Thank you Netgalley, Bookish First, Inkyard Press, and the Poison Season Street Team! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
"Outsiders caught by the Watchers were always given a choice: the Forest or the lake. Either way, they were never heard from again."
The Poison Season is perfect for readers who love a dark, and elegant, atmospheric story.
Mara Rutherford weaves a tale of people who live on the island, Endla. The people sacrifice children who do not have magic, animals for the hungry Wandering Forest, and themselves for Endla's survival.
Seventeen year old Leelo follows the rules of Endla but when she meets Jaren, an outsider from across the poisonous lake, everything she thought she knew is wrong.
"We look out for each other, don't we?
Always."
I will admit, as much as I love the story and Rutherford's writing, the beginning is very slow. There is quite a bit of world-building and introductions made before the pacing takes off. Once Leelo saves Jaren from the lakes clutches is when I truly felt 100% invested in the plot.
The romance is bittersweet, touching, and forbidden. I adore the development of Jaren and Leelo's relationship as they try to hide their love from the people of Endla. Leelo has to keep Jaren hidden until they can find a way to get him off the island before someone kills Jaren for being an outsider. I liked the dreamy and shy moments between them as they navigate first love and Jaren's survival.
As much as I wanted to strangle Sage, I do love how she is written and how Leelo, in her own way, let's her go after the ending events. Sage is a compelling character and I'm curious if she will find her mother later.
I'm in love with the cover design! You honestly can't go wrong with Charlie Bowater's illustration, it's very eye-catching and fits perfectly with the story.
I recommend checking out The Poison Season if you liked the vibes of the film Midsommar, the eerie stories of Small Favors by Erin A Craig and Spells For Forgetting by Adrienne Young.
5 stars
"Outsiders caught by the Watchers were always given a choice: the Forest or the lake. Either way, they were never heard from again."
The Poison Season is perfect for readers who love a dark, and elegant, atmospheric story.
Mara Rutherford weaves a tale of people who live on the island, Endla. The people sacrifice children who do not have magic, animals for the hungry Wandering Forest, and themselves for Endla's survival.
Seventeen year old Leelo follows the rules of Endla but when she meets Jaren, an outsider from across the poisonous lake, everything she thought she knew is wrong.
"We look out for each other, don't we?
Always."
I will admit, as much as I love the story and Rutherford's writing, the beginning is very slow. There is quite a bit of world-building and introductions made before the pacing takes off. Once Leelo saves Jaren from the lakes clutches is when I truly felt 100% invested in the plot.
The romance is bittersweet, touching, and forbidden. I adore the development of Jaren and Leelo's relationship as they try to hide their love from the people of Endla. Leelo has to keep Jaren hidden until they can find a way to get him off the island before someone kills Jaren for being an outsider. I liked the dreamy and shy moments between them as they navigate first love and Jaren's survival.
As much as I wanted to strangle Sage, I do love how she is written and how Leelo, in her own way, let's her go after the ending events. Sage is a compelling character and I'm curious if she will find her mother later.
I'm in love with the cover design! You honestly can't go wrong with Charlie Bowater's illustration, it's very eye-catching and fits perfectly with the story.
I recommend checking out The Poison Season if you liked the vibes of the film Midsommar, the eerie stories of Small Favors by Erin A Craig and Spells For Forgetting by Adrienne Young.
5 stars