Becky's View: Poison by Bridget Zinn (An early buzz review!)

Poison by Bridget Zinn
♦publisher: Disney Hyperion
♦release date: March 12th, 2013
♦hardcover, 288 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦source: ALA 

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.

Review:  I'm spreading some early buzz for this absolutely FUN story! I know this one isn't out until March, but I read my copy early so I could pass it on to another lucky reader.  So here's what I thought:  SO. MUCH. FUN!!

This is an amazingly quick read at only 288 pages, but also because the pacing is incredibly quick.  While this flavor of fantasy might not be for those who insist their stories be lofty and their language flowery and their places-names barely pronounceable---it was definitely full of adventure, hilarious dialogue, danger, wit, and magic.  Think Princess Bride, Ella Enchanted, Labyrinth.  This holds its own among the great comedic fantasy adventures.  Sure, there were one or two parts that seems just a tad cliched or silly, but it all added to the fun storytelling.

Kyra is on the run...she's being tracked down for trying to kill the princess (who also happened to be her best friend).  She was one of the most gifted Potions Masters in the kingdom and no one but her really knows why she did what she did.  I loved how even though the action of the story moved along quickly, the reveal of the "how" and the "why" slowly unfolds as she gets closer to her goal.  I love how she was brave and determined and crafty...and that we see her grow from a badass girl with a mission to someone who is capable of having a soft spot for a certain magical piglet.  I loved Rosie!  Who knew a little piggy could have such character.  The animals play a big part in this story and it added so much charm to this world.  I really enjoyed reading about all of these characters, Kyra, Fred, Ariana, and finding out how much more each one was than what they initally seemed.

If you get a chance to read this one early, definitely take it---and even if you can't read it until March, I promise it's worth the wait!

Although, sadly, the author Bridget Zinn passed away last year, you can still visit her website and find out more about her:

http://www.bridgetzinn.com

Pre-order Poison: Amazon  •  BN.com  •  BookDepository  •  Indiebound