CSC Bookclub Book Review

Review of ‘The Prison Healer’  

by CSC Book Club 2021 

CSC Book Club selected Lynette Noni’s fantasy novel ‘The Prison Healer’ as our second story for the year. We were captivated by the intriguing blurb and left wondering why the 17-year-old protagonist, Kiva, was currently serving her tenth year in the notorious death prison, Zalindov. We were excited to explore Kiva’s journey as she faced the Trial by Ordeal and see how she might overcome a world seemingly stacked against her.  

‘The Prison Healer’ portrays a world of personal sacrifices as one struggles desperately for self-preservation while at the mercy of a corrupt justice system. Readers experience the hardships, struggles, and successes of Kiva as Noni challenges her with the ancient and almost impossible Trials by Ordeal – a test that only those with elemental powers stand any real chance of surviving, and even then, there’s no guarantee.

Kiva is tested further as she faces self-inflicted isolation during a period of political upheaval 

and immoral prison workers, while clinging to the hope that her family will come and rescue her. As Kiva is pressured into impossible circumstances, readers are taken on a journey to see if and how she will survive the trials and life as a Zalindov prisoner.  

Noni offered much for readers to enjoy with detailed descriptions of the environment that invited readers to visualise and experience the oppressive prison setting. 

While Noni relies a little too heavily on telling readers what’s happening rather than providing clues for the audience to infer meaning from, the constant tension Kiva faces at each new trial keeps the reader turning pages to see what comes next.

With clear consequences for character actions, purposeful romances, and unexpected twists, the reader has a lot to enjoy. Young adults looking for fantasy romance set in an oppressive world would be interested in this compelling narrative that pressures the protagonist into breaking her isolation and forming new relationships to survive, while providing a light commentary of the effects of injustice in the world.  

— Aaron Freeman and CSC Bookclub