Review: Poison

Poison by Bridget Zinn

Release: March 12, 2013

Source: e-ARC

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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.

Poison is the story of Kyra. She's a poison master (one of the best). Kyra has a secret, though, a secret that has drove her to kill her best friend--unsuccessfully. She never misses. Now, Kyra is on the run and is determined to finish the job. She begrudgingly enlists the help of a magical piglet and a handsome stranger named Fred. What follows is a fast-paced, FUN read. Honestly, this book was just pure delight. Like cotton candy sweet.

Kyra is such a fantastic character. She's smart, resourceful, and had enough sass too make me laugh. Fred was sweet too! The chemistry between these two was very palpable. Also, I LOVE Rosie the pig. She's just too cute and added to the charm of this book. The plot was well-paced, the writing snappy, with good flow. I think, if there's one thing this book lacks it's world building. I could imagine the river, the forests, the castle, and the city, but I never got a sense for what Kyra's world was like. There were a few hints, here are there (like, that witches were usually looked down on), but it was never enough to really 'wow' me.

Of course, the lack of world building can be forgiven, because this book was just too fun! I love Kyra, Fred, Rosie, and Ariana. This would definitely appeal to younger YA readers, I think, but that doesn't mean older reachers can't enjoy it too. If you like magic, fun, and charm, this is the book for you. It's honestly such a shame that Bridget never lived to see her book released into the world. Rest in peace, Bridget. The world will miss all the charming books she would have written.

RATING: 4 SLICES