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This Poison Heart Paperback – June 21, 2022

by Kalynn Bayron (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,800 ratings
Editors' pick Best Young Adult
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Darkness blooms in bestselling author Kalynn Bayron's new contemporary fantasy about a girl with a unique and deadly power.

Briseis has a gift: with a single touch she can grow plants from tiny seeds to rich blooms.

When Briseis's aunt dies and wills her a dilapidated estate in rural New York, Bri and her parents hope that surrounded by plants and flowers, she will finally learn to control her gift. But their new home is sinister in ways they never expected-it comes with a mysterious set of instructions, a walled garden filled with the deadliest botanicals in the world, and generations of secrets. There is more to Bri's sudden inheritance than she could have imagined, and she is determined to uncover it.

From the bestselling author of Cinderella Is Dead comes an enchanting story about a young woman with the power to conquer the dark forces descending around her.

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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 2
    This Poison Heart
  2. Print length
    384 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Bloomsbury YA
  5. Publication date
    June 21, 2022
  6. Grade level
    7 - 9
  7. Reading age
    13 - 17 years
  8. Dimensions
    5.55 x 1 x 8.25 inches
  9. ISBN-10
    1547609958
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1547609956
  11. See all details
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Popular Highlights in this book
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Previous page
  1. “What key are y’all singin’ in?” I asked. “I don’t think any of those notes exist in real life.” “It’s in B-quiet,” Mo said, turning to Mom.
    Highlighted by 150 Kindle readers
  2. Any time I was sad or scared or happy, they took notice, reacted in kind. Grief and sadness made them shrivel; happiness made them perk up; and fear and anger made them lash out.
    Highlighted by 144 Kindle readers
  3. He looked like he might fold in on himself. Grief was heavy. It could do that to a person.
    Highlighted by 119 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A verdant read as rich as the greenery within it, This Poison Heart will wrap its vines around you and never let go.” ―Kayla Ancrum, author of THE WICKER KING

“Bayron takes an old story, turns it on its head, and makes it her own with a stunning display of pacing, character, and legacy.” ―#1 New York Times bestselling author E.K. Johnston

“Thrilling and magnetic, This Poison Heart pulses with true Black girl magic and endless mystery.” ―Julian Winters, award-winning author of RUNNING WITH LIONS

“Kalynn Bayron does more than re-write a fairy-tale . . . She breaks it apart and rebuilds it into a wholly original and captivating story where girls finally decide for themselves who lives happily ever after.” ―Brigid Kemmerer, New York Times bestselling author of A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY, on CINDERELLA IS DEAD

“Bayron weaves science and Greek mythology into a captivating lore that lends weight to this fantastical contemporary story. She conjures entertaining and realistic dialogue and attentive characterization, while incisive descriptions and sumptuous prose evoke a wonderfully gothic atmosphere.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review

“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.” ―Booklist, starred review

“Bayron strikes just the right balance of mystical and modern, bringing elements of mythology and spirituality to Bri's family roots while situating her securely in a relatable adolescence.” ―The Bulletin of the Center of Children's Books

“Bayron conjures a world filled with magic and mystery. Brings much-needed inclusivity and contemporary flavor to the teen fantasy genre.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“I'm a big fan of tropes and love seeing how marginalized authors take them in new and interesting directions, something Bayron does very well here, and a big part of that is due to how well-developed her characters are. . . . . It's a fast-paced mystery with a clever twist on the myth of Medea. The story is full of queer Black girl magic, and I can't wait to see where Kalynn Bayron takes it.” ―Locus Magazine

“The twists and turns of this fantasy tale will keep readers engaged . . . . Readers will be inspired.” ―School Library Connection

“Flipping the Cinderella tale on its head, Bayron's take challenges patriarchy with kick-butt heroines and a counter-story that will forever change how readers perceive fairy tales.” ―Booklist, starred review, on CINDERELLA IS DEAD

“Readers looking for dystopia, queer romance, LGBTQ inclusiveness, and women sticking it to the patriarchy will be pleased.” ―SLJ on CINDERELLA IS DEAD

“A queer dystopian fantasy that questions written history and societal expectations.” ―Shelf Awareness on CINDERELLA IS DEAD

“Bayron's deconstructive reimagining of the classic fairy tale is ambitious, replacing the happily-ever-after with a tragic legacy and a defiant, feminist tone.” ―Publishers Weekly on CINDERELLA IS DEAD

About the Author

Kalynn Bayron is the bestselling author of the award-winning YA fantasy Cinderella Is Dead and This Poison Heart. She is a classically trained vocalist and when she’s not writing you can find her listening to Ella Fitzgerald on loop, attending the theater, watching scary movies, and spending time with her kids. She currently lives in upstate New York with her family.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury YA; US Edition (June 21, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1547609958
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1547609956
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 - 17 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.55 x 1 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,800 ratings

About the author

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Kalynn Bayron

Kalynn Bayron

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Kalynn Bayron is the New York Times and Indie bestselling author of the YA fantasy novels CINDERELLA IS DEAD and THIS POISON HEART. Her latest works include the YA fantasy THIS WICKED FATE and the middle grade paranormal adventure THE VANQUISHERS. She is a CILIP Carnegie Medal Nominee, a two-time CYBILS Award nominee, and the recipient of the 2022 Randall Keenan Award for Black LGBTQ fiction. She is a classically trained vocalist and musical theater enthusiast. When she's not writing you can find her watching scary movies and spending time with her family.

​

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
1,800 global ratings
This Poison Heart
5 Stars
This Poison Heart
I read Cinderella is Dead and I really enjoyed it, therefore I decided to give this a try. So far so good…
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Top reviews from the United States

Ambre Nulph
5.0 out of 5 stars Another hit by Kalynn Bayron
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2021
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I loved the first book I read by Ms Bayron – Cinderella is Dead – so much that I immediately bought This Poison Heart and started reading it (even though I had other obligations). THIS BOOK IS SO COOL. I love the mixture of poison plants, Greek mythology, and Goth vibes. I also enjoyed watching Briseis’ growth (pun intended) throughout the book, and her relationship with her moms was so beautiful and real – you could just feel the love and affection coming off the pages. And the last five chapters had me on the edge of my seat!! Talk about some plot twists!!

Briseis is a young woman with an amazing power – she can make plants grow and thrive just by touching them. But trapped in the concrete jungle of Brooklyn, her power is stifled and so is she. That is, until she mysteriously inherits a derelict old house and the massive estate upon which it sits, including a secret garden filled with the deadliest plants known to humans – and even some that aren’t….

Briseis is suddenly thrown into a world of freedom to develop her skills and let loose – just breathe and be. But that world isn’t without it’s dangers, as Briseis and her moms come to find out, when strange people start turning up in their lives and the mystery of Briseis’ past starts to grow clearer. Greek gods, ancient family trees, a sacred duty…

Where will it all lead? You’ll just have to read This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron to find out!
4 people found this helpful
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Meredith
4.0 out of 5 stars a page turner with rough spots
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2023
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I really loved this story... mostly. The premise was intriguing - girl mysteriously immune to poison gets an unexpected inheritance in the form of a creepy old house in the country and a generational mystery. Perfect. And the plot kept me guessing - I wasn't always sure where it was going, and I liked that about it. It's nice to watch an adopted character discovering their lost history while still having the support of their current family - that's something you don't see much in fiction unless the birth family is being completely vilified and this book doesn't take that angle. The pacing is easygoing, which is perfect for me - there's plenty of time to breathe and take in the scenery, as it were, without getting bogged down in detail. The MCs motivations make sense - sometimes it's the "sense" of a school kid or a city kid thrust into a rural environment, but that never felt forced. I liked Briseis and her parents and wanted to go on this journey with them.

The ending felt chaotic and rushed, and I'm not a fan of cliffhangers, but it does set up the next book nicely and I Want to read the next book. I'll start it as soon as I'm done here! The biggest problem with the book, from my perspective, is that I'm a country girl who knows my plants, including the poisonous ones and the author...doesn't. It's distracting. I wish she'd set it in an alternate universe and just made up the plants - I had to keep telling myself that these were all pretend plants and to ignore the names, because that's what they are. If everything you know about plants comes from urban legends, it's fine - Don't look up any of the plants, just keep reading and go with the flow. It's a fairly major flaw in a book that centers on a character with an affinity for plants - I nearly returned the book after the bit with the "hemlock" at the beginning, but honestly the story was intriguing enough and the character enjoyable enough that I really did want to know what happened next. That says a lot for the author's skill in telling a good tale!
5 people found this helpful
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Uriah Oden
5.0 out of 5 stars Really great read
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2024
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The author took her time coming up each and every part of the story, I was hooked from the beginning and can’t wait to read the second installment!
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C. Riddle
5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put it down!!
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2023
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I read this whole thing in a single day, I was so hooked!

The opening scenes were interesting enough, but Ms. Bayron kept the pace building and building! I wasn't expecting moments of suspense, but they were there, along with tender family moments, love interest, betrayal, magic, and SO. MUCH. MORE!!!!!

Literally getting the next book and starting it now!

Ps - nothing spicy, very few swears, but there is violence.
3 people found this helpful
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Msjrelder
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Escape!
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2024
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What a joy to be able to read a fantasy novel with a character that looks like you. I enjoyed Briseis’ story and I look forward to reading the next book.
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ylmpastmidnight
4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2022
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There is a lot to like about This Poison Heart. I love that it’s a story about a girl, Briseis with plant powers and that makes her immune to very poisonous plants. Now the story of how she has these powers is fascinating and tied into Greek mythology. The mythology story that explains Briseis’ family tree is the one about Medea and Jason and The Golden Fleece which honestly…I don’t even remember. I don’t know much about Medea but I have heard of Jason and The Golden Fleece, but ask me what it is about and I have no recollection. But the story gives us the background about it.

A lot of this book is a mystery because Briseis is adopted and then she’s willed an estate which was owned by her bio aunt, Circe. We learn that all is not as it seems at this new home Briseis and her moms have moved into. I loved that Briseis has two very loving moms. Her moms were my favorite characters in the book. The story is wonderfully diverse with Briseis moms and she herself being bisexual. There is a blossoming love interest in this story as well.

Briseis is very trusting and that bites her in the end. At times I just wish she wasn’t so trusting but she has to make her mistakes and learn but it’s a hard lesson in this story. The second half of the book was so much better than the first half. The first half was a little too slow for me but it’s due to setting up all the backstory of Briseis connection to Medea. The second half pulls the story together and there are some crazy things that happen. It definitely sets everything up nicely for the sequel.
One person found this helpful
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Katrina
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2023
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I went into this one blind and I am so glad that I bought it. I just finished it and I feel like going back to the beginning to read it all over again. The characters are funny, interesting, and so easy to like. The story flowed very well. Definitely a page turner. I would've finished it in one day if eating and sleeping weren't required. If you haven't read this yet, go ahead and pick it up. You won't regret it!
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Ndungi
5.0 out of 5 stars The book was in amazing condition
Reviewed in Canada on August 1, 2022
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The book was in amazing condition.
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Kay T
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 28, 2024
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This book is absolutely amazing and has so many twists and turns it keeps you on your toes!

I am so glad I purchased book 2 when I bought this one - I *need * to know what happens next!
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Elin Gemhed
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
Reviewed in Sweden on March 18, 2024
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Such a well written book with a thrilling plot and interesting characters! The magic and mystery was absolutely intriguing and every character felt real and complex
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Nadine
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book
Reviewed in Germany on November 1, 2023
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Love the story, love the writing style!
Now one of my favorite authors!
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Maya
5.0 out of 5 stars i can't wait for book number two
Reviewed in Germany on August 5, 2021
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A wonderful, magical book.
Plants, secret gardens, mysteries and small town life are perfectly balanced in this YA novel.
Not only I but both my parents have read it and found it highly enjoyable.
I now too want a secret garden and poison immunity to take care of cool plants.
Read this book if you like plants, secret gardens and a touch of greek mythology.
2 people found this helpful
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