If you enjoy engaging fantasy stories, this one's for you.
Prison Healer by Lynette Noni is a book that pulls you into a world full of danger and challenges, promising an intense and captivating reading experience that will keep you turning the pages.
Get ready to embark on an exciting adventure as you unravel the mysteries and secrets within this captivating storyline.
Grab a copy of Prison Healer today and prepare to be enthralled by this gripping tale.
Book Details
My rating:⭐⭐⭐.8
Title: The Prison Healer
Author: Lynette Noni
Publication Date: April 13, 2021
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction, Fantasy, Romance
The Prison Healer Series: Book 1
Other Books in the Series: The Gilded Cage, The Blood Traitor
Spice Level: 0. Some hints of romantic tension.
If you are curious as to how I rate books with spice click here.
*Note: 'Prison Healer' by Lynette Noni is a great fit for a fantasy lover who likes adventure, stories about characters facing tough choices, and character growth. Set in prison with elemental magic and a touch of romance, it's perfect for those who enjoy exciting stories that weave the past and present, filled with rebellion, intrigue, and self-discovery.
Plot Synopsis
In the notorious deadly prison Zalindov, 17-year-old Kiva Meridan has spent the past ten years working as the prison healer, fighting to stay alive.
When the Rebel Queen falls ill, Kiva is tasked with keeping her alive long enough to face the Trial by Ordeal, a series of elemental trials reserved for the most dangerous criminals.
A message from Kiva’s family arrives, commanding her to save the queen. Knowing the trials will kill the queen, Kiva volunteers to take her place, risking her life for freedom.
But no one has ever survived the trials, and with a deadly plague, a new love interest, and a brewing prison rebellion, Kiva is tormented by the upcoming challenges.
Spoiler Free Review
The supporting characters, Tipp and Naari, added depth to the story and kept me engaged. Their personalities and contributions to the plot made the story more lively and interesting. Although I didn't fully connect with the romantic aspects of the story, I found them sweet and endearing. The plot twists were well-executed, adding excitement and intrigue to the overall experience. However, they also left me with some uncertainty about the direction of the story.
Despite my mixed feelings, I'm eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series. I am curious about how the narrative will continue to unfold and what adventures await the main character, Kiva. I can't wait to see what happens next in her journey.
In-Depth Review
Warning: The following review contains spoilers that may reveal critical plot details and twists. If you haven't read the book yet and want to avoid having key elements of the story spoiled, proceed with caution.
Plot Summary:
For ten years, seventeen-year-old Kiva Meridan has been stuck in Zalindov, a notorious death prison. She began as the healer's assistant and now she's the only healer left.
Kiva discovers a message with a dead body saying, "We are coming." Jaren shows up in Zalindov looking pretty beaten up. Kiva, with the help of a boy named Tipp, treats Jaren's wounds and learns that she's supposed to help him figure things out.
Kiva asks Mot to handle two bodies for burning. Then, she shows Jaren around the prison, pointing out the tunnels. There's a sickness going around, and prisoners are dying. Kiva wants to find out what it is because something similar killed her dad. More prisoners arrive, and the Rebel Queen is among them. She has to go through four trials.
A rebel prisoner named Cresta threatens Kiva, saying she has to keep the sickly queen alive or Tipp will be in danger. Kiva volunteers to be the Rebel Queen's champion in the trials. She survives the first two trials, with some close calls.
Jaren gets attacked by other prisoners, and Kiva takes care of him. For the third trial, Kiva has to stay underwater for a few minutes. Jaren helps her by creating an air bubble, but the Warden gets mad and punishes Jaren.
Kiva, with the help of Naari, investigates the sickness. They can't find anything. Kiva learns from her helpers that the prisoners are being poisoned, not suffering from the flu.
Before the fourth trial, Kiva gets put in solitary for disobeying the Warden. Naari reveals she's Jaren's guard, and Kiva figures out Jaren is the prince. The Warden poisoned people before to avoid getting sick, including Kiva's dad.
Kiva and Jaren end up in the tunnels, and he guides her out with his rare elemental powers. Jaren's plan to question the rebels didn't work, and they escaped as prisoners. The Rebel Queen dies, but Kiva saves Tipp with her magical healing powers.
Kiva, Jaren, Naari, and Tipp leave the prison, thanks to Mot sacrificing against the Warden. Kiva leaves a note for her family, telling them she's going to Jaren's winter palace where the royal family is.
The Rebel Queen was Kiva's mom, and Kiva was the Rebel Princess.
My Thoughts:
What I liked most were the characters. Kiva is awesome - she goes from a regular healer to finding out she's the Rebel Princess. The other characters Tipp, and Naari, make the story interesting and emotional.
The plot is exciting with lots of mystery and action. Kiva has to navigate trials, deal with an incurable plague killing prisoners, and find out some shocking stuff about her family. The author creates a vivid picture of the prison, making it easy to imagine the tense atmosphere. However, I did not expect the setting of the story only to be the prison. I think the story could have benefited from having different locations. However, it did not take away from the plot.
To be honest, sometimes the story got a bit slow, especially when they were investigating the sickness. And some things were a bit predictable. Also, the part of prison rebellion brewing felt a bit simple.
In the end, it is an excellent fantasy read. It's not too complicated, and the characters and their journey make it worth diving into. Even with a few hiccups, I enjoyed the ride.
Thanks for reading!