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Everything Is Poison
A Blood Water Paint-style historical YA in prose and verse from New York Times bestselling author Joy McCullough. For as long as she can remember, Carmela Tofana has desperately wanted one to be an important part of La Tofana Apothecary, her mother’s apothecary in the Campo Marzio neighborhood of Rome. When she finally turns sixteen, she’s allowed into the workroom of the shop, where her mother and two other women make some of the most effective remedies in all of Rome. They also dispense a healthy amount of good, non-medical advice to their clients. But the workroom of La Tofana is no simple place, and for every sweet-smelling flower extract to be prepared, there’s another potion where the main ingredient is blood or something even less pleasant. And then there’s Aqua Tofana, the apothecary’s remedy of last resort and one of several secrets Carmela never bargained for in all her years of wishing to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Everything Is Poison is a story of a deadly secret hiding in plain sight and of the women who risk everything to provide care for those most in need.
304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication January 14, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 30, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, and the messages are so important. In a time period where women didn’t have the ability to get away from terrible husbands who would kill them, women actually did have power that made men in power nervous once it was found out. And there are also some good quotes that also explain how a woman being “ruined” is all about perception, not fact.
I did think that the characterization could have been better, but the story as a whole was very well-researched especially when it came to the daily life of the time period and what people had in their homes, where they went every day, etc.
Thank you Penguin Teen for the e-arc
I did think that the characterization could have been better, but the story as a whole was very well-researched especially when it came to the daily life of the time period and what people had in their homes, where they went every day, etc.
Thank you Penguin Teen for the e-arc
July 28, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
Everything is Poison is a powerful, enchanting YA historical fiction with captivating characters and a fascinating plot.
This story was beautiful. It was a strong, feminist story that was achingly lovely, with stunning scenes of female power, sisterhood, motherhood, and friendship. The incorporation of poisons and history was excellent, and I adored the lovely poetry and prose used to tell the story. The pacing fit the interesting plot well, and the story developed wonderfully. EiP felt like Perfume: The Story of a Murderer meets Anatomy: A Love Story, which, personally, is an ideal combination. I highly recommend you read this fascinating story!
Thank you to the publisher for the free ARC!
Everything is Poison is a powerful, enchanting YA historical fiction with captivating characters and a fascinating plot.
This story was beautiful. It was a strong, feminist story that was achingly lovely, with stunning scenes of female power, sisterhood, motherhood, and friendship. The incorporation of poisons and history was excellent, and I adored the lovely poetry and prose used to tell the story. The pacing fit the interesting plot well, and the story developed wonderfully. EiP felt like Perfume: The Story of a Murderer meets Anatomy: A Love Story, which, personally, is an ideal combination. I highly recommend you read this fascinating story!
Thank you to the publisher for the free ARC!
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August 30, 2024Loved this. A compelling exploration of the universality that exists between all women, set against the rich historical backdrop of 17th century Rome.
September 28, 2024
I won this from bookishfirst and I'm not gonna lie I wish I knew it was a mix between fiction and poetry. I like poetry and all but only when I'm in the mood for it. Therefore this book wasn't my cup of tea
September 29, 2024
The author’s note at the end reads more like an exordium than an afterword and I found it just as insightful as the novel. The story itself is a slice of history when women were better doctors than doctors were, when a woman had few rights and dim prospects (when your choices are wife, widow, witch, nun or whore, the future looks gloomy indeed).
We quickly get a sense of our characters in the first few chapters. Then the book gradually teases out their histories, their pasts that make them more than one-dimensional characters. Little tone poems serve as outlines and commentaries on the preceding chapters. They explore what happens when the fire goes out of a marriage and a husband wonders why the spry, lusty girl he married is now a bitter nag, tired after dealing with the children all day and in no mood to put up with his whining desires for sex. In a few lines, young girl is lured by a man’s roguish smile only for him to turn into an abusive prick after the marriage vows are read. A girl may have been reared with every privilege and still long to escape her noisy home of eight siblings and an overcritical stepmother. They are tiny lights that shine a spectral glow on a vanished world.
But Carmela is a girl with spirit. She’s overly curious, occasionally unforgiving and she lacks her mother’s gracious ways. However, she slowly realizes that she is stronger when she stands together with the women drawn into her orbit. They all have their parts to play and, as one, they keep their small corners of the world moving like clockwork.
The whole book is a testament to the secret power of women who come together in their times of need. The characters soar from the page and their voices chatter to us as women do everywhere they congregate. Whether they speak around the well as they scrub their clothing or chatter and exchange information about medicine, the peculiar music that is the song of the distaff sex is the underground humming of the world.
We quickly get a sense of our characters in the first few chapters. Then the book gradually teases out their histories, their pasts that make them more than one-dimensional characters. Little tone poems serve as outlines and commentaries on the preceding chapters. They explore what happens when the fire goes out of a marriage and a husband wonders why the spry, lusty girl he married is now a bitter nag, tired after dealing with the children all day and in no mood to put up with his whining desires for sex. In a few lines, young girl is lured by a man’s roguish smile only for him to turn into an abusive prick after the marriage vows are read. A girl may have been reared with every privilege and still long to escape her noisy home of eight siblings and an overcritical stepmother. They are tiny lights that shine a spectral glow on a vanished world.
But Carmela is a girl with spirit. She’s overly curious, occasionally unforgiving and she lacks her mother’s gracious ways. However, she slowly realizes that she is stronger when she stands together with the women drawn into her orbit. They all have their parts to play and, as one, they keep their small corners of the world moving like clockwork.
The whole book is a testament to the secret power of women who come together in their times of need. The characters soar from the page and their voices chatter to us as women do everywhere they congregate. Whether they speak around the well as they scrub their clothing or chatter and exchange information about medicine, the peculiar music that is the song of the distaff sex is the underground humming of the world.
September 30, 2024
Historical fiction with some lovely verse
I received this ARC for free in return for an honest review:
Historical fiction YA crafted in prose and verse, akin to McCullough’s earlier work, “Blood Water Paint”. The story was a blend of historical fiction with deeply personal and emotional narratives. Set in early 17th century Rome the main character Carmela is finally admitted to her mother’s apothecary when she turns 16. The apothecary is full of secrets Carmela has been pining to know all her life.
The story highlights the difficult position of women in the 17th century and how they were often forced into impossible decisions due to the restrictions of the era. Accused of witchcraft, sorcery, and dealing with the devil, the women of the apothecary put themselves in precarious positions by offering various methods of relief to the "good citizens" of Rome.
While I enjoyed the book and read it in two days I can’t help feeling like something was missing from the story along the way. There are characters who drift into the story and then you hear nothing about them after one scene. Others are simply presented as a method to push the story forward. I was left feeling like there could have been a bit more book.
I really enjoyed the verse sections and felt that it gave the book some of the depth I was searching for.
Overall, not a bad story. If you like historical fiction or you are a fan of McCullough’s previous books you will probably like this one.
I received this ARC for free in return for an honest review:
Historical fiction YA crafted in prose and verse, akin to McCullough’s earlier work, “Blood Water Paint”. The story was a blend of historical fiction with deeply personal and emotional narratives. Set in early 17th century Rome the main character Carmela is finally admitted to her mother’s apothecary when she turns 16. The apothecary is full of secrets Carmela has been pining to know all her life.
The story highlights the difficult position of women in the 17th century and how they were often forced into impossible decisions due to the restrictions of the era. Accused of witchcraft, sorcery, and dealing with the devil, the women of the apothecary put themselves in precarious positions by offering various methods of relief to the "good citizens" of Rome.
While I enjoyed the book and read it in two days I can’t help feeling like something was missing from the story along the way. There are characters who drift into the story and then you hear nothing about them after one scene. Others are simply presented as a method to push the story forward. I was left feeling like there could have been a bit more book.
I really enjoyed the verse sections and felt that it gave the book some of the depth I was searching for.
Overall, not a bad story. If you like historical fiction or you are a fan of McCullough’s previous books you will probably like this one.
September 13, 2024
Carmella has been waiting for her mother to invite her to work in the apothecary. She has waited patiently for many years to begin an apprenticeship under her. Once Carmella has joined her mother and the two other women who are like family, she fits right in. Not all is as it seems though. Her mother has hidden a dark secret… one that could put all of their lives at stake.
I am giving this young adult historical fiction a 4 out of five stars. The story was presented well and is character driven. There is a sense of danger, heartbreak, and sometimes even a little joy. The characters feel really relatable and give a wonderful family vibe full of powerful women.
I wish that the story had been faster paced in the beginning and that the epilogue wasn’t confusing at the start. It came together eventually but it introduced a lot of things that took awhile to grasp.
Overall this is a wonderful read and if you love historical fiction k recommend it.
I am giving this young adult historical fiction a 4 out of five stars. The story was presented well and is character driven. There is a sense of danger, heartbreak, and sometimes even a little joy. The characters feel really relatable and give a wonderful family vibe full of powerful women.
I wish that the story had been faster paced in the beginning and that the epilogue wasn’t confusing at the start. It came together eventually but it introduced a lot of things that took awhile to grasp.
Overall this is a wonderful read and if you love historical fiction k recommend it.
October 1, 2024
I literally cannot say enough about this book or recommend it enough! Everything is Poison creates a deliciously deadly and emotional narrative out of the mishmash that is the historical record of real-life female poisoners of 17th century Rome. I loved all of the characters, especially these women’s fierce belief in protecting other women. They accomplished this by mostly by selling the remedies women need for their families and themselves. In more dire and discerning circumstances, they sell women Aqua Tofana, the perfect “remedy” for abusively deadly husbands.
The care taken with this book is beautiful! A lot of research had to happen to bring these characters to life. Each chapter page is adorned with gorgeous botanical art. Poetry is used in the most dynamic way to further the story. This book covered so many topics close to my heart – historical Rome, apothecaries and poisoners, abortion rights (yes, they existed in 17th century Rome) uneven division of domestic labor in heterosexual relationships, domestic violence, trauma, misogyny, and the lack of choice women have suffered from historically.
I received a free ARC and my review is given freely and honestly.
The care taken with this book is beautiful! A lot of research had to happen to bring these characters to life. Each chapter page is adorned with gorgeous botanical art. Poetry is used in the most dynamic way to further the story. This book covered so many topics close to my heart – historical Rome, apothecaries and poisoners, abortion rights (yes, they existed in 17th century Rome) uneven division of domestic labor in heterosexual relationships, domestic violence, trauma, misogyny, and the lack of choice women have suffered from historically.
I received a free ARC and my review is given freely and honestly.
September 28, 2024
This book is so worth the read! An amazing story of chosen family and friendship. About differences and love. About earning trust, aging, and coming of age. The book is absolutely beautifully designed, with flowers and herbs drawn at the beginning of each chapter and the beautiful poems throughout. Not to mention the map at the beginning. This book is a blend of beauty on all accounts. The words within, the drawings, the melding of writing styles. This brings emotions and caution and just a great women’s lit novel. If you’re looking for a book with strong women fighting for their right to be what they are, women who were trying to help a community, about familial love, and about the poison of life, this novel is absolutely for you. The language makes it a great read for young adult and above. There are some mature themes and a religious undertone.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews