The Kinder Poison by Natalie Mae

The Kinder Poison (The Kinder Poison, #1)

by Natalie Mae

In the magical kingdom of Orkena, Zahru has long dreamed of a life beyond the desert, even though she knows her lowly position as a stable girl who can commune with animals will never afford her such a luxury.

All that changes when the ailing ruler invokes an ancient tradition known as the Crossing. It’s a death-defying race across the desert, in which the first of his heirs to finish - and take the life of a human sacrifice at the journey’s end - will ascend to the throne and be granted unparalleled abilities.

As preparations and celebrations commence, Zahru jumps at the chance to experience a small taste of glamour by sneaking into the palace. But the minor indiscretion quickly turns into the worst mistake of her life as she gets caught up in a feud between the heirs and is ultimately forced to become the Crossing’s human sacrifice. Zahru is left with only one hope for survival: somehow figuring out how to overcome the most powerful people in the world.

Reviewed by bookishzelda on

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I loved The Kinder Poison. I was addicted from the minute I started reading and I just could not put it down. I felt like I didn’t know what would happen to Zahru up until the end.

I loved everything about this story. The plot is so fast paced and a villain isn’t just a villain. The characters all have their moments where they balance the line. I loved how well we get time with each of the heirs as Zahru becomes a part of the race. It’s not just the race that is the focus of the story. We find that tensions are rising outside of the kingdom as well.

I like Zahru a lot because she doesn’t have all the answers. She has what is considered a lesser magic. By being a Whisperer she is able to talk to animals. I thought that's pretty cool magic personally. I don’t think she really gets to test its full limits in the story though but that’s just my assessment. Ha ha. I loved the undercurrent of the story that does center around Zahru and who she is besides her magic.

I loved their three heirs because they all have their own strengths and weaknesses. Jet is kind but he also seems to have this complex that makes him often feel like he needs to step back and let others shine. Kasta is cruel but also has more to his story, more to him. Sakira is charismatic and seems reckless but also wants to help her people. That’s just the heirs, not counting their companions who all have varying personalities. They really pull the story together, we get to know them all and I loved how each one can make an impact on someone else.

I really loved The Kinder Poison and I can not wait to see what the next book has in store. There are a few different things that are going to be at play. I want to see where this journey for Zahru goes.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 14 June, 2020: Finished reading
  • 14 June, 2020: Reviewed