Thank you so much Penguin Teen for this NetGalley eARC! I totally enjoyed this book! I was a really interesting premise that I hadn’t seen before in another book. I thought the magic system was really intriguing and unique, but it was also a little confusing with out more clear cut categories it types of magic. I really loved Zahru as a character, and she is definitely what captured my attention the most as I was reading! My favorite part was definitely the slow burn romance, though, it was totally enthralling! I can’t wait for book 2!

The Kinder Poison's strengths lie in it's gorgeous world building and intense emotion. I highly enjoyed the Egyptian-inspired magic and mythology of this universe, as well as the way the characters interact with their environments and circumstances.

That being said, I had hoped for more depth character-wise. Zahru, our protagonist, took a while to warm up to, but I loved that her strength did not need to come from magic. Her ability of speaking to animals is used in a unique and clever way and it was refreshing to have a protagonist who doesn't need to fit the mold of the all-powerful chosen one archetype (well, she <i>is</i> a chosen one in a sense, but in the least positive way, which I also loved.)

My favorite characters were the more minor ones; Maia's story would be fitting for its own standalone story.

The language of the book is a bit odd - semi-modern speech in a setting where the sun is referred to as "Numet's light" (Numet being a Ra or Apollo-inspired god) takes away from the story's mythology and it is very distracting, only because the time period is so ambiguous.

When the pacing and action picked up, I devoured these pages, but unfortunately those moments were separated by chapters and chapters of travel story.

If the stakes and consequences of the story had been more consistently engaging, I have a feeling I would have read the book much faster. However, the concluding chapters of this book are sequel bait, but in the best possible way - I was unsure if I wanted to read the sequel until the final 5% of the book. Now I am positive that I have to read on, if only to get the emotional payoff of the book's climax again.

I loved The Kinder Poison. I was addicted from the minute I started reading and I just could not put it down. I felt like I didn’t know what would happen to Zahru up until the end.

I loved everything about this story. The plot is so fast paced and a villain isn’t just a villain. The characters all have their moments where they balance the line. I loved how well we get time with each of the heirs as Zahru becomes a part of the race. It’s not just the race that is the focus of the story. We find that tensions are rising outside of the kingdom as well.

I like Zahru a lot because she doesn’t have all the answers. She has what is considered a lesser magic. By being a Whisperer she is able to talk to animals. I thought that's pretty cool magic personally. I don’t think she really gets to test its full limits in the story though but that’s just my assessment. Ha ha. I loved the undercurrent of the story that does center around Zahru and who she is besides her magic.

I loved their three heirs because they all have their own strengths and weaknesses. Jet is kind but he also seems to have this complex that makes him often feel like he needs to step back and let others shine. Kasta is cruel but also has more to his story, more to him. Sakira is charismatic and seems reckless but also wants to help her people. That’s just the heirs, not counting their companions who all have varying personalities. They really pull the story together, we get to know them all and I loved how each one can make an impact on someone else.

I really loved The Kinder Poison and I can not wait to see what the next book has in store. There are a few different things that are going to be at play. I want to see where this journey for Zahru goes.

3.5 Stars

I read The Kinder Poison about a week ago, and I have to be honest, while I enjoyed it while reading it, it wasn’t particularly memorable. There’s nothing wrong with it per say… It just didn’t make as big an impact as other fantasy novels I’ve recently read.

Zahru is a likeable character, and she grows a lot throughout the course of the novel. It was the three royal siblings that drew more interest. I wish the author would have spent more time on them.

The Kinder Poison is a decent introduction into the fantasy genre. It’s a fast-paced page-turner that’s a great option as a summer read. Even though the book didn’t stick with me, I still enjoyed it, and would happily reread it again prior to reading the next book in the series.

This book was a pleasure to read. So much adventure, and interesting characters. The story itself takes in this magical world, that is mainly a desert.

The people there have different kinds of magic - they can control different things, like write out spells on paper or body to make things happen; some can enchant items to provide water or food; there are healers and shifters, and even those who can read minds. But there are also those that don't have any kind of magic, and are called forsaken - the lowest class, that doesn't "exist" to the royals.

The main character by accident gets caught up in the big competition for the next heir, and gets deemed a sacrifice. The three possible heirs have to race to some special caves, where they make the sacrifice and not only earn their place on the throne but gain new magic.

The adventure was fun, the banter entertaining, but there were things missing for me. For example the race wasn't explained well. The details were revealed as the race happened which made the journey a bit confusing as well as the role of the sacrifice in the grand scheme of things. Same with the magic system. Bits and pieces are revealed through the book, but they felt disjointed. Like things were made up along the way. There's political conflict in this world too, that again is kind of mentioned backhanded. There are mentions of other countries that want to declare war, but why - it isn't discussed much.

It seems like there are a lot of introductions to plots that possibly will be shown more in later books, but it isn't fun to have a dangling carrot and never get to taste it. For example that flame horse?

I did like the themes of this book. Finding a way to solve problems with kindness rather than violence. The discussion of different classes and the inequalities of human life between them. They are important themes to talk about.

Overall it was a good and fun adventurous book. Looking forward to the next one in the series to see how much more of the world we get to see and explore.

Thank you FFBC, Edelweiss and Razorbill for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Kinder Poison
By: Natalie Mae


REVIEW☆☆☆☆
Some years ago, I loved a movie called Hidalgo about a horse race across a brutal and deadly desert. The Kinder Poison's synopsis immediately took me back to that time, and I knew I had to read this book.

The heroine, Zahru, wants so much more than life has given her. In a world of magical powers, she can speak to animals, a low ranking ability that will never raise Zahru above her current station. So, when the opportunity to sneak into the royal palace presents itself, Zahru and her friend, Hen, act in haste to sneak in. They are going to the Crossing ceremony where the three potential heirs to the throne will choose teams, essentially, to cross the dangerous desert sands with them. The first heir to complete the Crossing and kill the appointed human sacrifice wins. Basically, a lot of bad luck and some bad decisions toss Zahru into the mix as the human sacrifice.

Now, her goal is to survive this ordeal. As the story progresses, Zahru learns much more about the possible heirs, two guys and one girl, and a potential triangle thing maybe hangs around with the two guys? I'm not very interested in that aspect and could skip it. Zahru is young and grows as a character in numerous ways. I like her dry wit and flat sense of humor. Zahru is one of many excellent and well written characters, but I won't go into that now.

A lot happens in this story, but it's not so complicated as to be confusing. The world building is solid and straight forward without all the extraneous details that can drag the plot along so slowly. I was entertained, riveted, amused, annoyed and wanting more than the ending gave me! This book is a fabulous work of young adult fantasy fiction, and I loved it. Definitely read The Kinder Poison asap!

The Kinder Poison by Natalie Mae is a fast-paced and intriguing fantasy novel that is sure to keep readers hooked.
I absolutely loved the world building in this novel. As soon as I finished, I couldn't wait to return to this kingdom and these characters in the sequel!
Zahru is a strong female lead as she takes her fate into her own hands, and shows that you can be strong and kind at the same time. She's a really enjoyable and relatable character in a lot of ways. I found myself really liking her humor and she became one of my new favorite heroines.
I'm a sucker for a good romance plot line and this book had a super strong one. My own heart was torn between the two princes, Jet and Kasta.
The Kinder Poison is an enthralling book of adventure and hope. I had such a great time reading it!
Thank you to Penguin Teen for providing me with a copy of the book!

“All good stories start with bad decisions.”
First lines can honestly make or break a story for me, and this amazing line drew me in and foretold what a great experience this book was going to be for me.

The Kinder Poison tells an exciting story of a race of royal heirs across the desert in a magical world, where the winner will kill the human sacrifice and claim the throne. As it turns out, a few bad decisions on the part of the main character, Zahru, lead to her being marked as the sacrifice to be killed at the end of the race. Following this competition is as exciting and adventurous as it sounds, and it makes the book almost impossible to put down.

Not only does this book have an incredible storyline, the characters are also so much fun. I loved Zahru from the first page, and I never really had a moment that I didn’t enjoy her point of view. The rest of the cast of characters were also diverse and I really connected with them. There was just the right amount of character development throughout the book that it felt natural.

Natalie Mae has created a magical world within her debut novel. The Kinder Poison is full of beautiful descriptions, entertaining characters, and epic adventures and twists. I absolutely loved this book, and I’m dying to know what happens next!

Everything about this book had me hooked from the beginning!
I lived how lush and enthralling this world was and enjoyed the magic system described in this book!
The characters were so well written! I couldn't put this book down! Thank you so much NetGalley for this e-arc!

“All good stories start with bad decisions.”

And thus begins the tale of an epic, thrilling adventure that follows Zahru, a young girl desperately seeking adventure, who becomes the human sacrifice and pawn in a deadly game of cat and mouse between three heirs 👑

THE WORLD

This was such an enthralling adventure. Everything from the color, warmth, and complexity of the world, to the characters, to the strength and compassion of Zahru - it was all so breathtaking! I felt like my imagination couldn’t contain all of the beauty. The magic system was unlike anything I’ve ever read, and I found it so intriguing. The whole world glitters and glows with sand, magic, and heart.

THE CHARACTERS

Zahru was such a refreshing protagonist. She was kind, without being weak and dependent. It was also refreshing to have her make some actually smart decisions, as painful as they were to witness, because even if they were right, they still hurt 😂 If you know, you know.

Zahru is also hilarious, and talks too much, and is the first to admit she’s made a mistake - which is my favorite kind of heroine, along with the snarky ones.

“Daydreaming is all fun and games until you’re chosen as a human sacrifice, and having to sneak through a dilapidated town with a deserting prince and the risk of a treason charge.”

THE ROMANCE

NOW, getting to the important bits...

I know he’s done some horrible things. And yeah, Jet’s a nice guy. BUT KASTA. Listen, just - I’m trash for him, and that’s the tea. Jet was nice, as well, but I mean...C’mon, America. Get with this broody boi named Kasta. I'm so excited/scared to see how he develops as the series goes on!

This was all just so magical, and an all-around dazzling adventure complete with hope, romance, and kindness. A truly wonderful fantasy debut that shows love and compassion can conquer all. If you’re fans of AN EMBER IN THE ASHES, and similar books that bring with it the warmth and magic inspired by ancient times, I highly suggest you pick this one up!

A big thank you to Penguin Teen for gifting me with this ARC!

The Kinder Poison immediately grabbed me with that summary - magic, a deadly race to become heir, and a protagonist who stumbles into the games of royalty? It sounded amazing but ultimately fell a bit flat for me.

Zahru’s character arc was the best and I liked how she grew throughout the novel. The other characters that I thought had depth were Kasta and Maia. I found them both fascinating. Their secrets explained so much about both characters and their relationship. However, the plot of the book was fairly predictable. There was one twist that surprised me though, which gives me hope that the future installments in this series will be better. Additionally, I’m hopeful that future installments will contain more world-building.

Overall, The Kinder Poison was a decent YA fantasy. This one would be a good introduction to the genre, particularly for readers who enjoy a good love triangle.

I really like the concept of this book. It follows the main character, Zahru, who was chosen to be the sacrifice of a royal kingdom. There are three heirs to the throne who must race across the desert to kill her in order to ascend to the throne. This world is full of magic, including both “lowly magic” such as talking to animals and more powerful elemental magic. The court politics add a lot to this book, and the dynamics between the three heirs and even Zahru are interesting and well thought out.

I did enjoy the magic system in it, and I liked how it was intertwined throughout the story. Sometimes, I did wish that there were less types of magic, since it got a little confusing as to what the extents were. I wish that there were more clear categories of magic too, since there were so many characters with so many different powers. It was interesting that Zahru could talk to animals though (being a Whisperer), and I feel like it’s a more unique type of magic. I haven’t seen much of it, besides the last book I read, Hunted by the Sky, by some coincidence.

I liked reading about all three heirs, but I definitely enjoyed reading about Kasta the most. I feel like he is the most morally-grey, which makes him more interesting to read about. He has a more sad backstory, which definitely plays some of his actions and characteristics throughout the story. You could kind of tell that he was a good person deep down, but his choices can sometimes be both wrong and cruel. I definitely felt bad for him throughout the book, and I totally want what’s best for him throughout the series. He also gives me slight Cardan vibes (from The Cruel Prince) which I also liked.

I didn’t really connect to Jet as much, but he wasn’t a bad character. I feel like he was more of your average protagonist, and I wish that there was more to him. I did like that he’s trying to get better from all the bad decisions he made though, and that he’s trying to improve himself. You could tell that he really does care for his family, and that he’s grown from the past. Compared to Kasta though, I feel like he was more boring.

I like Zahru, but there were definitely times where I was like “you’re making the wrong decision!” However, I feel like a lot of that may stem from her youth, and it did contribute to the plot. Her humor was interesting to read about though, and I enjoyed reading about her as the main character. I also liked Maia, one of the supporting characters, and I thought that her binding to Kasta was quite interesting, along with the fact that Zahru could read her mind (due to her being a Whisperer).

There’s definitely a clear love-triangle in this book, which usually aren’t my favorite. I didn’t hate this one too much though, but I’m definitely rooting for one of the relationships. I found that there was a little bit of an insta-love in this book, which bothered me since it’s not really my thing. I feel like it happened too quickly and you could already tell that they would be together right from the second they meet. I haven’t really liked many insta-love books though, so I’d say that this is a more personal preference thing. The second relationship is definitely more hate-to-love (?) and slow-burn and I need them together to finally feel good.

The actual plot of the story picks up a lot in the last 50 pages or so of the book. There is a lot more action and things that happen, and I feel like it ends at a good place for a sequel to the story. The epilogue was really interesting to read about since it brought in a new perspective, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next! I’d recommend this to anyone who likes the synopsis of the book, as I really enjoyed it!

In Natalie Mae’s debut novel, one girl gets tangled up in three royals’ quest for the crown. Just released on June 16th, The Kinder Poison blends YA fantasy and magic into a spellbinding new series for YA fans to sink their teeth into.
The way Mae creates this world of kingdoms, magic, and sacrifices is amazing. The types of magicians there are and the different regions within the kingdom are well thought out and really fascinating to read about. The plot itself was engaging to read about. The way Zahru’s story starts and where it ends up is a rollercoaster that isn't even close to being over by the book's conclusion, yet the idea of the Crossing and being around people she never thought she’d interact with makes it even more fun to read about!
The way Zahru thinks and sees each royal child’s point of view, hopes, and dreams really shows that people aren't just black and white. The theme of shaping one’s destiny and forging your path in life is so important to the core of this novel. Zahru is strong, intelligent, and yet so scared of what will happen during the Crossing. She oddly seems to be a culmination of all of the royals out to win the Crossing and it just makes her, as a character, even more interesting.
Overall, this is a great start to a new series that any fans of Holly Black or Suzanne Collins would enjoy! This is a great addition to your summer reading list and I will definitely be keeping my eye out for the sequel in the future!

the two best things about this book:
- I fell into this world so effortlessly. the world building = immaculate. the mark of a great fantasy book is not when the world feels made up, but when the world feels familiar. this element was so well written. all the gold stars for that alone.
- the. characters. I loved Hen, her ATTITUDE yo; Zahru, my precious lil bean (I will protect her at all costs ;-;). and the royal siblings (don’t even get me started on the messiness 🤧).
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i also got major Ember in the Ashes vibes with the trails and all. seriously this read surprised me in an amazing way.

The Kinder Poison is set in the magical country of Orkena, where your magical abilities define your future. Zahru is a Whisperer, possessing the ability to speak to animals. She and her father manage the stable in their small town. When an exciting challenge known as “The Crossing” is invoked by the ruler of Orkena, Zahru and her best friend Hen devise a plan to sneak into the capital to watch the festivities. But their plan goes horribly wrong, and Zahru suddenly goes from being a casual spectator to a crucial part of the event known as the Sacrifice. Zahru is sent out into the desert with the feuding heirs who must race each other to an endpoint on the other side of the desert where the winner will sacrifice Zahru to the gods and claim their rightful place as ruler. Zahru knows her only hope at survival is to convince one of the feuding heirs to spare her, but as they race through the desert she’s unsure who to trust.

The Kinder Poison is told entirely in the first person from Zahru’s perspective, as she grapples with what to do next to ensure her survival. I didn’t know who to trust from one minute to another. Zahru is a pawn in a game between three heirs, and each of them has their own motivations. Youngest Sakira is a party girl who wants to have fun but also win the race. She and her fans will stop at nothing to ensure she wins. Middle child Jet doesn’t want the throne for himself, despite being the most prepared. Eldest Kasta is a cruel boy who views the throne as his right and will stop at nothing to get it.

Kindness and its impact is a major theme in The Kinder Poison. Although Zahru does not possess “useful” magical powers, the kindness she shows to the heirs and their travel companions, despite the fact that she is their prisoner, is what keeps her safe.

I loved this highly imaginative, fast-paced story. I’ll be not-so-patiently waiting until the sequel is released! I highly recommend this to fans of YA Fantasy and Adventure stories.

Thank you to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for my review copy! All opinions are my own!

This book was so good! All Zahru wanted was to see the palace and enjoy the food, but she suddenly finds herself the sacrifice of a competition between three royal siblings. I loved the world that the author built and the idea of the competition for the crown. The magic system in this is really amazing and fresh! I really love how each sibling was so unique and how Zahru got to experience each of them. I absolutely love how the author can make you feel pity for one of the siblings. The entire novel I was hoping that they would be redeemed. I really loved the ending as well! I cannot wait for a sequel! If you love friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, royal competitions, then I highly suggest picking up this novel.

Although YA fantasy is not my first genre of choice (I'm a horror junkie, through and through), some times I like to switch it up. If I read fantasy, it HAS to contain some kind of dark or creepy element. A bad decision that leads to a terrible mistake which results in the main character being chosen as a human sacrifice sure sounds dark to me.

In The Kinder Poison, your magic helps to determine your role in the world. Zahru has the ability to communicate with animals, which is a pretty impressive ability, but not quite as revered as the magic that others possess. She is relegated to working the royal stables. Zahru soon learns that the ruler of Orkena has invoked The Crossing--a dangerous race for the crown across the desert that culminates in the "winner" murdering the human sacrifice, thus securing the crown. Zahru has a heart for adventure, and, along with her friend Hen, she devises a plan to be a spectator at this competition. As you can imagine, things do not go as planned. Zahru learns that she has been chosen to be the human sacrifice for the race. She must do whatever it takes to survive the journey across the desert as she bounces back and forth between the potential new rulers and race participants.

Like most fantasy, I felt that this book teetered on being much darker than it actually was; it certainly has potential to go there, but it stopped short several times. The world building was vivid and intriguing. There was sibling rivalry, political drama, and a love triangle (which I could have done with a little less of). I absolutely loved Zahru's spunky and fearless personality; I'll admit that she did make me giggle a few times. Her growth as a character over the course of the story was remarkably done as well. Kasta was such a dark hearted character who I found to be quite complex; he provided nice contrast to Zahru's kindness and compassionate nature.

3.5/5- Overall, if you're into fantasy with well developed world building and magic systems, this is one your should pick up.

Today is my stop on The Kinder Poison blog tour hosted by @theffbc!! I want to say a huge thank you to @theffbc @penguinteen @razorbillbooks and @bynataliemae for gifting me and e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
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There is so much to love about this book! First off, the cover is absolutely stunning with the purple back ground and gold scorpion on top of a lotus flower. Secondly, the story of Hen and Zahru was well written and developed. There is many more characters in the book and Mae made sure that we got to see all of their backstories. The twist in this book kept me wanting to read more! I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait till the second one comes out! If you are a fan of YA Fantasy then this is the book for you!

Overall very enjoyable! This surprised me a bit as I went into it with little to no expectations. Highly recommend for fans of The Sin Eaters Daughter!!

The magic in THE KINDER POISON felt very original, and I loved the descriptive scenes. The romance was cute but cheesy. I’m excited to see where the series goes, and I’d encourage you to pick this up if you enjoy ya fantasy!