"4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Oh, my dearest Alina…I want to do such terrible, sickening things to you. I hope you know that.��

The Poisoner ensnared me by it's gothic Victorian allure and deadly decadence... it was as though I was indulging in shameless depravity but of a thrilling kind.

Even though my moralistic conscience did give me quite a kick towards the end and I was left deeply disturbed at that major turning point, especially after being in the thrall of the unholy charm and wickedness between a ravenous creature and a mischievous Poisoner—it truly felt like the author cast a spell.

I was quite intrigued by the Vipera lore and the grotesque lab experiments. It added a rich layer alongside the delightfully twisted romance which reeked of wanton desire and obsession.

The banter alone is exquisite. Brilliant. Addictive.

I listened to the audiobook while reading and the narrators did such an excellent job and I would give their performance 5/5! They truly captured every emotion and had me hooked from the very beginning.

The gothic backdrop does prepare you for the eerie and deeply disturbing scenarios that take place. Please remember this is a dark romance that circles around elements that are morally questionable or undeniably immoral. Just as the author have mentioned in her disclaimer, it does not mean an endorsement or romanticization but it's expected of dark settings.

Personal opinion, I've read far darker stories and I'm someone that is easily triggered by certain situations. But please do look up the content warnings before picking this up. I was unsettled by some scenes towards the end of the book and that's why I deducted a star.


Content warning from the book:

This is a Gothic Romance and includes explicit sexual scenes. The book also has elements of horror and mystery, which means there may be descriptions of violence, gore, and blood. These characters may take part in consuming substances that are inappropriate and should not be repeated. Some scenes include light BDSM, which in reality would be performed by experienced partners who have had extensive conversations about trust, consent, and boundaries. There is a discussion of a past sexual assault. Not all actions in this book were made for sexual gratification and should not serve as a reference for healthy or realistic sexual and emotional relationships. As always, depiction is not endorsement."

"WHAT WAS THAT ENDING!?!? I quite literally can’t cope, I was happy and giggly and I saw that I was getting closer to the end and I was a bit worried about that but for some bizarre reason I had hope in my heart that was COMPLETELY DASHED AWAY. Sarah Hawley broke my heart and I will be desolate, wasting away until I can read the next one. No but seriously, this book I have zero notes except how dare you.

If you liked the first one, have no fear, you will most assuredly like this one as well. It’s just as gritty, and dark and delicious as the first and I loved seeing Kenna navigate the world in her new fae body with her new powers. She absolutely slays in this book and I love how power looks on her.

We dive even deeper into the different Fae Courts in this one, and its characters that reside inside. If you were afraid about losing the big bad of book one, worry not, the fae have proven that they will provide. Osiric also haunts the narrative in the way that makes me hate him even more in book 2, if that’s even possible.

The romance in this one, the passion, the longing, the tension! Will she go back to what she knows or takes a chance on something new. I loved it! I love not being 100% certain like I usually am about what’s going to happen in a book because it has that element of the chaotic nature of humans that is very difficult to capture in a book and Sarah Hawley nailed it.

I will be on pins and needles until the next book and I’m praying to all the Shards to be released from this terror ASAP!

Thank you to Ace Publishing, Berkeley Romance and NetGalley for the e-arc! All thoughts and Opinions are my own. "

"(4.5��)

That was what love was. Not just romantic love, but any type of love. It was caring so much for another person that you would do anything to see them happy and whole.

Oh my god that was so good?????? Truly just randomly decided to pick this up because the previous books I was reading (minus rereads ofc) in May were genuinely so boring and wow have I stumbled upon such an amazing story? SO UNDERRATED TOO, IT DESERVES ALL THE LOVE!!!

First off, the world?? The magic system?? The plot??? The talking dagger??? When I tell you I was OBSESSED with every aspect of this book?? It honestly felt so unique to me. I love the way the Fae were viewed by humans, like they are worshipped by majority of the population even though none have actually MET them? The yearly tradition done by humans and then finding out what it *really* is... oh it's so vile. And then the position the FMC, Kenna was placed in as a handmaiden?? I have literally never read a book where we get the POV of a handmaiden so it was really interesting seeing thats what Kenna was dealing with--especially as someone who was literally a hunter and knew nothing about it. And then the magic system with the six houses and what magic is associated with like I was expecting the classic elements but no!!! There's the Fire, Earth, Void, Illusion, Light, and Blood houses. The trials were so intense and amazing, some of them were really crazy. And the lore behind the Shards was so interesting and I just know they're going to be explored way more in book 2 which I absolutely CANNOT wait for!!!!

Okay and then the characters!! KENNA MY BELOVED🥹 She is such a strong, kind, smart and fiercely loyal character like hello to the new love of my life!! I approved of all her decisions except for her feelings towards a certain someone as they gave off red flag vibes but! I do understand that love (?? Or very strong affection??) clouds judgement so. It did piss me off though a lot though and I got sick of seeing that person hence the 4.5 rating (view spoiler)[but thank god for the ending at least opening her eyes (hide spoiler)]😭

When I tell you how much I adored the friendships in this book?? I immediately fell in love with Anya and Kenna's friendship and then later Lara and Kenna oh my gosh??? SO WHOLESOME MY HEARTTTT. And knowing that this friendship will deepen even more next book?? Oh I'm so here for it (though one conversation is definitely going to hurt🙁).

Lastly, the romance... I love that it's not obvious who the love interest is until a certain point. And I only knew early on because I decided to be impatient and look at a book 2 review LOL but to be fair I was suspecting him anyways (and I so approve of this choice like this guy!!! GO GET THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE KENNA!!). When I tell you that I'm unbelievably excited to see their romance blossom??? WHICH IS WHY IM DEVASTATED THAT BOOK 2 ISNT OUT YET WHYYYY DID I READ THIS RN🙁🙁🙁 EVEN WORSE ITS UNDER BERKLEY WHOM I KNOW WILL REJECT ME UGH. Will I still request for it on Netgalley? Yes. Do I expect anything? No😭

Anyways, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fae and wants a fun and (in my opinion) pretty unique story!! Now I'll just be constantly on my knees begging for an ARC of book 2 (or suffer waiting until September...)"

"Not me going from crying to jaw on the floor the last 100 pages what is this "