Poison by Bridget Zinn

Poison by Bridget Zinn
Release Date: March 12, 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Source: Publisher (NetGalley)
Goodreads Stars: 3
Rating: Enjoyable

Buy the Book: Amazon UK

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.

I was more impressed by Poison than I thought I was going to be. I wasn't expecting too much from it, because lately I have been reading fairly average or not-good reads. However, I did end up enjoying Poison, especially the world it was set in and Bridget Zinn's writing style.

What initially drew me to the novel was the fact that the main character, Kyra, worked with potions and poisons. It reminded me a little of Poison Study, and I was very interested in the potion/poison aspect, as well as Kyra having to kill her ex-best friend.

The twists weren't anything amazing. I thought it was pretty clear from the beginning as to who was bad, who was good, and what was going to happen. But still, it didn't keep me from enjoying the story. It was kind of like a road trip adventure, just sans a modern road and with a pig. A pig that I have only just noticed is on the cover of the novel, by the way. Rosie is so cute!

My favourite parts of the story were the characters. Kyra was absolutely badass. I really connected with her as she went on a mission to kill the princess, her former best friend. I don't know what it was, but her frustration and determination just really hit me. I also loved how good she was with the potions, and how she was able to create and use so many different ones. She also went through some great character development as she discovered more about herself and learnt to accept who she was as the novel progressed.

I adored the love interest, Fred. I thought he was freakin' adorable! And so, so funny. He and Kyra shared some witty banter, and at times I was laughing out loud at Fred's lines. I would have definitely been charmed by Fred if I was Kyra!

Poison isn't the greatest novel, but it's great if you're looking for an interesting fantasy adventure with awesome main characters. I would compare it slightly to Poison Study by Maria V Snyder, and also to Graceling by Kristin Cashore, because it had the same sort of feel even if I didn't adore it like I did those two.