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Everything Is Poison
A Blood Water Paint-style historical YA in prose and verse from New York Times bestselling author Joy McCullough.
For as long as she can remember, Carmela Tofana has desperately wanted one to be an important part of La Tofana Apothecary, her mother’s apothecary in the Campo Marzio neighborhood of Rome. When she finally turns sixteen, she’s allowed into the workroom of the shop, where her mother and two other women make some of the most effective remedies in all of Rome. They also dispense a healthy amount of good, non-medical advice to their clients. But the workroom of La Tofana is no simple place, and for every sweet-smelling flower extract to be prepared, there’s another potion where the main ingredient is blood or something even less pleasant. And then there’s Aqua Tofana, the apothecary’s remedy of last resort and one of several secrets Carmela never bargained for in all her years of wishing to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Everything Is Poison is a story of a deadly secret hiding in plain sight and of the women who risk everything to provide care for those most in need.
For as long as she can remember, Carmela Tofana has desperately wanted one to be an important part of La Tofana Apothecary, her mother’s apothecary in the Campo Marzio neighborhood of Rome. When she finally turns sixteen, she’s allowed into the workroom of the shop, where her mother and two other women make some of the most effective remedies in all of Rome. They also dispense a healthy amount of good, non-medical advice to their clients. But the workroom of La Tofana is no simple place, and for every sweet-smelling flower extract to be prepared, there’s another potion where the main ingredient is blood or something even less pleasant. And then there’s Aqua Tofana, the apothecary’s remedy of last resort and one of several secrets Carmela never bargained for in all her years of wishing to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Everything Is Poison is a story of a deadly secret hiding in plain sight and of the women who risk everything to provide care for those most in need.
287 pages, Hardcover
First published January 14, 2025
43 people are currently reading
8508 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
January 14, 2025
3✧!!
╰ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ mini review down below!
my thoughts🧪┆ this was such a fun read!! and it was historical fiction, which is a genre that i need to read more of!<3 what i loved most was carmella’s character development throughout the book, the story follows carmella as she finally gets to work in her mothers apothecary on her 16th birthday. i learned so much about struggles women went through back then - and how husbands would treat their wives. i also enjoyed the poetry strung in the chapters!! overall this was a good book, quick and easy to binge!!
characters🧸!!
➼ carmella
╰ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ she was our fmc, and i really did enjoy seeing her character develop and grow throughout the story. it was fun to see her work with her mother and also how she learned compassion and how to make the right decisions and calls! she wasn’t my favorite fmc - i couldn’t really relate to her at all, but i still enjoyed her story nonetheless!💌
bottom line┊this was overall a pretty fun and interesting read!! i liked it, but historical fiction isn’t really my thing - but i would definitely recommend - if you love historical fiction, or if you want a book to binge!! thank you so so so much to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with my first arc!! take care and stay safe everyone!!
~saisha🤍
-----------
✨┊post read 12/12/24
3 stars!
wow i flew throught that loll, it was actually really good!!
i plan on writing the review in january - closer to the publishing date
✨┊pre-read 12/8/24!!!!
my first ever arc, omg im so excited!! AND its historical fiction??! and the title is so mysterious!🤭 hehe here goes!!! hope everyone is having a great holiday season! ily!!💗
~saish🎀
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with this arc in exchange for a honest review
╰ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ mini review down below!
my thoughts🧪┆ this was such a fun read!! and it was historical fiction, which is a genre that i need to read more of!<3 what i loved most was carmella’s character development throughout the book, the story follows carmella as she finally gets to work in her mothers apothecary on her 16th birthday. i learned so much about struggles women went through back then - and how husbands would treat their wives. i also enjoyed the poetry strung in the chapters!! overall this was a good book, quick and easy to binge!!
characters🧸!!
➼ carmella
╰ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ she was our fmc, and i really did enjoy seeing her character develop and grow throughout the story. it was fun to see her work with her mother and also how she learned compassion and how to make the right decisions and calls! she wasn’t my favorite fmc - i couldn’t really relate to her at all, but i still enjoyed her story nonetheless!💌
bottom line┊this was overall a pretty fun and interesting read!! i liked it, but historical fiction isn’t really my thing - but i would definitely recommend - if you love historical fiction, or if you want a book to binge!! thank you so so so much to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with my first arc!! take care and stay safe everyone!!
~saisha🤍
-----------
✨┊post read 12/12/24
3 stars!
wow i flew throught that loll, it was actually really good!!
i plan on writing the review in january - closer to the publishing date
✨┊pre-read 12/8/24!!!!
my first ever arc, omg im so excited!! AND its historical fiction??! and the title is so mysterious!🤭 hehe here goes!!! hope everyone is having a great holiday season! ily!!💗
~saish🎀
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with this arc in exchange for a honest review
May 8, 2025
If I’m one book behind schedule is because of this book, because what do you mean it took me a whole month to read it – it’s not even that long!
Anyway, it wasn’t catastrophic, there wasn’t a point where I felt like I wanted to stop reading it because I kept hoping, and hoping, and hoping that something – anything – would happen. That the story would actually go somewhere, that there would be a turn of events that made me say “it was worth it”. There wasn’t. In my opinion, the story was flat, very flat, nothing truly exciting ever happened. The characters stayed the same, there was no growth, there was no climax, nor suspense. It’s been a while since I’ve read it and there isn’t much I can say about it, because I just can’t find anything that stuck.
The only detail that made it more than bearable was the writing. However, not even that was profoundly remarkable.
Indeed, if I had to use one word to describe this book, it would be: unremarkable.
Anyway, it wasn’t catastrophic, there wasn’t a point where I felt like I wanted to stop reading it because I kept hoping, and hoping, and hoping that something – anything – would happen. That the story would actually go somewhere, that there would be a turn of events that made me say “it was worth it”. There wasn’t. In my opinion, the story was flat, very flat, nothing truly exciting ever happened. The characters stayed the same, there was no growth, there was no climax, nor suspense. It’s been a while since I’ve read it and there isn’t much I can say about it, because I just can’t find anything that stuck.
The only detail that made it more than bearable was the writing. However, not even that was profoundly remarkable.
Indeed, if I had to use one word to describe this book, it would be: unremarkable.
October 30, 2024
I was excited when I read the description for this one. I love the idea of a 17th century apothecary even if the struggles those women went through were awful. I liked the main character even if she could be difficult to stick with through all of her choices. Carmella has dreamed of the day she could join her mother in their apothecary and when she turns 16 she is finally allowed in. She is excited to learn more about what different herbs and substances do and how to make the tinctures that will help the people who come to the shop. But to most of their town they are witches who are believed to be helping women murder their poor defenseless husbands which Carmella has always been frustrated by until she learns that on very rare occasions her mother does exactly that. When a woman is desperate and would be killed by an abusive husband if she didn’t act first. I wasn’t sure I would like the poetry strewn through the chapters but I actually did like it more than I expected. This book was a quick and good read.
January 15, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review! Everything Is Poison will be published on January 14th, 2025!
January 14th, 2025: Happy publishing date to Everything is Poison! :)
This was such a good read and made the pharmacist/toxicology nerd in me happy and as a true crime junkie, I approve of this book. :) As a pharmacist, it's always interesting to read books with a pharmacy/medicine theme because there are not that many books out there that I've seen--not counting nonfiction books--about a pharmacist or someone in medicine. I would assume it's extremely difficult for an author who doesn't have a medical background to do the necessary research to make everything medically accurate, so I also occasionally get wary reading books set in a pharmacy/apothecary because I look at them with a ton more scrutiny. I WORK in that setting, so I know what it's like on a day-to-day basis with patient interactions and what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to dispensing medicine for patients.
Everything is Poison immediately caught my eye because it's about Giulia Tofana, the maker and mastermind behind the Acqua Tofana concoction that killed hundreds of men in Italy during the Renaissance, although this number could be much larger. I did a whole presentation about it during my clinical rotation at my state's Poison Control Center since it was assumed to have belladonna in it, along with arsenic and a whole bunch of other poisons. (My presentation was about plant poisons.) When I saw this on NetGalley, I KNEW I had to request it.
To put things in modern-day examples, Giulia is the pharmacist, Maria and Laura are her pharmacy technicians, and Carmela, Giulia's daughter, is a pharmacy intern (so a pharmacy student) trying to learn the ropes of her mom's role in the hopes that she one day can take over the apothecary and run it. The story follows Carmela as she turns 16 and starts to work in Giulia's apothecary. As she works there, she starts to learn about the dark underbelly of her mother's apothecary business beyond the standard cosmetics, love potions, arthritis creams, and other medicines she dispenses.
There were so many times I laughed because a lot of the tasks that Guilia, Maria, Laura, and Carmela do in the apothecary are still things that pharmacies do to this day- inventory and purchasing, compounding, counseling patients on different medications, giving recommendations to patients for different ailments, and even when they separate their more "dangerous" drugs/ingredients from the rest of their inventory behind the counter reminds me of how the pharmacy I work at keeps our controlled substances behind a locked room and our hazardous drugs (aka our NIOSH drugs) on separate shelves away from the rest of the drugs. Every time there was an interaction they had with a patient who was asking about this remedy or the other, my mind immediately went to the modern-day equivalent to what I would've recommended if I was the pharmacist there and it was sort of fun to make those connections. I know that in reality, I don't think Giulia Tofana ran an actual storefront apothecary in a building and most likely just had a small stand somewhere, but it was nice to see that the everyday tasks were just like any other pharmacy you'd see today, so I liked and appreciated the accuracy of pharmacy practice overall.
I loved how Giulia was trying to teach Carmela empathy throughout the story by telling her that they have to take care of everyone who steps through their doors and help them in any way they can, no matter how much they do or don't like them as people. Empathy is a huge aspect of working in healthcare and I felt like Carmela needed to learn to set aside her personal biases about the people she knew who came through the apothecary doors and help them. There were many times where I couldn't stand Carmela's attitude and thoughts towards some of the things she came across while working in the apothecary and I kept muttering to myself, "JUST SUCK IT UP AND HELP THEM!" I appreciated the character growth she had throughout the story, especially when it came down to her frenemy relationship with Violetta.
(Side note: It was kinda funny reading about Carmela trying to essentially gatekeep the pharmacy profession from Violetta and not letting her work there because she bullied Carmela when they were kids. They reminded me of Michael Scott and Toby from The Office.)
The only critiques I had about the story were the ending and how Aqua Tofana wasn't the main focal point of the story. The ending--albeit I read the ARC so I'm putting that here as a disclaimer--felt very abrupt and didn't sit right with me. I felt like it needed to be longer and more fleshed out because there were a lot of unanswered questions I had. There is a major event that happens within the last 30-40 pages of the story, and all of it happens extremely quickly and then the story just...ends. It felt incomplete. I would've loved to read about what happens immediately after the ending of the story, and no, I'm not talking about the epilogue which takes place a few years after (which was extremely cute). The book overall is 304 pages which is on the shorter side of books I've read this year, and I wouldn't have minded reading another 50-60 pages on how Carmela and the rest of the women handle the apothecary following the ending of the story.
Additionally, for a story about Giulia Tofana, her daughter, and the other women who helped Giulia dispense Aqua Tofana, the poison itself was more of a subplot and an underlying theme compared to the rest of the story, which was just the apothecary running on a day-to-day basis and the happenings inside the apothecary every day. We see the fallout and the consequences of people finding out about Aqua Tofana and SOME of the people who use it, but I wish we could've seen more about how it helped different people who needed it since that's what many girls and women ended up turning to in reality.
For a woman who made such an impact on the community in helping out girls and women who felt like they had no other choice, especially to the point where she, in real life, admitted to killing over 600 men with Aqua Tofana (and this number could be significantly higher!), we don't see a lot of those interactions between anyone who works at the apothecary and those people who wanted to get Aqua Tofana. It's been said that Aqua Tofana was the bestseller out of everything that Giulia Tofana sold, yet I didn't feel like that was reflected in the writing and the story at all. This was a time when women were married off to significantly older men, and most of the time the marriages were loveless and abusive. Many didn't see a way out until Aqua Tofana. Those who used it would tell their friends and it was very much through word of mouth that it blew up and became a silent but deadly poison. I would've loved to read more about how Aqua Tofana helped the women who needed it and the wide impact it had on the community.
Overall, this will be quite the banger to kick off 2025 releases, and if you're looking for a YA historical fiction story to read, I highly recommend this!
(If you want to learn more about Aqua Tofana and Giulia Tofana, I highly recommend watching Bailey Sarian's true crime video about her on YouTube. It sums it up pretty nicely and I actually used it as a resource for my presentation.)
4 stars
Trigger warnings: death, abortion, blood and gore, physical assault, sexual assault, difficult childbirth, loss of a parent, domestic abuse
—
November 19th, 2024: The ARC is secured. You don't understand how excited I am to read this because I did a whole presentation on the toxicology of Aqua Tofana during my last year of pharmacy school. (I was on clinical rotation at my state's Poison Control Center.)
January 14th, 2025: Happy publishing date to Everything is Poison! :)
This was such a good read and made the pharmacist/toxicology nerd in me happy and as a true crime junkie, I approve of this book. :) As a pharmacist, it's always interesting to read books with a pharmacy/medicine theme because there are not that many books out there that I've seen--not counting nonfiction books--about a pharmacist or someone in medicine. I would assume it's extremely difficult for an author who doesn't have a medical background to do the necessary research to make everything medically accurate, so I also occasionally get wary reading books set in a pharmacy/apothecary because I look at them with a ton more scrutiny. I WORK in that setting, so I know what it's like on a day-to-day basis with patient interactions and what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to dispensing medicine for patients.
Everything is Poison immediately caught my eye because it's about Giulia Tofana, the maker and mastermind behind the Acqua Tofana concoction that killed hundreds of men in Italy during the Renaissance, although this number could be much larger. I did a whole presentation about it during my clinical rotation at my state's Poison Control Center since it was assumed to have belladonna in it, along with arsenic and a whole bunch of other poisons. (My presentation was about plant poisons.) When I saw this on NetGalley, I KNEW I had to request it.
To put things in modern-day examples, Giulia is the pharmacist, Maria and Laura are her pharmacy technicians, and Carmela, Giulia's daughter, is a pharmacy intern (so a pharmacy student) trying to learn the ropes of her mom's role in the hopes that she one day can take over the apothecary and run it. The story follows Carmela as she turns 16 and starts to work in Giulia's apothecary. As she works there, she starts to learn about the dark underbelly of her mother's apothecary business beyond the standard cosmetics, love potions, arthritis creams, and other medicines she dispenses.
There were so many times I laughed because a lot of the tasks that Guilia, Maria, Laura, and Carmela do in the apothecary are still things that pharmacies do to this day- inventory and purchasing, compounding, counseling patients on different medications, giving recommendations to patients for different ailments, and even when they separate their more "dangerous" drugs/ingredients from the rest of their inventory behind the counter reminds me of how the pharmacy I work at keeps our controlled substances behind a locked room and our hazardous drugs (aka our NIOSH drugs) on separate shelves away from the rest of the drugs. Every time there was an interaction they had with a patient who was asking about this remedy or the other, my mind immediately went to the modern-day equivalent to what I would've recommended if I was the pharmacist there and it was sort of fun to make those connections. I know that in reality, I don't think Giulia Tofana ran an actual storefront apothecary in a building and most likely just had a small stand somewhere, but it was nice to see that the everyday tasks were just like any other pharmacy you'd see today, so I liked and appreciated the accuracy of pharmacy practice overall.
I loved how Giulia was trying to teach Carmela empathy throughout the story by telling her that they have to take care of everyone who steps through their doors and help them in any way they can, no matter how much they do or don't like them as people. Empathy is a huge aspect of working in healthcare and I felt like Carmela needed to learn to set aside her personal biases about the people she knew who came through the apothecary doors and help them. There were many times where I couldn't stand Carmela's attitude and thoughts towards some of the things she came across while working in the apothecary and I kept muttering to myself, "JUST SUCK IT UP AND HELP THEM!" I appreciated the character growth she had throughout the story, especially when it came down to her frenemy relationship with Violetta.
(Side note: It was kinda funny reading about Carmela trying to essentially gatekeep the pharmacy profession from Violetta and not letting her work there because she bullied Carmela when they were kids. They reminded me of Michael Scott and Toby from The Office.)
The only critiques I had about the story were the ending and how Aqua Tofana wasn't the main focal point of the story. The ending--albeit I read the ARC so I'm putting that here as a disclaimer--felt very abrupt and didn't sit right with me. I felt like it needed to be longer and more fleshed out because there were a lot of unanswered questions I had. There is a major event that happens within the last 30-40 pages of the story, and all of it happens extremely quickly and then the story just...ends. It felt incomplete. I would've loved to read about what happens immediately after the ending of the story, and no, I'm not talking about the epilogue which takes place a few years after (which was extremely cute). The book overall is 304 pages which is on the shorter side of books I've read this year, and I wouldn't have minded reading another 50-60 pages on how Carmela and the rest of the women handle the apothecary following the ending of the story.
Additionally, for a story about Giulia Tofana, her daughter, and the other women who helped Giulia dispense Aqua Tofana, the poison itself was more of a subplot and an underlying theme compared to the rest of the story, which was just the apothecary running on a day-to-day basis and the happenings inside the apothecary every day. We see the fallout and the consequences of people finding out about Aqua Tofana and SOME of the people who use it, but I wish we could've seen more about how it helped different people who needed it since that's what many girls and women ended up turning to in reality.
For a woman who made such an impact on the community in helping out girls and women who felt like they had no other choice, especially to the point where she, in real life, admitted to killing over 600 men with Aqua Tofana (and this number could be significantly higher!), we don't see a lot of those interactions between anyone who works at the apothecary and those people who wanted to get Aqua Tofana. It's been said that Aqua Tofana was the bestseller out of everything that Giulia Tofana sold, yet I didn't feel like that was reflected in the writing and the story at all. This was a time when women were married off to significantly older men, and most of the time the marriages were loveless and abusive. Many didn't see a way out until Aqua Tofana. Those who used it would tell their friends and it was very much through word of mouth that it blew up and became a silent but deadly poison. I would've loved to read more about how Aqua Tofana helped the women who needed it and the wide impact it had on the community.
Overall, this will be quite the banger to kick off 2025 releases, and if you're looking for a YA historical fiction story to read, I highly recommend this!
(If you want to learn more about Aqua Tofana and Giulia Tofana, I highly recommend watching Bailey Sarian's true crime video about her on YouTube. It sums it up pretty nicely and I actually used it as a resource for my presentation.)
4 stars
Trigger warnings: death, abortion, blood and gore, physical assault, sexual assault, difficult childbirth, loss of a parent, domestic abuse
—
November 19th, 2024: The ARC is secured. You don't understand how excited I am to read this because I did a whole presentation on the toxicology of Aqua Tofana during my last year of pharmacy school. (I was on clinical rotation at my state's Poison Control Center.)
January 14, 2025
“But Carmela had grown up watching women come through these doors over and over, seeking remedies for themselves, their children, their parents, their husbands, their siblings. She has only ever seen men come seeking remedies for themselves.”
I don’t know why this made me so emotional. It didn’t hit me until almost an hour after I finished. I just love women. I love reading about female relationships, either born or formed. I love the communities women create, the compassion women exhibit, the love women hold.
This is a historical fiction novel taking place in 17th century Rome. It is inspired by the real life figure of Giulia Tofana, a poisoner who invented Aqua Tofana which she sold to women who wanted to murder their husbands. In Everything is Poison we follow the perspective of her daughter Carmela. She has just turned sixteen and is finally allowed to apprentice at her mother’s apothecary. As she begins to learn the ins and outs of the business, and the various remedies they create, she stumbles across one of the shop’s deadly secrets. Aqua Tofana, the apothecary’s remedy of last resort.
An apothecary shop run by women already faces many superstitious beliefs. Carmela and the women in her life are often called witches and shunned by the people in their community. Despite those same people being customers in their shop. If it ever got out that they were giving women power over their abusers, a poison that could bring a man to his knees, they would be executed. This book tackles what it is to be a community center that is met with unforgiving judgement. To cultivate knowledge that can heal or harm. To decide how far you will go to protect those who need it most.
McCullough utilizes both prose and verse. While our main story stays firmly in prose, at the end of each chapter is a section in verse that gives insight into the everyday lives of the people surrounding the apothecary. We see how other residents of Campo Marzio live similar experiences as our characters. The universality of both suffering and joy. I’ve studied the late-Renaissance period in the past, and this book was a lovely refresher. It was nice to immerse myself in the era again, and to see a narrative interpretation of the way women interacted.
I honestly flew through this and had a wonderful time. I loved our characters, and I especially enjoyed seeing Carmela and Violetta’s tumultuous relationship. Their growing kinship was a great opportunity for them to become more sympathetic to each other and see another’s perspective. To understand the ways women may lash out to feel in control when they have none. As well as to treasure what makes them more fortunate than others.
July 28, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
Everything is Poison is a powerful, enchanting YA historical fiction with captivating characters and a fascinating plot.
This story was beautiful. It was a strong, feminist story that was achingly lovely, with stunning scenes of female power, sisterhood, motherhood, and friendship. The incorporation of poisons and history was excellent, and I adored the lovely poetry and prose used to tell the story. The pacing fit the interesting plot well, and the story developed wonderfully. EiP felt like Perfume: The Story of a Murderer meets Anatomy: A Love Story, which, personally, is an ideal combination. I highly recommend you read this fascinating story!
Thank you to the publisher for the free ARC!
Everything is Poison is a powerful, enchanting YA historical fiction with captivating characters and a fascinating plot.
This story was beautiful. It was a strong, feminist story that was achingly lovely, with stunning scenes of female power, sisterhood, motherhood, and friendship. The incorporation of poisons and history was excellent, and I adored the lovely poetry and prose used to tell the story. The pacing fit the interesting plot well, and the story developed wonderfully. EiP felt like Perfume: The Story of a Murderer meets Anatomy: A Love Story, which, personally, is an ideal combination. I highly recommend you read this fascinating story!
Thank you to the publisher for the free ARC!
July 30, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, and the messages are so important. In a time period where women didn’t have the ability to get away from terrible husbands who would kill them, women actually did have power that made men in power nervous once it was found out. And there are also some good quotes that also explain how a woman being “ruined” is all about perception, not fact.
I did think that the characterization could have been better, but the story as a whole was very well-researched especially when it came to the daily life of the time period and what people had in their homes, where they went every day, etc.
Thank you Penguin Teen for the e-arc
I did think that the characterization could have been better, but the story as a whole was very well-researched especially when it came to the daily life of the time period and what people had in their homes, where they went every day, etc.
Thank you Penguin Teen for the e-arc
November 12, 2024
you can read more of my reviews at www.teatimelit.com
The first book of Joy McCullough’s I read was Enter the Body, and after being completely blown away by her prose and storytelling abilities, I knew I had to read more of her work. When I saw that BookishFirst had a giveaway happening for Everything is Poison, I knew I had to enter and try to get an ARC of her 2025 release. And once again, BookishFirst came through (I also got an ARC of Enter the Body from them) and I was able to read this gorgeous story ahead of its January release date.
This book gutted me, and I mean that in the most complimentary fashion. Everything is Poison is a book about the female spirit, how women need to protect each other, and how most of the time, the only people we can count on is each other. Though Everything is Poison is set in the 17th century, it truly could’ve been set today for how relevant the subject matter was, and I think that’s what made it so emotionally powerful. I also loved that this book was loosely based on/inspired by a real historical figure, Giulia Tofana, an Italian professional poisoner. While, of course not everything in this book happens the way it did in history, I do think knowing that she was a real woman made it all the more interesting.
I thought the characters were so well written and felt extremely real. The found family created by Giulia, Maria and Laura was beautiful, and I could really understand Carmela’s desire to join the apothecary as soon as possible and work with her mother. I loved Carmela’s growth throughout the story and how her world-view, and her view of those around her, evolved as the story progressed.
With the current world debate over what women can and cannot do with our bodies, Everything is Poison really hit home. There was one quote, in particular, that I feel really encapsulates the novel, and that was,
“That is the daily work we are here for. Giving women a choice over what happens in their bodies”
In a time where women had very little control in anything involving their lives from where they lived, to who they married, to what they had access too, I loved reading about these women who really truly looked out for those around them and fought for their autonomy, regardless of their status in the community, or even if these women were kind to them. They didn’t discriminate and would help anyone who came through their doors because they knew that if they didn’t help these women, no one else would. Their community didn’t always welcome them, but they always welcomed anyone from their community. That kind of kindness is truly selfless, and I wish there was more of that in the world. I think now more than ever we need stories like this; stories of love and support and community and women fighting for their rights in any way that they can.
I thought the addition of the poems was so well done, and really added McCullough’s signature way of storytelling to the book. I think that each one got their message across well, but my absolute favorite was The Women. In under 100 words an entire story was told through that poem and it absolutely broke my heart. That poem made me cry while reading it and I continued to cry for a solid 5 minutes afterward. It was so powerful and, I do think that as a woman especially, it was very difficult to read.
Joy McCullough’s Everything is Poison is a beautiful story of found family and feminism, and a great reminder of the power of the human spirit. I couldn’t recommend it more highly.
---
4.5 stars. review to come!
The first book of Joy McCullough’s I read was Enter the Body, and after being completely blown away by her prose and storytelling abilities, I knew I had to read more of her work. When I saw that BookishFirst had a giveaway happening for Everything is Poison, I knew I had to enter and try to get an ARC of her 2025 release. And once again, BookishFirst came through (I also got an ARC of Enter the Body from them) and I was able to read this gorgeous story ahead of its January release date.
This book gutted me, and I mean that in the most complimentary fashion. Everything is Poison is a book about the female spirit, how women need to protect each other, and how most of the time, the only people we can count on is each other. Though Everything is Poison is set in the 17th century, it truly could’ve been set today for how relevant the subject matter was, and I think that’s what made it so emotionally powerful. I also loved that this book was loosely based on/inspired by a real historical figure, Giulia Tofana, an Italian professional poisoner. While, of course not everything in this book happens the way it did in history, I do think knowing that she was a real woman made it all the more interesting.
I thought the characters were so well written and felt extremely real. The found family created by Giulia, Maria and Laura was beautiful, and I could really understand Carmela’s desire to join the apothecary as soon as possible and work with her mother. I loved Carmela’s growth throughout the story and how her world-view, and her view of those around her, evolved as the story progressed.
With the current world debate over what women can and cannot do with our bodies, Everything is Poison really hit home. There was one quote, in particular, that I feel really encapsulates the novel, and that was,
“That is the daily work we are here for. Giving women a choice over what happens in their bodies”
In a time where women had very little control in anything involving their lives from where they lived, to who they married, to what they had access too, I loved reading about these women who really truly looked out for those around them and fought for their autonomy, regardless of their status in the community, or even if these women were kind to them. They didn’t discriminate and would help anyone who came through their doors because they knew that if they didn’t help these women, no one else would. Their community didn’t always welcome them, but they always welcomed anyone from their community. That kind of kindness is truly selfless, and I wish there was more of that in the world. I think now more than ever we need stories like this; stories of love and support and community and women fighting for their rights in any way that they can.
I thought the addition of the poems was so well done, and really added McCullough’s signature way of storytelling to the book. I think that each one got their message across well, but my absolute favorite was The Women. In under 100 words an entire story was told through that poem and it absolutely broke my heart. That poem made me cry while reading it and I continued to cry for a solid 5 minutes afterward. It was so powerful and, I do think that as a woman especially, it was very difficult to read.
Joy McCullough’s Everything is Poison is a beautiful story of found family and feminism, and a great reminder of the power of the human spirit. I couldn’t recommend it more highly.
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4.5 stars. review to come!
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August 30, 2024Loved this. A compelling exploration of the universality that exists between all women, set against the rich historical backdrop of 17th century Rome.
January 5, 2025
I have been fascinated by the history of Aqua Tofana ever since listening to Bailey Sarian’s podcast episode about it, so I was thrilled to read "Everything is Poison" by Joy McCullough.
The story follows Carmela Tofana as she begins apprenticing at her mother’s apothecary in 17th century Rome. She quickly discovers the apothecary's secret creation, Aqua Tofana, a tasteless and odorless poison that was sold to women to help them escape their abusive relationships. The mix of prose and poetry added a unique touch, though the fast pacing made it a bit challenging to keep track of all the characters. I really enjoyed the apothecary setting and the themes of resilience and women supporting one another.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author, which brought an extra layer of emotion and authenticity to the story. The combination of real history and fiction was woven beautifully, giving the historical aspects a modern and relatable feel.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Teen, and PRH Audio for providing me with the eARC and audiobook.
The story follows Carmela Tofana as she begins apprenticing at her mother’s apothecary in 17th century Rome. She quickly discovers the apothecary's secret creation, Aqua Tofana, a tasteless and odorless poison that was sold to women to help them escape their abusive relationships. The mix of prose and poetry added a unique touch, though the fast pacing made it a bit challenging to keep track of all the characters. I really enjoyed the apothecary setting and the themes of resilience and women supporting one another.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author, which brought an extra layer of emotion and authenticity to the story. The combination of real history and fiction was woven beautifully, giving the historical aspects a modern and relatable feel.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Teen, and PRH Audio for providing me with the eARC and audiobook.
November 5, 2025
I liked the concept but the execution just didn’t hit…the whole theme of the book was feminism and girlhood but it was definitely confusing for the first half. And I also thought it was pretty slow…like it took a while to get to the point. So it was a super interesting and unique read but idk if id recommend it…
January 27, 2025
Carmela Tofana is finally 16 and can learn the ins and outs of her mother Giulia's apothecary in a Roman neighborhood. Despite having being bullied for her mother being a "witch" as a kid, Carmela has known her mother only help the patrons who come through her door seeking aid for a myriad of ailments. The women of the apothecary are a team: her mother Giulia is the shop runner, Maria and Laura prepare ingredients, make remedies and are like family, and they teach Carmela how to do it all. But she also learns how many of their patrons are women who have nowhere else to turn for things like someone to listen to them, menstrual relief, abortive medicines, and even Acqua Tofana, a poison that her mother makes for desperate women to stealthily kill their abusive husbands. With a beautifully woven blend of prose and short poetry chapters, this story shines a light on all the women who have suffered under the power given to men, and on the women who use their strengths and relationships to protect each other and themselves.
I was absolutely captivated by this. I finished it in one sitting and was just blown away. The writing is just phenomenal, often bringing tears to my eyes, and the poems are the highlight. For 17th century historical fiction, this is so timely and relatable. Every character had an important role to play, with Carmela as an endearing MC. I cannot find anything to nitpick here; this was one of my favorite reads in a very long time for YA.
I was absolutely captivated by this. I finished it in one sitting and was just blown away. The writing is just phenomenal, often bringing tears to my eyes, and the poems are the highlight. For 17th century historical fiction, this is so timely and relatable. Every character had an important role to play, with Carmela as an endearing MC. I cannot find anything to nitpick here; this was one of my favorite reads in a very long time for YA.
July 11, 2025
Carmela has grown up with her peers calling her mother--La Tofana--a witch; but Carmela dreams of joining her mother in the apothecary shop, serving the women of early 17th century Rome. Upon her sixteenth birthday, Carmela's dream comes true. And within only a few pages, she has learned to make a love potion, seen her mother serve one of Carmela's peers a potion for an early-stage abortion, and aided a victim of battery. La Tofana Apothecary is a place of controversy, joy, salvation, security, and danger.
When it becomes Carmela's turn to aid a woman in need, what choice will she make. And what will be the cost?
Intense. Everything is Poison is a mature YA read, covering the challenging subject of women's health in an era very different from today, and yet in many ways the same. The relationships and camaraderie of the women in the apothecary shop reminded me a lot of the movie, Chocolate (which I love); and while the story itself is largely fictional, La Tofana was a real woman poisoner in the 1600s. The poems intermingling the regular text are powerful. A book that compels the reader to step into many different shoes and ask challenging questions.
When it becomes Carmela's turn to aid a woman in need, what choice will she make. And what will be the cost?
Intense. Everything is Poison is a mature YA read, covering the challenging subject of women's health in an era very different from today, and yet in many ways the same. The relationships and camaraderie of the women in the apothecary shop reminded me a lot of the movie, Chocolate (which I love); and while the story itself is largely fictional, La Tofana was a real woman poisoner in the 1600s. The poems intermingling the regular text are powerful. A book that compels the reader to step into many different shoes and ask challenging questions.
June 18, 2025
I randonly picked this book up at the library one day and I'm glad I did! I can't say I've read a book like it. It was a short novel interspersed with various poems. It's a historical fiction book that offers interesting social commentary on life as a woman that is relevant to even our current society. I wish it was longer so some of the conflict towards the end could be flushed out and have more tension/suspense.
April 6, 2025
Enjoyed as an audio book.
August 4, 2025
I haven’t read a book similar to this in a while, and it was very refreshing.
I especially appreciated that there was no romance👍
I especially appreciated that there was no romance👍
March 13, 2025
I love it when women own apothecaries and provide people with abortifacients and poisons to kill abusive husbands.
January 25, 2025
ARC copy that I won in a Goodreads giveaway from the publisher. Thanks Penguin Teen!
Overall, this is an interesting story about female relationships and society’s prejudices. I like the mix of prose and poetry throughout the book. The main character is often annoying, but what 16 year old isn’t? Some of the story’s flow felt choppily written, but that may be due to being an advanced copy.
Overall, this is an interesting story about female relationships and society’s prejudices. I like the mix of prose and poetry throughout the book. The main character is often annoying, but what 16 year old isn’t? Some of the story’s flow felt choppily written, but that may be due to being an advanced copy.
September 30, 2024
Historical fiction with some lovely verse
I received this ARC for free in return for an honest review:
Historical fiction YA crafted in prose and verse, akin to McCullough’s earlier work, “Blood Water Paint”. The story was a blend of historical fiction with deeply personal and emotional narratives. Set in early 17th century Rome the main character Carmela is finally admitted to her mother’s apothecary when she turns 16. The apothecary is full of secrets Carmela has been pining to know all her life.
The story highlights the difficult position of women in the 17th century and how they were often forced into impossible decisions due to the restrictions of the era. Accused of witchcraft, sorcery, and dealing with the devil, the women of the apothecary put themselves in precarious positions by offering various methods of relief to the "good citizens" of Rome.
While I enjoyed the book and read it in two days I can’t help feeling like something was missing from the story along the way. There are characters who drift into the story and then you hear nothing about them after one scene. Others are simply presented as a method to push the story forward. I was left feeling like there could have been a bit more book.
I really enjoyed the verse sections and felt that it gave the book some of the depth I was searching for.
Overall, not a bad story. If you like historical fiction or you are a fan of McCullough’s previous books you will probably like this one.
I received this ARC for free in return for an honest review:
Historical fiction YA crafted in prose and verse, akin to McCullough’s earlier work, “Blood Water Paint”. The story was a blend of historical fiction with deeply personal and emotional narratives. Set in early 17th century Rome the main character Carmela is finally admitted to her mother’s apothecary when she turns 16. The apothecary is full of secrets Carmela has been pining to know all her life.
The story highlights the difficult position of women in the 17th century and how they were often forced into impossible decisions due to the restrictions of the era. Accused of witchcraft, sorcery, and dealing with the devil, the women of the apothecary put themselves in precarious positions by offering various methods of relief to the "good citizens" of Rome.
While I enjoyed the book and read it in two days I can’t help feeling like something was missing from the story along the way. There are characters who drift into the story and then you hear nothing about them after one scene. Others are simply presented as a method to push the story forward. I was left feeling like there could have been a bit more book.
I really enjoyed the verse sections and felt that it gave the book some of the depth I was searching for.
Overall, not a bad story. If you like historical fiction or you are a fan of McCullough’s previous books you will probably like this one.
Read
December 7, 2024Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!
September 28, 2024
I won this from bookishfirst and I'm not gonna lie I wish I knew it was a mix between fiction and poetry. I like poetry and all but only when I'm in the mood for it. Therefore this book wasn't my cup of tea
September 13, 2024
Carmella has been waiting for her mother to invite her to work in the apothecary. She has waited patiently for many years to begin an apprenticeship under her. Once Carmella has joined her mother and the two other women who are like family, she fits right in. Not all is as it seems though. Her mother has hidden a dark secret… one that could put all of their lives at stake.
I am giving this young adult historical fiction a 4 out of five stars. The story was presented well and is character driven. There is a sense of danger, heartbreak, and sometimes even a little joy. The characters feel really relatable and give a wonderful family vibe full of powerful women.
I wish that the story had been faster paced in the beginning and that the epilogue wasn’t confusing at the start. It came together eventually but it introduced a lot of things that took awhile to grasp.
Overall this is a wonderful read and if you love historical fiction k recommend it.
I am giving this young adult historical fiction a 4 out of five stars. The story was presented well and is character driven. There is a sense of danger, heartbreak, and sometimes even a little joy. The characters feel really relatable and give a wonderful family vibe full of powerful women.
I wish that the story had been faster paced in the beginning and that the epilogue wasn’t confusing at the start. It came together eventually but it introduced a lot of things that took awhile to grasp.
Overall this is a wonderful read and if you love historical fiction k recommend it.
January 26, 2025
This is a beautiful blend of prose and verse that brings the history of Giulia Tofana to life. This story is both an exploration of women’s resilience and a striking reminder of the injustices they’ve faced across time—a message that feels painfully relevant today.
The novel follows Carmela Tofana, a young woman stepping into her mother’s apothecary in 17th-century Rome, only to uncover the secrets behind its remedies. The historical backdrop is immersive, capturing the weight of societal restrictions on women and the quiet rebellion of those who sought to protect one another. Through Carmela’s eyes, we experience the tension of balancing science, morality, and survival.
Giulia Tofana’s infamous Aqua Tofana, the poison allegedly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of men, provides a provocative foundation for the story. Rather than focusing solely on the scandal, McCullough invites readers to consider the why behind Giulia’s actions. This story is feminist to its core, daring to ask uncomfortable questions about justice against oppression and how women wield the small amount of power they have in a society designed to strip it from them.
The inclusion of verse interwoven with the chapters in prose REALLY elevates it. These poetic interludes echo the voices of women (and otherwise) throughout history, making their struggles feel both timeless and urgent. The result is writing that’s evocative, poignant, and utterly compelling. These poems are powerful and often chilling. Absolutely my favorite aspect of this book.
With compelling characters, themes of found family and intergenerational female friendships, and a darker tone than I anticipated, Everything Is Poison is an unforgettable read. It’s a book that examines not only history but also its echoes in our present day. For anyone feeling disheartened by the current state of women’s rights, this story offers a reminder of how women have always found ways to fight back—and why that fight must continue.
Highly recommend for fans of stories of historical resilience with a feminist edge. Thanks to the publisher, author, and Storygram Tours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
The novel follows Carmela Tofana, a young woman stepping into her mother’s apothecary in 17th-century Rome, only to uncover the secrets behind its remedies. The historical backdrop is immersive, capturing the weight of societal restrictions on women and the quiet rebellion of those who sought to protect one another. Through Carmela’s eyes, we experience the tension of balancing science, morality, and survival.
Giulia Tofana’s infamous Aqua Tofana, the poison allegedly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of men, provides a provocative foundation for the story. Rather than focusing solely on the scandal, McCullough invites readers to consider the why behind Giulia’s actions. This story is feminist to its core, daring to ask uncomfortable questions about justice against oppression and how women wield the small amount of power they have in a society designed to strip it from them.
The inclusion of verse interwoven with the chapters in prose REALLY elevates it. These poetic interludes echo the voices of women (and otherwise) throughout history, making their struggles feel both timeless and urgent. The result is writing that’s evocative, poignant, and utterly compelling. These poems are powerful and often chilling. Absolutely my favorite aspect of this book.
With compelling characters, themes of found family and intergenerational female friendships, and a darker tone than I anticipated, Everything Is Poison is an unforgettable read. It’s a book that examines not only history but also its echoes in our present day. For anyone feeling disheartened by the current state of women’s rights, this story offers a reminder of how women have always found ways to fight back—and why that fight must continue.
Highly recommend for fans of stories of historical resilience with a feminist edge. Thanks to the publisher, author, and Storygram Tours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
December 12, 2024
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I rarely read historical books, but something about this peaked my interesting, and I'm so glad I requested it.
I really liked the writing. The mix of regular narration and slice of life lyrical pieces in between was really well done. I also really loved the characters and felt that they were given very deep personalities. And while this was a historical novel, I sometimes forgot it wasn't set in present day because sadly so many of the topics discussed, especially about what women go through, are still just as present in current society.
This was a bit more slow paced than I prefer and I wish there was all little bit more substance to the plot overall, but if you are looking for a character driven story with strong female main characters this is just the book for you!
I rarely read historical books, but something about this peaked my interesting, and I'm so glad I requested it.
I really liked the writing. The mix of regular narration and slice of life lyrical pieces in between was really well done. I also really loved the characters and felt that they were given very deep personalities. And while this was a historical novel, I sometimes forgot it wasn't set in present day because sadly so many of the topics discussed, especially about what women go through, are still just as present in current society.
This was a bit more slow paced than I prefer and I wish there was all little bit more substance to the plot overall, but if you are looking for a character driven story with strong female main characters this is just the book for you!
April 10, 2025
I really disliked Carmela…
There were moments that I didn’t quite understand, such as when it was mentioned, “there is a girl like Carmela, but not so…” How was this related to the present or the characters? I think that near the end of the book, I finally got it and wished I had paid more attention to that. However, this didn’t diminish my overall enjoyment of the story.
I listened to the audiobook, and while the narration was decent, I felt that some character voices weren’t the best fit. Still, it didn’t make the listening experience unbearable.
Did I mention just how much I couldn't stand Carmela? 🤣🤣🤣
It’s also worth noting the historical context of the story. Set in an era when women held little value, these characters are, in a way, supporting one another to navigate their male-dominated society. Their bravery in doing so could be interpreted as a form of feminism. But since this review is not for an English class, I’ll stop here ☺️.
There were moments that I didn’t quite understand, such as when it was mentioned, “there is a girl like Carmela, but not so…” How was this related to the present or the characters? I think that near the end of the book, I finally got it and wished I had paid more attention to that. However, this didn’t diminish my overall enjoyment of the story.
I listened to the audiobook, and while the narration was decent, I felt that some character voices weren’t the best fit. Still, it didn’t make the listening experience unbearable.
Did I mention just how much I couldn't stand Carmela? 🤣🤣🤣
It’s also worth noting the historical context of the story. Set in an era when women held little value, these characters are, in a way, supporting one another to navigate their male-dominated society. Their bravery in doing so could be interpreted as a form of feminism. But since this review is not for an English class, I’ll stop here ☺️.
November 2, 2025
3 ⭐️
the premise of this book: very interesting. the actual book: not interesting at all.
this story follows carmela, a newly-16-year-old girl in the 1700s whose mother, giulia, runs an apothecary. carmela is finally getting to be an apprentice at said apothecary, but like i said, she's sixteen. somehow, the entire book she acts like a toddler. she has this enemy, named violetta, and even though they have a bad past, it's not until the last 20 pages of the book that she actually appreciates her for all she's done. she also constantly yells at the other apothecary workers, telling them that she's in charge (when, like i said, she's sixteen going on seven).
overall, my biggest complaint about the book was that it felt like the author was writing for a much younger audience. she brought up a lot of heavy subjects (domestic abuse, women's rights, abortion rights) but then wouldn't actually dive into them at all! there was no romance in this book either. and while you might argue that a book about women's rights might benefit from, you know, not having a romance, i would argue that there were enough chapters that were empty of content that there was an opportunity for a great subplot.
anyway, the bottom line of the review is that while there was an opportunity for a lot of things to happen, nothing really did. the climax was not very entertaining or fast-paced. but still, a good idea, so still 3 stars.
the premise of this book: very interesting. the actual book: not interesting at all.
this story follows carmela, a newly-16-year-old girl in the 1700s whose mother, giulia, runs an apothecary. carmela is finally getting to be an apprentice at said apothecary, but like i said, she's sixteen. somehow, the entire book she acts like a toddler. she has this enemy, named violetta, and even though they have a bad past, it's not until the last 20 pages of the book that she actually appreciates her for all she's done. she also constantly yells at the other apothecary workers, telling them that she's in charge (when, like i said, she's sixteen going on seven).
overall, my biggest complaint about the book was that it felt like the author was writing for a much younger audience. she brought up a lot of heavy subjects (domestic abuse, women's rights, abortion rights) but then wouldn't actually dive into them at all! there was no romance in this book either. and while you might argue that a book about women's rights might benefit from, you know, not having a romance, i would argue that there were enough chapters that were empty of content that there was an opportunity for a great subplot.
anyway, the bottom line of the review is that while there was an opportunity for a lot of things to happen, nothing really did. the climax was not very entertaining or fast-paced. but still, a good idea, so still 3 stars.
November 24, 2024
Overall it was just okay. The poetry chapters scattered throughout were a weird choice and the lead was just so naive yet brilliant? It was a strange dynamic and no one seemed to be full fledged characters. I wanted this to be more than a floaty story that never anchored and took root.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 18, 2024
I really liked the present tense, the interplay between generations of women, and the interspersed poems widening the context of the main plot line. The book’s weakness was that it definitely felt like a “message” book which sometimes got in the way of the story.
March 3, 2025
Interesting book.
October 26, 2025
I liked a lot of things about this book — the setting, the half prose/half poetry writing style, and almost all of the characters. But I felt like the main character was immature and irritating for almost the whole book, and the plot itself wasn’t a fleshed out as I wanted it to be. It felt like very little happened the whole time.
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