Review: The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni | A Visit to the Poughkeepsie Barnes & Noble
“Never apologize for loving someone. Even when it hurts. Especially when it hurts.”
Book description: Kiva, the prison healer, came to Zalindov as a child and has done whatever she could to keep her head down and survive the last 10 years of her sentence. Certain she can endure, she just needs a little more time for her family to come rescue her. Until one day the Rebel Queen comes in as a new prisoner, and Kiva knows she must do anything to keep her alive. Deathly ill, the queen has been sentenced to undergo the Trial by Ordeal and is certain to die- until Kiva volunteers to take her place in the trials.
Things begin to escalate. Many prisoners are falling ill and dying of an unknown illness, her family seems to be close to a rescue, and a prison rebellion is heating up. Despite her best efforts to keep everyone shut out, Kiva feels her heart opening up to those around her. But that’s no way to survive Zalindov, or the trials ahead.
Well this book took me by surprise.
Here’s a short history of my recent fantasy book experiences. *Tries the first book in a new series, likes it, is disappointed with the rest of the series. Tries another series, the main characters are all the same as the last book but still likes it, is disappointed with the rest of the series. Repeat.*
Is it me? Am I the problem? I loved fantasy as a kid, am I just not getting it now?
This book was a nice reset for me. Mostly because it was different.
While my recent fantasy reads have been dopamine hit machines, this book was much slower. Not a lot happened in the first half. I was intrigued enough to keep going, but it was a far cry from other action-packed novels.
Even the Trial by Ordeal challenges Kiva faces through the book…. not that crazy. Kind of wanted more.
Want to know what this sneaky slow first half was actually doing? Getting me attached to the characters. Making me wonder why they were such good people. Would I be this good if I were in their situation? I’d like to think so….but who can say.
I also appreciated a fantasy book that didn’t have a steamy brooding male interest that hates everyone except our heroine. Like I usually love it as much as everyone else, but I needed a little break. Sometimes the deep ‘I’ll kill you if you touch her’ energy when they’ve just met like an hour ago doesn’t sit well with me.
Don’t get me wrong though, there is still a solid slow-burn romance in this book. Things pick up in the second half. And I’m liking it more for sure. I’m still not 100% sold on continuing the series, though.
And then BAM. THE ENDING.
I am FURIOUS. But in all the best ways. Oooohhh Lynette you got me good. Like…what…?
And now I’m in for the long haul with seeing what happens next. I already borrowed the next book from Libby even though I have two more checked out ahead of it. Do I just abandon my reading plans and sink April into this series? Probably. Yes.
But will my curse of not liking the rest of the fantasy series be lifted? I hope so.
My rating: 4.25/5
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Naturally, I ran off to Barnes & Noble after writing my love letter to them last week. A two-level bookstore in Poughkeepsie, NY? Please and thank you! Be honest. You can almost smell the comforting books, coffee, and that special Barnes & Noble smell through these pictures.
Happy reading! See you guys on Friday morning.