Review: Touch of Power
Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.
Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life...
I’ve enjoyed many of Maria V. Snyder other books but none of them have quite lived up to Poison Study. However, Snyder has redeemed herself in my eyes with Touch of Power. Although Poison Study may still be my favorite of Snyder’s books, Touch of Power is a very close second. Touch of Power was so good that when I finished it, I longed to read it again and I sulked for days. It’s been awhile since I’ve fallen in love like this with a book that I was beginning to forget what it felt like. .
I listened to the audiobook and narrator Gabra Zackman did a phenomenal job. I love her voice and combined with Snyder’s writing, it’s like a match made in heaven. I wish she would narrate all of Snyder’s audiobook books. Sigh.
Touch of Power is a classic Marie V. Snyder novel. A strong heroine is propelled on a journey and action, conflict, and romance ensues. Avry Kazan is a healer, the last of healer due to the bounty placed on all healers. On the run for what seemed like years, Avry managed to survive by blending in and resisting her instinct to heal those in need. However, the desire to heal is strong in healers and Avry gives up her secret when she decides to heal a dying girl. This decision results in her lying in a jail cell with a death sentence looming over her. That is, until a group of rogue men break her out and save her life, at least for the time being.
Snyder crafted superb characters, all have unique personalities and each of the main characters captured my heart. The conflict really pulled me in and for most of the book I had no idea what’s going to happen to get Avry out of her unfortunate situation.
My one compliant is that this book is categorized as young adult and I have no idea why. Avry is twenty and that’s the only thing I can think of that would make this book young adult. Even so, Avry’s character felt older and more mature than 20. Other than her age, nothing about this book felt like a young adult novel.
Well written, captivating, addicting, charming, oh, how many other adjectives can I use to describe this book! I loved it and I wish it wasn’t over so I could keep reading it. I really hope I don’t have to wait too long for next book in the series.
By now, you’ve probably figured out that I’m crazy about books. For me, reading is a much needed break from my hard working 8 to 5 job. When I’m not reading or thinking about reading, you will find me working for a non-profit by day and spending time with my family (my husband and dog) by night. I also enjoy running, walking my dog, movies, music, and coffee.
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