Poison Review

Poison
by Bridget Zinn
Genre: YA Fantasy
Format: ARC from Around the World ARC Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Midnight Minute: Young potions master Kyra is determined to save her kingdom, even if it means killing her best friend and future ruler. 
Expected Publication: 03.12.12
From Goodreads:

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.

Midnight Thoughts:

~ This read a little younger that I expected, but I loved it.  It reminded me of the book Ella Enchanted and makes me think I need to read more fairytale like books.
~ I liked that it takes awhile before we know why Kyra thought she had to murder her best friend.  There were lots of twists and turns, a few I guessed at and a few I didn't see coming. 
~ Fred is charming enough to make the name Fred not seem lame and old man-ish
~ Rosie, the tiny pig Kyra ends up with, is the cutest dang creature in the universe.  The Hubs is not on board with getting a pet pig though. 
~ Kyra is a totally self-sufficient young woman.  She has her own career, makes her own decisions and usually rescues herself.  While there is a little romance in the book, it's not the entire center of Kyra's existence.  She's got a mission and she isn't going to be deterred by a pretty boy. 
~ I loved the medieval fairytale setting of the book.  It was like spending a few days inside a really elaborate Renaissance Faire. And unlike that band from Free Credit Report dot com, I would totally run away and get a job at a traveling faire.  I'm seriously just one bad day at work away from it. 
~ The potions and poisons described in the book were fascinating!  I would have read full chapters on just what was in the Master Trio Potioners house. 
~ I really liked how everything resolved in the end, and I could definitely envision a sequel, but the story works as a standalone too. 
~ The flashback to how Kyra and Ariana became friends was really nice, and it makes you realize what a sacrifice Kyra is making to save the kingdom by destroying her friend.
~ Fred and Kyra are kind of adorable together in a 1940's screwball movie kind of way- Fred's the charming Cary Grant and Kyra's the slightly stuffy Katherine Hepburn.   
~ During the course of the book, one of Kyra's pursuers is Dartagn, a solider who trained her.  I thought Zinn did a good job hinting at their connection, but I really wanted more background on him.
~ Poison has everything- witches, potions, poisons, royalty, magic tracking pigs, thieves, chases, humor, be-ribboned undergarments, lies, adventure and breaking and entering. Basically, all the things I look for in a book. 
~ Arlo has the potential to be a very fascinating character, and I'd love to know more about his band of merry thieves. 
~ This is Bridget Zinn's first book, but I am definitely looking forward to her future novels!

Timeless Characters:

Kyra- founder of the Master Trio Potioners, on the lam for the attempted murder of the princess, who just happens to be her bff. 
Princess Ariana- destined to unleash bad things in the kingdom if Kyra doesn't off her first.
Fred- Kyra meets cute with him and his huge dog Langley, then can't get rid of him.  And trust me, she tries.
Hal- Kyra's ex and one of the Master Trio Potioners
Ned- the one she didn't date and the third member of the Master Trio Potioners.
The Duchess- Ariana's aunt and thorn in Kyra's side.
Arlo Abbaduto- King of Criminals, he and Kyra have a nasty history.
Ellie- hermit neighbor of Kyra's. 
Dartagn- soldier 
 

Midnight Moment:

I really loved the Hansel and Gretel moment Kyra and Fred have in the beginning of their journey!  But my favorite part was what Kyra discovered at the dress shop. 

Stop The Clock:

Cute, charming and fun!  If you like Gail Carson Levine then you'll probably like this too!  I just had a lot of fun reading this one.


Bridget Zinn — Website | Bridget Zinn

Poison gets a Midnight Book Rating of: 

 And I actually did stay up late reading this!