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When Kiva Meridan was 7, her father was falsely accused of a crime, and they were both sent to the notorious death prison, Zalindov. Now, 10 years later, Kiva still fights for survival while working as the prison healer.
When the Rebel Queen is captured and brought to the prison near death, Kiva is charged with keeping the woman alive long enough for her to undergo the Trial by Ordeal. The Trials — a series of elemental challenges against air, fire, water, and earth — are assigned to only the most dangerous of criminals.
Then a coded message from Kiva’s family arrives. It contains only seven words: “Don’t let her die. We are coming.”
Kiva knows the Rebel Queen would never survive the trials — especially in her current state of health. So when the day of the first challenge arrives, Kiva volunteers to take her place. If she succeeds, both she and the queen will be granted their freedom. But no one has ever survived the Trials.
When The Prison Healer was first published, it was garnering some hype, so I went into it with lowered expectations. However, I quickly became invested in Kiva’s story and was as desperate for a favorable ending as she was.
The story takes place in a prison, and as such, it’s not an uplifting book. There is a lot of heavy content, and even the general mood of the story is one of anxiety and hopelessness. While I often struggle with stories that feature darker tones, this setting was one that I actually enjoyed. It was a pleasant reminder that a high fantasy doesn’t have to have a vast setting to be compelling.
Overall, The Prison Healer is a solid young adult fantasy book. With its steady pacing and undercurrent of mystery, it was easy to read one more chapter. The ending alone, while somewhat predictable, was enough to hook me into immediately picking up the next book in the series.
Rated: Moderate (bordering on high), for a harsh setting, overall depressing and dark mood, and a fair bit of blood and gore. Countless deaths and serious injuries occur — including poisonings, a man whipped bloody, and a child stabbed. Innocent characters are imprisoned alongside those guilty, including children. Sexual content includes innuendos, rumors, and derogatory talk toward Kiva. Stories and insinuations are made of sexual assault, sexual favors, and rape. Guards prey on female prisoners and view them as entertainment. One guard is given medicine for a venereal rash. A half-clothed woman is seen in the lap of a handsy guard. A character is confronted and dragged naked from the showers by another woman to talk. A character’s clothing is burned away and they are covered with a garment for modesty. Other trigger warnings (most only briefly mentioned): cannibalism; child death; previous self-harm and suicidal thoughts; mental illness; trauma and PTSD; drug addiction and drug overdosing; domestic, emotional, and child abuse; and animal testing. There are 7 uses of moderate profanity and 10 uses of mild language. Characters kiss.
