Who would have thought trying to kill someone would end a friendship.
Poison
by Bridget Zinn
Hyperion
March 2013
Through many twists and turns, Kyra, a potions master, is on the run from her former fiancé and palace guards because she attempted to assassinate her former best friend, Princess Ariana. She has to do so in order to save her kingdom, on the verge of destruction, regardless of conflicted feelings over hurting her friend and saving her world. For the first time ever, during the assassination attempt, Kyra’s poison dart misses its target. Kyra, now on the run for 3 months, has been looking for an opportunity to try again. She may have found her chance, if only little Fred would get lost. After trying to ditch her hilarious sidekick numerous times, he always finds her again and “forgives” her hasty departures. So now Kyra is stuck with a traveling companion who has no idea the danger they are both in or who Kyra really is. How can Kyra save her kingdom by not only killing Ariana, but also dragging Fred down with her? If He is caught with her, he will also more than likely be hanged for being an accomplice.
Poison, by Bridget Zinn is an amazing book now that I’ve finished it. However, reading the first several chapters was difficult and confusing to follow. It is a clever and quick-witted tale about a courageous heroine that will win the hearts of many readers, after they figure out what in the world is happening. I would recommend this book to any adventurous reader up for a guard-ditching, wood-romping tale about loyalty to one’s home compared versus self-preservation. I agree with the teen/tween rating because there are some scenes where people are knocked out or killed. (Not in a way that would cause parents worry; more in a Harry Potter style “Stupify!” and they fall over, in this case poisoned darts instead of wands.) By the end of the story even the most unemotional readers will be laughing out loud at Fred, and cheering Kyra on as she dodges former friends and unwanted reunions with her fiancé.
