**Disclaimer: I was given a free ARC of the below in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.**
I’d like to begin by thanking The Fantastic Flying Book Club and the publisher for choosing me to be a part of this tour. Please check out the other stops along the tour for other reviews, playlists, and other fun posts about this book and the author, Natalie Mae.
Check out the full tour schedule here!
Giveaway
Prize: Win (1) of (5) copies of THE KINDER POISON by Natalie Mae (US Only)
Starts: 10th June 2020
Ends: 24th June 2020
Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d9681b86517/
Title The Kinder Poison
Author Natalie Mae
Release Date June 16, 2020
Publisher Razorbill
Description from Amazon
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 and be granted unparalleled abilities.
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. Zahru is left with only one hope for survival: somehow figuring out how to overcome the most dangerous people in the world.
Initial Thoughts
I was super excited to be chosen for this tour. This book has been on my TBR for a while and I actually requested it from NetGalley before the tour was announced.
Some Things I Liked
- The magic system and world building. This book felt like a combination of The Demon Race by Alexandra Warwick and All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace. I loved the concept of the Crossing that the heirs had to compete in to determine who would be the heir apparent. Similarly, I loved all of the different kinds of magic and how they were utilized.
- #teamKasta. I had far more moments than I thought I would where I actually rooted for Kasta. I really didn’t want him to be the villain and I’m still not entirely convinced that he is. I think he is redeemable and His rivalry with Jet gave me all kinds of Salvatore Brothers vibes (Vampire Diaries fans know what I’m talking about!).
- Zahru as a snarky and fun main character. Let’s be honest, most of what happens to Zahru is one disaster after another but she cracks jokes and tries to make the best of it, I loved that about her character. She made for an excellent narrator and I really felt like I connected with her.
- The cover art. When my parents took me to India as a toddler (to meet my grandma, the OG Monika), I was quite a rambunctious little rascal and I earned the nickname bichchhoo, meaning, scorpion in Hindi. Grandma claims it has something to do with the way I used to run / crawl around the floor but, I’m not 100% convinced. Furthermore, Scorpio is my moon sign and I’ve always been drawn to the creepy stingers, so I just loved that they were a theme throughout the book as well as a golden feature on the cover.
One Thing I Wasn’t Crazy About
- The love triangle. Oh, how I dislike them so. I just don’t want to choose between the love interests. I can see value in each of them and it breaks my fragile little heart to know that one of them is going to end the series with a broken heart.
Series Value
This story ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so I’d be incredibly disappointed if there wasn’t a sequel. Beyond that, I like these characters and this world. I want to see what happens next. I think this book has a ton of sequel potential as well as spin off potential. Jet’s teammates were very interesting and I’d like to know more about Marcus and his grandma 😉.
Final Thoughts
I enjoyed this book. I think it set up an interesting structure for a series and I am eager to keep reading. Natalie Mae was a new author for me and I am also excited to read any other books she writes. Her characters are engaging, the world was captivating and unique, and I am curious to know more.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommendations for Further Reading
- The Demon Race by Alexandra Warwick – if you liked the plot of a race across the desert filled with magic, check out this book by Alexandria Warwick.
- All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace – if you enjoyed the magic system and like the idea of a magic driven society, try this book by Adalyn Grace. The setting in that book is more aquatic, but the magic systems and worlds felt similar.
- Night Spinner by Addie Thorley – if you liked the idea of a charismatic villain that you find yourself rooting for or almost rooting for, try this book by Addie Thorley.
Author Bio
She now writes full-time at home with a bag of dark chocolates in one hand and a leopard cat on her lap. She is most definitely not checking Instagram right now.
BOOK LINKS
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42893340-the-kinder-poison
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3avr9TU
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-kinder-poison-natalie-mae/1134068050?ean=9781984835215
Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Kinder-Poison-Natalie-Mae/9781984835215
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/the-kinder-poison
Google Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=E9a1DwAAQBAJ&rdid=book-E9a1DwAAQBAJ&rdot=1&source=gbs_atb&pcampaignid=books_booksearch_atb
AUTHOR LINKS
Website: https://nataliemaebooks.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18637214.Natalie_Mae
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ByNatalieMae
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ByNatalieMae/
June 10th
The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club – Welcome Post
June 11th
L.M. Durand – ReviewGwendalyn’s Books – Review + Favourite Quotes
Books and Zebras – Review
TheGeekishBrunette – Review + Favourite Quotes
June 12th
Belle’s Archive – Review + Favourite Quotes
Book Briefs – Review
dinipandareads – Review + Favourite Quotes
Colbywilkens – Review
Lauren Bodiford – Review + Favourite Quotes
June 13th
Books Over Everything – Review
Starlight Reads – Review + Favourite Quotes
Dazzled by Books – Review
June 14th
mckenzie.reads – Review + Favourite Quotes
Pacific Northwest Bookworm – Review
bloomingbibliophile – Review
June 15th
Emelie’s Books – Review
Library of a Book Witch – Review
BiblioJoJo – Review + Favourite Quotes
@onemused – Review
Mowgli with a book – Review
June 16th
Kait Plus Books – Interview
The Reading Corner for All – Review + Playlist
Books Less Travelled – Review
Sincerely Karen Jo – Review + Favourite Quotes
A Bookish Dream – Review
Popthebutterfly Reads – Review
Books Over Everything 
Like the cover, sounds good!
LikeLiked by 1 person