I love finding debut authors whose work I jive with really well; Hannah Silver’s writing in The Poison Plot is lucid and clear, crafting a fantasy world that feels lived in and precariously alluring. The Poison Plot is full of court intrigue, outlawed magic, female friendships, sibling affection, spy training, international politics, and, of course, poison.

The Blurb:

“She ran from marriage into the arms of an adventure.

In a kingdom torn between dueling factions, Marguerite Bonheur finds herself battling her mother’s shadow while searching for her destiny’s call.

Training in secret with the Crown’s Spymaster, Marguerite discovers that her gifts may just be the key to keeping the Kingdom of Caeledon from tearing itself apart. With the academy’s hallowed halls echoing of old rivalries and the threat of dark magic’s resurgence, Marguerite’s unparalleled intellect becomes her only lifeline.

The King’s mistress, a figure from her mother’s past, and the enigmatic Prince Armel pull her into a labyrinth of power plays and courtly intrigues. Yet, as she gets closer to the heart of power, an unexpected crisis looms, threatening everything she has come to cherish.

With the fate of the royal family at stake, Marguerite faces a challenge that could reshape the very fabric of her world. For those who love tales of epic fantasy filled with powerful legacies, twisty politics, forbidden romances, and choices that echo through time, embark on The Poison Plot today.”

Review:

The Regency-adjacent fantasy world of this book made the setting familiar, while the wholly new kingdoms and underlying forbidden magic set it apart from seemingly similar gaslamp fantasies. If you enjoy courtly intrigue, Kingsman-like spy training, smart heroines, stabby women, and occasional glances with a handsome prince, then The Poison Plot is definitely the book for you!

Hannah Silver’s character development is extraordinary; throughout the course of the book, readers get to witness the growth of these characters, including some of the villains of the story. The friendships, familial relationships, and mentorships developed throughout the book were second to none.

Final Thoughts: I loved this series starter! While I would have preferred Marguerite’s story to be wrapped up in one book and for future books have been used to tell the stories of her friends, I am whole-heartedly in for the entire series and will definitely be reading the next book. I hope we get even more magic in the next installment to really kick things up a notch. I would also love to see what this author could do with a traditional gaslamp or Victorian mystery series in the future- her writing is superb and fits the style well!

Rating: 4.5/5 stars!

The Poison Plot was published today! Check it out on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. Find it on Goodreads.

Thanks to the author for a review copy of the The Poison Plot! All thoughts above are my own!