A vivid and unsettling story of love, hate and prejudice set against one the coolest magical systems I've heard of – what's not to love? The book's complex and twisty, and I especially LOVED the dynamics between Venus and members of her family. Perfect for readers who like gritty, rich fantasy.

I really enjoyed this story. The characters of Venus, Janus, Presley and Tyrell felt fleshed out yet complex as characters. Their relationships with their families even more so.
While I enjoyed the different spin on a magic system e.g. brewing potions causes physical harm to the brewer the rest of the magical world did rather feel convulted at points and tricky to follow. This meant that I sometimes had to reread the same passage a few times to make sure I had wrapped my head around it fully.

However, for a debut this is well written and a really developed story. The Witcher vs Human story worked really well as an allegory for racism and discrimination, with the interactions between the two groups feeling full of tension which sold the story even further.
The artistic renderings of the potions at the end with some recipes is a really lovely touch too and made it feel more realistic.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this story

The Poisons We Drink is a dramatic story of love, hate, power and prejudice set in a fantasy world where magical witchers live uneasily alongside humans, many of whom distrust and shun them. This world has a complex but interesting magic system with many elements to it, but for those who pledge to brew potions, brewing comes at a high personal cost. Our protagonist Venus is one of the few willing to risk it all to brew and is in the black market business of love potions. Not just your typical romantic love, but familial love, self love, even love for an idea. Powerful, costly potions that can enslave and corrupt in the wrong hands.

I would personally classify this as New Adult. Whilst Venus is a young adult, it is quite graphic with descriptions of pain, injury, death and general violence. Venus and her loved ones are often fighting for their lives, facing hatred, harm and manipulation from many sides.

Recommended to fantasy fans looking for a dark, gritty read.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024…. Bethany has not disappointed one bit. I truly did love this book and cannot recommend it enough to anyone who even glances its way. Beautifully pink and amazingly written.

Great characters, interesting world building rooted in reality and great rep.
I enjoyed the characters and their interactions the most plus all the real life connections about racism, bigotry, political power etc. that got highlight in the book.
The story and the magic system lost me sometimes throughout the book but I still think this is an important story and a good starter fantasy for a younger YA crowd.

3.5 for me.
This started off really strong.
The first few chapters had me so intrigued and set up a really interesting world. A world like ours but with magic and persecuted witchers.

Whilst being fantasy, it was incredibly salient. The oppression and displacement of the Witchers was so reflective of real modern injustices. The anger and heartbreak of the author and their own experiences as a black woman really shone through. It highlighted how so much oppression comes from fear and ignorance.

Venus was a great main character, so strong and loyal to her family as well as fighting her inner demons.

Unfortunately, as the book continued, the writing style didn’t quite work for me. It was quite heavy on little details and a little simplistic. I almost felt like the magic systems and rules were over explained. It made it feel long and a little repetitive. A shame because I absolutely adored the concepts, the morally grey characters and the fighting against injustice. I just couldn’t fully loose myself in the writing.

I wanted to absolutely adore it because we neeeeed more magical queer fantasy by black authors.

I’m sure other people will love it and the writing will suit them better. It’s a debut and for me it showed. However, I will be very interested to see what the author comes up with in the future.


Thank you to Netgalley for providing an E-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I felt immediately drawn into the magical world of the story and I felt immersed in it too. The elements of darkness added to the excitement this book created for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"The Poisons We Drink" by Bethany Baptiste is a daring and vividly imagined YA urban fantasy that delves into the morally gray world of witchers and humans. The novel centers on Venus Stoneheart, a young witcher who uses her brewing talents to navigate a society rife with discrimination and political turmoil. Venus's character is beautifully crafted, embodying strength and vulnerability in equal measure, making her journey deeply resonant. Her struggle with the dark, sentient magic within her, and the weight of familial responsibilities, adds a compelling layer to the narrative. The book's exploration of themes such as racism, classism, and the fight for rights is handled with nuance and depth, resonating with the current socio-political climate. The inclusion of diverse characters, especially those from the LGBTQ+ community, enriches the story, giving it a contemporary edge.

Baptiste's world-building is intricate and well-conceived, creating a landscape where magic and reality collide in fascinating ways. The depiction of potion brewing, with its risks and rewards, is particularly engaging, adding a unique twist to the fantasy genre. While the story's pacing is somewhat uneven, with a slow start that gradually builds to a gripping climax, the richly layered plot and dynamic characters keep the reader invested. The book's ability to balance action with emotional depth is commendable, weaving a tale that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. Overall, "The Poisons We Drink" is a standout debut, offering a fresh and compelling take on urban fantasy. It's a promising start for Baptiste, showcasing her ability to create a spellbinding narrative that leaves readers eagerly anticipating her future works.

Super atmospheric and intriguing. I loved the Witcher world and the parallels with the real world, plus the mystery surrounding the story.