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maimy_ii's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Medical content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Drug use, Self harm, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
jolovestoread's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
What a surprise of an ending. The beginning is slow. I wonder if the Rebel Queen hadn't of been mentioned in the blurb if this would have added more tension earlier on. However I don't know what else to have included to make the blurb standout. I read this slowly and wouldn't liked to have been forced to read it quicker for a readathon or some other goal. However the final 100 pages were fantastic. So many twists and turns and that LAST PAGE PACKED A PUNCH. I cannot WAIT for the next book, thank heavens it's going a month and a half until it comes out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, and Medical content
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Murder, and Sexual harassment
louise_o's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Medical content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicide and Suicide attempt
sarahmreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
I've had the Fairyloot edition of this book for a while now and was pushed by friends to start it. To say I was pleasantly surprised was an understatement.
Kiva has been the country's lead prison healer ever since the passing of her father. She's only really known the world inside Zalindov but yearns to be reunited with her family. Everything changes when the leader of the Rebellion is brought into the prison walls and forced to face Trials to determine her innocence. With the Rebel Queen in deteriorating condition, Kiva volunteers to take her place. Will Kiva make it out to reunite with her family, or will the Trials overcome her?
The world-building was pretty well done! As readers, we only really know the scope of the prison as our characters are confined within it. That being said, we get just enough detailing of the different aspects of the prison, both the physicality as well as the culture and the prisoners within, that it isn't ever over-explained. We also get some minor world-building of the world outside of Zalindov, which leads us to hope and yearn as much as Kiva to explore this outside world. The magic system was slightly under utilized, but I hope it gets expanded on more, especially because of the twists we get at the end of the book.
I loved every single character that we are meant to love. I was completely gay for Naari. Tipp has a heart of gold and cried for him twice in this story. Jaren is a lovable character with a bite of sarcasm and humor but also has his dark past which is golden and explored in a complex manner. And Kiva... I think she might be my favorite protagonist that I've read about in a long time. She has such a unique moral compass, which I could kind of relate to, and had more realistic emotions than a lot of other characters I've read about. She has her heart broken, she can feel love for all kinds of people, she cares! But also has her flaws.
Speaking of flaws, there were some pretty heavy themes in this novel. One of them being self-harm. It isn't conducted in this story, more like the explanation of the harm done afterwards. I cannot speak on the representation on the self-harm side as it has never happened to me. But I can speak on the side of hearing such news and how to properly respond, and I thought that it was done in a good manner. There was no shame, no guilt, no degrading on behalf of the character receiving this news. Only "Thank you for trusting me with this." There wasn't really anything on the ends of "It'll get better" since the character who did self-harm has moved past it and discusses her relapse with it. But it was handled in a manner that it should be handled with in real life; with care and compassion. I was glad to see this kind of representation of self-harm since this is the first time I think I've ever seen this used in a story, specifically fantasy.
For those who are hesitant to pick up this book because of its light association with Sarah J Maas, please cast all of that hesitation to the side. This book is absolutely nothing like her books. It's so fresh and unique and light-hearted while also tackling some really heavy content at the same time. It's a perfect balance.
I will say I did kind of predict the big plot twist from when some lore dropped about 30% through, but The Prison Healer might be one of my new favorite series and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
Kiva has been the country's lead prison healer ever since the passing of her father. She's only really known the world inside Zalindov but yearns to be reunited with her family. Everything changes when the leader of the Rebellion is brought into the prison walls and forced to face Trials to determine her innocence. With the Rebel Queen in deteriorating condition, Kiva volunteers to take her place. Will Kiva make it out to reunite with her family, or will the Trials overcome her?
The world-building was pretty well done! As readers, we only really know the scope of the prison as our characters are confined within it. That being said, we get just enough detailing of the different aspects of the prison, both the physicality as well as the culture and the prisoners within, that it isn't ever over-explained. We also get some minor world-building of the world outside of Zalindov, which leads us to hope and yearn as much as Kiva to explore this outside world. The magic system was slightly under utilized, but I hope it gets expanded on more, especially because of the twists we get at the end of the book.
I loved every single character that we are meant to love. I was completely gay for Naari. Tipp has a heart of gold and cried for him twice in this story. Jaren is a lovable character with a bite of sarcasm and humor but also has his dark past which is golden and explored in a complex manner. And Kiva... I think she might be my favorite protagonist that I've read about in a long time. She has such a unique moral compass, which I could kind of relate to, and had more realistic emotions than a lot of other characters I've read about. She has her heart broken, she can feel love for all kinds of people, she cares! But also has her flaws.
Speaking of flaws, there were some pretty heavy themes in this novel. One of them being self-harm. It isn't conducted in this story, more like the explanation of the harm done afterwards. I cannot speak on the representation on the self-harm side as it has never happened to me. But I can speak on the side of hearing such news and how to properly respond, and I thought that it was done in a good manner. There was no shame, no guilt, no degrading on behalf of the character receiving this news. Only "Thank you for trusting me with this." There wasn't really anything on the ends of "It'll get better" since the character who did self-harm has moved past it and discusses her relapse with it. But it was handled in a manner that it should be handled with in real life; with care and compassion. I was glad to see this kind of representation of self-harm since this is the first time I think I've ever seen this used in a story, specifically fantasy.
For those who are hesitant to pick up this book because of its light association with Sarah J Maas, please cast all of that hesitation to the side. This book is absolutely nothing like her books. It's so fresh and unique and light-hearted while also tackling some really heavy content at the same time. It's a perfect balance.
I will say I did kind of predict the big plot twist from when some lore dropped about 30% through, but The Prison Healer might be one of my new favorite series and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape and Fire/Fire injury
jmeign's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, and Medical content
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Self harm, and Grief
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
dariusmortee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-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? Yes
4.25
First things first: I love Naari, Tipp and Mot to death and will protect them however I can.
This is why I said I did find the characters to be loveable.
Kiva herself wasn’t the worst main character but I think she could’ve been better. Jaren annoyed me.
I did enjoy reading this book! Although it really does fall into some tropes it is an orginal story. A story with a very dark undertone, for which I am a sucker. I am curious to how this story proceeds and will be buying the second one, but I am however also scared for the clichés it could possibly walk into.
Overall: good story, loved the side characters but it has to watch out not to fall into the clichés.
This is why I said I did find the characters to be loveable.
Kiva herself wasn’t the worst main character but I think she could’ve been better. Jaren annoyed me.
I did enjoy reading this book! Although it really does fall into some tropes it is an orginal story. A story with a very dark undertone, for which I am a sucker. I am curious to how this story proceeds and will be buying the second one, but I am however also scared for the clichés it could possibly walk into.
Overall: good story, loved the side characters but it has to watch out not to fall into the clichés.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Murder
brocelindcrossing's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Torture, and Medical content
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Self harm
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
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
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