Raving about POISON

I'm going to rave for a minute. Yes, rave. Don't worry, I'm wearing protective gear and a mouth guard.

What am I raving about, you may ask? GIFs, publishing news, blizzards, or some other random doodad I mention way too often with hopeless abandon on my blog? Nope. Something even better: Bridget Zinn's POISON.

If you're unfamiliar with Bridget Zinn and her delightful YA fantasy debut, check out her webpage and take a moment to marvel over the glorious riot of color that is her cover. One of the greatest things about being a part of the YA community is the sense of camaraderie that arises when certain books or people burst through the pile of rejection and publishing mayhem to truly shine. Bridget Zinn and her novel are certainly shining this week.

For those of you who are unaware of Bridget and her heart-wrenchingly inspirational story, please, please check out her webpage, particularly the tab Help Spread the Word. Every author dreams of the day they will get to see their book on a shelf in a bookstore, and the hectic yet fulfilling time leading up to that day when they will dive into interviews, blog posts, Twitter-promotions, and other crazy marketing events in an attempt to get the word out. Because that dream is so much a part of the publishing process, it is only right that we pick up the publicity where Bridget can't.

And not only because she can't, but because POISON is phenomenal. Truly, deeply phenomenal. This book is a gem of a story that is just as colorful, vivacious, and FUN as its glorious cover. Kyra is at once flawed and perfect, and leads you along on her journey much the same way her adorable pig-sidekick Rosie leads Kyra along -- by shuffling determinedly into adventure after adventure, never once hesitating or apologizing. This is one of those stories that leaves you with that tingle of satisfaction, and stays inside of you for years to come. POISON is undoubtedly an instant classic. Bridget's sweetness is just the icing on the cake of this delectable morsel.

So go! Buy the book, get lost in the Kingdom of Mohr, and spread the awesomeness of Bridget, Kyra, and POISON!

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend. 

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart...misses. 

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her? 

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.