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Poison

3.94 of 5 stars 3.94 · rating details · 2,010 ratings · 504 reviews

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 . . ....more

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published March 12th 2013 by Disney Hyperion

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Feb 18, 2013 ♥Rachel♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc

Poison was a fun adventure-fantasy with murder, intrigue, and potions. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s a sweet romance mixed in as well. And don’t forget about the adorable pig.

Kyra, is a Master Potioner who had a bright future ahead of her. She was highly respected in her profession, a mixer of potions that that range from sleeping mixes, truth serums, to extremely lethal poisons. Plus, she was engaged to another brilliant Potioner, Hal. All this was turned upside down when she attempted to...more Poison was a fun adventure-fantasy with murder, intrigue, and potions. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s a sweet romance mixed in as well. And don’t forget about the adorable pig.

Kyra, is a Master Potioner who had a bright future ahead of her. She was highly respected in her profession, a mixer of potions that that range from sleeping mixes, truth serums, to extremely lethal poisons. Plus, she was engaged to another brilliant Potioner, Hal. All this was turned upside down when she attempted to kill her best friend, Princess Ariana, the future ruler of her kingdom. Since then she’s been on the run looking for an opportunity to finish the job, otherwise her kingdom will be destroyed. So while dodging discovery by the king’s men, she tries to locate the princess who has now gone into hiding. To find the princess, Kyra enlists the help of a despised criminal Arlo, because she has no other options at this point and time is running out. Enter adorable tracking pig, Rosie. Now armed with her master sniffer Rosie, Kyra goes on the hunt. Along the way she meets the Fred, whom she can’t seem to shake. It doesn’t help matters that Fred is distractingly gorgeous with a “heart-stopping smile.”

Oh, this story was just pure fun and adventure! Kyra was strong, capable and a little bit kick-ass. What more could you want in a heroine?! The idea of her wielding potions and having the smarts to make them up was ultra-cool! After being hunted and on the run, she can’t help but be guarded with others, but adorable Rosie and fun-loving Fred slowly creep into her heart, and chip away at her walls:

Bad enough that she’d gone all soft at the sight of a pig. Now Kyra’s feelings were threatening to overwhelm her because of a few stupid campfire memories, a ghost of a kiss in the night, and the sensation of invisible arms around her in the soft, misty rain.*

I thought I knew the story when I picked it up, but new twists and discoveries kept popping up that had me glued to the pages. There was never a dull moment in Poison, and it was easy to breeze right through. Although the romance was not the center of the plot, it was sweet, adorable and enough to satisfy any romance addict. What was a welcome change is that in a sea of YA trilogies, this is a stand-alone and the story wraps up just enough to make you happy.

Upon reading the last page I discovered the author, Bridget Zinn passed away, and I had such a sad heart thinking about this. I know she would’ve been a bright addition to YA had she continued writing.

*Quotes taken from an uncorrected proof and may change in the final copy.

A copy was provided by Disney Hyperion in exchange for an honest review.

You can find this review and more at The Readers Den.(less)

31 likes · like · see review

Apr 28, 2013 Mags~CVAddikt~Chaos defies imagination! marked it as up-next-no-hurry

Where have I seen this cover before?...

Oh yeah ... Snow White and the Huntsman ...

32 likes · like · see review

Mar 13, 2013 Christina (Reading Extensively) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read2013, ya, fantasy

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. There is quite a bit of humor and lightheartedness so even though Kyra is on the run and has a dark task ahead of her, the story is actually fun.

Kyra is a smart and funny main character and she isn't perfect. She makes mistakes and sometimes trusts the wrong people or doesn't trust the right ones. I think this made her easier to relate to. There are some mysteries about her and some things that I wish were...more

10 likes · like · see review

Mar 18, 2013 Scott Pilgrim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fairy-tales, epic

Seen at Scott Reads It!
Poison is one of those books that I saw and I immediately wanted to read. Everything about the cover appealed to me from the "Snow White And The Huntsman" cover to the fantastic description. I never had the pleasure of meeting Bridget Zinn but I really wish I could have met her. From what I have heard and read online, Mrs. Zinn seemed like an amazing and humorous person!

Kyra is on the run after a failed attempt at killing the Princess, who also is her best friend. Alon...more Seen at Scott Reads It!
Poison is one of those books that I saw and I immediately wanted to read. Everything about the cover appealed to me from the "Snow White And The Huntsman" cover to the fantastic description. I never had the pleasure of meeting Bridget Zinn but I really wish I could have met her. From what I have heard and read online, Mrs. Zinn seemed like an amazing and humorous person!

Kyra is on the run after a failed attempt at killing the Princess, who also is her best friend. Along the way on her journey Kyra meets Fred who is both charming and a bit arrogant. Will a bunch of potions and a pig be enough to find the Princess and kill her? Will Kyra manage to evade the army that's searching for her? Why did Kyra try to kill her best friend?

Poison is by far one of the best fantasy books I have ever read! Bridget Zinn's debut is an extremely fun and entertaining read that is action-packed and filled with humor! This is an extremely addicting book that once you start, you won't be able to put it down! I love how even though this book revolves around an attempted murder, it is still a light and fun read.

The characters in Poison aren't exactly your average YA characters. Kyra was a character that I rooted for early on, even when she attempts to kill her best friend. I honestly never thought making potions could be so awesome and kick-ass until I read Poison. Kyra's potion abilities were incredible and they were extremely interesting to read about. Finally I have read about an extremely intelligent and witty character that was extremely likeable! Now a days in Young Adult literature, I seriously think a majority of the characters seem to lack a brain or common sense.

I'm super glad that Kyra didn't go all heads-over-heals for Fred. I have read so many books where the female protagonist claims she doesn't need a male to support her, and she falls immediately for the love interest. Fred, the love interest was named after the famous Fred Weasley from Harry Potter. Fred (from Poison) was extremely loyal to Kyra no matter what. I could definitely tell that Fred loved Kyra for who she was as a person. Even when Kyra abandons him for his good, Fred was persistent and kept coming back to her. Fred isn't one of those creepy stalker boyfriends that are rampant in almost every book I read. Kudos to Bridget Zinn for creating a likeable, charming love interest.

Everyone's probably wondering about Kyra's relationship with her love interest but frankly I'd rather discuss her relationship with her pig. Yes Kyra has a pig and her name is Rosie. The last time I loved a pig this much was when I first read Charlotte's Web. Rosie was seriously one of the most awesome animals I have ever read about it in a book (Sorry Rosie but I love Manchee and Wilbur more!). Though Kyra didn't always show it, I could tell she really loved Rosie.

I really enjoyed Poison and I would highly recommend it! Fans of Graceling will love Kyra and will love reading about her journey to kill the princess. Poison is definitely a must read with extremely likeable characters, fast paced action scenes, and tons of humor. Poison is an epic adventure unlike no other! Thank you to Disney-Hyperion for providing me with an ARC of Poison!
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Apr 22, 2013 Experiment BL626 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, recently-reviewed, reviewed

Poison delivered on its promise. It delivered a kickass heroine, a charming love interest, a cute pet pig, and an exciting plot. I devoured the book in less than 3 hours.

+ the characters

Kyra was everything I hope for in a heroine. She was resourceful, quick thinking, resilient, determined, selfless, noble, kind, etc. She deserved all the superlatives. I liked how she didn’t hesitate to kick ass, I liked that she fought smart, and even better I liked that she won most of the times. I liked how sh...more

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Jan 22, 2013 Amber Argyle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Bridget's Zinn's Poison has all the right ingredients to make your heart ache for more.

By raise of hand, who wants an enchanted pig? *waves hand furiously* I'll admit, in the beginning, I was leery about a pig in a high fantasy novel? But the level of cuteness for this pig was off the charts. Also, it was kinda badass. I have no idea how a pig manages all of that, but this one did. Now I want one of my own.

In the beginning, I had a hard time connecting. Great hook. Strong action from the get go...more

16 likes · like · see review

Mar 14, 2013 Emma Michaels rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am enamored with ‘Poison’.

I haven’t felt so wonderful reading a novel in ages. Finally twists I don’t see coming, adventure that swept me off my feet and a girl as stubborn and pig headed as I am. How could I not fall in love? Plus, did I mention there is a pig in this, poison throwing darts, crazy witches and royalty? I kid you not, no matter what is released later this year, this book will be my most beloved novel of 2013. Rosie

Have you ever read a book that brings back that first sense of...more

5 likes · like · see review

Apr 30, 2013 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Ahhh so so so so in love! I can't get over how much I loved this book! I could not believe how amazing it was.

Kyra is an amazing female lead character who is a badass. She though assassinating her best friend would save the kingdom but she missed and is now on the run and the most wanted person! She knows something is up and she will figure it out. Along her journey she gets a piglet, and an unwanted travel companion Fred and his dog.

When clues start to not add up and Kyra starts putting the do...more

1 like · like · see review

May 14, 2013 Lina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, kingdoms-fantasy-and-all-inbetween

I am a fantasy lover and YA book devote. Books with kick-ass female leads are my medicine. Though, I am not technically in the age range for YA literature, I am aware of what I am reading when I dive into it and sort of expect certain themes. However, this book felt a bit too young for me. I felt that I was watching The Little Mermaid or something super cute and Disney like. I know this book's publishing house is Disney, so yeah, not sure why I felt this connection so vividly in this book, since...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 04, 2013 Erika rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorite-books

Oh Poison. This book would make the perfect movie, it just would. I love Poison for so many reasons I don't know if I can fit them all down in a single review. Poison was filled with all the things loveable and beautiful, I could not put it down.

I'm not going to reveal anything about the plot to you, just to torture yo a little bit, but the plot. IT. WAS. SO. WELL. DONE.

I love Fantasy settings, and this one was filled with everything you might find in a magical land. There was everything and any...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 14, 2013 papalbina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: in-english, arc, kindle, cover-lust

When I was reading this book, I found out that Bridget Zinn died before she could see her novel published. That fact unsettled me because, among other things, Bridget and I were born in the same year, we were almost the same age when she passed away, and that remembers me (again) how brief our lives can be.

Although I think it's great that the book could be published in spite of everything, I really really think too that there was a lot of editing work missing in it that could have made the book...more When I was reading this book, I found out that Bridget Zinn died before she could see her novel published. That fact unsettled me because, among other things, Bridget and I were born in the same year, we were almost the same age when she passed away, and that remembers me (again) how brief our lives can be.

Although I think it's great that the book could be published in spite of everything, I really really think too that there was a lot of editing work missing in it that could have made the book stand out instead of being just one among many.

Some parts that affected the rhythm badly should have been cut out, some reasonable changes in the characters would have made them more believable, the embedding of some flash-backs was not timed right or the flash-back could have been spared, some scenes were too obvious where they were heading (like the river crossing part, I mean)... Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading the book, but I couldn't help seeing the flaws.

But let me tell you the positive things of this book that makes me even sadder thinking that Bridget Zinn won't be writing stories like this one anymore:

- Rosie, the piglet. That is a new approach to the animal companion and I liked it xDD And she was adorable.

- Fred: I love his personality and the surprises he hid.

- The other surprises, including the bad guy (yes, it surprised me, so what?), Kyra's secrets and unknown allies.

- The potions, although I would have loved to have more details about them, but that's just my inner potioner :P

- The book is very... hmmm... movie-ish? movie-able? movie-turnable? Don't know the word (if there is any). I could see it turned into a movie as enjoyable as "Ella Enchanted", for example. It has everything to be a great fantasy movie: potions, poisons, hidden talents, charismatic hero, strong heroine, princesses in distress, conspiracies, road trip... a piglet!!! It may not be the best written and structured book, but I think it could do a pretty good job as a story on the screen. It would make me very happy to watch that movie...

In the end, the book is enjoyable and entertaining. Not the best one out there, but good enough to spend a couple of hours in it...

Thank you to Disney-Hyperion and netGalley for providing me with a copy of the book(less)

5 likes · like · see review

Apr 13, 2013 Shehreyar Khan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, witches-and-wizards, young-adult, master-apprentice, female-pov, 2013, paranormal

3.5/5

This book had an interesting beginning, but then it went a little downhill, tottering about with stilted language in an attempt to find the right stride. Luckily, it did. After the first few chapters, the story settled into a decent flow, and there was just enough mystery to keep me reading; only just.

Once Fred (an aimless traveler) popped in, the plot took a turn for the better and there was quite a bit of humor in the brighter parts of the story. In fact, although this was undoubtedly mea...more

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 25, 2013 Krista (NawandaFiles) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, arc, must-read-2013, hyperion, cute-romance

Poison is one of those books that makes you smile and feel good after reading it. It's adorable, fun, and full of adventure! Kyra's not your average heroine. She's got spunk and lots of skill in the art of potions. She's like a sixteen-year-old girl-version of Snape but with more talent and way more sass.

The plot centers around Kyra searching for her best-friend that she aims to kill. She has two companions on this mission: a pig and Fred. The pig, Rosie, might be one of the most adorable fictio...more

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 22, 2013 Kayla Beck rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: 2013-release, fantasy, young-adult, fairy-tale, magic, pre-ordered, 2013-debut, dac-2013, netgalley, review-request, 2013-read, favorites, own, witch

Review originally posted on Bibliophilia, Please.

You know that feeling you get sometimes when you start a book, that it will be impossible to put down? My friends, Poison was just that. The world-building was rich, the characters were lovable, and the writing was perfect for readers of all ages.

Kyra was one of the Master Trio of Potioners, and a highly respected citizen of the Kingdom of Mohr. Princess Ariana, the heir to the throne, is her best friend and the reason that she is on the run. Ap...more

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Apr 13, 2013 Nikki (Fiction Freak) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-that-i-wish-i-had-in-hardback, favorites

This book was amazing and definitely different. Even before deciding I wanted to read it, I was told that it was a lighter read and more innocent, even with the potions and witchery and assassination attempts! Of course, I didn't quite believe them. But then, there was a pig. But then, it still wasn't quite enough to convince me. I'm sorry!

Because now, I totally get what they meant. This may be the genre where most books are bloody and deadly, but that definitely wasn't the case with Poison. It...more This book was amazing and definitely different. Even before deciding I wanted to read it, I was told that it was a lighter read and more innocent, even with the potions and witchery and assassination attempts! Of course, I didn't quite believe them. But then, there was a pig. But then, it still wasn't quite enough to convince me. I'm sorry!

Because now, I totally get what they meant. This may be the genre where most books are bloody and deadly, but that definitely wasn't the case with Poison. It was more...deception than war, I guess. Does that make sense? Of course not. It's me we're talking about.

But all you need to know was that this was seriously adorable and amazing. And if that put you off (like it did a bit for me--I'm more of a suspicion and evil kind of girl...that sounded a bit sinister), take a chance! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I just adored this! It's sweet and innocent and SO REFRESHING. No matter how many times I say that, I think that's the most true it's ever been. I've been reading so many dark books, it's a bit of a relief to read something that's just fun!

The characters were wonderfully written as well! I loved Kyra who was such an...interesting character to read about. She was feisty and she was actually pretty indifferent and cold in the beginning story. She was willing to kill her best friend for her kingdom and that was pretty...sacrificial. Fred was seriously my favorite character in this book! He was the fun one who I'd associate with the pig, actually, not the wolf we meet him with. Also, I love their first meeting! Talk about hilarity!

I love the way this story was told! We start after the assassination attempt and as we go on, we read about Kyra's memories, so it was like reading two storylines at once--the time leading up to the assassination attempt, and the escape afterwards. Surprisingly, it wasn't choppy either, like I'd usually expect. The two stories fit together seamlessly and created an immensely enjoyable read!

The only thing that I didn't love was that there were some random things that popped up. Why did Arlo do what he did? What did he get out of it? It's like he had 2 plans and they really just cancelled each other out...but I can't explain this without ruining it! And the Gypsy caravan just popping out of nowhere was a bit startling too, and a bit too convenient really.(less)

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Jun 11, 2013 Alz rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, ya-mg

Oh, how I wish this book had been better. Let's try to start off with the good points, at least! Currently this is wavering between a 2-star and lower, possibly a 1.5 or 1.75. Splitting hairs, I know, but there's an overwhelming number of problems that aren't letting me say this book is "okay".

So this is a very, very lightly and simply written story that meanders quite a lot in the beginning but eventually starts to come to a head 2/3 in, which is quite a ways in--in the meantime, Kyra is vaguel...more

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May 28, 2013 Maria Martin rated it 4 of 5 stars

It's always bittersweet reading a novel by an author who has died. And Poison by Bridget Zinn was no exception. This debut novel reminded me of fairytales and happy ever afters. What I thought might be a silly premise --c'mon she's following a pig!--- turned out to be so much more. Kyra always goes against expectations. She's royalty but she shucks it for potion learning. She's loyal to her best friend the princess heir but then she tries to kill her. And she always falls for the wrong boys. Wit...more

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May 14, 2013 Yoon-Ji rated it 5 of 5 stars

http://theinkgobbler.blogspot.hk/2013...

I've always had this little analogy in my head for what reading books is like. It's like stepping through a door into a new and exciting world, one where you can find thrills, indulge in emotion, or seek refuge in. Reading "Poison" by Bridget Zinn was like slipping down one of those huge, steep, twisty slides into a vast ball pit of multitudinous colours! Right off the bat, I found myself utterly sucked in to Kyra's world of adventure and mischief.

Sixteen-...more http://theinkgobbler.blogspot.hk/2013...

I've always had this little analogy in my head for what reading books is like. It's like stepping through a door into a new and exciting world, one where you can find thrills, indulge in emotion, or seek refuge in. Reading "Poison" by Bridget Zinn was like slipping down one of those huge, steep, twisty slides into a vast ball pit of multitudinous colours! Right off the bat, I found myself utterly sucked in to Kyra's world of adventure and mischief.

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly skilled potions master, is on the run. She's the only one who knows that the Kingdom of Mohr is on the verge of destruction--which means she's the only one who can save it, even if it means killing the kingdom's heir to the throne. Who also happens to be her 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 as she attempts to track the princess down and finish what she started.

When you've just started reading a book and have gotten a couple pages in, you have no idea what the storyline's going to be like, or the writing, even. But what you immediately get a taste of from page one is the protagonist, and when I began reading "Poison", I knew Kyra was going to be one kick-ass heroine! Kyra is quick-witted and independent, which makes her a strong and dependable character. What makes her awesome is her skills with potions--throwing needles dipped in poison and knotting her hair with a wooden hair stick, which just so happens to hide a knife inside. But what makes her lovable to the readers is that despite her badassery, she's still a teenaged girl with issues that we mundane humans deal with in our everyday lives. And that's where Fred, the charming adventurer Kyra can't stop thinking about, comes in. As Kyra struggles with her feelings for Fred and her survival instincts to distance herself away from people, we see a vulnerability in her that makes Kyra an incredibly likable and believable heroine to follow throughout the novel.

The other characters in "Poison" are just as engaging and exciting as Kyra--needless to say, there's some amazing character development going on! Fred is undoubtedly charming and so funny. I chortled to myself many times at the banter between Fred and Kyra, which happened to include numerous mentions of ladies' underthings growing from bushes. Now do you see what I mean by quick-witted? I absolutely loved the humour and light-heartedness in the story, despite the darker side of things, like, you know, visions of a scarlet river of blood and such. Another character who is crucial in the story is Ariana, the princess of Mohr and Kyra's childhood best friend. While I didn't fall in love with her character as I did with Kyra's and Fred's, Ariana is still a rebellious, laidback and exciting character who is the perfect partner-in-crime for Kyra. The flashbacks in the storyline helped bring her character to life, even if she didn't show up in the flesh until later on in the novel. There are so many more characters to talk about, like Rosie the pink pig (yes, a pig who accompanies Kyra during her travels), the two other Master Potioners Hal and Ned, Arlo the evil bad guy, and so on, but let me assure you that Ms. Zinn has brought to life an incredible cast of characters that you'll wish you could meet!

The storyline of "Poison" is like a roller coaster adventure. I found myself finishing the book in less than a day! (And I don't think that had to do with the short length of the novel, either.) From the very first page, Ms. Zinn captures her readers' attention by dropping them right in the middle of some tension and action as Kyra is in the midst of some slippery-fingered theft, and it only gets better from there. I do have to admit that I got a little bit confused at times with the flashbacks, since the past tense was used continuously throughout when the past perfect tense (e.g. 'had done') would've clarified things a lot more. Nonetheless, the plot of "Poison" is consistently enthralling from cover to cover--I just wish that the climax had been drawn out a little longer! It ended a tad too quickly for my tastes.

Overall, Bridget Zinn's "Poison" is a wildly exciting adventure that is not to be missed, with a lovable, witty heroine and a dynamic cast of characters. I mean, there's a pig! How can you not love the book? I highly recommend the novel for anyone looking for a quick, fun read--trust me, it won't let you down!

Rating: 4.5/5(less)

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May 13, 2013 Paolo Miguel rated it 3 of 5 stars

I heard about Bridget Zinn's Poison from John Green's tumblr blog. Informed of her recent, and unfortunate, death, I checked out her first and, sadly, final book.

Poison was a good source of excitement and fluff. The scenes were action packed and thrilling. It was quite wonderful to imagine young Kyra throwing poison-dipped needles with perfect aim. It was also "cute" to watch her slowly increasing crush on the mysterious Fred.

The book, to my delight, is filled with magical creatures and charact...more

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May 12, 2013 Kara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, favorites, ya

What a fabulously awesome story! Poisons and a dart-throwing Master Potioner, a charming fisherman who refuses to stay in the background, a pig and a "wolf" becoming travel companions, along with ex-friends and soldiers after them all. Who's up for an adventure?

First of all, Kyra is wonderful. Resourceful and always thinking ahead, when she's not distracted anyway, she's been in hiding for three months when the story begins. And we get no details about why she tried to kill her best friend. Of...more What a fabulously awesome story! Poisons and a dart-throwing Master Potioner, a charming fisherman who refuses to stay in the background, a pig and a "wolf" becoming travel companions, along with ex-friends and soldiers after them all. Who's up for an adventure?

First of all, Kyra is wonderful. Resourceful and always thinking ahead, when she's not distracted anyway, she's been in hiding for three months when the story begins. And we get no details about why she tried to kill her best friend. Of course we know that she has to have had a good reason for it, but she refuses to tell us. Instead we get to travel along with her as she eludes some of the best potioners in the kingdom and also a few soldiers with poison-tipped weapons that she helped create. Because Kyra is exceptionally good at creating potions and also at throwing poison-filled darts. Yet the most important dart she needed to throw, missed its mark. Which led to fleeing for her life. When you try to kill the next in line for the throne, people don't tend to appreciate that. Kyra is a feisty and quick-thinking tomboy who never seems to do what everyone expects she will. She has quite a lot of secrets and is wary to share them. Even with the reader!

Along her journey, she acquires a pig, Rosie, who she doesn't want to grow attached to, yet is unable to help herself. Rosie's adorable. And definitely has a nose worth having around! Fred and Langley soon join up, even though Kyra tries as hard as she can to leave them behind. Fred is a nice guy hero. He's cute, generally always cheerful, somewhat goofy, and helpful in getting out of some dire situations. Although he puts them into some dire situations a time or two also. Most notably, he's distracting. And Kyra doesn't need distractions, especially of the attractive kind. The romance between them is charming and innocent.

What Ms. Zinn does so well, is keep the secrets and mysteries just out of reach, with little hints here and there. You have so much fun while each one slowly gets revealed! Kyra is constantly on the move, she has to be, so the action doesn't slow down very often. When all is quiet on the outside, she's still got a brain planning ahead, or is busy bantering with Fred. Add in a few goblins, a witch who'd love some new slaves, a helpful gypsy or two, and you have lots of entertainment. As things rarely slow down, the story keeps you on your toes and makes for a delightful way to spend a few hours! Don't hesitate! Go read it right now. It's loads of fun! :D(less)

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Apr 27, 2013 Anna Tittl rated it 5 of 5 stars

Would you kill your best friend if it meant saving your kingdom?

For sixteen-year-old Kyra, the decision was clear—she had to kill her best friend, Princess Ariana of the Kingdom of Mohr, in order to save the kingdom from ultimate destruction. As a skilled potions master, Kyra thought the task would be as simple as shooting one of her poison darts at her best friend. After all, her aim always has been impeccable.

But when she misses, Kyra is dubbed as a dangerous princess killer on the run. Determ...more

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Apr 23, 2013 Pinkie Pie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: to-buy-wishlist, tour

This book was wonderful! It had literally every element that I love in fantasy a story - a strong heroine, a rich setting, lovable romantic interest, magic and magical creatures, and bit of mystery. I think readers of all ages will love this, especially those who love a good bit of humor injected into their fairy tales.

Poison starts of strong, with our heroine, Kyra, breaking and entering. We're quickly submersed into the plot lines - the fact that she is on the run, a great potions master, and...more This book was wonderful! It had literally every element that I love in fantasy a story - a strong heroine, a rich setting, lovable romantic interest, magic and magical creatures, and bit of mystery. I think readers of all ages will love this, especially those who love a good bit of humor injected into their fairy tales.

Poison starts of strong, with our heroine, Kyra, breaking and entering. We're quickly submersed into the plot lines - the fact that she is on the run, a great potions master, and a little bit of a deviant. Of course, right from the first paragraphs we're hit with a good dose of hilarity.

What was she doing wishing for rope? If she was going to wish for something, it should be something important. Like pie.

From the beginning, I knew I would like Kyra. She's is very strong-willed, and crazy-smart and resourceful. I love that she is confident in her own abilities and her tomboyish-ness without having to disparage other girls for their love of dresses and makeup. She is very analytical - a true science nerd. Her inner turmoil showed great depth to her character; where she could have come off as cold and standoffish, instead she was a broken girl who was stuck between her beliefs and her best friend. I just loved that no matter the circumstances, she would do whatever she had to do, with little complaint.

During Kyra's travels (led by a tiny pink piglet, no less) she meets another nomad named Fred. He was beyond charming and - dare I say it - swoon-worthy. He was constantly teasing her, but in a lighthearted way, and I loved their back-and-forth banter. It reminded me a lot of Dave the Laugh and Georgia stuck in a fantasy setting. Fred was quick-witted and smart and, again, resourceful. His and Kyra's romance was cute and sweet and also a little sexy.

I loved the world-building in Poison. It wasn't anything notably intricate or daunting, and was the typical European setting. But the added magic, creepy creatures, witches and hags, and potions-masters, it was a lot of fun to explore. There were some especially creepy scenes, one with a cannibalistic witch ready to make Kyra-and-Fred-stew, and another with some horrifying child-looking shape-shifter creatures that trapped and lead Kyra to the king of criminal's lair.

With such a heavy subject - the idea of a girl killing her best friend, the princess, out of necessity and duty to her country - this was surprising light and fun. Kyra's voice was sharp and sarcastic, with a sort of exasperated humor interspersed. It read like a fairy-tale spoof - think Princess Bride or Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

I wanted to touch on this point, just lightly: there are a lot of feminist themes woven into the short text. Kyra is not afraid of her attraction, and there is no mention of premarital sex being forbidden (though of course, there is no sexual content beyond a few steamy kisses.) Kyra also lived with three men and was not ostracized for it. I can't tell you how much those two things excited me! In the realm of slut-shaming and the purity pedestal, it was a HUGE breath of fresh air and sigh of relief to find a strong heroine who was not bent on shaming other girls, and a European fantasy setting that was not misogynistic in its policies.

I really recommend Poison to fantasy readers who are looking for a bit of light in the recent gritty-fantasy trend. The narration is modern enough to not put off any readers who are new to the genre. And the humor and snark will delight readers both young and old. I truly believe that Bridget Zinn has created a gem, the perfect answer to a lot of the wrongs going on in YA right now. I will definitely be rereading this one.(less)

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Apr 22, 2013 Sinaminviv rated it 4 of 5 stars

Overall, Poison was a good book. The cover had me interested because of the Alice in Wonderland reminiscent details and the question: "Can she save the kingdom with a piglet?"

Please note that the author of this novel is deceased. She died of cancer several years ago. Therefore I have given this novel more "breathing room" for critique than I normally would.

As other writers know, editing and revising can be a life-long project should you let it. My opinion is that if the author were still with u...more

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Apr 22, 2013 Grace rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, stand-alone, fantasy-adventure, read-in-2013

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. AWESOME.

I'm upset that Bridget died before her book got published. I mean, I'm still happy it got published and that I got to read it, but now she won't get to see the awesome cover and the buzz from all her readers.

ANYWAY, I had plenty to talk about as the book went on, and it actually surprised me at some points. I thought one character (the Duchess) was involved with the whole conspiracy... NOPE. She just turned out to be a tad bit over-bearing. I thought the King of Criminals was ACTUALLY g...more AWESOME.

I'm upset that Bridget died before her book got published. I mean, I'm still happy it got published and that I got to read it, but now she won't get to see the awesome cover and the buzz from all her readers.

ANYWAY, I had plenty to talk about as the book went on, and it actually surprised me at some points. I thought one character (the Duchess) was involved with the whole conspiracy... NOPE. She just turned out to be a tad bit over-bearing. I thought the King of Criminals was ACTUALLY going to be much more involved with the quest. NOPE. He was actually kind of flat, in my opinion, but because he doesn't take over the story and managed to trick the main heroine, I'll give him props.

The reason why this book doesn't land a perfect five star rating is because I do think it could have been fleshed out a little bit better, especially some of the important characters involved with Kyra, such as Hal. I mean, he was her fiancee and coworker. I felt like he fell a bit flat. Still, there was backstory revealed about their relationship, so it's not like it's completely lacking or anything.

This book is rather refreshing to see in YA, as most people will probably agree. First, it sounds like it's going to be really dark. I mean, the title POISON, would give one the impression. Then you read the tagline, and you're not really sure what you're going to get. I think it's kind of like ELLA ENCHANTED in that aspect. Really, really funny, but with some deep, dark plot lines to keep you involved. Also, the love interest IS NOT AN ASSHOLE. Seriously, I love you Fred. Thank you for being funny and dorky AND NOT AN ASSHOLE. I seriously cannot be the only one sick and tired of asshats such as Jace and Patch being the ones we're supposed to root for. Um, hell no. TEAM FRED, DAMMIT.
Actually, we're going to call them squads, to celebrate the refreshing difference of this book.
I'M ON THE FRED SQUAD!!
That's better.

Overall, if you're looking for an adventurous, quirky read without getting too depressed or just something short but sweet, this is your best bet. The only problem is that you might like it so much you will get depressed...because this is the first AND last book by this author.

I just can't get over that. TT-TT(less)

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Apr 07, 2013 Stacey rated it 5 of 5 stars

"Poison"is published by the Disney group. And ironically all I could think as I read this charming novel was that is should be made into a Disney movie right now. Right this second. It would work in either live action or cartoon form. I mean come on...the heroine's main companion is a pig. How stinking cute is that? Speaking of the pig, have a look at that adorable cover. Defiant heroine with a potion bottle and adorable pig in a forest fantasy world. Squeal! Ok, I need to get my review back on...more "Poison"is published by the Disney group. And ironically all I could think as I read this charming novel was that is should be made into a Disney movie right now. Right this second. It would work in either live action or cartoon form. I mean come on...the heroine's main companion is a pig. How stinking cute is that? Speaking of the pig, have a look at that adorable cover. Defiant heroine with a potion bottle and adorable pig in a forest fantasy world. Squeal! Ok, I need to get my review back on track.

Can you tell yet that I absolutely loved this book? I was captivated from the first page. I will say that this book wasn't exactly what I had envisioned from the synopsis before I purchased it for my Kindle. I thought it would be more like Sarah Maas' series "Throne of Glass" or maybe even like Rae Carson's "Girl of Fire and Thorns" series. But what else do I love as much as I love those types of fantasy series? I love fairy tales. And "Poison" ended up being the perfect mix of fairy tale and fantasy.

Teenage Kyra is a potions master. A really good potions master. But as we begin our adventure, she is in trouble. She has tried to kill the princess...Kyra's very own best friend Ariana. Now she is on the run from the King's Army and her ex-boyfriend is along for the ride to try to track her down. We are fed little bits of the story at a time. I mean we can figure that Kyra is the heroine so there must be a reason for all of this. But it was pure fun watching each tidbit be revealed. The cast of characters is stellar. We have a spunky, talented and dangerous heroine in Kyra. She has that adorable pig. And then through her adventures she meets casual and funny Fred and his canine companion. The foursome get into quick a bunch of madcap and thrilling adventures as they journey to the story's conclusion. Everything is resolved in a wonderful Disney ending and no plot points are left dangling.

This was a completely enjoyable and beautiful story and even though I have a TBR pile 300 books high, I was very sorry to see "Poison" end. Bridget Zinn was a very talented author and she wove quite the magical tale with "Poison". Its one I can see myself re-reading again and again and encouraging middle school children through adults to read. I was very saddened to see that the author recently passed away. Its a shame we won't have more books like these to come. This has made my top books list for the year to date.(less)

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Apr 04, 2013 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Poison by Bridget Zinn is about 16 year old master potionier Kyra and her quest to kill the kingdoms princess, her best friend, before her terrible vision of the future comes true. A pig, a wolf dog, and a very handsome, but in the way, boy named Fred join her in this adventure of magic, romance, friendship, and secrets. I want to start off by saying this really was a very good book. The writing was very simplistic but in a good way. The story and setting were so delightful the writing didn’t ne...more

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Apr 03, 2013 Elizabeth rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-fantasy

Read more reviews on my blog http://thebiasedbookie.blogspot.com/

I saw this cover a couple of months ago and it was immediate "I want that!" But upon further inspection there was a pig on the cover. Oh no. Don't tell me the pig is the heroine's friend and accomplice? I don't have anything against pigs...except I occasionally enjoy good, crispy, melt-in-your-mouth bacon. But this seemed a little juvenile. And my second hint should have been that Poison was published by DISNEY Hyperion. Oh Disney....more

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Mar 25, 2013 Kelsey rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-debut-author-challenge

I love this book!

Usually I start my reviews with a tagline, 1 or 2 sentences that give a quick summary of my opinion. Nuh-uh. No time to be profound and witty. Must write review.

I discovered Poison through the 2013 Debut Author Challenge (http://hobbitsies.net/debut-author-ch...), was further intrigued by the cover with its dark and stormy heroine and the cute little pink pig peeking out from behind a tree, and was racing through the chapters by page 1.

Poison is about Kyra, a young and accomplis...more I love this book!

Usually I start my reviews with a tagline, 1 or 2 sentences that give a quick summary of my opinion. Nuh-uh. No time to be profound and witty. Must write review.

I discovered Poison through the 2013 Debut Author Challenge (http://hobbitsies.net/debut-author-ch...), was further intrigued by the cover with its dark and stormy heroine and the cute little pink pig peeking out from behind a tree, and was racing through the chapters by page 1.

Poison is about Kyra, a young and accomplished poisoner. She was trained by the king and became an outcast when she tried to kill the king’s daughter. She’s skilled, broody, driven, and desperate. Helping her in her journey (and trying to draw her out from behind her emotional wall) is the cocky and charming Fred. At first I found him full of himself, but over time his pure inner joyfulness shines through. He makes you want to love the world as he loves it, and that means loving him too. In addition to her romantic interest, Kyra’s murderous interest is the headstrong and clever princess Ariana. Ariana rejects the clichés of both spoiled princess and utter tomboy. And of course, there’s the pig: loving and lovable Rosie.

I flew through Poison. The novel was quick but still took time to weave in motivation, mystery, humor, and emotion. I reviewed The Cadet of Tildor recently and criticized it for moving too fast. It never paused long enough to acquire some depth, like skipping a stone over a lake. By contrast Zinn did an excellent job at keeping a rapid pace while still building complex, three-dimensional characters and a twisty-turny plot.

Two things in particular that Zinn did well were start the story at a good point (i.e. not a long, long time ago but not with someone’s head on the chopping block either) and bring in backstory at a steady, entertaining pace. The beginning sucked you in but wasn't disorienting; there were no moments of “Who’s the hero? What’s she doing? Why do I care?” Secrets were mysterious without being maddening, and some secrets were kept right up until the very end and still surprised me. There were some coincidences and oh-so-convenient events, but they tended to be minor and did not disrupt the story. All in all, Poison was wonderfully put together. A highly recommended read!

I was very sad to find out that Zinn had passed away, back in 2011 before Poison ever hit shelves. It's sad that she lived so short a life, but even a few glimpses of her blog showed it was a full one. I wish her and her family all the best.

[Read for the 2013 Debut Author Challenge, http://hobbitsies.net/debut-author-ch...... which, yah, I mentioned above](less)

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Mar 20, 2013 Sharon Tyler rated it 4 of 5 stars

Poison by Bridget Zinn is a young adult novel with publication scheduled for March 12 2013. Kyra is sixteen years year old in a world of kings and queens, where witches are born, potion makers are valued, and all trades have a guild to belong to. Kyra has become a potions master with a specialty in assassination, and knows that the entire kingdom is going to be destroyed on the day the princess gets married. In an attempt to save the kingdom Krya attempts to kill the princess, but something happ...more Poison by Bridget Zinn is a young adult novel with publication scheduled for March 12 2013. Kyra is sixteen years year old in a world of kings and queens, where witches are born, potion makers are valued, and all trades have a guild to belong to. Kyra has become a potions master with a specialty in assassination, and knows that the entire kingdom is going to be destroyed on the day the princess gets married. In an attempt to save the kingdom Krya attempts to kill the princess, but something happens that has never occurred before, she misses. To make things more complicated, the princess is Kyra's best friend, and Kyra is now a wanted criminal and still searching for a way to complete her task. Can Kyra complete her task with just her wits, a potions bag, a fellow traveler that just wont seem to leave her alone, his dog, and an enchanted pig?

I enjoyed reading Poison. The character building was very well done. I loved Kyra; with her cynical outlook, practical actions, and desire to do the right thing regardless of the consequences or danger to herself. She is isolated, even when surrounded by people, trying to protect herself and others rather than enjoying life. Fred, her fellow traveler, is equal parts charming rouge and bumbling fool, who made me laugh and infuriated Kyra on several occasions. Rosie, the adorable enchanted pig is both sweet and somehow hard core. The world building was less detailed than the characters, and on several occasions left me wondering if there was a previous book or more information somewhere that I missed. When I reached the end, and saw the finely woven web of details in the plot line, I saw why most of that was the case, but still would have liked more about the world Poison takes place in.

Poison had a very well done mystery that fulled the action through out the story. The mystery of why and how the princess was going to destroy the world tied everything together wonderfully. While there were certain things I anticipated, I was completely surprised by other moments. The relationships, and how they change, between Kyra and those she trusted prior to her assassination attempt might be in the background to the story, and set up room for future books, but they have definite impact on Kyra's choices and interactions with others.

I love a story with well built characters, and Poison fits that bill. Kyra and her companions came alive, with viable personalities. I recommend the book to those that like fantasy, particularly those that move forward based more on characters and mystery rather than the world the story takes place in. If you enjoy young adult fantasy, and reading about a character learning to let others in, despite the knowledge that it might backfire, then you will love this book.(less)

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Mar 13, 2013 Jessica Trujillo rated it 2 of 5 stars

This one is meh. Not terrible, just meh. I really wanted to like this book and was checking it out to see if it was worth giving to my niece, Kyra. To be honest, I only got 150 pages into the book and found that I really didn't care so I stopped. I thought the characters were flat. Maybe the books get better but I didn't care enough to find out either way. Even the dog and pig seemed one dimensional. I mean, Hen Wen was a pig with character. But all I knew about Rosie was that she liked the dog...more

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About Bridget Zinn

Bridget grew up in Wisconsin. She went to the county fair where she met the love of her life, Barrett Dowell. They got married right before she went in for exploratory surgery which revealed she had colon cancer. They christened that summer the "summer of love" and the two celebrated with several more weddings. Bridget continued to read and write until the day she died. Her last tweet was "Sunshin...more

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Quotes from Poison

“Ari, maybe we should get you out of here. No joke. You really are dangerous with thus truth serum in you, You might sat something you wished you hadn't."
"Like that your mum scares me, but I think your dad is kind of cute in and old-guy sort of way?"
"Exactly like that."
"Eh. I'm not worried.” — 21 people liked it

“Kyra." Fred caught Kyra's eyes. "I'm not in love with Ariana and I don't want half the kingdom."
"You don't?"
He shook his head. "But I might stick around for a little while longer. There are some interesting things in the Kingdom of Mohr."
"Like what?"
"Like a certain funny and extremely talented potioner."
Kyra took a breath. "I have to warn you, Hal isn't that great as a boyfriend. He's pretty self absorbed.” — 14 people liked it

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