Book Review - Poison

Title: Poison
Author: Bridget Zinn
Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books
Release Date: 12 Mar 2013
ISBN13: 9781423139935

Synopsis 
Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: 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 pig, 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?

My Review
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was first drawn to this book by it's cover, it caught my eye and it really pulls you in. The more I look at it the more I see in it. It's beautiful. No matter what people say first impressions through covers matter a lot. I then read the synopsis and thought it sounded really good. I was so pleased when I was accepted to read it. 

This book follows Kyra, she's just tried to kill her best friend who just happens to be the Princess, after failing she is on the run and determined to do anything in her power to try again. It could be the difference between survival and destruction.
Kyra was a great heroin, she has a real sense of duty and honour and even if things seem impossible she tries to find a way around it. She also has a good sense of humour and great sarcasm and wit. The more I read about her and found out about her I liked her more and more. Moments of weakness mixed in with moments of kick-butt fighting made her well rounded and likeable.
Fred, the guy she runs into in the woods and begrudgingly  becomes her travelling companion is also a great character, he comes across as a bit of an idiot at times but with a good spark of life and a sort of playfulness to him. There is a sense of mystery about him as the story involved and I liked that I wasn't quite sure what he was there for, I was surprised by the outcome too, did not expect it. 

The plot is well planned and the pacing is great, the story flows really well and keeps you hooked. I actually started this in my lunchbreak a couple of days ago and then didn't have time to read since, but I have been craving to get back into it. I found myself thinking about what would be happening next and wondering if I could get away with bringing it out for a couple more pages. 
The writing and story reminded me a bit of Maria V Snyder, who is one of my favourite authors, but still maintained it's own fresh feel. 
I hadn't heard of this author before but hope she has a lot more up her sleeves. 

My Rating