The Poisons We Drink
on Goodreads (2,544)
What’s inside...
The book explores the figurative 'poisons' that people consume in their daily lives through unhealthy relationships, societal pressures, and personal challenges. It follows the protagonist's journey as they navigate through these toxic influences and strive for a healthier and more authentic existence. In a country divided between humans and witchers, Venus Stoneheart hustles as a brewer making illegal love potions to support her family. Brewing has painful, debilitating side effects, and getting caught means death or prison. But Venus fears the dark, sentient magic within her the most. After her mother's death by an enemy's bullet, Venus must keep her reckless sister safe and is coerced by the Grand Witcher into brewing poisonous potions to control influential politicians. As she delves deeper into corruption, the line between magic and power blurs, challenging her trust in herself and others.
Age
14-18
Length
596 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the characters' choices in the story affect themselves and others around them?
What are some ways the characters could have solved their problems differently?
What did you learn from the story about helping others who are facing challenges?
How do you think the story would change if it happened in today's world?
Can you think of a time when you faced something similar to what the characters did? What did you do?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the book, ask your child what they know about poisons and their effects, to gauge their understanding and spark curiosity.
Pause at crucial moments in the story to ask your child how they think a character feels, encouraging empathy and emotional recognition.
Discuss the consequences of the characters' actions to help your child understand cause and effect.
Relate the story's conflicts to real-life scenarios your child might face, reinforcing the moral lessons from the book.
After reading, encourage your child to draw or write about a different ending to the story, fostering creativity and critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of making wise choices
Explanation: In 'The Poisons We Drink,' the protagonist faces various scenarios where they need to decide between right and wrong, highlighting the consequences of their choices.
Real-World Application: This lesson can guide children in their daily interactions and help them consider the outcomes of their actions before making decisions.
Example Lesson: Understanding the impact of peer pressure
Explanation: The book depicts scenes where the main character is influenced by peers to make potentially harmful decisions, demonstrating the negative aspects of succumbing to peer pressure.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to identify peer pressure and develop strategies to stand firm in their own values and choices, regardless of others' influence.
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing challenges
Explanation: Throughout the story, the protagonist encounters various obstacles and learns to overcome them, showing the power of persistence and resilience.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that despite difficulties, staying resilient and persistent will help them navigate through challenges in life.
Example Lesson: The value of honesty
Explanation: Characters in the book learn the hard way that honesty is crucial, as dishonesty leads to distrust and further complications in the story.
Real-World Application: Instilling the principle of honesty in children helps them build trustworthy relationships and promotes transparency in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding others
Explanation: The book explores the themes of empathy by putting characters in situations where they need to understand and feel what others are going through.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to be empathetic towards friends and family members, understanding their feelings and viewpoints.