It was okay. I liked some of the poems, but overall, this poetry book was pretty… meh. I didn’t really have any strong feelings about it. Honestly nothing more than your average 3 star read. ( )

I think it deserves 3/5 stars, but I'm rating books based on my personal tastes and not "objectively".

Someone suggested this in their review of "The Princess Saves Herself in this One" as a much better version of feminist young-adult poetry based on the theme of fairytales. They were right.

In comparison with Lovelace's collection [which I didn't like], "Poisoned Apples" is much more honest. It seems to be aware of it's cheesiness and topples it off with a good amount of very enjoyable humor.

The poems talk about body image issues, consumerist culture, societal expectations, abuse, friendships and everyday life. Fairytale elements are there to be subverted, or to illustrate the absurdity of life, adding a familiar note.

What I really liked was the fact that every story seemed honest. It wasn't trying to be inspirational, shocking, radical, it just was. Which, again, is a thing that I really respect, especially after going through that other collection.

Definitely recommended for younger readers and people who enjoy a bit of fun, casual poetry with nice messages. ( )

I need to stop being interested in a book just because it looks like it has something to do with fairy tales.
This was not what I was expecting. It was bad and repetitive. I get the point of the poems but this is definitely not for me. I like poetry that makes me feel something and this didn't make me feel anything. I wasn't shocked or surprised or anything. The writing was also really simple and reading it didn't give me any pleasure. ( )

Beautiful cover, fascinating photography, a handful of really gripping poems. This collection of feminist poems is broadly based on fairy tales addresses issues like eating disorders, body dysmorphia, self harm, societal pressures, idealized beauty, social media and other relevant issues to teen girls. Some of the poems are fantastic, some of them are very repetitive. I wanted to love it, but I felt there were a lot of missed opportunities with regards to the fairy tale concept; some of the connections were weak. Lots of potential- I think this will really be enjoyed by teenage girls. ( )

"you are more than just a hero or
a villain, cursed or charmed. You are
everything in between.
You are everything."

Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty is a fantastic collection of poems for teens who grew up with Disney tales. These fifty poems by Christine Heppermann are very short yet pack a very powerful punch in each line. It takes the tales of love, beauty, and happily ever after and applies them to the real world and issues teenagers face. The poems are paired with stunning black-and-white photographs that are as beautiful as they are haunting. Without giving us a full-fledged story, it gives us a taste of how some of the fairy tales we know would play out in our actual world. It is written in a way that is very simple to understand, but leaves a deep impression, keeping you coming back to the poems that speak to you most deeply.
I will say this collection does need a slight Trigger Warning as it addresses some tough issues with a very frank manner. It does address issues including eating disorders, self-harm, and assault. But it does so in a way that feels genuine, rather than including it just to be controversial or just to fill space. While it may address some rough topics, it does so with the connecting theme of finding your way through the haunted woods to discover your own happily ever after. ( )