Book Review: The Blood Traitor by Lynette Noni

 


My book review of The Blood Traitor by Lynette Noni. The third and final installment in the Prison Healer trilogy, offers a thrilling and emotional conclusion to an already captivating series.

Title: The Blood Traitor

By: Lynette Noni

Genre: Fantasy 

Pages: 464

Release Date: June 14th, 2022

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Clarion Books)

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:

She’d failed them. All of them. And now she was paying the price.

Kiva thought she knew what she wanted—revenge. But feelings change, people change... everything has changed.

After what happened at the palace, Kiva is desperate to know if her friends and family are safe, and whether those she wronged can ever forgive her. But with the kingdoms closer to the brink of war than they’ve ever been, and Kiva far away from the conflict, more is at stake than her own broken heart.

A fresh start will mean a perilous quest, forcing mortal enemies and uneasy allies together in a race against the clock to save not just Evalon, but all of Wenderall. With her loyalties now set, Kiva can no longer just survive—she must fight for what she believes in. For who she believes in. But with danger coming from every side, and the lives of everyone she loves at risk, does she have what it takes to stand, or will she fall?

 

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Review:

Following Kiva Meridan’s journey, the story is packed with action, magic, and redemption, and will satisfy readers who have invested in these characters and their complex world.

Kiva is grappling with the consequences of her past choices and faces an even greater threat from the Valenia Empire. After the devastating betrayal in the previous book, The Gilded Cage, she must now navigate dangerous alliances and unexpected challenges to save both herself and those she cares about. The stakes are incredibly high, as Kiva battles both external enemies and her internal struggles with guilt and loyalty.

Kiva’s arc in this novel is deeply satisfying. She has always been a morally gray character, but in The Blood Traitor, her inner turmoil and journey toward forgiveness make her incredibly compelling. The exploration of family, loyalty, and the cost of redemption is handled beautifully.

Noni expertly balances fast-paced action with quieter, introspective moments. The battles and magic sequences are vivid and keep the tension high, while the emotional beats feel genuine and earned. The urgency in the plot never lets up, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish.

The supporting cast, particularly Jaren, Tipp, and Naari, really shine in this installment. Their individual stories are interwoven into the main plot, giving the narrative depth and texture. Jaren’s relationship with Kiva is a highlight, filled with emotional intensity and moments of tenderness.

While The Blood Traitor is a satisfying conclusion, there are a few pacing issues, especially in the middle, where the plot slows down slightly before picking up again. Some of the twists, while exciting, felt predictable, and there were moments where the resolution of certain conflicts felt too convenient. Additionally, a bit more exploration of the world-building could have added richness to the story.

Overall, The Blood Traitor is a gripping and heartwarming finale that fans of the Prison Healer series will undoubtedly enjoy. With its memorable characters, emotional depth, and well-executed action, it delivers on the promise of the series while leaving room for reflection on themes like forgiveness, identity, and the power of choice. Lynette Noni has created a world readers will be sad to leave, and this book serves as a fitting farewell.

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