YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

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.

The Prison Healer Series by Lynette Noni will be one of our GBRs for July 2023.

Please read at your own pace, and hide any spoilers ☺ You are welcome to join at any time during the month ☺

Happy Reading Everybody!

Pre-Reading Questions -

Anybody got any thoughts on this one before we start?

Has anyone read anything similar to this before?

Anybody read anything else by this author previously?

GBR reviews - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Joining in for this!

Me too! Not sure when Ill start it exactly, but its been on my physical TBR forever!

I started it once months ago and then just stopped reading it, so glad to pick it back up again.

Up to chapter 13 (view spoiler)[ I think the idea of a prison healer is neat in this setting. It gives her something to do, well at it too, and keeps her busy. I love any book that has trials in it!! Also, the prison cat, amazing, hehe. (hide spoiler)]

Starting now. It's my second time reading and I'm happy to be back

Ch 8 (view spoiler)[ This prison is horrible, they keep children! Tip is still a child and was even younger when he came, I feel so bad for him.

Kiva is in a bad position, spying for the warden to stay alive but also being hated for it. (hide spoiler)]

Krystal wrote: "I started it once months ago and then just stopped reading it, so glad to pick it back up again.

Up to chapter 13 [spoilers removed]"

I also love books with trials! They're exciting and keep the tension up

Ch 16 (view spoiler)[ Whew, she's lucky the prince helped her through her trial. It's also super unfair of everyone to expect her to keep that rebel leader alive, what can she realistically do? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 24 (view spoiler)[ This stomach illness is crazy, I wonder what the deal is?

I'm sick of Cresda (unk spelling) and the guards. Everyone who treats others like crap, especially Kiva and Tip.

Also, poor Tip! I'm so glad he's okay because I would not survive him dying (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ So many revelations! Kiva is the daughter of the rebel leader and also has healing powers! Whew, can't wait to check out the next book (hide spoiler)]

Ch 9 (view spoiler)[ Kiva's sister is mean! I don't like her at all.

I think Kiva should help broker peace between the two factions, but her siblings are pretty dead set on killing the royal family so I'm not sure how that would go.

I like Caldon and that he's training Kiva. He's funny and flirty (hide spoiler)]

Ch 18 (view spoiler)[ I wish Kiva would accept her magic and also stop hiding from Jaren. This is all going to go badly at some point.

I do like the grandma and how she made Kiva wait for her to have book club first (hide spoiler)]

Ch 27 (view spoiler)[ I'm so sick of Kiva thinking she owes loyalty to her siblings after her sister purposefully let her stay in the prison and has been manipulating her.

Now that Caldon has told her that he knows who she is and realizes her brother isn't interested in rebelling anymore, she really needs to stop helping them. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Yep, her sister was awful and betrayed her. And Kiva has a lot of blame for telling her all about the book and dagger, come on girl. It killed me that she kept choosing her sister over and over and if I was Jaren I don't think I'd ever forgive her. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 11 (view spoiler)[I'd be mad at my family too. Getting nothing but cryptic notes for some supposed future help. And why is she in prison and not them? (hide spoiler)]

Krystal wrote: "I started it once months ago and then just stopped reading it, so glad to pick it back up again.

Up to chapter 13 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Her role seems quite unique in the system. I love that the guards don't seem to mind a cat being around. Or at least some are okay with it. (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "Ch 16 [spoilers removed]"

Seriously! (view spoiler)[Both sides want her alive but neither doing anything about it. (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "Ch 24
.."

Prison Healer
(view spoiler)[i was crazy worried about Tipp, but also had a feeling someone would fall ill that she was closer to. (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"
Prison Healer
(view spoiler)[This was such a major slam. Jaren less surprising, but Kiva...I am going to have to re-read this one day, just to= focus on her interactions with Tilda and such. I did not see that coming.. (hide spoiler)]

Jamie wrote: "Aly wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"
Prison Healer
[spoilers removed]"

Yeah, the second time around I was able to read it with a new perspective. Very interesting

Aly wrote: "Jamie wrote: "Aly wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"
Prison Healer

Yeah, the second time around I was able to read it with a new perspective. Very interesting"

Good to know. Already making plans for next spring/summer lol.

Aly wrote: "
Ch 9 Kiva's sister is mean! I don't like her at all.

Up to Chapter 13
(view spoiler)[Zuleeka seems horrible at this point. Like seriously blaming Kiva for Tilda's death when SHE is the one who called off their rescue?! Girl needs a mirror... (hide spoiler)]

CH 19 (view spoiler)[I would be beyond pissed if I was Cal. Drugging him was not good at all. (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "Ch 27 I'm so sick of Kiva thinking she...."



(view spoiler)[I was a bit surprised how much Caldon knew about her and for how long. I figure something was up with him wanting to stay so close but him also already having seen her brother and not ever calling him out..Interesting. He, too, might be on the families list when this all inevitably comes to a head. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[Okay, Zuleeka using magic and Mirry being in on the plan surprised me. The Ternary being quickly gathered by Zuleeka did not though. She really is a snake. (hide spoiler)]