Poison

by Bridget Zinn

Overview

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a talented potions master, is the only person who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction-which means she's the only one who can save it. With no other choice, Kyra decides to use her skills to poison the kingdom's future ruler, who also happens to be her former 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, but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she's certainly no damsel-in-distress-she's the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic fairy tale that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781423153306
Publisher:	Disney-Hyperion
Publication date:	03/11/2014
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Bridget Zinn was a writer, librarian, and teen literature enthusiast who lived with her husband and two feisty cats in Portland, Oregon, until her untimely passing in 2011. Poison is her debut novel.

Editorial Reviews

Kyra, a 16-year-old Master Potioner (specialty: poisonous weaponry) is on a mission to kill her best friend, Princess Ariana. Sounds grim, except this assassin has a piglet guide (dubbed Rosie) and occasionally wears frilly underwear that gets exposed at the most inopportune moments—like when the handsome and blithe wanderer Fred shows up. Kyra may wear black and stash all manner of weapons about her person, but she doesn’t really want to hurt anyone (indeed, many of the potions she uses are meant to induce sleeping or confusion). She wouldn’t think of it if it weren’t for her frightening visions of the destruction of the kingdom, all of which seem to hinge on Ariana. Or do they? The late Zinn’s debut novel unfolds as a romping, fairy-tale quest with more than one twist up its sleeve. The story is vivid, headlong, and occasionally tongue in cheek, and the narrative’s dark moments never get too scary because everything else is so much fun. Ages 12–18. Agent: Michael Stearns, Upstart Crow Literary. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

Don't let the title or cover fool you! No grimdark teen fantasy or angst-y heroines here; just a frothy confection of a fairy tale featuring poisoners, princesses, perfumers and pigs, none of whom are exactly what they appear (except maybe the pigs). Sixteen-year-old Master Potioner Kyra is on the run from the army, the royal family, organized crime and her business partners (including her ex-fiance)-all because she tried to kill her best friend Princess Ariana. But Kyra's newly awakened (if unwanted) prophetic visions have revealed that if the princess lives, the kingdom dies. Against this dreadful future Kyra pits her impressive martial training, her formidable skill with poisons, an infallible (and adorable) tracking pig, and the equally adorable (if infuriating) Fred, rogue and companion-of-the-road. Can Kyra survive long enough to execute Ariana? And can she live with herself if she succeeds? Ignore the ridiculously contrived plot and shaky worldbuilding; the sheer bravura charm of Kyra's voice will sweep away any reservations. More troublesome are a weakness for telling over showing and the distressing tendency to equate moral virtue with physical beauty. Still, this is good silly fun-a refreshing antidote to a genre overflowing with grit and gloom. (Fantasy. 11-14)—Kirkus

Poison, pigs, and princesses combine in this fun fantasy adventure. Sixteen-year-old Kyra is a potions master. When she learns the future of her kingdom includes destruction and despair, she knows what she must do: assassinate the princess, who also happens to be her best friend. For the first time in her life, Kyra's poison dart misses its target, and now she is on the run. In her attempt to save the kingdom, she encounters goblins, witches, a magical tracking pig, and one very infuriating (and very cute) adventurer named Fred, who somehow keeps appearing on Kyra's trail. Does Kyra have the heart to follow out her mission? And what will happen to the kingdom if she doesn't? This is a frothy fantasy confection filled with quick-witted dialogue, cliff-hanger chapter endings, and plenty of plot twists to keep readers guessing. With a strong and independent main character, a dash of romance, and plenty of magic and potions, readers tiring of damsel-in-distress stories are sure to applaud Kyra and her madcap adventures. - Sarah Bean Thompson—Booklist Online

Gr 6-9 Sixteen-year-old Kyra is on the run. She may be one of the Kingdom of Mohr's most highly skilled potions masters, but she has also just tried and failed to poison Princess Ariana. And Kyra is determined to finish her mission even if it means killing her best friend. There's no room for companions or pets on this desperate quest, so how is it that she's wound up with an adorable pig and an adventurer who's too charming for his own good? In order to save her kingdom from a nefarious plot, Kyra will have to come to terms with all the gifts she possesses (including the strange visions that spur her actions on) and reveal a dangerous plot before it destroys everything she loves. Filled with unexpected twists, this frothy fantasy adventure offers readers a story with plenty of action, engaging humor, and a dollop of romance. While readers looking for complex, multilayered plots may find the characterization and world-building on the thin side, many young teen and tween fantasy fans are likely to snap up this quick read with a feisty heroine. Stephanie Whelan, New York Public Library—SLJ

Sixteen-year-old Kyra is a girl with more than her share of secrets. Living in the world of witches, dwarves, potion masters, shape shifters, and the like, she is reluctant to trust anyone, even her best friend and the future queen, Ariana. Readers learn early on that Kyra has attempted to murder Ariana, and we spend the rest of the book trying to figure out why Kyra shot a deadly potion at her and why, when she has never missed a target, she missed that one. Twists and turns, including dramatic cliffhanger chapter endings, quick getaways, disguises, tricked-out witches, a princess-seeking pig, and one especially clever and handsome boy make this a fine rollicking adventure from start to finish. The author's use of thoroughly modern language in a magical setting adds to the charm. The characters are complicated and act in flawed human ways, making mistakes in judgment that make the plot twists all the more realistic. Kyra and Ariana are strong girls in the Vesper Holly tradition-not giving in to sexist social requirements and, thank goodness, never fighting over Fred, the love interest. Zinn has crafted a marvelous tale, more Harry Potter than Twilight. Readers will be sad that, due to her untimely death, Zinn's more-than-promising debut novel will be her last. robin l. smith—Horn Book

From the Publisher

The publisher of this book, Hyperion, is a division of Disney and it seems likely that this book was written with Disney animation in mind. Far more fairy tale than fantasy, Poison bubbles with a strong female lead character, a handsome male sidekick, and a cute mascot pig named Rosie. Kyra, the clever heroine, is not just an adventurer but a potions master. Her concoctions are as different as a sleeping draught and camouflage sprays that hide Kyra and Rosie from their pursuers. Kyra is on the run because she has attempted to kill her cousin, the princess of Mohr on the eve of her arranged marriage. Kyra meets Fred, another adventurer who is much too handsome to be cast aside, but he is suspiciously vulnerable to Kyra's tricks. While camping with gypsies, Kyra reveals that she is not just a potioner, but is a fledgling with a rare gift as a seer, all of which seem to be tossed into the story too conveniently. In fact, that is the problem with this book: the story doesn't evolve in a logical way, meandering out of control with elements and characters thrown in to advance the plot but not to drive the story in a logical way. The beginning of the book actually seems to start in the middle of the story, so much so that I checked to see if a prequel existed. It really appears that a prior book should be there to introduce the multitude of characters and plot elements that author Zinn creates. There will certainly be readers for this book, especially girls looking for "Brave"-ish stories with rebellious heroines. However, a little less animation ambition and more literary structure would benefit the story. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross

Children's Literature - Lois Rubin Gross

Gr 6–9—Sixteen-year-old Kyra is on the run. She may be one of the Kingdom of Mohr's most highly skilled potions masters, but she has also just tried-and failed-to poison Princess Ariana. And Kyra is determined to finish her mission even if it means killing her best friend. There's no room for companions or pets on this desperate quest, so how is it that she's wound up with an adorable pig and an adventurer who's too charming for his own good? In order to save her kingdom from a nefarious plot, Kyra will have to come to terms with all the gifts she possesses (including the strange visions that spur her actions on) and reveal a dangerous plot before it destroys everything she loves. Filled with unexpected twists, this frothy fantasy adventure offers readers a story with plenty of action, engaging humor, and a dollop of romance. While readers looking for complex, multilayered plots may find the characterization and world-building on the thin side, many young teen and tween fantasy fans are likely to snap up this quick read with a feisty heroine.—Stephanie Whelan, New York Public Library

School Library Journal

Don't let the title or cover fool you! No grimdark teen fantasy or angst-y heroines here; just a frothy confection of a fairy tale featuring poisoners, princesses, perfumers and pigs, none of whom are exactly what they appear (except maybe the pigs). Sixteen-year-old Master Potioner Kyra is on the run from the army, the royal family, organized crime and her business partners (including her ex-fiance)--all because she tried to kill her best friend Princess Ariana. But Kyra's newly awakened (if unwanted) prophetic visions have revealed that if the princess lives, the kingdom dies. Against this dreadful future Kyra pits her impressive martial training, her formidable skill with poisons, an infallible (and adorable) tracking pig, and the equally adorable (if infuriating) Fred, rogue and companion-of-the-road. Can Kyra survive long enough to execute Ariana? And can she live with herself if she succeeds? Ignore the ridiculously contrived plot and shaky worldbuilding; the sheer bravura charm of Kyra's voice will sweep away any reservations. More troublesome are a weakness for telling over showing and the distressing tendency to equate moral virtue with physical beauty. Still, this is good silly fun--a refreshing antidote to a genre overflowing with grit and gloom. (Fantasy. 11-14)

Kirkus Reviews