Monday 18 February 2013

Review & Giveaway: Poison by Bridget Zinn

Poison

Poison by Bridget Zinn
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication date: March 12th 2013
My rating:  4 stars 


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.


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.

I've decided to give away my ARC copy of Poison to one lucky follower.  The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL with the only requirement being that you follow the blog.  Just fill out the rafflecopter below. Good luck and thanks for stopping by! 


20 comments:

Tanja - Tanychy said...

adorable pig?? LOL that sounds great! :) I've seen people getting the arcs of this one but this is the first review. I must say it sounds amazing. Like everything I like mixed in this book. Can't wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway Rachel :)

Mel@Thedailyprophecy said...

What an awesome giveaway *fingers crossed*. I've been excited about this book from the moment I saw the cover and the pig sounds so cool <3 It has some sort of fairytale feeling and you might know how much I love them :D

I like books with fun and adventure :) Kyra also sounds like the perfect MC for me and new twists are great. I already new about the author and it made me so sad when I read it :(

Great review :)
Mel@thedailyprophecy.

Unknown said...

I'm a new follower, love your blog by the way! Poison was so much fun, I totally agree about Kyra being kick ass, did you think she reminded you a bit of Celaena Sardothien?
Oh my goodness, Rosie was just the sweetest little pig ever :)
Fantastic review!

Shirley said...

HAHAHAHAHA ADORABLE PIG<33333 Kyra sounds EXACTLY like the sort of heroine I love! Can't wait to meet her:)
OMGGG. The author passed away?!?! RIP Bridget!
Fab review Rachel<3

Sam (Realm of Fiction) said...

Brilliant review, Rachel! I decided not to read this one in the end, but you make me want to reconsider again. It does sound like a refreshing and cute read. Plus the mention of the pig has me curious. ;) Thanks for the giveaway!

Keertana said...

Ooh, this sounds great! I love a good bit of fun and romance every now and then, so I'll be sure to keep on the lookout for this when I'm in the mood for sure! Great review, Rachel! :D

Anonymous said...

YAY, I loved Poison! Your review expresses my thoughts and feelings about it rather nicely. I was also really sad to learn that the author has passed away; upon finishing Poison, I was looking forward to more books from her!

Very nice of you to do a giveaway of your ARC! I hope the lucky winner loves it as much as you and I did. :)

Unknown said...

I'm not much of a fantasy reader, but between the pig and Fred, I'm kind of dying to read Poison! Yours is the first review that truly makes me want to pick this up.
Great review, Rachel!

brandileigh2003 said...

FUn and adventure with a side of kickass sounds great to me.
Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog

Aa'Ishah said...

This sounds adorable! I'm glad Kyra is something of a kickbutt heroine, and I totally love the idea of her being able to mix and make potions. Fabulous review, thanks for the amazing giveaway! :)

Jenny said...

I really enjoyed this one too Rachel! It was just one of those really fun reads that didn't take itself too seriously and aimed strictly to entertain:) I was really saddened when I read about Bridget on the last page as well, especially given how young she was. Still, this will be a book I know I will pick up whenever I just need something light:) Also, I want a pig. Just saying.

Shane @ItchingforBooks said...

Oh ma gosh! I'm itching so bad to read this book. Glad you liked it and thanks for the giveaway :)

Anonymous said...

Lovely review, Rachel! I'm dying to read this book because the premise seems really wonderful. I'm glad to hear that this is a stand-alone and everything is wrapped up. I'm very curious about the pig!
Thanks for the awesome giveaway, Rachel!
I just recently heard from Sam that the author had passed away. That made me very sad. :(

Livvy said...

This sounds quite similar to Poison Study in a way which I really enjoyed, but with a different twist. Great review, Rachel. It sounds really good. I'm glad you managed to enjoy it so much.

Great giveaway!

Unknown said...

I musts be seeing to much of Alice in Wonderland based books because that's what I first thought when I saw this cover. Your review of it sounds so good. I want to get my hand on this. I love fantasies that are fun and adventurous. Sweet romances are always and win and the pig has me curious.

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

I'm itching to meet Kyra! Thanks for sharing how much you've enjoyed reading this fantasy adventure :)

Amanda said...

I've been eagerly awaiting this story for a while now. It does sound like a fun read, although perhaps a little bit less serious than I initially thought it would be. It is sad about the author, but at least she'll be able to live on through this one book of hers. Glad you were able to enjoy it, Rachel, and that there were enough twists and interesting aspects to keep you entertained. I can't wait to read this myself.

Suzanne (Parabooklover) said...

Yours is the first review I've read of this book. I must admit that it wasn't one that I felt would interest me, but your review does have me thinking that I might. I heard the bad news about the author a few months ago, it's so sad. I think her husband keeps a blog going, well he did at that time. Great review Rachel and thanks for the giveaway :)

Anonymous said...

I was so sad to hear about Bridget's passing. I'm definitely going to be reading this book. The story sounds wonderful, and I keep hearing about this pig. :-) I'm looking forward to finding out more about it. Great review!

Blythe Harris said...

After just reading the first sentence of your review, I'm in on this one 100%. I've been looking for an incredibly fun adventure and this sounds absolutely perfect. And there's an enchanted piglet? And a sweet romance? Eeeeek! Definitely want to read this one. I am sad to hear that the author passed away, though. :( That's upsetting that she didn't get to see her debut hit the shelves.

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