Poison is the third instalment in the Tales from the Kingdom series, a collection of dark fantasy romance books that feature new takes on classic fairytales. The story centres on a handsome prince, a jealous queen, and a beautiful young princess. Tensions rise fast in the palace court, and soon drastic measures are taken in the battle for power. What follows is a story of lust, magic and betrayal. I liked the twists on the original stories and the relationships between the main characters, but I do wish the book was longer as I managed to read it in one sitting. I would recommend Poison to fans of the TV show Once Upon A Time who would be interested in a darker, more mature version.

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review*

These books keep getting better and better. This is the story of Snow White and dwarfs but told differently. Again it's wonderful to see the threads coming in from the other books and you can start to see the whole story coming together and a few familiar faces pop up. I loved what the author did with dwarfs and Snow White. Also I was kinda rooting for the step mother as I firmly believe she is just misunderstood and wants to be loved. And as for the prince. Just when you think you know him..... great next instalment in the series.

This series is my first from this author (after they were on my radar for a very long time) but definitely not my last! A very different take on the fairy tales we know so well, this time with a darker edge.

You remember that film you were shown by your parents all those years ago. You know, the one with pure virginal Snow White, lovable dwarfs, handsome prince, wicked witch, poison apple and all those songs. Yes, that's the one, Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Sarah Pinborough's Poison is definitely not that. They may share much of the same DNA and Grimm source, but this version couldn't be more.... adult.

This Snow White is a sexually aware tomboy who's fond of a pint or two and is nothing at all like the innocent her name suggests. We still have dwarfs with descriptive names, but Disney's Doc, Grumpy, Bashful et al are replaced by the bookish Dreamy and Stumpy, who lost his hand in a mining accident, among others. Oh, and the prince? He's a lovestruck fool who seems to fall for any woman of beauty, then quickly comes to regret it.

Yes, I think you'll agree that Poison, and the prequels and sequels, should definitely not be shared with your children.

Thanks to NetGalley, Gollancz and the author for an advance copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for this eCopy to review

Poison begins in a familiar kingdom where Snow White lives under the shadow of her wicked stepmother, Queen Lilith. Snow White is not your typical princess; she is earthy, independent, and spends much of her time with the dwarfs in the forest. Queen Lilith, feeling threatened by Snow White’s beauty and popularity, plots to eliminate her. She sends a huntsman to kill Snow White, but he spares her life, leading to a series of events that intertwine with other fairy tales, including Aladdin and Hansel and Gretel.

What I loved most about this book was the way Pinborough added depth and complexity to the characters. Snow White is portrayed as a strong, self-reliant woman who defies the traditional damsel-in-distress trope. The Queen, on the other hand, is given a backstory that explains her bitterness and jealousy, making her a more nuanced villain.

The writing style is both dark and enchanting, perfectly capturing the essence of a twisted fairy tale. Pinborough’s prose is vivid and evocative, drawing me into the magical yet sinister world she created. The pacing was excellent, with each chapter revealing new layers of intrigue and suspense.

One of the standout aspects of Poison is its mature and sometimes provocative take on the classic story. The book explores themes of power, beauty, and desire in a way that is both thought-provoking and entertaining. The plot twists kept me guessing, and the ending was both surprising and satisfying.

Overall, Poison is a brilliant retelling of Snow White that combines familiar elements with fresh, imaginative twists. It’s a must-read for fans of dark fairy tales and anyone looking for a captivating story with well-developed characters and a touch of magic.

I love these retelling of classic tales.

These are not for children, they are dark sexy and oh so good.

I love how the author has modernised the classics and retold them just for adults. Snow White is minxy and tomboyish and the wicked stepmother.... I so want to be like her... brilliant..

This third installment of the Tales of the Kingdoms series is just as great as the first two, I just can't get enough of Pinboroughs dark retellings!

It’s Snow White but this one is nothing like the Disney version. This one is wild and sexy and yearning and the wicked stepmother is obsessed with the girl, as is the handsome prince. I read these books out of order so I already know Snow white’s fate but this was a wonderful read.