A review by wanderingandwondering
The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni

adventurous dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

Overall, this was an interesting story. It was refreshing to have the main character be a healer and not a warrior-esque figure. The main characters were really likable, and Kiva's inner struggle throughout the book was really well done. 
The only real problem I had with it was the it felt like the author was trying too hard towards the end of the book to have a bunch of "shocking" twists happen. Some of then didn't even make sense, given that the book was told from Kiva's perspective with her thoughts
I do not understand how her mom could have been dying literally right in front of her and she never once had a thought about it? I get that it was supposed to be this big reveal at the end, but it fell flat. And I think it would have really added to Kiva's already well-written internal conflict / motivation to do the trials.
I'm not sure I'm going to read the rest of the series though, since I'm worried that Kiva's character that was built in this book will just turn into a stereotypical kick-butt female MC as the series progresses and therefore ruin one of my favorite characters. Especially given the sentiments she expressed to her family in her last letter to them. 

As always content warnings: 

The setting is basically a slave-labor camp, so violence is definitely a thing. There are mentions of sexual assault, drug-like substances, self-harm, and some descriptions of diseases. Ther is also language, a very minor character overdoses, and mentions of same-sex couples in this book so if that's not your cup of tea now you know.
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