REVIEW: POISON'S CAGE BY BREEANA SHIELDS.

Title: Poison's Cage
Author: Breeana Shields
Series: Poison's Kiss #2
Edition: Paperback
Publication: January 16th 2018 by Random House Books for Young Readers
Source: ARC provided by the publisher
Pages: 336
Category: Mythology, Romance, Fantasy

Synopsis:

A single kiss could kill. A single secret could save the kingdom.

Iyla and Marinda have killed many men together: Iyla as the seductress, Marinda as the final, poisonous kiss. Now they understand who the real enemy is—the Snake King—and together they can take him down. Both girls have felt as though they were living a lie in the past, so moving into the King's palace and pretending to serve him isn't as difficult as it sounds. But when you're a spy, even secrets between friends are dangerous. And each girl has something—or someone—to lose. Does every secret, every lie, bring them closer to the truth or . . . to a trap?

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ISBN13: 9781101937860

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WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SLIGHT SPOILERS HEHE

I just finished reading the last page of Poison's Cage and woooooooowsa, I am blown away. This is waaaay better than the first book and absolutely the perfect ending for a duology! I was kinda hoping there's a third book but I am absolutely satisfied with how things wrapped up! It was truly an amazing read!

Poison's Cage let me walk along side Iyla and Marinda in their quest to destroy the Nagaraja. The story is told from their alternating perspectives and it is so fascinating to be able to see everything from both sides. Iyla is such a tough cookie but her longing for Marinda's affection, her resentments towards what she lost and the emptiness of being an just option have all dawned in her and it's relatable in ways I can't even pinpoint. Her struggles of choose between her own life or Marinda's gave me such conflict as well but her loyalty and love for her friend outweigh any doubts. Shields gave Iyla's story redemption and hope that I thought it would end there, but she gave her love, true love in fact, that made me so happy! Iyla deserves so much more and indeed, it was even beyond what I expected. And I think I might have fallen in love with Fazel's lightness and sincere character. They balance each other well. One rejects kindness like a reflex and one gives kindness without reservation.

Marinda grew up so much in this installment. Her doubts and assumptions are all obvious throughout the story but it made her so real, so raw, that her pain pinches my heart. However, the good in her triumphs in situations she can easily kill. Despite the agony she just went through (OMG, THIS PART FELT LIKE I'VE BROKEN A BONE OR SOMETHING BECAUSE UGH EXCRUCIATING PAIN), she remained hopeful and unafraid to love the people around her.

The twists and turns of the story just floored me. Some parts can be easily predicted but Shields have so many things up on her sleeve apparently. The mythology has been nothing but richer and she owned this story, backed up by her research and love for the Hindu, Buddhist and Indian mythologies. I've never used this phrase in a while but believe me when I say this is mind-blowing!

There's no perfect ending for Poison's Kiss than Poison's Cage. Fast-paced, mythology-rich and exquisite character arcs, this book lands a spot in my Best Books of 2018, no doubt! It was beautifully written and I want more books like this in my life and in yours, too!

Thank you, Penguin Random House International, for the galley!

"But I learned a long time ago that tears are thieves of power."

"I need him to fall for me-at least enough to loosen his lips and dislodge his secrets. And I can't do that if I let myself be charmed by his easy laugh. By the way his skin feels like velvet against mine."

REVIEW: POISON'S KISS BY BREEANA SHIELDS.

Title: Poison's Kiss
Author: Breeana Shields
Series: Poison's Kiss #1
Edition: Paperback
Publication: January 10th 2017 by Random House Books for Young Readers
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Pages: 304
Genre: Young Adult, Indian Mythology, High-Fantasy

Synopsis:
Marinda has kissed dozens of boys. They all die afterward. It's a miserable life, but being a visha kanya—a poison maiden—is what she was created to do. Marinda serves the Raja by dispatching his enemies with only her lips as a weapon.

Until now, the men she was ordered to kiss have been strangers, enemies of the kingdom. Then she receives orders to kiss Deven, a boy she knows too well to be convinced he needs to die. She begins to question who she's really working for. And that is a thread that, once pulled, will unravel more than she can afford to lose.

This rich, surprising, and accessible debut is based in Indian folklore and delivers a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

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ISBN13: 9781101937822
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Where do I start with Poison's Kiss? This took me by surprise. I didn't know what I'm getting myself into but I loved every single element in this novel.

Marinda is trained to be an assassin. Her body is full of snake's venom that she can kill by just a kiss. When the Raja ordered her to kill a very important person, she didn't do it for she knows this person, this person helped her sick younger brother Mani. She had brief encounters with this person and she finds him kind. Marinda is unable to kiss someone she's starting to like. Ironic as it is, Deven is such a good person Marinda don't understand what he did wrong to deserve death by a visha kanya. This is where she finds out what makes her brother so ill. This is also when she learns the truth behind the group she serves.

Here's my bulleted thoughts on this amazing story:

• Marinda and Mani
I adored how vulnerable Marinda from the beginning. Vulnerable in a way that she's doubting her beliefs. She's obviously raised to become an assassin but she's at war between what she's trained to fight for and what feels right to her. I loved that she allowed herself to be subjected by emotions at the right circumstances. Her character's growth is gradual and nothing felt forced. The relationship of Marinda and Mani is also one aspect of the book that I loved so much. The bond is so realitically emotional. They give each other strength and they ground each other. Like, I wouldn't know what I' do if something bad happens to my brother so I can totally connect to Marinda. I'd do whatever it takes just to give my brother a comfortable like. And Mani is a kid you can easily love.

• Deven
Deven is book boyfriend worthy. He isn't afraid to express how he truly feels. I liked that he gets angry (unlike other characters I've read in other books). He can easily forgive but you have to be worth it. The way he also cared for Marinda and Mani is something that truly melts the heart. His character is so uplifting and positive that you won't regret rooting for the guy.

• Iyla
She's my second favorite character after Lila from ADSOM because her strength and bravery are admirable. After all that she's gone through and the suffering she had to endure, she really has the heart of a true warrior. Girl power to the mightiest level.

• Visha Kanya
This is such a rich Indian Folklore I can't get enough of! Poison maiden? IM IN. India is one of the many countries with such rich culture. Posion's Kiss is just the tip of the iceberg and I want more. More. More.

• Snakes
Snakes aren't my favorite thing in the world and I don't think I will ever like them. This is me to snakes like how other people are to spiders. I cannot. I cringe whenever I look at the cover. But there's always an exception to the rule. This time, it's Poison's Kiss. It is so good that I forget there's actually a snake at the front cover.

• Author's voice
  I can sense the kindness of the author from the voices she used in this novel. That made me love it even more.
  
• Plot
  All I can say is it's your typical good versus bad (Naga versus Garuda) plot but with the *twisted* twist! The manipulation is UGH-MAZING! It's just mind-blowing!

• Unputdownable
  I don't know about you guys but I literally cannot put this book down! The story is just so damn good you get sucked right in! With a pacing as perfect as this, you can't blame me if I demand for the sequel right away.

Also, I am linking Mishma's review of Poison's Kiss! Her review has an in depth views in the mythologies mentioned in the book!

Breenana Shield's debut novel is an outstanding piece I cannot recommend enough! It is unbelievably scary and dark but mystical and unique. Poison's Kiss is easily one of my favorite reads of 2017!

Thank you so so much, Penguin Random House for the ARC!

"“I didn’t know kissing could be like this–like creating instead of destroying, like beginnings and not endings. Like melting. Like love.”"