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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
peculiarb's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This review can also be found on Bookstacked: https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/the-prison-healer-review-lynette-noni/
After being captured with her father when she was seven, Kiva has endured ten years in what is essentially a death camp where prisoners are worked to death in horrid conditions. As the prison healer, she is tasked with overseeing new arrivals and branding them, which weighs heavily on her. Combined with her close association with the Warden, she finds herself at odds with most of the prison population, so she keeps to herself, going out of her way to form as little connection as possible.
After being captured with her father when she was seven, Kiva has endured ten years in what is essentially a death camp where prisoners are worked to death in horrid conditions. As the prison healer, she is tasked with overseeing new arrivals and branding them, which weighs heavily on her. Combined with her close association with the Warden, she finds herself at odds with most of the prison population, so she keeps to herself, going out of her way to form as little connection as possible.
This isolation is a central aspect of Kiva’s character as she finds herself facing the unexpected in a new guard and inmate. Given all she’s endured, she’s very slow to open up, but she’s never pushed into it. Both Jaren and Naari take care to respect her boundaries, physical and mental, until she herself is ready. I found this aspect of the book particularly moving as Noni takes care to emphasise just how careful the two are towards Kiva, through dialogue as well as body language.
Another central aspect of her character is the guilt she carries. Despite the brutal conditions of life at Zalindov, each brand she makes and each patient she loses weigh on her. A prominent subplot of The Prison Healer is her extensive search to find the source of the plague, during which she goes above and beyond for fellow inmates that all but spit on her when she passes. Above all, Kiva is kind and that shines through her every action.
Jaren and Naari provide the support Kiva needs to grow throughout the story. Jaren’s easygoing and lighthearted attitude in the midst of Zalindov sets him appart from most other prisoners, whereas Naari’s honour is what shines in her characters. Along with 11 year old Tipp, they work tirelessly to help Kiva survive, both the Trials and prison life.
As far as the plot goes, The Prison Healer is very dynamic. There wasn’t a single dull moment throughout the book as Noni fills in the weeks between the Trials with all sorts of interesting subplots. Other than the plague, Noni infuses life in the infirmary with anticipation, while venturing outside carries its own dangers from guards and inmates alike. I was happy that it wasn’t all action, however. Kiva’s memories, her interactions with others, even just walking from place to place are full of interesting information on the characters and life in Zalindov.
Noni’s worldbuilding is focused on Zalindov. Kiva is barely aware of what happens outside the gates, so the readers only have access to what other characters offer. This was an interesting decision as it allows Noni to concentrate on the details of the prison, making the world come alive. Even when there are few characters present, it feels like the infirmary is bustling with activity while Kiva’s venturing around the prison grounds provides a scale of the activites and the place itself.
A note on the world: Noni doesn’t sugarcoat life in Zalindov. While the depictions of violence and death are not gratuitous, they are present throughout, as is the threat of violence (physical, mental, and sexual) and Kiva’s fear of it. Showcasing the brutality of it all only emphasises how kind Kiva is, and how corrosive unchecked power is.
Overall, this book surprised me. I thought I could predict the overall plot, but I barely got anything right, with plot twists only seeming obvious after the fact. The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni is excellent, the latter half especially blew my mind and placed it firmly among my favourites of 2021.
Trigger warnings include blood, violence, death, self harm, torture, child abuse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Torture, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, and Grief
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
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
kindredbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I received an e-galley of The Prison Healer from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
SO GOOD.
But first, a little quick synopsis. Kiva is the 17 year old prison healer, having been imprisoned at Zalindov for the past decade. Things get interesting when the Rebel Queen is captured and brought to the prison and Kiva is determined to save her if possible. But to do so, she would have to tie her own fate and life to the Rebel Queen’s.
And that’s all I want to say about the plot of the story without giving anything away. But I absolutely loved the characters and world in this story. Kiva, Tipp, Jaren, and Nari - as well as the cast of other characters in the story. I thought that the world building happened quickly (told through storytelling and Kiva’s perspective) and the plot quickly picks up, which is not always the case with the first book in a fantasy series. I felt so invested in Kiva’s story as she struggled to survive in the brutal world of Zalindov. There is so much that Lynette Noni has set up with this first book for the story to come, and this series is definitely going to be on the top of my most anticipated fantasy series to watch. I need to read book two.
SO GOOD.
But first, a little quick synopsis. Kiva is the 17 year old prison healer, having been imprisoned at Zalindov for the past decade. Things get interesting when the Rebel Queen is captured and brought to the prison and Kiva is determined to save her if possible. But to do so, she would have to tie her own fate and life to the Rebel Queen’s.
And that’s all I want to say about the plot of the story without giving anything away. But I absolutely loved the characters and world in this story. Kiva, Tipp, Jaren, and Nari - as well as the cast of other characters in the story. I thought that the world building happened quickly (told through storytelling and Kiva’s perspective) and the plot quickly picks up, which is not always the case with the first book in a fantasy series. I felt so invested in Kiva’s story as she struggled to survive in the brutal world of Zalindov. There is so much that Lynette Noni has set up with this first book for the story to come, and this series is definitely going to be on the top of my most anticipated fantasy series to watch. I need to read book two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Addiction, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Grief, and Murder
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 armracheleanne06's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
When I saw this book on Netgalley I didn’t expect to be accepted for the ARC, so when the email come through accepting my request, I was beyond excited. To add to that, it turned up just at the right time, so I could use this book for the Galleyathon’s ‘Newest ARC’ prompt.
Going into this I had a good idea that I would like this book, it’s set in a prison, it’s gritty, dark and there’s a series of trials our main character needs to face based on the elements. And when I realised that this book was dedicated to Sarah J Maas, one of my favourite authors, and I knew that this book would be something that I was going to like. I wasn’t wrong. But there was so much more to this book too.
It’s thrilling, a roller-coaster of a journey that had me whooping with joy and sobbing into my pillow. It’s got a focus on friendship, which is something I really loved. There’s a little bit of romance, but the romance takes a back seat compared to the friendship that the characters share before they realise that it might be something more. And then there’s the friendships that our lead character, Kiva, shares with some of the more prominent side characters too. Every side character in this book is well rounded, and they all have their own backstories too. I thought all of the characters in this book were so well written and wonderful, and some of them I absolutely fell in love with. Especially Tipp, an 11-year-old boy who works with Kiva in the prison’s infirmary.
Kiva herself was a fantastic lead, she was a strong, independent character with a dedication to healing. She has a vow to treat everyone, despite their background, and it’s part of that which makes her so intently likeable.
The healing scenes in the book are really interesting, and well written. They are detailed, but not graphic, so the book fits well in the YA age bracket without slipping into New Adult. The same could be said for the actions within the prison, this book is dark, but it doesn’t stray outside of YA territory, alluding to some things without giving us graphic details.
One of my favourite things about The Prison Healer is how well written it is. There’s are so many secrets to be unravelled. I figured out one of the twists, but the rest of them caught me by surprise, and had me shook! This book is a really emotional read too. I felt everything alongside the characters, and by the end of the book I felt like my heart had been ripped out my chest and stuffed back in so many times. The world building is also done so well. It’s drizzled through the pages instead of given to us on in a big spoonful of info-dumping. And all of this combined has left me so eager for the next book so I can learn more.
I have already pre-ordered the next book The Gilded Cage and can’t wait for October (2021!) to come around so I can find out what happens next (especially as this book ends on a pretty big cliff-hanger…)
I also want to mention that this book contains a secret code, of which we get to see pages of throughout the story. I am not sure if we are meant to crack the code’s ourselves (I am not smart enough for that haha) or if we will get a codebreaker in the later books to help us. But either way I can’t wait to find out what those pages said.
The Prison Healer is one of those books that would be so much fun to re-read later down the road, when you know more about the secrets hidden in this book and can look back to read the book in a completely different context. There are some scenes I really want to read over again now, and I’ve only just put it down this morning!
SUMMARY
The Prison Healer is a thrilling page-turner and full of so many surprises. It’s one of the best books I have read this year! If this book isn’t already on your wishlist, then you might want to add it as I can see this becoming a huge hit when it’s released in March/April (depending on the country).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty
bookforthought's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was rather conflicted about The Prison Healer. In fact, I finished this almost a week ago and I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about it!
The Prison Healer gripped me right from the very beginning. I thought the prison setting was quite original in a YA fantasy, where the daily reality of living in a place like Zalindov is represented and the main characters aren't constantly planning an escape. In some ways, Kiva almost seems resigned to her fate (even though she continues to hope her family will free her) and tries to make the most of her circumstances.
The world-building was also rather well executed and the elemental magic system was clear and easy to follow. There was a lot of telling rather than showing, but I guess I felt more forgiving of it because the characters were stuck inside the prison and, well... couldn't show much. The Trials themselves were, for me, probably the weakest part of the book but I still felt the pressure and anxiety Kiva was under. Despite that, they felt a bit repetitive and, by the time the final one rolled around, I had no more doubts as to what would happen next. The search for a cure to the plague sweeping the prison was by far more interesting for me, even though that too became slightly monotonous by the end, but again I could feel Kiva's frustration and concern.
Kiva was definitely the best part of the book. She's a highly compelling and complex character, struggling to survive in a place meant to crush and destroy everyone who sets foot inside. Her guarded behaviour felt very realistic in an environment where no one can be trusted, and I enjoyed seeing her grow and change throughout the story. I loved having a main character in a fantasy book whose main skills lie outside fighting, quite literally carving her place in this world while trying to make a difference in spite of everyone's suspicions and hatred. The rest of the cast was also very well-developed, and I enjoyed the group dynamic immensely.
So, all good right? Well, not quite. The Prison Healer was shaping up to be one of my favourites so far this year... until the ending. Now, I'm definitely in the minority here and most people seem to have greatly enjoyed the ending, but for me it really fell flat and kind of ruined the whole book. It just felt really inconsistent with everything we had seen and heard so far, and meant Kiva had somehow been lying the whole time... in her own thoughts? I could have accepted it far more easily if we hadn't been following her POV, inside her head, thoughts and feelings, for the whole book. As it was, it just seemed slightly too convenient and built for the sake of a big shocking moment. It was a real shame, because I had been loving it up until then!
Overall, The Prison Healer was an engaging read and (minus the ending) a solid start to a new series. I'll probably continue this as I did love the characters and I'm curious to see what will happen next!
I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
The Prison Healer gripped me right from the very beginning. I thought the prison setting was quite original in a YA fantasy, where the daily reality of living in a place like Zalindov is represented and the main characters aren't constantly planning an escape. In some ways, Kiva almost seems resigned to her fate (even though she continues to hope her family will free her) and tries to make the most of her circumstances.
The world-building was also rather well executed and the elemental magic system was clear and easy to follow. There was a lot of telling rather than showing, but I guess I felt more forgiving of it because the characters were stuck inside the prison and, well... couldn't show much. The Trials themselves were, for me, probably the weakest part of the book but I still felt the pressure and anxiety Kiva was under. Despite that, they felt a bit repetitive and, by the time the final one rolled around, I had no more doubts as to what would happen next. The search for a cure to the plague sweeping the prison was by far more interesting for me, even though that too became slightly monotonous by the end, but again I could feel Kiva's frustration and concern.
Kiva was definitely the best part of the book. She's a highly compelling and complex character, struggling to survive in a place meant to crush and destroy everyone who sets foot inside. Her guarded behaviour felt very realistic in an environment where no one can be trusted, and I enjoyed seeing her grow and change throughout the story. I loved having a main character in a fantasy book whose main skills lie outside fighting, quite literally carving her place in this world while trying to make a difference in spite of everyone's suspicions and hatred. The rest of the cast was also very well-developed, and I enjoyed the group dynamic immensely.
So, all good right? Well, not quite. The Prison Healer was shaping up to be one of my favourites so far this year... until the ending. Now, I'm definitely in the minority here and most people seem to have greatly enjoyed the ending, but for me it really fell flat and kind of ruined the whole book. It just felt really inconsistent with everything we had seen and heard so far, and meant Kiva had somehow been lying the whole time... in her own thoughts? I could have accepted it far more easily if we hadn't been following her POV, inside her head, thoughts and feelings, for the whole book. As it was, it just seemed slightly too convenient and built for the sake of a big shocking moment. It was a real shame, because I had been loving it up until then!
Overall, The Prison Healer was an engaging read and (minus the ending) a solid start to a new series. I'll probably continue this as I did love the characters and I'm curious to see what will happen next!
I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit