The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni - Restarting March 17th 2022

[Danique]

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

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

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

But no one has ever survived.

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

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

[Karen]

The next one’s up on NetGalley, so it makes sense to read this first.

[Dannii]

I couldn't help myself and requested the sequel before reading book one so I really hope I love it!

[Danique]

Oh I didn’t know the second one was up on Netgalley! The premise sounds really good so I’m hoping we’ll like it :)

[Bayan]

I actually heard good things about this book so I’m starting it now, I don’t have the second but if I like it enough I’ll order it as soon as it comes out! What are we doing but spending money on all of the good and pretty books lol

[Dannii]

These books look and sound so good so I'd definitely say it is a good investment ;)

If we all like this one perhaps we could set up a BR for book two later?

[Bayan]

I don't mind at all, let's see how it goes, I'm on page one and already smitten lol

[Danique]

Yess sounds good!

[Danique]

I couldn't wait either, so I've just started! :D
Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[ I already like the story a lot! The lettertype in the edition I'm reading is so small though lol, my eyes are struggling a bit.
The prison already seems like a dreadful place, but I'm more interested in what Kiva's role exactly is! (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Chapter 9
Damn, I'm enjoying this a lot!
(view spoiler)[ I love every character so far, I'm hoping Tipp won't die because I feel like he will, he's too cute of a character.. Mot is great too.
I feel like Jaren is either a prince or something, or at least from a rich family; his father probably abused him - looking at the scars on his back. I feel like Naari is actually a rebel, I like her. The rebel queen however - she sucks. But I'm guessing it's not actually the rebel queen, just a ploy from the warden to act like they found the rebel queen (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

I thought I would start earlier but had a little delay, just read chapter one, the build up is amazing I’m so excited to find more, and the fact that there are codes is just adkfhsubsicjskd lol
So far amazing 🤩

[Danique]

Bayan wrote: "I thought I would start earlier but had a little delay, just read chapter one, the build up is amazing I’m so excited to find more, and the fact that there are codes is just adkfhsubsicjskd lol
So..."

Right!! I really like it so far :) The world building is so great, I love it!

[Danique]

Chapter 14
(view spoiler)[ The actions of the prince and princess seem weird to me; why on earth would he save her life and why would she give her fire powers to Kiva? It really doesn't make sense. I'm sticking with my theory; I feel like Jaren is their brother and he's the one who put them up to it or something. The way the princess talked about how her brother is smitten with her; she didn't actually call the crown prince by his name, so I feel like she was talking about Jaren? Maybe it's complete bull but that's just my theory at this point haha!

Kiva's father must be a descendant from that guy, the legend she talked about, because he was a powerful healer. I'm guessing he actually had magic, and so does Kiva, she just doesn't realize it yet!

I'm definitely enjoying this, and can't wait to see how it'll all go! (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Chapter 23
(view spoiler)[ She survived the furnace!! Barely, but at least she did. No clue how on earth she’ll survive the next one though.. The prince and princess their motives are still mysterious.
I still feel like Jaren is a prince & that Naari is his guard. I do like Naari a lot, and I’m hoping nothing will happen to the main crew - meaning Jaren, Naari, Tipp & Mot - but I don’t see that happening.. someone is probably going to get sick or die and I’m not ready for it. Please don’t let it be Tipp.. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Chapter 27
I should really go to bed aaaargh!!
(view spoiler)[ So someone has been giving them poison.. I’m guessing it’s the warden because there are just too many prisoners, but I don’t know.. Just now realizing that this also means that someone poisoned her father!! He died of the same illness, so he was poisoned :0
I’m glad Tipp turned out okay; I was really scared he’d die! I still wonder what’s up with Tilda, she seems to be doing a bit better!

And her next trial is around the corner, but I’m forcing myself to stop. She has never been in the old quarry before, so it’s going to be impossible to get out again.. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Chapter 31
(view spoiler)[ Shit!!! I knew it aaah!! He is a prince! Can’t wait to find out what the story is though; why on earth is he in there?? It was indeed Rooke poisoning them, he’s crazy damn. Can’t wait to see what her final Ordeal is; it has to be in the tunnels right?? C h a o s (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Finished
This may be the best book I’ve read this year.
(view spoiler)[ Holy shit. That ending!!!! So Tilda was her mother all along!!!!! Aaaaaah!
They’re finally free my oh my, and she’s the princess! I’m feeling a Cal and Mare situation coming on, I’m not ready for that🥺 (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

The prison healer
Chapter five
(view spoiler)[DID NOT THINK I WAS GOING TO LIKE JARED SO MUCH AND I HAVEN’T EVEN READ THREE CHAPTERS OF HIM LOL
Let’s also admire Naari a little bit, I feel I’m going to like her loads too
I’m kind of worried that something might happen to Tipp and break my heart idk why just a feeling
I cannot stress how much I feel like this is such a character driven book even though the whole prison thing and world building seems just perfection (hide spoiler)]
Also I would like to add that the writing is just keeping me on my toes reading this, I’ve never read anything by this author before and I have no idea if this is their debut but I like it very much so far and I can’t wait for more.

[Bayan]

Jaren**

[Bayan]

Chapter 12
What the hell just happened that was so freaking fast I felt like I blinked and the last two chapters just happened lol
(view spoiler)[ I do feel like the princess and Kiva might become friends and I feel with time maybe the prince and Jaren will become a love triangle for Kiva? Idk I’m still absorbing the trial she just went through and I’m emotional about her brother’s death no wonder she’s attached to Tipp I guess (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

Chapter 14
I am dying for a Naari fan mart I just love her so much lol I might make one myself

[Bayan]

Fan art 😭🤦🏻‍♀️ Sorry autocorrect

[Danique]

Bayan wrote: "The prison healer
Chapter five
[spoilers removed]"

Same omg!! (view spoiler)[ I loved Jaren way too quickly lol, he just immediately seemed like such a good character haha! The worldbuilding is really good indeed damn (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Sorry I'm a little late. I'm just starting this and will catch up with all your thoughts :)

[Bayan]

Chapter nineteen
I’m heartbroken for her, from the story’s previous mentions, I know she’s been through things like that before but I think things just piled up for her and she needed to feel protected for a little bit and I’m happy someone was there for her at that moment. A part of me remembers my brother’s imprisonment and how horribly the guards treated him as a prisoner and us as visitors, this book kind of made me emotional about that time, and I’m ecstatic that I didn’t read this while he was in jail, I would not have survived it.

[Bayan]

Chapter twenty three
(view spoiler)[No no no no no no no no no Tipp my soul’s child, my joy my happiness please don’t be sick please let them have gotten blind or deaf and not realized what’s going on 😭😭😭😭 (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

Chapter twenty four
Kiva wept, so did I.

[Bayan]

Chapter twenty seven
(view spoiler)[I’m a little confused, was the vial from Bones or Rooke or who, was she realizing something or what? (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

Chapter thirty
Okay no but seriously what the hell just happened
(view spoiler)[ JAREN is a freaking prince!!!??? And Naari is his golden shield and Kiva is just thrown in the middle of that, I would hate him so much if I was her (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

Finished

No no no no N O
Whatttttt
But whyyyyyt
What has just happened
This author is so goooooood
She sneakyyyyyyy
Oh my god
I’m refraining from saying more, my review is coming soon but oh my god

[Bayan]

Omg lmao @danique I just read your spoiler comments I’m shook to my core and here I was thinking you were going to be wrong this was completely unpredictable for me
But so so so good

[Dannii]

Bayan wrote: "Finished

No no no no N O
Whatttttt
But whyyyyyt
What has just happened
This author is so goooooood
She sneakyyyyyyy
Oh my god
I’m refraining from saying more, my review is coming soon but oh my god"

Okay, this comment has me SO excited to start!

[Bayan]

Lol @dannii I know I purposefully put it in without spoilers to encourage new readers it will be so worth your time!!

[Dannii]

First quarter - (view spoiler)[I'm really loving this one, so far. The past ten years of Kiva's life have been a cruel and violent one. She is lucky to have survived, although I can't image what seeing so much bloodshed and death at such a young age has done to her.

Naari is quickly going to prove she can be trusted I feel, Tipp is a sweetie and I really hope nothing bad befalls him, and I'm curious about Jaran's past but feel he can trusted too. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Danique wrote: "I couldn't wait either, so I've just started! :D
Chapter 2
I already like the story a lot! The lettertype in the edition I'm reading is so small though lol, my eyes are struggling a bit.
The priso..."

(view spoiler)[Kiva's role was an interesting one, especially as she hinted that she was the king's spy and might have betrayed the other prisoners for her own protection. I don't blame her for this, as I would do anything to survive in her place too, and it seems she also protects and heals the others. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Bayan wrote: "I thought I would start earlier but had a little delay, just read chapter one, the build up is amazing I’m so excited to find more, and the fact that there are codes is just adkfhsubsicjskd lol
So..."

The codes were such a cool inclusion!

[Dannii]

Bayan wrote: "The prison healer
Chapter five
DID NOT THINK I WAS GOING TO LIKE JARED SO MUCH AND I HAVEN’T EVEN READ THREE CHAPTERS OF HIM LOL
Let’s also admire Naari a little bit, I feel I’m going to like her l..."

(view spoiler)[I'm really loving all these characters too. Tipp is a cinnamon roll and that has me nervous for him. I hope he can continue to survive this horrible place and doesn't lose his spark there. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Bayan wrote: "Chapter nineteen
I’m heartbroken for her, from the story’s previous mentions, I know she’s been through things like that before but I think things just piled up for her and she needed to feel prote..."

Ahh I get that! It must be hard to read when it's a relatable situation :(

[Danique]

Bayan wrote: "Chapter twenty four
Kiva wept, so did I."

Mood 😂😂

[Danique]

Bayan wrote: "Finished

No no no no N O
Whatttttt
But whyyyyyt
What has just happened
This author is so goooooood
She sneakyyyyyyy
Oh my god
I’m refraining from saying more, my review is coming soon but oh my god"

RIGHT!!! (view spoiler)[ That ending, what a bomb to just casually drop!!!! I never doubted anything, and then she was just like 'ha guess what'. I had this whole lightbulb moment after the note, like 'holy shit it all makes sense now'. What a great book, I'd love to read more from this author!! (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Bayan wrote: "Omg lmao @danique I just read your spoiler comments I’m shook to my core and here I was thinking you were going to be wrong this was completely unpredictable for me
But so so so good"

Hahaha I'm glad it was unpredictable for you! I didn't suspect the ending though, I really liked it :)

[Danique]

Dannii wrote: "Danique wrote: "I couldn't wait either, so I've just started! :D
Chapter 2
I already like the story a lot! The lettertype in the edition I'm reading is so small though lol, my eyes are struggling ..."

Yes exactly! (view spoiler)[ I'd probably do anything to survive in her position too, I can't imagine going through such horrors at such a young age :( (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

I’ve got behind, but hoping to start this later today. These comments certainly have me intrigued.

[Bayan]

@dannii @danique thanks for reading with me this was far more enjoyable to be able to chat about it! I will preorder the sequel so whenever you guys get that one too let’s read it!

[Danique]

Sounds good! :)

[Dannii]

I put this down for a few days as I was in the middle of far too many fantasy series but I couldn't sleep and flew through most of the book last night :)

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[Kiva took on the Rebel Queen's sentence as her own!? And had to compete in the trials in her place!? I did not foresee that. I wonder if some magical abilities will be revealed, during the course of the trials.

The royals were different to who I thought they'd be. They aren't likable, by any means, but perhaps there is something more to them, beneath the cold exteriors. (hide spoiler)]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[The stomach sickness was as interesting side-story, especially when Kiva revealed it had occurred nine years before and claimed her father.

Kiva's history of self-harm was very hard to read about!

Tripp caught the stomach-sickness and I think I would have rioted if he died from it. (hide spoiler)]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[I didn't see the sickness being given to the prisoners, not something they had accidentally caught. There really is no end to this prison's brutality.

I had some idea that Kiva would manifest abilities, during the water trial, as there was no-one else there to save her. Having Jaren confirmed as the one with abilities came as a shock. I never thought he could be the magical one, let alone an heir to the throne.

Another shock was for Kiva to have healing abilities AND for her to reveal that her mother was the Rebel Queen?? WTF with these plot twists??? This made me so much more excited for book two. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Danique wrote: "Finished
This may be the best book I’ve read this year.
Holy shit. That ending!!!! i..."

That ending had me so shook!!! (view spoiler)[I never once considered that she was related to the Rebel Queen. Talk about an incredible plot twist!? And now the prince has invited the Rebel Princess right into the palace, for book two. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Bayan wrote: "Finished

No no no no N O
Whatttttt
But whyyyyyt
What has just happened
This author is so goooooood
She sneakyyyyyyy
Oh my god
I’m refraining from saying more, my review is coming soon but oh my god"

EEEK! I know, right? I can't remember the last time a plot twist took me quite out of the blue, like this one.

[Karen]

Determined not to read too many spoilers, but will focus on this and try to get on with it!

[Dannii]

Karen wrote: "Determined not to read too many spoilers, but will focus on this and try to get on with it!"

I found it initially a little slow paced, in the first half, but it was a brilliant read with such a shocking ending so I'd definitely recommend sticking with it. I hope you enjoy :)