Murder Esmond was in Isaveth's world for the most part, and this time that is switched around. We also see Esmond's family more. This switch works incredibly well and, taken with the first book, it rounds both of their characters out incredibly well. As a result of the revelations of book one, Isaveth and Esmond also have to renegotiate how they react to and deal with each other. They still can not spend time together openly which makes things challenging. Isaveth feels awkward as the Esmond she sees in public is so very different from the boy she came to know and care for in his disguise as Quiz. Another change in this book is that we see Esmond's family interactions and theses are fascinating and insightful as well as a minefield of intrigue and smart people trying to outsmart each other. It's brilliant.
There are several familiar secondary characters who return and it feels like seeing old friends. I particularly enjoyed seeing Isaveth's sisters again. Several new characters are introduced as well. Isaveth has new enemies waiting for her when she arrives at school, but she makes new friends too including Eulalie, the vivacious daughter of an important law enforcement official. Isaveth and Esmond had to do so much alone in the first book, it is wonderful to see them have more people they can rely on. It enriches both of their characters so much. Seeing what this brings out in Esmond, who is not used to being able to rely on anyone else, is great. I can't tell you who my favorite secondary character is because of spoilers but know you're in for a treat!
The mystery in this book is even better than the first one. (And that's saying a lot.) The book is impossible to put down and fast paced. There are so many twists and turns and surprises, each one of them more delightful than the last. And it continues that way to the very last page. I was squealing with delight and happiness at the end of the story and then nearly fell off the couch after reading the Epilogue.
Read the book. Read both the books. You'll thank me.
jameyanne's review
4.0
On the whole I really liked this book. It really brought together a lot of elements from the first book to be a great fantasy adventure involving school bullies, complicated family dynamics, a lot of sneaking, a masked ball, some great friendship, and of course murder. I got a little confused about how much time was passing, though, and I have to say that if there isn’t a third book after that epilogue I’m going to be really disappointed because that epilogue is just not how you end a series.
smaugerella's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
The only problem I have with this series is that there are only two books in it
thechristined's review
5.0
I loved this sequel just as much as its predecessor; it was the perfect continuation of Isaveth and Quiz's story!
juicelina's review
4.0
*More of a 3.5*
I didn't quite like this one as much as I liked the first one, but it was still entertaining. I loved being back with Isaveth and Quiz/Esmond. (Although, there was way less Quiz than I would've liked) The mystery was just as complex, but it felt messier. Everything wrapped up in the end, but idk it just seemed messy. It seemed a bit rushed and slightly convenient. Either way this was still a pretty good conclusion. I definitely was not expecting that plot twist from the epilogue. I enjoyed R.J. Anderson's writing and I love Isaveth and Quiz with all my heart. This is an underrated middle grade that needs more love.
I didn't quite like this one as much as I liked the first one, but it was still entertaining. I loved being back with Isaveth and Quiz/Esmond. (Although, there was way less Quiz than I would've liked) The mystery was just as complex, but it felt messier. Everything wrapped up in the end, but idk it just seemed messy. It seemed a bit rushed and slightly convenient. Either way this was still a pretty good conclusion. I definitely was not expecting that plot twist from the epilogue. I enjoyed R.J. Anderson's writing and I love Isaveth and Quiz with all my heart. This is an underrated middle grade that needs more love.
snazel's review
5.0
This is such a good Middle Grade series.
Excellent, complete characters? Check.
Familiar yet interesting worldbuilding? Check.
Discussions about the impact of corrupt governments, the ways in which injustice perpetuates itself, religious prejudice, social ostracism, the power of rumour and assumption, income inequality and privilege? Check.
Title that is applicable to actionable plot and ALSO the characters' journeys? Check.
Kick-ass mystery? Check.
A very deep desire on my part for book three? Check AND check.
Excellent, complete characters? Check.
Familiar yet interesting worldbuilding? Check.
Discussions about the impact of corrupt governments, the ways in which injustice perpetuates itself, religious prejudice, social ostracism, the power of rumour and assumption, income inequality and privilege? Check.
Title that is applicable to actionable plot and ALSO the characters' journeys? Check.
Kick-ass mystery? Check.
A very deep desire on my part for book three? Check AND check.
sakurap's review
5.0
AMAZING, I am in love with the sequel. Fun fact I read this story before the first story and this book was the main reason I started reading even more. This book will forever have a special place in my heart
the_fabric_of_words's review
5.0
I loved these mysteries so much I bought them both!
We picked up these mysteries on the second book and it was love at first page. I so rarely encounter mysteries for MG that are complex and take into account the wide range of human behavior. There's an unspoken rule in MG that characters must never kill each other, or be capable of committing truly heinous violence - that's reserved for YA. So these were a delight to find!
This series is strong, featuring a heroine / investigator with a love interest (but without delving into the overtly sexual), with intricate and well-plotted storylines. The fact that they are fantasy books, and magic is integral to the plots, was also very appealing. The second book is as strong as the first, with a stronger resolution (the reveal of the poisoner is fantastic!) and a gripping read from cover to cover.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
We picked up these mysteries on the second book and it was love at first page. I so rarely encounter mysteries for MG that are complex and take into account the wide range of human behavior. There's an unspoken rule in MG that characters must never kill each other, or be capable of committing truly heinous violence - that's reserved for YA. So these were a delight to find!
This series is strong, featuring a heroine / investigator with a love interest (but without delving into the overtly sexual), with intricate and well-plotted storylines. The fact that they are fantasy books, and magic is integral to the plots, was also very appealing. The second book is as strong as the first, with a stronger resolution (the reveal of the poisoner is fantastic!) and a gripping read from cover to cover.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/