Poison

February 4, 2013
Kyra, a 16-year-old Master Potioner (specialty: poisonous weaponry) is on a mission to kill her best friend, Princess Ariana. Sounds grim, except this assassin has a piglet guide (dubbed Rosie) and occasionally wears frilly underwear that gets exposed at the most inopportune moments—like when the handsome and blithe wanderer Fred shows up. Kyra may wear black and stash all manner of weapons about her person, but she doesn’t really want to hurt anyone (indeed, many of the potions she uses are meant to induce sleeping or confusion). She wouldn’t think of it if it weren’t for her frightening visions of the destruction of the kingdom, all of which seem to hinge on Ariana. Or do they? The late Zinn’s debut novel unfolds as a romping, fairy-tale quest with more than one twist up its sleeve. The story is vivid, headlong, and occasionally tongue in cheek, and the narrative’s dark moments never get too scary because everything else is so much fun. Ages 12–18. Agent: Michael Stearns, Upstart Crow Literary.

February 1, 2013
Don't let the title or cover fool you! No grimdark teen fantasy or angst-y heroines here; just a frothy confection of a fairy tale featuring poisoners, princesses, perfumers and pigs, none of whom are exactly what they appear (except maybe the pigs). Sixteen-year-old Master Potioner Kyra is on the run from the army, the royal family, organized crime and her business partners (including her ex-fiance)--all because she tried to kill her best friend Princess Ariana. But Kyra's newly awakened (if unwanted) prophetic visions have revealed that if the princess lives, the kingdom dies. Against this dreadful future Kyra pits her impressive martial training, her formidable skill with poisons, an infallible (and adorable) tracking pig, and the equally adorable (if infuriating) Fred, rogue and companion-of-the-road. Can Kyra survive long enough to execute Ariana? And can she live with herself if she succeeds? Ignore the ridiculously contrived plot and shaky worldbuilding; the sheer bravura charm of Kyra's voice will sweep away any reservations. More troublesome are a weakness for telling over showing and the distressing tendency to equate moral virtue with physical beauty. Still, this is good silly fun--a refreshing antidote to a genre overflowing with grit and gloom. (Fantasy. 11-14)

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June 1, 2013

Gr 6-9-Sixteen-year-old Kyra is on the run. She may be one of the Kingdom of Mohr's most highly skilled potions masters, but she has also just tried-and failed-to poison Princess Ariana. And Kyra is determined to finish her mission even if it means killing her best friend. There's no room for companions or pets on this desperate quest, so how is it that she's wound up with an adorable pig and an adventurer who's too charming for his own good? In order to save her kingdom from a nefarious plot, Kyra will have to come to terms with all the gifts she possesses (including the strange visions that spur her actions on) and reveal a dangerous plot before it destroys everything she loves. Filled with unexpected twists, this frothy fantasy adventure offers readers a story with plenty of action, engaging humor, and a dollop of romance. While readers looking for complex, multilayered plots may find the characterization and world-building on the thin side, many young teen and tween fantasy fans are likely to snap up this quick read with a feisty heroine.-Stephanie Whelan, New York Public Library

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