The Prison Healer

Okay, first off, I just want to say a HUGE thank you to Netgalley and Hodder Publicity for providing me with an ARC to review.

I loved this book! I am definitely will be a physical copy of this book when it comes out and I can honestly say that I can’t wait to reread it when it comes.

This book is set within a prison (obvs with the name of the book) and there are some dark scenes woven in throughout the book, but I think it’s done very delicately (still a small trigger warning would be advised).

Kiva is a strong female character, and even though this book is written in her point of view, she still remains a mystery. The plot twists within this book are awesome, well one of them I guessed but the other I was like “huh” and I felt like I had to go reread the parts of the book to see if there were any hints.

The male protagonist was swoon worthy, and I adore his interactions with Kiva. Her character came kept him at arm's length and was a little dry towards him but he was not having it. Basically, he was super endearing and lovable.

I loved the side characters in this book too. Usually when I read a book, side characters don’t really grab my attention nor do I care about them that much- but here I just adored them and I even cried a little.

Basically, this book is for anyone who likes strong female characters, good banter, a mystery seeped within a mystery, stories about royals and morally grey characters.

I am super excited about the next book in the series (this book ends in a small/shocking cliff-hanger) - It was super fun to read

Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC of this book, in exchange for a review.

This book blew me away. I am in love. I'm so mad I have to wait for the sequel.

To start off though, I do want to give a quick warning that there is some disturbing imagery in the book, put here under the spoiler tag. Trigger warning for [ attempted live cremation, body horror, and pandemic-y situations (hide spoiler)].

To start with, the page design is gorgeous and really heightens the atmosphere of the book at the perfect moments. My ARC didn't contain a map yet, so I'm really looking forward to doing a reread with the map in mind when it comes out. Although the book is very high stakes and serious off the bat, it manages to be really funny and sweet at times.

I love the differently abled rep and the normalization of gay relationships in a fantasy world. If you're gonna create a world, make it inclusive! Noni easily ranges her characters as diverse and inclusive and it is so refreshing to see!

The protagonist, Kiva, is a survivor with a heart of gold. She's a great protagonist and you want to root for her. Jaren, our charming new prisoner, is a great counterpart for Kiva. He recognizes her power and offers to stand beside her, rather than fight her battles for her. I loved Tipp and Naari as well, but my surprise favorite was Mot. He was such a compelling character and I really enjoyed all of his moments.

The biggest thing for me though, was the last 10 pages or so. The reveal!!! It was incredible. I didn't see it coming at all and I LOVED it. I think it gives a fantastic set up for the next book, and it suddenly makes everything make sense. I get a little used to being able to guess most major plot points in books, so to be so shocked and then smacking myself for not realizing was actually super fun.

As you can tell, I really loved the book. The Prison Healer is definitely a 2020 favorite, and I am frothing at the mouth to get my hands on book two. Five ginormous stars. This book is currently available for pre-order, so I urge you to go do so right now. You'll thank me, I promise.

This book was actually AMAZING. I cannot recommend it enough!
Kiva is in a deadly prison where she's the prison healer, when suddenly the Rebel Queen arrives and Kiva volunteers to take her place in the Trials which will try to kill you in four different ways by air, fire, water, and earth. Not only does she receive unusual help in the trials, nothing is as it seems. This book has a magic, political dealings, royalty, and amazing characters.
Not only is this book absolutely unpredictable, where I could not guess a single thing that was going to happen; it has a massive plot twist at the end.
The writing style of the author is so easy and gripping; it will absolutely enthrall you into the story from the first few pages.
I cannot recommend this book enough, it's become one of my absolute favourites books and I cannot wait for the next book in the series. Absolutely addicting!

"Never forfet, little mouse: not two people look the same, but we are each beautiful in our ways. The human body is a masterpiece that deserves our respect, always".

Lynette Noni drew me to this book with the title and the beautiful cover and although it became completely obvious that this YA Fantasy genre was out of my comfort zone I became enthralled by the main character and the beginning of her adventure. All I can say is WOW - I fell into this realm and didn’t want to come out again I can’t wait for the next book and thanks to netgalley for the advanced copy.
Kira is a seventeen year old girl who has been a prisoner at Zalindov for the last ten years. She was given the job of the prison healer following the death of her father. Part of her job includes her overseeing all new prisoners to the camp and marking them by burning a Z on the back of their hand.
Outside of the prison there is unrest as the rebels are fighting and causing riots as they try to reclaim ‘their kingdom’. One day the Rebel Queen is captured and although she is gravely ill she is brought to Zalindov and put into the care of Kiva. At the same time there is a virus going round the camp which despite Kiras ministrations the prisoners are dying. The rebels within the camp and Kiras own family who on a rare occasion manage to get an encrypted message in to her are clear - Keep The Queen Alive.
The Rebel Queens punishment is to complete 4 trials by the elements Air Fire Water and Earth - nobody has survived before and as she is so ill Kira feels she must volunteer to do the trials on the understanding that if she is still alive at the end then both herself and the rebel queen will be free but if she fails they both die.
This was a fantastic read and I really did not want it to end - if I could give it more than 5 stars I would.

This book was such an interesting concept to me with the elemental magic, a prison that no one leaves and a Trial by Ordeal. It was a highly intense read with some really gritty moments that really reflect how horrible Zalindov is as a prison( there are some trigger warnings for this book including Tw: sexual assault/ self-harm/ violence).

Kiva is a great protagonist who would do anything to ensure her survival over the ten years she has spent in the prison. This has led her to be ostracised by some other prisoners as she became the prison healer. We see her interacting with numerous new comers to the prison including a new female guard and male prisoner. The friendships that were developed throughout the book were enjoyable to read as you could see Kiva slowly opening up. I'm excited to learn more about the side characters and how the relationships will continue to develop.

There is so much going on in the book that really keeps your attention including Kiva receiving a secret message to ensure she keeps the rebel queen, a new comer to the prison alive. Alongside this Kiva is trying to find information to cure for a disease killing numerous inmates.

I love books where you have the opportunity to workout some plot points by yourself and still be shocked by some of the plot twists and Noni did this perfectly. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

5 star read!
This book was everything I didn't know I needed. A ya fantasy book set in a prison with an uprising of rebels in the background. I have no words. The plot is so original and the world building was fantastic.
I loved reading how each character developed along the way and yes it had me in tears at one point. I'm not going to ruin anything in this review but I must say, that ending is criminal!!
Cannot wait for book 2.

Thank you so much for letting me read the arc, I loved it. Will be posting a review on my blog and Goodreads.

Wow I loved this book so much. This why I love netgalley its helps me find different books and new authors to try.
I liked everything about this book from the world building in the Prison to the characters.
My favourite characters were Kiva and Tipps. I would definitely recommend its.
I cant wait for book next after the cliffhanger at the end

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion!

This book was no doubt one of the best YA books that I have read in a long time.
It was dark and gruesome. The characters were properly developed, even secondary characters. And the story had some twists and turns that not everybody will be able to guess.
The setting in Zalindov was really dark but convincing. Nothing was sugarcoated and that made it feel real. This is a place no one in his right mind would like to visit.
We follow Kiva who is the prison healer but she is also so much more. She is determined and strong but also compassionate and full of empathy, even after 10 years in this hellhole. But the supporting cast of Jaren, Naari and Tipp made this book what it was.
The Worldbuilding was proper and not too much, considering that Kiva has been stuck at Zalindov for 10 years. But I do hope that the final book has a map in it just so one can visualize the prison better and I like maps sooo...
And with the Trial by Ordeal the story picks up rather soon into the book and it makes for an exciting read!
Oh and the cliffhanger in the end?! I suspected something like that a tiny bit BUT it still shook me and I cant wait for book 2!
I would definitely recommend picking this book up, unless you are uncomfortable with violence and mentions of assault then this book might not be for you.

“Holy Moly! This was fantastic!” I may have not used the exact words, probably something more colourful, but this book really left me with so many feelings and a dropped jaw that took me ages to fix. I am actually really excited to share this review.

The Prison Healer tells you the story of our brave Kiva, who has been brought to the prison of Zalindon when she was very little, where nobody ever leaves, unless dead. She was smart enough to find a way to make herself unexpendable, and for many years survived working as the prison’s only healer. She manages to smuggle some messages to and from her family, which gives her more strength to continue living among all the horrors and cruelties of the prison. She needs to muster all the courage she can when the Rebel Queen is brought into the prison and a message from her family instructs her not to let the new prisoner die. She has no other choice but to undergo the Trial by Ordeal instead of the Rebel Queen, with impossible chances of survival, but this could be her only option to get out of this prison and regain her freedom.

The story is told from Kiva’s perspective, and through her eyes, we follow the harsh realities of Zalindor and the life of various prisoners and guards. There should be a massive trigger warning at the beginning of this book because the descriptions of the life inside the prison are quite horrific, sometimes it felt more like reading a book about the Holocaust than a fantasy story.

This still remains a fantasy story, a brilliantly crafted one. As we are told the story from inside the prison, from Kiva’s point of view, we just get glimpses of the outside world, and we are kept completely in dark. Not even for a moment did I have the faintest idea where the plot was going. There are two story lines that go parallel. One is Kiva’s attempt to get back her freedom by taking part in Trial by Ordeal instead of the Rebel Queen. The other one is the mystery of a stomach sickness which is decimating the inmates and Kiva is the only one who can try to find a cure. It was great to see these two lines joining together towards the end.

Kiva is a great character and so are all the others, such as the other two prisoners, Jaren and Tipp, as well as Naari, the only guard who shows some compassion and support towards Kiva (she was definitely my favourite). You can’t help but love this band of prisoners and guard, but at the same time deep down you can’t help but doubt every single word they say.

However, the most amazing thing about The Prison Healer is the series of revelations you get at the end of the story, and above all that killing cliffhanger right at the end of the book, which had my head spinning and made me feel so dumb because I didn’t see it coming. The hints were there, and the writer did a splendid job hiding them.

I am at a loss here. I started this book with a fear of getting another disappointment, but the writer knocked me out. This story was a massive rollercoaster of emotions, I couldn’t put it down. Without disclosing too much, I honestly can’t wait to see where book two will take Kiva and discover more about this world and its magic system.

There were some harsh bits, again, this story is a massive trigger warning, but there was also romance, which is always a welcome component for me. It was not the main part of the story but I still enjoyed how it developed. Throughout the whole story, you get the feeling that there is so much more to say and I am dying to talk about the ending with someone. With a solid world-building, all-rounded characters, and gripping plot, this story is an absolute must-read and 5-star review.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for giving me the E-Arc of The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

This is the first book in a new trilogy and it truly is a total ride, packed to the brim with action, adventure, emotion, magic and romance!

Kiva Meridan has survived ten years of the hell of Zalindov prison since her incarceration with her father at the age of seven. Zalindov is the prison hell of hells; the only escape anyone can hope or pray for us death. Zita is the prison healer, practicing the skills she learnt from her now deceased father amidst an environment of disrespect, fear and violence, just doing her best to survive and keep those close to her safe, including being the warden’s informer.

Those Zita wants to keep safe include the cheeky, but oh so precious Tipp, Mot, a grumpy, old ex-apothecary and more recent arrivals including the handsome Jaren, who seems determined to break through her barriers and Naari, a prison guard.

Ziva’s life undergoes a sudden and dramatic upheaval when the seriously ill and wounded Rebel Queen is brought into the prison to undergo the ancient Trial by Ordeal, four elemental trials to decide her fate...death or freedom. Shocking the prison population and even more so herself, Kiva volunteers to be the RQ’s champion in the trials. If Kiva survives they will both go free.

There are a number of triggers in this book ranging from violence, physical, mental and sexual to self-harm, but this is a story set in a maximum security prison and it shouldn’t be a shock.

This book is packed to the rafters with suspense, drama, emotion and the final few chapters blew me away with a whole multitude of plot twists! A total 5 star read for me!

All I have to do now is channel my inner Ziva, she survived ten years in the hell of Zalindov, I just need to hold on until the second book is published!

“At Zalindov,the only person you can trust is yourself”.

The book follows 17 year old Kiva Meridan,who’s spent the past 10 years in Zalindov, a death prison for the worst kind of criminals. Kiva has managed to survive by using her knowledge of healing,whilst holding on to the hope her families secret messages bring.

“We are Safe.Stay alive.we will come”

Until the day a new prisoner arrives close the death,the Rebel Queen and with her Kiva’s family send a new message “don’t let her die.we are coming.” But the Queen has been sentenced to trial by ordeal- a trial involving dangerous tasks (each based on an element: air,fire,water and earth). So in order to heed her families wishes at keeping the Queen alive,Kiva volunteers to take her place.

If she survives they’ll both win their freedom,if she fails - they both die. But with a deadly sickness sweeping Zalindov,Prisoners on the brink of rebellion and the handsome new prisoner vying for her affections,the trials are the least of her troubles.

The first book in a new series,from Lynette Noni is an addictively enthralling read,with a well written cast of characters including our strong female lead,Kiva.The setting definitely set the tone and though we don’t get to see much of the world outside of Zelindov (aside from a flashback), it made the interactions and revelations between characters more meaningful. I certainly couldn’t predict that ending which was fantastic and now I cannot wait for the sequel. I also hope the elemental magic system which was introduced here can be explored in more depth.

I’d definitely recommend For fans of YA Fantasy and S.J Maas (trust me the ending is S.J Maas worthy),this tale of resilience and Survival is a must read of 2021!

And also a huge thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Net Galley for this ARC

I rated this book 5/5 on Goodreads.

I should have known I would love this. I have read all of Lynette Noni’s previous books and honestly each book just gets better and better and now this one has taken it to a whole other level.

I was addicted all the way through and just knew the ending was going to be epic. Now I’m devastated that I have to wait to read the next book.

BUT be aware that there should be multiple trigger warnings on this book: torture, self harm, murder, sexual abuse, parental abuse, addiction and suicide attempts.

This book was dark and brutal and I loved it but please make sure you or whoever you are recommending it to knows what they are going into.

Some feedback that I don’t know if you can pass along but I HIGHLY recommend including trigger warnings at the start of the book and a list of contacts people can get help at the end. I’ve seen this done in other books and more books should be doing this when covering heavy themes.

But overall I loved this start to a new series and can’t wait to read the rest.

I’ve reviewed this book on Goodreads and will be mentioning it on my social media, the store social media and hand selling it in store.

Thank you 😊



Claire Leyton
Bookseller, Reviewer and Blogger
Instagram: @claireevareads & @paperchainbookstore

I devoured this book.

The story follows Kiva, a teenage girl who lives and works in the continent’s prison as a healer. Her family was accused of committing treason when she was young, and she was taken into prison with her father. Years have passed, now two intriguing prisoners have arrived close in time. A boy who seems to want to get to know her and the rumoured Rebel Queen. Kiva receives a note from her family telling her to protect the Queen, and they’re coming to collect her. But to keep her alive, Kiva will have to take part in her Trial by Ordeal instead.

Does this book not sound so good? Yes, some of the plot elements may sound a little cliché. But they actually really work. Noni has built up this world and only fed you bits and pieces. Which makes sense because the setting of prison is limited. Kiva hasn’t been anywhere in years, and she only knows what she remembers or what other people tell her. As things are revealed, the reader learns more and the second book looks set to explore a lot more. I’m very excited about that.

I liked Kiva as the main character. She tried to be cold and detached because she didn’t want to lose anyone. But the care she put into looking after all the prisoners, even if they hated her, is a lot more telling. There’s a plotline I don’t want to reveal in this, but it seriously highlights that this isn’t just a way for Kiva to pass the time. She wants to make sure all the prisoners are okay. She’s doing her best in some difficult circumstances, and I respect that.

I was about to say one of my favourite characters is- but then I had to stop. Because honestly? I love so many of them. Tipp is completely adorable, and I love that Kiva has this little brother figure. Naari is fun and seems like she could seriously kick some ass, and I really want to see that. Jaren was a good love interest who though technically does some questionable things. Actually seems to have a good heart. Then there’s Mot and gah- There were obviously characters I hated too, but I can’t help but gush. What I will say is that though there is a clear villain of sorts within this setting. And a rebellion set up against one of the kingdoms. It’s not clear who the big bad is actually going to be. You can see the points of both sides of the rebellion, and the prison villain might not have much influence outside of it. So you end the book wondering what could happen next as it’s not obvious.

And that’s a good thing.

It’s not a cliff-hanger. Not really. The story ends at a fitting point with hints as to where the second is going to go. But the book finishes on a reveal – though one that I will admit is pretty obvious – and it opens up a lot of places the second could go.

Overall I loved this book, and I’m so glad I read it. I didn’t even realise I needed another book in this sort of setting until I picked it up. I’m so glad there’s not a massive wait between books one and two (The Prison Healer is out in April, and The Gilded Cage is out in October) as I really need that second book now.

I couldn’t recommend this book more!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for sending me this ARC. This book took me on a journey to the fictional prison notorious for its cruelty and I enjoyed each page of my stay there. This book is everything I need from a YA fantasy.
-
Plot(non-spoiler): Kiva, the daughter of a healer was sent to a prison with her father. After her father passed away, she took over his father's role in the infirmary of the prison. When the rebel queen of a kingdom arrived the prison half-dead and was sentenced with trials, Kiva faced threats and promises and had no other choice than to take over the rebel queen's trials as her own. Meanwhile, the prison is endangered by an infectious disease spreading among the prisoners, and the prisoners only. Kiva had to fight different fights at the same times and she had no clue what she ought to do.
-
The choice of making the healer the protagonist is rare. More than often they're the side characters that are more or less the saints. This book proved that the healers are just as interesting as assassins, and to me they are the coolest among all (yes- I'm a med student so I'm biased). Kiva is a complex but sweet character. Most prisoners hated her and saw her as the traitor, but needed help when they were troubled by physical ailments. She had to toughen up in order to survive in a place where nobody survives long, but her heart is not as stoic as it seems. Kiva is such a precious character, and I was so glad she has made valuable connections (albeit not many) in prison. This book also contains a handful of other characters that I fell in love with.
-
The romance in this book is subtle, but sweet. The plot twist in the end however made everything more complex. If you liked the Cruel Prince, I'm sure the sequel of this book will satisfy your taste. I'm a little scared to read the sequel, because I'm expecting some heartbreaks. But I'm pretty sure I will read it and in fact, I can't wait to see how the story progresses and to meet the characters again. But before that, I can't wait for this book to be published and get popular so I can rave about it xD.

Many years has passed since Kiva was taken, to the notorious death prison, Zalindov where every day is a fight for survival and most prisoners succumbs within the first month or two. While her position as the prison healer saves her from the worst of the horrors, Kiva is far from safe, her life hanging on by a very thin thread. A thread that becomes impossibly thinner when a new, mortally sick prisoner arrives. A prisoner that Kiva for several reasons cannot allow to die. And death is always near by within the walls of Zalindov.

This is a story of a young girl who believed so much in a family that she survived within a death prison for a decade, clinging on to the hope that some day her family will come. Some day her family will get her out. Or will they?

The Prison Healer is an absolutely brilliant book; very well written story with infinite potential, lovable and brilliant characters, an interesting magical system and a strong plot all set in a world which I want to discover so much more which I’m pretty sure we’ll get to do the next book (which, b.t.w. can’t come soon enough!) The book is funny, sad (sometimes even devastating), cute, a bit steamy (but not more than what’s fitting for a YA book) and completely amazing. I cannot wait how Kiva’s story continues.

It’s absolutely one of the best books I’ve read so far this year and it would be a shame if you didn’t add this to your tbr at once because, believe me, you don’t want to miss out on this fantastical adventure. Especially since I have a feeling that this adventure has only begun.

I feel like I’ve been a bit out of step with the fantasy genre lately, even though it is one of my favourite genres to read. It was therefore really nice to feel like I’m ahead of the curve by reading the ARC of The Prison Healer and knowing that it will be an outstanding hit when it is released in April.

The Prison Healer has it all; there’s a feisty and strong female lead, a harsh prison setting, a series of trials to overcome and many secrets to be unveiled. I enjoyed every minute of reading it and finished it in a day – that’s how engaging the writing is. Noni is an assured and confident writer, drip feeding enough backstory and world building throughout the entire story in a way that kept us informed but still holding things back, although not enough to be frustrating. I enjoyed the cast of characters, especially our main character Prison Healer Kiva who will always try to treat someone no matter what they have done in their previous life. There is also a great supporting cast including the sweet Tipp – a young boy with a stutter, prison guard Naari and the noble new prisoner Jaren. I felt they were all well rounded and liked getting to know them further throughout the book.

I also really enjoyed the setting - the prison of Zalindov felt realistic and gritty, with a hint of internal politics at play as well as a dirtier underside. There are some twists and turns as the trials progress and a few reveals that I did not see coming close to the end. This is the start of a series so there is a cliff-hanger ending and I cannot wait to read the next one (I believe it is out in October so there isn’t too long to wait!)

I only have a few very small criticisms; one is that I didn’t understand the need to show the coded messages that Kiva receives from her family. It also seemed to take up one page of my kindle whether it was a one-word message or a few sentences which didn’t make much sense. Looking back on this I do wonder if it’s a code meant for readers to crack (a bit like in the Artemis Fowl books) – if this is the case, it’s a nice easter egg! I also felt that at times the writing was a little repetitive, with author Noni holding the readers hand to walk us through the plot at various points and remind us of what had just happened which could have been edited down.

Overall, The Prison Healer is one of my standout fantasy books for 2021 and I cannot wait to read the next instalment. Thank you to NetGalley & Hodder & Stoughton for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger warnings: mentions of rape, graphic injuries, drugs, torture, mentions of self-harm, and violence.

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.

Kiva is a strong female lead in a story that has you feeling sorrow, anger and a lot of panic! Despite knowing it could lead to her death, she puts the life of a deathly-ill stranger above her own. I love her selflessness, and her bravery at facing the unknown. Despite other prisoners - namely the rebels - mistreating her, she remains kind and welcoming, helping others to the best of her ability. I enjoyed the cautious edge she kept and found the doubts about people’s motives interesting. Definitely an engaging character.
Jaren and Naari are two characters present a lot of the time and yet remain rather mysterious. I loved how they both interacted with Kiva. But I think my favourite has to be the reserved and unendingly chipper Tipp. I would love to have a Tipp in my life - purely for the joy he presents in even the gloomiest of times.

It was interesting to have a story set from within a prison. Most involve breaking in or out of such a place, not show life day after day inside one. I really enjoyed the dynamics of guards who allow power to get to their heads against prisoners fighting for their lives and their beliefs every day. The ending had me SHOOK. I won’t lie, I am slightly confused about the very end - normally there are more hints dropped throughout the book for something like that. It may be that there were instances like this and I’m dumb and didn’t see them, but I think it would have been good to have elements of this pop up over me going “What the f**k-doodle just happened?” But that cliffhanger was INSANE. You best believe I’ll be snatching up the sequel!!!

Overall, The Prison Healer is a story that has you holding your breath and leaves you oh so desperate for more.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book. Review will be live on my blog on release day.

This book was an ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book when I was initially browsing the releases for this year 2021. I was extremely excited once I was approved for an eArc. And thankfully it did not disappoint!

The first thing that called out to me was that it took place inside of a prison, and our main character was one of the prisoners. What crossed my mind was that it would be a fantasy version of Prison Break, which it wasn’t. We are introduced to the prison and how it functions through our main character. She's been there for almost 10 years, being only a child when she arrived, and by now she has established herself as the prison healer. This is a dangerous place because the prison serves many kingdoms and it’s at full capacity most of the time. Throughout the book we feel the menacing environment that shows us how no one is safe inside the prison, especially not from the guards.

All the characters were thoughtfully developed. Our protagonist is a kind hearted and patient person that doesn’t even refuse to treat the worst people she comes across, people that wouldn’t think twice about hurting her. Then we have Tipp, our joyful “sidekick” we might say, and he is just a cinnamon roll of a boy. We are introduced to other prisoners along with the guards and the prison Warden, some of them allies, others not at all. The love interest, Jaren, that shows up slightly after the action starts, is also presented as a multi-level character and, personally, I saw from the start what was going on there. That didn’t break my enjoyment however.

The writing is always easy and to the point. The few flashbacks we were given are carefully located within the narrative and do not overwhelm the reader with unnecessary info dumps. The fast pace of the book gave smooth transitions between all that was going on. The main character finds herself in a position that she has to unwillingly help a prisoner to which she rather not be associated, but thanks to her kind nature finds herself in more trouble that she bargained for. There were several moments of action that you could be unsure of the course of the story but it always played out in an unexpected but fortunate way.

The last two pages were a carefully landed blow to the reader leaving us with a very big cliffhanger. I really enjoyed the reading experience and I think if I wasn't juggling other books at the time I would have read it in a day. I can’t wait for the sequel The Gilded Cage!

You know you’ve enjoyed a book when the first thing you do once you’ve finished reading it (after picking your jaw up off the floor, of course) is check to see that there’s going to be a book two!

17 year old Kiva has been stuck in Zalindov Prison for the last 10 years, ever since her father was imprisoned for treason. She has survived by making herself indispensable as the prison healer and by reluctantly spying for the Warden. Desperate to escape the prison, her only hope is that her family will one day come for her.

Then one day a new prisoner who is gravely ill arrives with a message “Don’t let her die. We are coming”. Suddenly Kiva’s mission to survive is extended to incorporate The Rebel Queen. However she’s been sentenced to the Trial by Ordeal. A series of tests against the four elements of air, fire, water and earth. Without elemental magic no one can survive the Trial by Ordeal. Added to the fact that the Rebel Queen is ill, Kiva knows it’s a death sentence and suddenly finds herself volunteering to be the Queen’s champion. Now Kiva must survive the ordeals to secure freedom for herself and the Queen. But Kiva doesn’t have elemental magic...

I loved this book! Now don’t get me wrong there were parts that were a little slow but the dread and anticipation about what each ordeal would entail, kept me on edge and desperate to see what would happen next. Added to that we have fantastic characters in Kiva, Tipp, Jaren and Naari. They were all so relatable and likeable.

The story telling and world building were fantastic. I loved the way the author created a safe haven in the infirmary for our characters, a place that offered them a small amount of protection from the dangers of the prison.

I cannot wait for book two to see how the crazy cliffhanger plays out. I definitely didn’t expect that ending!!

The Prison Healer is a fantastic YA fantasy. If you love magic, adversity and a slow burn romance, I’d definitely recommend giving this a go.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

When I saw this book on Netgalley I didn’t expect to be accepted for the ARC, so when the email come through accepting my request, I was beyond excited. To add to that, it turned up just at the right time, so I could use this book for the Galleyathon’s ‘Newest ARC’ prompt.

Going into this I had a good idea that I would like this book, it’s set in a prison, it’s gritty, dark and there’s a series of trials our main character needs to face based on the elements. And when I realised that this book was dedicated to Sarah J Maas, one of my favourite authors, and I knew that this book would be something that I was going to like. I wasn’t wrong. But there was so much more to this book too.

It’s thrilling, a roller-coaster of a journey that had me whooping with joy and sobbing into my pillow. It’s got a focus on friendship, which is something I really loved. There’s a little bit of romance, but the romance takes a back seat compared to the friendship that the characters share before they realise that it might be something more. And then there’s the friendships that our lead character, Kiva, shares with some of the more prominent side characters too. Every side character in this book is well rounded, and they all have their own backstories too. I thought all of the characters in this book were so well written and wonderful, and some of them I absolutely fell in love with. Especially Tipp, an 11-year-old boy who works with Kiva in the prison’s infirmary.

Kiva herself was a fantastic lead, she was a strong, independent character with a dedication to healing. She has a vow to treat everyone, despite their background, and it’s part of that which makes her so intently likeable.

The healing scenes in the book are really interesting, and well written. They are detailed, but not graphic, so the book fits well in the YA age bracket without slipping into New Adult. The same could be said for the actions within the prison, this book is dark, but it doesn’t stray outside of YA territory, alluding to some things without giving us graphic details.

One of my favourite things about The Prison Healer is how well written it is. There’s are so many secrets to be unravelled. I figured out one of the twists, but the rest of them caught me by surprise, and had me shook! This book is a really emotional read too. I felt everything alongside the characters, and by the end of the book I felt like my heart had been ripped out my chest and stuffed back in so many times. The world building is also done so well. It’s drizzled through the pages instead of given to us on in a big spoonful of info-dumping. And all of this combined has left me so eager for the next book so I can learn more.

I have already pre-ordered the next book The Gilded Cage and can’t wait for October (2021!) to come around so I can find out what happens next (especially as this book ends on a pretty big cliff-hanger…)

I also want to mention that this book contains a secret code, of which we get to see pages of throughout the story. I am not sure if we are meant to crack the code’s ourselves (I am not smart enough for that haha) or if we will get a codebreaker in the later books to help us. But either way I can’t wait to find out what those pages said.

The Prison Healer is one of those books that would be so much fun to re-read later down the road, when you know more about the secrets hidden in this book and can look back to read the book in a completely different context. There are some scenes I really want to read over again now, and I’ve only just put it down this morning!

- SUMMARY -

The Prison Healer is a thrilling page-turner and full of so many surprises. It’s one of the best books I have read this year! If this book isn’t already on your wishlist, then you might want to add it as I can see this becoming a huge hit when it’s released in March/April (depending on the country).

Finding a YA Fantasy with a unique setting is rare these days, but the complex prison that Noni has created really drew me in. This book should come with every possible trigger warning, but I found myself unable to put this book down!

𝑨𝒕 𝒁𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒗, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇.

🌟B O O K R E V I E W🌟

The Prison Healer - Lynette Noni

Kiva Meriden has been in Zalindov prison for a decade, trusted by the warden. She is a healer, skilled at caring for the inmates who live in brutal conditions, most don’t make it through 6 months. But she has survived. She is waiting for her family to come, still waiting, still surviving.

‘𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 - 𝒆𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂 𝒇𝒆𝒘 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒅.’

This story is really inventive, atmospheric and otherworldly. Lynette Noni has an amazing talent for storytelling, creating characters that tug at the heartstrings, you are drawn in at once and you cannot stop reading.
I was immediately drawn to Kiva, she has sensitivity about her but a keen survival instinct. There is a motley band of characters; Kiva, Jaren, Tipp and Naari. You feel like you are absorbed into the prison with them, urging them on as the underdogs of the system.

‘𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏’𝒕 𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚.’

It is exciting, fast moving and I loved the magical element to the story. It is brilliantly written, with nods to other great sagas, totally addictive, at times I felt like my eyes were on stalks waiting for the next shock.
There is hatred, love, warring families, greed, violence, betrayal….I mean, it’s all here!

‘𝒁𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒗 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒂 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒌𝒆𝒈 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒅𝒆.’

This is a fantastically dark, gripping fantasy with added romance, it picks you up and carries you right to the end. And in literally the last lines of the book....yes!! This is the start of a saga I’m telling you, it’s going to run and run!!
I cannot wait to see what happens next!

✩✩✩✩✩

[AD-GIFTED]

You know how people will type “I’m screaming” but not actually be doing so? WELL LET ME TELL YOU this book was a journey and I did scream. So much. So much so I developed a headache and had to lay down to process the words I had just devoured.

This book is FANTASTIC! Every so often you come across a book that just pummels you into the ground with twists and turns that make you giddy, and that book is The Prison Healer.

“She wasn’t jumpy; she was in the middle of a death prison. That was more than enough of an excuse to be on edge.”

Kiva is the prison healer of Zalindov. She spends her days tending to the sick whilst trying to survive the dangers around every corner, spurred on by the coded messages she receives from family, that they will come and save her.

The words flow beautifully and make this such an easy read. Everything about it is perfect, the characters are likeable and the banter between them feels true and lighthearted amidst all the troubles they face. For once I love the romance, Jaren I’m your biggest fan!, and everyone serves their purpose in the storyline.

This YA is dark. Oh it is so DARK! At times I genuinely felt so afraid for Kiva (and Tipp, best boy) due to the rich extent of the descriptions. And the trials! The first two are harrowing enough in their own right, but I can safely say the third is one of my own fears and I felt truly enveloped by the terror.

The last of my notes read - @Lynette, how dare you.
My bones are vibrating with excitement for the next in the series. Wow.

At Zalindov, the only person you can trust is yourself.

Seventeen-year-old Kiva Meridan is a survivor. For ten years, she has worked as the healer in the notorious death prison, Zalindov, making herself indispensable. Kept afloat by messages of hope from her family, Kiva has one goal and one goal only: stay alive.

Then one day the infamous Rebel Queen arrives at the prison on death's door and Kiva receives a new message: Don't let her die. We are coming.

The queen is sentenced to 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. Aware the sickly queen has little chance of making it through the Trials alive, Kiva volunteers to take her place. If she succeeds, both she and the queen will be granted their freedom.

But no one has ever survived.

And 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.

The title of this book intrigued me and from the first page I wasn’t disappointed. The prison healer has a little bit of everything, romance, magic, intrigue all mixed but in a prison setting. The characters pull you straight in and with a few twists and turns on the way, a couple that you’ll never see coming.
For fans of Throne of glass and An ember in the ashes, don’t miss it!!

4.5 Stars

I was so excited about this book and it definitely didn't let me down! If you enjoy YA fantasy then I can't imagine you not enjoying this book. I haven't read anything like it as it is SO unique.

The story is about Kiva who has been in a notorious prison for over 10 years. She has survived when many around her have perished due to the awful conditions and brutal prison guards. Being the prison healer has been her saving grace. The story follows Kiva as she makes new friends and struggles on in the prison. One day the queen of the rebel faction against the ruling moanrchy is brought in unconscious and incredibly unwell. The rebel queen is sentenced to do 4 impossible trials for her freedom. Kiva takes on her sentencing as the older woman is in no state to do it herself and Kiva could earn both of their freedom. The story is gripping and filled with so many twists and turns, most of which I didn't see coming.
The story is fantastic but the characters are even better! Kiva is such an interesting character and I loved learning her story and seeing how she survives. She is so loyal and caring even though she tries to close herself off. The other characters, Jaren, Tipp and Naari added so much to the story and their unique characters and personalities were great to get to know. They all served different purposes and I loved them all.
The writing is gripping! So well written and tapped into all of my emotions! There are alot of tough moments and I will post the trigger warnings below but they all served a purpose and none of them were gratuitous.

Basically...read this book!! I cannot recommend it enough and I am desperate for the next book!!

TW: Talk of sexual abuse, scenes of physical and emotional abuse, bullying, traumatic scenes, violence.

Please note that I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.

“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 it meant they could keep their beginning.”
•
Let me tell you that I’m usually quite good at predicting plot twists and cliffhangers but this book, THIS BOOK completely got me off guard. I’ve been so so blind and I loved how the author surprised me. Kiva is the healer in one of the most impregnable prisons of the country. She is such a wonderful person, she cares for the prisoners even if she knows they have likely done terrible things and she cures anyone, no matter what. The story is absolutely thrilling: the Rebel Queen comes to the prison but she is terribly sick so she manages to keep her alive and she takes the woman’s place in the trials.. they are four impossible tasks against elements and, if she manages to survive, they’ll both be free and she’ll be able to reunite with her family that is secretly linked to the rebels. Honestly I’ve been so confused for half of the book, I really couldn’t understand the behavior of many characters and that unsettled me but also made me want to know more. When Jaren arrives at the prison Kiva is very attracted to him, he is not like the others, just like her he cares for other people (he cares for her in particular) and he shows her a kindness she had forgotten since her father died. The flashbacks about her life before the prison are so heartbreaking and the story of how her parents met made me cry badly. In the prison she was treated so badly but I was amazed to see how strong she was to endure all that and how, even in hell, she has been able to find a sort of new family. As I said the end is shocking and I’m glad the second book is out this year because I couldn’t endure a long wait! Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy.

The Prison Healer swept me away and didn’t let me go until I had read the very final word.

In The Prison Healer we meet Kiva, who has spent the last 10 years being a prisoner at Zalindov, a prison where the average life expectancy is a few months at most. As she works as a healer, a new prisoner is brought in - the Rebel Queen, who fights to reclaim the throne of Evalon. Unable to undergo the Trial by Ordeal - a way to decide a prisoner’s guilt - Kiva offers to undergo the Trials instead. Helped by a new prisoner, Jaren, one of the guards, Naari, and her faithful assistent, 11 year old Tipp, she fights to survive the Trials - and the prison itself.

The Prison Healer was an amazing read, I almost couldn’t stop reading. I loved the characters, especially sweet and stuttering Tipp. They had their own personalities, stories, quirks, I loved them all.

Usually I don’t really care for stories that take place in one setting, but Zalindov almost felt like a character on its own. I didn’t mind it one bit. The banter and conversations between the characters kept the story going without a single boring moment.

The story was great, especially the ending. It left me wanting more - more of the characters, their dynamics, the world. I can’t wait to read The Gilded Cage.

It should be noted that this book deals with some very dark subject matter and is definitely an upper YA book.
I found The Prison Healer to be an immersive and addicting read, so much so that I read it in an afternoon. Our main character, Kiva, is a healer incarcerated in a very high security prison and, because of this, the book does not shy away from some of the realities of life in a prison that is rarely monitored from external sources. The world outside the prison has a lot of political hostility and unease, and as Kiva has been a resident of the prison for 10 years there is, unfortunately, little information on that. The prison, however, is extraordinarily written. The hierarchies are clear and so much detail is given in to any malice between characters. A lot of what is happening to the characters is difficult to read, but the rag tag friend group aspect of this book adds some much needed relief. Kiva has an “assistant” who is an 11 year old boy named Tipp who is the most adorable, and I loved reading the ways in which she looked after him.
I really enjoyed the trials and each felt like it had real urgency and was a threat to the characters, which only added to the compelling nature of this book. Also, I did not see the plot twists coming, even though on reflection the ground work was there the whole time.
I am very glad the next book is out in six months.

4.5 stars

Headlines:
Captivity
Trials
Twists

This story was interesting from the start but it executed a sneak attack by building and building into something pretty fantastic. The Prison Healer was set completely inside a prison, one with few rules and a regime of brutality and fear. Kiva was the healer, a skill learnt and from her father but built on by necessity. She had few perks from her role even though she was vital to that society.

The characters inside the prison were rag-tag bunch of characters and I took the lead from Kiva who trusted virtually no-one but Tipp, her young helper in the prison infirmary. New arrivals sparked some interesting characters form the guard Naari to Jaren and Tilda. I'm laughing at my naive self now having finished the book...little did I know.

A part of the storyline were trials that one of the characters had to go through and that was a fascinating steer throughout the chapters, I really enjoyed those elements. Most of all I enjoyed the mystery of the characters and some of the twists. There was one almighty twist that had me putting on the brakes, going back half a page because I wasn't sure I'd read that right.

I really enjoyed how platonic and 'something more' relationships developed through the story. Moreso, I liked to see Kiva learn to trust a bit more and open up ever so slightly. Again, I'm laughing at my face-value reading of some of the characters knowing what I know now.

The Prison Healer was a gripping fantasy read, full and detailed, interesting and fresh. I've not read Lynette Noni before but she's secured my interest and I have no idea how I'm going to wait until The Gilded Cage comes out. I have all the need for it.

Thank you to Hodder books for the early review copy.

The Prison Healer has surprised me in the best way and is one of my favourite reads of 2021. I was hooked from the very first page and Noni's writing is so enthralling it made this story a joy to read. A fantasy with trials, elemental magic, a mysterious disease sweeping the prison, and really awesome characters. It also had so many plot twists that I never saw coming.

Set mainly in the walls of the prison Zalindov, Kiva is the prison healer treating the sick throughout her ten years stuck there. During this time, her family sneaks her notes telling her to hold on and that they will help her. Outside the prison, there is unrest involving rebels against the crown, so when the next prisoner brought in is the rebel queen alongside a note to keep her alive Kiva must do everything she can to protect her. This includes putting herself forward for the trial by Ordeal instead of the rebel queen. If she survives she walks free, if she fails she dies and so does the rebel queen. While this is happening there is also a mysterious disease hitting the inmates and Kiva must figure out what it is before it gets to those close to her.

This story is predominantly focused on the prison but I hope that in the sequel we get to learn even more about the world and magic system. The elemental magic is touched on briefly and plays an interesting role in the story but there is definitely more that can be expanded with it. I enjoyed that this installment allows the set up of key characters, explores unrest within the prison, and builds on core relationships. The character relationships were one of the aspects I loved most. There is a light romance plot that runs through the story which I really enjoyed. I hope that this is also explored further in the sequel. The relationship between Kiva and Tipp was also so heartwarming. Tipp is a young child that Kiva took under her wing and their relationship is so pure.

The author's writing style is so easy to fall into that I was engrossed from the first chapter. Noni weaves her fantasy world flawlessly. I am itching to explore it further. If you are in a reading slump and find high fantasy too much to get your head around, pick this up! It is such an enjoyable read and the different storylines within the prison are pulled together so well and you won't even see the (many) plot twists coming. I haven't been shocked like this with a book for a long time. I would pitch this to anyone who enjoyed Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas but imagine if the story focuses on Celaena while she was in the Salt Mines in Endovier, and instead of being an assassin, she's a kindhearted and fierce healer.

The Prison Healer is an unmissable fantasy. If you enjoy elemental magic systems, healing magic, slow-burn romance, and elements of found family you will love this book. It surprised me in the best way and I am so excited to read the sequel The Gilded Cage (release date: October 12th 2021).

Ziva Meridan has been in Zalindov prison since the age of seven, when she was imprisoned together with her father accused of being a sympathizer of the rebels. Ten years later, she’s become the prison healer, welcoming new prisoners and using her father’s remedies to cure her fellow prisoners. Because of her job, the other prisoners call her the Heatless Carver and the Princess of Death, but that’s how Ziva survived, by being submissive and keeping her head down, while waiting and hoping for her family to free her.

One day, the Queen of rebels is brought in. She will have to face the Trial by Ordeal, four tests that will either prove her innocence, if she passes them all, or kill her in the process. However, the Queen is too ill to take part in the trials and Ziva offers herself as her Champion. If she passes all the trials, both her and the Queen will be free. The problem? No one has ever won the Trial by Ordeal. And while Ziva is trying to stay alive during the Trial, she is also busy figuring out what is the stomach virus that is hitting and killing many of the prisoners.

I loved this book. I was completely engrossed in the story and Ziva is an incredible heroine. She is strong and determined, and, trust me, she will take you completely by surprise. She prefers to be on her own, not only because she hopes to leave the prison soon, but also because not many survive Zalindov prison, however, she finds a few friends and allies: Naari, the calm and mysterious guard who has no problem to look the other way when she needs to; Jaren, the charming new prisoner who is always there for her and who doesn’t take the hint that she is not interested in forming a relationship inside the prison; Tipp, the energetic young boy who has become like a brother to her.

The story is intriguing, well-written, and carefully-plotted and the ending is explosive. You won’t see it coming, it will shock you, and it will leave you wishing that the second book, The Gilded Cage, had already been published!

You know when you read a book and it's all you can think about for days on end and you just want to ignore your whole TBR to dive back into this world and consume it?! That is The Prison Healer for me. This book was one of my most anticipated reads for 2021 and it did not disappoint, I actually think it's my favourite book of the year so far!

This book ticked all the boxes for me in terms of YA fantasy! It had amazing main characters that you cannot help but fall in love with, a captivating plot, twists and turns that you never saw coming and an epic ending that has you craving the next book!

Noni has a beautiful way of writing that had me unable to put the book down and needing to read on to see what happened next! Kiva was such a brilliant main character and I loved watching as her character developed and struggled with the situation she had selflessly put herself in. The side characters were so unique and I found myself loving their addition to the story!

Honestly, you need to read The Prison Healer! I have not stopped thinking about it, the characters or the plot! If I didn't have a million books on my TBR screaming for me to read them I would easily pick this book up again right now.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodderscape for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

OMG!!!! I'll just start by saying... I was not expecting that! I'm not much into fantasy but this book just sounded intriguing. Having said that, I was still a little apprehensive before going in, worried that I'd suddenly be dropped into a complicated fantastical world that I wouldn't understand. But praise the fantasy gods that poked my brain and got me to pay attention because this book was AMAZING!
Kiva our 17 year old protagonist is working in Zalindov, a notorious death prison, as the prison healer. Her job was down right terrible, having to try and keep prisoners alive in horrific conditions with limited resources and useless assistants. Enter Jaren, a gorgeous, bright eyed, charismatic new prisoner who is adamant he's gonna be Kiva's friend regardless of her trying her best to put him off. There's no way Kiva wants to get attached to anyone in the prison when the chances of them dying is ridiculously high. And if life seemed like it couldn't get anymore complicated the rebel Queen is delivered to the prison infirmary and Kiva is told to keep her alive so that she can then face her punishment. The rebel Queen must face a trial by ordeal - 4 challenges related to the elements designed to either prove the participant has magic and is therefore related to the royal family, or kill them! When the time for the first trial arrives Kiva realises that the Queen is way too unwell to undertake it and so she volunteers to do the trial in her place.
I absolutely love a chosen one trope and Kiva was such a likeable character that I was rooting for for page 1. Jaren made my inner teenager swoon. And Tipp tugged at my motherly heartstrings.
If the whole series had already been published I'd have happily sat and binged them one after the other. I was genuinely sad when the book ended. And speaking of endings..... THAT ENDING!!! Give me the next book NOW!

I cannot describe how much I enjoyed this book. I have literally just finished it and I want to go and re-read it to try and pick up on some of the clues to the plot twists I did not see coming.

It has been such a long time since a book captivated me from chapter one but I was hooked from the beginning.

I really enjoyed the prison setting and even more so the infirmary setting, learning more about Kiva's life as a healer and getting little snippets of her previous life was brilliant.

I cannot wait to pick up the second book, especially with the plot twist right at the end of the book, I NEED to see how that plays out with everything we now know.

The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni caught my attention from the opening pages.

Our protagonist, Kiva Meridan has faced many hardships in her short life:

-A tragic past filled with loss.
-Carted off to a brutal prison as a child.
-Responsible for healing the hordes at the prison, regardless of their crime(s) or treatment of her.
- Forced to maim new prisoner arrivals.
- Alone in the daily fight to survive the cruelty of other prisoners & the sadistic whims of the guards.
- Faced with a deadly illness sweeping through the prison and clueless as to the cause or the cure.
- Tasked with keeping a special, but critically ill, new arrival alive.
- Burdened with secrets she dare not tell anyone.
- Obligated to face someone else's impossible trials. Fail and sentence them (and herself) to death.
- A hopeless chance at romance.

How could I not be swept up in 17-year-old Kiva's story?

This novel is sure to appeal to fans of Bridget Kemmerer's Cursebreakers series and the ACOTAR series by Sarah J Maas. I know I am definitely eager to find out what happens next.

Seriously, don't miss out on this fabulous novel.

5/5 Stars

UK Release date is the 13th of April 2021.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Lynette Noni for the opportunity to read The Prison Healer in exchange for an impartial review. All opinions are my own.

4.5 rounded up to 5

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book but I was hooked immediately. I loved our morally ambiguous MC Kiva as she does what she can to survive in a brutal prison whilst also trying to treat patients with no judgement.
And when Jaren appears, with the help of Naari & Tipp, they all start to break down Kiva's carefully constructed walls.

When the Rebel Queen comes into the prison and it is decided that she will have to complete 4 trials, each featuring a different element, which, if she survives, she will be free. However, the Rebel Queen is on death's door when she arrives and in no state to complete anything, so Kiva volunteers to take her place under the undersanding that if she completes the trials, both her and the Queen will be freed.

The trials get increasingly harder and Kiva's reliance on others becomes heavier, making her realise she isn't as much of an island as she would like to believe.

I loved the dark gritty surroundings of the prison and I feel that Noni paints a very vivid and realistic image of Zalindov prison, as well as the types of people who would be in there, innocent and guilty alike. Noni also portrays the brutality of the prisons guards and the cold calculating Warden especially well.

I loved the history of the royals and the magic systems and how that fed into the story, also the descriptions of medicines and how Kiva has taught herself through trial and error following her father's death in the prison.

Some of the twists I saw coming but some of them left me absolutely gobsmacked. I need the sequel ASAP.

And I love Kiva, Jaren, Naari & Tipp so much!

CW: mentions of sexual assault, drug use, self harm, death

The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni is a wonderful YA fantasy and the first in a planned trilogy of books.
Kiva is seventeen and imprisoned in the notorious Zalindov prison, home to the worst criminals from several neighbouring kingdoms. It is a harsh and brutal place where prisoners are worked to death and executions for the most trivial of offences are common, so the fact that Kiva has survived ten years inside its walls is remarkable. As a gifted healer who learned from her father, she has some skills that the authorities find valuable , but she is biding her time until her family comes for her , something she has dreamed of since the day she and her father were captured so many years ago. When the Rebel Queen is captured and placed in Kiva's care so that she can be made fit enough to endure a Trial of Ordeal it seems like it will be beyond her abilities, but when a coded message arrives from her family telling her that she must not let the Queen die and that they are on their way, she is determined to do everything in her powers to ensure that the Queen will survive. Even she did not realise how far she would be willing to go however, and when she volunteers to become the Queen's Champion and undergo the Ordeals on her behalf it looks like she has bitten off more than she can chew. Her fate is now tied to that of the Rebel Queen, either both will go free or they will both die, and all that Kiva can do is hope she buys enough time for her family to rescue her.
There is a lot going on in this book, so many different layers and threads to the story but they are woven together so well that it absolutely works as a whole. I loved the prison setting, it was something interesting and different and the author did a wonderful job of portraying the brutality of life inside The world building really was excellent, and the simple magic system was easily explained and well incorporated into the story. The characters are great, most notably Kiva and her young assistant Tipp , and I loved that Kiva was a healer not a warrior, it was an interesting shift away from the usual heroines we see in this genre. I also liked that while there was a romance plotline ,it was a minor part of the story and did not take over. Overall the pacing was good, the beginning of the book was a little slower because of all the world building and set up that needed to be put in place but it soon picked up and from the midpoint on it moved at breakneck speed with numerous twists and turns to keep the reader surprised. As for the ending, well I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone ,so all I can say is that I need book two, and the sooner the better !
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own .

Holy Moly!!! I’m pretty sure I said much worse at various points during this book! As well as ‘I *curse word* knew it!’ And No *curse word* way’!!

I’m not a big YA fantasy reader, if picturing the sci-fi/fantasy spectrum, I’m usually further up the sci-fi end. In saying that though, there have been some fantasy stories that I’ve absolutely loved - like ASOIAF, LOTR, and pre-Twilight vampire stories. I also loved Lynette Noni’s Whisper/Weapon duology.

This latest offering from Noni follows the story of a young girl who works in the infirmary of Zalindov, a notorious prison. Kiva Meridan faces death every day, she works hard to keep it at bay, tries to save as many people as she can. But the chips are well and truly stacked against her, with poor rations causing malnutrition, back-breaking work destroying her fellows inmates bodies and spirits, and a spreading illness that has no seeming root cause.
Throw in civil war, royals trying to defend their crown, the righteous good vs the righteous good, and magical elemental trials this book is tipped to keep you glued to the pages.

The Prison Healer is action-packed, heart-in-your-throat, thrilling, suspenseful, well written, beautifully crafted, and That.Ending!!
This book is sure to appeal to both Lynette Noni and YA fantasy fans alike. I absolutely adored it, and I’m adding it to the list of fantasy that I’ve loved.
And my gosh that’s some amazing cover art!

I cannot wait for the next instalment.

Thank you so much to Lynette Noni, Hodder & Stoughton, and NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t think I can put into words how much i enjoyed and loved this book. I was drawn to this as the premise was so unique and not like anything I’ve read before, fantasy in a prison setting , it was everything I hoped for and more. It his was such an addictive read, so much so that I read it in about two sittings, because of the setting the book does not shy away from some of the realities of life in a prison. The prison structure is clear and so much detail is given, it’s just enthralling, you care and need to know what is going to happen more and more.. I loved the fact I did not see any of the plot twists coming, This was a gripping fantasy read,, interesting , entertaining and original

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

This book was absolutely everything. I loved it from beginning to end, and I CANNOT wait for the next book to come out!