The Kinder Poison
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4.0 • 1 Rating
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- $15.99
Publisher Description
"A DELICIOUS HIGH-STAKES ADVENTURE." —PEOPLE MAGAZINE
Perfect for fans of Victoria Aveyard and Holly Black, The Kinder Poison is an enthralling fantasy adventure that follows a teenage girl chosen to be the human sacrifice in a deadly game between three heirs who will do anything for the crown.
Zahru has long dreamed of leaving the kingdom of Orkena and having the kinds of adventures she's only ever heard about in stories. But as a lowly Whisperer, her power to commune with animals means that her place is serving in the royal stables until the day her magic runs dry.
All that changes when the ailing ruler invokes the Crossing. A death-defying race across the desert, in which the first of his heirs to finish—and take the life of a human sacrifice at the journey's end—will ascend to the throne. With all of the kingdom abuzz, Zahru leaps at the chance to change her fate if just for a night by sneaking into the palace for a taste of the revelry. But the minor indiscretion turns into a deadly mistake when she gets caught up in a feud between the heirs and is forced to become the Crossing's human sacrifice.
Now Zahru's only hope for survival hinges on the impossible: somehow figuring out how to overcome the most dangerous people in the world.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Mae's ancient Egypt inspired fantasy debut follows 16-year-old Whisperer Zahru, whose inherited power animal communication, from her stablekeeper father is considered unimpressive stacked against those of her fellow magical citizens. The dying monarch of Orkena, the Mestrah, has announced the gods' reinstatement of an ancient tradition called the Crossing, which determines the kingdom's next ruler through a desert race. Encouraged by her best friend, Hen, Zahru decides to assume the identity of her late mother, a powerful Potionmaker, to watch the lavish selection trials. The Mestrah's three children firstborn but ill-favored Prince Kasta; illegitimate, reluctant-to-compete Prince Jet; and charming, hedonistic Princess Sakira will choose teammates for the competition, in which the first to reach the Glass Caves secures the crown with a divine-designated human sacrifice. When Zahru makes an enemy of Kasta, he marks her as the sacrifice, setting into motion a harrowing journey toward certain death. The engaging cast stands out, especially the antagonists, whose well-developed backgrounds ensure sustained narrative tension. Though inadequate details, particularly about Orkena's history and magic, sometimes mar the worldbuilding, Zahru's amusing mental dialogue and nascent romance complement the fast-paced plot, resulting in an entertaining duology opener. Ages 12 up.
