Here’s an embarrassing story: for a really long time, I thought the title of this book was The Poison Healer. Which, whoopsie, it is not. I was legit a few chapters in before I realized the difference, so that happened. Oh and by the by, this aforementioned prison is brutal.

“Zalindov showed no mercy, not even to the innocent. Especially not to the innocent.”

So, you see what our titular healer is dealing with. Kiva is amazing, regardless of (or perhaps because of) her circumstances. She still, somehow, holds out hope. Not just for her own life, but for all those she treats. Sure, she knows people don’t last very long in Zalindov, but she’ll be damned if people will die on her watch. It’s incredibly endearing, and I think it’s why it’s so easy to cheer for her from the start.

But one day, her bravery/selflessness/impulsivity leads her to take the rebel leader’s place in a punishment which is incredibly likely to mean her death. And not just her death, but the death of those she’s allowed herself to love (despite her best efforts to close herself off) inside the prison walls. So needless to say, the stakes are high. Speaking of the others inside the prison, wow did I enjoy the side characters! I worried about their fates nearly as much as Kiva’s. Because the big question remained: even if Kiva can miraculously survive, what about everyone else?

The book has a perfect mix of action and character development, and I basically could not put it down. It was so fascinating (and heartbreaking) to read about how Kiva got to this point in her life, and also really uplifting and inspiring that she was able to keep hope. There is also a rampant illness felling prisoners left and right that Kiva must try to keep under control, all while keeping both herself and her loved ones alive.

So, since I want to give nothing more away, I’ll leave you with this: I could not put this book down. There are so many incredible twists and turns. I fell completely in love with Kiva, as well as her fellow prisoners. I cheered for them, I cried for them, and I cannot wait to read the next installment.

Bottom Line: When I’m already pre-ordering book 2, you know it’s a winner.

The Prison Healer is the first in a new series by Lynette Noni. Kiva the MC is in a horrible prison since the age of 7, it is now 10 yrs later and she is now the prison healer after her father passes away and everyone hates her; the guards, the other prisoners, it just seems everyone except for Jaren who tries to get past all Kiva's walls. Kiva as the healer is then told to keep the rebel Queen alive until she can face the Trials by Ordeal. Noni does a good job of world building and making you hurt and disgusted by the prison environment and wanting the best for the characters, however, I just had some issues with Kiva's character.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for an eARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Thank you to HMH Books, NetGalley and to Ms. Noni for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

I had some real mixed feelings about this.

Let’s start with the GOOD.
Lynette Noni is clearly a talented writer. The story had a smooth flow and to be honest, my interest was caught and held from the beginning. The setting was unique. Ms. Noni’s prison did seem more dark and prison-like than most. There were no comforts here. MOST of the prisoners underwent terrible, backbreaking work and did in fact die in prison. (Note: There were some definite Holocaust overtones to the so-called “death prison” which could be triggering for some. In fact, there were quite a few things that could be triggering in this book. I was not triggered myself but I’m just putting it out there)
I would be interested in reading other books by Ms. Noni as I see that she has some very popular series under her belt.

And now for the less good.
This book definitely hit up most of the YA tropes I can think of.
Protagonist is completely unique from all those OTHER girls? Check. (She is literally isolated from the other prisoners, and hated by most of them. She's clearly set apart.)
Parents dead? Sort-of check; one of them is.
Most of the adults suck? Well, yes. The warden is horrible, 99% of the guards are criminals, and most of the prisoners (as I said) hate her.
Token diversity? hmm, n/a.
Dystopian world/Government sucks/ rebellion going on? Check check.
Protagonist is oblivious to her looks? Definitely. Not sure there is a mirror in prison.
Parents are gone? Definitely. She’s in there aloooooooooooone. One parent is dead (see above) and the other is outside of the prison, somewhere. (OR IS SHE?)
Romance? Well, if Jaren has his way, then yes.
Chosen one? You betcha.
Love Triangle? NO, thank the lord.

OK, so we’ve got 8 out of 10. 80%.

Even then I can overlook an overabundance of tropes when there’s good writing (there was) and a compelling plot (there was) and good characters (there were). Unfortunately the trials, which I had really looked forward to – how refreshing! a protagonist with NO MAGIC! Puzzling things out for herself! With her BRAIN! – turned into one magic-fueled miracle save after another. Even then I was still on board… until the end.

So it seems everyone else liked the end. The end was even the redeeming point of the book for some people. But the end is where I lost all positive feelings for Kiva. I really hate hypocritical characters and for her to absolutely rip another character a new one for dishonesty considering her… secrets… was hypocrisy at its height. Not to mention, the entire novel was from Kiva’s POV, so her attitudes and actions seemed especially weird (if not outright duplicitous) when the big twist was revealed. I don’t know. I really feel like I can see where the plot of this duology? Trilogy? …will end up, and tbh if Kiva dropped out of the story I’d be up to read it. But her character was just completely ruined for me in the ending of The Prison Healer and I’m hesitant to read on.

As I said, I seem to be in the minority in thinking this, so please read the book if you’re so inclined and make your mind up for yourself. It’s a good book with a lot going for it, and frankly, I liked the writing style enough that I’d definitely try more of Ms. Noni’s work. I just had some serious misgivings about a character who (unfortunately) is the *main* character.

I received an e-galley of The Prison Healer from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

SO GOOD.

But first, a little quick synopsis. Kiva is the 17 year old prison healer, having been imprisoned at Zalindov for the past decade. Things get interesting when the Rebel Queen is captured and brought to the prison and Kiva is determined to save her if possible. But to do so, she would have to tie her own fate and life to the Rebel Queen’s.

And that’s all I want to say about the plot of the story without giving anything away. But I absolutely loved the characters and world in this story. Kiva, Tipp, Jaren, and Nari - as well as the cast of other characters in the story. I thought that the world building happened quickly (told through storytelling and Kiva’s perspective) and the plot quickly picks up, which is not always the case with the first book in a fantasy series. I felt so invested in Kiva’s story as she struggled to survive in the brutal world of Zalindov. There is so much that Lynette Noni has set up with this first book for the story to come, and this series is definitely going to be on the top of my most anticipated fantasy series to watch. I need to read book two.

The Prison Healer is a book that sticks with you. A week after finishing it, bits and pieces are still replaying in my mind. The twist at the end, in particular, really sticks with you.

Author Lynette Noni’s world building is different than most. The world begins small, like Kiva’s own story, limited to the infirmary. It’s very insular, and you know there’s more, but Noni only gives you a peak. As the story progresses, the world and magic system follow the same path. And by the end, you realize the story is only just beginning.

I found this approach refreshing, as fantasy authors often spend too much time setting the scene and forgetting about their characters. Noni strikes the right balance here, with a driving prose that kept me glued to the pages.

However, there are elements that some readers could find unsavory or triggering. The book takes place in a prison camp, which means there are some real sleazy characters. Rape and self-harm are mentioned, although not discussed in great detail. Physical and mental abuse at the hands of other prisoners and guards comes up as part of daily life. Noni does a good job balancing this and keeping things appropriate for older young adults. She uses only the occasional curse word, and there is no sexual dialog.

The Prison Healer is the first book in a planned trilogy with the second book, The Gilded Cage, set to release in October. It’s a great option for readers who don’t want to read “high fantasy” but enjoy getting their toes wet.

The Prison Healer is an enjoyably dark read that never quite reaches the true horror that living in a prison like Zalindov would entail. This is fine for those who want a thrilling story with a little bit of bite without becoming emotionally exhausted at the end. Kiva was a delightful protagonist whose strengths lay in the opposite of what is typically seen in YA heroines. Her journey as a character was fun to follow and the ending left me wanting to see how her story would play out in the next book of this series.

One of the main issues I had when reading this book is that I could never quite orient myself into the world these characters inhabited. While I assumed at one point it was high-ish fantasy, there came a line that mentioned electricity and I wondered if this was supposed to be a fantastical version of the 1920s or some other similar era. Then there were occasions where language would seem too modern for the vibe of the story, like when one character refers to their "girlfriend" and I was baffled at the term when everything else felt so historical. While it was to be expected that the prison setting would make it difficult to connect with the outside world, I feel that there should have been some way to incorporate a clearer picture of the setting.

Another issue--and I don't know if it's my place to point this out--is the issue of race within the story. I think at this point, people are more aware than ever that race and the prison system are heinously handled in the real world. In this book, while race is never cited as a reason for imprisonment or gives hint to any systematic issues based on race, there is a weird line about most of the guards being "dark-skinned." Keep in mind that nearly all of the guards are framed as corrupt. Factor in all of the main characters save for one are white (or, assumed white) and suddenly you're left with an uncomfortable dynamic. I don't think flipping the script would have helped (I don't think having a white author write BIPOC characters in a prison would have ended well), but I do think the question of WHY? did this narrative choice have to be made has to be asked. It came off as incredibly tone-deaf to me and could have easily been fixed by making the main characters and the guards more diverse to avoid framing one side vs. the other in terms of representation.

I give The Prison Healer 3/5-stars. It could have been great as I Ioved the protagonist, Kiva, and the political intrigue surrounding the rebellion. But, I found myself often torn out of the story by an unstable setting and strange real-world connotations that should have been fixed in earlier drafts. I can only hope that the next book in this series will fix these narrative bumps going forward.

Kiva is a prisoner at the worse prison in the lands, Zalindov. But a note comes after the so called queen rebel is brought in very sick, we are coming, keep her alive. So when this rebel is taken for sentencing Kiva knows what she must do, she must do the trials for her and now both of their lives hinge on Kiva making it through.

This is such a exciting book, Kiva the wrongly imprisoned girl, the dashing new guy inmate, the guard who doesn't act like any other guard at Zalindov, a plague that is sweeping through the inmates killing them faster than the work they are meant to do, and the rebel queen who lays unconscious. What more can you ask for? This book is packed with non stop action and suspense that will keep you up past your bedtime. I can't wait to see the next part of the series.

This review will appear on my blog on the 13th of April.

This was a really well done, solid beginning to a YA fantasy series. I really enjoyed the main character Kiva and thought she was a unique and interesting perspective, especially with how she interacts with other prisoners and guards. I don't think the world this book takes place in is particularly inventive, but I'm curious to see how the politics and conflicts will expand in the second book, which I am probably going to read.

The writing style wasn't anything to shout about but I think the emotions of the intense or action packed scenes were particularly well done.

Okay this was incredible.

The main reason I picked up this book was 1. The cover, holy smokes is it gorgeous and 2. That synopsis sounds like fun. And do you know what? This did not disappoint in the slightest.

Kiva is a prisoner in an inescapable prison, surrounded by enemies on all sides and with nothing to live for except the hope that she will escape, that her family will rescue her. Then the Queen of the rebels in the outside world is unceremoniously dumped in the prison and forced to take part in a magical trial to ensure her freedom. But she's terminally ill and nothing seems to make her any better, so how is she to compete?

Kiva. That's how. Kiva takes the Rebel Queens place and this is where the story really starts.

This book was an EXCELLENT read. Noni's writing is engaging and fast paced, every moment, every conversation is relevant. Nothing is pointlessly shoehorned in. The writing grabbed me from the first chapter but I was reading another book for a readalong so couldn't devote myself to it at first! But once I had finished the other book I was obsessed with finishing this. I just wanted to know what was going to happen!

The story is fantastic. You are truly with Kiva while she goes through her trials, though maybe not enough time was devoted to them considering that they were part of the draw to begin with... however, I  enjoyed the little stories here and there of Kiva's life outside of the prison, of the lands outside of the prison and the magic that governed said lands. All the info, when it came, felt organic and never like an info dump which I appreciated.

My favourite part was probably the twist at the end, everyone, and in particular Kiva, played their roles so well I did not see any of it coming (though now I think about it,  I should have! It's one of those books where the clues are there if you pay attention).

One of my favourite YA reads of 2021! I am SO excited to read the next book!

"Their story didn't end as it should have. But I know for a fact that they'd live it all over again, even the ending, as long as they could keep their beginning."

------------------------

The Prison Healer is well in contention for my favorite read of the year so far. In the harsh environment of the world's fiercest prison lives the small healing light of Kiva. When she was a young girl who was brought to the prison when her father was captured. Zalindov is a place where no one lives long, the conditions are brutal and she does what she can to care for the prison's inhabitants as the healer. Her heart is pure and she works tirelessly to treat everyone within it's walls despite her feelings for them or how they treat her.

Her life is thrown into turmoil with the arrival of two new prisoners to the prison, one is the rebel queen who arrives ill but must face a series of challenges as punishment for her rebellion and another is a mysterious prisoner who she finds herself drawn to despite her vow to keep to herself. As she struggles to keep the queen alive, she must also unravel the mystery of a mysterious plague killing fellow prisoners.

This novel takes place in a brutal prison and there are many scenes of horror that unravel around Kiva, but her sense of purpose and drive to be the savior of those around her is really beautiful. Her relationship with Jaren has a great arc where we see her learning to love and trust again with some unimaginable consequences. I loved the healing aspects of the novel, the herbs and treatments Kiva employs and the scientific method she uses to try to find the origin of what is causing the illness. The world building was unique and the reveal on the last page shows just what a master the author was at hiding the greatest secret at all through the novel. I can't wait to read the next book now!!

A very intriguing read that was a nice revisit to YA for me, The Prison Healer brought a fresh take to the reading experience. I feel there were parts that were a little clunky due to some necessary suspension of disbelief required from the setting, but the author manages to overcome that with characters that read realistically in their circumstances.

Run, don’t walk, and buy this book when it publishes on April 13th!!!

From page one, this story is intriguing at the very least. The more we learn about Zalindov, the more nightmarish and terrifying it becomes. Kiva has done what she needed to do to survive the last 10 years until a new prisoner arrives and changes everything for her.

Kiva takes the place of the sick Rebel Queen in the Trial by Ordeal: four elemental challenges dealing with air, fire, water, and earth (Avatar: The Last Airbender vibes for sure). Kiva’s experiences in these trials made my heart race and I couldn’t stop reading.

There were multiple plots happening at once but they were woven together so well in the end. The side characters were excellent additions and I actually cared about them as much as I cared about Kiva. I’ve never read another book like this and it feels refreshing as a YA fantasy lover to read something new and unpredictable. The twist at the end was absolutely shocking, elicited a literal scream from me, and I CANNOT WAIT for the next book!

CW: Mention of self-harm, sexual harassment, torture, death of a parent, physical and emotional abuse, violence

I won an advanced copy of The Prison Healer from HMH Books so I could share my review with you!

Kiva Meridan has fought hard to survive in Zalindov, the death prison where she works as a healer. The days are far from easy, but Kiva's life becomes significantly more difficult when a high-profile prisoner is brought under her care. The terminally ill Rebel Queen is in incredibly rough shape, yet Kiva is tasked with keeping her alive until she can die in a manner more befitting of her crimes. The Rebel Queen is meant to undergo the Trial by Ordeal, a terrible punishment composed of challenges involving air, fire, water, and earth, intended to kill even the most dangerous of criminals. No one has ever survived the Trial by Ordeal, but if the Rebel Queen were to make it through, she would be granted her freedom. But, when a coded message arrives from Kiva's family bearing the order, "Don't let her die. We are coming," Kiva has no choice but to volunteer to take the Queen's place in the trial. Little does Kiva know that the Trial by Ordeal is only the beginning of the things she must overcome if she wishes to make it out of the prison alive.

You can get your copy of The Prison Healer on April 13th from HMH books!

Lynette Noni has started an exciting new series with The Prison Healer! My favorite part of the story was the premise of the Trial by Ordeal, which had a certain, "Avatar: The Last Airbender" meets "The Hunger Games" flair to it. It made the story extremely exciting, and so compelling that I could hardly convince myself to put it down. After the way this book ended, I don't know how I will be able to wait for the sequel, The Gilded Cage, to be released in October. I suppose I will have to while the hours away gazing at the second book's gorgeous cover to tide me over!

My Recommendation-
If you love high-stakes fantasy stories, you need to pick up a copy of The Prison Healer! This book would be an especially good pick for fans of the Three Dark Crowns series and the Gravemaidens duology!

Great storytelling by a gifted writer! The Prison Healer isn't necessarily a fast read because every sentence is necessary for telling the story...If it's been a while since you paced yourself through a YA novel, it might take you longer to finish this masterpiece than what you're used to from this genre. However, the plot keeps your attention and will make readers want to keep turning the pages. Fantasy fans will fall in love and the reward at the end is delightful-- I actually squealed! :)

The characters are distinct and memorable--and of course, flawed. Their individual stories and dialogue will capture readers' hearts. The story takes place in a prison camp, so, yes, there are some unsavory characters readers won't like--what they do is despicable and that's the point. There are mentions of rape but without details. There is abuse at the hands of the guards and some of the descriptions of the physical violence are gruesome. There is namecalling, (slut/whore), by one or two characters in reference to another character. There are also mentions of self-harm. Yet, with all this, the story stays "clean" with very few curse words nor sexual dialog. The world-building is the weakest link, but it doesn't keep the story from flowing; the layout of the prison camp is clear, but the outside world is a bit hazy.

Can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this trilogy!

The Prison Healer is gripping, it pulls you in from the first page, daring you to try to put the pages down.

Kiva is so strong. She never buckles, never breaks. She has lived through so much horror and loss that she has hardened her heart and her mind and she is better off for it. The only one she lets in is Tipp. And don't even get me started on Tipp, on his energy, his humour and his gentle, kind heart.

Noni has created the most terrifying prison. Zalindov at first seems to be your general, run of the mill prison. Until you realise it is actually more like a death camp from World War Two. It is cold, doesn't have enough food, and the prisoners are there to work and are completely replaceable. Death isn't a maybe, it's a certainty.

There are so many elements to this tale, all melded together in one epic story. Kiva is central to so much of it, watching her learn about the sickness, the ordeals, her family and deciding on who she wants to be is moving.

The Prison Healer is filled with twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat. And I can guarantee you won't be prepared for the final twist. Masterfully written and mildly paced, this is a book not to be missed.

Attention YA Fantasy fans, The Prison Healer is a book that needs to be on your radar. This debut is chock full of loveable characters along with an intense, anxiety-inducing plot and setting. As I’m sure you’ve deduced, this book takes place in a prison. But, what you don’t know is that Zalindov prison is unlike any other. This prison is notorious. The inmates are as ruthless and deadly as you can imagine. This unique setting alone should be enough to entice you to pick up this book.

If you need more reasons to check out this book, allow me to introduce the characters that will steal your heart. Kiva is our main character and the healer at Zalindov. Kiva has been a prisoner in Zalindov for 10 years--since she was 7 years old. She became the prison healer at the age of 12 after her father, the previous healer, died. Kiva survives by not allowing herself to grow attached to any of her patients and fellow inmates--except for Tipp. Tipp, my favorite character, is the most innocent, sweet 11 year old you can imagine. Ever since Tipp’s mom died, Kiva has taken him under her wing. Tipp works as her helper in the infirmary. Believe me when I say Tipp is the sweetest cinnamon roll ever. He deserves all of the happiness in the world. Next, we have Jaren. Jaren is a new inmate that befriends both Kiva and Tipp. Kiva tries to keep him at arm’s length, but it proves difficult when he continuously shows up in the infirmary. Last, but certainly not least, we have Naari. Naari is a guard at Zalindov who actually shows Kiva kindness--rare behavior for a guard.

I’m really excited to read the next book in this series! The author ended this book perfectly. She left us desperate for more. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

TW: talk of self-harm (cutting), sexual harassment, violence, scenes of physical and emotional abuse, bullying, and torture.

I always find there's lots of reasons for me not to enjoy a book as much as everyone else seemed to, and sadly this was the case with The Prison Healer. I certainly didn't hate it, but it just didn't wow me.
It took me a while to get into the book and I found it quite predictable at times. Although I did generally like Kiva as a character, I did sometimes find her a bit drippy and dull. The romance between her and another character I saw coming from a mile away, and it was pretty boring if I'm honest. I really don't vibe with the whole, 'see someone and immediately fall madly in love/lust' thing, so the romance element of the story wasn't my cup of tea.

Another issue for me with this book was the lack of world-building, or even a clearly defined magic system. Having read so many amazing fantasy books recently, I felt let down by how flat the world in which this story is set felt. There's no real explanation of the magic system, but it was seemingly constantly used as a plot device to get Kiva out of trouble.

In my opinion this book is too long, and the plot really did drag at times. I often found myself really struggling to find the motivation to keep reading, especially in the middle. The ending was somewhat of a saving grace, and I think the cliffhanger will leave readers wanting more.
Sadly this wasn't the book for me, it felt quite young at times, and the characters and world were underdeveloped.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a captivating story that was a slow burn and had a couple surprises woven throughout. Kiva is a smart and resourceful MC and I liked the fact she was understated and at times that was the smartest thing she could be. She learned to be patient and wait. The trials sped up the pacing and added to the action in the story. This made it well balanced. Of course we do get some swoon, too! I will definitely be recommending this to my students and reading the sequel.

This book follows Kiva, who has been the healer in the death prison Zalindov for the last 10 years. She has done what she is told, and kept her head down in the hopes that someday her family will come to free her. Then, the Rebel Queen is brought to her, and she is told to keep her alive, because she will face the Trial by Ordeal as punishment. The woman is in no shape to participate, and Kiva finds herself volunteering in her place, even though she knows no one has ever made it through all of the Ordeals. Meanwhile, she must keep herself and her friends safe as a mysterious illness is sweeping through the prison, killing many.

I liked this story! It definitely gave me Hunger Games vibes with the style, as well as the whole volunteering thing. I loved Tipp, her young friend and apprentice. The “twist” was a little predictable, but I still really enjoyed it! I will 100% be reading the second one whenever it comes out.

I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

This is probably closer to a 4.5, I really enjoyed this story! WE follow Kiva, a 17-year-old healer working in a labor prison. She has been in prison since she was 7, and is hopeful that one day her family will save her. Things go a bit haywire though when the Rebel Queen shows up in the prison, deathly ill, and she ended up taking the queen's place in the trials that will either leave them both dead or both free.

This was such a gripping book! I loved Kiva, and loved the side characters too. Tripp and Jaren are fantastic and I was hooked on this story.

There was one twist that I guessed early on, but I still really liked how it was done! The romance was the one thing that brought the book down JUST a little. It seemed really rushed in the beginning. I was wondering " how can this person fall for this other person SO freaking fast" but other than that, I enjoyed the romance. I really enjoyed the friendships in this book as well!

That ending... THAT ENDING.... That was the twist that got me and now I am like GIVE ME BOOK 2. I think book 2 actually comes out later this year as well, so I am pretty hyped for that!