I received a free advanced copy of this book. First, let me say I read this book in about half a day. Second, let me share that I was captivated by the plot. I read a lot of YA fantasy and find that after a while, all the plots run together. The Prison healer is incredibly unique in both the world building (more on that in a second) and the premise. The main characters are likable, admirable, and flawed which makes them realistic. The setting itself (a prison) is unusual and engaging. I was compelled to keep reading, enough to finish the book in a day. The ending...the ending. Holy smokes. It might be the best part. No spoilers here. But, there are some twists that I never saw coming and I normally see them coming. I admit I had some suspicions about a plot twist, but what I got was not at all what I thought. Clever. Very clever. I was slightly disappointed in some of the back story to the world building. I really wanted a map (maybe one is in the works?) to give these kingdoms and this prison some context. I also was wishing for maybe a bit more of a backstory to this world. There seemed to be some holes. Again, minor to the overall plot, really, but might serve to make it stronger. There’s also a subplot for a good portion in the middle that at times can seem a bit contrived. It seems to drag on a bit to fill time between one ordeal and the next. Overall, though, I did enjoy this book and I will definitely read the sequel.

Elemental magic, a mysterious prince, a smug prisoner, a friendly guard, a brewing rebellion, and our prison healer 🖤
This book follows Kiva- the prison healer of Zalindov aka the most notorious prison in the kingdom.
Most people do not survive the first couple of weeks in Zalindov. Kiva, however, has been a prisoner for 10 years after being arrested with her now deceased father.
Kiva is tasked with marking the new prisoners and making sure they stay alive but she also secretly send messages to the rebel cause where the rest of her family resides.
One day, Kiva’s world is flipped when the Rebel Queen gets admitted in the prison with a simple note from the rebels: don’t let her die. We are coming.
Although the Rebel Queen is on the brink of death, she gets sentenced to the Ordeals- 4 elemental tasks that no one has survived but if she does she will be free.
Empathizing with this deathly ill woman, Kiva steps up as her champion and courageously makes the decision to face these trials in stead of the Rebel Queen, and thus this adventure begins.
Although I enjoyed the book, I will say I came into it with different expectations, but this book was a very different take on a typical elemental magic fantasy read. This book mostly focuses on Kiva- her empathy, her endurance, her selflessness and the hope she has of leaving the prison and keeping the Rebel Queen alive. There is also a subplot surrounding a strange virus that is killing the prisoners and Kiva is determined to find the source of the virus and saving the prisoners.
I will say, it was a very slow read at times And it was hard to stay engaged in the virus subplot. I wish the elemental trials were the center of the story but since they’re all spaced weeks apart it was clear that this isn’t the center of the story.
There are also some trigger warnings that I wish I knew beforehand (self harm, sexual harassment) and I feel I would’ve enjoyed it more if I hadn’t based it on the premise and came to my own conclusions.
HOWEVER, at around 80% the book got GOOD. Like, super good. Like, I CANT STOP READING, GOOD. The twist was immaculate and I loved the dialogues between Jaren and Kiva. And y’all the ENDING!!!! I WAS NOT FREAKING READY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT A GREAT TWIST AND WHAT A WAY TO END THIS BOOK!!!!! HOLY COW!!!! *standing ovation*
All in all, the pacing was a little off and some details could’ve been handled better but I still ended up enjoying the book!
4/5 stars from me

Thoroughly enjoyable characters and great world-building had me sucked in from the start. I love a good prison environment story and this didn’t disappoint!

I have very little complaints. One I can think of is just wishing Kiva had been better at helping herself as opposed to letting Jaren save her.

But the ending was WHOA! I can’t wait for book 2!

After reading this book I was so upset that it was over! It did leave off with a cliffhanger so I am anxious to read the second one. This book's plot was very different from what I have read before which made it so much more exciting. I can't wait to read the next one.

This book has been one of my most antisipated read and i am so thankful to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for this honest review.

'The Prison Healer' is Lynette Noni writting in her finest form. The world buiding is phenomenal, the writing is brilliant and enables you to conect to her characters. I cried with Kiva, i felt her worry, her fear and her happyness and relief . 'The Prison Healer provided an indepth story and just when i thought we had hit the big twist, Lynette blindsighted me with another. While only being an ARC this book has been my top read for 2020 so far and i cant wait to revisit this story on official release.

Set inside a notoriously gruesome death prison, 'The Prison Healer' is a fascinating investigation into what makes someone a survivor. Is it the ability to maintain emotional distance from others? Is it having the gift to heal others? Or is it about having the self-awareness and bravery to take care of yourself?

Kiva Meridan has been in prison for ten years--since she was seven years old--and she hasn't made it a decade behind bars without knowing how to play the game, and play it patiently. But soon she'll be tested in ways she never could have imagined, leaving readers on the edge of their seats wondering, "How can she get through this?"

Lovable characters, a shocking twist ending, and the promise of a new era make this a promising start to a new YA series for fans of 'The Hunger Games', 'Children of Blood and Bone', and 'Ash Princess.'

#ThePrisonHealer #NetGalley
An excellent start to a good young adult fantasy. I think fans of Marie Lu and Traci Chee will enjoy this novel.