By Nora D, Severna Park High School
The Kinder Poison is a YA fantasy novel fit for fans of The Red Queen and Shadow and Bone. In the magical kingdom of Orkena, Zahru, a simple Whisperer, has lived her life in a small town, dreaming of adventure. The ill king has announced the Crossing, a deadly race between the three heirs across the desert which will determine the next ruler. When Zahru sneaks into the palace for a chance to see the castle, a misunderstanding marks her as the Crossing’s human sacrifice. She finds herself amidst royal tensions and realizes that no one is who they appear to be. Can she find a way out of this unlucky fate, or will she die trying to stop it?
The Kinder Poison is one of those books I just knew I’d love even before reading it. And it did not disappoint! This book had me saying “just one more chapter” only to realize hours had passed. It incorporates adventure, intrigue, emotion, family, and an amazing plot to create an electrifying masterpiece. I loved the characters, and the narration has a kind of humor that you can’t help but enjoy. The plot starts off a little slow, but it is worth it in the end. There is also slightly less action and lots of moral and emotional scenes. It might not be the book for everyone, but it is definitely one of those hidden gems.
Between sibling tensions, moral dilemmas, humorous commentary, and riveting characters, this book has definitely made it to my list of favorites. I have only compliments for The Kinder Poison and would recommend it to any fantasy fan. And with the sequel, it just keeps getting better! Overall, just an amazing book!
Click here to check out The Kinder Poison by Natalie Mae!