Rating: 
Summary: Seeps Into Your Veins
Review: The Poison Master is the story of an alchemist, Dee. She lives on a faraway planet with weird creatures and strange beliefs. Dee is trying to save money to rescue her sister from the hands of the Lords when one of her clients suddenly dies after taking some of Dee's drug concoctions. Dee does the only thing she can - she runs ... straight into the arms of a stranger from another planet, Ari, who says he can save her. But, there is something a little odd about Ari, the Poison Master.Despite it all, Dee agrees to help him destroy the Lords and travels to Ari's planet, when his household help tells Dee that Ari is actually planning to poison her after they achieve their goal. The question is, whom should Dee believe, since she really knows neither party very well. Liz Williams demonstrates sophisticated story telling skills. The dialogue runs smoothly and the story is captivating. In addition, she has some imagination! One of the reasons it took me so long to get into this book was due to all the strange references and situations/creatures that Dee runs into to. There is a small parallel story, running back to Earth's 16th century which adds interest, and though it was probably not really necessary, it completes the story. Four stars for imagination, writing and characters. I would have liked a smoother storyline transition and more characters to give a fully fledged fantasy.
Rating: 
Summary: Williams keeps getting better!
Review: This is Liz Williams' third novel, and her best so far. She weaves the story of alchemist Alivet Dee with that of her ancestor, the Elizabethan courtier Dr. John Dee. Williams' prose, as usual, is beautifully crafted and unobtrusive. Both branches of the story kept me interested, and fit together neatly without feeling at all contrived. I'm looking forward to reading it again, and to finding some good books about the real life of John Dee.
Rating:
Summary: Sparks the imagination!
Review: You cannot do justice to this book in a brief synopsis. The author paints vivid pictures of strange worlds, weird characters, and travels between worlds. We are taken on one wild ride after another with our intrepid heroine, Alivet. This is a MUST READ!
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