Review: Nightshade

Title: The Poison Diaries - Nightshade

Author: Maryrose Wood (Based On A Concept By The Duchess Of Northumberland)

Publisher: Harper Collins

Pages: 279
Age Recommendation: 12+

Rating: 4.5/5
Reviewer: Catherine

Synopsis

A dark, gothic tale of romance... and murder. In the right dose, everything is a poison. Jessamine has spent her whole life in a cottage close to her father's apothecary garden, surrounded by medicinal plants and herbs that could kill her -- although her father has never allowed her into the most dangerous part of the grounds... the poison garden. And so she's never had reason to be afraid -- until now. Because now a newcomer has come to live with the family, a quiet but strangely attractive orphan boy named Weed. Though Weed doesn't say much in words, he has an instant talent for the apothecary's trade, seeming to possess a close bond with the plants of the garden. Soon, he and Jessamine also share a close bond. But little does Jessamine know that passion can be just as poisonous as the deadliest plants in the garden -- for behind Weed's instinctive way in the garden is a terrible secret.

Catherine’s Review

This book is very enjoyable, with its dramatic plot and many mysteries.

The story begins when 16-year-old Jessamine Luxton is heart-broken. Her true-love, Weed, a mysterious yet charming young man has suddenly disappeared out of her life. Jessamine is recovering from a severe illness which Weed helped to cure her from- and now he is gone she feels like her life has come to an end. However, all is not as it seems. Jessamine, now fully recovered, is suspecting her own father Thomas may have been involved in Weed's disappearance. Thomas was obsessed with poisons; he owned his own poison garden- a deadly trickster if there ever was one. Weed was also intrigued by plants- could there be a connection?

Soon Jessamine learns that Weed is alive and in serious danger. After reading her father's diary she discovers that her mother was murdered by her father many years ago- poisoned. He was testing on Jessamine too, feeding her poison, making her ill, making her grow weaker. As Jessamine knows lots about plants and poisons she decides to abandon her home in Northumberland and find Weed, be reunited with him, whatever it takes- including killing anyone who gets in her way. At this point in the book, Jessamine has changed from an innocent village healer girl to a ruthless murderer. 

However this is not exactly at her own will. Oleander, Prince of Poisons has now become more than a mere dream. He controls Jesssamine's mind, instructing her, promising to reunite her with her beloved Weed. Jessamine is very skilled with plants and herbs- she can use them for or against others- and Oleander wishes her to do no good, yet much evil.

The tale goes on, leading Jessamine to Newcastle, heartless Oleander haunting her head day in and day out. In Newcastle she befriends a forgien young girl- who suddenly falls ill with fever. Jessamine can choose to poison her or save her... but these deeds soon get her found out. She is discovered to be using strange and mysterious remedies and thrown in the river Tyne for being accused of witchcraft. Luckily Jessamine is rescued and continues her journey...

Meanwhile Weed ends up elsewhere in Europe, at a place where the plants instructed him to go. Weed owns the abnormal yet astounding ability to hear and talk to plants, who advise him on how to find Jessamine. They lead him to a garden where he meets a Signora who helps him, understanding his ability perfectly.

Yet strange rumours spread about a plot to kill the king. Weed knows that the king is coming to Padua, a nearby town, and he has the ideal antidote to save him if necessary. However Jessamine has been tangled up in Oleander's cruel plans and is now at the heart of the murder. She will be at Padua, so she can meet with Weed again. But he won't love a monstrous murderess, will he? Surely Oleander's plan isn't a trap to hurt Weed? Jessamine longs to be with him again, yet Oleander has other plans to be made...

I really enjoyed this gripping book. It also especially appealed to me because I live in Northumberland, so recognise the locations and can really get into the story.

Anyone could love this book- whether you know the places or not- it's a doomed romance novel with chilling plots and many mysteries to be unravelled.

This book would be recommended to lovers of fantasy love story- full of dark, haunting twists and heartless poisons. You hang onto every last word, a great, unputdownable read!