review; poison

Poison
by Bridget Zinn

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Review:

I came across this novel in Barnes & Noble over a month ago after I had convinced my family to leave me there while they shopped. I did not pick it up then – but the plot intrigued me enough that I noted the title and author down. Finally managed to track it down at the local library and had to give it a shot.

And boy, am I glad I did. Zinn’s debut (and sadly, last) novel is fresh and engaging, and her characters almost all leap off the page. Her heroine is spunky (and her inner monologue extremely entertaining, especially her segues into rambling about food – who doesn’t love pie?) but still realistically vulnerable. Kyra mostly acts her age, and is intelligent – but capable of making and acknowledging her mistakes. She is not without her flaws. (Seriously, why trust a criminal who hates you? And why make decisions that could ruin your life without all the details? Sigh.)

Her hero? I will admit I was wary of him in the beginning despite there being no reasons to be. Perhaps that is why, like Kyra, I wondered at Fred’s intentions. He is charming and affable and a little too conveniently placed at times. But the chemistry between Fred and Kyra zings. Langley is a little misused – I would’ve liked more of him. Rosie was adorable – animal sidekicks for the win.

And then there’s the wonderful friendship between Kyra and Ariana – can’t say too much about that without spoiling the novel but those girls? Both badass in their own ways and their friendship is stunningly captured. A very realistic take on two teenage girls who have grown up together.

Some intriguing twists and turns (some which I called, others which completely blindsided me but made so much sense that I was cheering a little) and very easy reading resulted in my finishing this in less than ten hours.

Definitely recommend it to anyone in search of a fun adventure story.