ARC Review: Poison by Bridget Zinn

Poison

Author: Bridget Zinn

Publication: Hyperion Book CH (March 12, 2013)

Description: Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart…misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she's the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed POISON. I loved Kyra and thought she made a great heroine. She is currently on the run after attempting to murder her best friend Princess Ariana. Kyra has been Ariana best friends since they were twelve and she was brought in to be the princess's friend. Kyra is a potion master&mdas;skilled at making all sorts of chemical potions like truth serums and glamours and poisons. She also has the ability to be a witch, in fact, a seer, but she hates that part of herself and doesn't want anything to do with it. However, that doesn't stop the visions. Including the vision of her best friend Ariana destroying the kingdom.

Now Kyra is on the run from the palace army and her old partner and fellow potion maker Hal. She needs to find the princess and complete her mission. She goes to the King of Criminals for assistance and he gives her a pig with the ability to track anyone down. Soon Kyra is wandering the country with her (very cute and cuddly) pig and searching for the princess. Along the way she runs into Fred. Fred introduces himself as a traveler, exploring the countryside. He and his wolfhound Langley befriend Kyra. No matter how hard she tries to elude him, he keeps reappearing at opportune moments. He is the one who names the pig Rosie. 

Together she and Fred deal with goblins and witches and other dangers too. And Kyra begins to fall in love with him. But Fred has a secret that could ruin all her hopes.

This story has lots of surprises before we get to the happy ending. Fans of intrepid heroines and high fantasy will really enjoy this entertaining story. 

Favorite Quote:

She carefully lifted the whole bundle up, still keeping her fingers protectively wrapped around her weapons.

How had she come to this? How had she ended up a hungry, friendless fugitive in the middle of a frigid river wearing completely ridiculous lacy underthings?

With a pig balanced on top of her head?

At least there was no one around.

Just as she thought that, a piercing whistle cut through her thoughts.

No. Way.

I received this eARC from NetGalley. You can buy your copy of the book here.