Review: The Prison Healer (The Prison Healer #1) by Lynette Noni

The Prison Healer

(The Prison Healer #1)

by Lynette Noni

April 13, 2021

416 pages

Goodreads Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Kiva Meridan has spent the last ten years fighting for survival in the notorious death prison, Zalindov, working as the prison healer.

When the Rebel Queen is captured, Kiva is charged with keeping the terminally ill woman alive long enough for her to undergo the Trial by Ordeal: a series of elemental challenges against the torments of air, fire, water, and earth, assigned to only the most dangerous of criminals.

Then a coded message from Kiva’s family arrives, containing a single order: “Don’t let her die. We are coming.” Aware that the Trials will kill the sickly queen, Kiva risks her own life to volunteer in her place. If she succeeds, both she and the queen will be granted their freedom.

But no one has ever survived.

With an incurable plague sweeping Zalindov, a mysterious new inmate fighting for Kiva’s heart, and a prison rebellion brewing, Kiva can’t escape the terrible feeling that her trials have only just begun.

From bestselling author Lynette Noni comes a dark, thrilling YA fantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, and Sabaa Tahir.

Review

Though I have not read anything by Lynette Noni, I know she's an established Australian author. Her latest, The Prison Healer, received a lot of early buzz so curious me decided to pick it up and see for myself. After reading that final page of the book, I'm joining in on singing praises for The Prison Healer too!

With nonstop twists and turns, The Prison Healer is a fast-paced story full of surprises. So much occurs with each event becoming more intense than the last. The main plot points- the Trial by Ordeal and the ongoing sickness inside the prison- kept me on my toes. I had to know how our main character would conquer the dangers she faced.

Kiva with her masked indifference, knew what it took to survive. Spending a decade in a prison has hardened her but she retained a kind and mostly hopeful heart. As a healer she treated her patients equally. Kiva was caring and fair even to those that didn't deserve it. I loved her compassionate nature. Her false bravery didn't earn her any points but she faced the reality of her situation head on.

The Prison Healer wouldn't be complete without its slew of side characters. Both of the lovable and deplorable variety, they added extra warmth and tension to the story. Tipp made me smile while Bones made me grit my teeth. There was no shortage of aww and ahh moments. 

The slow burning romance in The Prison Healer made my heart thump happily. I guessed the identity of Kiva's love interest early on but it was still so sweet to witness their feelings develop. With that crazy ending I'm really interested to see how things will play out between them in the next book.

As I mentioned before, The Prison Healer had so many twists and turns. Some I was able to guess while others took me by complete surprise. I was especially shocked by the reveal at the end of the book. Thinking back, there were many little signs peppered throughout the story. I'm in awe of Lynette Noni's storytelling ability.

With a mind-blowing ending, The Prison Healer exceeded my expectation. I enjoyed it so very much and am ecstatic we don't have to wait long to see Kiva again in the second book, The Gilded Cage!

*I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the ARC I received.