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A review by smedette
The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is a great YA fantasy book that isn't heavy on the fantasy, which I appreciated. It is a solid story, but with royal magical bloodlines lurking in the background. I have a feeling said magic will come into focus as the series continues.
Kiva Meridan is 17 years old and has spent the last decade in Zalindov, the notorious prison of Wenderall Kingdoms. She is the prison's healer, taking up the position after her father's death just a year after their arrival in Zalindov as traitors to the crown. Part of her duties is to assess each new prisoner and carve the letter Z into their hand, to mark them for life.
Then the Rebel Queen is captured and is delivered to Zalindov. She is in no condition to face her Trial by Ordeal, a series of "elemental" challenges (air, fire, water, and earth) and Kiva surprises everyone by agreeing to stand in the Rebel Queen's place.
While Kiva prepares for each challenge, she must also care for onslaught of patients as a mysterious illness begins spreading through the prison. She has very few allies as Kiva has learned to be protective of herself and her feelings, but she must learn to trust people if she is to learn the origin of the illness and survive the Ordeals.
There were a few predictable twists, but just because I knew where something was going didn't mean I didn't enjoy the ride. This book is fast paced and well-written. That last twist (literally the last page) was excellent and is setting up the readers for quite the showdown in the next installment.
Kiva Meridan is 17 years old and has spent the last decade in Zalindov, the notorious prison of Wenderall Kingdoms. She is the prison's healer, taking up the position after her father's death just a year after their arrival in Zalindov as traitors to the crown. Part of her duties is to assess each new prisoner and carve the letter Z into their hand, to mark them for life.
Then the Rebel Queen is captured and is delivered to Zalindov. She is in no condition to face her Trial by Ordeal, a series of "elemental" challenges (air, fire, water, and earth) and Kiva surprises everyone by agreeing to stand in the Rebel Queen's place.
While Kiva prepares for each challenge, she must also care for onslaught of patients as a mysterious illness begins spreading through the prison. She has very few allies as Kiva has learned to be protective of herself and her feelings, but she must learn to trust people if she is to learn the origin of the illness and survive the Ordeals.
There were a few predictable twists, but just because I knew where something was going didn't mean I didn't enjoy the ride. This book is fast paced and well-written. That last twist (literally the last page) was excellent and is setting up the readers for quite the showdown in the next installment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent