reveriesociety_
Written on Aug 1, 2017
Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly skilled potions master, is the only one who knows that her kingdom is on the verge of destruction — which means she is the only one who can save it. With no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom's future ruler, who also happens to be her 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 piglet, 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?
- ISBN13 9781423139935
- Publish Date 22 February 2011
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Disney-Hyperion
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 276
- Language English
Reviews
Briana @ Pages Unbound
Written on Sep 11, 2016
Ashley
Written on Jan 8, 2014
4.5 Stars
Fun
Magical
Fluffy
Disney
These are all words that describe Poison. If fun and a bit fluffy is what you're looking for, this is your book!
I feel like Poison really took me back to basics—in a good way. I wasn't concerned with the world building, or if the plot made sense, or if there were any holes. I was just enjoying the book. It made me feel like I was a teenager again, just reading about princesses, castles, and magic. Think Disney movie! This kind of simple fun and fluff may not be for everyone, but it SO worked for me!
If I looked closer, I could probably find holes and imperfections in this book. I could find things to critique, but it would be purely for the sake of critiquing, which I don't want to do because in the moment, nothing bothered me. I was just enjoying this book for what it was: simple, magical fun.
At first I thought this book would be a little ridiculous. I mean, just the tagline: Can she save the kingdom with a pig? That sounds ridiculous. But in the book, it totally worked! It was just pure sweet. And I seriously came to adore the pig (named Rosie!).
I loved all the characters. Kyra was a great one, but I think I mostly loved the awkward moments she got herself in (like wading across the river in her frilly pink underwear! Hah!). I also adored Fred, who was super sweet and good natured. I could see myself wanting to be friends with him! And then there was Princess Ariana who was hilarious. She was kind of a rebel at heart, which made her really carefree and kind of hilarious.
And the potion making was pretty cool! Just the way it was described reminded me so much of my old chemistry classes LOL! And I like how there was kind of a struggle between science and magic.
I think if you're not in the mood for the simple entertainment that is Poison then you won't be wow'd. It might be a mediocre read. But if you happen to be in EXACTLY that mood (like I was) then you'll adore the book!
Angie
Written on Oct 14, 2013
Poison is, in a word, adorable! Sure that title is kind of nefarious, and the blurb is all about murder, but really, it's super duper cute. I mean, there is a little pink pig on the cover! That is the definition of adorable! Kyra is a great potioner (someone who makes magical potions) and best friends with her kingdom's princess. At least she was until Kyra tried to murder her. Now she's on the run while trying to get a second chance at taking the princess out. Why is she so set at killing her once best friend? You'll just have to read and find out, because it's not revealed until a ways into the book. Anyway. On her way to kill the princess, Kyra collects an adorable piggy named Rosie and a super hot traveler named Fred. Together they get into much trouble, have lots of fun, and save a Kingdom from evil! There's also much adorable antics. Adorable.
I really liked Poison! It was so much fun (and yes, adorable!) and I couldn't stop smiling while I was reading, even when bad things were happening. It's just a generally happy book despite being about a girl trying to poison her royal BFF. It's also super funny without trying to be super funny! And there's magic! Witches are a very real thing in this world, and not all are good. Kyra and Fred have a run in with one who might have been a bit off her rocker. There's also evil! Of course, there's a terrible villain who's responsible for the bad things in the kingdom and Kyra must stop him using her collection of potions. Not exactly the most original plot, but there's plenty of surprises along the way. And it's fun. And adorable. But I may have already mentioned that.
Honestly, I can't think of much to say about Poison. I just really really liked it and if I had a physical copy I'd probably give it a big hug. I love books like this, that are just light hearted and...fun. Plus I love animal sidekicks! Kyra has Rosie who is a pig with much personality, and Fred has his doggie who befriends Rosie and much adorableness ensues! Poison is just a feel good book. It's very short, so the plot moves along quickly, but I didn't want it to end! I'm sad that there won't be more.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
jnikkir
Written on Mar 24, 2013
4.5 stars
If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be: Fun. After being surrounded by so many gritty and serious books in YA recently, Poison really is a breath of fresh air. It's exciting, funny, fast-paced, and light - and I enjoyed every second of it.
At the beginning of the novel, we're introduced to Kyra, a Master Potioner equipped with all kinds of awesome potiony tricks and poisons. Kyra is a smart, capable, and often-sassy heroin, who is on the run after having tried to kill the princess (her best friend), and she's gearing up for another try. But the princess is now in hiding, and Kyra has to find her first. She enlists the help of an adorable pig (who is the ultimate bloodhound when it comes to tracking), and sets off to find the princess, kill her, and hopefully save the kingdom from a terrible fate by doing so.
Instead of being one of your typically-dense, heavy-on-the-worldbuilding fantasy novels, Poison goes a totally different direction. There's no feeling of "culture shock" in being thrown into this fantasy world, as I feel like there typically is in fantasy novels. The main characters all talk and act, for the most part, like typical teens (there were even a few "cool's" and "jerk's" in the dialog). And the worldbuilding is kept to a minimum, but instead of being a drawback, it actually added to the charm; any complicated worldbuilding is traded in favor of a super-tight, fast-paced plot - paired with fantastic characters - that sucks you in and doesn't let go until the very last page. Nothing is what you think it is, and there are secrets and surprises around every corner.
As I mentioned, Kyra is a fantastic heroine, but I have to admit that my favorite thing about the book (other than the super-cute tracking pig) is Fred. He's just so much fun! He's dashing and charming and hilarious, and he and Kyra are perfectly adorable together. <3 Their romance actually struck me as very... Disney-ish? In a completely good way. Just totally adorable and smile-inducing. I couldn't get enough of them.
When you're in the mood for a light, really cute read, I highly recommend this book. It's heartbreaking that Bridget Zinn is no longer with us - she would have been a wonderful addition to YA today. But I'm so glad she got to share Poison with the world. It will be enchanting readers for a long time to come.
{ This review, and others, can be found at my blog, There were books involved... }
Amber
Written on Mar 11, 2013
Full review here: http://www.booksofamber.com/2013/03/poison-by-bridget-zinn.html
Kelsenator
Written on Feb 18, 2013
This book was such a cute fantasy! It’s not really long (stand-alone book), doesn’t have tons of characters to remember and you don’t have a whole map of the land to memorize. I like those things most of the time, but once in a while it’s nice to have an easy read while still having it a fantasy.
The added element of potions and poisons and a bit of witchy magic later on really got me loving this book. I was worried that the length wouldn’t be enough but I actually got absorbed shortly after I started reading. Kyra is such an interesting character, a master of potions, who tried to kill her old best friend and is now on the run. Why she felt she had to do that though, you will see as you read but it’s for a good reason. The little pig Rosie that joins the journey later is so cute and she’s actually on the cover too! Fred brought the comedy during this and his interactions with Kyra were awesome and of course funny.
This book was very fun to read and a nice fantasy novel that I think others would definitely like, especially anyone being introduced to this genre.