.Release Day #REVIEW Poison by Bridget Zinn

Poison

 by Bridget Zinn

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published March 12th 2013 by Disney Hyperion

*Received Arc for review*

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.

A great mix of fantasy/adventure, with light romantic elements, friendship, and hard choices.

Kyra is a master potioner, and an all around strong-willed sixteen year old. She's brave, cunning, and carries a heavy burden.  She creates potions that have all sorts of results, like sleeping to death. Kyra has a mission, she can see the future and unfortunately for her and everyone in the land it's not good.

See, her best friend growing up is the princess of the land, Arianna, they had a close friendship, playing everyday together, and hiding out away from the palace. Arianna is now at the age where she must find a hand in marriage, not that she wants to though. Arianna is forced to by her parents. The King and Queen have arranged for suitors to take Arianna's hand. Kyra has seen the future of what will happen once her best friend, marries, and it's not good. Kyra's quest is of course to save the land and rid the kingdom of Arianna, not an easy feat, especially because they are besties, but Kyra has to put her emotions aside and fulfill her duties. She attempts to kill her friend through a poison dart but fails, and now Kyra is on the run, as she is all the talk to everyone in the villages across the land. She's always looking over her shoulder, and hiding her appearance from all, for fear of getting caught before she can finish what she started. Now, don't get me wrong Kyra is not heartless, she is basically emotionally distressed over the fate that lays before her, killing your only friend whom you shared your youth with is not an easy task, but she must put emotions aside and fulfill her destiny, and save the land.

What transpires next, is Kyra setting out on a mission to find the hidden princess and kill her. The land around Kyra is filled with, magic, witches, and more. Now, that there is a bounty on her head Kyra must step wisely and find a way to find and kill the princess while avoiding getting herself caught or killed. While the kingdom is trying to hunt Kyra down, for her betrayal. Kyra finds a way to hunt the princess down. Her help comes in the form of a pig. This pig is like a bloodhound, and can detect were the princess is by scent, and detect were she has been.  This pig feels more like a nuisance to Kyra, but she soon realizes it may be her only hope into tracking down Arianna. The pig is cute, and although Kyra dislikes her, she eventually grows attached to the little hog. -->and no, the pig does not talk.

  As the journey continues and Kyra magically alters her appearance, through her potions, she manages to avoid being caught. But, doesn't manage to be avoided 100%, as she comes face to face with a handsome boy, Fred. Fred is funny and drives Kyra a little crazy at times, as he somehow becomes attached to Kyra and her journey, as they continue to cross paths, on more than one occasion. Fred is a great addition to the story, and we learn that there is more to him than meets the eye.

I really enjoyed Poison. I thought it was a fun, fast paced, easily read fantasy/fairy-tale, with a great story.
It had a great mystery and I actually was surprised at all the twists that was thrown out there. I enjoyed how Fred and Kyra built some sort of friendship through out the book. She basically felt that he was a thorn in her side, but it seemed Fred was her saving grace, on more than one occasion, and he held secrets that were surprising. The last half of the book was fantastic. I loved how the plot unfolded, and we learn everything about what has really happened in the kingdom, and was surprised at the mystery and suspense of it all.

Zinn's debut is lovely, and fits the Disney family of books to a tee. I felt at times that I could actually see this book turned into a movie, and enjoyed by many. As I would love to see this book continue with more from the characters, I'm saddened to share, that the author had passed away before she could see her work enjoyed by many. There may be more from her, and I'm not sure if her family will release anything else written by Zinn, but if there is I will most definitely pick it up. I'm so glad her book was published but saddened that she won't see all of the love it will transpire. RIP, Bridget.


4/5

4/5 Family-Friendly Roses