Young Wynter Moorehaw returns to court with her dying father - but she finds her old home shadowed with fear. The king has become a violent despot,...
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Nov 09, 2010
Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~*
rated it: 
(4-4.5 Stars)
"A FRIEND. A FATHER. A KINGDOM. WHICH WOULD YOU SACRIFICE?" - from the book cover
The Poison Throne was a book that sucked me in at a time when I was struggling to connect to a book, and started a few just to put them aside. I didn't want to put this one aside but had to quite a bit because of work stresses. I had no trouble getting back into it though.
Christopher? Aaaaahhh... he just tugged at my heartstrings. I want to know him better! I real More...
"A FRIEND. A FATHER. A KINGDOM. WHICH WOULD YOU SACRIFICE?" - from the book cover
The Poison Throne was a book that sucked me in at a time when I was struggling to connect to a book, and started a few just to put them aside. I didn't want to put this one aside but had to quite a bit because of work stresses. I had no trouble getting back into it though.
Christopher? Aaaaahhh... he just tugged at my heartstrings. I want to know him better! I real More...
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Sep 22, 2011
Book Chick City
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Reviewed by Laura for Book Chick City. Rating 7/10 on the blog.
I thoroughly enjoyed 'The Poison Throne'. The lead character is Wynter. She returns home after several years of travelling and succeeding in a man's trade, working as her father's carpentry apprentice. She is looking forward to seeing her childhood friends Prince Alberon, heir to the throne, and Razi the King's bastard son. However, as soon as she and her father arrive at the Kingdom gates it because evident that things h More...
I thoroughly enjoyed 'The Poison Throne'. The lead character is Wynter. She returns home after several years of travelling and succeeding in a man's trade, working as her father's carpentry apprentice. She is looking forward to seeing her childhood friends Prince Alberon, heir to the throne, and Razi the King's bastard son. However, as soon as she and her father arrive at the Kingdom gates it because evident that things h More...
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May 29, 2011
Krista (One Love) (Critical)
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This could have been a five star book. I'll start with the bad and then move to the good. There isn't much bad anyway.
1. Wynter. I do like her, but a few things annoyed me. I didn't mind that she started off arrogant and cold/calculating, because it was fun to watch her grow, however, two things bother me about her. The first is that she is homophobic and basically comes right out and says she might not love her brother if he were gay. That made me icky toward her--I don't care abou More...
1. Wynter. I do like her, but a few things annoyed me. I didn't mind that she started off arrogant and cold/calculating, because it was fun to watch her grow, however, two things bother me about her. The first is that she is homophobic and basically comes right out and says she might not love her brother if he were gay. That made me icky toward her--I don't care abou More...
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Jun 01, 2010
Angie
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Well, it's been that kind of month and the nasty reading slump in the middle of it did not help things in the slightest. I didn't want to ruin this read with my foul mood, so I started it early in the month, put it down again, and waited until things had picked up some before giving it a go. THE POISON THRONE--the first book in Celine Kiernan's Moorehawke Trilogy--is a book I eagerly anticipated picking up. I was especially excited as I had heard it likened to Megan Whalen Turner's Attolia books
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(3 people liked it)
Oct 12, 2011
Janina
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If it weren't for the drawn out ending, which took me almost a week to read, this would be a solid four star read. A character-driven fantasy, clearly part of a trilogy and not offering much conclusion in this first instalment, I very much enjoyed both the world and the characters. This book falls into the category of "more talk, less action", but until about 75 pages before the end, this didn't bother me at all. Very atmospheric, a wonderful father-daughter relationship that often bro
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(4 people liked it)
Jan 09, 2012
Viridian5
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In The Poison Throne by Celine Kiernan, Wynter and her ailing father are at last returning to their home kingdom after several years as political hostages in the cold, conservative north. Although she's not enthused about returning to court politics and machinations, Wynter is looking forward to being home, warm, and amongst friends again. She also hopes her father's health will improve. However, things have really changed during her time away. The rational, tolerant king has become a violent de
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Jul 12, 2011
grellian
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“The Poison Throne” is the first installment in “The Moorehawke Trilogy” by Irish author Celine Kiernan. In this Medieval-inspired world of intrigue, royal bloodlines and secret passages the author focuses on the poignant coming-of-age story of Wyn-ter Moorehawke, as the protagonist confronts a mad king, whose ruthless political machinations sacrifice all but his fractured kingdom, racial in-tolerance against her beloved childhood friend, and the ultimate loss of innocence.
The novel f More...
The novel f More...
Jun 17, 2011
Cathleen
rated it:
I read this book during a stressful period of my life and I must say it did offer me a time to not think about my challenges. The Poison Throne is written by a new author, Celine Kiernan and it centers on 3 central characters (Christopher, Razi, and Wynter), though it is told from the point of view of Wynter. The story opens with Wynter and her ailing father being called back from the mysterious Northlands to thier home castle. Wynter, a young girl of 15, is soon entrenched into court politic
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Feb 03, 2011
Witchmag
rated it: 
I came across this book and read the very interesting backside. The story isn't that interesting when you start reading. The first few pages are great in getting your hopes up, but then you get a lot of political things, which are not my thing. I prefer action. That's why I stopped reading at that moment......
Now for the Dutch people:
Het leek me een interesant boek, mysterieuze achterkant (keuze tussen je vader, een vriend of een koninkrijk, pratende katten en geesten??) Algauw bl More...
Now for the Dutch people:
Het leek me een interesant boek, mysterieuze achterkant (keuze tussen je vader, een vriend of een koninkrijk, pratende katten en geesten??) Algauw bl More...
Jan 02, 2011
drey
rated it:
Celine Kiernan's The Poison Throne sets a fifteen-year-old apprentice carpenter on a hard path. When Wynter Moorehawke returns home, she expects it to be just as it was when she left five years ago. Instead, it seems as though the King has gone mad, and things that used to be so much a part of normal daily life--including ghosts and talking cats--are now banned, upon penalty of death.
When Wynter goes to search out her childhood friends--the King's sons Alberon and Razi, she finds that More...
When Wynter goes to search out her childhood friends--the King's sons Alberon and Razi, she finds that More...
Sep 13, 2010
Kat
rated it:
Though not a whole lot actually happens in this book, it's quite an enjoyable fantasy novel. The characters are likeable enough, and their relationships intriguing enough, that I would like to find out what happens next. I will definitely be picking up volume 2 as soon as I can.
(And an aside that has nothing to do with the book: this book was recced me by a friend, who had nothing but positive things to say about it, but the first time I looked for it at the library it was checked ou More...
(And an aside that has nothing to do with the book: this book was recced me by a friend, who had nothing but positive things to say about it, but the first time I looked for it at the library it was checked ou More...
Sep 11, 2010
YA Reads
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At last, something in the YA fantasy genre that doesn’t need vampires or werewolves, magic or the paranormal to make an interesting read. The Poison Throne is debut novel from Irish author Celine Kiernan is one novel that I couldn’t put down.
Born to the commoners class, girl apprentice in the ‘man’s’ trade of carpentry and friend to the sons of the King, Wynter is no ordinary girl. For five years Wynter and her father had been confined to the Northlands, cut off from everything they kn More...
Born to the commoners class, girl apprentice in the ‘man’s’ trade of carpentry and friend to the sons of the King, Wynter is no ordinary girl. For five years Wynter and her father had been confined to the Northlands, cut off from everything they kn More...
Aug 01, 2010
Samantha
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For all that one might call this a mix of high fantasy and historical fantasy, there's relatively little of swordfights and magic in 'The Poison Throne.' Instead, what Kiernan offers us is a moving tale of friendship and friendships betrayed, of childhood friendships lost and found and perhaps lost again, of broken promises between powerful lifelong friends.
Young Wynter and her father Lorcan, an associate of the King, return to court from years in the North, only to find all has cha More...
Young Wynter and her father Lorcan, an associate of the King, return to court from years in the North, only to find all has cha More...
Apr 23, 2010
Deangroom
rated it: 
Loved every moment in it. The characters hold your interest and curiosity right from the beginning and the author never really needs to use radical surprises and unseen twists to explore both their strength and vulnerability. As a tale of Utopia/Distopia - it continually addresses both sides though the characters, leaving the reader to continually challenged to find their sympathies with the characters view and often actions.
For teachers wishing to explore these general themes; but w More...
For teachers wishing to explore these general themes; but w More...
Dec 19, 2009
Gemma
rated it:
God, I LOVED THIS BOOK! Rarely nowadays do I get to read a novel for young people that is so mature and so well written! I've been reading way too many that are fluffy, unoriginal tales of two dimensional characters and love/obsession that has no basis, this reminded me of why I love to read books. (:
What I loved about The Poison Throne was that it was one of those rare books where I got completely engrossed in the story, a type of epic fantasy/historical hybrid that swept me up from More...
What I loved about The Poison Throne was that it was one of those rare books where I got completely engrossed in the story, a type of epic fantasy/historical hybrid that swept me up from More...
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May 15, 2011
Terra
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Hum. So. I'm not really sure what to do with this one; on the one hand, it is hella well-written, the characters are nicely multidimensional, and the world-building is pretty good (though frankly it ain't no Tortall or Ancelstierre). On the other hand, it left me feeling pretty damn traumatized, which is not high on my checklist o' things I appreciate in a book. I have never been a cheerful consumer of stories that are painful to my brain on the grounds that they are Well-Executed Literature. So
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Nov 28, 2009
Elaine
rated it:
Wow. I hadn’t expected to enjoy “The Poison Throne” so much but I loved it. Admittedly, I found it difficult to get into at the start but found myself becoming more and more drawn in as the story progressed.
Although marketed as a “tale of court intrigue, romance and adventure”, I found these labels somewhat misleading as it conjured up images of a swashbuckling, sword-wielding, young heroine in my mind. However, it was the emotions more so than the events of the novel that really cap More...
Although marketed as a “tale of court intrigue, romance and adventure”, I found these labels somewhat misleading as it conjured up images of a swashbuckling, sword-wielding, young heroine in my mind. However, it was the emotions more so than the events of the novel that really cap More...
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Sep 11, 2009
Ashlee
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It's been a long time since something different found its way into my hands, while browsing the shelves of my favorite bookstore I found this book with it's amazing cover. (If you wish to see for yourself take a look at the author's blog, she shows each of the covers there.)It was not only the cover that caught my eye, but upon reading the first page I became amazed at the authors writing technique, it was captivating and descriptive, right from the very begining until the very end. The names an
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Jan 03, 2011
Allison (The Allure of Books)
rated it:
The three books of the series are The Poison Throne, The Crowded Shadows and The Rebel Prince. I'm reviewing them together partly because it would be hard to write individual reviews without a ton of spoilers...but also because I was insanely addicted to the series and read all three books in a row, and in a ridiculously short amount of time. Oh - and fair warning - there will be gushing to follow.
Here, friends. Here is a series to get lost in. This world, these people...they don't l More...
Here, friends. Here is a series to get lost in. This world, these people...they don't l More...
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Aug 27, 2009
Adele
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The Poison Throne immediately took me back to those fond years when I discovered book detailing the adventures of a lady knight named Alanna. In no way does this mean that Kiernan has borrowed from Pierce, instead it’s about girls in fictional medieval settings trying to buck gender conformities. In the case of our heroine, Wynter, she has the support of her father and we meet her after her considerable carpentry training. Her father, Lorcan, was a master in engineering and design as well as a g
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Jan 21, 2011
Kawaiiwriting
rated it:
I have been waiting to read Celine Keirnan’s The Moorehawke Trilogy for more than a year now. Keirnan is an Irish writer, so her books were released in the European and Australian markets earlier than here in the United States. My best friend is a writer who lives in Germany, and she hyped the first book up to me before it was even available here. I got to read The Poison Throne when it was released in April 2010. Wow. Just wow. I wanted more, but when The Crowded Shadows was released in July, I
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Apr 12, 2010
Melissa
rated it:
Wynter, fifteen, and Lorcan, her father of age thirty-three but shaking like a man much older, have just returned from the five year station in the North helping King Jonathon with relations. Wynter is a female apprenticing her father and doing extremely well in a mans trade, carpentery. Once they are home and Wynter is wondering around, she learns things are rather stressed around the castle. Things are aloft here. There are creatures they are forbidden to talk to, the heir Alberon has left
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Jun 27, 2010
Katrina
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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May 26, 2010
Annmarie
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Billed as YA, but felt more to me like an adult fantasy novel with YA characters, set in a medieval feeling time period, with talking cats and ghosts added on. It's slow moving, well written, but grim and all about court intrigue, politics, and relationships between the five main characters.
The novel begins when fifteen year old Wynter Moorehawke returns with her very ill but charismatic father Lorcan to her home kingdom. Her father, a master carpenter, raised her as his apprentice More...
The novel begins when fifteen year old Wynter Moorehawke returns with her very ill but charismatic father Lorcan to her home kingdom. Her father, a master carpenter, raised her as his apprentice More...
Jul 28, 2011
Laura
rated it:
I'm so hooked on this book! I can't wait to read the next one in this trilogy. The story revolves around Wynter Moorehawke who has returned to her home kingdom after having been away for several years. Upon her return, she finds that many things have changed. Most notably, the king is an irate, unjust tyrant. She rejoins her friend, Ravi (the prince) and his friend Christopher as they try and stay out of the king's wrath. Meanwhile her father, a carpenter, is deathly ill. She must continu
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Jan 23, 2011
Princessjay
rated it:
This novel is the first of a trilogy, and reads like a very long set-up chapter. Not too much happens in terms of big actions, but lots of court intrigues and relationship-development. As such, it is a funnel that directs you to buy/read the next book, forthwith.
As well, it reads like the early work of someone who might become a very good novelist one day, but not yet. The writing is occasionally awkward, with a few brilliant metaphors but many more over-wrought ones. The world-buildin More...
As well, it reads like the early work of someone who might become a very good novelist one day, but not yet. The writing is occasionally awkward, with a few brilliant metaphors but many more over-wrought ones. The world-buildin More...
Mar 05, 2010
Scott
rated it:
I really wanted to love this book. Not just because it sounded like the sort of book I should love--mystery, intrigue, romance, adventure--but because I picked it up in New Zealand, several months before it would even come out in the US. And while I usually depend on other people's recommendations for my reading selections, it would be nice, for once, to be on the cutting edge, to discover a gem before everyone else and be the one doing the recommending.
The Poison Throne was decent More...
The Poison Throne was decent More...
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Mar 27, 2011
Yvonne
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The Poison Throne by Celine Kiernan is the first book in The Moorehawke Trilogy. Wynter returns home with her father after a five year absence to find the kingdom dramatically changed. It has become a place of fear and intolerance. Wynter must make some hard choices and try and keep herself, her friends and her father alive.
OK, this book isn't anything new. It doesn't break any ground or have an original idea or character. That said, it is good and will grab you from the first page. While t More...
OK, this book isn't anything new. It doesn't break any ground or have an original idea or character. That said, it is good and will grab you from the first page. While t More...
Dec 12, 2010
Kat
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After five years away on the King’s business, Wynter Moorehawke and Lorcan, her father, have returned to court. Though they are carpenters of common birth, they also serve their friend, King Jonathan, as Lord and Lady Protector. Wynter is excited to be reunited with her childhood friends Alberon and Razi, the King’s legitimate and illegitimate sons, respectively. They were like brothers to her and she and Lorcan were practically part of the King’s family. But it quickly becomes clear that things
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Dec 10, 2011
Rhonda
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I liked this book and will probably look for the others in the trilogy. I found this to be a very emotional book. It pulls at your emotional stings. You have a young girl and her father returning from a five year trip to their home and country to find everything in uproar. Wynter, the main character, finds that she is no longer allowed to talk to her friends the ghosts and that all her charges - the castle's cats (that talk by the way)- have been killed. Aged 15, Wynter, who in a very brief
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