A review by noodanica
The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I had high hopes for this book because I love Noni’s other series but was disappointed. All tell, no show. I was not particularly invested in the story and felt that the trials by ordeal plot-line lacked tension because it was obvious she would survive all four. The other plot lines and twists like

Tipp’s five-page-long stomach bug, Jaren and Kiva’s true identities, the wardens poison, her dads death by said poison, the deadly riot at the end of the book and Tilda’s brief moments of consciousness and then later death

were not enough to bring any interest or tension to the book in my opinion. I also think the dialogue felt unnatural and stilted, specifically when talking about self harm and drug abuse. “The prison healer” felt like Noni had mashed together every YA fantasy trope she could and called it a day. Kiva and Jaren’s romance was bland and no of the characters were very memorable. I had to skim read the further I went on because how boring this book became by the end was very frustrating. Overall, not the worst thing I’d ever read but I will probably not bother to pick up the next two in the series.