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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
It has been a long time since I have encountered a fun fantasy-adventure story. Kyra is our capable and rather kick-ass heroine. She has trained since the age of ten to become a master potion maker, and she winds up surprising the entire kingdom with an assassination attempt on her best friend and princess, Ariana. Now on the run, Kyra must rely on her skills and the help of a tracking piglet to find the princess and complete her task. Like all adventures she encounters plenty of characters and surprises on the way.
What else can I say about this story? It was simply fun and I breezed right through the pages. The plot twists were wonderful because there were quite a few that I never saw coming. In terms of romance I felt there was a bit to be desired; Kyra was a great character on her own who did not need a man and whom I felt had very little chemistry with her suitors. But this book was in no way a romance story so I refuse to dwell on that.
If you are interested in a story that is fun, adventurous, humorous, and quick then Poison is a great choice for you. It would make for an excellent summer read!
What else can I say about this story? It was simply fun and I breezed right through the pages. The plot twists were wonderful because there were quite a few that I never saw coming. In terms of romance I felt there was a bit to be desired; Kyra was a great character on her own who did not need a man and whom I felt had very little chemistry with her suitors. But this book was in no way a romance story so I refuse to dwell on that.
If you are interested in a story that is fun, adventurous, humorous, and quick then Poison is a great choice for you. It would make for an excellent summer read!
Very poorly written. The plot could have been good but it was so superficial in depth.
On her website, I read that Bridget wanted to make people laugh. She "hoped that her readers' copies would show the watermarks of many bathtime reads." I believe that she will meet that goal. As I was reading, I felt a smile creep across my face and laughter burst out over and over as Kyra stumbled into one ridiculous predicament after another. That smile also appeared as Kyra managed to outthink and outmaneuver those around her too. I look forward to re-reading this book many times especially if I need a little laughter in my life.
Zinn created a charming character who can hold her own with bad guys, bad gals, and all kinds of creatures. She is smart and strong, but also has the endearing habit of tripping herself up. Kyra is not the only charmer here though. The dog and pig certainly give her some competition there and the stranger she meets up with on her journey, Fred, has plenty too. Though the title sounds dangerous, the book itself is quite lighthearted and flirty.
About Bridget: I never met Bridget, but unfortunately, I never will. All I know of her, I learned on her blog right around the time of her death in 2011. I was so eager to finally read her book. Now I am certain that I would have loved to meet her. The book oozes joy and laughter and she must surely have shared that with those who were lucky enough to know her.
Zinn created a charming character who can hold her own with bad guys, bad gals, and all kinds of creatures. She is smart and strong, but also has the endearing habit of tripping herself up. Kyra is not the only charmer here though. The dog and pig certainly give her some competition there and the stranger she meets up with on her journey, Fred, has plenty too. Though the title sounds dangerous, the book itself is quite lighthearted and flirty.
About Bridget: I never met Bridget, but unfortunately, I never will. All I know of her, I learned on her blog right around the time of her death in 2011. I was so eager to finally read her book. Now I am certain that I would have loved to meet her. The book oozes joy and laughter and she must surely have shared that with those who were lucky enough to know her.
A sweet, if occasionally predictable tale. Poison is a fast read and perfect piece of YA distraction. The characters are fun and charming, and the story is quick but complete. A sequel would have been lovely, to flesh out the world and characters a bit, but sadly, there will be none, because cancer sucks.
This book has a special little place in my heart because after years of not reading I picked up this book off my sisters old bookshelf and delved in. It’s nothing special and definitely juvenile but i still found it entertaining.
Official review to be posted closer to publication date.
Procurement
ARC from publisher by request. Thank you Disney!
My Grade
Plot: 5
Setting: 5
Writing: 5
Originality: 5
Characters: 5
Romance: 5
Overall: 30/30! 100% A+++!!!
Title/Cover Bonus: 5
Overall
An adventurous tale of a master potioner set to save her world with the help of a piglet, Rosie, a traveler, Fred, and his wolf-dog Langley. Full of mystery, laughter and loyalty. A must read by an amazing author.
Trailer
None at time of review.
First Line
not available at time of review.
Most Memorable Scene
When Kyra crosses the river with Rosie.
Plot
Kyra is on a mission. This magical fantasy adventure is full of magic, odd creatures, handsome men, adorable and honorable animals and full of mystery! There's so much mystery I didn't see most of it coming at me. I like that I didn't realize it was a mystery because I am not a fan of knowing elements are missing. I want to be surprised to know that those elements of the story were missing. Does that make sense? I want to be like "OH!" not "Hmm, I wonder what's going on....?". There were several "OH!" moments for sure. I can't name any of them, of course, or I'd spoil all the fun! :)
Setting
Beautiful. The hidden cottage in the clearing was one of my favorite scenes. The hay barn was another. I enjoyed the setting very much.
Writing
Brilliant. I was filled with such sadness upon reading the ending to this because I knew that I will never read anything else written by Bridget Zinn. Since she was taken from us at such a young age and full of such talent there's nothing we can do but be thankful she was able to grace us with this lovely story. Thank you, Bridget, for this beautifully written story.
Originality
I am a huge fan of fun, funny, cute, and action packed epic fantasy. While this book was more along the cute and fun, it was also packed full of action. Kyra can kick some major butt. Her potions were very cool and unique. I loved the unique creatures too: goblins, flying things I can't remember their names, and an obeeka shape-shifting thing and witches!
Characters
Kyra is smart, extremely talented, strong, and loyal. She is way more than what we meet in the beginning and it was so much fun to walk on this adventure with her and her companions she picked up along the way.
Rosie is Kyra's person-finding piglet. She's adorable. I want a piglet.
Fred is a traveler Kyra meets while crossing the river with Rosie. He has a wolfish looking dog named Langley. Fred is handsome, an amazing cook, thoughtful and super nice and funny. He's hard to shake though when Kyra tries to sneak off to do her sneaky potioner acts.
Romance
There is instant attraction between Kyra and Fred. Their meeting scene is, of course, to blame. Their relationship is sweet, funny and real. I enjoyed their relationship.
Title/Cover Bonus
This cover is amazing. Beautiful and right on for the entire book. The title is fine and fits perfectly as well.
Ending
Beautiful. The ending ends perfectly. Nice and tidy but in a perfect way. I would love to rejoin these characters but, alas, the author is no longer with us and these characters leave with her.
Series
Standalone as far as I know.
Connect with Bridget Zinn
Get a look into how POISON came to be from this awesome blog post by Bridget: What I'm Not Going to Blog About. http://www.bridgetzinn.com/blog/?p=2754
Procurement
ARC from publisher by request. Thank you Disney!
My Grade
Plot: 5
Setting: 5
Writing: 5
Originality: 5
Characters: 5
Romance: 5
Overall: 30/30! 100% A+++!!!
Title/Cover Bonus: 5
Overall
An adventurous tale of a master potioner set to save her world with the help of a piglet, Rosie, a traveler, Fred, and his wolf-dog Langley. Full of mystery, laughter and loyalty. A must read by an amazing author.
Trailer
None at time of review.
First Line
not available at time of review.
Most Memorable Scene
When Kyra crosses the river with Rosie.
Plot
Kyra is on a mission. This magical fantasy adventure is full of magic, odd creatures, handsome men, adorable and honorable animals and full of mystery! There's so much mystery I didn't see most of it coming at me. I like that I didn't realize it was a mystery because I am not a fan of knowing elements are missing. I want to be surprised to know that those elements of the story were missing. Does that make sense? I want to be like "OH!" not "Hmm, I wonder what's going on....?". There were several "OH!" moments for sure. I can't name any of them, of course, or I'd spoil all the fun! :)
Setting
Beautiful. The hidden cottage in the clearing was one of my favorite scenes. The hay barn was another. I enjoyed the setting very much.
Writing
Brilliant. I was filled with such sadness upon reading the ending to this because I knew that I will never read anything else written by Bridget Zinn. Since she was taken from us at such a young age and full of such talent there's nothing we can do but be thankful she was able to grace us with this lovely story. Thank you, Bridget, for this beautifully written story.
Originality
I am a huge fan of fun, funny, cute, and action packed epic fantasy. While this book was more along the cute and fun, it was also packed full of action. Kyra can kick some major butt. Her potions were very cool and unique. I loved the unique creatures too: goblins, flying things I can't remember their names, and an obeeka shape-shifting thing and witches!
Characters
Kyra is smart, extremely talented, strong, and loyal. She is way more than what we meet in the beginning and it was so much fun to walk on this adventure with her and her companions she picked up along the way.
Rosie is Kyra's person-finding piglet. She's adorable. I want a piglet.
Fred is a traveler Kyra meets while crossing the river with Rosie. He has a wolfish looking dog named Langley. Fred is handsome, an amazing cook, thoughtful and super nice and funny. He's hard to shake though when Kyra tries to sneak off to do her sneaky potioner acts.
Romance
There is instant attraction between Kyra and Fred. Their meeting scene is, of course, to blame. Their relationship is sweet, funny and real. I enjoyed their relationship.
Title/Cover Bonus
This cover is amazing. Beautiful and right on for the entire book. The title is fine and fits perfectly as well.
Ending
Beautiful. The ending ends perfectly. Nice and tidy but in a perfect way. I would love to rejoin these characters but, alas, the author is no longer with us and these characters leave with her.
Series
Standalone as far as I know.
Connect with Bridget Zinn
Get a look into how POISON came to be from this awesome blog post by Bridget: What I'm Not Going to Blog About. http://www.bridgetzinn.com/blog/?p=2754
When Taherah first told me to get this book I totally judged it by its cover (I know bad me!) but trust me its way better than the quick summary at the back of the hardcover (or even really the flap) has you believe. Truthfully I only started it so soon because I thought it would be a good book to start reading at about 10 pm and be able to stop and actually get some sleep. In case you were wondering, I didn't actually get any sleep that night. I was so so wrong about Poison, it is way better than it wants you to believe (maybe the book only wants hardcore book nerds to read it...sorry book I'm going to ruin your plans!) Bridget Zinn is amazing she made this amazing fantasy world that is so vivid in my mind, without ever really describing in extensive detail. There are also so really big reveals that I was just sooooooo not expecting! There were at least two (maybe even three) and I'm not really sure if it was my sleep deprived brain not working but I suspect it was actually because the reveals were never really foreshadowed so when they came a slow grin would grow on my face and then I'd want to shout YES!!!!
Lets start with Kyra. First off how do you say this name? Is it Kira? Kaira? Because I imagine its Kaira. ANYWAYS! This girl is bad ass! She is really smart and driven and snarky. She is honestly an assassin and not in the Throne of Glass way but in the this could potentially be a normal person who is just driven, smart, and kick ass enough to be an assassin. She is also really independent and I love it! She knows what she needs to do even if she doesn't like it and she knows what (and who) she wants (well most of the time...). I didn't realize this until now when I had to think about it but by the end of the book Kyra has really changed a lot. She ends up doing or feeling something she never would have allowed to happen at the beginning of Poison. Have I mentioned she's also really smart? Because she is! She made a whole bunch of new poisons and comes up with these ingenious ways of basically hiding in plain sight. She's also really lucky, there are a couple moments in Poison (really just one) where if one thing had gone even slightly differently then a huge part of the plot never would have been revealed or discovered. She is just really bad ass and smart and awesome.
Now Fred. (I find it weird his name is so normal and average and hers is Kyra) Fred is pretty f-in awesome. He is really patient with Kyra while somehow managing to be completely infuriating in the process. He is really compassionate and sweet and pretty smart as well! He is a really nice balm to Kyra's fire (but he has fire of his own). He almost always sits patiently through Kyra's inevitable irritated moments and then after calming her down somehow manages to enrage her again. You aren't going to get this if you haven't read it but I will be obscure so your okay for spoilers. But I loved the wife thing and then the bush with her things was so funny. He is totally one of those people who would prank the most short tempered dangerous person around just for shits and giggles, not caring what the consequences for him or anyone else were.
Okay so I know its weird to do a paragraph on a pig but I promise I will be brief! I just love Rosie SO MUCH! She is adorable and cute and lovable! She teaches Kyra how to love pets and they grow so attached and its adorable! And I don't know why but whenever Rosie was with someone else besides Kyra I got jealous for Kyra. I just had this strong need (still do) for Rosie to love Kyra the most out of any other person.
Basically this book is awesome! Theres poison (which is actually really, really cool even though I didn't talk about it), and magic (yeah, thats right), mythological creature (you heard...read me), romance, and mystery! Bridgett Zinn is amazing and awesome! This book is totally worth a read and I hope you check it out!
Lets start with Kyra. First off how do you say this name? Is it Kira? Kaira? Because I imagine its Kaira. ANYWAYS! This girl is bad ass! She is really smart and driven and snarky. She is honestly an assassin and not in the Throne of Glass way but in the this could potentially be a normal person who is just driven, smart, and kick ass enough to be an assassin. She is also really independent and I love it! She knows what she needs to do even if she doesn't like it and she knows what (and who) she wants (well most of the time...). I didn't realize this until now when I had to think about it but by the end of the book Kyra has really changed a lot. She ends up doing or feeling something she never would have allowed to happen at the beginning of Poison. Have I mentioned she's also really smart? Because she is! She made a whole bunch of new poisons and comes up with these ingenious ways of basically hiding in plain sight. She's also really lucky, there are a couple moments in Poison (really just one) where if one thing had gone even slightly differently then a huge part of the plot never would have been revealed or discovered. She is just really bad ass and smart and awesome.
Now Fred. (I find it weird his name is so normal and average and hers is Kyra) Fred is pretty f-in awesome. He is really patient with Kyra while somehow managing to be completely infuriating in the process. He is really compassionate and sweet and pretty smart as well! He is a really nice balm to Kyra's fire (but he has fire of his own). He almost always sits patiently through Kyra's inevitable irritated moments and then after calming her down somehow manages to enrage her again. You aren't going to get this if you haven't read it but I will be obscure so your okay for spoilers. But I loved the wife thing and then the bush with her things was so funny. He is totally one of those people who would prank the most short tempered dangerous person around just for shits and giggles, not caring what the consequences for him or anyone else were.
Okay so I know its weird to do a paragraph on a pig but I promise I will be brief! I just love Rosie SO MUCH! She is adorable and cute and lovable! She teaches Kyra how to love pets and they grow so attached and its adorable! And I don't know why but whenever Rosie was with someone else besides Kyra I got jealous for Kyra. I just had this strong need (still do) for Rosie to love Kyra the most out of any other person.
Basically this book is awesome! Theres poison (which is actually really, really cool even though I didn't talk about it), and magic (yeah, thats right), mythological creature (you heard...read me), romance, and mystery! Bridgett Zinn is amazing and awesome! This book is totally worth a read and I hope you check it out!
i love a fantasy that doesn't take itself too seriously, so bridget zinn's "poison" was the read i was craving. features a sassy, snarky heroine (shades of patricia c. wrede's cimorene!), a helpful piglet, and some twisty bits i didn't see coming.
i'm very sad to hear that bridget zinn died of cancer before she could write any other delights for us, but thankful that this one was published.
i'm very sad to hear that bridget zinn died of cancer before she could write any other delights for us, but thankful that this one was published.
Reads like a Disney movie of the Tangled or Princess and The Frog variety, complete with adorable animal sidekicks, true love around every corner, slapstick hijinks and predictable twists. I would recommend it to teens, but it had too many cheesy elements for me to be excited reading it.