Book Review: Poison

Author: Bridget Zinn
Publication Date: March 12, 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion

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?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

“Out the door and into the forest she ran. She found her satchel where she had hidden it in the weeds, and slung it over her shoulder. At the edge of the forest she couldn’t help but look back one last time at the home of the Master Trio of Potioners. It was run-down and seedy, yes, but it had been her home – where she’d made a name for herself, fallen in love with the wrong man, and betrayed everyone she’d ever known. Back before she’d tried to murder the princess.” – Finished Copy pg. 11

 

“Kyra looked down at the little creature. It had perked up at the sound of their voices and lifted its head to look at them I what Kyra could only describe as a hopeful way. It wasn’t that she’d never heard of Katzenheim pigs, but more as the punch line to a joke than as an actual practical means to finding someone. The idea of trusting her mission to a pig seemed borderline insane. Before Kyra could open her mouth to protest, Arlo had placed the pig’s leash in her hand and started down the hall.” Finished Copy pg. 33

 

“‘That is what this is for.’ He pulled a tiny basket down from a shelf. ‘You put an object belonging to the person into the basket, put it around the pig’s neck, and you’ll have no problem finding whomever you’re looking for.’” – Finished Copy pg. 34

 

“Kyra had had quite enough of handsome men to last her a lifetime.” – Finished Copy pg. 45

When I started reading this book I just came back from the movie theater after watching Oz the Great and Powerful. I was instantly drawn in by the beautiful imagery on the front cover and was reminded of some of the scenes from the movie. I didn’t notice the piglet on the front cover the first time I picked up the book, I know I am awful, but it soon became my favorite part. This story follows Kyra who may or may not be a villain and who recently tried to assassinate her best friend. I know what you’re thinking, how is the good guy supposedly the bad guy? But trust me reading Kyra’s story and finding out all about her life as a potions master is well worth the suspense. The book goes somewhat backwards as we pick up after Kyra has first tried to kill her best friend and the princess, then we learn how it all started as we progress onward!

 

From the pig, to the princess, to the potioner this book is filled with tons of loveable characters. The best part was getting to meet everyone that crossed paths with Kyra on her journey. The piglet, Rosie, absolutely makes this story. I must have a pet pig now, and it must be just like Rosie. Then we have Fred, a wonderful secondary character and addition to Kyra’s journey, who is humorous and maybe a tad arrogant. I have also said that it is the tiniest of details that makes a story what it really is, and here again I am given supreme evidence of that. Bridget Zinn must have had a vibrant imagination because it definitely shows within her world building and these uncanny characters she creates!

 

Kyra was still my favorite character of them all. Her story intrigued me from the start and maybe that was because I couldn’t quite figure out if she was the villain or the hero. In the end I had a definite answer and developed a love for characters like Kyra. She harbored a somewhat hard exterior and lived her life on the edge. We meet her ex-boyfriend at some point in the story, and let me just say that I didn’t see Kyra as the dating type; I was wrong. I loved the fact that Zinn didn’t give us Kyra’s entire life story upfront, but she made us work for it. It was well worth the wait, Bridget. Job well done!

 

Lastly, I just recently learned that Bridget Zinn is no longer with us. I don’t think this has ever happened to me while I have been blogging. I feel very privileged to have read this book, knowing it was her dream and her debut. I hope that you can access Blogger in Heaven Ms. Zinn because you have tons of fans who have greatly enjoyed your first piece of literature!

 

***A HUGE thank you to the publishers at Disney Hyperion for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review***