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madamepincers's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Slavery, Violence, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Body horror, Self harm, Sexual assault, Torture, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, and Fire/Fire injury
Takes place in a death prison, with an in-depth passage of someone living being trapped in a crematorium-- could be triggering for Holocaust associations.motherofheleus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I felt betrayed by the ending--in the best possible way. However, I still felt as though Kiva betrayed me and I'm apprehensive, excited, and, more than a little, frightened to see what happens next!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury
annacolb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Grief, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Murder
lily_k8y's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Was a great page turner, and I sat around reading the last half of the book in one sitting (3 hours haha).
Loved the use of some of the pages, and the element of suspense that kept me wanting to know more and more.
Looking forward to the sequel!!!
Loved the use of some of the pages, and the element of suspense that kept me wanting to know more and more.
Looking forward to the sequel!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Torture
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Rape
readundancies's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
When I first picked up The Prison Healer, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect.
The first half of the book is very much meant to set up the events of the second, but it does so with a rather slow and meandering pace. So while I was invested and entertained, I was not so engrossed that I couldn’t put it down. I think that has a bit to do with the world-building itself.
Now don't get me wrong, the world-building as a whole was not poor, but I wanted more out of it, especially since we were supposed to be in a prison setting. I never truly got a proper feel of Wenderall, let alone Zalindov, and I'm not sure if that's because I really wanted to feel fear in it's imposing presence or because the map and it's gorgeous design wasn't enough in comparison to what the writing actually depicted of the setting.
(AN ASIDE: Regarding the map(s), Francesca Baerald you wily ass cartographer you - I'm no artist but damn, that is how you map people. The compass at the bottom of the world map is simply parfait.)
But world-building aside, the slow plot progression of the first half gives way to the much more invigorating and suspenseful second half, with all the truth bombs and heavy twists that I was waiting for.
Yes, I say waiting for because in terms of plot predictability, I'm giving this an arbitrary rating of 90%. Which is not actually to the books detriment, because I thought the decisions made in terms of plot were executed really well, even though I knew they were bound to occur. Some context might be helpful here in terms of my exact thoughts when certain reveals were made:
- About Jaren: “I knew it” - Not completely in terms of accuracy but I was essentially close enough that it doesn't even matter.
- About Kiva: “I fuckin’ knew it” - This one I saw coming a mile away. The moment the jealousy induced tragedy of a history between Evalon's royalty was told just cemented Kiva's role in everything.
- About Tilda: “Okay, cool. Cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool.” - This one got me. I thought it was an interesting twist, but also was kinda meh about it at the same time because it also put the entirety of Kiva's character into question at the end and I have a love-hate relationship with unreliable narration.
Speaking of relationships, the relationship between Jaren and Kiva is definitely hinting at a slow burn. But Kiva’s got some mountains to traverse that will not be like climbing molehills when it comes to cultivating that relationship because one side has revealed quite a bit about themselves and the other, not so much. Can we talk about the slow burn though? Because I need it. I need it like air and water and the sequel.
The characterization within the novel was done well for the most part. I'm not in love with Jaren or Kiva, but I'm 100% behind Naari and Tipp even though I feel like there's still more we can get out of their characters. The Warden Rooke and Cresta acted as fairly tolerable antagonists but in terms of actual threats? I wasn't convinced.
I'm interested to see how all the political machinations are going to come into play in The Gilded Cage, especially because Kiva seems extremely naive considering she's got no idea how the outside world actually works since she's been in prison for the better part of a decade and also because the role she seems destined to play is not one in which you can just slip into that easily. Also, Kiva’s family better have some damn good reasons of atonement because I’m not impressed with their lack of efforts with respect to prison break. Unless of course there's a more sinister reason behind it
All of this is just to say, that yes, this book was great.
Yes, I will be picking up the sequel.
And yes, you should too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Rape
larainsidebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I picked this up because I wanted to read something with a plot twist that would left me surprised. It's been a while since I read something that completely surprised me and blew my mind, but this was a perfect book for this feeling!
There is so much in here than just being in a prison for 10 years. There are mysteries to be solved, the past that haunts you, a hope of being rescued, a rebel movement rising (both inside and outside of prison) and Kiva is just in the middle of all of it. And then Jaren shows up. He is kind, considerate, protective and everything else you could imagine about a potential love interest .
I loved Naari and Kiva as characters. Kiva is so layered and I love the way she thinks. As the prison healer, she is responsible for the lives of new inmates, as well as for everyone else who gets hurt or ill. The stomach virus isn't exactly helping, and it's no surprise that the problems she faces just keep piling up. Especially with the arrival of the Rebel Queen, who Kiva must keep alive (for various reasons).
Like this all isn't enough, Kiva volunteers to take her place to fight for their lives in the Trial by Ordeal, which means if Kiva wins, they are both free. However, if Kiva fails, the Queen dies.
The whole plot about the Trials was less interesting to me, as I was sure that Kiva could make it, but I was more intrigued about the mysterious sickness that was spreading through the prison.
Kiva's backstory was so wonderfully explained, through flashbacks and her tender conversations with Jaren. I loved how the author didn't shy away from discussing heavy topics like addictions, grief and self-harm. All of that really added to the story in the best way possible.
MY SPOILER THOUGHTS BELOW
AZGWAGFZFHAFH THE REBEL QUEEN IS KIVA'S MOTHER AFAZVBAFVH
this explains why she wanted to hear the story about Kiva's father again
I also can't imagine how hard it must've been for Kiva to try to keep her alive, not just because Cresta threathened her, but because she was her mother!!!
I have to say, Jaren's identity was constantly in the back of my mind, but even when I was almost sure that he was the prince, when he saved Kiva during the Trial by Water, I suspected that he was just some "anomaly", as he said that there could be people not of the royal bloodline who had the powers!
Also, the fact that Jaren (can't and won't stop calling him that) goes by his middle name in the prison and that only friends and family call him that makes me think of Poppy and Hawke (From Blood and Ash)!
As for Kiva's powers, since she was the healer and the moment they were discussing the two bloodlines with different powers, something in the back of my mind stirred and whispered: "Could this mean something for Kiva??" Of course I forgot about that so I was still shocked when her true origin was revealed. Even if I figured that she must have healing magic, I would've considered her not of royal blood, so that made the final reveal even more shocking!
I knew going into this that I can expect plot twists and I imagined something with an identity switch, but even knowing that, this book really shocked me!
There is so much in here than just being in a prison for 10 years. There are mysteries to be solved, the past that haunts you, a hope of being rescued, a rebel movement rising (both inside and outside of prison) and Kiva is just in the middle of all of it. And then Jaren shows up. He is kind, considerate, protective and everything else you could imagine about a potential
I loved Naari and Kiva as characters. Kiva is so layered and I love the way she thinks. As the prison healer, she is responsible for the lives of new inmates, as well as for everyone else who gets hurt or ill. The stomach virus isn't exactly helping, and it's no surprise that the problems she faces just keep piling up. Especially with the arrival of the Rebel Queen, who Kiva must keep alive (for various reasons).
Like this all isn't enough, Kiva volunteers to take her place to fight for their lives in the Trial by Ordeal, which means if Kiva wins, they are both free. However, if Kiva fails, the Queen dies.
The whole plot about the Trials was less interesting to me, as I was sure that Kiva could make it, but I was more intrigued about the mysterious sickness that was spreading through the prison.
Kiva's backstory was so wonderfully explained, through flashbacks and her tender conversations with Jaren. I loved how the author didn't shy away from discussing heavy topics like addictions, grief and self-harm. All of that really added to the story in the best way possible.
MY SPOILER THOUGHTS BELOW
AZGWAGFZFHAFH THE REBEL QUEEN IS KIVA'S MOTHER AFAZVBAFVH
this explains why she wanted to hear the story about Kiva's father again
I also can't imagine how hard it must've been for Kiva to try to keep her alive, not just because Cresta threathened her, but because she was her mother!!!
I have to say, Jaren's identity was constantly in the back of my mind, but even when I was almost sure that he was the prince, when he saved Kiva during the Trial by Water, I suspected that he was just some "anomaly", as he said that there could be people not of the royal bloodline who had the powers!
Also, the fact that Jaren (can't and won't stop calling him that) goes by his middle name in the prison and that only friends and family call him that makes me think of Poppy and Hawke (From Blood and Ash)!
As for Kiva's powers, since she was the healer and the moment they were discussing the two bloodlines with different powers, something in the back of my mind stirred and whispered: "Could this mean something for Kiva??" Of course I forgot about that so I was still shocked when her true origin was revealed. Even if I figured that she must have healing magic, I would've considered her not of royal blood, so that made the final reveal even more shocking!
I knew going into this that I can expect plot twists and I imagined something with an identity switch, but even knowing that, this book really shocked me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Drug abuse, Self harm, Torture, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Rape, Sexual violence, Vomit, Grief, and Suicide attempt
idealpages's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Confinement, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, and Murder
shitbookreviews's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Copy via Netgalley but also bought my own.
Fuck me sideways – THIS IS A BOOK YOU NEED TO READ. My emotions, my heart, my MIND all left scrambled whilst I lie in the dark trying to contemplate what just happened. I am a mess.
When you grab this (noticed I said when and not IF), this is what you’re in for:
✨ Hunger Games vibes but in a death prison
✨ Rebel Queen messing everyone’s shit up
✨ One bad-ass 17-year-old trying not to die in said death prison that has to heal people with no training
✨ A set of ordeals that would grant her her freedom
✨ A disease that is killing off inmates in droves
I mean c’mon. How could you even resist that in the first place? First up, you’ve got our main gal, Kiva. The aforementioned bad-ass is the one standing between life and death of most of the prisoners. Dragged along to Zalindov prison because of her father’s actions, she’s 10 years deep in a never-ending sentence and doing what she must to survive. Then you have little Tipp. Another kid thrown in this hell-hole because of his parents, Tipp is like a little ray of sunshine that bounds from one place to another like he’s in fucking Disney World. If we could bottle up his essence, we could be millionaires.
If that pair isn’t enough, enter Jaren (lad supreme) and Naari (a prison guard who is nice…? Weird) to really throw a few spanners into the works. This band of merry misfits join forces to try to figure out what’s behind the sickness that’s plaguing the prison, but when the Rebel Queen, Tilda, is flung into her world everything grinds to a halt. Tilda is sentenced to Trial by Ordeal, but as she’s, uh, unconscious, she ain’t in any fit state to do them, so Kiva volunteers as tribute. If she survives, they both walk out of this place. One problem though – very few people do.
And I’m going to stop there. Because this is a book you should read for yourself.
Yes, it’s a story about Kings and Queens. Yes, there’s a smidge of romance but nothing wild. Yes, some of this sounds clichéd as fuck but I do not care. I needed a book like this at the moment and it’s filled a void that I didn’t even know was there. It’s a deliciously easy read leaving you wanting to devour more and I promise you that might not see that ending coming. I was sitting there all smug thinking I’d mastered it, but hell no. Smacked right in the face – left gobsmacked.
Gimmie the next one. Now.
(p.s. thankfully I only need to wait until October)
Fuck me sideways – THIS IS A BOOK YOU NEED TO READ. My emotions, my heart, my MIND all left scrambled whilst I lie in the dark trying to contemplate what just happened. I am a mess.
When you grab this (noticed I said when and not IF), this is what you’re in for:
✨ Hunger Games vibes but in a death prison
✨ Rebel Queen messing everyone’s shit up
✨ One bad-ass 17-year-old trying not to die in said death prison that has to heal people with no training
✨ A set of ordeals that would grant her her freedom
✨ A disease that is killing off inmates in droves
I mean c’mon. How could you even resist that in the first place? First up, you’ve got our main gal, Kiva. The aforementioned bad-ass is the one standing between life and death of most of the prisoners. Dragged along to Zalindov prison because of her father’s actions, she’s 10 years deep in a never-ending sentence and doing what she must to survive. Then you have little Tipp. Another kid thrown in this hell-hole because of his parents, Tipp is like a little ray of sunshine that bounds from one place to another like he’s in fucking Disney World. If we could bottle up his essence, we could be millionaires.
If that pair isn’t enough, enter Jaren (lad supreme) and Naari (a prison guard who is nice…? Weird) to really throw a few spanners into the works. This band of merry misfits join forces to try to figure out what’s behind the sickness that’s plaguing the prison, but when the Rebel Queen, Tilda, is flung into her world everything grinds to a halt. Tilda is sentenced to Trial by Ordeal, but as she’s, uh, unconscious, she ain’t in any fit state to do them, so Kiva volunteers as tribute. If she survives, they both walk out of this place. One problem though – very few people do.
And I’m going to stop there. Because this is a book you should read for yourself.
Yes, it’s a story about Kings and Queens. Yes, there’s a smidge of romance but nothing wild. Yes, some of this sounds clichéd as fuck but I do not care. I needed a book like this at the moment and it’s filled a void that I didn’t even know was there. It’s a deliciously easy read leaving you wanting to devour more and I promise you that might not see that ending coming. I was sitting there all smug thinking I’d mastered it, but hell no. Smacked right in the face – left gobsmacked.
Gimmie the next one. Now.
(p.s. thankfully I only need to wait until October)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Torture, and Blood
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
outsidestar's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Well, those last chapters were definitely a ride.
This book was like a combination of the first two Throne of Glass books: our MC is in a prison, she has to undergo a series of trials to get out of it, there’s some magic here and there, and a jaw-dropping ending. It was a great foundation for what I can already see becoming an epic fantasy story. All I can do is hope the coming books will put it to good use.
Now let me tell you what The Prison Healer is actually about:
Welcome to Wenderall (think of a world like Erilea or Westeros, with different kingdoms ruled by different royal families). This world has a prison (think WWII concentration camps) were criminals from all kingdoms are sent. There is where our story takes place.
The prison of Zalindov is all 17 year-old Kiva has known ever since she and her father were thrown into it 10 years ago. Now the prison healer, Kiva stays afloat with the scarce messages she manages to smuggle to and from her family. And 12 year-old Tipp, who is Kiva’s helper in the infirmary (as well as a sunshine-covered cinnamon roll who can light anybody’s day) and who she sees as a little brother who she must protect. Other than Tipp, Kiva tries to keep her distance from everyone else, because at the end of the day all Zalindov can bring is death to those who you care about.
That is, of course, until a new prisoner is bought to Zalindov and just so happens to be equal parts handsome, sweet and kind, so we all know how that's gonna go. Oh, and he’s got Ashryver eyes (not that it matters in any way).
Fast forward a couple days or weeks and the next new prisoner brought to Kiva is no other than the Rebel Queen. A very-sick-almost-dying Rebel Queen. And she comes with a note from Kiva’s family: Don’t let her die. We are coming. The queen is sentenced to Trial by Ordeal but, since she can’t even stand on her own feet, Kiva volunteers to be her Champion. If she succeeds they will both be free, but if she fails they will both die. The trick? No one has ever survived a Trial by Ordeal.
That, alongside some royals coming to watch the Trial, tiny little glimpses of magic and great characters, pretty much sums up this story. Kiva is a perfectly crafted character and I loved Tipp, Naari, Jaren and even Mot, and can’t wait to see what the gang will be up to in the coming books.
Also, I think the plot twists are worth mentioning. I did see them coming, but then again, I usually see all plot twists coming (except for the Kaz Brekker kind). Anyways, they were very well thought out, hints were left throughout the story if you knew what to look for, which was a perfect build up to the actual revelations. The crafting was just exquisite.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the e-ARC in exchange of an honest and voluntary review.
This book was like a combination of the first two Throne of Glass books: our MC is in a prison, she has to undergo a series of trials to get out of it, there’s some magic here and there, and a jaw-dropping ending. It was a great foundation for what I can already see becoming an epic fantasy story. All I can do is hope the coming books will put it to good use.
Now let me tell you what The Prison Healer is actually about:
Welcome to Wenderall (think of a world like Erilea or Westeros, with different kingdoms ruled by different royal families). This world has a prison (think WWII concentration camps) were criminals from all kingdoms are sent. There is where our story takes place.
The prison of Zalindov is all 17 year-old Kiva has known ever since she and her father were thrown into it 10 years ago. Now the prison healer, Kiva stays afloat with the scarce messages she manages to smuggle to and from her family. And 12 year-old Tipp, who is Kiva’s helper in the infirmary (as well as a sunshine-covered cinnamon roll who can light anybody’s day) and who she sees as a little brother who she must protect. Other than Tipp, Kiva tries to keep her distance from everyone else, because at the end of the day all Zalindov can bring is death to those who you care about.
That is, of course, until a new prisoner is bought to Zalindov and just so happens to be equal parts handsome, sweet and kind, so we all know how that's gonna go. Oh, and he’s got Ashryver eyes (not that it matters in any way).
Fast forward a couple days or weeks and the next new prisoner brought to Kiva is no other than the Rebel Queen. A very-sick-almost-dying Rebel Queen. And she comes with a note from Kiva’s family: Don’t let her die. We are coming. The queen is sentenced to Trial by Ordeal but, since she can’t even stand on her own feet, Kiva volunteers to be her Champion. If she succeeds they will both be free, but if she fails they will both die. The trick? No one has ever survived a Trial by Ordeal.
That, alongside some royals coming to watch the Trial, tiny little glimpses of magic and great characters, pretty much sums up this story. Kiva is a perfectly crafted character and I loved Tipp, Naari, Jaren and even Mot, and can’t wait to see what the gang will be up to in the coming books.
Also, I think the plot twists are worth mentioning. I did see them coming, but then again, I usually see all plot twists coming (except for the Kaz Brekker kind). Anyways, they were very well thought out, hints were left throughout the story if you knew what to look for, which was a perfect build up to the actual revelations. The crafting was just exquisite.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the e-ARC in exchange of an honest and voluntary review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Death
Moderate: Self harm, Slavery, Blood, and Death of parent
lennie_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book but I was hooked immediately. I loved our morally ambiguous MC Kiva & her journey as she does what she can to survive in a brutal prison whilst also trying to treat patients with no judgement.
And after Jaren arrives, with the help of Naari & Tipp, they all start to break down Kiva's carefully constructed walls.
When the Rebel Queen is captured & taken to the prison - it is decided that she will have to complete 4 trials, each featuring a different element, & if she survives, she will be free. However, the Rebel Queen is on death's door when she arrives & in no state to complete anything, so Kiva volunteers to take her place under the understanding that if she completes the trials, both her & the Queen will be freed.
The trials get increasingly harder & Kiva's reliance on others becomes heavier, making her realise she isn't as much of an island as she would like to believe.
I loved the dark gritty surroundings of the prison & I feel that Noni paints a very vivid & realistic image of Zalindov prison, as well as the types of people who would be in there, innocent & guilty alike. Noni also portrays the brutality of the prisons guards & the cold calculating Warden especially well.
I loved the history of the royals, the magic systems & how that fed into the story. I was also fascinated by the descriptions of medicines & how Kiva has taught herself healing through trial & error following her father's death in the prison.
Some of the twists I saw coming but some of them left me absolutely gobsmacked. I need the sequel ASAP.
And I love Kiva, Jaren, Naari & Tipp so much!
CW: mentions of sexual assault, drug use, self harm, death
And after Jaren arrives, with the help of Naari & Tipp, they all start to break down Kiva's carefully constructed walls.
When the Rebel Queen is captured & taken to the prison - it is decided that she will have to complete 4 trials, each featuring a different element, & if she survives, she will be free. However, the Rebel Queen is on death's door when she arrives & in no state to complete anything, so Kiva volunteers to take her place under the understanding that if she completes the trials, both her & the Queen will be freed.
The trials get increasingly harder & Kiva's reliance on others becomes heavier, making her realise she isn't as much of an island as she would like to believe.
I loved the dark gritty surroundings of the prison & I feel that Noni paints a very vivid & realistic image of Zalindov prison, as well as the types of people who would be in there, innocent & guilty alike. Noni also portrays the brutality of the prisons guards & the cold calculating Warden especially well.
I loved the history of the royals, the magic systems & how that fed into the story. I was also fascinated by the descriptions of medicines & how Kiva has taught herself healing through trial & error following her father's death in the prison.
Some of the twists I saw coming but some of them left me absolutely gobsmacked. I need the sequel ASAP.
And I love Kiva, Jaren, Naari & Tipp so much!
CW: mentions of sexual assault, drug use, self harm, death
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Mentions of Self Harming Character with prosthetic arm