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The Prison Healer #1
The Prison Healer
Seventeen-year-old Kiva Meridan has spent the last ten years fighting for survival in the notorious death prison, Zalindov, working as the prison healer.
When the Rebel Queen is captured, Kiva is charged with keeping the terminally ill woman alive long enough for her to undergo the Trial by Ordeal: a series of elemental challenges against the torments of air, fire, water, and earth, assigned to only the most dangerous of criminals.
Then a coded message from Kiva’s family arrives, containing a single order: “Don’t let her die. We are coming.” Aware that the Trials will kill the sickly queen, Kiva risks her own life to volunteer in her place. If she succeeds, both she and the queen will be granted their freedom.
But no one has ever survived.
With an incurable plague sweeping Zalindov, a mysterious new inmate fighting for Kiva’s heart, and a prison rebellion brewing, Kiva can’t escape the terrible feeling that her trials have only just begun.
From bestselling author Lynette Noni comes a dark, thrilling YA fantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, and Sabaa Tahir.
When the Rebel Queen is captured, Kiva is charged with keeping the terminally ill woman alive long enough for her to undergo the Trial by Ordeal: a series of elemental challenges against the torments of air, fire, water, and earth, assigned to only the most dangerous of criminals.
Then a coded message from Kiva’s family arrives, containing a single order: “Don’t let her die. We are coming.” Aware that the Trials will kill the sickly queen, Kiva risks her own life to volunteer in her place. If she succeeds, both she and the queen will be granted their freedom.
But no one has ever survived.
With an incurable plague sweeping Zalindov, a mysterious new inmate fighting for Kiva’s heart, and a prison rebellion brewing, Kiva can’t escape the terrible feeling that her trials have only just begun.
From bestselling author Lynette Noni comes a dark, thrilling YA fantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, and Sabaa Tahir.
421 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2021
About the author
Lynette Noni
20 books6,301 followersAustralian author Lynette Noni studied journalism, academic writing, and human behaviour at university before venturing into the world of fiction. She is the #1 bestselling and award-winning author of THE MEDORAN CHRONICLES, the WHISPER duology, and THE PRISON HEALER series, with her books being published in nearly 20 countries across the globe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 15,731 reviews
October 30, 2023
when i think about this book, i think about how really not much happened. it was very repetitive, and i would say probably more character focused, but ultimately i did not LOVE this book by any means. however, i think back to how i felt while reading the book and i was never actively hating what i was reading so it isn’t that bad! also everyone hypes up the end / plot twists…. i guessed them all! but i think it’s just because i over thought every detail because people talk so much about them! overall, i will continue the series but this book is no where near my fav !
August 21, 2023
Ending goes absolutely crazy
May 16, 2021
this book is definitely worth all the hype its getting.
and it reminded me that the setting doesnt need to be intricate. an entire story can take place in a single location (eg. a prison) and still be entertaining if the characters (tipp deserves to be protected at all costs), plot (political scheming), and writing (perfect pacing) are great. which they are in this.
my only complaint would be the ‘twists.’ even though they arent necessarily predictable, they didnt surprise or shock me, either. if anything, the reveals feel… really dang convenient. i dont know how else to explain it. they just feel underwhelming.
but overall, this really is an enthralling and enticing start to a series. so excited that the sequel comes out later this year!
↠ 4.5 stars
and it reminded me that the setting doesnt need to be intricate. an entire story can take place in a single location (eg. a prison) and still be entertaining if the characters (tipp deserves to be protected at all costs), plot (political scheming), and writing (perfect pacing) are great. which they are in this.
my only complaint would be the ‘twists.’ even though they arent necessarily predictable, they didnt surprise or shock me, either. if anything, the reveals feel… really dang convenient. i dont know how else to explain it. they just feel underwhelming.
but overall, this really is an enthralling and enticing start to a series. so excited that the sequel comes out later this year!
↠ 4.5 stars
June 30, 2021
BRO THE ENDING TO THIS BOOK WENT CRAZY!! the author did SO amazing with the pacing and getting you attached to the characters. when i first went into this book i thought it was going to be a three star but i was so invested in the story. the ending was predictable but i STILL was shook.
May 20, 2024
—— 4✰ stars.
・❥・ Mood of the book:
: ̗̀➛ No Time To Die by Billie Eilish
: ̗̀➛ Lovely versioned by Lauren Babic & Seraphim
: ̗̀➛ Scars by Boy Epic
: ̗̀➛ Game of Survival by Ruelle
Initially, I was going to give it a score of 3.5✰ stars. because, although the beginning and the end are very fast and interesting, the 200 pages in the middle are very slow and sometimes a bit repetitive.
BUT!!! Let me tell u the ending was C-R-A-Z-Y. I fell on my ass, lost my wig and my fake nails in the process and spent 5 hours with my mouth open like an idiot. BUT OK OK, let’s get into the review besties!! This is going to be a little short since I was in a slump and it has been a hot minute since I read this.
I loved the worldbuilding and I can't wait for the next ones to know everything that Lynette Noni has created, and to continue exploring the magic, because yes, there is also magic in this book.
Kiva Meridan has been a healer in Zalindov for ten years, a deadly prison where survival is a challenge.
'Zalindov showed no mercy, not even to the innocent'
A deadly plague is infecting the prisoners and a rebellion is brewing. But one day, The Rebel Queen arrives, along with a note addressed to Kiva that says: 'Don't let her die, we are coming.' But, of course, things are not that easy, The Queen must face some deadly trials that will decide her fate, but she is sick, so Kiva, in an attempt to keep her alive, takes her place in the said trials. We also cannot forget that a new prisoner Jaren arrives (wink, wink, WINK)
As I already said, it has a very irregular pace, the first hundred pages keep you glued to the pages because you want to know everything about the world that Lynette Noni has written. During the middle, about two hundred pages, the pace slows down a lot, and it becomes a bit repetitive, since Kiva investigates the disease and thinks about the trials over and over again (it doesn't help that i was in a huge slump and with Covid hehehe) . The last pages are full of twists and the pacing is great again.
𝒦𝒾𝓋𝒶 ℳℯ𝓇𝒾𝒹𝒶𝓃:
If there is one word to define Kiva, it is brave. She takes her position as a healer very seriously and does whatever it takes to survive, even if it means being hated by others. She drives everyone away from her because getting attached to someone in Zalindov is dangerous. But she feels everything in a very deep way.
‘Attachments were dangerous at Zalindov. Caring only led to pain'
𝒥𝒶𝓇ℯ𝓃:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! Daddy. I mean!!!! Daddy. SORRY!!???? Daddy. Ok he is not Daddy but he is, ok??? And this makes complete sense. Jaren is the new prisoner, full of scars and blood, and who begins to get closer to Kiva (yes you guessed it bitch, he is the love interest). I don't want to say anything more about him because the author makes him mysterious on purpose, and who am I to break the mystery?
‘Take off your shirt and lie down’ ‘I’m flattered, but we barely know each other’
𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝓇ℴ𝓂𝒶𝓃𝒸ℯ:
'Sweetheart, I know'
It's very slow, not much really happens between them throughout the book, I don't mind it as I don't need romance to keep me interested, but I know there are people who do, so keep this in mind. BUT I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE INCREDIBLE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT HOW THE BOOK ENDS AAAAA.
'You have the prettiest eyes I have ever seen. Like the sunlight on the sea'
'I don't see you as some kind of damsel who needs rescuing. I've never met anyone stronger than you. So you are right, you don't need me fighting your battles, but if you'll let me I'd like to be standing beside you as you fight them'
𝒯𝒾𝓅𝓅 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒩𝒶𝒶𝓇𝒾:
They are good secondary characters, especially Tipp, who is a boy who has been in Zalindov all his life and Kiva takes care of him as if he were his little brother. And Naari is a guard.
'but it was his sunny personality that pulled her out of the shadows'
'Because once you give up in here'—she pointed to her heart—'then you are already as good as dead'
'She liked that he was concerned, that he cared enough to be angry. It was always she who was looking after others, not the other way around'
'Their story didn't end as it should have. But I know for a fact that they'd lived it all over again, even the ending, as long as it meant they could keep their beginning'
'Please. Don't look at me like that. Don't look at me like I'm broken'
Hope you enjoyed this mess of a review and that I might have convinced you to read it, since thats the whole purpose of it! Thank you so much if you read until the end. I love you 𓆩♡𓆪.
￫ old updates:
dec 24: SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!! WTF 💀💀💀💀💀 THAT ENDING ????????????? review to fucking come I guess ???
dec 04: THE PRISON IS WHERE I WOULD BE IF I COULD DO WHAT I WANT BUT ANYWAYS. 💅🏻 thank you so much who voted for this or for any other book and of course thank you Sara for choosing this book to be on the poll 💖 I love you.
‘never apologize for loving someone. Even if it hurts. Especially if it hurts’
・❥・ Mood of the book:
: ̗̀➛ No Time To Die by Billie Eilish
: ̗̀➛ Lovely versioned by Lauren Babic & Seraphim
: ̗̀➛ Scars by Boy Epic
: ̗̀➛ Game of Survival by Ruelle
Initially, I was going to give it a score of 3.5✰ stars. because, although the beginning and the end are very fast and interesting, the 200 pages in the middle are very slow and sometimes a bit repetitive.
BUT!!! Let me tell u the ending was C-R-A-Z-Y. I fell on my ass, lost my wig and my fake nails in the process and spent 5 hours with my mouth open like an idiot. BUT OK OK, let’s get into the review besties!! This is going to be a little short since I was in a slump and it has been a hot minute since I read this.
I loved the worldbuilding and I can't wait for the next ones to know everything that Lynette Noni has created, and to continue exploring the magic, because yes, there is also magic in this book.
════ ⋆𝒶𝒷ℴ𝓊𝓉 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓅𝓁ℴ𝓉⋆ ════
Kiva Meridan has been a healer in Zalindov for ten years, a deadly prison where survival is a challenge.
'Zalindov showed no mercy, not even to the innocent'
A deadly plague is infecting the prisoners and a rebellion is brewing. But one day, The Rebel Queen arrives, along with a note addressed to Kiva that says: 'Don't let her die, we are coming.' But, of course, things are not that easy, The Queen must face some deadly trials that will decide her fate, but she is sick, so Kiva, in an attempt to keep her alive, takes her place in the said trials. We also cannot forget that a new prisoner Jaren arrives (wink, wink, WINK)
════ ⋆𝒶𝒷ℴ𝓊𝓉 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓅𝒶𝒸𝒾𝓃𝑔⋆ ════
As I already said, it has a very irregular pace, the first hundred pages keep you glued to the pages because you want to know everything about the world that Lynette Noni has written. During the middle, about two hundred pages, the pace slows down a lot, and it becomes a bit repetitive, since Kiva investigates the disease and thinks about the trials over and over again (it doesn't help that i was in a huge slump and with Covid hehehe) . The last pages are full of twists and the pacing is great again.
════ ⋆𝒶𝒷ℴ𝓊𝓉 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓉ℯ𝓇𝓈⋆ ════
𝒦𝒾𝓋𝒶 ℳℯ𝓇𝒾𝒹𝒶𝓃:
If there is one word to define Kiva, it is brave. She takes her position as a healer very seriously and does whatever it takes to survive, even if it means being hated by others. She drives everyone away from her because getting attached to someone in Zalindov is dangerous. But she feels everything in a very deep way.
‘Attachments were dangerous at Zalindov. Caring only led to pain'
𝒥𝒶𝓇ℯ𝓃:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! Daddy. I mean!!!! Daddy. SORRY!!???? Daddy. Ok he is not Daddy but he is, ok??? And this makes complete sense. Jaren is the new prisoner, full of scars and blood, and who begins to get closer to Kiva (yes you guessed it bitch, he is the love interest). I don't want to say anything more about him because the author makes him mysterious on purpose, and who am I to break the mystery?
‘Take off your shirt and lie down’ ‘I’m flattered, but we barely know each other’
𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝓇ℴ𝓂𝒶𝓃𝒸ℯ:
'Sweetheart, I know'
It's very slow, not much really happens between them throughout the book, I don't mind it as I don't need romance to keep me interested, but I know there are people who do, so keep this in mind. BUT I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE INCREDIBLE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT HOW THE BOOK ENDS AAAAA.
'You have the prettiest eyes I have ever seen. Like the sunlight on the sea'
'I don't see you as some kind of damsel who needs rescuing. I've never met anyone stronger than you. So you are right, you don't need me fighting your battles, but if you'll let me I'd like to be standing beside you as you fight them'
𝒯𝒾𝓅𝓅 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒩𝒶𝒶𝓇𝒾:
They are good secondary characters, especially Tipp, who is a boy who has been in Zalindov all his life and Kiva takes care of him as if he were his little brother. And Naari is a guard.
'but it was his sunny personality that pulled her out of the shadows'
════ ⋆𝓆𝓊ℴ𝓉ℯ𝓈 𝐼 ℯ𝓃𝒿ℴ𝓎ℯ𝒹⋆ ════
'Because once you give up in here'—she pointed to her heart—'then you are already as good as dead'
'She liked that he was concerned, that he cared enough to be angry. It was always she who was looking after others, not the other way around'
'Their story didn't end as it should have. But I know for a fact that they'd lived it all over again, even the ending, as long as it meant they could keep their beginning'
'Please. Don't look at me like that. Don't look at me like I'm broken'
Hope you enjoyed this mess of a review and that I might have convinced you to read it, since thats the whole purpose of it! Thank you so much if you read until the end. I love you 𓆩♡𓆪.
￫ old updates:
dec 24: SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!! WTF 💀💀💀💀💀 THAT ENDING ????????????? review to fucking come I guess ???
dec 04: THE PRISON IS WHERE I WOULD BE IF I COULD DO WHAT I WANT BUT ANYWAYS. 💅🏻 thank you so much who voted for this or for any other book and of course thank you Sara for choosing this book to be on the poll 💖 I love you.
November 6, 2023
3.5⭐️ I wasn't bored, but I wanted more 😩
I didn't have any big issues with this book. Tbh, I just didn't care about the characters. It felt like they all acted on emotions and had little personality and nothing set them apart for me. It would also have been pretty cool to meet the cliques and other prisoners- maybe in the next two books? The plot and world building was fine.
Kiva is a prison healer while waiting for her family who are a part of a rebel group to come rescue her. There is no need for you to try remembering this information because it was mentioned 252 times 😭.
Kiva is selfless with a matyr complex because, obviously she's a modern day, fmc of a fantasy novel and what is her personality if she doesn't have a savior complex and isn'thealing killing with kindness.
She meets prison heartthrob, Jaren and tries not crush on while exchanging heart eyes with him over patients.
Enters Tilda, the rebel queen who is barely hanging on to life and in Kiva's infirmary and has to go through four elemental trials which long story short, is meant to kill her. Kiva volunteers to take her place.
It was interesting enough to keep readingespecially with those two big twists in the last 100 pages but not engaging enough to have me caring whether Kiva survived certain death the trials posed or not.
***
all I want to say is, I have high expectations for this one 😌✋🏽
I didn't have any big issues with this book. Tbh, I just didn't care about the characters. It felt like they all acted on emotions and had little personality and nothing set them apart for me. It would also have been pretty cool to meet the cliques and other prisoners- maybe in the next two books? The plot and world building was fine.
Kiva is a prison healer while waiting for her family who are a part of a rebel group to come rescue her. There is no need for you to try remembering this information because it was mentioned 252 times 😭.
Kiva is selfless with a matyr complex because, obviously she's a modern day, fmc of a fantasy novel and what is her personality if she doesn't have a savior complex and isn't
She meets prison heartthrob, Jaren and tries not crush on while exchanging heart eyes with him over patients.
Enters Tilda, the rebel queen who is barely hanging on to life and in Kiva's infirmary and has to go through four elemental trials which long story short, is meant to kill her. Kiva volunteers to take her place.
It was interesting enough to keep reading
***
all I want to say is, I have high expectations for this one 😌✋🏽
April 27, 2021
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I nabbed this book on impulse because it was giving me POISON STUDY vibes, and for those of you who don't know, that is one of my golden standards when it comes to YA fantasy. If I had known that this was blurbed by Sarah J. Maas, I probably wouldn't have gotten it, though, because I'm not too keen on her books and, like many authors, she tends to read and blurb books that are written in a style similar to hers.
THE PRISON HEALER kind of reads as a cross between AIR AWAKENS, THRONE OF GLASS, and INCARCERON. I wasn't really a fan of any of those three books which maybe explains why this book quickly paled for me in terms of enjoyment. Kiva is a healer in a prison, where she basically has two jobs: carve the Z into prisoners' wrists and then cure them of any ailments. Since she has a sweet gig, people don't think all that kindly of her. Especially since she's often one of the first people they see once she gets down to business with the tagging. So yeah, not many people are #TeamKiva.
When Kiva ends up becoming the Champion for a Rebel Queen, she ends up having to go through all of these ordeals that will mean her life if she fails. She also ends up embroiled in a political intrigue that seems to be taking place entirely within the jail. Which... okay. I actually ended up getting pretty confused at this point because it suffered a problem that a lot of these claustrophobically set fantasy novels have, where it kind of ignores everything that's happening outside the scope of the main setting, making the reader wonder why this is such a big deal. I mean... it's a jail.
The plot twist at the end was seriously THRONES OF GLASS-y, and so were the blue-and-gold colored eyes and the PoC friend, Naari, who kind of ends up serving as a deus-ex-machina (hi, Nehemia). Oh, and there's a playboy prince who likes her for no reason. I did like how several of the pages were just black when the heroine gets thrown into a dungeon-like thing called the Abyss, and the healing angle was cool, but it quickly lapsed into pretty generic YA fantasy and Kiva ended up becoming a Mary Sue. People who are more partial to the three books I mentioned two paragraphs ago will probably enjoy this more than I did-- especially since it is somewhat darker than your typical YA fantasy fare (and unlike some reviewers, I took no issue with this). It just wasn't to my taste.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
2 stars
March 21, 2021
Full disclosure - Lynette is my friend. She's an Australian author and we met when I was a guest at SupaNova about 6 years ago - back in the good old days when I could travel and attend cons. One of the nicest/sweetest person I've ever met and we stayed friends. The Prison Healer is going to be released in April in Australia, UK, and US and many of the books will be signed (she signed literally thousands of what's known as "tip-ins" - it's the cover page that they'll bind with the rest of the book - truthfully, I'm totally jealous ;)
Just like the title says, the main character is the only healer in this horrible prison. A prison that she's been locked in for the last 10 years (having been sent there with her father at the age of 7 - so you know the people who run the place are truly awful - also warning the guards are brutal to the prisoners and there's mention of violence and female prisoners being raped is implied, but that's not detailed on the page - although the threat of it is).
I really liked the world building (there are maps!! Not one but two and they're lovely!) and the details about how Kiva heals those who are sick are interesting. The side characters are very likable and Tipp quickly became a favorite. The action gets going when the queen of the rebels is arrested and sent to the prison. The woman is sentenced to endure four trials, but she's too sick to complete them. Kiva is determined to keep her alive so takes her place (reminded me a bit of the Hunger Games with Katniss stepping in for her sister). If Kiva survives the trails, she and the rebel queen will be free - if she dies, then so will the queen.
This is the first book of a series and you won't have to wait long for book 2 as it's due out in October 2021.
Just like the title says, the main character is the only healer in this horrible prison. A prison that she's been locked in for the last 10 years (having been sent there with her father at the age of 7 - so you know the people who run the place are truly awful - also warning the guards are brutal to the prisoners and there's mention of violence and female prisoners being raped is implied, but that's not detailed on the page - although the threat of it is).
I really liked the world building (there are maps!! Not one but two and they're lovely!) and the details about how Kiva heals those who are sick are interesting. The side characters are very likable and Tipp quickly became a favorite. The action gets going when the queen of the rebels is arrested and sent to the prison. The woman is sentenced to endure four trials, but she's too sick to complete them. Kiva is determined to keep her alive so takes her place (reminded me a bit of the Hunger Games with Katniss stepping in for her sister). If Kiva survives the trails, she and the rebel queen will be free - if she dies, then so will the queen.
This is the first book of a series and you won't have to wait long for book 2 as it's due out in October 2021.
September 13, 2023
"You have the prettiest eyes I've ever seen.
Like sunlight on the sea."
*read this when i was big on romance so don't listen to me! this is 5 stars if you don't care about much romance*
the prologue was chefs kiss, so captivating, first couple of chapters- perfection.
one of the main reasons i didn't love this was because it dragged on way longer than it should have. i mean there was absolutely no need for 80% of the book to be about her finding the reason everyone was getting sick & dropping like flies. I DON'T CARE, i genuinely could not care less, cus she went into extreme detail during the whole process and i mean literally 80% of the damn book was about her wondering why and how it was happening. like girly i don't wanna know anymore let them die. give me some romance.
i'm just the type of person who can't read/enjoy a book without romance, i don't want 2% romance and 98% plot. NO make it 50/50 or some shit, just give me romance please😒 had so much potential for such good romance, like hello? she's the prison healer, he had just arrived to the prison because he got into some shit and she's fixing him up. do u see the potential i saw??
so for that, don't take my review seriously. if u don't care about romance please read this because it is good, hence the 3 stars.
July 22, 2024
⤷4.5! I really loved the unique prison setting in this!!! I also loved Kiva's character, being a healer (different than most other female mcs) but also so fierce and lovable. I adored Jaren (best golden retriever boy) and Kiva's cute romance - he truly cared for her so much, as well all of the side characters. Both the plot of trials and mysterious illness were both interesting, and that plot twist at the end was so worth it!!!
[It was only when she'd cried her last that sleep finally found her, and she drifted off wrapped in Jaren's embrace, feeling safe and protected for the first time in years.]
[It was only when she'd cried her last that sleep finally found her, and she drifted off wrapped in Jaren's embrace, feeling safe and protected for the first time in years.]
February 12, 2023
I really enjoyed this!! 🤩🤩 I went in not sure what I was gonna think, but it was actually a really fun time and exactly what I needed. Such a solid YA fantasy!! 💖💖
“Never apologize for loving someone. Even when it hurts. Especially when it hurts.”
The Prison Healer follows Kiva Meridan, who works at the notorious death prison Zalindov as its only qualified healer. She has managed to survive there for 10 years by only focusing on one goal: stay alive. But then the Rebel Queen arrives at the prison, deathly ill, and Kiva receives a message: 'don't let her die. We are coming.'
There's obviously a lot more to it, but I think going in with limited information would make it so much more fun! It looks like a pretty basic story, but it had much more depth than I expected. And it's also sooo entertaining!! 🤩🤩
“Hope was a drug and Kiva, an addict.”
Starting with the characters- I really liked the characters in here! Kiva was a really good MC- she had a fighting spirit, but she still experienced a lot of challenges. She had a lot of depth to her and I was a big fan!! 💕 Another big character was Jaren. When he was first introduced, I thought he was gonna be the typical love interest-type character but he surprised me by being a lot more interesting! I really liked him and was a big fan of his and Kiva's dynamic 🥰🥰
There were also quite a few good side characters! My favourite was Tipp- he was so sweet and precious and must be protected at all costs. I'm usually not the biggest fan of younger children in books, but Tipp was too cute! 😍😍💞💞
The writing and the plot were both great!! ✨ Lynette Noni's writing style was the perfect balance between emotion, action and descriptions, and it was super easy & entertaining to read. Also loved the atmosphere of the prison, which was such an interesting setting! The plot too was done really well- it was paced perfectly! There was always something to keep you interested. And the twists and turns at the end- one wasn't that hard to guess, but the way it was revealed plus some other twists really shook me! 🤯🤯
Lastly, the romance. It was cute!! Pretty typical for a YA fantasy, but still very sweet and I did feel the chemistry. I definitely liked them as a couple. It also wasn't overwhelming to the plot, which I appreciated. I don't think I would recommend the book FOR the romance, but it was a cute little subplot! 🥰🥰
“So you’re right, you don’t need me fighting your battles. But if you’ll let me, I’d like to be standing beside you as you fight them.”
The only negatives had were that a main part of the plot were these trials- and if I'm being completely honest, they were kinda lame. Like they could've been sm better!! *sigh* 😒😒 I also thought the magic system needed a lot more fleshing out, but i guess that's part of the reason it's part of a trilogy 🤷♀️🤷♀️
“Our scars define us. They tell a story of courage and survival. They tell of who we are at our deepest being, of the challenges we've faced and overcome”
Overall, a really fun read!! 🤩🤩 I would definitely recommend if you're looking for:
✔ Fast-paced plot
✔ Unique setting
✔ Great writing and characters
✔ A fun YA fantasy
It was really enjoyable and I'm definitely interested in picking up the sequel!! 💗💗
~ 4 stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was sooo good!! 🤩🤩 Such a fun time 💖💖 also I'm still reeling at the ending-- 🤯🤯
RTC!
“Never apologize for loving someone. Even when it hurts. Especially when it hurts.”
The Prison Healer follows Kiva Meridan, who works at the notorious death prison Zalindov as its only qualified healer. She has managed to survive there for 10 years by only focusing on one goal: stay alive. But then the Rebel Queen arrives at the prison, deathly ill, and Kiva receives a message: 'don't let her die. We are coming.'
There's obviously a lot more to it, but I think going in with limited information would make it so much more fun! It looks like a pretty basic story, but it had much more depth than I expected. And it's also sooo entertaining!! 🤩🤩
“Hope was a drug and Kiva, an addict.”
Starting with the characters- I really liked the characters in here! Kiva was a really good MC- she had a fighting spirit, but she still experienced a lot of challenges. She had a lot of depth to her and I was a big fan!! 💕 Another big character was Jaren. When he was first introduced, I thought he was gonna be the typical love interest-type character but he surprised me by being a lot more interesting! I really liked him and was a big fan of his and Kiva's dynamic 🥰🥰
There were also quite a few good side characters! My favourite was Tipp- he was so sweet and precious and must be protected at all costs. I'm usually not the biggest fan of younger children in books, but Tipp was too cute! 😍😍💞💞
The writing and the plot were both great!! ✨ Lynette Noni's writing style was the perfect balance between emotion, action and descriptions, and it was super easy & entertaining to read. Also loved the atmosphere of the prison, which was such an interesting setting! The plot too was done really well- it was paced perfectly! There was always something to keep you interested. And the twists and turns at the end- one wasn't that hard to guess, but the way it was revealed plus some other twists really shook me! 🤯🤯
Lastly, the romance. It was cute!! Pretty typical for a YA fantasy, but still very sweet and I did feel the chemistry. I definitely liked them as a couple. It also wasn't overwhelming to the plot, which I appreciated. I don't think I would recommend the book FOR the romance, but it was a cute little subplot! 🥰🥰
“So you’re right, you don’t need me fighting your battles. But if you’ll let me, I’d like to be standing beside you as you fight them.”
The only negatives had were that a main part of the plot were these trials- and if I'm being completely honest, they were kinda lame. Like they could've been sm better!! *sigh* 😒😒 I also thought the magic system needed a lot more fleshing out, but i guess that's part of the reason it's part of a trilogy 🤷♀️🤷♀️
“Our scars define us. They tell a story of courage and survival. They tell of who we are at our deepest being, of the challenges we've faced and overcome”
Overall, a really fun read!! 🤩🤩 I would definitely recommend if you're looking for:
✔ Fast-paced plot
✔ Unique setting
✔ Great writing and characters
✔ A fun YA fantasy
It was really enjoyable and I'm definitely interested in picking up the sequel!! 💗💗
~ 4 stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was sooo good!! 🤩🤩 Such a fun time 💖💖 also I'm still reeling at the ending-- 🤯🤯
RTC!
June 28, 2021
My April FairyLoot. Click on the spoiler after the picture to see the goodies
I really loved the characters, but I just didn’t love the book enough to give it more than 3 stars. So, I’m trading this one in, but I will read the next book to see what happens.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
I really loved the characters, but I just didn’t love the book enough to give it more than 3 stars. So, I’m trading this one in, but I will read the next book to see what happens.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
April 15, 2021
When you have to take a shower mid-read to wake up because the book is putting you to sleep : my experience with THE PRISON HEALER.
Look, that snarky intro notwithstanding, there were things in this story that felt pretty compelling and or interesting but so much just.. didn't make sense. At first I loved that our setting was limited to this prison, where our protagonist had been locked up for ten years, completely cut off from the world and politics around her, but then I got really.. anxious. The limited scope started to bother me. So did the weird extreme sweeps into d a r k n e s s and d e s p a i r and then, like, light hearted flirting with the new prisoner.
We also had this ACOTAR-esque challenge to undergo but the only people witnessing it were the prisoners? The royalty are banished from watching it and it seems to not actually matter to the world outside the prison? Like.. how is this a thing? Why is it even happening?
And the whole idea of this prison being unchallenged by royalty, not subject to rule by any authority by the Warden (I don't know, I'm now questioning my understanding, so don't quote me on that..), was initially interesting but also how the hell did that fly. Just kind of seemed like an excuse to let some awful shit happen.
And then there was this whole civil war thing.. man, like I said, some really cool elements that just felt a little untethered. Trying to sum up all the plot points is leaving me tired.
As for the characters, well. Suffice it to say we aren't supposed to have many to root for, seeing as we are in a prison full to the brim of nasty characters, but Naari, one of the guards, was the only one I actually liked. I got a lot of whiplash from our lead, the love interest was nice but kind of predictable, there's a younger pseudo-brother character who has an endearing stutter but I got pretty tired of reading about it, and there's.. not much else. Bad guard one, bad guard two, evil guard one, evil guard two, unpleasant prisoners x y z, shifty Warden guy, lots of sick and or dead people.. you get the idea.
What saves this for me was the ending. Because.. okay, sure, yeah, that happened. I am both very excited by it and also now very frustrated by everything up until this point, but, sure, yes. I'm hooked and I will read book two (please say it's only a duology..).
I realize most people would not continue on a series where the initial book only warranted a two but I am not most people.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
Look, that snarky intro notwithstanding, there were things in this story that felt pretty compelling and or interesting but so much just.. didn't make sense. At first I loved that our setting was limited to this prison, where our protagonist had been locked up for ten years, completely cut off from the world and politics around her, but then I got really.. anxious. The limited scope started to bother me. So did the weird extreme sweeps into d a r k n e s s and d e s p a i r and then, like, light hearted flirting with the new prisoner.
We also had this ACOTAR-esque challenge to undergo but the only people witnessing it were the prisoners? The royalty are banished from watching it and it seems to not actually matter to the world outside the prison? Like.. how is this a thing? Why is it even happening?
And the whole idea of this prison being unchallenged by royalty, not subject to rule by any authority by the Warden (I don't know, I'm now questioning my understanding, so don't quote me on that..), was initially interesting but also how the hell did that fly. Just kind of seemed like an excuse to let some awful shit happen.
And then there was this whole civil war thing.. man, like I said, some really cool elements that just felt a little untethered. Trying to sum up all the plot points is leaving me tired.
As for the characters, well. Suffice it to say we aren't supposed to have many to root for, seeing as we are in a prison full to the brim of nasty characters, but Naari, one of the guards, was the only one I actually liked. I got a lot of whiplash from our lead, the love interest was nice but kind of predictable, there's a younger pseudo-brother character who has an endearing stutter but I got pretty tired of reading about it, and there's.. not much else. Bad guard one, bad guard two, evil guard one, evil guard two, unpleasant prisoners x y z, shifty Warden guy, lots of sick and or dead people.. you get the idea.
What saves this for me was the ending. Because.. okay, sure, yeah, that happened. I am both very excited by it and also now very frustrated by everything up until this point, but, sure, yes. I'm hooked and I will read book two (please say it's only a duology..).
I realize most people would not continue on a series where the initial book only warranted a two but I am not most people.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
April 19, 2021
An excellent start to what I believe is going to be a trilogy. Definitely a duology at least because book two already has a title and a cover.
I am currently part way through the Akarnae series but when I saw the blurb for The Prison Healer I could not resist it. And it is a good one. My only criticism is that it is too long and the middle section tends to drag as a result. However everything else is really good.
The story is set in an inescapable prison where people tend not to survive the conditions for very long. Kiva has been there for ten years since she was seven and, as she is a healer, she has avoided the worst the prison offers. She also has occasional contact from the outside world which causes her to believe she will one day be rescued. As events turn out she has to save herself in several very dramatic ways.
It is a good story, the characters are interesting and Noni writes it well. Then there is the ending which is beyond brilliant. I never saw it coming at all, and of course it means I will be grabbing book two just as soon as I can.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book
I am currently part way through the Akarnae series but when I saw the blurb for The Prison Healer I could not resist it. And it is a good one. My only criticism is that it is too long and the middle section tends to drag as a result. However everything else is really good.
The story is set in an inescapable prison where people tend not to survive the conditions for very long. Kiva has been there for ten years since she was seven and, as she is a healer, she has avoided the worst the prison offers. She also has occasional contact from the outside world which causes her to believe she will one day be rescued. As events turn out she has to save herself in several very dramatic ways.
It is a good story, the characters are interesting and Noni writes it well. Then there is the ending which is beyond brilliant. I never saw it coming at all, and of course it means I will be grabbing book two just as soon as I can.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book
December 5, 2020
annnnd my most anticipated release of 2021 has become my most disappointing read of 2020.
the prison healer did not feel like lynette noni at all. and the romance 100% felt like sjm.
- protagonist goes on about how much she hates the love interest and will never date him all the while simping for him
- no time to develop plot or characters before protagonist goes straight into “ugh he’s so HOT but i HATE him”
- protagonist assuming everyone wants to date her
- love interest saying “it sucks that someone touched you without your consent so i’ll cheer you up by touching you without your consent” .... seriously .... why would you think that’s a good idea?? and why are readers supposed to think this presumptuous and disgusting behavior is hot??
- seriously. don’t climb into someone’s bed after they just got assaulted. WHY ARE WE ROMANTICIZING THIS.
- getting assaulted doesn’t matter if a cute guy assaults you afterwards!
- having ptsd is a choice apparently
- “i don’t expect anything from you” he says while expecting her to date him. why are they such hypocrites
- if someone abuses you while they’re not sober it doesn’t count
- also a plot twist that undoes pretty much everything the protagonist has said, so once again, why would i trust her?? it literally means she was lying in her OWN thoughts for the entire book like?? it does not add up.
this is the opposite of what i love about lynette’s writing and i’m so sad she went in the typical romanticizing creepy guys and a complete lack of consent direction instead of the amazing and expansive series where characters were more than their dating lives. and they weren’t all liars and hypocrites and i could actually care about them.
i think i’m just going to forget about this series and not let it taint the medoran chronicles for me. that series gave me so much hope that i finally found an author that wrote wholesome and non-problematic books but ... it looks like a certain author ruined that for her. her characters went from sweet and funny to gross and boring and i just ,,, why 🥺. do we really need to rely on nonconsensual relationships and justifying abuse to get readers now?
a note that desperately needs to be made about this shitshow: ptsd is not a choice. you’re allowed to hate your abuser. and you shouldn’t touch people just because you think they like you.
cw: mentions of rape (ongoing theme), mass cremation, graphic depictions of cremation, self harm, torture, torture/abuse being justified by MC, and MC saying that mental illness is a choice
the prison healer did not feel like lynette noni at all. and the romance 100% felt like sjm.
- protagonist goes on about how much she hates the love interest and will never date him all the while simping for him
- no time to develop plot or characters before protagonist goes straight into “ugh he’s so HOT but i HATE him”
- protagonist assuming everyone wants to date her
- love interest saying “it sucks that someone touched you without your consent so i’ll cheer you up by touching you without your consent” .... seriously .... why would you think that’s a good idea?? and why are readers supposed to think this presumptuous and disgusting behavior is hot??
- seriously. don’t climb into someone’s bed after they just got assaulted. WHY ARE WE ROMANTICIZING THIS.
- getting assaulted doesn’t matter if a cute guy assaults you afterwards!
- having ptsd is a choice apparently
- “i don’t expect anything from you” he says while expecting her to date him. why are they such hypocrites
- if someone abuses you while they’re not sober it doesn’t count
- also a plot twist that undoes pretty much everything the protagonist has said, so once again, why would i trust her?? it literally means she was lying in her OWN thoughts for the entire book like?? it does not add up.
this is the opposite of what i love about lynette’s writing and i’m so sad she went in the typical romanticizing creepy guys and a complete lack of consent direction instead of the amazing and expansive series where characters were more than their dating lives. and they weren’t all liars and hypocrites and i could actually care about them.
i think i’m just going to forget about this series and not let it taint the medoran chronicles for me. that series gave me so much hope that i finally found an author that wrote wholesome and non-problematic books but ... it looks like a certain author ruined that for her. her characters went from sweet and funny to gross and boring and i just ,,, why 🥺. do we really need to rely on nonconsensual relationships and justifying abuse to get readers now?
a note that desperately needs to be made about this shitshow: ptsd is not a choice. you’re allowed to hate your abuser. and you shouldn’t touch people just because you think they like you.
cw: mentions of rape (ongoing theme), mass cremation, graphic depictions of cremation, self harm, torture, torture/abuse being justified by MC, and MC saying that mental illness is a choice
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2022
Things I liked:
- Mirryn. That's it.
Things I didn't like:
- Mirryn was only in it for like two pages
- it was slow and boring. The blurb made the Trials sound like the main conflict of the story, which they technically are, but most of the book is just Kiva going around between the Trials trying to figure things out and chatting with the other characters. The actual Trials were always over within a few pages, and the lull between them was a real slug to get through. It did not need to be 400 pages long.
- there is no subtlety in the writing. The author writes exactly what she means, and will often explain what she meant directly after when there was really no need. I get it. I can read.
- this style of writing made it very easy to predict what would happen. Nothing really came as a surprise.
- very basic elemental style magic system, nothing new or different to make it interesting.
- inconsistencies in the characters. Kiva makes a point early on that she heals anyone despite who they are or what they've done; murderers, rapists, rebels, whatever. There's then a point when she's investigating the illnesses with Naari that she admits she purposely made a guard's STI worse instead of healing him. Which I don't disagree with, make the rapist's rash worse by all means bestie, but it doesn't track with your characterisation.
- the romance between Jaren and Kiva was boring and flavourless. Jaren was fine, I found him respectful and pleasant, but like a lot of the main cast in this book, he was somewhat flat and boring, which bled into the romance.
- Kiva's fixation on believing that Naari and Jaren were together was annoying and juvenile and felt like I was reading a book set in high school, not a high security fantasy prison
- apparantly Kiva used to give her father, an adult man who was a healer by trade, tips on healing that he hadn't considered before. She was seven.
- the Trials were lame. If the whole thing is meant to be some grand gesture to symbolise the royal family's power then they could've been more epic. I was expecting an arena with elemental monsters or something. Instead Kiva had to jump off a building and sit in an oven for ten minutes.
- Kiva didn't pass any of the Trials without direct and essential help. She literally wouldn't have survived any of them if someone didn't save her every time. I get they're meant to he impossible or whatever, but it would've been nice if the main character figured at least one of the Trials out on her own.
- what was the point of Tipp getting sick?
- the healer-who-refuses-to-follow-her-own-advice-and-take-care-of-herself character quirk isn't endearing, it's annoying.
- how did Kiva not find out about the poison earlier? It was literally stored in her cupboard. This, like many of the other plot points, was flimsy.
- Kiva was being dramatic and hypocritical at the end. I also didn't care enough about the whole thing to be anything other than annoyed.
- Jaren is the Avatar.
- Kiva used her Deus Ex Machina healing powers on her adopted rodent child but not her own mother
- if I have to read the words Stay alive. Don't let her die. We are coming. one more time i will scream.
- Mirryn. That's it.
Things I didn't like:
- Mirryn was only in it for like two pages
- it was slow and boring. The blurb made the Trials sound like the main conflict of the story, which they technically are, but most of the book is just Kiva going around between the Trials trying to figure things out and chatting with the other characters. The actual Trials were always over within a few pages, and the lull between them was a real slug to get through. It did not need to be 400 pages long.
- there is no subtlety in the writing. The author writes exactly what she means, and will often explain what she meant directly after when there was really no need. I get it. I can read.
- this style of writing made it very easy to predict what would happen. Nothing really came as a surprise.
- very basic elemental style magic system, nothing new or different to make it interesting.
- inconsistencies in the characters. Kiva makes a point early on that she heals anyone despite who they are or what they've done; murderers, rapists, rebels, whatever. There's then a point when she's investigating the illnesses with Naari that she admits she purposely made a guard's STI worse instead of healing him. Which I don't disagree with, make the rapist's rash worse by all means bestie, but it doesn't track with your characterisation.
- the romance between Jaren and Kiva was boring and flavourless. Jaren was fine, I found him respectful and pleasant, but like a lot of the main cast in this book, he was somewhat flat and boring, which bled into the romance.
- Kiva's fixation on believing that Naari and Jaren were together was annoying and juvenile and felt like I was reading a book set in high school, not a high security fantasy prison
- apparantly Kiva used to give her father, an adult man who was a healer by trade, tips on healing that he hadn't considered before. She was seven.
- the Trials were lame. If the whole thing is meant to be some grand gesture to symbolise the royal family's power then they could've been more epic. I was expecting an arena with elemental monsters or something. Instead Kiva had to jump off a building and sit in an oven for ten minutes.
- Kiva didn't pass any of the Trials without direct and essential help. She literally wouldn't have survived any of them if someone didn't save her every time. I get they're meant to he impossible or whatever, but it would've been nice if the main character figured at least one of the Trials out on her own.
- what was the point of Tipp getting sick?
- the healer-who-refuses-to-follow-her-own-advice-and-take-care-of-herself character quirk isn't endearing, it's annoying.
- how did Kiva not find out about the poison earlier? It was literally stored in her cupboard. This, like many of the other plot points, was flimsy.
- Kiva was being dramatic and hypocritical at the end. I also didn't care enough about the whole thing to be anything other than annoyed.
- Jaren is the Avatar.
- Kiva used her Deus Ex Machina healing powers on her adopted rodent child but not her own mother
- if I have to read the words Stay alive. Don't let her die. We are coming. one more time i will scream.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Shelved as 'dnf-zone'
January 31, 2022Dnf 28%
I’m sorry but the cringe is real.
Explain to me again why I keep trying to read books blurbed by SJM thinking they’re gonna be good…?
I’m sorry but the cringe is real.
Explain to me again why I keep trying to read books blurbed by SJM thinking they’re gonna be good…?
November 2, 2022
I loved this book! I formed immediate attachments to so many characters! The story felt well plotted and I loved the setting. And the twists!!!! They kept coming!!! Very well done, especially that last one.
The characters are well developed, Tipp had me sobbing!!! I would literally jump in front of a bullet for that kid!
Jaren is so endearing! How do you not like him? He’s immediately one if my favorite book dudes. So sweet!
Naari is badass and I love her.
And if course the main character Kiva, she is super interesting but so many questions!
Starting next book in 3…2…1…
The characters are well developed, Tipp had me sobbing!!! I would literally jump in front of a bullet for that kid!
Jaren is so endearing! How do you not like him? He’s immediately one if my favorite book dudes. So sweet!
Naari is badass and I love her.
And if course the main character Kiva, she is super interesting but so many questions!
Starting next book in 3…2…1…
Currently reading
April 7, 2024🏯 ໋֢ 𖥻 pre-read !
⤿ buddy read with rina !! ࿔｡✩
guys i'm actually so unbelievably excited to start this one AAAAAAND WITH RINA OUT OF ALL PEOPLE?!?!?!? WE WON ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
⤿ buddy read with rina !! ࿔｡✩
guys i'm actually so unbelievably excited to start this one AAAAAAND WITH RINA OUT OF ALL PEOPLE?!?!?!? WE WON ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
August 6, 2022
So basically for the entirety of the book, I was pretty certain that this series just wasn’t for me. BUT THEN the last page happened and I had to reevaluate my whole life.
The sequel is absolutely in transit, on its way to me.
The sequel is absolutely in transit, on its way to me.
June 3, 2021
*rated 3.5/5 stars!
February 11, 2024
Sin ninguna expectativa comence a leer esta historia y ¡que grata sorpresa me lleve!
Ya comenzando con la dedicatoria de Sarah J. Mass, intuía que se iba a convertir en uno de mis favoritos.
Los libros introductorios, la mayoria de las veces, son bastante tediosos ya que tienen que describirte el mundo y su funcionamiento. El ambiente creado por la autora, esta lleno de peligros y violencia constante, ejercida desde los guardias hacia los presos, siendo la unica regla implicita “sobrevivir”
“Los lazos personales eran peligrosos en Zalindov. El afecto solo conducía al dolor”
“En Zalindov, solo puedes confiar en ti mismo.”
En cuanto a los personajes, he logrado conectar con la protagonista y su historia desde el comienzo. Kiva Meridan, nuestra protagonista, ha conseguido sobrevivir diez años al interior de Zalindov, carcel sumamente peligrosa (no recuerdo si mencionaron que alguien salió libre de ese lugar 🤔). Su función al interior de esta carcel es la de sanadora, habilidad que fue enseñada por su padre.
“Nunca lo olvides, ratoncita: no hay dos personas que se vean iguales, pero cada una son hermosas a nuestra manera. El cuerpo humano es una obra maestra que merece nuestro respeto. Siempre.”
También tenemos a Tipp, amigo de la protagonista, personaje adorable al que solo quieres proteger para que no sufra ningún daño, lo cual es bastante imposible al estar recluido en Zalindov.
Además, de la aparición de un reclusa misterioso, Jaren, quien se une al grupo de amigos de Kiva; la autora nos da retazos de su historia y sobre qué lo llevo a estar recluido.
“Nunca te disculpes por amar a alguien. Incluso cuando duele. Especialmente, cuando duele”.
Y que decir del desenlace, si bien habia algunas cosas que las veía venir, pero ese final, de infarto, no me lo esperaba y ya estoy esperando la segunda parte. Lo único que podría mencionar como negativo es que el romance pasa a ser secundario a la trama ☹️.
Ya comenzando con la dedicatoria de Sarah J. Mass, intuía que se iba a convertir en uno de mis favoritos.
Los libros introductorios, la mayoria de las veces, son bastante tediosos ya que tienen que describirte el mundo y su funcionamiento. El ambiente creado por la autora, esta lleno de peligros y violencia constante, ejercida desde los guardias hacia los presos, siendo la unica regla implicita “sobrevivir”
“Los lazos personales eran peligrosos en Zalindov. El afecto solo conducía al dolor”
“En Zalindov, solo puedes confiar en ti mismo.”
En cuanto a los personajes, he logrado conectar con la protagonista y su historia desde el comienzo. Kiva Meridan, nuestra protagonista, ha conseguido sobrevivir diez años al interior de Zalindov, carcel sumamente peligrosa (no recuerdo si mencionaron que alguien salió libre de ese lugar 🤔). Su función al interior de esta carcel es la de sanadora, habilidad que fue enseñada por su padre.
“Nunca lo olvides, ratoncita: no hay dos personas que se vean iguales, pero cada una son hermosas a nuestra manera. El cuerpo humano es una obra maestra que merece nuestro respeto. Siempre.”
También tenemos a Tipp, amigo de la protagonista, personaje adorable al que solo quieres proteger para que no sufra ningún daño, lo cual es bastante imposible al estar recluido en Zalindov.
Además, de la aparición de un reclusa misterioso, Jaren, quien se une al grupo de amigos de Kiva; la autora nos da retazos de su historia y sobre qué lo llevo a estar recluido.
“Nunca te disculpes por amar a alguien. Incluso cuando duele. Especialmente, cuando duele”.
Y que decir del desenlace, si bien habia algunas cosas que las veía venir, pero ese final, de infarto, no me lo esperaba y ya estoy esperando la segunda parte. Lo único que podría mencionar como negativo es que el romance pasa a ser secundario a la trama ☹️.
May 19, 2024
Five bright shining stars! What a fantastic read! Noni's writing created a vivid and immersive world that is both terrifying and captivating.
The main character, a seventeen-year-old Kiva Meridan, was a skilled healer who was imprisoned in the notoriously brutal Zalindov prison. Kiva was sentenced to life imprisonment for a crime she did not commit, and spent her days tending to the sick and injured prisoners, while trying to keep her own secrets hidden.
The other characters in the book are also well-developed, each with their own unique backstory and motivations.
The word-building was immersive and the plot was exciting, engaging and full of surprises, I was hooked from the beginning to end. And, that cliffhanger in the end? Wow!
The main character, a seventeen-year-old Kiva Meridan, was a skilled healer who was imprisoned in the notoriously brutal Zalindov prison. Kiva was sentenced to life imprisonment for a crime she did not commit, and spent her days tending to the sick and injured prisoners, while trying to keep her own secrets hidden.
The other characters in the book are also well-developed, each with their own unique backstory and motivations.
The word-building was immersive and the plot was exciting, engaging and full of surprises, I was hooked from the beginning to end. And, that cliffhanger in the end? Wow!
February 4, 2023
The prison healer narra la storia di Kiva, una schiava guaritrice all’interno della disumana prigione di Zalindov. Ogni giorno nella fortezza passa uguale all’altro, fino a quando a varcare le porte della prigione non è la pericolosa e a lungo braccata Regina Ribelle.
La regina è stata condannata al processo per Ordalia: una sfida che consiste nel superare 4 prove legate agli elementi; se ne uscirà indenne sarà liberata.
Ma Tilda non è decisamente nelle condizioni di affrontare alcunché, sarà qualcun altro a fare suo questo fardello e cercare di sopravvivere in nome della sconosciuta, ma tanto desiderata, libertà.
Questo libro è un mix di tutto ciò che amo, è un fantasy con una love story abbastanza secondaria, strutturato a prove e con un finale che fa perdere la sanità mentale.
Lo stile è scorrevolissimo e la Noni è sa caratterizzare i personaggi in maniera sublime.
Siamo solo a febbraio ma potrei aver già trovato il mio libro dell’anno.
La regina è stata condannata al processo per Ordalia: una sfida che consiste nel superare 4 prove legate agli elementi; se ne uscirà indenne sarà liberata.
Ma Tilda non è decisamente nelle condizioni di affrontare alcunché, sarà qualcun altro a fare suo questo fardello e cercare di sopravvivere in nome della sconosciuta, ma tanto desiderata, libertà.
Questo libro è un mix di tutto ciò che amo, è un fantasy con una love story abbastanza secondaria, strutturato a prove e con un finale che fa perdere la sanità mentale.
Lo stile è scorrevolissimo e la Noni è sa caratterizzare i personaggi in maniera sublime.
Siamo solo a febbraio ma potrei aver già trovato il mio libro dell’anno.
September 22, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
:･*࿔ ೃ❝You have the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen. Like sunlight on the sea.❞ೃ ࿔*:･
Kiva, Jaren, Tipp, and Naari could collectively step on my face and I would thank them individually for it.
The setting never changes in this book. It’s all dark dreary prison, more dark dreary prison… ooh, what’s that? It’s dark, and dreary, and… it’s a prison! Yay! We explore different parts of said prison, but you had better familiarize yourself with the map in the front of the book because those four walls are all you’ll be seeing for over 400 pages.
The plot isn’t particularly riveting, either. I mean, it’s interesting, but could’ve used some more developing and less repetition and the Trials could’ve been more epic. But they weren’t.
*breathes in loudly through my nose* What I’m trying to say is, if you’re a plot-driven kind of gal/guy, if you need action and fight scenes and heart-in-your-throat reveals, then maybe find another read to occupy your time. Because this one is slow. And there’s not quite enough plot. But the characters are absolutely top-tier and that more than enough makes up for it.
I love each and every one of those little rats. From Kiva’s attempted hard-heartedness to Jaren’s genuine and gentle personality to Tipp’s altogether adorableness to Naari’s butt-kicking skills. Beautiful. Impeccable. I adore them.
And the romance-! Good golly *fans myself with hands* They’re just so pure and precious and sweet. There’s not actually a kiss but Lynette Noni delivered adorable scenes of plenty. Even with that absolutely jaw-dropping, bad, um, bad-donkey ending, which caused about a thousand more complications in this romance, I still cannot wait for more scenes of them in the rest of the series. I would like to aggressively thank Lynette for creating these adorable cinnamon buns.
Ignore me pointedly not mentioning the obvious flaws in this book. I enjoyed it to a completely acceptable level and, of course, absolutely fell in love with the romance and characters and Tipp, who is technically a character but deserves his own category. Idk if I would ✨glowingly✨ recommend it but you know what, if you wanna read it, I say GO FOR IT!
*discreetly adopts Tipp*
𖥸 pre-review 𖥸
came for the romance, but I got Tipp instead. I’m more than happy with that.
(I did also get a 100% satisfying romance though)
frtc!
:･*࿔ ೃ❝You have the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen. Like sunlight on the sea.❞ೃ ࿔*:･
Kiva, Jaren, Tipp, and Naari could collectively step on my face and I would thank them individually for it.
The setting never changes in this book. It’s all dark dreary prison, more dark dreary prison… ooh, what’s that? It’s dark, and dreary, and… it’s a prison! Yay! We explore different parts of said prison, but you had better familiarize yourself with the map in the front of the book because those four walls are all you’ll be seeing for over 400 pages.
The plot isn’t particularly riveting, either. I mean, it’s interesting, but could’ve used some more developing and less repetition and the Trials could’ve been more epic. But they weren’t.
*breathes in loudly through my nose* What I’m trying to say is, if you’re a plot-driven kind of gal/guy, if you need action and fight scenes and heart-in-your-throat reveals, then maybe find another read to occupy your time. Because this one is slow. And there’s not quite enough plot. But the characters are absolutely top-tier and that more than enough makes up for it.
I love each and every one of those little rats. From Kiva’s attempted hard-heartedness to Jaren’s genuine and gentle personality to Tipp’s altogether adorableness to Naari’s butt-kicking skills. Beautiful. Impeccable. I adore them.
And the romance-! Good golly *fans myself with hands* They’re just so pure and precious and sweet. There’s not actually a kiss but Lynette Noni delivered adorable scenes of plenty. Even with that absolutely jaw-dropping, bad, um, bad-donkey ending, which caused about a thousand more complications in this romance, I still cannot wait for more scenes of them in the rest of the series. I would like to aggressively thank Lynette for creating these adorable cinnamon buns.
Ignore me pointedly not mentioning the obvious flaws in this book. I enjoyed it to a completely acceptable level and, of course, absolutely fell in love with the romance and characters and Tipp, who is technically a character but deserves his own category. Idk if I would ✨glowingly✨ recommend it but you know what, if you wanna read it, I say GO FOR IT!
*discreetly adopts Tipp*
𖥸 pre-review 𖥸
came for the romance, but I got Tipp instead. I’m more than happy with that.
(I did also get a 100% satisfying romance though)
frtc!
November 30, 2021
Eugh.
I'm actually super bummed that this had as many ridiculous tropes as it did.
It could have been so much and instead it opted to just be like everything else, with minimal creativity.
My heart is sad.
The promising plot tells of Kiva, who has been a prisoner in Zalindov for over a decade, working as their healer. She carves the mark into inmates when they arrive and does whatever it takes to survive. However some new arrivals and talks of a rebel queen leading an uprising on the outside are about to make things a little more interesting for Kiva.
Firstly, I just didn't like her. Kiva was the very first cliché - the girl who won't let anyone get close because that way she won't get hurt. But for a girl who refuses to get close to anyone she sure gets emotionally attached, AND ends up with a lot of friends willing to do anything for her.
Secondly, I feel like there was some questionable consistency. This particular band of prisoners seemingly having the run of the joint, Jaren being everywhere all the time even though he's supposed to be killing himself working these brutal shifts, Kiva spending ten years doing whatever it takes to survive then suddenly being willing to throw it all away on one random woman, having a magical potion on hand for everything ... like there were just a lot of things I raised my eyebrows at and even more that got a full 360 eye roll.
Thirdly, THE TRIALS. What a complete disappointment they were. I'll refrain from detailing on account of not wanting to spoil for anyone, but I was utterly underwhelmed by what they all involved.
Now, all those complaints aside, I didn't totally hate it. I'm frustrated by how ridiculous and cliché and nonsensical so much of it seemed, but I still wanted to keep reading, and I'm still curious about how the rest of the series is going to go down. So it wasn't completely terrible. I just didn't fall in love with any of the characters like I wanted to, and all of the twists were so trope-y that I was frustrated by them rather than entertained.
It wasn't a terrible story, but it's definitely lacking the richness of the Akarnae series. It's gloomy yet much lighter than you'd expect for a story set in a prison where people are constantly worked to death, and there are a lot of different elements that don't really gel well together so it seems a bit chaotic in the writing.
All in all, I was mostly disappointed because I was expecting great things and ended up with mediocre, done-to-death things. Hopefully the sequel is better.
I'm actually super bummed that this had as many ridiculous tropes as it did.
It could have been so much and instead it opted to just be like everything else, with minimal creativity.
My heart is sad.
The promising plot tells of Kiva, who has been a prisoner in Zalindov for over a decade, working as their healer. She carves the mark into inmates when they arrive and does whatever it takes to survive. However some new arrivals and talks of a rebel queen leading an uprising on the outside are about to make things a little more interesting for Kiva.
Firstly, I just didn't like her. Kiva was the very first cliché - the girl who won't let anyone get close because that way she won't get hurt. But for a girl who refuses to get close to anyone she sure gets emotionally attached, AND ends up with a lot of friends willing to do anything for her.
Secondly, I feel like there was some questionable consistency. This particular band of prisoners seemingly having the run of the joint, Jaren being everywhere all the time even though he's supposed to be killing himself working these brutal shifts, Kiva spending ten years doing whatever it takes to survive then suddenly being willing to throw it all away on one random woman, having a magical potion on hand for everything ... like there were just a lot of things I raised my eyebrows at and even more that got a full 360 eye roll.
Thirdly, THE TRIALS. What a complete disappointment they were. I'll refrain from detailing on account of not wanting to spoil for anyone, but I was utterly underwhelmed by what they all involved.
Now, all those complaints aside, I didn't totally hate it. I'm frustrated by how ridiculous and cliché and nonsensical so much of it seemed, but I still wanted to keep reading, and I'm still curious about how the rest of the series is going to go down. So it wasn't completely terrible. I just didn't fall in love with any of the characters like I wanted to, and all of the twists were so trope-y that I was frustrated by them rather than entertained.
It wasn't a terrible story, but it's definitely lacking the richness of the Akarnae series. It's gloomy yet much lighter than you'd expect for a story set in a prison where people are constantly worked to death, and there are a lot of different elements that don't really gel well together so it seems a bit chaotic in the writing.
All in all, I was mostly disappointed because I was expecting great things and ended up with mediocre, done-to-death things. Hopefully the sequel is better.
July 3, 2023
What the hell?! I saw some of the most shocking endings but I did not see that coming! That was so good! So good, you don’t even feel through out the book, there was only one place; a prison. Brilliantly written, action packed, plots are coming left and right and oh my god they will shock you! I mean of course you kinda sense some of them but the last sentence of this book has shock value. Truly. I enjoyed every second of it, it was so easy to follow too. I’m really curious about what’s going to happen too. Like somehow someway the last sentence changed so much. 👀
I loved the characters so much, Tipp, you have all nations (lovers of this book) heart in your hand, he is the cutest little thing, I was so afraid for him. 🥺 Jaren. Ah he was a hero and no one can say otherwise. And now giving what I know I’m more and more interested to read about this love interest, also I really liked the love aspect wasn’t in your face, definitely we will see more of them in the next books but wow! I’m so hooked! 💗
I loved the characters so much, Tipp, you have all nations (lovers of this book) heart in your hand, he is the cutest little thing, I was so afraid for him. 🥺 Jaren. Ah he was a hero and no one can say otherwise. And now giving what I know I’m more and more interested to read about this love interest, also I really liked the love aspect wasn’t in your face, definitely we will see more of them in the next books but wow! I’m so hooked! 💗
July 29, 2024
Easiest six stars I’ve given ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When I say I was SCREAMING—I’m shocked.
When I say I was SCREAMING—I’m shocked.
July 16, 2024
☽༊˚ Post-read ↴
6 stars, The way my smile faded and my body went cold all over on that last page. rtc
6 stars, The way my smile faded and my body went cold all over on that last page. rtc
Shelved as 'ꗃ-walk-of-shame-dnf'
April 7, 2024៚ · 📂 pre-read.
꒰ buddy read with irha | 07 / 04 / 2024 ꒱
so excited to read this with my lovely best friend whom i adore and cherish with all my heart.
꒰ buddy read with irha | 07 / 04 / 2024 ꒱
so excited to read this with my lovely best friend whom i adore and cherish with all my heart.
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