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melanie_skywalker66's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Self harm and Vomit
raichou's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.5
Ich habe mir das Buch vor allem gekauft, weil ich das Cover so schön fand, ohne wirklich zu wissen im was es geht.
Alles in allem eine gelungene Geschichte, ich glaube ich bin nur schon etwas zu alt für die eigentliche Zielgruppe. Trotzdem war es eine interessante Story, der Twist am Ende kam für mich unerwartet.
Alles in allem eine gelungene Geschichte, ich glaube ich bin nur schon etwas zu alt für die eigentliche Zielgruppe. Trotzdem war es eine interessante Story, der Twist am Ende kam für mich unerwartet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Vomit, Drug use, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Rape
Moderate: Self harm
delandjessica's review against another edition
mysterious
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
4.0
I both loved and didn't love this book. I loved the idea of having this character, Kiva, be the healer in this horrible prison and the focus on her doing her best to take care of the other prisoners. I especially liked the detective element as she's trying to figure out where a mystery illness is coming from. But I didn't feel like the main element of the plot, the Trial by Ordeal, was really even necessary. Not once did Kiva manage to accomplish anything in the trials on her own, being saved by others every single time, and it honestly just felt super gimmicky anyway, used as a flashy lure in the book blurb to get readers to pick up the book. It makes no sense that a prison would go through the effort of putting on such a pointless and time wasting performance just to kill a prisoner, since that's the whole point of the trials is for the person to die spectacularly, especially when there's already the Abyss where problematic prisoners are sent to but never return from. It all just smelled like plot convenience to me and could have easily been written out of the book, which would have made both the plot and Kiva's character stronger.
I also had a huge problem with Jaren. He starts hitting on Kiva from the moment he sees her, continues to pursue her romantically and touches her constantly despite her repeatedly telling him to stop, and he has no real personality other than being attractive and good. I'm not sure how that's supposed to be interpreted as being romantic. I also struggled with Tipp. His character was sweet, but though I appreciate that the author wanted to introduce more character diversity, Tipp's extreme stutter really slows down the reading experience. The author could have reduced the stutter by at least two thirds per dialogue exchange and it would have conveyed the same idea without making it so difficult to get through. The stutter also didn't add anything to Tipp's character that wasn't already there, so I would have liked to see the author either give a purpose for the stutter or remove it entirely.
However, despite all the overexplanation and insufficient description and Kiva's wishy-washy grasp of who she herself even is (she's always saying that she never or always does things and has for the last ten years, but then turns around and is doing or not doing them anyway), I absolutely loved the whole ending and the twist at the very end. It was unexpected but suddenly made the entire book make so much more sense in hindsight. Twist endings are so difficult to pull off, but this one was handled perfectly and I'm eager to see what happens with Kiva next.
I also had a huge problem with Jaren. He starts hitting on Kiva from the moment he sees her, continues to pursue her romantically and touches her constantly despite her repeatedly telling him to stop, and he has no real personality other than being attractive and good. I'm not sure how that's supposed to be interpreted as being romantic. I also struggled with Tipp. His character was sweet, but though I appreciate that the author wanted to introduce more character diversity, Tipp's extreme stutter really slows down the reading experience. The author could have reduced the stutter by at least two thirds per dialogue exchange and it would have conveyed the same idea without making it so difficult to get through. The stutter also didn't add anything to Tipp's character that wasn't already there, so I would have liked to see the author either give a purpose for the stutter or remove it entirely.
However, despite all the overexplanation and insufficient description and Kiva's wishy-washy grasp of who she herself even is (she's always saying that she never or always does things and has for the last ten years, but then turns around and is doing or not doing them anyway), I absolutely loved the whole ending and the twist at the very end. It was unexpected but suddenly made the entire book make so much more sense in hindsight. Twist endings are so difficult to pull off, but this one was handled perfectly and I'm eager to see what happens with Kiva next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Gore, Blood, Torture, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual violence, Drug abuse, Child death, Vomit, Addiction, Sexual harassment, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual assault
Romance is present, but doesn't get physical.queen_melliott's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
In the beginning, this seemed very much like Throne of Glass: A 17 YO girl being imprisoned, then catching the interest of a prince, strong hints that there may be more to the girl’s identity, only for the very last page to reveal that she’s the long lost rebel princess with a claim to the throne . Also, prisoners working as slaves in the mines, even the map looked quite similar to eastern Erilea where ToG is set… Honestly, the similarities had me expecting a cheap ToG fanfic, so I didn’t have high hopes at first. Luckily, I ended up loving it.
It’s funny how sometimes I cannot warm up to the characters throughout the whole book and don’t care if they live or die. And then other times, as it was with The Prison Healer, I am so invested in the characters from the getgo. Kiva, Jaren, Naari, Tipp, Mot, I just loved them all. Watching their bonds grow stronger over time, watching their banter, growing trust and support of one another made me grow ever fonder of them. It all felt very realistic for the setting. Also, the romance was built up slowly despite the initial spark between Kiva and Jaren, which I was very relieved about. An insta-love-y romance might have ruined it for me.
Another thing that was developed slowly and tastefully was the world building. It was continuously woven throughout the story and felt organic.
The story orders never got repetitive or boring, despite being set in only one place for 500 pages (in German). There was a lot going on with the friendships, romance, trials, the rebel Queen’s mysterious illness, the plague and overall dynamic at the prison. However, all the stories were woven together organically and made sense, so it never felt like there was too much going on all at once.
One aspect I do have to complain about was the extremely foreseeable plot twists. It’s also not too difficult to imagine where the story might go, but I still can’t wait to get my hands on the sequels.
It’s funny how sometimes I cannot warm up to the characters throughout the whole book and don’t care if they live or die. And then other times, as it was with The Prison Healer, I am so invested in the characters from the getgo. Kiva, Jaren, Naari, Tipp, Mot, I just loved them all. Watching their bonds grow stronger over time, watching their banter, growing trust and support of one another made me grow ever fonder of them. It all felt very realistic for the setting. Also, the romance was built up slowly despite the initial spark between Kiva and Jaren, which I was very relieved about. An insta-love-y romance might have ruined it for me.
Another thing that was developed slowly and tastefully was the world building. It was continuously woven throughout the story and felt organic.
The story orders never got repetitive or boring, despite being set in only one place for 500 pages (in German). There was a lot going on with the friendships, romance, trials, the rebel Queen’s mysterious illness, the plague and overall dynamic at the prison. However, all the stories were woven together organically and made sense, so it never felt like there was too much going on all at once.
One aspect I do have to complain about was the extremely foreseeable plot twists. It’s also not too difficult to imagine where the story might go, but I still can’t wait to get my hands on the sequels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Physical abuse
Minor: Confinement, Sexual assault, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Child death, Death of parent, Rape, Vomit, Addiction, Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
jkreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
This book had a slow start for me, but once I had my bearings and immersed myself in the world I loved it! I was a big fan of The Hunger Games books when they came out and reading (or rather, listening to) this reminded me of the feeling I had while reading those. It’s hard to describe but I almost felt as though Kiva was keeping the reader at arms length throughout the story, which is fitting for her character as she tends to be closed off to others. This was really well written as it was intriguing rather than off-putting.
Noni did a brilliant job of creating likeable, multi-dimensional supporting characters and I really enjoyed watching them develop their relationships with each other as well as with Kiva. There were some big reveals at the end which provided some momentum going into the second book, which I’d thankfully already lined up and have already started! I’m looking forward to seeing what direction the series heads in.
Noni did a brilliant job of creating likeable, multi-dimensional supporting characters and I really enjoyed watching them develop their relationships with each other as well as with Kiva. There were some big reveals at the end which provided some momentum going into the second book, which I’d thankfully already lined up and have already started! I’m looking forward to seeing what direction the series heads in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Police brutality, and Drug use
Minor: War, Vomit, and Rape
auri_underthing's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-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? No
3.75
Wow! The end of this book was just plot twist after plot twist. I had to reread the last page a couple of times.
The other 90% was quite slow, but the end was breathtaking. So excited for the next book!
The other 90% was quite slow, but the end was breathtaking. So excited for the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Vomit
dontwanthvn's review against another edition
emotional
tense
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Blood, Confinement, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Rape, Child death, Suicide, Physical abuse, Vomit, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
stories's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wow. Eminently readable, with a lush and wondrous (dark) world (being set inside a prison and all). A steady string of well integrated twists and turns, culminating with an absolute jaw dropper on the final pages. There to shed half the book, minimum, in new light.
This is a book that will give again on the reread, for sure.
A first in series that confidently stands alone while also leaves you scrambling for the sequel.
Superb use of textual format and some stunning lines, not to mention a real array of characters, including explicit canonical wlw and amputee.
Could barely put this book down, and even this scattershot review is after a solid 1( minutes of awestruck space staring upon finishing. 10/10 recommend.
This is a book that will give again on the reread, for sure.
A first in series that confidently stands alone while also leaves you scrambling for the sequel.
Superb use of textual format and some stunning lines, not to mention a real array of characters, including explicit canonical wlw and amputee.
Could barely put this book down, and even this scattershot review is after a solid 1( minutes of awestruck space staring upon finishing. 10/10 recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion, Police brutality, Rape, Sexual assault, Self harm, Drug use, Addiction, and Vomit
Deathly trials of air, fire, water and earth undertaken by protagonist narrator.theespressoedition's review against another edition
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
THAT ENDING. OH MY GOSH. I AM STILL IN AWE.
I'm sure it's a little odd to begin a review by talking about the end, but oh my, it blew me away. It’s been actual years since I’ve stayed up late into the night to finish a book just because I can’t put it down. That’s what happened to me last night while reading The Prison Healer. I genuinely got to the 60% mark and I just couldn’t stop. I had to know what happened next. I had to understand more.
If you think you understand everything that's going on during this book, you don’t. I can almost guarantee that. I felt sooooo smart figuring out all the "plot twists" when I really had no idea what I was actually figuring out. It's a wild ride, friends.
The characters are magnificent. At first, I didn't really like any of them. I held myself at a distance from them all, almost like Kiva does with the people in her life. By the end, I would've taken on The Ordeals myself for Tipp, Naari, Jaren, or even old Mot. This book gave me found family like nothing else ever has. I adore it as much for that as I do for everything else it gave me—and it gave me a lot.
When I first began reading, I wrote on bookstagram that I love a book with short chapters like this. Then I realized something: this book does not have short chapters, no siree. What it does have? Intrigue. So much so that I didn't even realize when fifteen minutes had gone by and I hadn't reached the chapter’s end. By the time I was flipping to a new page, I felt like no time had passed at all because I was so sucked into the story.
My one complaint? That I waited so long to read it. I can't wait to see what happens next.
I'm sure it's a little odd to begin a review by talking about the end, but oh my, it blew me away. It’s been actual years since I’ve stayed up late into the night to finish a book just because I can’t put it down. That’s what happened to me last night while reading The Prison Healer. I genuinely got to the 60% mark and I just couldn’t stop. I had to know what happened next. I had to understand more.
If you think you understand everything that's going on during this book, you don’t. I can almost guarantee that. I felt sooooo smart figuring out all the "plot twists" when I really had no idea what I was actually figuring out. It's a wild ride, friends.
The characters are magnificent. At first, I didn't really like any of them. I held myself at a distance from them all, almost like Kiva does with the people in her life. By the end, I would've taken on The Ordeals myself for Tipp, Naari, Jaren, or even old Mot. This book gave me found family like nothing else ever has. I adore it as much for that as I do for everything else it gave me—and it gave me a lot.
When I first began reading, I wrote on bookstagram that I love a book with short chapters like this. Then I realized something: this book does not have short chapters, no siree. What it does have? Intrigue. So much so that I didn't even realize when fifteen minutes had gone by and I hadn't reached the chapter’s end. By the time I was flipping to a new page, I felt like no time had passed at all because I was so sucked into the story.
My one complaint? That I waited so long to read it. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Torture, Drug abuse, Medical content, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Addiction
Minor: Vomit
steffandbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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? No
5.0
I have so many thoughts on this one, I don't even know where to start! The book left me reeling and speechless. I don't know whether I should cry happy or sad tears. This is a masterpiece and I am so mad at myself that I didn't read this sooner!
Not gonna lie though, I had a hard time getting into this because I was so confused with the world, like, literally nothing was being explained until page 100 or so when you finally get a few glimpses at the magic system and how the different kingdoms are interconnected. But then later, I realized, this is intentional and let's be honest, isn't every high fantasy book confusing in the beginning?
I am so in love with Kiva. She is such a great character, very strong female lead and very selfless. The well-beings of others always come first and although she doesn't trust easily, I couldn't blame her because she was thrown into prison when she was only 7 and had to survive somehow. We get glimpses of her past and what happened to her family and how she went through some difficult time by herself, being addicted to certain things and stuff but overcame that period of her time in prison as well. Like I said - she is such a strong character.
We also had so many plots intertwining into each other in this book, I loved it! You know when you sometimes read a book and there is one main plot? This was not the case here. While we think it focused mainly on the Trial by Ordeal, the normal prison life goes on as well and there are many challenges Kiva has to face and we focus on that in the book as well for some time, while going back to the Trial when it became time for the next Ordeal.
Side characters like Jaren, Naari, Tipp and Mot had me reeling. Jaren was so mysterious in the beginning that I didn't know what to think of him. I had a slight feeling what he was hiding, but in the end, didn't see it coming nonetheless. Naari has my full heart. She poses as a guard in the prison and while Kiva came to fear all guards, she slowly realized that Naari is different and she turns into a friend. I loved seeing how both, Jaren and Naari, just slowly made their way into Kiva's heart and she wasn't able to do anything about it. And Tipp! Oh boy, that sweet, sweet boy. I was sobbing for him and when I saw a fanart of the character? Man, now I wish I had my own younger brother.
The ending was just mind-blowing. I loved how Lynette just casually mentions the biggest plot twist in two solid sentences and then goes back to the "main story". Obviously, I have to pick up the next book immediately as I need to know what happens with all the characters and I can only hope that Kiva will stay true to herself based on what was revealed on the last page....
Not gonna lie though, I had a hard time getting into this because I was so confused with the world, like, literally nothing was being explained until page 100 or so when you finally get a few glimpses at the magic system and how the different kingdoms are interconnected. But then later, I realized, this is intentional and let's be honest, isn't every high fantasy book confusing in the beginning?
I am so in love with Kiva. She is such a great character, very strong female lead and very selfless. The well-beings of others always come first and although she doesn't trust easily, I couldn't blame her because she was thrown into prison when she was only 7 and had to survive somehow. We get glimpses of her past and what happened to her family and how she went through some difficult time by herself, being addicted to certain things and stuff but overcame that period of her time in prison as well. Like I said - she is such a strong character.
We also had so many plots intertwining into each other in this book, I loved it! You know when you sometimes read a book and there is one main plot? This was not the case here. While we think it focused mainly on the Trial by Ordeal, the normal prison life goes on as well and there are many challenges Kiva has to face and we focus on that in the book as well for some time, while going back to the Trial when it became time for the next Ordeal.
Side characters like Jaren, Naari, Tipp and Mot had me reeling. Jaren was so mysterious in the beginning that I didn't know what to think of him. I had a slight feeling what he was hiding, but in the end, didn't see it coming nonetheless. Naari has my full heart. She poses as a guard in the prison and while Kiva came to fear all guards, she slowly realized that Naari is different and she turns into a friend. I loved seeing how both, Jaren and Naari, just slowly made their way into Kiva's heart and she wasn't able to do anything about it. And Tipp! Oh boy, that sweet, sweet boy. I was sobbing for him and when I saw a fanart of the character? Man, now I wish I had my own younger brother.
The ending was just mind-blowing. I loved how Lynette just casually mentions the biggest plot twist in two solid sentences and then goes back to the "main story". Obviously, I have to pick up the next book immediately as I need to know what happens with all the characters and I can only hope that Kiva will stay true to herself based on what was revealed on the last page....
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, and Torture
Moderate: Rape, Addiction, Genocide, Murder, Sexual violence, and Self harm
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent, and Death