The Poison Season
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Book Overview
"Mara Rutherford's The Poison Season took me on journey through a bloodthirsty forest, where two star-crossed lovers discover the true meaning of poison. It brims with evocative storytelling that left me enchanted!" -- Emily J. Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of Hotel Magnifique
Outsiders are always given a choice: the Forest or the lake. Either way, they're never heard from again.
Leelo has spent her entire life on Endla, coexisting with the bloodthirsty Forest and respecting the poisonous lake that protects her island from outsiders who seek to destroy it. But as much as Leelo cares for her community, she struggles to accept that her younger brother will be exiled by his next birthday, unless he gains the magic of enchanted song so vital to Endla.
When Leelo sees a young outsider on the verge of drowning in the lake, she knows exactly what she's supposed to do. But in a moment that will change everything, Leelo betrays her family, her best friend, and Endla by making an unthinkable choice.
Discovery could lead to devastating consequences for both Leelo and the outsider, Jaren, but as they grow closer, Leelo realizes that not all danger comes from beyond the lake--and they can only survive if Leelo is willing to question the very fabric of her society, her people, and herself.
Outsiders are always given a choice: the Forest or the lake. Either way, they're never heard from again.
Leelo has spent her entire life on Endla, coexisting with the bloodthirsty Forest and respecting the poisonous lake that protects her island from outsiders who seek to destroy it. But as much as Leelo cares for her community, she struggles to accept that her younger brother will be exiled by his next birthday, unless he gains the magic of enchanted song so vital to Endla.
When Leelo sees a young outsider on the verge of drowning in the lake, she knows exactly what she's supposed to do. But in a moment that will change everything, Leelo betrays her family, her best friend, and Endla by making an unthinkable choice.
Discovery could lead to devastating consequences for both Leelo and the outsider, Jaren, but as they grow closer, Leelo realizes that not all danger comes from beyond the lake--and they can only survive if Leelo is willing to question the very fabric of her society, her people, and herself.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:133591580X
ISBN13:9781335915801
Release Date:December 2022
Publisher:Inkyard Press
Length:400 Pages
Weight:1.00 lbs.
Dimensions:1.1" x 5.8" x 8.5"
Age Range:13 years and up
Grade Range:Grade 8 and higher
Customer Reviews
2 ratings
Nice Story
Published by amfaf , 2 years ago
This Poison Season follows Leelo as she discovers the secrets of the island that she has been living on her whole life, Endla. Along the way she meets Jaren, an outsider who the island and islanders do not take too kindly to. As she nurses him back to health she begins to change her views about Endla and the Wandering Forest that has been protecting them since their ancestors.
I love the cover and think it is very pretty. The premise of the story and the idea of an isolated society protected by magic seems interesting. The relationships of the characters in this book seemed underdeveloped and they did not feel very connected. The story also moved slow for me and the main action in the book was a little rushed. I enjoyed figuring out the secrets along with Leelo but they did not make very much sense to me. The ending of the book was satisfying to me and I liked hearing about their lives after the fact. Overall it was not my favorite book but it is a nice story and I think others would enjoy it.
Almost, but not quite great
Published by MizzyRed , 2 years ago
I was intrigued with the concept of the wandering forest, the poisoned lake and the Endlans with their magic singing. That and the cover had me really excited to read this book. I am a sucker for a beautiful cover. Despite all that, there ended up being something slightly lacking. Maybe it was because I was not in the mood for young forbidden love between Leelo and Jaren. It seemed too convenient that she should fall for the first outsider she sees. The racism of the Endlans also took away from my joy in the reading of this story. Leelo's aunt Ketty and even Sage had so much poison in them that it repelled me when they were talking.
Now, the good. I did enjoy the wandering forest bits. It was cool and creepy with the descriptions of how it changed or how it devoured things sometimes. I kinda wish there had been more about that, especially at the end with what happened to it. Jaren with his sisters was cool and I think I liked him better than Leelo.
So it was a fairly good book but had some tropes I was a bit tired of.
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