The Prison Healer

Solid 4/5. Or 4.5? Hot damn. That was a great little read.

Over the last week, I’ve picked up a few fantasy romance books, hoping for something that would click, hoping to find something I wouldn’t want to put down. I’m grateful for my failed attempts, because it landed me here.

This book offers such a refreshing introduction to a series about warring sides of magic. I thought I’d grow tired and impatient being confined within the walls of the prison for the entirety of a book, that it would lack action and interest. But boy, was I proved wrong. I loved how the narrative both keeps you in the loop, and just enough outside of it to leave a few revelations for the reader to either be picked up on, or be shocked as hell when things click into place. (This was me, I was the shocked one, as I certainly did not pick up on everything lol).

But the best part? I stayed immersed the whole way through because of Kiva and the many others I fell in love with (Tipp, Naari, Jaren, her father and even little ‘ol Mot). Kiva inspired me endlessly through her selflessness, but more than anything she felt real - in her reactions and responses to all the cards she’s dealt. You can’t help but emphasize because she feels so human - in her fear, in her strength, and in her will to survive.

This book feels small and intricate because of its narrowed lens on life in a shameless prison and its focus on a few raw and delicate relationships we see tentatively formed. These are its greatest strengths. But by the end, the story takes on a new life and an exciting trajectory in anticipation of all that’s to come. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Couldn’t recommend enough.