Despite a drawn out middle and some questionable quests that could have been a little more thought out, I enjoyed The Prison Healer. Much of the excitement came in the final chapters but it was such a fun cliffhanger ending that the previous slow pace was forgiven.

TPH follows Kiva who has been locked up in a prison for 10 years after she and her father are captured for being seen with known rebels. She spends these years learning healing techniques from her father, with her only hope of survival and/or rescue in the form of coded notes that she receives and sends in frequently to the outside world.

The book is enjoyable throughout with a little romance, a cute sidekick type character and just the right amount of sinister activity to keep it interesting. As mentioned, the middle was a bit of a drag with the constant inner monologues from Kiva but picked up considerably so it can be forgiven.

Im glad i pre ordered the sequel as i genuinely invested in Kiva’s journey now but hope the dark and smut meters ramp it up a notch for the second outing.